THE VISION AND DISCOURSE OF HENRY the seventh.  
Concerning the UNITY OF Great BRITAIN.  
Divided into four Chapters.  

1. Containing an Introduction.  
2. Inducements to Unity.  
3. The policy, deceit, and mischievous spite of the underminers hereof.  
4. The danger of Division.   
Related by T.G.  Seneca ad Novatum, lib. 1. deir●. 
Beneficijs humana vita constat, et concordia, nec terrore, sed amore muiu● in foedus, auxiliumque commune constringitur.  
AT LONDON Printed by G. Elder, for Henry Fetherstone, and are to be sold at the sign of the Rose in Paul's Churchyard. 1610.   

To the truly religious and resolute Gentlemen of England, loving their Country and the Truth therein professed.  
WOrthy Gentlemen, which by your words, actions, or writings, show yourselves worthy of so good a cause: to you which love virtue for virtues sake, without any other collateral respect: to you which are the stationary soldiers of this Kingdom, contemning the thundering cannon of Romish excommunication, and the crosse-battery of domestical artillery: to you (next to the main columns of this state) I dedicate this short Poem, as an applause to your constancy, and as a Perdu to give notice of the motions of our Adversaries. The reasons urging me thus to expose myself to an infinity of censures are these. First the variety of floating humours generally discontented. Secondly, the diligence of Romish Pirates to surprise them. Thirdly, the drowsy security of these dangerous times. Lastly the unseasonable curiosity of Sectaries, which (like Archimedes) seriously busy themselves in drawing circles whilst their Country is in danger. These considerations have been the weights, and plummets, to set my poor invention on work, to perform some dutiful office to the State, in the persuasion of Unity, the chiefest bond of peace, and happiness, and the surest fortress against a million of stragglers, which hope to pray upon us in our disorder and confusion. The Clergy hath already done their most faithful, and most commendable devoir: many of whose books will never be answered. It remains, that virtuous Gentlemen, having joined experience to their learning, and valour to their experience, should show themselves in the first ranks, to beat back the golden hopes of the Romish Alchemists, Cum semiviro Comitatu: Never did England enjoy a King more judicious in matters of Divinity then now it doth. Neither was there ever a more happy projector ●f the Union, and Unity of these kingdoms than Henry the seventh, 
Polyd● Virgi● hist. l●  by giving his eldest daughter the Lady Margaret in marriage to james the 4. King of Scotland. The one maintains the Truth, with his own Pen beyond the performance of any christian King: The other persuades Unity in the Truth by another's report. If mine endeavours herein may any way confirm the constant, or stay the wavering from wronging themselves, and others, I shall be more then satisfied. 
〈◊〉 de q. cap. 1  If the event shall prove otherwise, yet sholl it not repent me, Operam praebuisse reipublicae, si nihil profituram, at conaturam prodesse. Now for the manner of writing in verse, the ancient custom of Oracles, and visions in this kind have prevailed with me, to make tender of my best performance herein: And the incomparable Sallust, Lord of Bartasse, hath of late so advanced Poetry by his grave, majestical, and pleasing verse that I can neither fear the scorn of verse in general, nor the objection in particular of the unfitness thereof for this subject being in his nature nothing so deep as that divine subject of du Bartasse his Poem. 
●arel in ●ife of 〈◊〉.  Besides it was the practice of Solon by Thales, in pleasing rhymes to give the Athenians the wholesome pills of virtuous precepts: Orpheus, Linus, Pythagoras, Theognis. did the like. Amongst the Divines, Prudentius, Sedulius, Iweneus, Paulinus. Lastly, that King●y Divine Poet, which was after Gods own heart, did martial his heavenly meditations in a kind of primordial verse. And although the number of Ballad-mongers, and frothy Poems strained for ga●ne to please the vulgar, may seem to impair the reputation of the ancient Vates, yet there is no question, but that perspicuous verse well couched, comprising much matter in a narrow room, full of History, natural Allegories, fit similes, and material observations, shall always win respect in the most wayward & newfangled age. Not in this assurance (Gentlemen) do I recommend these lines unto your view, but hoping that being Scholars ye will not misconstrue, being generous ye will not carp, being loyal ye will not disallow my dutiful devotion. Eminent fortunes have eminent place to show their loyalty, 
〈◊〉. de 〈◊〉. cap 3  but private men must learn of Seneca; 
In privato publicum negotium agere.    

The vision and discourse of HENRY the seventh, concerning the unity of Great Britain.  

GReat 
a Plutarch in the life of Pompey.  Pompey in a jollity did boast,  
That if he did but stamp upon the ground,  
Such swarms of friends would aid him from each coast,  
That Caesar's forces he should soon confound:  
So great his fortune, and his prowess were,  
That fatal dangers he could never fear.  
But my poor Muse an humble pace must creep,  
●or fear of waking swarms of secret foes;  
My muse some unfrequented path must keep,  
Lest some in ambush her weak force enclose.  
When 
b Parsons, and Tortus, wronging the late Queen Elizabeth and King james.  graves, & thrones of Princes are attempted,  
How may a meaner fortune be exempted?  
Thus far o'er eeve my thoughts to verse aspired,  
Intending Britain's concord for their theme;  
When suddenly again my muse retired,  
Not daring to endure bright Phoebus' beam.  
" A poem which itself can scarce defend,  
" Can little help to other causes lend.  
Whilst I for Albion's weal did thus take care,  
Dame nature craved her due, and closed mine eyes  
With heavy sleep, yet fancy would not spare  
To represent these stately prodigies.  
Me thought I saw the person of a King,  
Whom winged Cherubins to th'earth did bring.  
His spangled mantle was of Azure hue,  
With stars like heavens bestudded every where;  
Which did foreshow true wisdoms clearest view,  
Of all those Kings which did the sceptre bear.  
His crown was gold, whose spires aloft were seen,  
And by his side there stood his lovely 
c Elizabeth the daughter of Edward the 4.  Queen.  
Their left hands held the 
d The arms of York, and Lancaster.  Roses white and red,  
In whose defence were 
e Philip Con●●●es hist. lib. 4. cap. 7.  four score Princes slain;  
Like Cadmus' seed their blood each other shed,  
Till these by marriage were made one of twain:  
And afterward such peace there did ensue,  
That never since Mars could those broils renew.  
In their right hands they held a scutcheon fair,  
Wherein the picture of a 
f K. james.  King was drawn,  
Which makes his foreign enemy's despair;  
And for truth's life, his own dear life doth pawn.  
Who still with danger doth himself oppose,  
Against his Churches, and his country's foes.  
They often viewed this picture with delight,  
And to the same the King these words did utter,  
My son, said he, the sun which cleared the night,  
Of England's fears, 'gainst whom no claim durst mutter,  
We joy in heaven that thou on earth dost reign,  
Which to the heavens so many souls wilt gain.  
For first thy drooping clergy thou didst rear,  
Which are the 
g Isa. cap. 58. ●.  trumpets of the King of Kings;  
To sound his praise, and to procure his fear;  
And arm th'elect against serpent's poisoned stings.  
These have endured the front of spiteful Rome,  
And yet sustained strong factions push at home.  
These are the 
h Math. 10.40.  heralds of the Lord of hosts,  
Which bring his peace, or else denounce his threat:  
These faint not for the Babylonian boasts,  
Nor Schismatics whose brains on trifles beat:  
Thrice famous was their former constancy,  
Thrice famous be their new integrity.  
Ye Pilots which do keep the middle channel,  
And shun the shelves, and shores on every side;  
A saintlike jury doth your judge impannell,  
Which in their verdict for your weal provide.  
The Chiefe-chiefe-iustice for you hath decreed,  
That still for you shall stand the royal seed.  
Let hellish Miners hellish sulphur lay,  
To overturn their faithful steadiness,  
Let Atheists rave, and blasphemies display,  
Let others show their brainsick headiness;  
The heavens bright eye sees all, and will confound,  
All those which strive to bring them to the ground.  
Sometimes his kingly prophecy shall tell,  
Sometimes the grave Cecilian Sentinel;  
And oft his foes shall ring th' alarm bell:  
And 
i Witness the writings of Watson, and the letter of Tresham.  traitorous tongues shall traitorous plots repel.  
" For 'gainst the right all treasons are accursed,  
" Like poisons they their first inventors burst.  
Long live (my james) for thy true Churches good;  
Long live the Church thy true right to maintain,  
No King no Church, no Church no King had stood;  
The one without the other hath a main:  
And since your love with God's love is united,  
With mutual love this land shall be requited.  
It never grieves me that mine 
k Henry the eight.  Henry's line  
Is quite expired, since I in thee do live:  
Since greatest families must stoop to thine,  
Which to itself doth daily lustre give:  
Thine Eaglets shall this little world enjoy,  
Not fearing aught the greater worlds annoy.  
Yet must I not forget Elisa's name,  
The quintessence of all the female sex:  
Whose virtues did extol her worthy fame  
Above her proudest foes which did her vex:  
Who often did attempt her life to spill,  
Yet had not power so good a Prince to kill.  
Like Deborah she did the truth maintain,  
No Prince achieved more warlike acts than she,  
No Prince so many 
l Bartas in the 2. book, of the 2. day of the 2. week.  languages did gain,  
Who foreigners interpreter could be.  
Her dauntless spirit made the stoutest fear;  
Yet to the poorest she inclined her ear.  
Her court was royal, yet she did not grieve  
Her subject hearts with heavy tax, nor tolls,  
Distressed states she always did relieve,  
Whose Chronicles her great exploits inrouls.  
Mean while all England thrived & prospered well,  
And now her bliss no earthly tongue can tell.  
That Phoebe long did this horrizon hold:  
And as she fared, so England ebbed, and flowed:  
At length her crest the highest spheres did fold,  
Whilst England's subjects in great darkness row'ld.  
When from the North another light appeared,  
Which nights black mantle quickly had casseered.  
Once Europe's Princes did on scaffolds stand,  
To feed their eyes with England's tragedy,  
But then they saw 'twas heavens all powerful hand,  
Which did present a joyful Comedy.  
For now the world a 
m Ecclesiastes 4.12. England, Scotland, & Ireland.  threefold cord doth see,  
Which by no strength, nor force may broken be.  
When Rome envied 
n justin. lib. 34.  Achaia's waxing strength,  
Which to an uniformity was grown,  
The Senate sat in counsel, and at length  
Decreed, that discord must be quickly sown.  
They thought that first their league they must untwine  
Or else that state they could not undermine.  
To which intent they Commissaries sent,  
To draw each City to her ancient laws;  
" Who told those greeks 'twas bondage to be penned  
" Within the compass of the Lion's paws.  
" That lofty Eagles took no note of Flies,  
" Nor great commanders of small families.  
" That yearly Praetors were the only Kings,  
" Which soon returned their suits, and writs again:  
" With these the wronged expostulates such things  
" As awful fear with others must refrain.  
" Where every Burgess is a Senator;  
" And each wise Citizen a Monitor.  
" Thus stand provincials of the Roman state,  
" A time they Lordlike live, but at the last  
" The meanest may their cause with them debate,  
" Of injuries which in their time have passed:  
" Then are they fain to plead as private men,  
" And fancie-feeders always fail them then.  
" For if these petty Kings have offered wrong,  
" Within the year in which their powers confined;  
" That time expired each Citizen is strong  
" To right himself, and to the laws them bind;  
" Then are they sure to have a due reward,  
" As they have had a right, o● wrong regard.  
" Those sponges than are forced to repay  
" The liquor, which from others they did soak:  
" Protection may not course of justice stay,  
" Nor venale tongues may venale judgements cloak.  
" Thus did Rome's conquered countries flourish more,  
" Then under Tyrants they did erst before.  
" And as for Rome the nurse of liberty,  
" It Consuls had which yearly it did change:  
" Where worthy men had place themselves to try,  
" And had a field where virtue's life might range.  
" Yet if within the year they did offend,  
" The Tribunes with them shortly would contend.  
" Man's chief content is freedom to the mind,  
" The heaviest doom is bondage to the heart,  
" The one delight in all estates doth find,  
" The other grief, and never dying smart.  
" The sight, smell, touch, the hearing, and the taste.  
" Are sour to those which are in bondage placed.  
" The Oxen still the heavy yoke do shun,  
" The Bird the cage, the Hawk unmanned the lure;  
" Each beast from man with hasty speed doth run,  
" Lest once intraped it thraldom should endure.  
" But men much more, & ye much more than other,  
" Should quit yourselves, & not your freedom smother.  
With this smooth speech these Romans did assay  
To break th' Achaians sacred bond of love,  
For never did this state itself betray,  
As other greeks which strangers aid did prove▪  
" For civil broils, and foreign force or'throw,  
" As storms do Cedars which alone do grow.  
Now when th' Achaians heard this sl●e discourse,  
They sounded soon the ground of their intent:  
They knew ●ight well conjunction was the nurse  
Of all their weal, which Romans would prevent:  
Then like to Bees they sallied out in swarms,  
And would have slain them but for law of arms,  
Whilst 
o In sreta um fluvij ●rrunt●ing. Ac●id. 1.  springs to streams, & streams to sea did run,  
Whilst hills made shades, & heavens had stars to shine,  
Th' Achaians concord should not be undone;  
And all their hearts in one they would combine:  
If Rome by sword their valour meant to try,  
Together they would live, together die.  
So would all th' English if some were not wronged  
By self conceit, and charms of sorreine foes:  
They would perform what unto right belonged,  
And with their wrack not hazard Britain's woes.  
" Woes will attend on those which woes contrive,  
" And such as peace out of the world would drive.  
No other land, nor Church doth Babel dread;  
Here is the golden mean twixt two extremes,  
If any land with veri●y do wed,  
'tis Albion, which displays the brightest beams:  
As in full orb the Moon giue● greatest light;  
So Britain now is in her power and might.  
This is the cause why Rome such pains doth take,  
Her brain is lymbecked for some quaint device;  
Her search doth dive into the Stygian lake;  
Her broken strength she musters in a trice;  
As flies on sores; or waters in a breach:  
So are her troops, this Isle to overreach.  
Among those lands which have disclaimed her power,  
This land hath still maintained most worthy spirits,  
Whose valour, wisdom, truth aloft did tower;  
And challenged fame, and glory for their merits:  
As far as Titan sends his lightsome rays:  
So far the world resoundeth England's praise.  
How oft have th' English curbed the 
p Mercur● Gollobelgi cousin anno. 1588.158.  Spanish pride?  
And vanquished them in their own seas and lands?  
Who still did hope all Europe to divide  
By colonies, for Austria's line to stand:  
But England only hath them overthrown,  
And ever since their power hath backward grown.  
The Mid-earth sea, the Indies East and West  
Have seen, and felt their prowess, and their force:  
Their 
q Crefwe● Andreas, Philopate●  policy hath made them safely rest,  
Within their bowers, though Rome did them divorce.  
Though Spanish force, and Romish curse agreed;  
Yet England hath itself from bondage freed.  
For since the Welsh all former hate did bury,  
And loyal love did vow to new made friends,  
All England's foes since that have felt their fury,  
And Wales like walls the English coast defends:  
That now the Church and Universities,  
Do triumph daily in these firm allies.  
So now the English have a new increase  
Of Northern friends, in valour like the rest,  
So that all broils of bordering wars must cease,  
And now this I'll may more advance her crest:  
What power so ever dares her Lions wake,  
'tis in their power a due revenge to take.  
Their blood shall with the English blood be matched,  
New bonds of love shall cancel former hate:  
They shall not now by fearful eye be watched,  
All scorn shall die the fuel of debate:  
Like 
r justin. l. 44.  Geryon they shall their force unite,  
And love with love, and faith with faith requite.  
Thus from the world, this once 
s Penitus toto divisos orb ●ritannos. Virgil. Eglog. 1.  divided I'll,  
Is now become a famous monarchy:  
Though long it did itself with blood defile,  
Now is it crowned with peaceful amity:  
Thus by the Lord of hosts her storms are calmed,  
Thus are her wounds by his own hand embalmed.  
Shall then earths worms contend with heavens great king?  
Shall flitting 
t jesuits, & Seminaries with their perfidious adherents.  vagrants break a settled peace?  
Who for themselves a weak defence do bring;  
Who see their Patron's power still to decrease.  
Shall Rome declining to that height aspire▪  
To set a world within itself on fire?  
Who cannot quench a flame so 
u In Venice  near begun;  
But yield to time, and temporize for fear.  
Shall others to her 
x Having lost the far greatest part of Germany, all the North-east countries, of Demmarke▪ & Swethland. great part of Poland, & Hungary: the Low countries & France.  waning power be won?  
And on their necks this helpless idol bear?  
Like to the Rocks whereon the waves do beat:  
So are all those whom Roman curse doth threat.  
The birds of th'air, and those celestial 
y Angels.  legions,  
Which over virtuous Kings do always hover,  
These hear the speeches of the lower regions;  
And to the highest will these wrongs discover.  
" All 
z Prou. 8.15.16.  power's from heaven & heaven will it defend,  
" And ill shall be to those that ill intent.   

CHAP. 2. Inducement to unity.  
WHen 
Arist meteor. lib. 2. cap 8  vapours moist, and exhalations hot,  
Into the airs mid regiment are hailed,  
The fiery fume, cloud smothered, scorns his lot,  
And breaks the prison where it was enthralled,  
Then eyrie Cannons in such sort do thunder,  
As if the firmament would cleave a sunder.  
So different humours on this earthly stage,  
Send from their fantasies such store of volleys,  
As if the world in his old wayward age,  
Should make a rendz-vous of all his follies:  
Yet their assaults the truth can no way scar,  
Nor fruitless passions reasons strength can mar.  
For Unity from heaven herself derives,  
And there her truest image doth remain,  
Who seeks her breach against himself doth strive,  
And on his head his shafts return again;  
Yet self-conceit strange paradoxes holds,  
As wandering Goats delight in change of folds.  

The first reason from the Trinity.  
THe only One 
b Trinus in numero, unus in numine.  distinct in persons three,  
In glorious essence never is divided,  
Three Tapers light in one do all agree,  
And by this light th'elect to bliss are guided,  
" For man's dull thoughts heavens mysteries cannot see,  
" Except faiths windows thence tralucent be.  
Where quintessence of all perfections dwells,  
How can there any difference arise?  
Man blind and frail, with sullen envy swells;  
His mind doth vary as his body's guise.  
Which is the cause that underneath the sun,  
There's nothing sound, or in order done.  
The general Counsels of the world's great clerk,  
Where public good so fairly is pretended,  
They are but pageants of some private quirks,  
Where vice is masked, and no fault amended:  
" The world grows weak, and art must now sustain,  
What natures strength, and vigour did maintain.  
When motions are on foot though ne'er so good;  
And though propounders often merit praise,  
Yet still by factions they are so withstood,  
That truth, and right themselves can hardly raise.  
Some wits consent though somewhat they will add,  
Some wits triumph to make good causes bad.  
But with jehovah, the true square of right,  
The 
c August. epist. 11●.  eye of truth, the arm of strength and force:  
Which sees all falsehood in the darkest night;  
And doth uprightly judge without remorse:  
How can their odds by any weakness be,  
As man with man in strife too oft we see?   

The second reason from the Heavens.  
HEre is the perfect view of Unity,  
To which the worthiest creatures do aspire;  
The Heavens, and Elements do move hereby,  
Else to their Chaos they would soon retire:  
If these should not their place and order keep,  
Men should not here on earth so sound sleep.  
The 
d Psal. 19.6.  circled motion of the spangled wheels,  
Which primum mobile about doth carry,  
Proou's heavens great concord, for there's none that reels  
Out of his place, or that main course doth vary:  
The changing Moon, which earthly things presents,  
Her course with other stars no whit prevents.  
As maskers when they hear sweet music's sound,  
They tread their Measures by so perfect Art,  
As if their bodies were by travise bound,  
Or that they were all guided by one heart:  
So heavens great Orbs together run their rings,  
As they are charged by the King of Kings.  
From th' Empyreal heaven, which doth embrace,  
The other heavens, and all the elements,  
All keep true 
e Psal. 48.6.  quarter, teaching Adam's race,  
That they so le●rne to order their intents,  
That lawful concord they do never cross,  
Lest civil discord bring a fatal loss,   

The third reason from the Elements.  
IF fire and water should their armies bring,  
Into earth's valleys they would all devour;  
If air should from his triple station fling,  
No creature could retain his vital power:  
The earth would then her deluge plaints renew,  
As once the borders, Britain's strife did row.  
The happiest government they do observe,  
Which is the preservation of the whole;  
From this decree they never yet did swerver,  
Since glistering stars carreered about the pole:  
Twixt fire and water, which are deadly foes,  
The onely-wise, the air did interpose.  
The earth and air true correspondence keep;  
The sun is 
f Arist. meteor lib. 2. cap. 4.  arbitrator twixt them both,  
Sometimes he lets the spongy clouds to weep,  
On earth's dry face, and then as being loath  
To offer wrong, from floods and briny seas,  
He pays that moisture which the air doth please.   

The fourth reason from man..  
But if Man list not pierce into the skies,  
To search the formal motion of the spheres,  
Let Man but set himself before his eyes,  
And he shall see what government he bears:  
For great jehovah gave him comely feature,  
And made him lord of every living creature.  
And as a King, to counterpoise his cares,  
Hath oft recourse from profit to delight,  
So with this Monarch of the earth it fares,  
Some creatures serve his taste, and some his sight:  
Some carry him into what coast he please,  
And some are Physic for his body's ease.  
This is the 
g Micr●cos●os.  model of the greater All,  
Which like the eye itself cannot behold:  
And though he tread upon this earthly ball,  
Yet is he graced with 
h Solomon's song, cap. 4.  beauties manifold:  
For of a soul, and body he is framed,  
So that he is the Kingly creature named.  
The soul of man, a 
Plena deo, similisque●reanto. Prudentius.  glimpse of heavenly light,  
Conueys itself to all the body's members;  
Yet it affords a view, and perfect sight,  
Whereby man understands; foresees, remembers:  
Whose swift discourse and motions are so strange,  
That through the world this little world doth range.  
And as a Captain of besieged howlds  
Surveys the Ports, and weakness of the walls,  
Then his advice to others he vnfoulds,  
And to the watch the Corpse du guard he calls:  
So doth the soul prevent the body's danger,  
Lest it should be surprised by a stranger.  
Hereby he is God's 
k Gen. 1.28 Psal. 4.  Viceroy here below,  
O'er whom heavens 
l Psal. 104.2.19.22.23.24.  starry canopy is spread:  
On whom by day the sun doth light bestow;  
Whom in the night the other stars have lead:  
Who holds all of the great Lord paramount▪  
That he his praises daily may recount.  
None can recount his boundless regiment,  
To whom no part of earth hath been forbidden,  
Whose body doth unite each element,  
And in the same a soul divine is hidden:  
Which so conjoins with th'elemental frame,  
That Man th'united mirror we may name.  
If we shall view right reason at the length,  
Which is a choice perfection of the soul;  

m Oculus hominis anima, animae ratio; rationis relligio.  Christianity will show her powerful strength,  
And will obtain praecedence in this roll.  
" For with faith's hand we hold our mediator,  
" And as a toy neglect the world's Theatre.  
So that the world is for his creatures made,  
The creatures for man's body daily serve,  
The body is unto the soul a shade,  
The soul likewise true reason to preserve;  
Right reason doth contain religious bounds,  
Whose Anchor's cast far from these earthly mounds.  
This is the chain which heaven to earth doth link,  
The golden bracelet of man's greatest bliss,  
Yet must not man of his weak merits think,  
But of his grace which 
n 2. Cor. ca 12.9.  all sufficient is.  
For Man is not thus happy by his 
o Ex pacto, non ex facto Bernard.  fact,  
But by jehovah's only free compact.  
Thus is the earthly Church, heavens dearest spouse,  
Not by emissive, but attractive beams;  
This bounty great should our dull spirits rouse,  
To make his praises be our only themes:  
Whose charge maintains us on this earthly globe,  
And covers us with his all-righteous rob.  
O happy creature of so kind a founder!  
Whose power creat's, whose providence maintains:  
Of thy great glory who shall be the sounder?  
Poor man is weak to chant such lofty strains:  
Let Angels, trumpets of thy glory ring;  
Let heavenly saints thine Aleluias' sing.  
Let earth's low valleys her faint echoes lend;  
And to this heavenly quire make some report,  
The harshest voice heavens artic will attend,  
And with his grace man's weakness will support.  
Nay he accepts the 
p 2. Corint. 8.12.  meaning for the deed,  
And with supplies our drooping faith doth feed.   

The disuniting practice of Satan.  
But as the highest doth th'elect uphold  
From sad despair, by th'union of his son,  
So Lucifer makes other rebels bold,  
To run that course that Adam had begun:  
For still he compasseth both seas, and lands,  
To join one soldier to his traitorous bands.  
As Pride was first the pro-scaene of his fall,  
And of that crew which with him did conspire;  
So now he vents his malice, and his gall,  
'Gainst man, which hath a spark of heavenly fire:  
For since he cannot wrong the strong of strongs,  
He s●ares no servant which to him belongs.  
Yet doth he not profess hostility,  
But on each folly s●ts a 
q Cyprian. epist. 40.  varnished gloss;  
By which poor man with all agility,  
Doth eagerly pursue his greatest loss:  
He takes advantage of men's several age,  
That into dangers he may them engage.  
In prime of youth, when heat of lust abounds,  
He blows the coals of self-consuming pleasures;  
And afterward with avarice he drowns,  
The vital spirits with cark of worldly treasures,  
Then late repentance, time, and death consent  
To end that life, which was in folly spent.  
Yet he suggests lust but a youthful trick,  
And covetosnesse an honest thrifty care;  
The Maecchiavillians to be politic,  
And those most valiant which no sex do spare:  
That to be cleanliness, when in great pride,  
Men rob all creatures, their true shapes to hide.  
he's first a slave, and prentice for some years,  
A perfect humorist for all assays,  
At last he tyrant turns, and over-peeres,  
All humane comfort, and himself displays:  
As usurers first get the bonds of heirs,  
And then their lands, and tenements are theirs.  
But as the Salamander which doth live,  
In suits of law, and quarrels with his betters,  
Is soon discerned, and the judge doth give  
No place to him but with the fond barretters:  
So is man's foe by th'highest judge disclaimed,  
And he is hurt which would have others maimed.  
Thus man's arch-enemy pursues with hate  
The breach of union with his Mediator:  
Thus hath he ever strived to make debate  
Twixt th'earthly Monarch, and his great Creator:  
And always where a virtuous concord fails,  
This busy makebate by his slights prevails.   

The body of man..  
But now to leave Man's soul with his first maker,  
Which by faiths conduct climes heavens battlements,  
Where once inrowled it is with him partaker,  
far from the danger of all sad events:  
Let Man but think of his weak body's mass,  
And he shall see true Unions lively glass.  
For though it be a prison to the soul,  
A rotten bark such treasure to 〈◊〉  
Yet this poor frame the best state doth control,  
In prudent care each member to maintain:  
The toe scarce feels the gout, or any grief,  
But every part doth feel, and seek relief.  
The senses window's see, and shun the ill,  
Which may ensue, and aim at all things good:  
The heart from beating never standeth still,  
It sends the spirits, where dead palsy stood:  
The base parts food to the maw do bring,  
Whence unto them it flows as from a spring.  
The stomach, like a Cook, each mess doth boil,  
And from the Port-vaine sends it to the liver,  
Then turned to blood, it feeds the body's soil,  
As Egypt's fields are cheered by Nilus' river:  
For from the hollow vein, small veins are fed,  
As from a spring are many Conduits led.   

The fifth reason from the experience of Nations.  
Sly 
r Berosus.  Nymrod first did follow Nature's law,  
And did comprise a body politic;  
Who straggling families to his charge did draw,  
Which long had been of civil discord sick:  
Then soon they joined in love, and left their bowers,  
To build, for Nimrod, Babylon's high towers.  
But proud Ambition like a dropsy fares,  
The more it drinks, the more it doth desire;  
As Nimrod by that airy tower declares,  
For which he had confusion for his hire:  
This heap of Ants was by division broken,  
Which of each state the ruin doth betoken.  
He thought all future deluge to prevent,  
And on this tower amongst the clouds to walk:  
He scorned in earth's low cellars to be penned,  
And of the highest did profanely talk:  
But where he thought his honour to advance,  
There was the tragedy of his mischance.  
When public shows at private ends do aim,  
Those projects fail, and have the like event;  
But who with care prevents each public maim,  
The publike-weale shall crown his calm intent:  
Thus holy writ: thus former times have taught,  
Though now the world be with new figments fraught.  
Some factions are in love with novelties,  
And different minds their different fancies follow;  
They shun the mean, and seek extremities,  
They strain at Gnats, and Elephants do swallow:  
In some mistaking of conceited ill,  
The 
s Quintus Curtius, lib. 5.  Gordian knot of concord they would spill.  
But as thy Clergy (james) thou didst relieve,  
Esteeming all their wrongs as done to thee;  
Whom storms aloft, and rocks below did grieve,  
From shipwrecks danger thy great care set free:  
That seas wax calm, and rocks are now descried,  
Which show of zeal so long did closely hide:  
So shall the rest of Britain be united  
By the rights champion which undaunted art,  
Which smil'st to hear what passions have indicted,  
Against reason's force which humours would pervert.  
" A compromise each party must offend,  
" Which to the centre of the right doth tend.  
When 
t Plutarch in ●he life of Theseus.  Theseus founded the Athenian state,  
Which long for Arts, and Valour won the price,  
He first assuaged the Atticans debate,  
And for their concord gave so sound advice  
That if the greeks had so united been,  
They had not yet their head long downfall seen.  
When 
u Livi lib. 1 dec. 1. Plutarch in th● life of Romulus.  Romulus had built his seau'n-hild Rome,  
Which afterward all countries did subdue,  
The Sabines first he brought unto his home,  
Which did with arms their women's loss pursue:  
But so the Roman policy prevailed,  
That they conjoined, and Roman sons assailed.  
Then Numa, Publicola, and the rest,  
Which in the Roman government succeeded,  
By all fair means their borderers did invest,  
Within their state, and in all love proceeded:  
For still they gave them equal privilege,  
Which was of faithful love, the truest pledge.  
This was their course th' Italians to bring under,  
Of weal, and woe, they were partakers still;  
So that no force this frame could break a sunder,  
Till they of conquests did the stories fill.  
But when from 
x Tacitus lib 2 hist. cap. 15.  foreign wars their arms did rest,  
Ambitious Hydra raised her various Crest.  
The greeks likewise, when strangers did invade,  
They flourished most by force of Unity;  
For than they were one corporation made,  
And bent their valour against their enemy.  
If they had yearly ●ear'd the Persian war,  
To civil slaughters it had been a bar.  
None but great 
x Plutarch. the life of alexander ●odor. Sic. ●. 16.  Philip and his warlike son,  
Could curb the greeks from shedding Greekish blood;  
And then by them great Alexander won,  
The world's great globe, no strength his power withstood:  
As Britain's twins conjoined on Belgias plain,  
Their fronting foes to flight they still constrain.  
Th' Arabian Agarims of Ismaels' race,  
Which Saracens by Mahomet were named,  
They were a people abject, mean, and base,  
Till Mahomet to union had them framed:  
Which done in wars and peace they so agreed,  
That soon themselves from 
y Knowlles●n ●n the general hist. of ●he Turks.  Roman thrall they freed.  
Then afric, Egypt, Syria they subdued,  
And so conjoined disjointed lands did seize,  
That daily they their strength, and power renewed,  
And vanquished their borderers at ease:  
So far they ranged that lands far of did fear,  
And gave them fees that arms they would forbear.  
The 
z Thea●. winc. orbis, de Tur●. ●mperio.  Turks likewise which with them did remain,  
Which did increase when Saracens were employed,  
By their great unity such power did gain,  
That Europe, Africa, and Asia they cloyed:  
For in the flower of these three they are placed,  
And have the glory of them all defaced.  
From Buda to the great 
a Constantinople.  Constantine's seat,  
And from the Euxine sea to Savus banks,  
The Christians may their loss with grief repeat,  
For Turks thus far have led their Moonye ranks:  
Bulgaria, Servia, Greece, and Hungary,  
And other lands within this tract do lie.  
In Asia and in Africa they do hold,  
The land from Velez t' Alexander's town; 
b Alexandria.   
From Bugia to Guergula they're bold,  
T'advance the ensigns of their great renown:  
Their wars are but their janissaries breathing,  
And Christian gifts their swords keep from vnsheathing.  
But they for Unity do take such care,  
And are so wary discord to prevent,  
That they their emperors 
c Knowl● in the lif● of Amur▪ the first.  brethren will not spare,  
Nor cease from blood, till all that line be spent:  
One warlike sprout they do maintain alive,  
And by that means their hearts in one contrive.  
Mean while they break both heavens & nature's laws,  
Their Empire's power, and greatness to maintain:  
But nice conceits demur, and long do pause  
The heavens, and nature's gift to entertain:  
" Such is the frailty of all humane wit,  
" That restless folly best the turn doth fit.  
O giddy thoughts, and groundless fears of men,  
Which do prevent all rest unto the mind!  
Ill guided passion is much like a wen,  
Which to the body we disgraceful find.  

d Nubi mens es● vinctaque fraenis, ubi reg● Boethi consola philosop lib. 1. m●  Fear, hope, love, hate, contempt, desire, grief, joy,  
Do cloud the mind, and thrall it with annoy.  
And as their civil discord overthrow,  
All sound content in any private bower:  
So in a state, much more, where humours flow,  
Each blast doth raise huge billows every hour:  
Such storms of discord kingdoms overwhelm,  
That warily their Kings must hold the helm.  
My great Grand-sonne doth hold no other course,  
Then that which virtuous Kings did still intend:  
They always held that Concord was the source  
Of endless peace, for this all strife doth end:  
Though many years this land all means did try,  
Yet heavens till now this proffer did deny.  
Eight hundred years 
●he duke ●mmer●etter to ●oun●●● of 〈…〉  two heirs did not afford,  
Of Britain's kingdoms, which might match together,  
Yet in Prince Edward's time no sound accord,  
Could be obtained, that Mary might come hither:  
And when all humane plots, and projects failed.  
By JAMES, jehovahs' firm decree prevailed.  
Nine hundred years likewise the truth was sealed.  
And barred from sight of this, and other lands;  
Unto some few heavens mysteries were revealed,  
Which did discard themselves from Romish bands:  
For which they many tortures did endure,  
To prove the truth, and their election sure.  
Of this same truth my james is now ordained  
A matchless champion in this monarchy,  
Who with firm constancy and zeal unfeigned,  
Doth labour to confirm an Unity:  
As of this I'll he's now the only King,  
So to one Truth he would each subject bring.  
And though some few may Barricadoes make,  
To stop the course of his devout intent,  
Yet from the highest courage he shall take,  
And Hell itself shall not his aim prevent:  
The least design shall some encounters have,  
The worthiest act some factions will deprave.  
No earthly good is clear from all offence,  
None merits sweet, which will not taste the sour;  
None can with great jehovahs' laws dispense,  
For earth would then man's love, and hope devour.  
Man then would make the earth his biding place,  
Which is ordained but for a breathing race.  
Things truly good have always hard ascents,  
And resolution must undaunted be;  
If any one do sooth his fond intents  
With idle hopes, his error he shall see:  
No Church, no● State, from envy can be free,  
he's worse than blind, which nought but ill doth see.  
Disloyal thoughts their authors chiefly wrong,  
He hath his loss in chase which hurts his friends:  
With unity a land is chiefly strong;  
If concord fail all power to ruin tends.  
But 
f Praesenti●bus semper insestal●u● tas. Sen. de Tranq. ca  Lightness doth distaste the present still,  
And things far off surprise the wish and will.  
The Indies gold earth's yellow excrement,  
How dangerously and deadly is it bought?  
How long are men in floating prisons penned,  
Before they can obtain what they have sought?  
Yet gold from men, or men from gold must part,  
When death assaults with his not-missing dart.  
But Unity, which maketh thousands blessed,  
Without the danger or the loss of one:  
Where none shall be by Neptun's waves distressed:  
Where none shall hear the sire, or widows moan:  
Why should it be without great cause neglected?  
Why should the publike-good be so rejected?  
Credulity doth often dangers breed,  
And slow belief doth oft foreslow th'occasion:  
Once to Columbus we gave little heed,  
When he made proffer to the English nation  
That if we did but furnish him with ships,  
All Europe's glory we might soon eclipse.  
He said he knew there was another world,  
And to the same he would the 
g Hakluit Eng. vo● vol 3. pag  Pilot be:  
If skill did fail o'er board he would be hurled;  
So sure he was that th' Indies he should see,  
Where was of silver and of gold such store,  
As in the old world was not seen before.  
But we esteemed his speech an idle dream,  
And after long delay his suit denied:  
We weighed his words at our own fancies beam:  
And thus repulsed, he only thus replied:  
That he would all the Christian Princes try,  
And would not rest till all did him deny.  
When after tedious suits to Europe's kings,  
He found his motions every where neglected;  
At length to Arragon his suit he brings,  
Where 
〈◊〉 Mar de novo 〈◊〉, pag. 1.  Castile's queen what he desired effected.  
Then was that done which he had long informed,  
And what he promised duly he performed.  
What since ensued all lands have felt and seen,  
For to a concord Spain was soon reduced;  
And to all lands she hath a terror been;  
Since from her league she hath not been seduced:  
Her Indies gold, and Concord so prevailed,  
That England, France, and Italy sh'assailed.  
In Eighty eight her hopes devoured this Isle;  
And France since that with wars she hath infested:  
Great Charles the fifth made Italy stoop awhile,  
And Belgia always is by her molested;  
Which if she get a floating bridge she'll make,  
By which she'll hope all Europe's lands to take.  
No other means the Spaniards did advance,  
But those which wayward Folly here refuseth;  
Men at this niceness oftentimes do glance,  
And wonder how such motions it abuseth:  
For all the world conceives, and well doth know,  
That Concord doth an endless peace bestow.  
It is a truth which never yet did fail,  
That homebred Unity makes sure defence;  
And if men lift far countries to assail,  
It always makes a firm and strong offence.  
As many streams which in one channel mee●e,  
Pass uncontrolled till Neptune they do greet.  
This practice made 
Plutarch his life.  Themistocles renowned,  
When by a message to the Persian king  
He kept the greeks from being quite confounded,  
And to his country Victory did bring:  
For all the Grecian navy would have parted,  
If he their purpose had not soon diverted.  
For when they were at Salamin assembled,  
And that the Persian fleet did lie in sight,  
As out of love to Zerxes he dissembled,  
And wished him quickly to begin the fight,  
For if the greeks he took not in that bay,  
They soon would be dispersed some other way.  
The king next morn gave order for the charge,  
And in a straight the greeks made their defence:  
But their united force did them enlarge,  
Some ships they took, and drove the rest from thence:  
And so their victory they did pursue,  
That Persians never durst those wars renew.  
Yet cunningly they civil wars maintained  
Betwixt th' Athenians and the Spartans' bold;  
They knew if Greece true Unity attained,  
Great Persia could not long her Empire hold:  
As Romists now of Brittany do think,  
That now she's joined, their hopes must quickly sink.    

CHAP. 3. The policy, deceit, and spite of the underminers of Britain's Unity.  
ALL Rome's Usurpers by division strive,  
To break the forces of each potent king,  
When others jar, they keep the stakes and thrive:  
Thus into bondage they the world did bring:  
And though they seem t'uphold a public peace,  
Their traitorous engines daily do increase.  
Thus in My reign the Laity was abused,  
When Ignorance could not Rome's follies check,  
When by no sex their pleasure were refused,  
Wealth, Honour, Beauty, served the Clergies beck:  
Yet of their lives to have a jealousy,  
'Twas sacrilegious, and main Heresy.  
This heavy mischief every subject bare,  
The more he had the greater was his pain,  
And kings themselves might not with them compare,  
Though wrongs were rife they must complaints refrain,  
Else were their subjects for the Church in arms;  
So were men subject to those hellish charms.  
We wondered then how kings their freedom lost,  
How spotted Leopards had the Lions mated,  
King's budding power they nipped as with a frost,  
Nor was there hope to have their pride abated:  
But when of freedom kings did most despair,  
The King of kings their freedom did repair.  
The truth likewise by means most strange appeared,  
And at th'appointed time none could keep back  
That power divine which true professers cheered,  
And did the world of endless folly check:  
That we may yield all honour to his name,  
Who by weak means such worthy acts doth frame.  
For now each man may see the truth refined,  
Through many christian Principalities:  
Now many see which heretofore were blind,  
That Rome consists of mere Formalities:  
Like apples fair in show near Sodoms' lake,  
Which being touched to dust do quickly shake.  
For Rome doth now that Purity abjure,  
Which to her glory many years she held,  
To fancies now she doth herself enure:  
The Oracles divine are now expelled:  
Else doth she construe them to her own pleasure,  
To raise her pride, or to increase her treasure.  
As water poured into the choicest wine,  
For many hours when both of them run over,  
Doth leave no colour, nor a taste behind,  
Whereby his liquor B●cchus may discover:  
So Rome's inventions have the Truth outborn,  
That ancient truth is now exposed to scorn.  
Her outward reverence is the only glass,  
To dazzle millions of th'unlearned train,  
When silly larks by these fair shows do pass,  
They're caught, and never may return again:  
For unto Saints they do their prayers make,  
And do the God of power and love forsake.  
Unto the blessed Virgin they do build  
More stately temples, and more altars fair,  
Then unto Christ whose churches are not filled  
With equal presents; few to him repair:  
So are they from their high Creator led,  
And to his creatures they themselves do wed.  
Pompilius the Romans second king,  
Forbade all 
k Plutarch in his life.  images of powers divine:  
He said their worth surpassed each earthly thing,  
And that they far above our skill did shine:  
That colours lost their colour once compared  
With that high court where hosts of Angel's ward.  
The jewish Church could not, nor can endure  
T'adore the image of their famous 
l Moses.  guide:  
His interview with God could not procure,  
That they for him a statue should provide:  
And he which of his praise is jealous still,  
Did 
m Deut. 34.6.  hide his corpse such fond intents to spill.  
Though by jehovahs' high command they cast  
A 
n Num. 21.8.9.  brazen serpent curing serpents sting,  
Yet when the bounds of due regard they passed,  
And adoration unto it did bring:  
'Twas by God's herald into pieces 
o 2. King. 18 4.  broken,  
Though 'twere of 
p joh. 3.14.  Christ a certain sign and token.  
How fearful then and chary should men be  
To frame on earth corrivals of his glory?  
How from idolatry should men be free,  
Since worthiest things are pages of his story?  
To greatest Saints which on the earth did breath,  
He from his store their measure did bequeath.  
Shall then these drops of good which from him flow,  
Hold counterpoise with their eternal spring?  
Shall man on man that sacred praise bestow,  
Which doth belong unto the world's great King?  
Such praise undue the Saints above disclaim,  
Which at their great Creator's praise do aim.  
But Rome herein doth represent the Dove,  
Which being siel'd doth strive aloft to fly.  
So is she soothed by flattery and self love,  
That she no way her weakness can descry:  
In her great shows of Zeal true zeal doth serve,  
As Tantalus amidst his food did starve.  
As for Rome's Liturgies not understood,  
Or Sermons where the Legends are so rife,  
Unto the soul they're bare and windy food,  
Whereby Rome doth confound Devotions life:  
Thus man with God, and God with man confers,  
Thus both the zeal and understanding errs.  
Who knows not, cannot fear the highest judge,  
Nor can he feel the riches of his love,  
Who scorned on earth like to the vilest drudge,  
For his elect a sacrifice did prove:  
Who now 
q Mat. 11.28.  invites them to his sacred throne,  
To ease their grief and to relieve their moan.  
Confessors now usurp that function high,  
To hear and pardon every heinous sin:  
Adultery, murder, poison, blasphemy,  
Have easy penance, and a fresh begin:  
Where pardon may so quickly be obtained,  
Why should profanest actions be refrained?  
If villainies may not thus be secured,  
Their actors will unto some Altars fly,  
Which from the Pope indulgence have procured,  
To salve for many worlds each malady:  
Here are all winnowed by the Popish fan,  
None is excluded but the Lutheran.  
If any one by drowsy Negligence  
Vnpurged die, and fall to Purgatory,  
The Altars Pro defunctis rid him thence,  
By mumbling Mass hel● charming Oratory:  
A golden world it is when earth can vaunt  
Of newfound engines hellish power to daunt.  
What is more royal then to pardon those,  
Whose often crimes their Sovereign have provoked?  
Herein the Highest doth his grace expose,  
Which Rome seems now in such sort to have broached▪  
That every Priest by Popes can grace derive,  
A world of worlds from ruin to reprieve.  
Whereas the best should their salvation work,  
With awful trembling, and an holy fear,  
All Romists in security may lurk,  
They need not any enterprise forbear:  
For Pardons plenary from the holy sea,  
Will be for all a warrantable plea.  
Besides, the blessed Virgin will command  
Her Christ, that he the Romists may not charge:  
And all the Saints will make a joint demand,  
That from their sins he may them all enlarge:  
Then every Saint will his devoto free,  
And then a present pardon there shall be.  
For all those numbers of the blinded crew,  
Shall boldly stand before the judgement seat:  
They'll plead, they held the Roman faith most true,  
And from the same they never did retreat.  
As Rome bele'ft, so did they still believe,  
And now her Saints and she must them relieve.  
These are the vaunts of all the limbs of Rome,  
Which far beyond their bounds hath them transported,  
For which she must expect a fearful doom,  
Since she the holy Writ hath thus retorted:  
Not many years proud Babylon shall stand,  
Which 'gainst the truth so long herself did band.  
As they which are the Pastors of men's souls,  
Which many stragglers to their Pastor bring;  
Which do conduct them to th'eternals 
r Dan. 12.3  folds,  
O'er whom he did vouchsafe to stretch his wing:  
As these shall shine like heavenly lamps most clear,  
Whose lives and doctrine did so bright appear;  
So Rome which by enticements hath allured  
So many from jehovahs' reverence,  
Which hath of bliss her champions assured,  
By giving false and subtle evidence:  
To darkest Labyrinth she shall be thrown,  
Which to confound the light hath errors sown.  
The ancient Rome was happy in her wars,  
When her spread Eagle did the earth o'erspread,  
But now the gates of heaven and hell she bars,  
Some she sets up, on others she doth tread:  
Her favourites, her Popes do 
s Tortura Torti, pag. 361.  Vice-gods style,  
Man's blessed or cursed as they do frown or smile.  
Is now the world's Commander more remiss,  
Then he hath been to punish heinous sin?  
Or hath Rome only that indulgent bliss,  
Whereby she doth such reputation win?  
No Church or State had such a Monopoly,  
To barter sins, and make profaners holy.  
The Israelites which were to God most dear,  
Which for his Church he made peculiar choice;  
These were to him above all other near;  
Yet when they did neglect his sacred voice,  
Their sins eclipsed his favourable eye,  
That he would not relieve their misery.  
He punished them for their idolatry,  
And other sins, in Rome scarce sins esteemed:  
Twixt God and Sin there's an Antipathy,  
And disobedience is as witchcraft deemed:  
When wretched miscreants call th'infernal power,  
To wrong God's glory, and themselves devour.  
The holy writ, truth's surest Testament,  
Which in Cimmerian darkness, light doth give;  
With precept, and example it is sent,  
To curb man's sin, and teach him how to live,  
When man is with sins heavy burden grieved,  
By God and Man his sorrows are relieved.  
From him alone doth all perfection flow,  
By him we are with righteousness invested,  
From none besides doth certain comfort grow,  
Man's great unworthiness must be detested:  
Man's pardons are but letters formed in sand,  
Which not a moment in effect do stand.  
When man in viewing his deformities,  
Prostrates himself before the world's dread King,  
Intending to reform enormities,  
So far as humane frailty strength may bring:  
When in these thoughts a lively faith ariseth,  
Which to God's mercy constant trust adviseth;  
When these concur within a mortal breast,  
Conducted by th'elects most sacred guide,  
The Pastor may pronounce that party blest,  
His pardon's granted, and he may not slide:  
There is no law, nor danger unto those  
Which are in Christ, and thus their thoughts dispose.  
But unto those that welter in their sins,  
Whose lives are fraught with all impiety,  
Which for the innocent do lay their gins,  
Which scorn reproof, and all sincerity:  
Heaven scorns such guests, & their all-pard'ning priests  
As vile blasphemers, and mere Atheists.  
Then let not Rome of charter warrant boast,  
To sport herself at pleasure with each sin;  
The Majesty divine doth raise an host,  
Whereby he will his ancient glory win:  
Then shall the Romists perish like to them  
Which were confounded in jerusalem.  
Mean while let th'heart of all true Christians bleed,  
Let wandering thoughts retire themselves with shame:  
Let these abuses detestation breed,  
To see this age so haughty, yet so lame:  
When holiest things are set to open sale,  
Why should it not each worthy mind appall?  
Bright Phoebus thou, which 
t Mat. 27.45  hidst thy face from view,  
When Christ for man by man death's pains endured:  
Oh hide thy face again since now in lieu,  
Of humble thanks the world's to pride enured.  
Such pride as strives to overthrow Christ's throne,  
And in that place to readvance her own.  
For if Rome were content with wronging those;  
Which in the circle of her charms do live,  
If she sought not all kingdoms to enclose  
Within her power, and laws to Princes give:  
Some hope there were that truth might have some rest.  
Where now all countries are by her oppressed.  
As Belzebub th'airs Prince, and King of Flies,  
Employs for man's o'erthrow his damned swarms:  
So Papal furies daily play their prize,  
Against the truth to put their troops in arms:  
From these no state, or kingdom may be free,  
Except by heavens they shall protected be.  
To th'heavens 'tis clear, that this is one main let,  
That Unity due passage cannot have,  
For at this Church's concord they do fret,  
And seem as if at th' Albans they did rave,  
But England's peace, and weal they would prevent,  
What ere they feign, this is their sly intent.  
The great 
u Lipsius' de Romanorum machinis.  Testudo fitly they resemble,  
Which in their batteries the Romans used:  
For under them th'assailers did assemble,  
That from the walls they were not hurt nor bruised:  
So Romists under Unions hate do lurk,  
And shade themselves their hellish mines to work.  
By arms long time ill fortune they have tried,  
Now policy must be their chief defence:  
When they into the Court, and Church have pried,  
To soothe all grievance they make fair pretence:  
Of jealousy they cherish many sprouts,  
And from vain fears they raise a thousand doubts.  
Against the 
x Watson.  Puritans one while they stormed,  
And termed them the cankers of good order:  
Now do they 
y Tortus.  soothe them against the church conformed  
And call subscription tyrannous disorder:  
For where all factions they on foot maintain,  
They hope the sooner their designs to gain.  
This proou's the world in his decrepit age,  
When slights must be the st●lts to stay his fall:  
Rome vaunts herself a scourge for heavens great rage,  
Yet is she savage as the Cannibal:  
None did stern Tamburlaine so 
z Knowlles, in the life of Bajazet the first.  cruel see;  
In shedding blood he would more chary be.  
The romans did hostility proclaim,  
And Florence did her 
a Machiavelli Floren. hist. lib. 2.  Martinella ring;  
They thought that enterprise was honours main,  
When 
b Cic. office lib. 1.  undenounced war their force did bring:  
Much more they scorned traitors to maintain,  
Or give rewards to those which Kings had slain.  
Fabritius did not thus with 
c Plutarch in the life of Pyrrhus and Camillus.  Pyrrhus' deal,  
Camillus did not thus Faleria win:  
For to their foes they traitors did reveal,  
But Romists now extol this deadly sin:  
No marvel then if Concord they would spill,  
Which all the world with mutinies do fill.  
As Frogs of Egypt and those heaps of Lice,  
Which plagued th' Egyptian for his stubborness:  
So are the Roman Clericks which entice  
Each Prince's subjects to unfaithfulness.  
These like Chameleons wander every where,  
Instructing treacheries, and to forswear,  
As when the body is with humours full,  
A little bruise these humours doth attract;  
So in a state their Priests do draw each gull,  
Whose wealths impaired, or reputation cracked.  
Such swelling ulcers jesuits do make,  
Till lancing justice due revenge do take.  
Once famous Rome for justice in thy wars,  
Once famous for the Christian truths defence;  
Now treacherous cowardice thy glory mars,  
Thy truth is now become but truth's pretence:  
Thy Ignis fatuus doth to ruin lead,  
Those, which for thy supremacy do plead.  
What will they not by thee led on adventure?  
Hoodwinked by thee what mischief will they shun?  
Steep rocks they'll climb, and dive to earth's low centre,  
To perjury, murder, treason they will run,  
As if they should perform some worthy act,  
Or follow their great Mediators tract.  
When famous 
c Paulus Venetus.  Godfrey with the Christian powers,  
Expelled the Saracens from the holy land,  
When Cities, Castles, and the strongest Towers,  
This valiant general could not long withstand:  
The Assassins for their blood-thirsty King,  
Did to the Christians often danger bring.  
This people's country did on Persia bound,  
And at the foot of Libanus was seated;  
Dame nature did with mountains guard it round,  
That all assaults thereof were soon defeated:  
For through one entry they did only pass,  
Which by the fort Tigado guarded was.  
This plain, great store, and surplusage afforded,  
Of useful things, which to man's life pertained;  
As if the earth her treasures there had hoardward,  
And that elsewhere her favour she refrained:  
Or that th' Amalthean horn did there abide,  
And did itself from other countries hide.  
Th'enameled meadows were with rivers laced,  
And fringed about with many sorts of bowers,  
Where busy Art her divers skill had placed,  
To help the pleasure of retiring hours:  
Though Nature ground, and Art bestowed advice,  
Yet was this land the instrument of vice.  
For Aladine which termed himself Divine,  
Which both a King and God would needs be styled,  
His best inventions daily did refine,  
That men in pleasures trance might be beguiled:  
For houses of delight he there did build,  
Which with the fairest courtesans he filled.  
This done, he sent his factors every where,  
To bring to him some youngsters for his turn;  
For these are void of wariness and fear,  
Besides these most with Paphian flames do burn,  
These with expense will oft their pleasures buy,  
And soon embrace fit opportunity.  
When any one was to Tigado brought,  
There did he rest till some Sun-shinie day:  
Then should he take a Dose which charmed his thought,  
And did his senses bind without delay:  
Then in a swoon they richly him arrayed,  
And to the pleasant gardens him conveyed.  
There in short space his senses he enjoyed,  
And all those objects which his senses pleased:  
His sight and touch by coyness not annoyed,  
The fairest and the loveliest damsels seized:  
One day he did possess his pleasures fill,  
And all disports did soothe thi● strangers will.  
But when the Sun drew to his western goal,  
And made long shadows as even low things do;  
In banqueting his wits and robes they stole,  
Then Aladins castle he was brought unto;  
Where being wakened he began to think,  
How he from heaven was brought to Stygian brink.  
Then Aladine began with him to commune,  
And told him that in Paradise he had been,  
Where he all joys for his true friends did summon,  
That yet he had not half those pleasures seen:  
Which if he would by faithful service gain,  
This life expired he always should obtain.  
This promise did so raise this captives heart,  
And others which thus fond were abused,  
That all did strive which first should act his part,  
No dangerous action was by them refused:  
If Aladin would kings or captains kill,  
They strived who first his pleasure should fulfil.  
Thus was the County of Mountferrat slain,  
So was the valiant Duke of Tripoli,  
These Richard Cordelion's tent did stain  
With blood, whom Aladine had marked to die:  
For so vain hope of happiness prevailed,  
That Kings in their pavilions they assailed.  
At length this crew of murderers were 
Knowls' 〈◊〉. hist. of 〈◊〉 Turks, 〈◊〉. 113.  beset  
By Scythians, which Hayton had procured;  
Which after many years their fort did get,  
And since the world hath not such wrongs endured:  
Till Rome to blood her champions did entice,  
With full assurance of like paradise.  
For Rome can subjects from 
●ellar. de ●m. Pont. ●. 5. cap. 6.  allegiance free,  
And bind them to their kings when she shall please,  
All must of heaven or hell partakers be  
Of endless pains, or of eternal ease:  
As to the sea of Rome they stand affected,  
And as Rome's favours are on them reflected.  
To balk the Laicke Papists still deluded,  
With the opinion of antiquity;  
Which do account the Protestants secluded  
From the true Church by their fond sophistry:  
Since Jesuits by name and power are great,  
'tis fittest of their virtues to entreat.  
These are the Mercuries which are employed,  
In all commissions for the Romish state;  
Their carriage of all offence is void,  
These cherish love, renouncing all debate:  
These plead for kings, or else they should so do,  
For both their names and office tend thereto.  
But from this scantling how their courses stray,  
The heavens do see, and earth too oft doth feel,  
If Monarchies the highest did not sway,  
The greatest kingdoms with their storms would reel▪  
These raise the tempests of all discontent:  
Which virtuous kings by favour would prevent.  
The 
f Seductor, Sweco, Ga●lo ficaerius, etc. Carolus Molinaeu●  Swecians king by slights they have seduced,  
Unto the French they stabbers vile do prove;  
The English they to treason have induced,  
And serve as spies the Emperor to move:  
Their craft fits Spain; their fair speech Italy,  
And jesuits only can that part supply.  
Thus do the Sec'lar Priests of them report,  
And those Italians which to them are near:  
Which plainly see their juggling in such sort,  
That travelers of them this verdict hear,  
That of the Romans, Clergymen are worst,  
And of the Clergy, jesuits most accursed.  
Yet both their Popes and they, far off are feared,  
And foreign novices do them adore,  
Whose consciences are with hot irons seared,  
Whose festered souls do still retain the core:  
Which as a plague will suddenly infect  
All those which trade with this enchanting sect.  
Alexander the third that haughty Pope,  
Whom Romans scorned and often did expel:  
How did he England's second Henry mope,  
With thundering curse, that he to penance fell?  
Since when 'gainst Popes few kings durst once to strive  
Lest they their bane and mischief should contrive.  
For by Tradition, or fresh policy,  
Where Popish practice hath a lawless range,  
Such savage massacres are raised hereby,  
That Turks and Pagans think the same most strange:  
As Christ by miracle hath marriage graced,  
So Rome by murders hath the same defaced.  
An hundred thousand Protestants were slain,  
When Bourbon and Valois were matched together;  
A cloud broke then into that bloody rain,  
When they were most assured of fairest weather:  
No aged sires, nor infants at the breast,  
Could be reprieved from sudden deaths arrest.  
If bloody stratagems should be rehearsed,  
Which Rome hath plotted in each Christian land;  
A Christian heart would with remorse be pierced,  
And with the thought thereof amazed would stand:  
That Popes which do themselves Christ's Vicars call,  
Should Christian lands with jewish rage enthrall.  
But if the Powder-plot shall be remembered,  
By any one but of that damned crew,  
How King, Prince, Nobles should have been dismembered,  
With many friends which there the Miners knew,  
When England's gentry, and her choicest flower,  
One hellish vault of sulphur should devour.  
When England's Church, most near the Primitive,  
Should there have lost their reverent Lords of note;  
When skilful judges justice to derive,  
Should die by those, which do on errors dote:  
When many Cur●ii must have served that lake,  
Of which the child unborn complaints should make,  
If any one should reckon half those woes,  
Which did attend on that dark dismal act,  
A world of miseries he should disclose,  
More fit for Furies, then for human fact:  
As fiends with men join hands to work man's ill,  
So Rome with hell conspires to have her will.  
When those, which wield the sword of justice, fail,  
A Chaos of confusion soon will follow;  
When fear of punishment doth not prevail,  
The greatest part will in profaneness wallow.  
" Such is the base ingratitude of man,  
" That rods work more than any favour can.  
There might a man have seen the goodliest show,  
That worth, or order could on earth present,  
All turned to horror, and the saddest view,  
That ever eye could see, or tongue could vent:  
All had alike been into pieces torn,  
Their battered limbs had diverse ways been borne.  
Where then my james, where had thine airy been,  
Ordained to be the scourge of haughty Rome?  
The royal tree, and all the branches green,  
That tempest had o'reblowne in chiefest bloom:  
No family could so the truth defend,  
'Gainst which so many sects their force did bend.  
Of many families of high descent,  
Whose Prince to Rome should have been sacrificed:  
The Protestants their guide would most lament,  
In preparation of their aid surprised:  
" In mighty armies which with fury close,  
" The General lost, makes passage for his foes.  
How many thousands would have mourned then,  
Both for their King and for their chiefest friends:  
Whilst Hell and Rome would send fourth graceless men,  
Which for this fact would make this ill amends:  
They would have said (their plot not then detected)  
That heaven had England's heresies corrected.  
Who ever saw a town well man'd assaulted,  
When murdering shot was on the breaches bend,  
When martial men on every side exalted  
Their blood, and lives for honour's ●uerdon spent:  
When walls and trenches were with men bestrewd,  
Which with each others blood themselves embrued.  
Who after this hath heard their friends bewailing:  
Some their own brethren, some their father's dear,  
Some shedding tears for sons no whit prevailing,  
Which were to them in blood and love most near:  
Who hath this seen but one poor scene hath seen  
Of Tragedies, which had in England been.  
For siege of towns makes peace within their walls,  
And cools the heat of all intestine broils;  
All foreign war unto agreement calls  
That homebred discord, which all cities spoils:  
And though some worthy men do lose their lives  
In honour's field, their glory daily thrives.  
But if the Miners had their wish obtained,  
And had the pillars of this state o'erturned,  
Great Brittany had of endless strife complained,  
And had within itself like Aetna burned:  
The best deserver had been as a groom,  
Debarred the honour of his ancients tomb.  
Then might each wayward thought with ease perceive,  
The happiness of awful government,  
And that they do themselves of good bereave,  
Which lend their ears to causeless discontent:  
" For busy heads like shaking palsies are,  
" Which always moon, yet all good motions mar.  
When rich America the Spaniards got,  
And of the Indians millions they had slain;  
'Twas held to be the chief Iberian blot,  
Which all her other actions there did stain:  
For which they pleaded, that they Pagans were,  
And that their numbers justly they did fear.  
But why 'gainst Christians, Christians should thus rave,  
Not differing much in faiths foundations?  
Why Romists should themselves like wolves behave,  
Like devils to blow up this famous nation?  
The world can guess no other cause but pride,  
Which Popes by other colours seek to hide.  
Is this the Church whose Prelate Christ resembles,  
Which was the mirror of humility?  
Yet at our saviours voice each creature trembles,  
But Popes though weak mar all tranquillity:  
Whose artificial wings heavens heat will melt,  
Then shall they feel what others oft have felt.  
What can blood-thirsty Rome plead for defence?  
What brazen mask such horrid facts can hide?  
What mint of treason may with this dispense,  
This new-coined treason which lies open wide?  
What wretch for this dares frame Apologies,  
Which being vie'wd yields such deformities?  
Yet Romists do among themselves avow,  
This ugly plot their Aladin to advance:  
For which they are as Saints exalted now,  
Which cast those rebels into such a trance:  
The Indians which devils reverence,  
Of devilish minds give not like evidence.  
But Bellarmine doth flat denial make,  
(For Tortus now is tortured out of joint)  
That jesuits of this plot did notice take,  
That they were strangers in this treason's point:  
That Garnet, Ouldcorn, Tesmund much did loath,  
An act so vile, which no pretext could clothe.  
He writes, that Garnet made a long oration,  
Disclaiming th'act at's execution:  
W'had England's heresies in detestation;  
Extolling Rome with constant resolution:  
In whose approved faith he bravely died,  
And so himself a worthy Saint he tried.  
Such main untruths are fit for main supporters,  
Some Cardinal must countenance such lies:  
Such will bear down a thousand true reporters,  
Transforming falsehoods into verities,  
These are Rome's champions to maintain a breach.  
Which do maintain that they may overreach.  
Their several letters to their inward friends,  
And to their loves without equivocation,  
Their own confession testimony lends,  
Their hands approve their just examination:  
And their consulting what was to be done,  
When they had finished what they had begun.  
All these proceedings doth the Cardinal know,  
For many Romists did to Rome resort,  
To shun just rigour for that aimed blow,  
And to the Pope to make a true report:  
Yet for injustice he would England blame,  
And seeks to hide Rome's never-dying shame.  
And as for Garnet, when his death drew near,  
He was perplexed with an inward care:  
His words were few, and by them did appear,  
An heavy burden, which his conscience bare:  
Thrice he craved pardon for his guiltiness,  
Which he before a thousand did confess.  
If Bellarmine, Rome's master of defence,  
Can find no better ward for Rome's disgrace,  
Then to disprove so great an audience;  
And that all evidence he will outface,  
What shall men think of Rome's inferior rabble,  
Which of untruths so confidently babble?  
When aged Beza dangerously was sick,  
The jesuits feigned he made a recantation;  
But when his health, and pen bewrayed this trick,  
A shameless slight must salve their reputation:  
They said that Beza forged of them this lie,  
To wrong them with reproach, and infamy.  
When Henry Bourbon Paris did besiege,  
And that the Citizens could not long hold out,  
Rome to encourage them against their liege,  
This strange miraculous accident gave out,  
That all his army papal curse had blasted,  
All had black faces, and their power was wasted.  
When first My james in England did arrive,  
'Twas noised by jesuits that he did them love:  
He knew their worth, and would their weal contrive:  
And unto Rome he would a fautor prove:  
There soon should be at least a toleration,  
So soon as he did reign o'er th' English nation.  
And now of late a rumour they have spread,  
That Antichrist in Babylon is borne:  
With this report the credulous are fed,  
To put away all Antichristian scorn:  
And though such sleights may serve their turns awhile,  
The wiser sort at such poor shifts do smile.  
Rome's absent favourites in hand are borne,  
That only Popes give Antidotes 'gainst sin,  
That she is like th'all-purging Unicorn;  
That she alone doth heavens connivence win:  
That she hath works of supererogation,  
As in a treasure for each Christian nation.  
That Rome is like noah's ark where all is well:  
Without the same sins deluge will destroy:  
That Rome hath charms for all the strength of hell;  
Her Clerks are fiend-proofe scorning all annoy.  
That Masses sung, and Crucifixes worn,  
The greatest rage of Lucifer do scorn.  
Her exorcisms made in our Lady's name,  
Do serve to prove these main conclusions,  
But now the world perceives this cunning frame,  
And how poor souls are wronged by strange delusions,  
Her feigned miracles are now detected,  
Her Alchemy is every where suspected.  
Her beaded prayers which the priests repeat,  
A sacrifice of fools where faith is wanting,  
Her outward shows without religious heat,  
Can hardly keep th'unpartial from recanting.  
Shrift, penance, whip, but for masks do serve,  
To hide Licentiousness, whilst Zeal doth starve.  
And a● for Purgatory 'tis a grin,  
To fright the ignorant, and make them fly  
Unto the Priests, to have a salve for sin,  
And that on Roman help they may rely:  
For they which have a liberal resolution,  
From any fault shalt have an absolution.  
Such quaint devices helped Rome's clergy well,  
When her base Caterpillars were neglected;  
Then they invented many a subtle spell,  
Whereby they might the better be respected.  
As lately Mylains priests devised for gain,  
Our Lady's eyes with bloody tears to stain.  
'tis strange to think what idle fopperies,  
Do pass for currant where Rome domineers:  
Th'unlearned'st laic may the same descry,  
And see new fictions in these latter years:  
Though rust, and rest her former worth confirm,  
Yet she to scorn all others dares presume.  
With Protestants the Romists may not pray,  
Although they pray as Christ himself hath taught:  
Defiance they 'gainst heretics must display,  
Else with some heresy they shall be caught:  
All other schismatics are miserable,  
But Protestants are held most detestable.  
None therefore must with Protestants confer,  
No books of controversies they must see,  
Rome fears the sight of these will make them err,  
And that a great departure there will be.  
Of jews, and greeks, Rome hath no jealousies,  
But Protestants she marks with Argus eyes.  
Rome dreads the Protestants great constancy:  
Their complete armour to make strong defence:  
With lance, or Pen, the Romists they will try;  
Their cause flies not the light, nor seeks pretence:  
They fear no force, nor their intestine foes,  
Since Truth's Protector doth their plots disclose.  
But for base fugitives which Rome maintains,  
Which like the Turkish Azamoglens are,  
For whom they'll not their country's wrack refrain,  
For whom against their parents they will war:  
But for her pardons which she doth engross,  
She had ere this been purged from her dross.  
Rome doth on these Arch-policies rely;  
She knows that lewdness daily will abound;  
That varlets will unto her Altars fly,  
Where certain expiation still is found:  
And as for those which will dislike bewray,  
Some renegadoes will their wrack assay.  
The Clergy is an huge part of each land▪  
By several stairs unto one end aspiring:  
And like eau'sdroppers in each place they stand,  
A dissolution of each state desiring:  
In troubled waters they desire to fish,  
That they may serve themselves with every dish.  
These by confession do each humour know,  
And curb all thoughts which 'gainst themselves they find,  
The discontent of Nobles they ore-grow,  
Else by some favour haughty spirits they bind:  
None dare once stir, what ere they have conceived,  
Lest of their pleasures they be soon bereaved.  
King's marriages are made legitimate,  
With nearest kin against the holy Writ.  
The laws of Nature Rome doth violate,  
And proudly shows a selfe-aduancing wit:  
Rome by her greatness doth her actions square,  
And for God's worship she takes little care.  
The Catholic Kings fear lest their titles fail;  
Their marriages the Pope can disannul:  
The nobles and the gentry they do quail,  
With sundry threats of which their writs are full:  
The Friars undertake the vulgar sort,  
And unto them strange stories do report.  
These much prevail with persons credulous,  
And often manage secret business:  
In great attempts they are not timorous,  
And for employment still in readiness:  
In word they do austerity maintain,  
Yet of their looseness doth each state complain.  
So Roman Vestals Venus' disallow,  
And with Diana seem to have abiding:  
They seem most constant in their solemn vow,  
Yet are they famous for their oft backsliding,  
And by their weakness more they do allure,  
Then by their constancy they could procure.  
What ever serves to minister delight,  
What ever may this humorous age content,  
What object may give pleasure to the sight,  
Or to rebellious passions give a vent:  
All to the Romist shall auspicious be,  
If in the Church no blemish he will see.  
As for those Kings which stand aloof from Rome,  
And will not stoop unto the Papal lure;  
They're often blasted in their chiefest bloom;  
Some bloody Assassins Room will procure:  
Which will attempt some desperate enterprise,  
Since for such acts Rome will them canonize.  
So long she will with Prince's sceptres play,  
So long she will both earth and heaven provoke;  
That brooded Papists will her slights bewray,  
Then shall she fail and vanish into smoke:  
For kings which thought by mildness to appease,  
Must then by rigour strive the heavens to please.  
The bloody Inquisition must awake  
The Protestants to some more strict account;  
From sufferance since Romists courage take,  
This folly they with woe should soon recount:  
" The stroke far fetch't doth make the deeper wound,  
" For which no cure or salve can ere be found.  
And Britain, thou thyself must first acquit,  
Fron those dark clouds which would obscure thy glory:  
Constantine, Henry, and my james invite,  
To dedicate to thee a living story.  
For all these champions on thy soil were borne,  
Which every where with fame will thee adorn.  
The first was the first Emperor for Christ,  
Which valiantly the Christians did defend;  
The second was first King against Antichrist,  
Which unto Truth his helping hand did lend.  
The last, not least, this Church, and I'll Unites,  
And to the Truth all Christian lands incites.  
Great Constantine the world from idols freed,  
Yet could he not the Christian jars appease:  
And Popish pride mine Henry hence did weed,  
But scandalous rumours did his honour seize:  
Yet unto these the world must fame afford,  
Whilst heavens with stars, or earth with men is stored.  
But james whose skill, whose will, and zeal agree,  
To win the world unto one Verity:  
In whom his foes no stain of honour see,  
To wrong himself or his posterity:  
He stops the mouths of all the Stoic train,  
That they of nought but trifles can complain.  
In every kind of knowledge he excels,  
In Christian virtues every Christian king,  
His wary foresight wisdom's strength foretells,  
Which tel-truth Time one day to light will bring: 
Veritas poris fi●●   
His wisdom shall appear by his great deeds,  
Whereof as yet he hath but sown the seeds.  
He first must string and tune his Brittany,  
Before he can his pleasing music make,  
he'll mend each craze, the strings & stops he'll try,  
Before he will performance undertake:  
Each practiser in this eare-pleasing Art,  
Will first thus do before he'll play his part.  
The Clergy he already well hath tuned,  
And with great care the false strings hath removed;  
Which would have made the consort seem vntuned,  
And to the skilful ear would harsh have proved:  
This makes his wisdom and his zeal appear,  
To stop extremities in their career.  
Both Romists and the schismatics are bold  
To countermand the actions of their kings:  
All Prince's power by these are still controlled,  
Yet must they raise themselves with Prince's wings:  
One on the Pope's supremacy doth stand,  
The other like Diogenes command.  
Twixt Sylla and Charybdis, james hath passed,  
The King of kings his skill and helm hath guided;  
Unto the golden Mean he's linked fast;  
His Church and He shall never be divided:  
From these the cool Etesiae shall blow,  
To suage the fumes which shall from malice grow.  
For though this little world have many foes  
In foreign parts, and in this centre here;  
Yet with the proudest, constant Truth shall ●loze,  
And keep the list when they dare not appear:  
My james and His have happily begun,  
And shall in time Rome's champions overrun.  
Let Spain her proud imperious Church maintain,  
And with that plea excuse inflicted wrongs;  
Let Belgia, France, and Germany refrain  
That Unity which unto peace belongs:  
Let these their many-headed Sects commend,  
Let Britain still for Unity contend.  
Let every voice, which moves this western air,  
Extroll his virtue which thus far hath gone:  
The Church of due regard shall not despair,  
Whilst He or His this throne shall sit upon;  
Then for my james shall wary wisdom plead,  
Beyond those kings which th'infant Church did lead.  
Now for his justice show'd in former rhymes,  
Amongst a people which were Eagle eyed,  
Which soon could see and judge unbalanced crimes,  
If weight or measure ever were denied:  
These free as air as yet could never say,  
That spite or favour did his judgement sway.  
His magnanimity is daily seen,  
In slight 
g Qua eximia plaerisque & prclara videtur, pa●ua ducere, for animi mnique ducdum est, Cic. Of●ic lib. 1.  contempt of what the world admires;  
Which proves a mind which hath not tainted been,  
By vain ambition which high fortunes fires:  
" Yet honour and all majesty attends  
" That mind which lest these earthly toys intends,  
Who doth both fortunes 
h Boethius de cons. Pl. los. met. 4.  equally esteem,  
Not raised by one nor aught depressed by th'other;  
In him th'affections conquered we may deem,  
Which reasons strength with their great weight would smother  
No 
i Cic Or● pro Mare  victory with this may make compare,  
This fight is single, none with him may share.  
Those which by bloody fights advance their names,  
With many wrongs their victories they stain;  
If any act or conquest purchase fame,  
A part thereof each soldier will retain:  
For these are instruments to bring to pass,  
What by their General enterprised was.  
But he which doth all 
k Prou. 1 32.  mutinies keep under,  
Which both himself and others would betray;  
Who at the world's great treasures doth not wonder,  
Whose wronglesse conquest virtue doth display;  
He is true champion in this Christian weal,  
And he alone true valour doth reveal.  
In peace this virtue most triumphant is,  
Her victories no drop of blood do spill:  
Here rest the Trophies of another bliss,  
Which with a lasting good the world doth fill:  
This virtue cures the wounds which others make,  
Yet keeps the field which others do forsake.  
Too much the Christian world hath been imbrued,  
With Christian blood, which james doth strive to stint,  
Their malice they like Tigers have pursued,  
And Rome hath been of many broils the mint,  

acquid aut repl●tun. Acl●ui, at, Epi.  Whilst kings contend, their subjects feel the smart,  
For every one of loss doth feel his part.  
Some States, though weak, revenge will undertake,  
O●t wronging many for the fault of few,  
Oft to their foes themselves a prey they make,  
And great expense no way they can eschew:  
But james, whose power might offer Europe wrong,  
Forbears all those which unto Christ belong.  
So Temperance in such a boundless power,  
Which is so rare on honours highest stage,  
And Liberality which shines each hour,  
Which many wrong in this base-craving age:  
All these, and other virtues most complete,  
In Britain's King have their abiding seat.  
Since then the Truth such champions doth enjoy,  
As know their strength and Romans force do scorn;  
Since Rome's delusions all estates do cloy,  
And of all hopes she'll quickly be forlorn:  
Let Britain be from her in one united,  
By heaven, air, earth, and sea thereto invited.   

CHAP. 4. The danger of Division.  
But now to leave this Isle's renowned heir,  
Whose blood is graced with high descent of kings,  
Whose ancestors have kept the kingly chair  
Well-neare two thousand years: whose marriage brings  
A fresh alliance from that 
●nmark.  Nor-east coast,  
Whose Kings did once of England's sceptre boast.  

A brief recapitulation of the former Chapter.  
TO leave his virtues matching heraldry,  
And all those titles which that skill affords;  
To pass from that high reaching policy,  
Which with the heavens, and elements accords,  
To pass the image of the world's creator,  
United with so great a mediator.  
To leave that Union where jehovahs' spirit,  
Vouchsafeth residence in an earthly mass,  
Which motion, sense, and reason doth inherit,  
With zeal, and faith which doth man's reason pass:  
To pass th'arch-enemy of humane bliss,  
Which to good concord still repugnant is.  
To leave the Romist his confederate,  
Which thinks by Britain's idle jars to thrive;  
Whose malice 'gainst al. peace inveterate,  
Doth dangerous plots against this state contrive:  
These things are plain, and how great states did rise,  
Now will we set their falls before our eyes.  
For heavens great glory, and the earth's true light,  
Whose words more sure than Oracles do prove,  
Whose wisdom always clearly sees the right,  
To Unity his dear elect doth move;  
And this avers that kingdoms needs must 
m Mark. 3.24.  fail,  
Where Ruins nurse Division doth prevail.  
Who ever did converse with times record:  
Who sacred stories, or profane hath seen,  
His observation will herewith accord,  
That Union strong, Division weak hath been:  
" By concord smallest things have great increase,  
" By discord greatest things do wane, and cease.  
For as a ship, which doth on billows ride,  
Though Aeolus and Neptune both agree,  
To do their worst, yet safe it doth abide,  
Whilst of great leaks, and ruptures it is free;  
But when the planks do once begin to spring,  
Just fear, and certain danger it doth bring.  
So kingdoms whole, and in themselves entire,  
May well hold out 'gainst strength of foreign force;  
When they in settled Unity conspire,  
A late repentance will not breed remorse:  
When postern-gates, and backdoors all are fast,  
Assaults are with the first encounters passed.   

The overthrow of the jews.  
THe twelve Tribes of that once most happy race,  
Which were the darlings of the heavens great king,  
How were they feared whilst love they did embrace,  
How did they to their neighbour's terror bring?  
But when dissension did their kingdom sever,  
How were they subject to all bondage ever?  
Th' Assyrians sometimes have them captive lead,  
Sometimes the greeks have spoiled their City fair,  
And last romans with their fruits were fed,  
So that they did of all relief despair:  
Till hope of their Messias did prevail,  
Which made them Roman garrisons assail.  
A while they freed themselves from Roman power,  
And put those enemies oftentimes to flight,  
But homebred jars their strength did so devour,  
That final misery on them did light:  
For frantic juda, Iuda's blood did spill,  
Their slaughters did their streets and temples fill.  
For when the 
n josephus de hello judaico. lib. 6. cap. 1.  Roman Prince, Vespasian's son,  
jerusalem with thousands had besieged,  
Three factions soon their bloody broils begun,  
Which with one truth, and promise were obliged:  
They only joined when foes assaults were given,  
And then the romans back with loss were driven.  
But when the Roman battery did cease,  
When by delays they thought the jews to starve,  
Mean while the jews would not themselves release,  
But with their swords the romans turn did serve,  
For on themselves they did inflict more harms,  
Then could have chanced by all the Roman arms.  
The 
o Proverb. 18.19.  hate of brethren doth all hate exceed,  
Which ever did the breast of man infect,  
For many jealousies this spite do feed,  
Divine nor humane laws can this correct:  
Yet must they know that for their foes they fight,  
When on themselves they spend their force & might.  
As in a sluice, where dams the waters curb,  
Till they unto the top of banks do swell;  
No little let their current doth disturb,  
When their great noise their open pass doth tell:  
So friends, and countrymen's great hate delayed,  
Works strong effects, if once it be displayed.  
Where greatest love is any where expected,  
If thence proceed no show of kind intent,  
They, which do fail herein, are soon suspected,  
And fear seems wise suggesting some contempt:  
Then strangeness grows from th'one unto the other,  
And both will shortly secret envy smother.  
For as the glass, through which the eye doth peer,  
Makes all things seem of colour with the same;  
So do all actions good or ill appear,  
As good or ill conceit the mind doth frame:  
And this is commonly the usual course,  
" That ill doth wax, and grow from bad to worse.  
Sometimes a fa●se report is blown abroad,  
Of wrong, which doth incense the hearts of men;  
And then revenge is like the hellish goad,  
Which makes the wronged rouse him from his den:  
That mischief oftentimes he brings to pass,  
To quit a wrong, which never offered was,  
Then wrong with wrong, and blood with blood repaid,  
Makes every place the stage of butchery;  
Whole families thus often are decayed,  
Oft kingdoms are thus wasted utterly:  
For where one law of concord doth not bind,  
Bellona still will vent for malice find,  
As winds of heat or coolness do partake,  
With sands, or waters where they lately passed,  
As breathe a savour good or ill doth make,  
As from the teeth Portcullis it is cast:  
So are our thoughts as our presumptions seem,  
O● as our jealousies do them esteem.  
When after 
p  seventy years in bondage passed,  
The jews had leave their Cities to repair;  
Some malcontents abroad false rumours cast,  
And forged strange tales to make them all despair,  
But all devices could not hinder them,  
From building of the fair jerusalem.  
So England seeing many lets to muster,  
(If those be lets which every fancy venteth)  
And seeing from these lets new le's do cluster,  
Whereby the world at England's good relenteth:  
The more should all to Unity incline,  
In spite of those which at our weal repine.  
The different judgements of the Union,  
And other discontentments have so wrought,  
That Romists are imbould'ned hereupon,  
Of Britain's discord to retain a thought,  
And to divulgate on a public stage,  
The brainsick vapours of the Roman rage.  
So wise a king such counsellors of state,  
As at this day few kingdoms do maintain,  
T●e Romists prise them at so mean a rate,  
That personal Quaeres they will not refrain:  
Who with their Popes and Cardinals would be bold,  
V●to the world strange stories might unfold,  
But for the scandal of the Christian weal,  
Which labours now of her unworthy guide,  
Some Christian Satire would such acts reveal,  
As modesty hath heretofore denied:  
Yet if the Romists daily shall provoke,  
They must expect a well-deserved stroke.  
Thy wrongs my dear Eliza shall inflame,  
Those hidden sparks which seem extinguished;  
Since by thy grace the Muse's honour came,  
They cannot hear thy honour blemished:  
e'en they which of these times do most complain,  
In thy defence may sing a pleasing strain  
Thy due no honest Papist shall offend,  
Some of their 
q Sixtus Quintus.  Popes have rightly thee esteemed;  
All they which do unpartial censure spend,  
Of thy most princely virtues well have deemed:  
Though Parsons, clamorous and fugitives,  
Would stain such princes, and deprave their lives.  
As for my james, which sees his foe's despite,  
And tries the valour of approved friends,  
If with respect their service he requite,  
They for their silence will make such amends,  
That in her strength Rome shall assaulted be,  
And at her doors al'armaes she shall see.  
So cast a cause, such bombast furniture,  
Such proud bravadoes from Rome's painted flourish,  
These justly may all Christians hate procure,  
D●●esting falsehood which blind zeal did nourish:  
" Who only at his own defence doth lie,  
" Such ward his own defence shall not supply.  
When Hannibal near Rome his army brought,  
He put the Romans unto more distress,  
Then at the siege of Carthage, where he fought,  
With all his power her thraldom to redress.  
So when the Pope's V●aligon doth burn,  
He well may fear 'twill shortly be his turn.  
So many towering wits encouraged,  
So many soldiers ready for the charge,  
Might soon throughout all Christendom be spread,  
And might some Roman prisoners enlarge:  
Since Rome by pamphlets all the world doth threaten,  
With true reports she's worthy to be beaten.  
The Romists and the schismatics agree,  
To rail at those, whose cause they cannot wrong:  
The worthiest Prince from these cannot be free,  
In subjects love they will not have them strong:  
On th'one side Parsons, martin's on the other,  
All awful love of governors would smother.  
And whilst thrice-famous England doth prepare,  
To countermine the Roman policy,  
Whilst th' English in the front their strength declare,  
Upon their flank the schismatics will fly:  
So that they'll give assistance unto Rome,  
Which once victorious would work their doom.  
Then let conceits, and idle groundless fears,  
Be held as mutinies in armies raised;  
Or like to harvest showers procuring tears  
Of those, which would their timely help have praised:  
By others harms let Britain's sects be warned,  
Which till their ruin Concord have not learned.  
Though Britain like to famous tire do stand,  
All moated by a never-failing river,  
Though wooden walls her bays & coasts command,  
Though Truth fear neither Rome nor Satan's quiver,  
Yet if some purblind factions be not true,  
Their fond division all the rest may rue.  
What was the cause, 
The ruin of Greece after Alexander.  that Greece so soon had lost,  
That great command; which Alexander gained?  
What great misfortune could so soon have crossed  
That power, which through the world was not restrained:  
How did her glory suddenly decline,  
Which in the view of all the world did shine?  
Her riches and her prowess did exceed  
All kingdoms of the world, which then were known,  
Her name did every where great terror breed,  
And who withstood her headlong down were thrown  
Yet want of Concord did her frame dissolve,  
And she again to weakness did revolve.  
Her captains did themselves with broils consume,  
Which had conjoined themselves in foreign fight;  
To th'Empire every one would needs presume,  
And every one made equal claim of right:  
As ships in whirlwinds quickly strike the sail,  
So Greece did stoop when hers did her assail.  
And as the 
r julius C●sar in the conspiracy of Brutus and Cassi. Plutarch the life of julius Cae●  first great Emperor of Rome,  
In greatest conflicts never was dismayed;  
But when he saw that in his chiefest bloom,  
By his disloyal friends he was betrayed:  
He hid his eyes, and would not make defence,  
But left the scourge to heaven for this offence.  
So Greece when she perceived her homebred jars,  
To waste her cities, and her wealthy store:  
She than foresaw, that shortly foreign wars,  
Should make her captive which was queen before:  
Then widow-like whose Lord and sons were slain,  
Of Concord's breach she only did complain.  
Division both a breach and passage made,  
First for the Roman, after for the Turk;  
Now Ottoman all Greece doth overshade,  
Where he the Christians overthrow doth work:  
Whose policy all Europe might advise,  
That public peace doth private weal comprise.  
The Grecians oft the Romans did procure  
To land their forces on the Grecian plain:  
This made the Roman victories most sure,  
When Greekes did help their conquests to obtain.  
The Eastern Emperor did this fault commit,  
When 'gainst his nobles Turks his turn● did fit.  
For thus the Turks came armed into Greece  
At his request, which should have kept them out:  
Then did they win from him this golden fleece,  
Which only Discord had thus brought about:  
Thus 
〈◊〉 in life of man.  Isabel the queen of Hungary,  
With late repentance jurkish aid did try.   

The decay of the Roman Empire.  
AS th'Empire of the East was quickly lost  
By strife to Turks, which now do all devour,  
So was the western Empire always crossed  
By 
〈…〉 hist.  Popes, which did through broils increase their power:  
For like the Tribunes they did animate  
Each rebel, which the Emperor did hate.  
The Lumbards', Vandals, Swevians, and the Goths,  
This ancient Empire often did annoy:  
For to the same they were like fretting moths,  
But Papal practice did it quite destroy:  
By them the Empire lost all Italy,  
Which since hath been confined in Germany.  
As Romans thrived by linking petty States,  
Till Italy was to their power united;  
Then shunning civil quarrels and debates,  
To foreign conquests they were soon incited;  
Till they unto such force and strength were grown,  
That all the world by them was overthrown.  
So in the end their greatness did decline,  
And all their soldered kingdoms fall asunder,  
For civil discord made them soon resign,  
And at their vanishing the world did wonder:  
For now in Italy such sharers are,  
As all her hope of future greatness mar.  
The Saracens were to the world awhile 
Saracens.   
Like swelling tides which all did overflow:  
They did themselves the Lords of Africa style,  
And said, the earth did homage to them owe:  
But when division did their forces sunder,  
The Turks conjoined did quickly bring them under.  
Thus was th● Eg●p●ian soldan overthrown,  
'Gainst whom his General Caythbie was in field, 
Mamel   
Which jar was to the bloody ●elim known,  
And on that discord he his hopes did build:  
For Mameluckes divided are defeated,  
And in great Cairo were janissaries seated.  
What will become of wasted Barbary, 
Barbary   
Whose miseries Division only wrought?  
Those only may by circumstance deserie,  
Which have the Muleis woeful story sought:  
Mars so hath balanced their powers ●s yet,  
That it is doubtful who the crown should get.  
What in Moscovy jesuits will effect, 
Russia.   
What they in Europe closely will attempt,  
If heaven do not their purposes detect,  
And bring their names and practice to contempt:  
Time will hereafter such events declare,  
That Britain of Division shall beware.  
Mean while (My james) thy blood and vital spirits,  
Have joined in one the kingdoms of this I'll,  
Succeeding ages shall extol thy merits,  
No muddy censure may this act defile;  
Who storm hereat show but an idle froth,  
Who are lukewarm show but a careless sloth.  
True concord in a state should always be,  
Like to the compass in a ship at sea:  
Without the same a state cannot be free  
From danger, this is held a certain plea:  
The Mariners by that their course do learn.  
By this a state her ill, or good doth learn.  
Divided Germany to many sects,  
Yet doth it join against the Turkish power:  
Their foreign fear their civil broils corrects,  
Else would division all that land devour:  
So Britain should to Unity consent,  
All foreign foes the better to prevent.  
When Mariners are in a tempest tossed,  
They soon forget all quarrels that have passed,  
They know dissension then their lives will cost,  
And every one about his task doth haste:  
So in this age when jesuits storms do raise,  
All must conjoin in these disjointed days.  
The Turk abroad, the jesuit at home,  
By which the Christian weal is still disturbed,  
One like an Hawk, the other like a Mome,  
By concord only may be safely kerbed.  
For none of these dare ever give assault,  
Where factions weakness have not made default.  
Both these are like the spleen with humours full,  
Which always make the body lean and bare:  
From their adherents they all wealth do pull,  
The Turks are Lions, jesuits Foxes are:  
The one by force, the other by sly shifts,  
Square all their plots by selfe-aduancing drifts.  
Now if the Persians, Turks do undertake,  
If wronged Papists, jesuits do cashier;  
The Turks shall not such sudden conquests make,  
Nor shall the Spanish faction domineer.  
Then Christian lands may happily be quiet,  
Which have been fed with self devouring diet.  
Then treacheries, which Pagans did detest,  
And breach of oaths which Christians once did hate,  
These wanting patrons shall with Pluto rest,  
All such delusions shall be out of date.  
Then subjects shall to Caesar pay their due,  
And Christians name shall Christian love renew.  
That Hellborn policy shall then surcease,  
To foster every country's malcontent;  
That viperous brood should not so much increase,  
Which do their native soil for strangers rend.  
All should their fury spend in Turkish wars,  
And only triumph of thence gotten scars.  
The gold, which th' Indies yearly do afford,  
Should not to rebels yearly pensions give,  
Which in the end doth fade like jonas gourd,  
And fails them most, when most it should relieve:  
These have their pensions at the dearest rate.  
Which for the same their lives must ante-date.  
If policy, and treasures were employed,  
To drive the Turks out of the Christian land,  
If in each kingdom, Kings were not annoyed:  
If Christians would 'gainst Mahomet join their bands,  
As by their strife he got his lawless power,  
So now their concord should his strength devour.  
But as the Roman 
u Imperator seruiebat orbis, imperator militibu●. Erasmi praefat in Sueton.  Emperor was obeyed  
Of all the world; yet soldiers were his masters:  
So Christian lands are by their Princes swayed,  
Yet jesuits in their games will be the casters:  
For these proud upstarts daily tyrannize,  
And for their ends do shape each enterprise.  
This watchful land hath these impostors known,  
They have not much as yet deceived her sight:  
Unto their pits themselves they first have thrown,  
Before they could prevail against the right.  
In many countries they have gamesters been,  
But their base cheating England best hath seen.  
So Britain knows the scourge of civil war,  
By Brutus' fault which did divide the same:  
This act did roll the stone which ran so far,  
That it did break this strong-compacted frame:  
Thus Romans, Saxons, Danes, and French did spoil,  
This most unhappy disunited soil.  
For Brutus to his sons this Isle had shared,  
To Locrine England, and to Camber Wales:  
To Albanack he Scotland did award,  
Which is so strong by mountains, hills, and dales:  
That Valour joined with her situation,  
Hath kept her people in their native station.  
To pass the broils twixt Locrine and his Queen,  
In which the wronged Guend'lin got the field;  
To pass the middle jars which oft were seen▪  
When th'English did to Cunidagis yield:  
Ferrex and Porrex were from Brute the l●st,  
Which did themselves with civil discord waste.  
When Brutus line six hundred years had reigned,  
Till long Division had his line consumed,  
Mu mutius the Sovereignty obtained,  
Which first to wear a crown of gold presumed:  
Whose laws did bind this long-distracted I'll,  
That savage customs should not it defile.  
His sons were Bellin, and the warlike Brenne,  
Which had divided Brittany in twain;  
But strife began, and they concluded then,  
That one alone must in this country reign:  
One Sun for one horizon did suffice,  
So should one Isle one Monarchy comprise.  
Then Brennus left this I'll, and of the Galls  
Was chosen captain, Romans to subdue,  
He conquered Greece; but under Delphos walls  
His fortune failed him, and himself he slew:  
Mean while great Bellin Denmark did bring under,  
Whilst Britain's subjects did not war asunder.  
If all in one they firmly had agreed,  
When Caesar first this I'll did undertake,  
They had themselves from Roman conquest freed,  
As their own stories 
u Taci● vita 〈◊〉 col●●.  true report do make,  
In single fight▪ or skirmish when they met,  
The Britain's still the victory did get.  
But when they were in one Battalia ranged,  
Their faint encounter show'd their factions power;  
Division had so much their minds estranged,  
That easily their foes might them devour:  
Thus did the Turks the Christians overthrow,  
Because due rescue they did still foreslow.  
As workmen in a frame when they do vary,  
When in the plot their minds cannot agree,  
there's nothing done, or else all doth miscarry;  
So both in peace and wars we daily see.  
Each enterprise is like the Babel-mount,  
Where several men do several things recount.  
Cassibilan, which Caesar did withstand,  
Was with the Londoners in some disgrace,  
If they had lived within his due command,  
They might have followed Romans in that chase,  
When many Captains in the front were slain,  
When romans could not Britain's charge sustain.  
But as the Britain's lost their liberty,  
For want of Union 'gainst a foreign foe;  
So Romans lost their hold in Brittany,  
And by their discord did this land forego.  
For Rome's great Empire lost by strife and jars,  
Those foreign lands, which were subdued by wars.  
The romans wealth, and soldiers hence did take,  
Whereby their power, and pomp they might maintain▪  
On th'other side the P●cts did daily rake,  
What they by force, and violence could gain,  
Then to the Saxons, Britons sent for aid,  
By whose arrival they were most betrayed.  
They first by policy and subtle slights,  
The Britain's 
〈◊〉.  king unto their side had won:  
The rest they vanquished in sundry fights,  
Then with themselves division they begun:  
seven kingdoms they within themselves had made,  
And every one each other did invade.  
As is the restless motion of the seas,  
Which to the south and north doth ebb and flow,  
Which every gust and gale doth still disease,  
As they which pass those watery rhegions know:  
So Britain to and fro by strife did range,  
And foreign power her state did often change.  
Three hundred years the Saxons were in arms,  
Before they could to Wales the Britons drive,  
Then 'gainst themselves they fought in several swarms  
Two hundred years they did selfe-hurt contrive:  
Mean while the Danes this fruitful isle had tasted,  
Whose strength had been by her own people wasted  
The Danes long time had foraged this Isle,  
And weakened Saxons could not them repel:  
For 
.  Edmund did Canutus long withstand,  
But they at length to this agreement fell:  
That they betwixt them should this land divide,  
And so they should all present jars decide.  
Not long they were joint-tenants of this I'll,  
For Ederick had poisoned Edmund soon,  
Canutus then sole king himself did style,  
By the suruiver this he said he won:  
Then Edmund's sons to Sweathlands king he sent,  
Where they should spend their lives in banishment.  
Hardy Canutus was his only son,  
Which had no issue which might him succeed;  
And after him the Saxons soon begun  
To claim their due, since heaven had so decreed:  
Then Edward the Confessor rightly reigned,  
Whose government and zeal no spot had stained.  
Of law and love he did an Union make,  
Which by all means My james would now effect,  
The Churches good his care did undertake,  
This England's king did first of all respect:  
Both right to Levites kindly did perform,  
And to the truth they did themselves conform.  
King Edward did the Saxons blood restore,  
In james the Britons, Saxons, Normans live,  
All claims in them did rest which were before,  
Their right to all did satisfaction give:  
Both loved peace, and gave their subjects rest,  
Whom stern Bellona did so long molest.  
Their virtues equally are matched together,  
Their studious thoughts for Christian welfare spent,  
Their constancy in fair and foulest weather,  
Their zeal alike to great jehovah bend.  
One issueless was Saxons Sun declining,  
The other Britain's new Aurora shining.  
Edgar, grandchild to Edmund Ironside,  
By right, and Edward's will, should next have raig'nd,  
But Harold sworn thereto did from it slide,  
He only should have regency obtained:  
But for himself he only seized the crown,  
Until the Normands threw him headlong down.  
As Harold wronged England's rightful heir,  
So did he William Duke of Normandy:  
He promised marriage of his daughter fair,  
But he the due performance did deny.  
Then did appear a bloody blazing star,  
Which did foreshew th'importunate sword of war.  
First th' English were within themselves distracted,  
For Tostus, Harold's brother was in arms,  
A power from Norway he had then contracted,  
Which was the cause of England's fatal harms,  
Duke William aimed on th' English coast to land,  
When these two brothers did in battle stand.  
Thus did the Normans get the victory,  
When Harold was with home encounters tired;  
Thus th' English were inthralld to misery;  
When they so oft against themselves conspired:  
For what before the Conquest oft befell,  
The like in Normands reign the stories tell,  
As fevers, which disturb the body's frame,  
With thirst, ache, casting, shivering cold, and heat,  
They first the blood do waste, and spirits tame,  
Then for the dropsy oft they leave a seat.  
Sometimes the Phtisick, and consumption,  
Disse●se the soul from her late mansion.  
So doth Division, jealousies maintain,  
Sometimes a coldness to a foreign foe,  
Sometimes an heat of civil strife, whose pain  
Doth present rest; and future weal undo:  
For wasted fields a famine still doth follow,  
Dearth doth with death conspire, & thousands swallow,  
The Conqueror's reign was full of civil broils,  
With Edgar th' English, Scots, and Welsh agreed,  
Which if they first had done, they'd missed those toils,  
From which since that themselves they never freed:  
If Malcome Edgar's sister had not married,  
The English royal blood had quite miscarried.  
By Margaret this Scotland's King had Maude,  
Which mathced to 
●●nry. ●.  Henry Beuclarke, had a daughter,  
By whom all other claims were over-awed,  
Which did prevent much strife, and bloody slaughter:  
Mauds daughter Maud, to 
●●ffrey ●●●agenet  th' Anjou Duke did bear  
The second Henry which the crown did wear.  
Yet since this Union of the rightful blood,  
Much strife, and much Division there hath been,  
For th' English have the English oft withstood,  
That right with wrong contends 'tis often seen:  
The house of Lancaster 'gainst York held out,  
Till either house preserved but one poor sprout.  
Rest, rest in happiness most happy souls,  
Which did engrafted my York and Me in one:  
Earth counts them fathers, heaven as heirs inroules,  
Those which prevent so many thousands moan:  
Let others vaunt of victories in France,  
True wisdom will this sacred knot advance.  
This marriage unto England did procure  
Long peace, good government, riches, and renown;  
Wars, laws neglect, and loss it did endure,  
These were the weights which kept poor England down:  
For all these mischiefs will that land disturb,  
Which peaceful laws of concord do not courbe.  
Too long I should jehovah's presence lose,  
Which in itself all happiness contains,  
If long discourse of Discord I should choose,  
Or speak of half her selfe-inflicted pains:  
Almost three thousand years this ●e did wail,  
Whilst Britain's Peers did Britain's Peers assail.  
Both Wales and Scotland stood as lookers on,  
Whilst bloody Tragedies were on this stage,  
Sometimes they took advantage hereupon,  
To show the fury of a brother's rage:  
But now their Union former hate must banish,  
And all remembrance of old grudge must vanish.  
Myself have Wales, my james hath Scotland brought,  
To join with England in an endless love:  
The great jehovah this for Britain's wrought,  
That to themselves they should most faithful prove:  
And that they should forbear the least contempt,  
Lest from this league the heavens should them exempt.  
This is the act of Providence divine,  
Which hath decreed that this should be effected,  
The world unto such weakness doth decline,  
That all had failed if this had been neglected.  
Such pride, disdain, and envy rules the heart,  
That now the world must be maintained by Art.  
Art, Nature, Heavens, the elements and man,  
Both home and foreign cares for Concord plead,  
These all conclude, do Romists what they can,  
That slights no longer th' English shall misled:  
As juggling tricks are nought when they are known  
So cunning slights when they abroad are blown.  
Let Henry Bourbon, heir of Honour's wreath,  
Who foreign and domestic jars suppressed,  
Let him, and th'other Henry's death bequeath,  
A wary caution to each loyal breast:  
Oh let their blood a detestation breed,  
Of Cannibals, which do on Princes feed!  
Beware (My james) since thy great friend is slain,  
Who warned thee oft of dangers eminent,  
Beware of Rome, and others which would train  
Thy royal thoughts unto their private bent:  
The ivy doth that tree of sap bereave,  
To which by close embracements it doth cleave.  
But now me thinks I hear high trumpets sound,  
For some great good which t' England shall betide,  
Her plaints in heavenly parliament are found,  
And right in earthly Sessions shall be tried:  
This said, he vanished promising supply,  
When malcontents against this truth reply.    
FINIS.   

Errata.  

pag. 12. in the Margin for creanto, read creanti.  
pag. 13. l. 27. for artic, read Artist.  
pag. 15. l. 17. for maintain, read contain.