THE SPY Discovering the Danger of ARMINIAN HERESY and SPANISH TREACHERY: Written by I. R.  
Possibile est Satyras non scribere?  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  
Printed at Strasburgh 1628.   

TO ●ll zealous Professor● and true hearted Patriots in Great Britain.  
MY blushing disabilities have at length adventured to pass the pikes of censure, unprovided of any other arms, or ornaments, then sincere loyalty, devoted to my King and Country's service; rather than my King and Country should be (for want of a timely discovery of those dangers, wherein they have been cunningly and intricately entangled) thrust blindfold upon the pikes of foreign enemies, or the poyniards of domestic traitors. Sooner had these naked raptures visited the world, had this age afforded but an 
* Exo. ●▪ 17.  Egyptian midwife to forward them. fain would they have fluttred abroad the last Parliament, but the supercilious looks of over-awing greatness had so daunted these degenerous times, that none durst adventure, to give wings to their desire. Howsoever, I hope, their flight home, from a foreign Country will not now be unseasonable. The rain was ceased, and the windows of heaven were shut, when Noah sent forth his returning raven; but the inundation remained. All the fabric falls not, as soon as ever the foundation sinks: but the mystery of iniquity runs on so many wheels, that it is to be feared, the removal of one (though it may slacken) can ●●●●●erly hinder the motion. Yet unless all be d●…red, the danger may be (indeed) partly abated, can not be wholly avoided. If any censure me for presenting so grave a subject, treading in measure; they may consider that the whole book is but an explanation of the Frontispiece: & such expressions square best with a▪ metrical proportion. As for statelynes of style, my scantling of time permitted me not (had I affected that, more than plainness, in so serious a matter) to be so refined. Whatsoever the acceptance be, it proceeds from a well meaning hart. And I beseech God, that with the oracles of our Laws, and ornaments of our state, (especially with him that is the chief of both) they may work the same effects, for the preventing of imminent danger, and providing for the public safety, that I desire. Whose consultations that they may have free proceeding for the establishing such wholesome Laws, as may tend to the advancement of God's glory, his Majesty's honour, the Gospels' increase, and the Kingdomet welfare, I will daily offer up my most earnest supplications before the throne of grace.  
Strasborgh Aug. 23. sty. vet.  
Your affectionate though afflicted Servant and Countryman, J. R.   

THE SPY.  

MU I turn mad, like 
* Solo●… mentia 〈…〉 mulan▪ insolitis tibi v●● sibus (capitis 〈◊〉) persuasit Atheniensib 〈◊〉 Megacosm 〈◊〉 b●llu infer Just l●…  Solon and write rhymes,  
When 
† Certain bitter invective oration● of de 〈◊〉nes against Phil. of Macedon and 〈◊〉 Cicero (〈◊〉 mitation of him) against M▪ Antonius  Philippics would better fit the times?  
Yes, Yes, I must. For what soe'er they be  
In press, or pulpit, dare of speech be free  
In truth's behalf; and vent their grieved mind▪  
In phrase more serious, or some graver kind,  
(Though, at the common good, they only aim,  
And be as strictly Careful to shun blame  
As wisdom can devise): they cannot scape  
The malice of the age. Some mouths must gape  
(who's guilty Conscience tells them, this was penned  
To lash at us) their slanderous breath to spend  
In their disgrace; and bring them into hate  
As movers of sedition in the state.  
As if truth's friend, must needs be England's foe.  
These rhymes, I hope, shall not be censured so  
Counsels, of old, encouraged such men still  
(Till those made Counsellors did curb their will)  
Who boldly would, for public safety, utter  
What, now, the best, in private, dare not mutter  
Under the Fleets damnation. Nay 'tis feared,  
That their advice in Council is not heard  
Who pass their kewes enjoined, or else come short.  
Nor is this strange, for we have Precedents for't.  
Our father's dead, their sons their courage lost:  
Many of blood, of spirit few can boast.  
Where now is Essex▪ Norris, Raleigh, Drake?  
(At whose remembrance yet proud Spain doth quake)  
Where's Burleigh, Cecil, all those axletrees  
Of state, that brought our foes upon their knees?  
Where are such fearless, peerless Peers become?  
All silenced? what, is all the world turned ' dumb?  
Oh how hath treacherous coward fear enchanted  
This plying temporising age; and daunted  
Our noblest spirits? what dull heavy fate  
Hath lulled asleep, and stup●fi'd our state?  
That few will see, at lest none dare disclose  
Those plots our foreign and domestic foes  
Have laid to ruin us. Shall th' Austrian brood  
Abroad be gorged, and glutted with the blood  
Of our allies and friends? nay shall they here  
At home a Babel of Confusion rear;  
And none speak to prevent it? is there not  
Vn slaughtered, or vnpoyson'd left one Scot  
Dares tell the blindfold state it headlong reels  
To Spanish thraldom upon spanish wheels?  
And that those Pillars may be justly feared  
Will fall on us, that we ourselves have reared?  
Then give him leave (for Stones sake) to speak,  
whose heart, with grief, had it no vent, would break.  
Thou therefore, sacred Mother, Christ's dear Wife,  
▪ From whose pure breasts, I sucked the food of life)  
And thou, dear Country, (in whose peaceful lap  
First to receive my breath, 'twas my blessed hap  
Vouchsafe t'accept, and graciously peruse  
Th'abortive offspring of an unripe Muse:  
And suffer not weak insufficiency  
To counterpoise his hearts true loyalty  
In your affections, who to do you good,  
Would think th' exhausion of his dearest blood  
Great happiness; and want of liberty  
Large freedom: nay, could even contented be  
Or for your safety to be sacrificed  
Or your salvation Anathematised.   

Nor fear I censure, though strict Cato read  
Whilst in the well known path of truth I tread,  
And travail in her cause. The subject's weight  
Repels the breath of every vain Conceit.  
And for Spain's agents, and times flattering Minions  
I neither pass their persons nor opinions.  
For God, that doth the hearts of all men see,  
Knows my intentions just and honest be.  
' 'Tis no vainglorious humour makes me do it:  
Nor doth malicious envy force me to it:  
But hate of Spanish treason, and true zeal  
Unto the good of Church and Commonweal.  
Why therefore, armed with so just a cause,  
Should I the censure fear of rightful laws?  
Or once suspect a Check or prohibition  
From any but a Popish packed Commisssion?  
Nor can the Council take such subjects ill,  
As to true Patriots have been welcome still.  
What, ever yet, did merit condemnation,  
Tending alone to public preservation?  
Mistake me not (you Props of state) I pray:  
Such bold presumption never yet bare sway  
In my acknowled'gd weakness, as to go  
About ●'informe your well tried judgements: no  
I b●● persuade and not prescribe, incite,  
And not instruct your wisdoms, to what's right▪  
Those then of malice shall traduce my name,  
By being guilty, bring themselves to shame,  
Should such squint Lamian envions eyes reflect  
O● their own breasts, they would themselves correct  
Beforeth would censure others but such spite  
Shall never mount my Muse's lowest flight.  
So high this world I prise not, as to close  
With falsehood's fautours, and God's favour lose.  
If friends by flattery be procured alone,  
Befriend me heaven, on earth I'll look for none.  
Grant therefore (God of truth) into his hands  
I Never fall that holy truth withstands.   

The Explanation of the Table Prefixed.  

AN endless bloody war, that never yet  
Cessation, truce, or peace did once admit  
From the world's Cradle, so it's hoary age  
Hath still been waged, with unappeased rage,  
By cursed Satan, and his damned bands  
Of reprobates, against Christ's church▪ like sands  
Her foes in number are: no station's free  
From fierce assaults, and furious battery,  
When time began this malice first began,  
Nor will it end but with the latest man  
' ' Time shall produce. Thus justice hath decreed  
' ' Those shall be crowned in heaven, on earth must bleed.  
To exercise the Church's patience, hope  
And faith, God hath ordained a Turk or Pope  
To persecute her saints: her sins to scourge,  
And from her purer gold the dross to purge  
Of vain corruption, oft he tries in flames  
Her glorions Martyrs: and sometimes he tames  
Herself▪ admiring, and applauding pride  
(That on presumption of his love doth ride  
In to that high conceit, the jews have told her  
Since God hath chose her, he is bound t'uphold her  
By 
† Neither totally no● fully, but in the sencibility of operation.  drawing from her his supporting grace.  
That see'ing in what a weak and wretched case  
She is without his help: how soon she'd fall  
(If grace be not her leader General)  
To Heresy, or any other snare,  
The tempter, to entrap her, shall prepare:  
She may rely, upon his power alone  
Who is the Rock of her salvation.   

To be exposed thus to Satan's spleen,  
Of Christ's true Church, a true mark still hath been.  
The church malignant, whose prodigious head  
The Devil is himself, we, see, hath led  
The Captive world in triumph: lived at rest:  
And most of nations with subjection pressed.  
No streams of Martyr's blood her temples died:  
Nor did she persecution ere abide.  
His Cruelty, not to his friends, but foes,  
The Prince of darkness, here in this world, shows.  
Whom, but th' Apostles, did he sift, like wheat?  
And whom, like Paul, did he desire to beat,  
Without, with jewish scourges, and within,  
With buffets of his flesh-assaulting sin?  
Such barbarous tortures, who did ere endure  
(Without all pity) as the saints most pure?  
This bold adventurous foe, his fiery darts  
Directs, with matchless cunning, at the hearts  
Of them that are, the best of saints. And where  
He sees the richest graces shine most clear,  
There he his strongest engines doth erect:  
(If possible) even to subvert th'elect.  
Thus have we seen in heat of wars alarms,  
(Where bloody fields are paved with broken arms)  
The foes redouble all their force and might,  
To break the battles, where the gen'ralls' fight.  
Such was the Syrian monarches, 
* 1. Kin: 22. 31.  charge to bring  
Captive, o● kill none else but Israel's King.  
So Caesar thought those soldiers worthiest grace,  
Whose points still levelled at their foeman's † face. 
Miles saci●n▪ feri.   
Thus strong temptations, forcibly applied,  
Have made the best of Gods own children slide.  
Lot, Noah, David, Peter, foully fell;  
Because their gifts, did all men's else, excel.  
Adam, in Paradise, no safety found:  
Nay he, that of all safety is the ground,  
Escaped not unassaulted: of whose fare,  
Good reason, all his servants should have share.  
Stand forth then, Roman strumpet, wipe thine eyes  
Pull of thy scales of blindness: yet be wise.  
Ere't be too late. Then shalt thou clearly see  
Who the erroneous, who the true Church, be.  
I will not (nor is't fitting) here discuss  
Those points of doctrine, where in you from us  
Are in Diameter opposed, as far  
As bright truth from dark falls hood: such a war  
Requires a larger and more spacious field,  
Then this restrained strain can aptly yield.  
Wherhfore in freer method, more solute,  
I leave your tenants for the schools dispute.  
And yet how easy were't to make you know,  
Humane traditions are (alas) too low  
To mate Gods sacred word: nor may the vain  
Inventions of an erring mortal brain  
Brave th' oracle of truth. if th' Ark to check  
Dagon presume, Dagon shall break his neck▪  
How easy were 't to prove, that saving grace,  
Of our corrupted nature, must take place?  
Error hath Champions: 'tis not my intent  
That Antichristian Council, which from Trent  
Takes its denomination to refel,  
Since those blasphemons Cannons now do smell  
O'er all the world: and you yourselves are fain  
Many (for shame) back to revoke again.  
No (were there no mark else, the Church to know)  
Our truth, your falsehood, this would clearly show  
To prove us Christ's, and aggravate your sin  
We have the patients, you the agents been  
In all massacres, treasons, persecutions,  
Close murders, cruel bloodshed, and dirutions  
Of Cities, kingdoms woeful devastations.  
Rebellions, powderplots, and wrong invasions,  
Performed to force men's consciences, and make  
Inconstant souls, with error part to take.  
These are the bloody glosses of your text  
Which, you well hoped, we should interpret next.  
And if your projects be not timely crossed  
Our freedom and religion both are lost.  
For, that our safety might be undermined,  
You have not only, all your powers combined  
Abroad, but even at home, prepared such way,  
That we, ourselves, should, our own selves, betray.  
To what end else, did you (in time of danger)  
You, introduce, we entertain a stranger  
T'our reformed doctrine? was't for Conscience sake  
To bring us to the truth? or was't to make  
Entrance, for Spanish wasps, to th' English hive  
While we, for conscience, with ourselves should strive?  
Thus simple truth, hath by your cunning bill  
Assailed without, falsely betrayed within.  
And when religions bond's once broke asunder,  
No marvel foreign Atheism bring us under.  
Which, that the Church may better take to hart,  
And yet prevent that, for which else she'll smart,  
Her dangers here appear: that when you view them  
You better may advise which way t'eschew them. 
A    

Truth's Fortress, whose fundations laid upon  
Th' Apostles, Prophets, and that Cornerstone 
Caste●●o 〈◊〉 ●a verita.   
Whereon they build; mortered and cemented  
With blood of Martyrs (for the gospel shed)  
Then, by degrees, raised to the present frame,  
By such of ancient, and of later fame,  
Whose works, and words, lives, lines, hearts hands have made  
Truth flourish, error vanish, falsehood fade,  
And shaked proud Babel: stands beleaguered, here,  
On all sides by her foes. Two Ports appear,  
" 'Gainst which th' assailants (ar'md with fury rage,  
And hellish spleen, that nothing can assuage  
But blood and ruin) all their engines plant,  
And forces bend: here is, of plots, no want, 
B   
Or Cunning projects: for their brains are filled  
With all the stratagems that hell can yield. 
Port: orthe dosso.   
Religion's Port's beleaguered by the whore 
C   
Of erring Babel's cursed Paramour: 
The Pope.   
Whose right hand's armed with the fulmination  
Of Kingdomes-blasting excommunication:  
To send to hell, or some such place, all those  
His jurisdiction, or his laws oppose.  
His bull's his buckler: wherewith he defends  
(As he makes credulous souls believe) his friends;  
Pardons their sins, pulls such from Satan's paws  
As damn themselves, for his unhallowed cause.   

Next him, the Cardinals march in pompous sort: 
●   
Wh ' would rather the defendants of the port  
Corrupt, then force by conquest. This implies,  
They shall not want for earthly dignities,  
And temporal honours, that with Rome will side  
'Gainst heaun: in worldly triumph, those shall ride:  
And he, for Babel's whore, will spend a soul,  
Shall quaff in fornications golden bowl.  
Be it so, Lord, such their reward have here,  
And plagues hereafter: but thy children dear  
Now suffer, that they may be after Crowned,  
When they shall, in thy cup of wrath be drowned.   

A squadron of fat Bishops marcheth next▪  
Whose arms are Pickaxes in stead of text.  
Truth, by the spirit can sustain no harm: 
●   
Therefore they'd battered, with the flesh's arm, 
〈…〉    

The last (though not the least in force) consists  
Of a whole Legion of * Ignatius Priests.  
Who (having learnt the undermining art  
From him, that taught it first to † Berthold Schwart) 
〈…〉   
Doubt not to make Truth's strongest hold to fly,  
With * pouderbarrells, up into the sky.  
When lying, forging, and equivocation,  
Too weak, they found, to batter truth's foundation,  
And that the seeming'st, reasons they could rack  
From their sublimest brains, reflected back  
Upon themselves, with shame, and with disgrace:  
(For falsehood must, at last, to truth give place  
Though ne'er so nearly varnished) they betook  
Themselves to treasons, and their books forsook,  
(As 
* 〈…〉  julius did his keys) with fire and sword,  
In stead of zeal, and the spiritual word,  
They take the field: not only to enthrall  
men's consciences, but liberty and all.  
Thus arguments for arms they have refused,  
And treasons base for their best reasons ●sed:  
Thus have they chose for Pallas powerful charms▪  
Mars his more harsh and forcible alarms.  
And not prevailing by far-strained conclusions,  
Would put down Truth by lawless wrong confusions.  
This Germany too sensibly hath felt  
And smarted for (whose soul can choose but melt  
To think on't? where the title to the Crown  
Of that unhappy Kingdom, tumbled down  
Truth's best professors. For the plot was laid,  
Before th' election of the Paltz grave made,  
How to defeat him. This was only done  
To make him on his own confusion run.  
And that they might the eyes of justice blind  
With some pretence of equity: and bind  
Our hands, that were engaged to support  
So just a cause. How grossly did they sport  
With thy mild nature? thou, whose sacred name  
The title of the Prince of Peace may Claim.  
How was thy soul abused with false relations;  
And, hopes of ne're-meant reconciliations?  
How did that damned Don, and 's agents here,  
That were, of all thy subjects, placed most near  
Thy nought-suspecting heart, infatuate  
The wisest Prince on earth? and captivate  
That judgement, whereat all the world did gaze?  
Sure he that skrew'd thee into such a maze  
Of error, was no Spaniard, but a devil  
Sent up from hell, to work the Church such evil.  
How couldst thou else with patience sit, and see  
Truth's fall, and thine own children's misery?  
While (as 'tis thought) there was more treasure spent  
In fruitless embassades, and compliment;  
Then would not only have the Paltz secured  
But in its bounds the Austrian pride immured.  
Were't nor for this (blessed King) and th'old ones plaster,  
Thou might'st (perchance) have, yet, been Britain's master.   

Now Germany lies drow'nd in her own blood,  
And all that for Religion's quarrel stood  
Have suffered Martyrdom: and Frances King  
Is set a work the Huguenots to bring  
Into subjection. Yet one sore doth lie  
In th' eye o'th' Pope, and 's Catholic Majesty,  
Which needs must be removed before the rest  
And that's our land, of 
* Nido d'he●●●tici▪ ●  Heretics the nest.  
(As they please term it) how they this may do,  
Spain's council, and the Roman Conclave too,  
With Beelzebub, that sits as Precedent  
At Council table, have a long time spent.  
With foreign forces to invade a land  
So rich, so well appointed, so well manned  
With high resolved spirits, that ever bore  
Themselves, in wars, victorious heretofore,  
And made good proof of perfect valour (till  
Base treachery against the valiant's will  
Did Generally Misled them now of late,  
And the whole world may Admire all thereat)  
T'invade so stout a people, needs must be  
A dangerous action, full of jeopardy.  
Besides the very thought of eighty eight  
Daunts them, and quells such resolutions strait.  
Wherhfore 'tis safest, in such case to fly  
From open war, to secret treachery.  
" He that intends to bring a country under,  
" Either he must, before he lighten, thunder:  
" Or else raise up, and nourish in't a faction,  
" May make him entrance, through their own distraction.  
In eyghty eight, the former they assayed:  
Then treating peace, when th' had their anchores weighed,  
To sail to our destruction. But (be blest  
You heavens) their sword was turned on their own breast.  
Now of the second project they make trial:  
(And Spanish gold, alas, finds rare denial)  
From Spain's exchequer some, some from the 
† Of Pardons etc.  Popes  
A●e fed with gold, but more with golden hopes.  
This th' have attempted long: and how too true  
'tis th' have prevailed (I fear) too late, we rue.  
●i●st, seeing 
† A Religā●o.  Religion is the strongest Chain  
To tie men's har●s together: and 'tis vain  
To hope for conquest, whiles that Concord's band  
Environs (like a wall of brass) our Land:  
His Holiness hath learned of Machiavelli,  
(In whom all Popes have ever been read well)  
T'advise his 
* The Devil.  standard bearer, to divide  
Truth's chiefest followers: that while they do side  
In factions 'mongst themselves, he may with ease  
Destroy them all, even as himself shall please  
By taking part with th'one. Which to effect  
Satan his writts doth readily direct  
To all the peers of darkness. Who being met,  
And (capering to the Council-table) set:  
In comes the Devil's Duke, great Lucifer:  
When all, to make obeisance, quickly stir  
Scraping their cloven feet, and lowly bending:  
Because their honours are from him depending.  
Strait Beelzebub, the chosen Precedent  
After a hem (that all in pieces rend  
The walls of L●mbo) an oration roared  
To all the Luciferians, amply stored  
With threatenings: what he said, I did not hear:  
If needs you'll know the cause, I was not there.  
But, by the sequel, I perchance may guess  
That solemnly his hate he did profess  
To Truth, and all her follo'wers: and 's desire  
T'enlarge his empire, and to bring it ●igher  
To universal greatness. But there lay  
(To curb his great designs) a rub i'th' way,  
Truth's fortress: whence he often had sustained  
Loss irrecov'rable: and seldom gained  
Aught else, but shameful falls, disgraceful foils,  
Or strong repulses. Therefore all their wiles  
Of hellish policy, they now must prove,  
This let, of their ambition, to remove.  
All spend their censure, that, since force prevails not,  
Treason must do't: that too too often fails not.  
Wherhfore with general voices they conclude  
That fiends in show of friends, must truth delude,  
And so betray her. To this cursed end,  
In humane shape Arminius they send;  
Got by Pelagius, and in Rome nursed up:  
Whence, drunk with superstitious errors cup,  
He 's sent to Leyden by the Pope's direction  
To blast the world with is heresies infection,  
Nor rests th' ambiguons crafty monster there;  
But spews the poison of's false doctrine here:  
Comes, like a protestant, in show, before;  
And vows he hates the Antichristian whore;  
Disclaims her tenants: Nay none seems to be  
More zealous, in the gospels cause, than he.  
(Oh that false tongues were ever made so smooth,  
Or lying lips should have the power to sooth,)  
Tell him the doctrine of the Pope is ' true  
Concerning merits, he will censure you  
For error strait. Say that we may attain  
By nature, power salvation to gain,  
By working it ourselves: he will reply  
These doctrines are condemned for heresy:  
And yet (what positively he thus denies)  
By necessary consequence implies.  
So that observe him well: within you'll find  
A friar's hart, as here his cowl behind.  
Behold, now, satans masterpiece, t'or'e spread  
The Church with Popery, so long banished.  
Had he, in public, these his tenants held,  
And justified, he should have been expelld  
From all reformed Churches; and confuted  
Had he such, Theses in the schools disputed.  
Therefore, with truth, dissembling to take part  
He (joab like) doth closely, wound her heart.  
And silly souls, entangled by him, lie  
In nets of errors, that they cannot spy.  
Yet though Arminius, Holla●d had infected,  
Since we, his poisonous doctrine had detected,  
And that blessed King, most learnedly refelld  
Those false positions seduced Vorstius held:  
What madness was't, for us, to foster here  
Those errors, that our Church condemned there?  
Had satans instruments been all without,  
The danger were not great: we need not doubt  
So much our safety. But 
* Da chi mi fido mi guar do Dio. Da chi mi non fido mi guar ●●ro 〈◊〉.  within, they lurk,  
That, under name of truth's stoutest champions work  
Her ruin: and to back her, making show,  
Betray her, and conspire her overthrew.  
No sooner comes Arminius to untwine  
The bond of concord, and to undermine  
Religion, with condemned Pelagianisme  
(To make way for the Pope) but factious Schism,  
With senseless Atheism, cold neutrality, 
H ●.   
Loose Epicurism, and damned Policy  
Are ready t'entertain him: and declare  
Themselves (perfidious wretches as they are)  
For him, g'ainst truth received. Wherhfore, in haste,  
As he is foremost, by the devil placed  
With schisms wild fire, Riligions Port to set  
In a combustion, he is straightway met  
By messengers sent to salute him. Who  
They are, I scarce can yet precisely know.  
But Bishop's Chapleines they should be, I deem  
For, by their stately port, no less they seem.  
And such is he, whose purblind Cozening eye 
●   
Its objects (as't appears) doth multiply,  
And make two Sacraments seem sea'vn. Like him.  
(But that his Carriage something is more grim)  
Is he, that takes upon him to suppress  
All books against his Leyden friend: unless  
His sense of feeling be a little feed.  
(Were I his judge) it should be so indeed.  
But him that welcomes first this Heretic,  
His very 
† Intus quod latet externa pingitur in fancy Ca●e a signatis.  looks proclaim a Schismatic.  
He hath Commission, with a false forged key  
To let this monster in, and so make way  
For all the rest of that accursed crew  
In truths chief Martyrs blood, their hands t'mbrue.  
These, these, not those at Clerkenwell we took,  
The strong foundation of our Church have shaken,  
And made Religion reel. Our foes we shun:  
But these false feigned friends have truth undone.  
Oh vipers most unnatural; thus to tear  
The bowels of that mother, held you dear.  
Alas, alas, too true it is I see,  
All men are for themselves; few Christ, for thee.  
Error prevails: and while thy shepherd's sleep  
Wolves in sheep's clothing, Worry all thy sheep.  
Who, almost, cares which way Religion bends,  
So they may compass their ambitious ends?  
How soon do those that should firm Mountains be,  
For truth to build on, lean to popery:  
Laud Romish laws, and to disgrace endeavour,  
In truth's profession, such as would persever.  
So they may rise, they make their betters fall.  
Thus do they ship wrack faith, love, soul and all.  
Yet (blest be God) Truth ne'er was so distressed,  
But she had still some Champions (those the best)  
T'abet her quarrel. See the faith's defender, 
●   
Wth's brandished sword, is ready aid to lend her;  
And thouhands more of soldiers stout there be,  
Which never yet, to ertour, 
* 〈…〉. 19 18  bowed their knee,  
For truth's sake, would, in midst of faggots dance:  
Yea Bishops some. But see a luckless' chance  
Befalls one Prelate: hastening to repel 
M   
Arminius and's adherents back to hell  
For fear of faction. He himself is ta'en  
By proud Ambition: that is still the bane 
N   
Of all religious acts, the root of evil,  
The Character and darling of the devil:  
And violently (I know not why) 's thrown down  
Unable to resist, even bv a frown.  
Me thinks 'tis pity, for a cause unjust  
That godly gravity should lie i'th' dust.  
But, though he fall, himself (he says) shall rise  

† Tu null● plangente.  And he shall fall, when none shall wet their eyes.  
How speed the rest: their well meant labour 's lost:  
A bald appa'ritour hath their journey crossed:  
Who muzz'ling them, by virtue of his box  
Extorts the spirits sword from th' orthodox.  
Nor do these flattr'ing Prelates cease to bring  
Such men in hatred, daily, with their King:  
And falsely, that theyare Calvinists, report  
Only to make them odious in the court.  
Nor is't unlike, some hope, by pleasing so  
The Kingdom's secret bane, and Church's foe,  
They may, in this golden corrupted state,  
Bishoprics purchase, at an easier rate  
Than the chiese-iustice-ship. Thus Error bears  
Herself aloft: while Truth (bedevved with tears  
To think upon the woeful sad events  
Schisms ever bring upon the Church) laments.  
For, if the monuments of formerages  
We search: and studiously turn o'er the pages  
Of all historians: they will show us plain,  
No state, or Kingdom ever did sustain  
Such fatal downfalls, gene'rall devastations,  
Final subversions, and depopulations,  
By open foes: (though ne'er so fiercely bend) 
〈…〉   
As by intestine civil broils. How went  
The Grecian Monarchy to nothing? why  
Lost Rome her greatness? wherefore doth she lie  
Buried in her own ruins (who was once  
The glory of the East) an heap of stones?  
But ask antiquity, how these did fall,  
'T will answer, 
* In quo discordia cives, Perduxi● mi●eros Virgi.  discord hath or'ethrowne them all.  
Inquire of Carthage, and her rubbish towers  
Will cry, would Hannos ' house had ne'er been ours.  
Ask how the Thracian empire's stately seat  
Became a slave to Mahomet the great,  
How we lost all those Countries in the East,  
And how that land our Saviour's presence blest?  
Truth must reply, dissension was their fall.  
And Christian princes discord lost them all.  
This was spied wisely by a grave 
† 〈…〉  Bashaw,  
And as a strong persuasion used to draw  
Great Soliman to Rhodes. For while (quoth he)  
The Christian princes thus divided be,  
They hasten their 
* Christia●us occas●●●●testinis discordijs lab●●●  destruction. 'twas too true.  
This Counsel Rhodes and Hungary did rue.  
" Civil dissensions are most mortal ever:  
" But when religion breeds them, than they sever  
" The very souls of men. This nature makes  
" Become unnatural: it no notice takes  
" Of father, brother, friend: but all doth use  
" With like Contempt, with equal hate pursues.  
Which Satan, (th' enemy of humane peace.  
The gospels glory, and the truth's increase)  
Perceiving; and by long experience knowing,  
That nothing keeps religion more from growing,  
Then Church contentions. As the surest way  
To raise up error, and make Truth decay;  
He hath suborned, in all ages, those  
That, under 
† Qui sub nomine Chri stiano doctri vae resisterent Christianae. Tertul:  Christ's own name, should Christ oppose.  
None's hurt, but by himself: to Christ none is  
A foe so mortal, as he, that seems his.  
Schisms in the church, are like, i'th' soul, a wound:  
To cureed no Aesculapius can be found.  
theyare like * Elias cloud: though small, at first, 
*   
Yet still increasing; and being daily nursed  
With male contented humours: at the length,  
They (by degrees) attain to so much strength;  
Truth's sun is by them overshadowed quite,  
And, like a tempest, on the church, they light,  
Or'ewhelming, with a bloody, inundation  
Cities and kingdoms, even to desolation.  
Such sad proceedings had the Arrian error;  
Which, first contemned, proved afterwards a terror  
To all the world. That spark, whence once it broke  
To flames, made Europe, Asia, Africa quake.  
And so obscured the Church's glory over,  
She never could her lustre yet recover.  
So was th' 
† Mahomet.  Arabian, in Heraclius days  
(Whom Satan did another agent raise  
Truth to disturb) when he began to broach  
His damned Dogmas, fitter of reproach  
And scorn reputed, then repressed to b'e  
By force, or Counsels censure. And thus he  
(Though an unread Barbarian) after came,  
By this connivance, to attain such fame  
For false supposed truth (since no man could  
Gainsay, as it was thought▪ because none would,  
This new-spring doctrine) that it quickly grew  
Through force and juggling of this Pagan jew  
To such an height of greatness, and of power,  
That from that age, unto this present hour,  
His barbarous proud successors still have been  
The executioners of Satan's spleen,  
And heaviest scourges, for the Gospels' side,  
That ever Christendom did yet abide.  
" So fatal 'tis: (oh then what state would do '?)  
" To let an error, in the church, take root.  
If later times examples better take,  
And in men's minds deeper impression make:  
What frequent streams of blood of Christians drawn  
The mad, fantastic, giddy-headed crew  
Of German Anabaptists? to maintain  
Whose gross erroneous tenants, there were slain  
Thrice fifty thousand souls: who lost their breath  
In that false quarrel by a timeless death  
If then th' obtrustion of new dogmatiques  
Upon th' abused Church, so deeply pricks  
Her grieved hart: if it her quiet mar  
And turn her happy peace to bloody war:  
What Belials brats, or Bichris sons could find  
In hart, to be s'vnnaturall and unkind  
As to that mother, ill for good, to render  
Who hath been ever, of their wellfate, tender?  
Oh that such dangerous serpents ere should rest,  
I'th' choicest mansions, of a Kingdom's breast,  
Would suck her hart blood out: it were too much  
In monster-moulding afric to find such.  
Who then would ere suspect a monstrous seed  
And more prodigious afric ere did breed  
Should spawn in England? in so cold an air  
Where matter of corruption should be rare.  
That then, that doth this mi'shaped births create  
Is not the sun of zeal, but fire of hate,  
And slime of pride and treason: these they be  
That turn a man into a prodigy.  
And such, there are too many: who do hope  
And strongly labour to reduce the Pope,  
Us hered b' Arminius: that themselves, in time,  
To th' honour of a Cardinal's cap, may climb:  
First let them break their necks. And let that hand  
Be ever marked with th' ignominions brand  
Of infamous sedition, whose appeal,  
For Spanish-English favour, not for zeal  
To God or truth, did hither first transfer  
The Belgian Heretic, to make us err.  
Did we not see, of late, what sad effect  
This doctrine wrought, in that pernicious sect?  
Had not the States, like, to their cost, t'have felt  
(By th' treacherous designs of Barnevelt,  
His sons, and others) what religious fruits  
We might expect from such seditious bruits?  
If, the same danger, we had meant to shun,  
Why, the same hazard, did we rashly run?  
Nor were these tenants in the schools discussed  
(Fit places where such paradoxes must  
Be controverted) but in public print▪  
(To make unlearned vulgar eyes to squint  
From truth on falsehood) all the land about  
These dangerous books are cast, to make men doubt  
The truth received: and not resolving where  
Safely to stand, or to what side t'adhere,  
To fall as fast to Rome or atheism  
As 
* 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sozom: Scholis ac parietibus clausit. Aug. de C. D.  those in Arrius time to Gentilism.  
Better discretion from the heathens laws  
Might be observed. For no religious cause  
With them, was handled 'mongst the vulgar sort▪  
And with the Turckes, his life he forfaites for't  
Dares question any. Learned Varro shut  
Such books in schools and private closerts. But  
'Bove all th' Apostles and the fathers were  
Herein most chary. For when ever there  
Sprung any difference 'twixt them: they ne'er made  
Saucy appeals to temprall Kings, to shade  
Or bolster up their fancies. None did write  
Bitter invectives 'gainst his opposite:  
Nor clamorous bills in any prince's court  
Put up. but 
* Act. 15.  lovingly they did resort  
I'th' fear of God together: there propose  
Their doubts, allege their reasons, confirm those:  
And then determine from God's sacred word  
What must be followed, what must be ahorred.  
Good sheapherds lead their flocks to feeding, nigh  
Those pleasing rivers, that stream 
* 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sep. Ps. 23. 2  quietly  
And not in whirl pools. Those of highest place  
Shall have fruition in th' almighty's grace,  
That draw most souls unto him. Where shall they  
Become, that fright unstable souls away?  
Consider this, all you, whose hot desire  
Of worldy honour, far surmounts the fire  
Of your cold zeal. And fix in heaven your mind▪  
Where, only, lasting honour, you shall find.  
So shall, our Church, be happy in her seed:  
So shall she be, from present dangers, freed:  
So shall the Gospel, amongst us, ever flourish:  
So shall our state, the true professors nourish:  
So shall the God of Truth your labours bless  
And your endeavours Crown with wished success.    

Port della Fidelita.  

NOw rise up Raleigh, help me to unfold  
A mystery, shall make the blood grow cold  
In all true English hearts. Which to defeat,  
Those boundless brains ofthine did ever beat,  
(Till Wisdom swallowed Spanish figs.) and thou  
Great Lesters treacherous ghost assist me now  
To unrip Treasons bowels. That (may be 
* To true▪ )  
Hath harboured in as great a Peer as thee,  
As highly honoured, and as highly placed  
In Offices of weight: more highly graced.  
And now you Catilines, that agents are  
For Spain's designs; to hang yourselves prepare.  
For we already have (though late) detected  
Your Treasons (blest be God) ere theyare effected.  
Nay now our eyes, peace blinded long, have found  
The plots, the means to work by, and the ground  
Of your attempts: Whereby ye have slily sought  
Our English freedom (Traitor like) t'have brought  
Too foreign slavish thraldom. And our land  
T'have made a Province under Spain's Command▪  
Now have we your concealed devices spied  
To weaken ours, strengthen the adverse side.  
Now have we found, how the Cinque Ports of state. 
P   
The Gate of Loy'lty. Hath inclined, of late, 
Port della Fidelita.   
(As far as yet it could procure Commission)  
By th' undescried dark by path of Prodition  
Into our British I'll to let that foe.  
Whose greatest joy would be our overthrow.  
This how they have attempted: and how far  
Prevailed: we must inquire of Gondomar, 
●▪   
That Magazine of craft, the Devil's factor  
Th' author of all pernicious plots, and th' actor;  
He, he, in time of peace, that lulled asleep  
Our Solomon: 
† Kind of 〈…〉 an ●…an Rat creeps ●…elly a sleeping ●…s out ●utts.  Ichneum●n-like to creep  
●n●o his bosom. Where too long he sat  
To spy our secrets, and anticipate  
Our foreknown Counsels and attempts: that fox  
Who, by his cunning wiles, picked all the locks  
Of state: he that, like Photions' son, him swayed  
(Which way he pleased) whom all the land obeyed▪  
That Witch, whose charms enchanted us so far  
As to bestow our * instruments of war 
●●●sse ●i●▪   
To be employed against ourselves (a crime  
ne'er stupid state committed till that time)  
He, he, that by procuring 
† ●●tu●sse ●●n l●ng ●o●●iers to ●●●●n agt. ●…ke ●●nd agt. 〈…〉▪ Arch ●●agt▪ the 〈…〉 etc. 〈…〉 one ●…hers 〈…〉.  volontiers  
For Spain's allies, against ours, in half seven years  
Moore English blood, by English arms, did spill  
In time of peace; more English vet'ranes kill  
By English vet'ranes▪ Then in ten were slain  
In time of war, in Belgia, France, or Spain.  
He that brought Raleigh to untimely rest  
For knowing how, his master, to infest  
Best of all Captains living: he that made  
Our justice, to his will, a very jade.  
He that with hopes of a pretended match,  
Great Britain, in a pursenet thought to catch.  
He, he that, all times: in all shapes was clad:  
The creaft'st agent ere the Devil had;  
The Spanish Philip's grave Achitophel,  
That Matchiavilian Oracle of Hell.  
He, on this side, appears truth's foremost foe:  
For all his actions have approved him so.  
justly may he, Spain's colours, then advance  
‛ Fore●h ' Austrians, Flandrians, or the men of France.  
For his successful plots have wrought those harms  
They have but executed with their arms.  
T'undo, by English means, this devil projected.  
Truth and the Palsgrave: which he soon effected.  
And therefore rightly his devise proclaims  
Whereto he always bend his fox like aims.  
When foxes, muzzled lions, lead so ●ame  
They dare not stir for fear of check or blame,  
'Tis wondrous easy for a Spanish dog  
Upon that Lion's whelps t'impose a Clog.  
This riddle needs no Oedipus t'expound it:  
For, too true, England's only Daughter found it,  
Unto her own and royal offsprings Cost.  
For his help wanting, whom she trusted most  
(That was by nature, and Religion both,  
The tye of common danger, and by oath  
Bound to defend her country, and God's cause)  
Forsaking her: she fell into the paws  
Of danger: and hath sheltered, ever since  
Under the wings of the Low-countries' Prince▪  
To our eternal shame: whom no regard  
Of honour, nature, common faith, reward  
Reserved in heaven, for those their lives shall spend  
To beat down error, and the truth defend  
Could ever draw Truth, falling, to sustain,  
Or replant them in Heidelburgh again.  
Oh that wee're were forced to be disloyal,  
To such a gracious Princess and so royal;  
How (without indignation) can the eyes  
Of heaven, such irreligious Cowardice,  
And sluggish dull stupidity behold?  
What made the English thus, but Indian gold. 
R   
Had not Spain's filips 
† ●h of Maced. thought no gate so strong but an ass laden with gold might pass ●t. He was not far from ●●uth I fear.  Macedonian Ass  
Permitted bee'ne our Loyal gate to pass  
(Driven by th' incarnate diu'l) they had not been  
So deeply drenched in woe: nor we, in sin▪  
But things being thus: and our supplies kept back:  
Our friends, the Gospel, Paltz, went all to wrack.  
What could (but Cursed thirst of tempting coin)  
Our safety, in their ruin, undermine:  
To bring us down, what readier means could be  
Then us to cause to break Confed'racy  
With our allies? that, so, our strength divided,  
Might broken be with ease: and we derided  
For wilful blindness: that would not prevent  
Those dangers could not be but imminent  
Better had treasure undiscovered laid  
In hell for ever: then t'have been the bane 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉▪ Pind.   
Of honourable actions: and to cause  
The shameful breach of God and nature's laws.  
Why, why (abused statesmen) have you thus  
Yourselves blindfolded, to endanger us?  
Could you be ignorant that th' Austrian might  

* 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Dem. Olynt. 1.  At length, would on our shoulders heavy light?  
Seing Religion, but that sugared bait  
Wherewith, to catch men's freedoms, they lay wait,  
And fish for a fifth Monarchy no other  
But a cloak of Pretence, to hide and smother  
Their proud ambitious ends: whereto t'impose.  
Limits of right and title, were t'enclose  
The swelling sea, confined within a grate.  
Since than Religion, and invete'rate hate  
Against us, (as they that have opposed most  
Their great'st designs, and weighti'st projects crossed)  
Enfor'cd, in us, a double interest  
In that long plotted quarrel: why addressed  
Not we, in time, our succours? what did then  
The forced detention of the Englishmen  
But even our friends betray, ourselves pull down,  
And help t'advance, and spread, th' Imperial Crown?  
We 
* 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 &. the same case Dem. Oly. 1.  Germany at Austria's foot have laid '  
Because Prince Fred'rick we refused to aid.  
Spain's valour made th' Imperial greatness rise  
Not half so much, as English Cowardice▪  
A humane body (in this case) is like  
Unto a states great body Politic  
In th' one, to keep disturbing humours low  
Preserves from sickues: so to curb a foe 
Princip●●● obsta.   
In th' other, frees from danger. Keep out fin  
In its first motions, scarce 't can e'er come in.  
But give it entrance, suddenly t' will reign,  
And hardly ever be expelled again.  
See then (abused Britanies') see at length  
And mend your errors: reassume that strength  
Hath been abated by your vain excess  
Your soft effeminacy and wantonness.  
These idle pleasures did your Courage tame,  
So Cyrus, once, the 
* 〈…〉 2▪  Lydians overcame.  
Draw out those swords in peace have long time rusted,  
And since how far a Spaniard may be trusted  
You now perceive (who promises and vows  
Not only, for his own advantage, bows  
Which way he pleaseth: but with perjured hand 
Fides non est ●enonda cum h●reticis.   
Slightly (Lysander-like) doth break the band  
Of sacred oaths, expressly against the word)  
Which even Turks and Pagans have abhorred  
Trust him no more, be sure, no more regard him:  
But, as he hath deserved, so reward him.  
Nor have thy projects, with thy life, an end,  
Old Spanish fox, while there's a Spanish friend  
In th' English Court, to execute thy will:  
But stratagems of such like nature still  
We must, against our state, expect. For who  
But unto Spain a friend; a faithless foe  
To England's good, would give advise to break  
Our peace with France, to make our party weak,  
And force th' affronted French in league to close  
Offensive and desensive with our foes?  
Whereas the way to safeguard us, and keep  
Proud Spain at such a bay, she durst not peep  
Beyond her confines, was with France to hold  
Good correspondence, So we might be bold  
(Thus countenaneed) courage and life t'infuse  
Unto the Belgians: and to make them bruise  
The head of his ambition, till it Crack,  
Borne, and assisted by so strong a back▪  
This than was but a Spanish plot, t'intangle  
Our arms in civil broils: for while we wrangle  
With France, designing to the Dane no aid;  
His towns, the Austrian, at his foot hath laid.  
Beats him from Holsteyn, makes him still give ground,  
And theatneth to be master of the Sound:  
Which if he be, then must we make great store  
O'th' ships we have, for we shall ne'er have more.  
'Twixt brothers then, this unexpected breach,  
Was not so much for malice, as to teach  
Our foes the time t' invade us: having thus  
Pulled (like cursed Ismaël) all the world on us:  
Provoking some, and other friends abusing:  
Witness the lawless staying and perusing  
The letters of that state, we ever found  
To us in league of friendship, firmly bound.  
How many bones, likewise, to raise up jars  
Betwixt our nearest friends the Hollanders  
And us, have oft been cast? that we, bereft  
Of all assistance, might, alone, be left  
Unto the rage of all the world exposed.  
Thus have our actions aimed (if rightly nosed)  
At loss of honour: and to bring our state  
Amongst all nations to contempt and hate.  
Nor, that remonstrance, will I fear to blame,  
Although I saw prefixed the authors name;  
Wherein the quarrel, Rochel to support  
Religion was (poor souls) they ' le suffer for't.  
This was the only way, indeed, to draw  
All that are Champions for the Romish law  
Against the Reformists: and to bend their spleen  
Wholly at us: because we still have been  
Truth's ablest Patrons. Till the Gospels' light  
Should be (which God forbied) extingueshed quite.  
This, blessed King james, thy wisdom did foresee,  
And, being feared, prevent as carefully:  
Lest, Civil discord from the deep unbound '  
All Christendom should in her blood be drowned.  
Nor did there want a plotted gross abuse  
Might give just cause, to us, to break the truce.  
Our Admiral the French, some ships hath lent,  
Which were, he knew, against Rochel to be sent:  
This could not choose, but in our stomaches breed  
A secret grudge, and so it did indeed.  
These ships being then detained, to open flame  
The spark breaks out: and quite burns down the frame  
Of that Confed'racy we late had reared  
'Gainst Spain's designs, by both states justly feared '▪  
And now, a huge Armado, gives assault  
To th' I'll of Re, as if we meant with salt  
To powder France. Our fleet environs th' Isle  
And yet it is not taken, all this while,  
To show our courage, though, is free from dread;  
And what trim stratagems of war, w'have read,  
We scorn to man th' abandoned little Fort,  
Or with our navy to secure a Port;  
Although we rue the issue, what care they  
That seek our good, the clean contrary way?  
Torax (that, to the Spaniards next, doth lead  
A squadron of proud Monsieurs, who do tread  
Their match in galliards, and in's banner bears  
A Cock insulting 'cause away he fears 
Gallus gallicus.   
A lion) kindly doth a white mare send  
For present, to his long expected friend.  
Which was from others of that hue desery'de  
By a blue scarf before her shoulders tied.  
These favours we requite, since they begin them,  
With Pies: pray God there were no papers in them.  
What these Commanders meant, or whereunto  
These missives tended, we will leave to you  
(Sage British Senate) but, I fear, you'll find,  
Our English leader had a French man's mind:  
How, ever, else, when th' Isle was compassed round,  
Had they such undisturbed entrance found?  
Unless with legends you would blind our eyes  
And make us think they dropped down from the skies.  
Or that from th' earth, like Cadmus leeth they sprung▪  
Or else engend'red in the air they hung:  
(And that Conceit might well for currant pass.  
One squadron of them, seen at Wantage was)  
Or makes believe because they came so soon,  
They leaped down from the mountains in the Moon,  
Or that sir Hugh of Bordeaux thither sent  
juvisibly, a fairy Regiment.  
Or that th' were shot in Archimedes gin.  
From France, and so the Island lighted in.  
How ere (no English ships, or power with standing)  
Ev'nas they pleased, they had a quiet landing.  
Then like a storm orevvhelned our men, that had  
Against such impressions, no entrenchments made,  
Of any moment, but securely lay.  
As France had England been. Yet might the day  
On th' English side been won, had th' horse gone on  
With thy courageous resolution  
Heroick Cunningham: or with thy hart  
Whom neither loss of blood, nor stinging smart  
Of raging wounds could ere enforce to yield  
(Brave Rich) oh that this pen of mine could build  
An everlasting Pyramid of praise  
Your fame and worth, above the stars, to raise.  
But you not backed, the rest, to save their throats,  
Did drown themselues, because they wanted boats,  
(For they had ships enough) you, that have eyes,  
May read these riddles, spy these mysteries.  
Let then those partial tongues, these things impute  
THE inevitable fate, be ever mute.  
And tell me (if you dare of speech be free,  
That of your gen'ralls' valour Praeco's be)  
If, as you say, he ventured so i'th' wars,  
When few scaped life, how could he scape from scars?  
How many French did his great prowesse kill?  
What wounds received he? what blood did he spill?  
Th' are not Lambs philters, nor a Beldames charms,  
Can flesh and blood, secure from general harms.  
But say he did: was't not as like as not,  
That Torax present made him free from shot?  
Who durst not press into the midst of's foes,  
When he is sure he shall receive no blows?  
But had he been so: 
* Neque enim bénefacta ma line, detrectare meum est. Mat. 13  (for I' de not detract  
Deserved worth from any) was't an act  
Of wholesome policy, one that was vntrayned  
In feats of war, nor ere experience gained  
In former service, and yet scorned to be  
Advised by men of tried sufficiency,  
So many worthies should untimely lead  
To ruin, warned before, unquestioned?  
Once in a month, to take a leaf to task  
In Machiavelli: or, wearied with a mask,  
To read one's self asleep in Aelian's tactics,  
Makes not a general, but tried Morgan's practics.  
Thy Holsteyn (injured Dane) had ne'er been lost:  
Had we, in thy defence, employed that host,  
Commanded by some one, well known to be  
Faithful, and of well tried sufficiency.  
I envy honour to no loyal hart:  
But from my life I could have wished to part,  
So (noble Essex) thou, or thou, whose name  
Adds a Rich ornament to Warwick's fame,  
Or thou (whom Newport sounds) victorious Vere,  
Had (as you best deserved) led th' English there.  
Then France had found, our ancient British might  
(Though long time laid aside) not rusted quite.  
Then had not your triumphant souls, for shame,  
Blushed (matchless English Hero's) that your name  
We do but bear, having your courage lost:  
And, of your victories, can only boast:  
Wanting your hearts, your acts to imitate.  
Nor had the French, then, at so easy rate,  
In temples hung our ensigns, 'fore their eyes.  
As monuments of English Cowardice.  
Then had there been no reason to suspect  
Ourselves of treason, or as bad neglect.  
Whereas 'tis settled now in every thought  
Not French, but English our Confusion wrought,  
Disloyalty, not fortune, lost the day.  
So did we look on Cales, and run away.  
Whereat aimed that? but that we might give Spain  
Our land (in earnest) cause t'invade again.  
Nor only were three subsidies spent there,  
To makes us laugh'dat: but our soldiers were  
With stinking victuals poisoned: by this plot  
We weak'ned were, and yet perceived it not.  
Was not another's voyage likewise barred  
With a degree i'th' south? Who might have marred  
The plate fleet, had he been in earnest sent,  
Or they that set him on plain dealuig meant.  
But now of late our weightiest expeditions  
Are always frustrate by ill-meant commissions.  
All plots pretended for our Kingdom's good  
Lie drovvned and buried in our Kingdom's blood  
And, as not here projected, but in Spain  
On our part loose, but on our foe's side gain.  
Affairs, of such great consequence, of old  
(When great ones did not scorn to be controlled)  
Were want to be concluded by consent  
Of the state's body in a Parliament,  
And not by factious spirits, made alone  
Of plying mettle, to be wrought upon:  
Such greene-wax council, that will only take  
Th' impression, he that made them such, would make.  
And so, his will, not daring to gainsay  
That hates the state, they do the state betray.  
Thus is our land made weak, our treasure wasted,  
Our court corrupted, and our honour blasted,  
Our laws are broke, our justice sold: and they  
That should reform these mischiefs, give them way.  
All symptoms of a Kingdom, that hath been  
Declining long, may be in England seen:  
Our strength's decayed, the flow're of all the land  
Have perished under Buckingham's command.  
Those that their lives, have ventured for their King,  
Home, nought but labour for their pains can bring.  
Hence 'tis, our sailors are constrained to fly.  
(For want of pay) unto the enemy.  
Whereby it comes to pass: a 
* Dunkirk  fisher town,  
The very name of England once could drown,  
Doth, with the terror of some thirty sail  
At most, the power of that Kingdom quail  
Which in the life of her renowned Queen  
Kept all the world in awe. Who e'er hath seen  
So strange an alteration? they that then  
Did fear 
† 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Xerx. de Artem. in Her.  a woman, now contemn our men.  
Admire it not: our merchants taken are  
Under the nose o' th' royal men of war?  
Oh that some angel would, from heaven relate  
Unto our King, what wrongs are done the state  
He might believe't. And not give ear alone  
To them that nothing have to live upon  
But glorious titles, and their Country's spoil,  
The King's exchequer, and the favourites smile.  
No marvel then such Caterpillars use  
Their wits, the author of these ills t'excuse.  
And Papists: whom he raised in policy  
Religion and the gospels bane to be.  
For if he once (on whom they hang) but crack:  
Their credit, state and Conscience, must to wrack,  
Yet can not those gold flourishes they cast  
Upon his cankered actions, blind in haste  
The weakest judgements. Nor is that conceit  
(So often in their mouth) of any weight  
Pretending it a Paradox that those.  
Whom highest honours, on all sides, enclose,  
Should not enjoy content: but still aspire  
From highest preferments to ascend up higher▪  
As if the large desires of humane pride  
Could be (alas) with bonds of reason ti' the.  
Ambition brooks no equals: and much less  
Superiors. 'tis imperfect happiness  
(She thinks) in greatest power to be placed,  
And not with so v'raigne titles to be graced.  
Thus great things gained, we aim at greater things  
Earls would be Dukes: and Dukes would fain be 
Vn is Pellaeo iuveni, non sufficit orbis.  Kings.  
Should Spain (great King) but promise, to him, this  
For whose sake all your Kingdom fares amiss,  
(As who knows but it hath) you soon should prove  
Whether your person or your Crown he love.  
Then should you see, how of your power he made  
Use, to abuse yourself: and be a shade  
For such his actions, As being rightly scanned  
(You'll find) all tended to undo your land.  
Your subjects riches are your strength: these he  
Consumed in riot and in luxury.  
Their love's the main supporter of your state:  
Which treacherously he did alienate.  
That destitute of all your people's aid,  
Yourself, the state, the truth might be betrayed.  
Which that he might effect, his doings all  
Aimed at our foe's advancement, and our fall.  
' ' Great states affairs should always managed be  
' ' (If we would have them speed) with secrecy,  
' Till they are ripe for practise: with all speed  
' ' And expedition than they must proceed.  
This (Macedonian) did thy honour raise:  
This, Caesar, crowned thee, with immortal praise.  
But all our plots, our foes did understand  
So well, they seemed projected in their land.  
Spain ever (ere ourselves) knew our intention:  
And therefore, still, were readier for prevention  
Then we for action. Thus at Cales and Ree  
We lost our lives, and purchased infamy.  
Nor can I, without horror, call to mind  
Thy wrongs, poor Rochel, now with famine pined  
Through our default. whose fleet your safety broke,  
And forced your necks unto the tyrant's yoke.  
Then promising protection, and pretending  
Supplies, from time to time, we would be sending,  
Which were detained of purpose, till too late.  
●T was we that made your case thus desperate.  
For if w'had sent assistance with good will,  
Why lay grave valiant Denbighs' navy still,  
Without impeachment of those French, that made  
●He looking on) the forts and Palisade?  
Why lacked, after they should have launched, so long  
Our fleets, provision? but that all went wrong.  
Search out this fault (wise King) in time: and mend it  
And wheresoever treason harbours, end it.  
For fear those vipers that your favours wing  
Gives warmth unto, at last your hart shall sting.   

Next to th' insulting French, the Germane comes  
Beating with f●ry his victorious drums:  
And fleshed in blood of slaughtered Protestants,  
No liberty of consultation grants;  
But summons ('cause he's master of the field)  
Without resistance made, Truth's Fort to yield.  
But stay proud Austrian, though thy conquring blade,  
In seas of Christian blood, hath passage made  
Through which thou sailst to the desired port  
Of monarchy: thy hopes may fall too short.  
●Tis true: the world's well mended with thee now,  
Since venice made thy humbled knees to bow.  
Presume not on't: for thou shalt doubtless find  
The greatest labour to remain behind.  
A Lion yet may stop the Eagles flight.  
And take revenge on that injurious spite  
The gospel hath endured. If God be just,  
Know tyrant, that his sword shall never rust.  
Shall he not hearken to the woeful plaints  
And lamentations of his martyred saints;  
And for that blood, shed for his own dear sake,  
Sharp vengeance on the cruel murderers take?  
Yes, yes, he will: and bloody Tyrants shall  
Themselves, o'erwhelmed 
* Ad gene● Cereris sin●c aede & sa● guine pan● etc. juve. ● sat.  with blood, like Tyrants   

Nor is thy greatness built on such a ground.  
But Spain will undermine 't. Who, ever, found fall.  
corrivals in a throne, endure each other?  
What ere he be, friend, kinsman, father, brother,  
(When empires lie at stake) the one must down▪  
Such jealousies ever attend a Crown.  
And think'st thou then, cause thouart employed by Spain  
The Germane prince's freedom to restrain:  
Th' empire shall by succession be derived  
To the right line? no that must be deprived  
To make thy founders large extents entire.  
Thus thou art but the faggot, set to fire  
Thy friends, and burn thyself: the be, whose sting  
In others fixed herself to death shall bring.   

The same (ignoble Saxon) is thy case. 
T   
Whom envy stirred and emulation base,  
Against the checks of conscience, to forsake  
Truth 's cause; and part with errors friends to take.  
What hast thou gained hereby? first God, that knows  
The hearts of all men, heavy judgements shows,  
(To curb such irreligious Atheists pride)  
That, wilfully, with earth, against heaven do side.  
He loves no sinners: but such reprobates,  
And gross dissemblers, from his soul he hates.  
Hereby (blind Duke) what purchase hast thou made?  
But even a yoke, upon thine own neck laid;  
And made thy children slaves. Couldst not foresee,  
When Austria hath subjected Germany,  
Th' Empire shall by inheritance descend,  
(As Boheme long hath done?) then to what end  
Serve the Electours? but to serve, like slaves,  
Spain's Tyrants, and endure their basest braves?  
By aiding thus, in friendly sort, thy foes;  
And with an envious spleen pursuing those  
That were thy friends. The hast cut with luckless' hand  
Thy right hand of. So maimed shalt thou stand  
Unpitied to posterity. As one  
Who, by opposing that religion  
(Against his conscience) he himself professed:  
On earth gained slavery, and in hell unrest.  
So speed Truth's foes: that dry deaths seldom see.  
Such (turn coat Saxon) 's like thy end to be.   

Now march on Spain's right arm: whose hardened 
V  skill  
In feats of war, so many mouths doth fill  
With high encomious: as if thou, of men,  
Deserved'st, alone, to make the Worthies ten.  
Why dost thou here, (whose well known name and force  
Frights further than it strikes) the Trojan horse.  
Bear for device? what, doth it intimate  
Thy Sinon craft got the Palatinate?  
Yes, sure it justly may. For all know well  
That since your devilish maxim rose from hell,  
Of breaking oaths and leagues, when ere you please,  
YE have gained more, by such damned tricks as these,  
Then by your swords. When thou hadst passed the Rhine  
Into the country of the Palatine,  
Thou knewest thy journey like to cost thee dear  
If Thurlach and Count Mansfield tarried there.  
The Tiger than his wont courage wanted  
Being by a more courageous Lion daunted  
See what the fox can do. Thou knew'st so far  
Our peaceful King did hate the name of war,  
That rather than he would of battles hear  
He'd beg for peace, or purchase't ne'er so dear.  
Therefore th' Archduchesse sends to him with speed  
An ambassade, as Spinola decreed.  
King james did ' by persuasion soon consent  
(Desiring blood's effusion to prevent)  
That on condition Spinola would away.  
To free the country, Mansfield should not stay.  
The time's prefixed. By th' style th' Archduchesse gets  
Ten days. And first Count Mansfield forward sets,  
And marcheth fairly, with his army, thence  
As Thurlach did; when now without defence  
The Paltz was left: th' Italian quit, indeed,  
The land in person, as it was decreed  
But left his army, with Gonzales there  
Who seconded by Mounsieur Tilly were.  
These, none opposing, waste with fire and sword,  
And all the cruelty war can afford  
The miserable country. Naked left  
Unto th' invaders fury. And bereft  
Of mansfield's help (for whom in wait they lay  
But, through their sides, his valour made him way)  
Then might you see, flames, frequent murders, rapes  
On all sides: none the soldiers fury escapes:  
But, torrent-like, the Wallon bears down all:  
Not sparing young or old, or great or small.  
And in contempt of God and men detains  
Perfidiously these his ill-purchased gains.  
Our King, being made, by this Italian wile,  
The Instrument his children to beguile,  
justly, with such a base affront, incensed.  
Had with his quiet nature now dispensed  
(Then zealous in God's cause, and ours wert thou  
Earl Pembroke, but the case is altered now)  
And vows to take revenge by open war.  
Which to prevent, Spain's old 
* Too familiar with K. james.  familiar  
Most cunningly corrupts the English court,  
Suborning some, and those of highest sort;  
In vain, their King, to credulous, to persuade  
For all wrongs satisfaction should be made;  
(Which ne'er was meant, they knew.) sometimes they'd fire him  
With high encomiums. All the world admire him  
As peace's Patron: all posterities  
Him, as the Prince of peace shall memorise.  
But, if his sword were drawn: oh what a flood  
Would it draw out with it, of Christian blood?  
Then should that honour he, by peace, had gained  
Be lost: and with a boutefeaus title stained.  
At other times his fear they'd work upon  
With feigned surmises of invasion  
For breach o'th' league, if he should succour those  
That must be Spain's, because th' are Austria's foe●▪ 
Hac ratione potes iustus Rex forte videri, sed non crudelis, non potes esse pater.   
Thus while too justly he doth weigh the cause  
They make him break the bond of nature's laws.  
Yet nettled something with so gross a wrong  
From one that to th' Arch duchess did belong.  
He sent to let her know he was abused.  
She, flightly, with a Punic trick, excused  
Her servants actions. Sending word withal  
Neither Gonzales was her general  
Nor Tilly, therefore by no means it lay  
In her the army to command away.  
(Which yet she undertook; till those had quit  
The country, who had else safe guarded it)  
And Spinolas army lay there. Then amain  
Another posts unto the King of Spain:  
He answer makes, it was not in his power  
Tilly commanded for the Emperor:  
To whom another's sent: and he replies  
Lieutenant for Bavaria there he lies.  
Bavaria this disclames: and doth profess,  
He took and kept it for his Holiness.  
So was thy Paltz, Prince Frederick, quite forsaken  
Of all thy friends, by fraud, not valour taken.  
But rise thou God of Truth, awake from sleep:  
How long shall thy distressed and slaughtered sheep  
Be thus by Wolves devoured? lift up thine head  
And let thine enemies be scattered.  
Though we have been thus backward all this while,  
And let our foes (as't were) besiege our Isle;  
Yet now, oh now at last, your hearts combine,  
Great Caesar and grave Senate: yet now join  
Your force, wits, whatsoever is yours t'abate  
French, Spanish, Austrian pride; and let our state  
Gain, once again, what rate so ere it cost,  
(If possible) the honour it hath lost.  
The fire, in frost, its heat doth recollect  
T'expel the cold, let this conceit reflect  
Upon your breasts. Let public danger bind  
In public unity, your soul, and mind  
So may our concord, giving life and heat  
To our allies abroad, remove the seat  
Of war from home. which had been done ere this,  
Had not our Counsels guided been amiss.  
So may I live to see proud Austria sit  
(perchance) as low, as poor as ever yet.  
So may the Gospel's flourish and regain  
It's former splendour: and our land retain  
Her ancient prosperous happiness: and rest  
Neither abroad, nor yet at home oppressed.  
Which that it may do: and th'unconquered Fort  
Of Truth, for ever safely may support  
Thy poor distressed ones. Let, oh Lord, the Eye 
X   
Of thy most watchful Providence descry  
All danger may annoyed. And let it stand 
Y   
Safe guarded with thy strong Protections Hand:  
And let the Sceptre of thy Power defend 
Z   
The Sceptre that defends it to the end.   
FINIS.