THE TWO INCOMPARABLE generalissimoes of the world, with their Armies briefly described and embattled, visibly and invisibly opposing each other.  
Argument.  

ACcording to the Enmity decreed  
Between the woman's and the serpent's seed  
In Paradise, each other doth defy,  
This hatred lasteth to Eternity:  
No marvel then that war is now begun  
unnaturally twixt father and the son.   

The one is the old Serpent the devil, general of the Church Malignant.  

CLad all in angry arms of discontent,  
Because of his perpetual banishment  
From bliss, above five thousand years ago,  
And in revenge of that same fatal blow,  
Given him by that pure unspotted Child,  
Borne of a woman whom he so beguiled,  
The old infernal Serpent ever since,  
Hath proved a hateful rebel to his Prince,  
And all enraged with malice and despite,  
He leads his captive soldiers thus to fight.   

In Van, or Front march Infidels without  
The Church, than Perfecutors, and the rout  
Of heretics within; the Middleward  
Profane, and all ungodly men do guard;  
The rear consists of an accursed Crew,  
Terrible indeed, and hideous to view  
(As Conscience awaked once can tell)  
Deadly sin, damnation, death and hell.  
The wings, or sides this body that enclose  
Are fleshly lusts, and worldly pleasures Foes,  
That by force of strong persuasion kill,  
Moe, than the Tempter can with all his skill.  
The colonels, Captains, Drums and Trumpeters,  
And other such inferior Officers,  
Are infernal spirits hovering in the air;  
Th'word of command's Presumption and despair.   

Thus Summum Malum, Summum Bonums Foe,  
Sets up his Standard here on earth below;  
And with his false suggestions, every hour  
Draws to his party a Malignant power  
Of Potentates, as well as baser sort,  
His earthly fading kingdoms to support,  
And sends abroad his nimble Mercuries,  
Intelligencers, Scouts, and Aulick lies,  
And promiseth rewatds for all their pains,  
As pleasures, treasures, dignities and gains:  
But all these proffers prove but a flim-flam,  
He leaves them at the last like Doctor Lamb;  
And when delights, and life are gone and past,  
Then comes the sad Catastrophe at last,  
Endless and easeless torments in hellfire,  
This is the Serpents and his soldier's hire.    

The other is the Lord JESUS CHRIST, general of the Church Militant.  

AGainst this Hydra-headed Army stands  
The Prince of Peace, with his victorious bands  
Not that this glorious conqueror doth nee●  
Created help, t'effect a noble deed;  
For He himself did long ago subdue  
The Prince of darkness, and th'infernal crew;  
But to communicate He doth delight  
To silly Mortals His own matchless might,  
Which so upon them daily He confers,  
That in the end theyare more than conquerors;  
Yet none but slaves, and conquered by sin  
He makes His soldiers, and the field to win,  
After He first hath pulled them from the jaws  
Of death and hell, and given them new laws  
And principles divine; then doth dispose  
Them thus in order 'gainst His church's Foes.   

The vanguard doth consist of Saints, and brave  
Heroic Martyrs, who despise the grave;  
The true professors of the gospel next,  
(With scoffing Cham's and lying Doeg's vexed)  
March in the Middleward; But O the rear,  
(That which most th'insernall force doth fear)  
Consisteth of the generals own merits,  
Which succour sends unto the fainting spirits  
Of all His soldiers, who else would be lost;  
The wings on each side of this glorious host,  
Are stretched far above all earthly things,  
Spiritual graces making lively springs  
Of hope and joy with promises so sure  
Of heavenly life for ever to endure.  
The Officers to this High general,  
Are brave Commanders, blessed Angels all,  
Who at their captain's beck like lightning move  
Th'word of command is this; I fear, and love.   

Thus stands the Christian armed against his Foes,  
Giving, and sometimes taking many blows,  
And that not by imaginary force  
But as really as did Foot and Horse  
Near Winchester of late, where souls apace  
Fled to the frowning and the smiling face  
Of this great general; For only He  
Bindeth, and maketh men and Angels free.  
And by His mighty power doth so keep  
His soldiers happy souls that fall asleep  
That stinging death shall never hurt them, why?  
Because they die to live eternally.    

To the Reader.  

Now may thine eye convey unto thy heart,  
Thine own condition (Reader) on whose part  
Or side, to take up arms thou dost intend,  
Or be unto thyself a Foe or Friend;  
For under one of these two generals  
The service of all men and Angels falls;  
You see the captains and their wages both,  
O love the one then, and the other loath.    
G W.