A NEW YEARS GIFT TO HIS majesty, On His Gracious DECLARATION FOR Liberty of Conscience.  
AS when of Old, the God-head was invoked  
By Sacrifice, and reeking Temples smoked.  
When the crowned Victory did on Altars lye,  
And Odours mounted to Perfume the sky.  
We paid heaven offerings in the Blood we poured,  
But from those Blessings, which itself had show'rd;  
The Rams, the Bulls, and Lambs, were but a Feast,  
From Heav'ns own Plenty, which our Earth had blessed:  
Incense and Fragrant Gums, alas, no more  
Than what their own kind Sun had sent before.  
As then to Heaven, to Heav'ns Vicegerent now,  
With the same thankful Gratitude we bow.  
The Zeal which does our Loyal Bosoms Fire,  
Is but that warmth which his own Beams inspire.  
Our Joys the Seeds his Clemency has sown,  
whilst all the Mighty Harvest is his own.  
Three New Born Years, with all the Rich increase,  
Of lasting Happiness, and flowing Peace  
Have run their shining Empiraean round;  
Since fair Astrea in Great JAMES was crowned:  
Monarch like JAMES, the sceptre never bore,  
All Hearts till now, were never charmed before;  
Empire of late did partial Favours shower,  
Some felt the smiles, and some the Scourge of Power:  
Religion then stood, armed with Teeth and Claws,  
With all her sanguinan Tangs of Laws;  
Then Holy Zeal with haughty Pride was filled,  
And her Church-state with Chains and Jayls upheld,  
Full Gorged with Spoils, the Ravenous Wanton lay,  
And in her talons grasped the weaker Prey.  
This JAMES beholded, pitying the oppressed,  
His sacred Goodness, warmed his Royal Breast▪  
The Charm dissolved, Religions Tyrant Yoke,  
And all the Manacles of Conscience broken;  
Whilst Pride and Cruelty to Confusion hurled,  
He cut the Gordiann Knot to win the World.  
So in the Walls of paradise of Old,  
One Fence the Leopard, and the Lamb could hold:  
Then Innocence ne're sighed, nor Weakness groaned,  
Savage and Wild, were Names of the Infant World disowned.  
Such Nature in her No●●ge was, nor are  
The long-flown Golden Minutes fled so far;  
But Mighty JAMES resolved, sits down to writ  
Due Copys from th' Original so bright.  
The Strong and Weak, one Mutual tie shall join,  
Sacred the Union, and the Bond Divine  
The Thorns no more, shall tender Foot-steps gull;  
But his whole World, one Floury Eden all.  
Meet then the happy Senate of the Land,  
And the Great JAMES, his Duteous Champions stand.  
join all your help to aid the Mighty Birth,  
And bring the Labouring Joves Minerva forth.  
Assist the Glorious Founders Hand, bring you  
The Comment, and the Rich Materials too;  
By which the great Imperial Architect,  
The Royal Fiat may that Pile Erect;  
Under whose Roof, yourselves and Heirs may rest,  
With endless Peace, to endless Worlds possessed.  

With Allowance.    

London, Printed for W. C. 1688.