Chapter 2

In Gloomy Times, when Priestcraft bore the sway, And made Heav'ns Gate a Lock to their own Key: When ignorant Devotes did blindly bow, And groaping to be sav'd they knew not now: Whilst this _Egyptian_ darkness did orewhelm, The Priest sate Pilot even at Empires Helm. Then Royal Necks were yok'd, and Monarchs still Hold but their Crowns at his Almighty Will. And to defend this high Prerogative, Falsely from Heaven he did that powr derive: By a Commission forg'd i'th' hand of God, Turn'd _Aarons_ blooming wand, to _Moses_ snaky Rod. Whilst Princes little Scepters overpowr'd, Made but that prey his wider Gorge devour'd. Now to find Wealth might his vast pomp supply, (For costly Roofs befit a Lord so high) No Arts were spar'd his Luster to support, But all Mines searcht t'enrich his shining Court. Then Heav'n was bought, Religion but a Trade; And Temples Murder's Sanctuary made. By _Phineas_ Spear no bleeding _Cozbies_ groan'd, If _Cozbies_ Gold for _Cozbies_ Crimes aton'd. With these wise Arts, (for Humane Policy As well as Heav'nly Truth, mounts Priests so high) 'Twixt gentle Penance, lazy Penitence, A Faith that gratifies both Soul and Sense; With easie steps to everlasting Bliss, He paves the rugged way to Paradice. Thus almost all the Proselyte-World he drives, Whilst th'universal Drones buz to his Hives. Implicite Faith Religion thus convey'd Through little pipes to his great Channel laid, Till Piety through such dark Conduits led, Was poyson'd by the Spring on which it fed. Here blind Obedience to a blinder Guide, Nurst that Blind Zeal that rais'd the Priestly pride; Whilst to make Kings the Sovereign Prelate own, Their Reason he enslav'd, and then their Throne. The Mitre thus above the Diadem soar'd, Gods humble servant He, but Mans proud Lord. It was in such Church-light blind-zeal was bred, By Faiths infatuating Meteor led; Blind Zeal, that can even Contradictions joyn; A Saint in Faith, in Life a Libertine; Makes Greatness though in Luxury worn down, Bigotted even to th' Hazard of a Crown; Ty'd to the Girdle of a Priest so fast, And yet Religious only to the wast. But Constancy atoning Constancy, Where that once raigns, Devotion may lye by. T'espouse the Churches Cause lyes in Heav'ns road, More than obeying of the Churches God. And he dares fight, for Faith is more renown'd A Zealot Militant, than Martyr crown'd. Here the Arch-Priest to that Ambition blown, Pull'd down Gods Altars, to erect his own: For not content to publish Heav'ns command, The Sacred Law penn'd by th'Almighty Hand, And _Moses_-like 'twixt God and _Israel_ go, Thought _Sinai_'s Mount a Pinacle too low. So charming sweet were Incense fragrant Fumes, } So pleas'd his Nostrils, till th'Aspirer comes } From offering, to receiving Hecatombs; } And ceasing to adore, to be ador'd. So fell Faiths guide: so loftily he towr'd, Till like th'Ambitious _Lucifer_ accurst, Swell'd to a God, into a Fiend he burst.

But as great _Lucifer_ by falling gain'd Dominion, and ever in Damnation reign'd; And though from Lights blest Orb for ever driven, } Yet Prince o'th'Air, h'had that vast Scepter giv'n, } T'have Subjects far more numerous than Heav'n. } And thus enthron'd, with an infernal spight, The genuine Malice of the Realms of night, The Paradise he lost blasphemes, abhors, And against Heav'n proclaims Eternal Wars; No Arts untry'd, no hostile steps untrod, Both against Truths Adorers, and Truths God.

So Faiths faln Guide, now _Baals_ great Champion raign'd; Wide was his Sway, and Mighty his Command: Whilst with implacable revenge he burn'd, And all his Rage against Gods _Israel_ turn'd. Here his invenom'd Souls black gall he flings, Spots all his Snakes, and points his Scorpions stings: Omits no Force, or Treacherous Designe, Blest _Israel_ to assault, or undermine. But the first Sword did his keen Malice draw, Was aim'd against the God-like _Deborah. Deborah_, the matchless pride of _Judah_'s Crown, Whose Female hand _Baal's_ impious Groves cut down, His banisht Wizards from her _Israel_ thrust, And pounded all their Idols into dust. Her Life with indefatigable pain, By Daggers long, and poysons fought in vain: At length they angry _Jabins_ Rage enflam'd, _Hazors_ proud King, for Iron Chariots fam'd; A Warriour powerful, whose most dreadful Hoast Proclaim'd Invincible, (were humane Boast Infallible) by haughty _Sisera_ led, 'Gainst _Deborah_ their bloody Banners spread. Here _Deborah_ her _Barak_ calls to War; _Barak_, the Suns fam'd fellow-traveller, Who wandring o're the Earths surrounded Frame, Had travelled far as his great Mistress Fame. Here _Barak_ did with _Deborah's_ vengeance fly, And to that swift prodigious Victory, So much by Humane Praises undefin'd, That Fame wants Breath, and Wonder lags behind. To Heav'ns high Arch her sounding Glories rung, Whilst thus great _Deborah_ and _Barak_ sung.

_Hear, oh ye Princes, oh ye Kings give Ear, And _Israels_ great Avengers honour hear. When God of Hosts, thou _Israels_ Spear and Shield, Wentst out of _Seir_, and marched'st from _Edoms_ field, Earth trembled, the Heaven's drop'd, the Clouds all pour'd; The Mountains melted from before the Lord; Even thy own _Sinai_ melted into streams, At _Israels_ dazling Gods refulgent Beams. In _Shamgar_ and in _Jael's_ former days, The wandring Traveller walked through by-ways. They chose new Gods. No Spear nor Sword was found, To have Idolatry depos'd, Truth Crown'd, Till I alone, against _Jehovahs_ Foes; I _Deborah_, I _Israels_ Mother rose. Wake _Deborah_, wake, raise thy exalted Head; Rise _Barak_, and Captivity Captive lead. For to blest _Deborah_, belov'd of Heav'n, Over the Mighty is Dominion given. Great _Barak_ leads, and _Israels_ Courage warms; _Ephraim_ and _Benjamin_ march down in Arms: _Zebulon_ and _Nepthali_ my Thunder bore, _Dan_ from her Ship, and _Asher_ on the Shore. Behold _Megiddoes_ waves, and from afar, See the fierce _Jabins_ threatning storm of War. But Heav'n 'gainst _Sisera_ fought, and the kind Stars Kindl'd their embattel'd Fires for _Deborah's_ Wars, Shot down their Vengeance that miraculous day, When _Kishons_ Torrants swept their Hosts away. But curse ye _Meroz_, curse 'em from on high. Did the denouncing voice of Angels cry; Accurst be they that went not out t'oppose The Mighty _Deborah's_, God's, and _Israel's_ Foes. Victorious _Judah!_ Oh my Soul, th'hast trod, Trod down their strengths. So fall the Foes of God. But they who in his Sacred Laws delight, Be as the Sun when he sets out in might._

Thus sung, they conquer'd _Deborah_; thus fell Hers, and Heav'ns Foes. But no Defeat tames Hell. By Conquest overthrown, but not dismay'd, 'Gainst _Israel_ still their private Engines play'd. And their dire Machinations to fulfil, Their stings torn out, they kept their poyson still. And now too weak in open force to joyn, In close Cabals they hatcht a damn'd Design, To light that Mine as should the world amaze, And set the ruin'd _Israel_ in a blaze.

When _Judahs_ Monarch with his Princes round, Amidst his glorious Sanedrim sate Crown'd, Beneath his Throne a Cavern low, and dark As their black Souls, for the great Work they mark. In this lone Cell their Midnight-Hands bestow'd A _Stygian_ Compound, a combustive load Of Mixture wondrous, Execution dire, Ready the Touch of their Infernal Fire. Have you not seen in yon aethereal Road, How at the Rage of th'angry driving God, Beneath the pressure of his furious wheels The Heav'ns all rattle, and the Globe all reels? So does this Thunder's Ape its lightning play, Keen as Heav'ns Fires, and scarce less swift than they. A short-liv'd glaring Murderer it flies, } In Times least pulse, a Moments wing'd surprize; } 'Tis born, looks big, talks lowd, breaths death, and dies. } This Mixture was th'Invention of a Priest; The Sulphurous Ingredients all the best Of Hells own growth: for to dire Compounds still Hell finds the Minerals, and the Priest the Skill.

From this curst Mine they had that blow decreed, A Moments dismal blast, as should exceed All the Storms, Battles, Murders, Massacres, And all the strokes of Daggers, Swords, or Spears, Since first _Cain's_ hand at _Abels_ Head was lift: A Blow more swift than Pestilence, more swift Than ever a destroying Angel rod, To pour the Vial of an angry God.

The Train was laid, the very Signal giv'n; But here th'all-seeing, _Israels_ Guardian, Heav'n Could hold no longer; and to stop their way, With a kind Beam from th'Empyraean Day, Disclos'd their hammering Thunder at the Forge; And made their Cyclops Cave their Bolts disgorge.

Discover'd thus, thus lost, betray'd, undone, Yet still untir'd, the Restless Cause goes on; And to retrieve a yet auspicious day, A glowing spark even in their Ashes lay, Which thus burst out in flames. In _Geshur_ Land, The utmost Bound of _Israels_ Command, Where _Judah's_ planted Faith but slowly grew, A Brutal Race that _Israels_ God n'er knew: A Nation by the Conquerors Mercy grac'd, Their Gods preserv'd, and Temples undefac'd; Yet not content with all the Sweets of Peace, Free their Estates, and free their Consciences; 'Gainst _Israel_ those confederate Swords they drew, Which with that vast Assassination flew Two hundred thousand Butcher'd Victims shar'd One common doom: No Sex nor Age was spar'd: Not kneeling Beauties Tears, not Virgins Cries, Nor Infants Smiles: No prey so small but dies. Alas, the hard-mouth'd Blood-hound, Zeal, bites through; Religion hunts, and hungry Jaws pursue. To what strange Rage is Superstition driven, That Man can outdo Hell to fight for Heav'n! So Rebel _Geshur_ fought: so drown'd in gore, Even Mother Earth blusht at the Sons she bore; And still asham'd of her old staining Brand, Her Head shrinks down and Quagmires half their Land. Yet not this blow _Baals_ Empire could enlarge For _Israel_ still was Heav'ns peculiar charge: Unshaken still in all this Scene of Blood, Truths Temple firm on Golden Columns stood. Whilst _Sauls_ Revenging Arm proud _Geshur_ scourg'd, From their rank soyl their _Hydra's_ poyson purg'd.

Yet does not here their vanquish'd spleen give o're, But as untir'd, and restless as before, Still through whole waiting Ages they outdo At once the Chimists pains and patience too. Who though he sees his bursting Limbecks crack, And at one blast, one fatal Minutes wrack, The forward Hopes of sweating years expire; With sad, yet painful hand new lights his Fire: Pale, lean, and wan, does Health, Wealth, all consume; Yet for the great Elixir still to come, Toyls and hopes on. No less their Plottings cease; So hope, so toyl, the foes of _Israels_ peace.

When lo, a long expected day appears, Sought for above a hundred rowling years; A day i'th' register of Doom set down, Presents 'em with an Heir of _Israels_ Crown. Here their vast hopes of the rich _Israels_ spoils, Requites the pains of their long Ages Toyls. _Baals_ Banners now i'th' face of day shall march, With Heav'ns bright Roof for his Triumphal Arch. His lurking Missioners shall now no more From Forreign Schools in borrow'd shapes come o're; Convert by Moon-light, and their Mystick Rites Preach to poor Female half-Soul'd Proselytes. An all-commanding Dragon now shall soar, Where the poor Serpents onely crawl'd before. _Baals_ Restoration, that most blest Design, } Now the great work of Majesty, shall shine, } Made by his consecrating hand Divine. } He shall new plant their Groves with each blest Tree, A graft of an Imperial Nursery. In the kind Air of this new _Eden_ blest, Percht on each bough, and Palaces their nest; No more by frighting Laws forc'd t'obscure flight, And gloomy walks, like obscene Birds of Night; Their warbling Notes like _Philomel_ shall sing, And like the Bird of _Paradise_ their wing. Thus _Israels_ Heir their ravisht Souls all fired; For all things to their ardent hopes conspired.

His very youth a Bigot Mother bred, And tainted even the Milk on which he fed. Him onely of her Sons design'd for _Baals_ Great Champion 'gainst _Jerusalems_ proud Walls; Him dipt in _Stygian_ Lake, by timely craft, Invulnerable made against Truths pointed shaft. But to confirm his early poyson'd Faith, 'Twas in the cursed Forreign Tents of _Gath_, 'Twas there that he was lost. There _Absolon_ By _Davids_ fatal Banishment undone, Saw their false Gods till in their Fires he burn'd, Truths Manna, for _Egyptian_ Fleshpots, scorn'd. Not _David_ so; for he Faiths Champion Lord, Their Altars loath'd, and prophane Rites abhorr'd: Whilst his firm Soul on wings of _Cherubs_ rod, And tun'd his Lyre to nought but _Abrahams_ God. Thus the gay _Israel_ her long Tears quite dry'd, Her restor'd _David_ met in all her Pride, Three Brothers saw by Miracle brought back, Like _Noahs_ Sons sav'd from the worlds great wrack; An unbelieving _Ham_ graced on each hand, 'Twixt God-like _Shem_, and pious _Japhet_ stand.

'Tis true, when _David_, all his storms blown o're, Wafted by Prodigies to _Jordans_ shore, (So swift a Revolution, yet so calm) Had cur'd an Ages wounds with one days Balm; Here the returning _Absolon_ his vows With _Israel_ joyns, and at their Altars bows. Perhaps surpriz'd at such strange blessings showr'd, Such wonders shewn both t'_Israels_ Faith, and Lord, His Restoration-Miracle he thought Could by no less than _Israels_ God be wrought. Whilst the enlightened _Absolon_ thus kneels, Thus dancing to the sound of _Aarons_ Bells, What dazling Rays did _Israels_ Heir adorn, So bright his Sun in his unclouded Morn! 'Twas then his leading hand in Battle drew That Sword that _Davids_ fam'd ten thousand slew: _Davids_ the Cause, but _Absolons_ the Arm. Then he could win all Hearts, all Tongues could charm: Whilst with his praise the ecchoing plains all rung, A thousand Timbrels play'd, a thousand Virgins sung; And in the zeal of every jocund Soul, _Absolons_ Health with _Davids_ crown'd one Bowl.

Had he fixt here, yes, Fate, had he fixt here, To Man so Sacred, and to Heav'n so dear, What could he want that Hands, Hearts, Lives could pay, Or Tributary Worlds beneath his feet could lay? What Knees, what Necks to mount him to his Throne; What Gems, what Stars to sparkle in his Crown? So pleas'd, so charm'd, had _Israels_ Genius smil'd; But oh the Pow'rs, by treacherous snakes beguil'd, Into a more than _Adams_ Curse he run, Tasting that Fruit has _Israels_ World undone. Nay, wretched even below his falling state, Wants _Adams_ Eyes to see his _Adams_ Fate. In vain was _Davids_ Harp and _Israels_ Quire; For his Conversion all in vain conspire: For though their influence a while retires, His own false Planets were th'Ascendant Fires. Heav'n had no lasting Miracle design'd; It did a while his fatal Torrent bind. As _Joshua's_ Wand did _Jordan's_ streams divide, And rang'd the watry Mountains on each side. But when the marching _Israel_ once got o're, } Down crack the Chrystal Walls the Billows pow'r, } And in their old impetuous Channel roar. }

At this last stroke thus totally o'rethrown, Apostasie now seal'd him all her own. Here ope'd that gaping Breach, that fatal door, Which now let in a thousand Ruines more. All the bright Virtues, and each dazling Grace, Which his rich Veins drew from a God-like Race; The Mercy, and the Clemency Divine, Those Sacred Beams which in mild _David_ shine; Those Royal Sparks, his Native Seeds of Light, Were all put out, and left a Starless Night. A long farewel to all that's Great and Brave: Not Cataracts more headstrong; as the Grave Inexorable; Sullen and Untun'd As Pride depos'd; scarce _Lucifer_ dethron'd More Unforgiving; his enchanted Soul Had drank so deep of the bewitching Bowl, Till he whose hand, with _Judahs_ Standart, bore Her Martial Thunder to the _Tyrian_ shore, Arm'd in her Wars, and in her Laurels crown'd; Now all forgotten at one stagg'ring wound, Falling from _Israels_ Faith; from _Israels_ Cause, Peace, Honour, Int'rest, all at once withdraws: Nor is he deaf t'a Kingdoms Groans alone, But could behold ev'n _Davids_ shaking Throne; _David_, whose Bounty rais'd his glittering Pride, The Basis of his Glories Pyramide. But Duty, Gratitude, all ruin'd fall: Zeal blazes, and Oblivion swallows all. So _Sodom_ did both burnt and drown'd expire; A poyson'd Lake succeeds a Pile of Fire.

On this Foundation _Baals_ last Hope was built, The sure Retreat for all their Sallying Guilt: A Royal Harbour, where the rowling Pride Of _Israels_ Foes might safe at Anchor ride; Defie all Dangers, and even Tempests scorn, Though _Judahs_ God should Thunder in the Storm.

Here _Israels_ Laws, the dull Levitick Rolls, At once a clog to Empire, and to Souls, Are the first Martyrs to the Fire they doom, To make great _Baals_ Triumphant Legends room. But ere their hands this glorious work can Crown, Their long-known Foe the Sanedrin must down; Sanedrins the Free-born _Israels_ Sacred Right, That God-like Ballance of Imperial Might; Where Subjects are from Tyrant-Lords set free, _From that wild Thing unbounded man would be_; Where Pow'r and Clemency are poys'd so even, A Constitution that resembles Heav'n. So in th'united great THREE-ONE we find A Saving with a Dooming Godhead joyn'd. (But why, oh why! if such restraining pow'r Can bind Omnipotence, should Kings wish more?) A Constitution, so Divinely mixt, Not Natures bounded Elements more fixt. Thus Earths vast Frame with firm and solid ground, } Stands in a foaming Ocean circled round; } Yet This not overflowing, That not drown'd. } But to rebuild their Altars, and enstal Their Moulten Gods, the Sanedrin must fall; That Constellation of the Jewish Pow'r, All blotted from its Orb must shine no more; Or stampt in _Pharoahs_ darling Mould, must quit Their Native Beams, for a new-model'd Light; Like _Egypts_ Sanedrins, their influence gone, Flash but like empty Meteors round the Throne: That that new Lord may _Judahs_ Scepter weild, To whom th'old Brickill Taskmasters must yield; Who, to erect new Temples for his Gods, Shall th'enslav'd _Israel_ drive with Iron Rods; If they want Bricks for his new Walls t'aspire, To their sad cost, he'll find 'em Straw and Fire.

All this t'effect, and their new Fabrick build, Both close Cabals and Forreign Leagues are held: To _Babylon_ and _Egypt_ they send o're, And both their Conduct and their Gold implore. By such Abettors the sly Game was plaid; One of their Chiefs a Jewish Renegade, High-born in _Israel_, one _Michals_ Priest, But now in _Babylons_ proud Scarlet drest. 'Tis to his Hands the Plotting Mandats come Subscrib'd by the Apostate _Absolom_. Nay, and to keep themselves all danger-proof, That none might track the _Belial_ by his Hoof, Their Correspondence veil'd from prying Eyes, In Hieroglyphick Figures they disguise. Husht as the Night, in which their Plots combin'd, And silent as the Graves they had design'd, Their Ripening Mischiefs to perfection sprung. But oh! the much-loath'd _David_ lives too long. Their Vultures cannot mount but from his Tomb; And with too hungry ravenous Gorges come, To be by airy Expectation fed. No Prey, no Spoil, before they see Him Dead. Yes, Dead; the Royal Sands too slowly pass, And therefore they're resolved to break the Glass: And to ensure Times tardy dubious Call, Decree their Daggers should his Sythe forestall. For th'execrable Deed a Hireling Crew Their Hell and They pick out; whom to make true, An Oath of Force so exquisite they frame, Sworn in the Blood of _Israels_ Paschal Lamb. If false, the Vengeance of that Sword that slew _Egypts_ First-born, their perjur'd Heads pursue. Strong was the Oath, the Imprecation dire; And for a Viand, lest their Guilt should tire, With promis'd Paradice they cheer their way; And bold's the Souldier who has Heav'n his pay.

But the ne'r-sleeping Providence that stands With jealous Eyes o're Truths up-lifted Hands; That still in its Lord _Israel_ takes delight, Their Cloud by Day, and Guardian Fire by Night; A Ray from out its Fiery Pillar cast, That overlook'd their driving _Jehu_'s hast. All's ruin'd and betray'd: their own false Slaves } Detect the Plot, and dig their Masters Graves: } Not Oaths nor Bribes shall bind, when great _Jehovah_ saves. } The frighted _Israelites_ take the Alarm, Resolve the Traitors Sorceries t'uncharm: Till cursing, raving, mad, and drunk with Rage, In _Amnons_ Blood their frantick Hands engage.

Here let the Ghost of strangl'd _Amnon_ come, A Specter that will strike Amazement dumb; _Amnon_ the Proto-Martyr of the Plot, The Murder'd _Amnon_, their Eternal Blot; Whose too bold zeal stood like a _Pharos_ Light, _Israel_ to warn, and track their Deeds of Night. Till the sly Foe his unseen Game to play, Put out the Beacon to secure his way. _Baals_ Cabinet-Intrigues he open spread, The Ravisht _Tamar_ for whose sake he bled. T'unveil their Temple and expose their Gods, Deserv'd their vengeances severest Rods: Wrath he deserv'd, and had the Vial full, To lay those Devils had possest his Soul. His silenc'd Fiends from his wrung Neck they twist; Whilst his kind Murd'rer's but his Exorcist. Here draw, bold Painter, (if thy Pencil dare Unshaking write, what _Israel_ quak'd to hear,) A Royal Altar pregnant with a Load Of Humane Bones beneath a Breaden God. Altars so rich not _Molocks_ Temples show; 'Twas Heaven above, and _Golgotha_ below. Yet are not all the Mystick Rites yet done: Their pious Fury does not stop so soon. But to pursue the loud-tongu'd Wounds they gave, Resolves to stab his Fame beyond the Grave, And in Eternal Infamy to brand With _Amnons_ Murder, _Amnons_ righteous Hand. Here with a Bloodless wound, by Hellish Art, With his own Sword they goar his Lifeless Heart. Thus in a Ditch the butcher'd _Amnon_ lay, A Deed of Night enough to have kept back the Day. Had not the Sun in Sacred vengeance rose, Asham'd to see, but prouder to disclose, Warm'd with new Fires, with all his posting speed, Brought Heav'ns bright Lamp to shew th'Infernal Deed.

What art thou, Church! when Faith to propagate, And crush all Bars that stop thy growing state, Thou break'st through Natures, Gods, and Humane Laws, Whilst Murder's Merit in a Churches Cause. How much thy Ladder _Jacobs_ does excel: Whose Top's in Heaven like His, but Foot in Hell; Thy Causes bloody Champions to befriend, For Fiends to Mount, as Angels to Descend.

This was the stroke did th'alarm'd World surprize, And even to infidelity lent Eyes: Whilst sweating _Absolon_ in _Israel_ pent, For fresher Air was to bleak _Hebron_ sent. Cold _Hebron_ warm'd by his approaching sight, Flusht with his Gold, and glow'd with new delight. Till Sacred all-converting Interest To Loyalty, their almost unknown Guest, Oped a broad Gate, from whence forth-issuing come, Decrees, Tests, Oaths, for well-sooth'd _Absolom_. Spight of that Guilt that made even Angels fall, An unbarr'd Heir shall Reign: In spight of all Apostacy from Heav'n, or Natures tyes, Though for his Throne a _Cain_-built Palace rise. No wonder _Hebron_ such Devotion bears T'Imperial Dignity, and Royal Heirs; For they, whom Chronicle so high renowns For selling Kings, should know the price of Crowns.