DUKE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY Treasure %oom Xi I .' " 1//U/U' J.-fijl' Proteftant POPERY: OR, THE CONVOCATION. P OEM. In Five Cantos. Addrefs'd to the Right Reverend The Lord Bishop of BANGOR. Semper ego Auditor tantum^ nutiquamne reponam Vexatiis toties ? Incipe^ Calliope, licet hie confidere-^ nan efi Cantanduniy Res VE R A agititr. Juv, LONDON: Printed for E. C u a l L in Fleetftreet. 17181 (Price 15. $1) u . A5I5T P K E FA C E. C ' DID not at RtR* intend to trouble the Reader with any Preface^ knowing it to be impoflible by any Arguments to obtain a favourable and impartial Perufal of a Performance of this Nature, from a Set of Men, who feem of late to have thrown off every human and chriftian Obligation to Charity and Benevolence, and ftick at nothing to promote thofe carnal arbitrary Interefts, which all honeft and fober Chriftians, but efpecially Proteftants, muft for ever condemn. Neither do I now trouble Him with fuch an Intent : For fince the moft noble, generous and chriftian Behaviour of the BijQiop of Bangor towards all his Adverfaries, has prov'd a in- 3951310 PREFACE. ineffcdual, and ftill produc'd quite different Treat- ment towards hinifelf, how arrogant and prefump- tuous would it be for any one to expedt the leaft Favour, who dares ufe Them after their own Manner? For my felf, the Reader will perceive by the following Lines, that I defy their Malice as much as I abhor their Tyranny; and tiiat I dif- dain all the blackeft Mifreprefentations, that either the mbfl bigotted Prejudice can fuggeft^i)!: the mafl: induftrious C^umfiy^an inj^ent. I &all v^r^readily, ^nd very patiently lubmit to the NanT^?o?-^r/j^(/?5 Libertine^ Freethinker^ Enemy to Religion and Re've- lation^ &c. rather than iprdidly give Jnro Thetri abfurd and felf contpdiding . Pj:ii^cipliesf rithej^ than impioufly expcd my leternal Salvation from a weak human Tribunal, jai;d tajiiely facrifice my Confcience to the Dir.edion and pifpofal of an haughty, petulant, fallible^ earthly Giiide; rather than prqfefs one Thing, and pradife quite the con- trary ; rather than call my felf a Proteftanty whilft, I am openly ading over the P aft Jl in the Face of the World. The Man,^that can ftarid^filen'tly by, and unmov'd behold, much more approve and abet fuch unchriftian and unwarrantable Proceedings, as- the Engines of this World have of late been Irari&I ading, muft be infligated by fomething worfe thar^ the T R E1P J^ C E. the mere Prejudices of Intereft, Complexion, or Education. It would be no lefs tedious than needlefs to mention the numberlefs Inftances of Bitternefs, Malice and Infolence, which have with- in one Year only been made ufe of to blacken the unfpotted Charader of a truly Chriftian and Pro- teftant Bifiiop, fince his Lordfhip has Himfelf fo publickly , and in fo full a Manner anfvyer'd each particular Calumny, as foon as it firft appear'd in the World, and defeated the cruel Expectations of his Enemies. The Controverfy was no fooner be-: gun, but the Malignity of his Adverfaries broke put into perfotial Refleftions, and perfonal Abufes; and through the whole Courfe of the Debate no- thing is to be met with on one Side, butacon-^ tinued Series of impotent Slander and Defomation ; whilft on the other, inftead of fuch unjuftifiable Methods of Argument, the Reader finds the mofti conclulive Reafonings join'd with the moft benevo- lent Candour, and chriftian Deportment. If we may know the Tree by the Fruit that it bears, the Caufe which is now carrying on, cannot be the Caufe of Chriftianity, for the Caufe of Chriftianity will never ftand in need of the meaneft Artifices of t]ie Devil to fupport it, but is built on a much a 31 furec 395910 T R E F ^ C E. furer Foundation3 than of Wrath, of Violence and Perfecution. ^ . And here, fince the worthy Dean of Chichejler has thought fit to publifh to the World a Cata- logue of unjujiifiable Extremes ; which, it feems, his Lordfliip has run into meerly thro Oppofition; I will venture to point out one, amongft ten thou- fand, which one of his Friends hath run into, and which I humbly conceive to be much more unjufti- fiable, and much more Jhocking than any he can produce ^ and which ought indeed to make the Ears of a Chriftian tingle.,/ Mr. Marfden, Arch- deacon of Nottingham^ in his Remarks on the Bi-* &ip's Sermon, after having attempted to prove that his Lordfliip had perverted his Text 5 and that Chrift's Kingdom is not the fame with Chrift's Church, or at leaft only fo in fome Senfe^ fpeaks at laft ;>. 23. in this Manner. " This (f to Chrijl's " Kingdom is his Church) \s gratis diStum with Re- ^^ lation to your Text, which is an Anfwer to P/-. f^ late^ as I have already faid ^ and an Anfwer not ^' fo properly Matter of Choice^ but rather our blef- f^ fed Saviour was in fome Manner obliged to make ^^ it, by the Nature of Pilate's ^uejlion, and of *f the Occafion." I will now appeal: to any im- partial Man in the World, whether oyr bleffed Saviour^ T RE FA C E. Saviour^ the upright, undefigriing Jefus^ is not in this Sentence reprefented under the Charader of a cunning, timorous, cavilling Sophifter ,• of one that would not fcruple even a folemn Prevarica- tion, to evade an hampering Queftion, and to ferve a vile worldly Occafion. What Reparation this learned Perfon is able to make to the whole Chriftian World for fo foul an Indignity on the Per- fon of our Saviour, I confefs my felf at a Lofs to imagine ; but hope that with due Application made to Him, He will either explain himfelf on this Occafion, or forthwith ingenuoufly retraft fo ungrounded an Affertion. I the rather mention this learned and fcurrilous Remarker, becaufe the ordinary Reader, who may not perhaps have read the whole Controverfy, would otherwife think what I have faid of Him in the following Poem, to be nothing but Poetical Flourifli, and Satyrical Hyperbole and Aggravation ,• and to induce Him to believe that all my other Charaders are not made up of the mere Common-places of Satire^ but that moft of what I have faid, may be juftify'd from each Perfon's particular Writings and Beha- viour. I might alfo, for my Juftification in this Matter, fefer the Reader to a late Pamphlet, intitled, a LeU ter PREFACE. ter to the Reverend Dr. Bradford, occafion'd bj his Sermon preacFd before the King^ &c. He will there find the generous and extenfive Proteftant-Reforma- tion-Principles fo wretchedly ftraiten d, and con- fined to one particular fmall Number of Men, thvat it muft needs make any confidering Chriftian de- fpair of Salvation; for He has plainly afferted, that nothing but an exa^t Unity of Faith and Wor^ Jhip^ of the Externals and Internals of Religion, will intitle us to the Favour of God. I fliall pro- duce an Inftance or two. Having ftept afide in the beginning of his Letter to take notice of a Sen- tence in Dr. Hayleys Sermon before the King, where that learned Divine fays, that it is impojjible Men's Thoughts Jhould run exactly in the famine Chan- nel: This Remarker adds, f.9. I am of the fame Opinion^ if They are not guided and directed by qne^ and the fame Rule^ but are left e^ery one to follow their, own Fancies and Imaginations. What can, BMlarmine Himfelf contend for more ? In another Place he fays, p. 14.—^^ AH Reafoning about matters of Religion, and divine Revelation, " muft for ever ceafe and be at an end, if Chriftians ^^ eredl a Court of Confcience in tht'ir own Hearts,, 'V which cannot be govern'd and determin d by the ^* reveal'd Will of God^ or by the Decifions of thc: " Bilhops (C r T R E FAC E. «f Bifiiops and Paftors of the Church, in Things^ ^^ properly fubjeft to their Jurifdidion and Autho- ^f. rity^ " To which it is eafy to anfwer. That alt Reafonings about Matters of Religion and divine Revelationy can never be governed and determin'd by the reveal'd Will of God, unlefs Chriftians erect a Court of Confcience in their own Hearts ; and that fuch Matters.of Religion. and divine Revela- tion (if he means any thing tcvthe purpofe) ought to be govern d and determin'd by the reveal'd Will of ; God, and by the Court of Confcience which- Chriftians ered in their own Hearts; and not by thd: Deciiions of the Bifliops and Paftors of the Church:r nor are fuch things properly fubjed to their Jurifdic-1 tion and Authority* This Anonymous Letter- writer' is indeed fo profefs'd an Enemy to Confcience and private Judgment in Matters of Religion, that I very much fufped him to be fome lurking Rofnijb EmifTary, adapting himfelfto the Air of the Times": And what almoft confirms me in the Sufpicion, is^ that thro' the whole Letter he feems mighty fond of tiie Words Antient^ Primitive^ Catkolick Church j by which, every one knows, the modern Papifts often exprefs the Church of England^, meaning there- by, as it ftood before the Reformation. BefideS; any one that confiders his Notion of a Reformation^' would 'PREFACE. would be apt to think, that he meant a Refofma-^ tion TO P o p E R Y j for he exprefly fays, p. 1 5 ••^'^ ^ That all thofe who underftand the txne Intert fly " and Qahns of the Church, will allow, that it ^ ftill wants a farther Reformation; and that it <^ ought to approach y?/7/;/^^r^r to die EftabliflimenC " and Conftitution of the Trimiti^e Church:'' Whereas on the contrary, moft of our modem Churchmen are of Opinion, that we are already. TO o F A R remov'd from Popery. But this isr not all j for f. 19. after having given us his narrow* Notions of Reformation-Principles,, he proceeds' openly to condemn our great Proteflant Reformm^ for a pack of ignorant and defigning Perfons, in: thefe Words. " I am very fehfible, that the Re-^ *^ formers themfelves did noty all of thetrfy under^i " fiand the true Nature and Conftitution of the ^^ Chriftian Church ; and that fome of them, who*' " did underftand thofe Things, mere obliged to un^^ ^^ reafonahle Compliances with the Secular Powers, ta^ " fecure their Protedion and Defence againftthe " Power of the Church of RomCy and its Adhe-' *^ rents. The Church was oblig'd to purchafe\ai " Reformation at a great Expence, both of its^ '^ Spiritual and Temporal Inter efts'' Is it pofllble! for any one to believe that fo open and undif- guis'd PREFACE. guis'd an Attack upon the Reformation, can be made by one who even calls himfelf a Proteftant ? What follows is ftill as remarkable. " — /^n Unioit among Proteftants — will be found, *^ to be very pradicable, when the feveral forts " of Proteftants fliall have laid afide their private " Intereftsj Partialities, and f articular Opinions and " Sentiments ,• and refign their Judgments to be di- " re(aed and governed by th^Laws and Authority of " the Catholick Church. Notwithftanding what follows, I cannot polfibly comprehend what he means by the Laws and Au- thority of the Catholick Churchy imlekhe means of the Church of Rome; becaufe I know no Church befides, to whofe Laws and Authority ^ Chriftians are requi- red to refign their particular Opinions, their Senti- ments and their Judgments. In many other Places he earneftly contends that Chriftians are indifpenfably bound to fubmit to the Dictates ^ and Authority of the Catholick Church. From all which I think it very reafonable to fufpedy that the Letter-writer is a profefs'd Papift ; but I may be miftaken, fince we are not without Examples oiprofeljed Proteftants of this fort. However, I may very fafely affirm, that he is a Proteftant only in Profeflion ; fo that it is amazing to me, to find him, f, 16. ridiculing the b pretty P R E F A C E. pretty new Notion (as he calls it) of Protejlant Popery^ becaufe His whole Letter, if it be not di- rectly Popifh^ is, I am fure, far from being Protef- tant; it miift be therefore a mixture of both, it muft be Vroteflant Popery. But to conclude, what I have faid in the follow- ing Pages, will either fufiiciently Apologize for it- felf, or will admit of no Apology. I fliall only fay, that it is intended for the Entertainment of none but Proteftant Readers : For as to the furious^ arbitrary, fallible-infallible Churchman ; thepaffive^ non-re fifting^ lUehellious Jacobite, and the infolent Affajjinating Nonjuror, I lliall moft joyfully, and A^ath all Reiignation abandon myfelf to Their Hatred, and defpife all Their Infults, as I would the impotent Fury of Madmen in Fetters : They may burft with Envy, if They pleafe, without giving me any Uneafinefs, ■ -^ •.•! POST I POSTSCRIPT. Do hereby publickly forbid the re^et-end:, lear- ned and worthy DoOiors, Snape and Sher- L o c K, with all their Seconds, and all other Perfons whatfoever, at any future Pinch of Argument, to charge his Lordfliip, the BiJI:)Op of Bangor, with either diredly or indiredly employing or encoura- ging the Author of the following Poem, to ahufe the zvhole Clergy of the Nation, in order to exalt his own Character : For I do hereby declare, that I am an unconcerned By-ftander and Spedator, utterly unacquainted with the Perfon of his Lordfiiip, and of all the principal Writers in this Controverfy, and therefore difinterefted on that Account ; but that, warm'd into Refentment at the unchriftian Behaviour of /o;//^ Perfons towards his Lordfliip, I did of myfelf, unfwafd by either Hopes or Fears^ undertake this Task, without any Application made to ' me, or Encouragement from any Man upon Earth. And I do particularly command the reverend, learned and worthy Dean oiChichefler, not to place me to his Lordfliip s Account, in his future Catalogue of Abufes ; for that being myfelf alone the Perfon puiltv, I do intreat him to let me bear my- t felf po srsc Ripr. felf all the Imputations which may be fix'd upon my own Works, and which myfelf alone deferve ; and not bring innocent Perfons into the Quarrel. And I do, laftly, delire the World, if either of thofe two re'verend^ learned and worthy Perfons, or any Body elfe ihould, contrary to this Prohibition and Declaration, make ufe of the Name of this Poem, by way of Argument againft his Lordfliip, to lay no weight upon it, but look upon it as meer Invention and ftupid Forgery, as proceeding from an implacable Rancour of Heart, and from a Dearth of more material, argumentative, controverfial Calumny. [s] , THE CONVOCATION P O E M. CANTO I. APrieftly-War I fing, and bloodlefs Field, And pious Chiefs, in Paper Warfare flcill'd ^ Chiefs, that full oft have quarrell'd for their God; And all the Mazes of the Schools have trod •, ' ■ Pro- 6 The Convocation. Profoundly fkill'd to lead the World aftray^ Skill'd to explain or glofs a Text away. Unlimited Pofitions to reftrain, And, for a Turn, to hedge them in again : Such Chiefs I fing, Religion's Reverend Sires, Whom Confcience aftuates, and the Church (infpires. Let others, venal Bards, in impious Lays, Pamper Ambition, with immortal Praife •, In mournful Dirge let fofter Coxcombs whine. And idolize the Fair in ev'ry Line •, Let gentle Gaji defcribe the Paftures green. Or club with Arburthnott a lufcious Scene j Mine be the bolder Province, to engage A vicious Priefthood, and degenerate Age ^ The furious Englijlj-T apifi to chaftife. And ftrip him of his Proujlant Difgwfe -^ To tell what Heights ambitious Synods tow'r, How o'er the Soul they claim a lawiefs Pow'r j How Can t o I. 7 How the {launch Church-man would his Faijth (betray. And quite refine the Prote/iant away. And how to Glory and immortal Fame Unweary'd H o a D L y confecrates his Name. While I, my Lord, this pleafing Talk perfue, And give to Merit its much-envy 'd Due •, Do you, to whom this humble Verfe is paid, Into my Breaft Infufe your pow'rful Aid, That, unacquainted with the Poet's Stream, New to the Bays, nor equal to my Theme, Rais'd by your Smiles, I may be taught to fing. And foar advent'rous on no vulgar Wing. Fain would I trace, while you my Footfteps (guide, The fecret Source of Sacerdotal Pride ^ Fain would I tell how Gofpel-Candour fails. And the old L A u D E A N Leven ftill prevails , How 8 The Convocation. How Fraud and Prieft-craft have debauch'd the (Times, ^ And Romijh Bigots fwarm in BritiJIj Climes;^ ''''^ Say, Mufe, what Pow'r infpir'd the fierce Dfe- (bate. And fow'd inHeav'nly Breafts the Seeds of. Hate , To lateft Times tranfmit the wordy Fray, And fet the learned Hofts in juft Array, oCi Their Names, their Order, and their Numbeirs And rife undaunted- on an Eagle's Wing. Long fet the glorious Sun of Gofpel-Light, Involv'd in blackeft Clouds oi Romijh Nighty The fov'reign Prieft afpir'd irtto a God, 1 And on the Necks of the tame Lay-men trod : From vulgar Eyes remov'd, and prying Day, The facred Page obfcure in Cobwebs lay : Voracious Wolves o'er-leap'd the hallow'd Mound, And with religious Slaughter ftrew'd the Ground . • The C A N T Q I. 9 The Papal Chair was fill'd with Sloth and Pride, And dudile Confcience own'd th'unerring Guide : Indulgences and Pardons were retail'd, And Sainted Murders thro' the World prevail'd : Salvation pafs'd like Stocks and current Gold, And Heav'n was, in Reverfion, bought and fold : The Idol triumph'd o'er th'explodcd God, And Perfecution (hook her Iron Rod •, p'er-grown with Empire, and enormous Pow'rs, The Tyrant Chiirch-man Civil Rights devours : From hence. Contention, Feud, and Civil Broil ^ And Pagan Weeds o'er-run the Chriftian Soil •, Ten thoufand pageant Fopperies fucceed. And Superftition grows a Point of Creed •, Such carnal Principles become in Vogue, That C H u R q H and P R I E s T are grown mere ( Whore and Rogue -^ ; Of ev'ry Grace and genuine Charm bereft, ' Scarce is the Shadow of a Chriftian left. B Now 10 The Convocation. Now firft in Arms our Warriour-Mother fhone. And o'er the World ufurp'd a Ghoftly Throne : Now firfl: (he laid frail Argument afide. And learn'd by furer Methods to decide j By penal Arts to propagate the Word, And blend Religion with the Civil Sword , Gibbets become the Engines of Difpute, And Racks and Flames the Heretick confute j ( For oft, what proves unable to convince Imperial Reafon, fliakes the Coward Senfe , ) While Armies, whom pathetic Torments bend, To holy Mother, as their Center, tend. Not fo our Lord and his Apoftles taught. Nor by fuch Arts religious Converts wrought ^ Candour and Love fhone out in ev'ry Deed, Nor did the ftubborn Unbeliever bleedo . ^¥ C A N T O I. II Thus lay the Chriftian Faith in Errour drownM, And holy Pride and Ignorance profound, *Till our Reformers broke the rufhing Flood, And in the fatal Breach unfhaken flood ^ Infpir'd from Heav'n, they met Rome's keeneft (Rage, The Fleetwoods and the Hoadl ys of the Age Nor fear'd to die in the unequal Strife, But for each darling Truth they paid a Life : Inly they wept, a firm and virtuous Few, To fee their Saviour, crucify 'd a-new , To fee their holy Mother pierc'd with Wounds, While facred Tyranny enlarg'd her Bounds ^ Opprefs'd with Fetters, and in Dungeons hurl'd, Boldly they ftruggled with a carnal World ^ Shame, Want, and Pain, for their Redeemer's Sake They bore, and fmiling met the greedy Stake. B 2 At 12 The Convocation. At length the glorious Caufe of Heaven pre- (vail'd, x^nd HcU and Rome their ruin'd Arts bewail'd , They faw the Glories of the op'ning Age, They faw, a;id kindled into fierceft Rage : Oppreflion fhook, difarm'd her broken Chain, And Inquifition gnafli'd her vengeful Teeth in ( vain ^ The Church once mare put on her native Light, I And {hone in ev'ry Charm divinely bright , From Shade and Errour Gofpel-Tnitb reviv'd. And on the Earth once more th'Apoftles liv'd. Abroad we conquered our Apoftate Foes : But fee! at Home a Race more fierce than thofe. Who plead to Tyranny a Right Divine^ And trace it back in one unbroken Line :. A Race, that loath th*old-falluon'd Gofpel-Light, New Doctrines coin, and foreign Gods invite, The Canto I. ij The paffive Text has fo o*erturn'd their Brains, ' They laugh at Freedom, and contend for Chains; Each Sermon teems with their induftrious Fears, And wins, with artful Cant, the vulgar Ears ^ The CHUR CH is falling, falling is the STA TE. And they preach Dangers which themfelves ( create. Still in our Aliion Popery remains , The Name profcrib'd, the Spirit ftill obtains : Again we lufl: for fuperftitious Rome, And ftrive once more to bring her Errors Home, By Turns we leave each other in the Lurch ^ By Turns unchriften, and by Turns unchurch. Th'ambitious, upflart, facrificing Prieft Reigns abfolute, and lords it o'er his Christ^ On a new Foot projeds the fov'reign Scheme, HisPrijice a Subjed, and himklf Si^preme -^ He pardons Sins, o'er-rules Divine Decrees, And pleads a fancy Birth-right to theiT^'j , While 1:4 The Convocation. While from the Prefs Anathemas abound. And Pulpits lavifli their Damnations round. Fain would the Church her quondam Powers (refume-5 And alVs^Geneva that diiTents from Rome. Was it for this, Divifions rent the Age, And Inquifition ftalk'd with ten-fold Rage ? For this, with brain-fick Jealoufies pofTefs'd, Did pious Thoufands Hand the fiery Teft ? For this, did Councils wage religious War, Creeds rival Creeds ;, with Altars, Altars jar ? Is there in P'o p e b. y nothing but the Name, A bugbear Word to fet the World in Flame ? What have we laboured then fo many Years, If vain our Doubts, and groundlefs are our Fears? Why did we tremble fo, if all was right ^ Or why did Cranmer burn, or N A s S A u fight ? Sor- Canto L 15 Sorrow and Rage poflefs my Soul by Turns, And all the Protejiant within me burns : My honeft Heart with Indignation glows, And in full Tides my boiling Choler flows : To my bigThought great Burnett's Shade appears And TiUotfoii his rev'rend Image rears •, Reforming Confessors, as Seraphs bright, Stand forth in Glory to my ravifh' -And urge me onward to the promis'd Fligl iphs bright, ^ 'd Sight, i io'd Flight. \ THE C^7] V:.:-; THE CONVOCATION. A P O E CANTO IT. T IT 7 Hither, oh ! whither mud theChriftian turn? From whom in this momentous Crifis learn } When (hall thcCburch from worldly Pomps be freed ? What Champion equal to the Godlike Deed? D Ohl 1 8 The Con v-o cation. Oh! when fliall we fhake off the Papal Chain, liWilliam fought, and SmithfeU blazM in vain? On you, my Lord, we fix our ardent Eyes, And Chrijleiidoni to you for Succour flies , To you the Church Her tow'ry Head inclines. And begs Proteftion from your nervous Lines : Fondly ftie glories in fo warm a Son^ While half her Tribe to Idol- Altars run ^ With Chriftian Zeal You lop the fl^^im-Beaft, And from the Church divide the Selfifh Pried : Firm in Her Caufe fuftain Herculean Toils, And fave Her from Her own inteftine Broils : By G £ it G E and You with (ilent Joy fhe fees. Her Turrets thicken, and Her Foes decreafe , Alike all hoftile Cunning (he difdains, Whilft or a Hoadly writes, or Brunfwick Reigns. ■ The ftifF Nonjuror in thy Mirrour Page, Surveys HiV Image with impatient Rage, trfo a Whofe C A N T O II. I^ Whofe pious Outfide, fanftify'd with Art, Conceals the lurking Viper at His Heart , Good-Will to all, the Villain -Saint pretends. While ranc'rous Hate His vengeful Bofora rends. Swoln and elated with Religious Pride, He views as Atheifts all the World befide : His oftentatious Confcience he difplays, He fafts in fublick, and in Publick prays j He bears a fecret Grudge to human Race, And infolently fcants unmeafurM Grace : His Laymen-Viftims in fuch Numbers fall. Scarce Hell's wide Dungeons will contain them all. The Wretch our fulfome Liberty difdains, And fvvaggers in Hereditary Chains , Demure of Afpeft, with uplifted Hand, He calls down Vengeance on his Native Land •, The Thought of Brnnfwick fets his Soul on Flame, And his Bread fwells with Madnefs at the Name. D 7 Well ao T/j^ C O N V O C A T I o N, Well didft thou, Gibber, fliovv him on the Stage, A Tray tor, luftful, impotent of Rage, Whom not one real Virtue does commend, Falfe to his P R I xN' c e, ungrateful to his Friend , The Specious Veil of Confcience you withdrew, And fent the Monfter forth to Publick View. See ! the rouz'd Genius of the Church arife ! See ! Vengeance quicken in her glaring Eyes ! Around her Head (he throws the twitting Snakes, Her Weljh Blood kindles, and her Soul awakes, Malignant Poifon fwells her Vip'rous Breaft, And all the Sacred Fury ftands confefs'd, Actofs the Main in that Elyfian Soil, Where lavilh Nature crowns the Farmer's Toil, Where tow'ring Alps'zni Appejinines are feen j And lufty Verdure cloaths the Plains between ^ Deep in the filent Womb of Ancient Night, Unknown for ever to the Dawn of Light j C A N T O IL a I The Goddefs Priejicraft rules in Purple State, And to the Neighboring Realms awards their Fate; Sublime file fits up9n a Throne of Gold, And Reigns an Holy Tyrant uncontroul'd j The Regal Scepter in one Hand fhe bears. In one a pompous wavy Scroll appears ^ Where Subjeft-Prac^j their Allegiance plight. And Trent in Golden Cyphers greets the Sight j From down her Shoulders to her Rev'rend Feet, A Length of Confecrated Veftmcnts meet : Her Brow is Circled with a Triple Crown, Kings court her Sm\lcfinA[Europe dreads her Frown, Around the Goddefs waits a numerous Band Of bloody Fiends, and hafte on each Command. Hore Inquifition fits, of moriftrous Si?;e, And darts around her Peftilential Eyes , . With her foul Breath fhe taints the Sick'ning Air, And wreath? in noifome Curls her Snaky Hair. Her 3 2 The Convocation. Her opening Jaws, arrangM in Iron Rows, A frightful Armory of Teeth difclofe : Her Robe is colour'd with a Crimfon Flood, And her huge Belly fwags with Chriftian Blood ; Daggers and Whips her impious Hands fuftain. And all th' ingenious Inftruments of Pain : With Unitj^ the Vocal Walls refound, And Herefy lies grovUing on the Ground- Neareft to Her in all the fpacious Cell, Sits Bigotry^ the Second-born of Hell j Her Breaft with a diftemper'd Zeal is rent. And rooted Pride, and pining Difcontent : Her fcanty, narrow Soul difdains to fee Our Wills like our Complexions difagree'. In the fame Track of Thought would goad Mankind, And on the World impofe one common Mind : Wrapt in herfelf, and drunk with fond Conceit, Nor knowing from Opinion to retreat. To Argument ftie fliuts her partial Sight, And Demonftration (beds too dim a Light .• No Canto IL q 3 No Reafon can her darkling Mind controul, And intelleftual Error (hades her Soul. Here Superftitiort., deck'd with gaudy Pride^ Attends the Goddefs, like an Eajlern Bride. Her Robes with gorgeous Pageantry are wrought ^ But fancy'd Terrors haunt her boding Thought. Sham Miracles beyond what Poets feign j And legendary Fables crowd her Brain. Fantaftick ViGons rife before her Sight, And all the empty Phantoms of the Night. On meritorious Baubles Ihe depends, Of Sainted Ruffians, and departed Friend?, To Idol-Saints (he lifts her earned Eyes, And on TenThoufand Advocates relies. Next in her Place Implicit Faith attends, And folemnly before the Goddefs bends. Devoid of Eyes the monfter-Fiend appears , But well is that Defeft fupply*d with Thoufand Eajs To ^zj- The Convocation. To them (he trufts with fanguine Confidence, And yields to them each other paflive Senfe. Abfurdities for Gofpel (he receives, And ev'n Impoffibilities believes. Hard by, her Sifter Ignorance is feen, With ftupid Gaze, and indolent of Mien : Her hoodwink'd Eyes are veil'd with foUd Night, And her Blood boils with Rancour and with Spight. The greafy Beads (he plies with reftlefs Hands, And mutters what herfelf not underftands : Thefe, and a Thoufand more of various Mien, And various Afpeft, wait the Fury QUE EN: Hypocrify aflumes her awkard Guife, She fmites her Breaft, and rolls her Saintly Eyes : Pride, Avarice, Ambition, Rage, Deceit, And tame Submi{Gon crouch beneath her Feet. The Goddefs cafts around her haughty Look, And on her Head the hi(rmg Vipers fliook : oT Then C A N T O IL a 5 Then thus began, in a diftemper'd Tone, Moft venerably rifing from her Throne, '* Still ftiallthis VorthmiHereJ) ([icctci^ " Nor Sword, nor Poifon kill the baleful Weed > " Still (hall the hated Hoadlj^ rife in Fame, ** And propagate his Doftrines with his Name ? " Still (hall he Lord it with vidorious Pride, *' And ftill in Triumph o'er our Barriers ride > " Unpunifh'd ftill fhall he moleft our Reign ; " Shall Hkkes and Howell join their Force in vain ;. " In vain (hall Brett afTert our dying Laws ; *' In vain (hall Johnfon labour in our Caufe ? '' Johnfon for us each human Cunning tries, " Difpenfes Oaths, and breaks thro' ftrongeft Ties > ** Ejigliflj his Habit, but his Heart is mz?ie , ^' A Catholick and Orthodox Divine. " Nor thefe alone in Albioris Ifle confefs *^ Our ghoftly Throne from Pulpit and the Prefs " Unnumber'd Chieftains, at the Signal Word, •' Will (hine in Armour, and unfheath the Sword ; E From a 6 The Convocation. '' From the renooteft Diftances will come, *' To curb this haughty Prelate^ Foe to R^jne. " Soon as To-Morrovv's Dawn reftores the Light, *' The EvgUJh Synod fummon all their Might ^ " In clofe Debate to fpend th' important Hours, " And vindicate their facred injur'd Powers. '' Thus then I purpofe *, — at Return of Day, " Er'e the full Light has chas'd the Shades away, " A chofen Spirit, turbulent, and loud, '' Shall wait and mingle in the Learned Crowd j '^ Inflame their Councils with revengeful Ire, " And with the Baiiger of the Church infpire, *' This Task^ O hiquifitton! Ihall be thine, *' The glorious Province I to thee affign : '• In thew^arra Junto bear no vulgar Parr, '' Breath Rancour and Revenge in ev'ry Heart. *' Againft the Prelate^ with uncommon Zeal, " Gobav/1 and thunder out the Sacred Weal , '' Awake to Vengeance each attentive Seer, ** And check his bold exorbitant Career : '' Call C A N T O II. a 7 " Call forth to Mind their glorious x\dions pafl:, '' When Land or Bonner at the Helm were plac'd : " Say how their ancient Liberties decay, *' Their Abfolute Command and Prieftly Sway : ** Say how a B'lpop has attack'd their Rights, :- " And in his SxWlOUR's Caufe unpuni(h\l fights • '^ ThtSovraign Empire of the Keys reviles, '^ x\nd at their Charter of Damnation fmiles : " And how the contumacious Layman-Elf, '' Ufurps a Power of Judging for himfelf. " If ReafoniX\\^ let Cenfnres be apply 'd, '' And let him feel thofe Powers he half decry 'd : *' Strike boldly, and with one deciftve Blow, " The Popular Arch- Heretick o'erthrow ;> *' But ftrike with Caution, and diffcmbled Love, " And change awhile the Scorpion for the Bove. *' xMone his vicious Principles arraign, *' Refpeft and Honour for his Perfon feign : *' With feeming Grief the fatal Caufe bewail 5 ** Add, furer to betray, firft Kifs and Hail E 2 '' Stripped 8 The Convocation. ** Stripped of his Lawn, in vain fhall he relent, *' And of his Daring, when too late, repent. She fpoke ; and fmiling like old Chaos feem'd, When the firfl: Spark thro* fullen Darknefs gleam'd : The future Mifchief fparkles in her Eyes, And favage Tranfports in her Breaft arife : When Inquifition rofe, with Vengeance ftung, The Snakes in Curls a-down her Shoulders hung : On D^w^/z-Wings (he reach'd the Coafts of Day, And fliap'd to Albion s chalky Cliffs her Way. THE 1^9-] •JOt . THE CONVOCATION. A POEM. CAN TO III. TL y| Eanwhile at the declining Noon of Night, ^ -* When gentle Sleep had veil'd each Mortal's (Sight J With balmy Dews the fmiling Paftures weep, Torrents are hufh'd, and drowfy Whirlwinds fleep ; The o T/;e Convocation. The Cattel flumber on the fpacious Plain, '\ And Darknefs rules o'er Earth, and Skies , and (Main : Fatigu'd with public Cares and Toils of State, (His Thoughts ftill anxious for Brita?mias Fate,) Ev'n mighty BRUNSWtCKh^d refign'd to /[ ( (Reftj The golden Slumber fpringing to His Bread *, When fee, the Genius of our Ifle appears. And gently whifpers in the Monarch's Ears : The Guardian-Form all clad in bloomy Light, And feems a youthful Cherub to the Sight j A golden Circlet binds his (hining Hair, • Which from his Shoulders falls with wanton Air : For ever watchful o'er the Godlike Man, He fpread his beaming Wings and thus began : '' Beware, O PRINCE, forewarned by Heav'n, i^iiiew^v. (.(beware " Approaching Danger, and elude the Snare : « No Canto III. $i " No foreign Sword invades thy dreaded Reign, " Nor calls Thee forth into the dufty Plain. " V rhino's Bankrupt- Youth, a warlefs Knight, " Declines his boafted Claim and Lineal Right : *' No more of Conqueft and of Empire dreams, *' And plots no longer his ill-fated Schemes. ^^ Ev'n Sweden s King, for warlike Daring known, '' Repents his Rafhnefs on the Briti[l) Throne : " The diftant Realms to thy Decifions yield, ^' And warring Kingdoms take or leave the Field. " The Turk and Au/lrian wait for thy Command , *' And Europe trufts the Balance to thy Hand. " But arm at Home againft the threat'ncd BJow, *' And in th' afpiring Churchman fee the Foe 5 ^* Who domineers it in a Chriftian Way, " And on the Gofpel grafts Tyrannic Sway : '' The rifing Sun beholds the opening War , " The furamon'd Chiefs alfembling from afan cc the ^2 The Convocation* " The Brazen Roof (halleccho to the Sound, " When the bold Zealot with Applaufe is crown'd. " But Thou, O PRINCE, aflert the Chriftian (Caufe, *' And refcue from the Traytor-Prieft her Laws : *' Confult the Welfare of the Church and State, *^ ^ And filence the fierce Strivings of Debate. " Nor yet defpair amongfl the reft to find *' Some Rev'rend Paftors of unfpotted Mind : ** Hoadfy, by no finifter Arts controul'd, *' Amongft the Shepherds of the Chriftian Fold , *' Th' immortal Hoadly fhinos with ftrongeft Light, ^' Scarce the Sun more difFufive or more bright : *' His boundlefs Love thro' all Mankind extends, ** And his worft Foes are treated as his Friends : *' Nor yet alone his Chriftian Virtues fliine, " The ableft Scholar, as the beft Divine c *' In Danger unappaVd he takes the Field, *' The Gofpel both his Weapon and his Shield : « With c A N^ o m: -^ t^3 *' With that alone he fcorns all Hoftile Blows, ** And fingly triumphs o'er Ten thoufand Foes. " At him the B^/i^/-Priefthood aim their Rage, ** And into Faftions rend th' uniting Age : ** In various Shapes, a6 ?roUus ever knew, *' Their vow'd Revenge relentlefs they perfue : ** A like the Chriftian and the Man they blame, *' And ccnfure both his Dodrines and his Fame ; " The keen Refentment rankles in each Heart, *' And Emulation points the venom'd Dart. " Fleetwood^ untouched with Pontificial Pride, *' Refers each Chriftian to his Confcience-Guide : ** Nor ftudious the Believer to enflave, '* Rejeds all Pow'r, but what his Mafter gave. *' Trimiielzni Talbot^ Two immortal -Names, " Of Tyranny difown the fpurious Claims. •^ For all Mankind the gcn'rous Kemet lives j ** And Chillingworth in Piltonnure revives. F «Bc- 54 T/?^ Convocation. " Beware^ O PRINCE, forewarn'd by Heav*n, (beware ^ f\pproaching Danger, and elude the Snare : •' From forth thy Bofom turn the Viper.Gueft, ^* Or, e'er he bite thee, crufii him at thy Breaft j *' With timely Care th' impending 111 avert, " Their Pride defeat, their Councils difconcert ; '' Awake, and heal Religion's bleeding Veins, So fhall the World confefs a Brunswick reigns^ k Thus having faid, he vaniftiM from his Eyes, An^d in a fudden Blaze refum'd the Skie?, Straitway the Monarch woke to dawning Light, And in his Mindrevolv'd the Villon of the Night. The Morn, now clad in Robes of various Dye, Serenely blulh'd along the op'ning Sky , Whofe fetting Light decides Britannia'^ Doom, And carrie§ in pvept the Fate pf ^me^ Canto III. $$ Near to that Place, where Juftice lifts the Scale, While Orphan-Right and Equity prevail : Where thefam'd Cox^per pleads the Widow's Caufe And blunts the Edge of the too rigid Laws : Where King and Parker rofe to early Fame, And learned Jekyll^urii a deathlefs Name : In the adjacent Abbey of Renown, Full in the Wejiem Canton of the Town, The Synod is convened : His pjroper Place Each trufty Member fills with revVend Grace ^ Immur'd they fit within the brazen V/all, And teach the Chriftian Stocks to rife or fall : They fix the Layman's Faith, intent of Thought; And (lamp each Dodrine Orthodox by Vote j The Gofpel is declar'd an ufelefsGuide, And paflive Crowds believe as they decide- Now had the Fury reached the Britijh Shore, And juft alighted at the Council Door .- jd The Co N V o c A t i o n. - MuGng (he pausM a while , then entring took DiJtpy&w's fleefc Afpeft and unthinking look j Like him flie&ils aloft, of bulky Size, And lazy Mifts fufFufe her battening Eyes •, ui// Her goodly Prefence and Majeftick Height, With Veneration fill the obvious Sight , Her ample Chin, full rev'rend to behold. Voluminous defcends in many a Fold* The Churchman-Hag review*d her fage Coitlpeers, And hemming, thus befpoke the lift'ning Seers» " And (hall unmarkM the daring Hoadljf write, " And fqofF at our Decifions in defpight ? " For Toleration publickly declare, ^ And (hall we^ pa(rivcas we are, forbear? " Was't not.enough, with facrilegious Hands, " That the Eighth Henrj; fpoil'd us of our Lands > (Ev'nwhilftI (peak, tranfported with Delight, " The ravifh'djyllapprs fwim before my Sight.) Was't not enough, that our Revenues loft, ..^nd every plcafing View of Empire croft j « That cc (C cc <( C A N T o IIL 37 ** That of all fonner worldly Goods bereft, « The Tenths alone are to the Clergy left? " That, like th' Apoftles, an abandoned Race, '^ We boaft alone a double Share of Grace > ** That we alike with them, from whom we claim, ** Are grown a meer unformidable Name , And heir in one uninterrupted Line, Their Poverty, as well as Gifts Divine > " But fliall this Devil,* to compleat our Shame, " (With all due Rev'rence to fo great a Name,) Shall he, obfervant of the fatal Hour, *• Defpoil us of our Sacerdotal Power > *' Perfidious Wretch ! that to advance his Caufe, *' Durft boldly trample on our Sacked Laws , '* And foundly ftudious of the Layman's Praife, " Himfelf, his Brethren, and the Church (betrays* ** Soon as the Church was nam*d, with Grief Copprefs'd, " A deep-fetch'd Murmur burfts from ev'ry Breaft ^ *' The IC 38 the Convocation, Juftice and Honour calls us 5 for 'tis fit We boldly Cenfure what he boldly Writ^ '' But cc €( Canto III. 39 ^^ But firft, if I forefee aright, 'tis beft ** That formally their Lordfliips be addrcfs'd , *• Our Mitcrd Fathers with indulgent Care, " No doubt will Uften to our filial Pray'r j •* If they refufe to grant what we implore, ** Well vote them ufelefs as weVe done before , " And by our felves in this Affair proceed,') oT ** While each true Ctor^ibm^wJball, applaud the ( Deed, She fpoke, and lowring fate. When Bijfe began, A florid Pulpiteer and revVend Man, *^ What you advife, O ! Brother, I approve, " With Speed their Lordfliips and his Grace to move ^ ** Juft are your Fears, and your Refentments juft, *' Of the bold Prelate, that betrays his Truft j " Who under Covert of the Publick Good, ** Imbrues his Fingers in his Mother's Blood, " And over-weaning of his reasoning Strain, ?* Does our vrhole Church-Qeconomy arraign, 40 The C O N V O CATION. ** Exhorts the Layman, in his wonted Pride, ^* Her Articles and Canons to deride ; " To laugh at Outcries of all human Fear, ** And to be happy bids him be Gncere: uvA * '' To Chrift alone he has the Powr confin*d^ '* To fway the Confcience, and to rule the Mind j " To Chrift alone all lawful Pow'r is giv'n, ** To treat with Sinners, arid difpofe of Heav'tt. •' With Grief unfeignM, and deep Concern of Heart, *V I bear in this Confiftory a Part. ii ^ii8 *' The Church alone extorts thefe Throws of Zeal, *' My lateft Hours devoted to her Weal : " Ev'n now, ^lethiaks, I fee her tott'ring Wall, '* Which nodding feems to bode her fudden Fall ,• " To ev*ry Sed her Portals are thrown wide, '* And Danger threatens her on every Side : ** Long has (he flood the Shock of civil Blows, *' From daring Atheifts and Smnian-Yots : .adorii * " In vain have Seftaries confpired her Doom j " In vain have foreign Arms and Feuds at Home : " At Canto III. 4^ *' At length the Chriftian Vineyard to deface, " And leave without a Fence the hallow'd Space, •* A Bifhop undertakes, with monftrous Hands ^ " And faps himfelf the Ground on which he (lands 3 " RefolvM at once the Priefthood to dethrone^ '* And to his Saviour King fubmit alone* No more the Sage each Danger could repeat, But deeply groan'd and funk into his Seat : When Proteus thus haranguM the rev'reild Crowd, And utterM thefe ill-omenM Words aloud* « What then romains, but that with one Accord, ** In our Defence we draw the Sacred Sword ? *' Her Freedom ftill (hall wayward Confcience boafl, " In her own giddy Wilds of Error loft ? ** A Curfe on lateft Ages to derive, *' Still authorized (hall Herefy furvive > *' Still (hall the Pa?ither wear her fpotted Hide, " And the ftrid Union of the Church divide ? Q ' ' Nor 4^ The Convocation. " Nor ihall the Civil Arm avenge our Caufc, '' And force Obedience to the Chriftian Laws ? " In wordy Parle, devoid of binding Pow'rs, *' What boots it to protraft the tedious Hours > *' Or what avails the Crofier and the Lawn, ** If worldly Sanftions haply be withdrawn > '* Rife, Brethren ^ rife , with the vindiftive Rod, " Proteft your Altars and aflert your God. O Mortal, rafh of Soul, with Zeal o*ercafl:, Blind to the future, thoughtlefs of the paft ! With ill timM Rage whilft Hoadly you accufe, Know the fame Vengeance the fame Guilt perfues : Too late, alas I youll curfe the lucklefs Hour, And wi(h again the Minutes in your Pow*r : Nor hbour'd Darknefs fhall conceal your Shame, Nor all the Flow'rs of Speech repair your Fame. Now the fam'd Busb/s, Succeflbr arofe. And fnuffled his Sufpicions thro' his Nofe : Then Canto III. 43 Then Cannon herding in the common Cry, Condemns he knows not what, he knows not why. A num'rous Party the fame Fears confefs. With equal Sorrow, and Concern no lefs , Their raging Veins with Floods of Spleen ferment. And beat impatient for the great Event. When Stanhope thus addrefs'd them from the (Chair : " Well does a falling Church deferve your Care , " Our finking Altars call aloud for Aid , ** Our Temples fhaken, and our Rights betray '4 ** You fee, my Brethren, with what boaftful Pride^ ** Our regular Succeflion is decry 'd : *' Whatdang'rous Tenets to the World are taught, ** Our Pow*rs Ecclefiaftic fet at nought. ** With you the fatal Junfture I deplore, " And dread his Doftrines much, his Influence (more. •^ Wherefore fome Cure muft be apply *d with Speed, ** (Heav'n grant our joint Endeavours may fucceed.) G 2 "In ^4 The Convocation. " In lukewarm Coanfels we debate in vain, " The fcoffing Prelate mocks our idle Reign* " Forthwith then a Committee be-aflign'd, *^ In ample Form to reprefent our Mind , ' ' In foothing Words to d*refs our pious Fears, *^ And ask Redrefs from our paternal Seers. " With utmoft Care feleft the trufty Band, ^^ Prompt for the Church to aft as we command , ^' Of known Attachment to her drooping'Laws, *^ And zealous to promote the dying Caufe^ Nor let this Opportunity be loft, And each confenting kind Concurrence crofs*d ? *^ The lucky Minutes, as they haft away, ** Seem to upbraid us for this fhort Delay : *' xMl Hardfliips and Reproaches we defy j '' Our Church demands it, and we muft comply, He fate 5 when ftraitway the deputed Nine Retiring ejiter on the great Defign : Unqueftion'd Churchmen all , a fturdy Band, And ftrongly charm'd with abfolute Command, c& a ]^ C AN T o in. 45 In folemn Conclave now the Clan engage. And fqueeze out Herefy from evVy Page: From each ambiguous Word they wreft Offence, By puzzling Grammar, and perplexing Senfe j To fix the grievous Charge they toil all Night, And fcarce their Counfels end with Morning Light. Soon as the rifing Sun had left the Main, In Synod meet the zealous Seers agaiti : When now the grave Committee-Men appear. And (hake the learned Scroll with fcornful Leer. The poignant Words are read -, th' applauding (Court Joyful receive and enter the Report : When nought remained but that with their Requeft The Mitre'd Fathers ftraitway be addrefeM. But fee, alas ! how mortal Man may fail. Nor will his fineft Policies avail •, What various Chances wait the fureft Blow ? And how precarious are all Things below ? Jufl: 46 The C ON V 0:C AT ION. Juft as with hafty Steps the Dome they fought, Their utmofl: Withes to a CriGs brought ^ Juft as they enter'd with their fmart Appeal, Th;; Royal Mandate intercepts their Zeal. . ;Say, Mufe, what Wonder through the Dome ap- (pear'd. When fird the fatal ^^oidi Vrorogu'd was heard j What fudden Sorrows and Laments arofc. What Jealoufy of Friends, and Dread of Foes : Their Bofoms burn with difappointed Rage, And pale ConfuGon marks each gaping Sage , Her borrowed Form the Fury laid afide, And croft on Wings of Wind the briny Tide, The gnafliing Seers, unknowing whom to blame. Retire opprefe'd with Madnefs and with Shame, Alike from Synod and the Town retire. To dine each Sunday with the neighbr*ing ( 'Squire. So Canto III. ^j So when of late on Scotia s barren Pla'm, The Rebel Clans defpis'd their Sov'raign's Reign, A while they blufter'd, terrible in Arms, And fcar'd the Loyal Swain with dire Alarms : But foon as Brmfivick's Thunder once was heard. The paflive Warriors fudden difappear'd ; Content amongft their Native Rocfes to dwell. And plot their Treafons in the Highland-CelL THE [49] THE CONVOCATION, A OEM. CANTO IV. r **npHE Worldling Churchman^ raging with Defeat, Renews his Hate, and burns with double (Heat. Tho' foil'd in Synod, he laments the Day That fnatch'd his Pow'rs, his darling Pow'rs aWay , H Tho^ 50 The Convocation. Tho' fpoil'd of all Authority Supreme, He fees his Empire vanifti like a Dreanl. The free-born Tongue not Monarchs can reftrain , And ftill the Pulpit and the Prefs remain : Still 'tis allow'd him in Scholaftick Fight, To plead his Ghoftly Powers and injur'd Right. The Paper-War fucceeds : From ev'ry Part The fcribbling Chiefs are clad in Terms of Art , Each rifing Sun renews the Pamphlet Fight , (The lurking Jefuit gladd'ning at the Sight,) His Warlike Pen the Bigot-Churchman draws. And Hoadly combats in the Chriftian Caufe j Each faucy Prie filing to the Battel flies, And in the Sacred Lifts with Bangor vies , All, Sanguine, promife to themfelves Succefs, And Reams of Martial Learning crowd the Prefs. Do thou,'OMufe, the warring Priefts rchearfe, And fwell w^ith Pamphlet-Combatants thy Verfe : Say Canto IV. / 51 Say what unnumber'd Champions of Renown, Stewards of Peace, and Worthies of the Gown, Alike both Brunfwick and their Saviour hate. Alike the Freedom of our Church and State : And who, on either to compleat their Rage, Attack the flrongeft Bulwark of the Age. Let no Companion on the Tray tors fall, Loofeall thy Satire, and exhauft thy Gall. Firfl, ftern Orbilm in the Lifts appears, * Debauch'd in Fadion from his Infant Years ; A gracelefs Mifcreant, that long fince o'ercame The virtuous Glowings, and the Pangs of Shame ; God fent him forth in Wrath to curfe the Earth j His Principles more fordid than his Birth, To wage eternal War with fpotlefs Truth, And fow Sedition in the tender Youth. When Pedagogues in Controverfy deal, What Conflias muft an Adverfary feel > H 2 Pride ^-2 ^he Co N V O C A T I O No Pride and Ill-Nature feafons all his Stile, Each Paragraph overflows with Pedant-Bile : His ev'ry Period crabbed and fevere, Smells of the Birch and terrifies the Ear. Touch'd by his Pen, Religion fades away. And all Her lovely Oracles decay : The Chriftian'i ruths with fainter Glory fliine, And dwindle into Prieftcraft through each Line. Sprung from the Anvil, and inur'd to Flame, For Fervency the Champion he became : Devotion, fo he thinks, confifts in Sweat, In Agonies, in Calentures, and Heat. Ignatim thus met Heav'n half way in Air, Wrapp'd in a furious Hurricane of Pray'r. The Worldly Church in his AfFedions Reigns, As fome Men court the Heirefs for her Gains : Charm'd he beholds her abfolute Command, And wrefls the Scepter from his Saviour's Hand, In C A N T o IV. 53 In facred Chivalry no bolder Knight Tbro' Albiojis Ifle provokes the Pamphlet Fight , With dauntlefs Prowefs he attacks the Foe , His throbbing Veins with martial Ardors glow. Like the fam'd Swifs he thrives in Venal Fray, And takes the Lifts for Convocation-Pay : With labour'd Frauds he ftufFs his Ihiqing Page, And proftitutes his Confcience to his Rage : His Malice to no Parties is confin'd, But hates alike all Proteftant Mankind. No more, ye Sages moft profoundly wife. That live beneath the European Skies, In fearch of Antichrift difturb pur Peace, Your grave Difputes, and your Enquiries ceafe: In vain the fever'd World you traverfe o'er. Behold the Monfter on the BritiJIo Shore. Next, Protem^ churlifti fhuffling Dean, appears, And Glows to publick View his Phrygian Ears : '''"•'' Ham- 54 T^f-^^ Convocation. Hampered by Sjkes, confounded and perplext. Ten Thoufand Ways he racks the (lubborn Text , The ftubborn Text elaftic Force retains. And by its felf alofie its felf explains : A Wight fo inconfiftent in each Deed, As Contradidion were his darling Creed. Prompt to unftieath, defpis'd by righteous Men, His felf- vexatious, felf condemning^ Pen : Skill'd to extrad a Meaning *, and refine On plaineft Words, a Gentlewan-Umnc. With Coxcombs mod his flafhy Parts excel, He reafons poorly -— but he rallies well. Reveal'd alone to the uncommon wife, His Argument retires in dark Difguife, With lufcious Ornaments of Wit laid thick, Hard-labourM Flights, and Strains of Rhetorick : Thro' endlefs, puzzling Ma^es led around. The Reader thinks himfelf on Fairy Ground , No faithful Clue direfts his wand'ring Feet, V/hile to the View unnumber'd Windings meet : With C A N T O IV- 55 With painful Steps from Path to Path he ftrays, And wanders on, bewilder'd in the Maze. But fee ! a Sermonizing Bard fteps forth, And vents his Rancour on diftinguifli'd Worth , -His gloomy Afped writhen with Grimace, And not a Beam of Sunfhine gilds his Face : Each Feature fpeaks him ravifti'd from the Plow, And torpid Dulnefs flumbers o'er his Brow : In whom Two. Faculties united fliine, A Motley- Piece, half Poet, half Divine. Here in foft Accents whining Abra plains , Here modern Peace-Wrights fwell his fuftianStrains : If in the Pulpit he the Preacher ape. The lift'ning Vulgar for Sedition gape. How oft, O OxforJ^ have thy Pupil- Throng Catch'd the dry Precept ftrugling from his Tongue > In vain, the Mufe difdains Mechanic Rules, And fhuns the Commerce of Pedantick Schook But t^6 The C o N V a c A r I o N. But fay, vain Wretch, what Madnefs thee ex- (cites, Thee to corred what Hoadly better writes > Say, after Dryden^ how dur(t thou tranflate ? And fear'ft thou not, prefumptuous , Milboiirns CFate? By what blind Folly led, durft thou oppofe, Thy Pygmy Senfe againft fuch matchlefs Foes ; Thy Verfe fo languid, and fo dull thy Profe > Better for thee, egregious Pulpiteer, To preach Damnation to the ftartled Ear: Better for thee, amidfl: thy fav'rite Crowd, To belch the Dangers of the Church aloud j Than to the Prefs commit thy hafty Zeal, And to the Layman's common Senfe appeal : Better, than thus awake Fanatick Rage, And tempt the Fury of a Whiggift Age. No?ijimng Magus next the War fuflains. And Sermon and Prefervative arraigns •• Than Canto IV. 5jr Than him none better pleads in Paper-Fight The Prieft's Succeflive Apoftolic Right : , None cramps the Confcience more in penal Ties, Nor Proteftant Sincerity decries , Than Mantis none in ftronger Terms confefs'd, A/Terts a blind Submiflion to the Pried : But moft he labours to th* indocile Brain, A regular Succeffion to explain , Profoundly skill'd in Heraldry Divine, He fearches their Hereditary Line : Uninterrupted thro' a Chain of Years, Their Sacerdotal Pedigree appears. Not more exaftly down from Ncah^s Flood, The IVelJIjman traces his defcending Blood ; With Scorn our upftart, Engliflj Race difdains, And boafts the antient Patriarch in his Veins. Majeftick Mammon now maintains the Caufe, And for the Church his pointlefs Weapon draws , For Mother Church full zealoufly he groans. And from the Prefs pours fortli Religious Moans •, .1 His V A ^8 The Convocation. His mournful Pages fwell with hurfUng Sighs^ And Tears fuborn'd gu(li from his ftreaming Eyes . A worchlefs Wretch, fo far beneath our Lays, That ev'n to mention is ahnoft to praife j His Forehead unfufceptible of Shame, He borrows from his Infamy his Fame j Secure he laughs at the Satyrick Mufe, And ftill unhurt his wonted Arts perfues. In vain we layiui all our boafled Art, Nor will our keeneft Arrows touch his Heart. To form a Venus once, as x\uthors tell, The Painter fumixion'd many a fhining Belle^ Scarce all th' ailembled Toafis of ancient Greece^ In all their Charms could furnifh out the faultlefs (Piece : And fuch Deformities in. Marrimon meet. To make the Monfler and the Fiend compleat ; That to deferibe him in thefc impious Times, The puzzled Bard muft club a Nation's Crimes : The 1 Canto IV. $p The empty Minion of a reftlefs Crowd, Rich, haughty, lazy, ignorant, and proud , A bold Afferter of the Prieftly Reign, As Lems and S-—^ — /, impudent and vain. Archdeacon Momus with dead-doing Hands Condemns by Wholefile, and with Cenfure brands: Againfl each Sentence he exerts his Rage, And all Hell breathes thro' his licentious Page : A Grave and Theological Buffoon, He feafts his Reader with divine Lampoon ^ And ftrongly touch'd with the Religious Spleen, Outvies the Pedant-Doftor, and the Dean. Nor Hotidly feels alone of earthly Men, The keen, lambick Rancour of his Pen : He calls the wifeft KiJig the worft of Fools, As ignorant of Laws, by which he rules. Ev'n the World's"^ Saviour, undifguis'd of Heart, Is charg'd with vile prevaricating Art : * M V Kemarks, 2d Edit, pw 2;. I 2 Anc^ 6o The Convocation. And rather than his wicked Claims deny, llie fpotiefs Jefus muft return a Lye* The Liege-Man with the Chriftian well agrees, Againft both human and divine Decrees. The Prolocutor now his Strength effays, And ftalks fablime in Magifterial Phrafe : Dlflodg'd from Pow*r, the Patriarch boils with Rage, And breatlis Authority in evVy Page. While cloudy C w wraps his Thoughts in Night, And throws a Veil before the Readers Sight. When now in dread Array a bloody Train From Grubflreet ru(h, and crowd the peopled Plain • Unnumbered Libels from the Prefs are fped. To fatiate Malice, and for daily Bread ^ 5 —?&, L-tt^-j-, H—ly^ J — n-s^ C—b—n write. And H'-^U—d burfts his Gall to wreak his Spite : Two martial Bards advance, with Third af Praife, And fight the Church's Caufe in Dogrel Laysj Pul- Canto IV. 6i Pulpit and Prefs fiftitious Ills engage, And combat Windmills with Quixotic Rage : Tumultuous Din and Clangor fliakes the Sky, And each vile Scribbler waves his Banners high. In vain ye labour, O ye Sons of Rofne^ In vain of Proteftants confpire the Doom j The watchful Hoadly^ with unfleeping Eyes, Guards from rapacious Hands the golden Prize : While Whitby^ ftrong as an Apoftle writes. And Burnet in the genVous Work unites, Eitrnety whofe Deeds to early Fame afpire. Who treads the Footfteps of his Learned Sire : While Tejiifon^ by virtuous Motives fway'd, Protefts againft you, nor vouchfafes his Aid : While Sykes^ immortal Syke^^ and PiUonniere, And Ke?met, Hughes^ and Prat, and Pyle adhere : Your fnbtleft Labours and Defigns fhall fail, Nor all the Cunning of the Schools prevail : Sooner (hall grofs Abfurdities agree. And Lawyers and the Leech refufe their Fee : Sooner 62 The Convocation. Sooner Old Age fhall be reftor'd to Youth, And Contradiftions foften into Truth : The cluftVing Vine fhall thrive on barren Ground, And Oxford with (launch Loyalifts abound : Sooner Ihall Traytors mourn expiring Laws, Ambitious Synods plead Religion's Caufe : Earth's Rebel Sons once more (hall Heav'n defy, And Stuart's Baftard Race with BrmftPtck vye. 6rAf THE C^3 3 THE CONVOCATION. A OEM. CANTO V. ^TTHile the fierce Contefl: rages from afar , And hoftile Pamphlets breathe alternateWar : The carnal Priefts at ev'ry Shock o'erthrovvn, Now truft to pungent Calumny alone : Repuls'd in mad ConfuSon they retreat, And rallying ftill th' unequal Fight repeat. Ceafe^ ^4 The Convocation. Ceafelefs they labour by infidious Arts, To taint and prepolTefs the People's Hearts : The ftrongefl Ties of Confcience they forego, And load with Slander the vidorious Foe. As S pe involved in thoughtful Malice lay. Thro* all the Wilds of Vifion fnatch'd away, A gloomy Forfn flood prefent to his Sight, Of black Tartarean Hue, that Scandal hight , A Monftrous Fiend, of fuch prodigious Size, Her Feet on Earth, her Head was hid in Skies : On thoufand Wings up-born (he foars fublime. From Pole to Pole, and ev'ry diftant Clime : With Thoufand fearching Eyes and lifl'ning Ears, All fecret Slanders (he both fees and hears , ^ x\nd what flie fees and hears, each blading Sound She trumpets with a thoufand Tongues around. Her fallow Cheeks ne'er felt the circling Blood, And on her Head the Snakes erefted flood : The circling Blood her {hrivelM Veins forfook. And all the Fury open'd in her Look : Diftor- C A N T O V. 65 Diftorted was her Brow, and in her Hand She wav'd aloft to Sight a flaming Bratid: Thrice with the burning Torch fhe gently prefs'd. And fped the livid Poifon to his Breaft. The wrathful Prieft indulg'd the pleafing Scene, And waking burn'd with more than native Spleen 2 Invention quicken'd in his Gothick Brain, And Lies fpoiitaneous crownM his fruitful Pain ^ His throbbing Veins with double Fury fWell, And rofe in all the Ejiergy of HelL And now he meditates the fatal Blow^ And clad in Scandal- Armt)ur meets the Foe \ No more his Dodrines, but his Perfon wounds, And with decifive Cilumny c-oilfounds : With frequent Difappointmenta forely pain'd, Impatient to revenge and unreftrain'd, He guides his Weapon to the tendered Part, And with Detraftion ftabs him to the Heaxt i 66 The C o N V o c A T to n. * . V. The tedious Work of Argument lays down, * And dubs himfelf the Fafqithi of the Town, i; From CofFee-Houfe to CofFee-Houfe he flies, Unwearied in the Search of folemn Lies \ (^ With Hear-fay Calumnies he fills the Scale, With TraOi of SchooLRoys and a Gcffip's Tale j Trepans each heedlefs Paffenger he meets, ',\ And violent arrefts him in the Streets : > ? In private Talk th' unwary Tongue infnares, | ^^A While each rafh Accent his own Comment bears. The Prefs malignant breathes obdurate Hate, And groans with controverfial Billingsgate. Ev'n Bangor proves a Jefuit in Difguife ^ Such mighty Force in bare-fac'd Scandal lies. A Bafigor^ the Champion of the WhiggiJI) Caufe, So oft with Conqueft crown'd, and with Applaufe 5 /^ Ba7jgor^ the boafted Proteftant Divine, Whofc Triumphs in recording Annals fhine* ^2 sua ■ . Im- "A CANtO V. 6 J Immortal Snaps the great Difcovepy mide, And to the World the fubtle Cheat betray'd : \ Nor flatter'd him in Words of moderri Vogue, But fpoke his Mind ^. My Lord , you are a f:i :>7iqinc.j c.:;gnoi c\.^>i:i.^ ^bi. (Ro^ue A cunning, canting Traytor, void of Grace , And caird him perjur'd Rafcal to his Face. Vain, impious Wifti ! to taint fuch fpotlefs Fame, And ftop' the ufeful Influence of his Name I What Fiend, what Devil has infpir'd thy MinJ, To laugh at all the Ties of Human Kind ; ^ --A Each ftrong Irapulfe of Nature to deny, And give thy Confcience and thy God the Lie ? Wife as the Serpent, harmlets as the Dove,' Undaunted rifes in his juft Defence, And to the World appeals for Innocence : •H K 2 To 68 The Convocation. To God afid Man fubmitting eV'ry Part -, To Man his Aftions, and to God his Heart, He looks with Scorn on a cenforious Age, And pities each mad Sally of their Rage ^ Ungovern'd, envious Tongues confpire in vain j His fhining Virtues mock their impious Pain j Thro' a whole Series of deferving Years, No Stain, no Blemifh in his Fame appears : The Tenor of his Life all glorious Bright, -^ , / Pure and unfpotted as the Morning Light. The Mifts of Slander fly before his Name, And ferv»e to brighten, not obfcure his Fanpe* O! Nicholfon, by whatblindpaflionsled, What wild Capriciashurry*d round thy Head ? — But cur^ thy Satire, Mufe, nor dare reprove, , Whom Brunftvick and whom Hoadly deign to love^ O 1 ftop^ rafb Mufe, the too ill-natur'd Tale, , tj And o*er this Bkmijh call a friendly Veil, j r * He C A N T O V. 6^ He err'd, by difingenuous Arts betrayM, And undefigning from his Confcience ftray'd ; Nor let this Failing blaft his better Days, And ftop the Progrefe of his future Praife ; Long live to lateft Times his deathlefs Fame, • - Long live the Honours that adorn'd his Name, When whilom he efpous'd his Sovereign's Caufe, And labour'd for our Liberties and Laws : Bangor and Kennet in his Favour plead , Bangor and Kennet have forgiven the Deed. Here clofe, my faithful Mufe, jthe fhocking ; -TV f n p ~ f ' -o hiT\-j 1-^ (Scene, Here ceafe thy Labours and fupprefs thy Spleen, Nor tell how Broteti^ ftill new Shapes puts on. And labours to compleat what Sna^e begun ; The tedious Clue of Calumny lay down. Nor wade through all the Kennels of the Toti)n i Triumphant o'er the vanquilh'd Foe rejoice, And to the VitSor lift thy grateful Voice. Hail! 70 The Convocation. n Hail! great Supporter of your Countrey'sLaws { Hail ! great Supporter of the Chriftian Caufe ! Whofe Zeal alike to Church and State (hines forth. And fpeaks the Prelate's and the Patriots Worth j To thee th' officious Mufe direfts her Flight, And tow*rs ambitious the un-bounded Height^ ^^^ The Britijlo Mufe no Dangers can difmay, ^'^ -^^ If Juftice prompt, and Ton infpire the Lay. ^- ' ^-^h hCii, \^.^''- Thus would I tell to future Worlds your Fitne, How from Reproach you fave your envy'd Name : From ev'ry Part ward off redoubled Blows, Whole Hofts repelling of invidious Foes, ^^^H Who view you pofted in an Orb too bright,^ ' ^ J-'T Turn pale and ficken with (bperior Light : di>I ban Piftinguifh*d Worth ferments their jaundiced: Blood^ And Emulation rolls the fpleenful Flood. Calm and ferene yoii fee the Tempefl: rife, t ,' Nor dread the ruffled Deeps and angry Skies ; Canto V. 7 1 In your own artlefs Innocence fecure, You teach us what a Chriftian can endure ^ Wrongs unprovoked with Candor you requite, And in the midft of Wars in Peace delight. Thus the great Founder of the Chriftian Name, Subdu'd his Foes, and ftubborn Crowds overcame : Unmov'd himfelf, their thickeft Darts re-prefs'd, The bitter Taunt, and the licentious Jcft. Benevolence and Love each Aftion fway'd. And Virulence with Meeknefs he repaid. Thro' many a ftiining Year I trace thy Name, To the firft glorious Dav/nings of thy Fame : Wreftling with Error from thy early Youth, And crown'd with Lawrels in the Wars of Truth. From impious Pens you vindicate the Word, And refcue Confcience from the Penal Sword j Thro' ev'ry Page what lovely Truths appear, Thy Reasonings ftrong, and thy Expreffions clear > From 7^ The Cqnvocation. From human Greeds you free the Chriftian Mind, ' And gain the publick Thanks of Lay-Mankind* The Proteftant is written in thy Face, And Candor opens with an honeft Grace j Thy Afpeft fpcaks abundant in thy Praife, And ftiii we love the more, the more we ga2:e. ^-^^'^^ Wrapt in thy Name, my Heart in Triumph beats, And my warm Pulfc exults with living Heats/' "'^ ^ Tranfports divine within my Bofom roil, And in each Line I pour out half my Souh Late, very late may'ft thou from Earth remove To thofe eternal blifsful Scenes above, Where choral Angels (ing their Maker*s Praife^ And Tenifon breaks forth in heav'nly Lays : O ! late may 'ft thou partake the Joys Divine, And wiA thy kindred Stars in Glory fhin^* Mean* Canto V. 73 Meanwhile, my Lord, perfue this glorious Caufe, And fave whole Nations from Tyrannic Laws : Difpel each Cloud of fuperftitious Fears, And with the Sound of Freedom charm our Ears .- Remotefl: Chripendom {hall hear your Fame, And future Tyrants tremble at your Name. See ! on his Hoadly from yon' Worlds of Light, The mighty T^ajfau bends his grateful Sight ! Ev'n Brimfivick owes his Sceptre to thy Hand, And rules a reftlefs difcontented Land. For fee ! the ^ Jacobite^ to Madnefs wrought. Plans the grofs Treafon in his murd'rous Thought j Full gallantly he plays the Tray tor's Part, And dies with Royal Bloodfhed at his Heart r Madding he bids each fanguine Hope good-night, And difappointed, hangs for very Spight : Burfting with Envy he refigns his Breath, And mutters Treafon in the Pangs of Death, ^ James Shepheard, Smt and Martyr, L Ac^ 74 Tfj^ Con v o c a t i o n» Accept, my Lord, this tributary Praife, And deign to pardon my prefumptuous Lays : In your own Works you Live, fecure of Fame, And through all x\ges (hall defcend your Name, 'Till Nature and her Elements decay, And all the frail Creation fades away. FINIS. yf^ BOOKS lately Printed for E. Curl l in fleet'fireet 1. A /TR. Addison's Diflertation on the Ro- IVX ?nan Poets. Price i x. the Smallj 2 x, 6 d. the Royal Paper^ Gilt on the Leaves, 2. The Resurrection, a Poem, by Mr. y^^- difon. The third Edition. Price 6 d. 3. The Archbifhop of C a m b r a y's Reflexions upon Learning. Price 2 x. 4. Mr. P R I o r's Verfes on the Lady Katherine JiydCy from the true Copy. Price 2 d. 5. The Life of William Wycherley Efq; by Charles Gildon Gent, with a Chara(fter of Mr. IVycherley and his Writings, by the Right Ho- nourable the Lord Lanfdown. Price i.x. In the Prefs, and will fpeedily be publifli'd, 6. Poems on feveral Occafions in Latin and Englijh^ by Jofeph Addifcn Efq; 'viz. i. On the Peace of Hefwick. 2. The Battle of the Vygmies and Cranes. 3. The Bowling-Green. 4. The Ba- rometer. 5. The Puppet-Show. 6. In Praife of Phyfic Phyfic and Poetry, to Dr. Uannes. 7. On the De- luge and general Conflagration, to Dr. Burnett. 8. On the Refurre-^'