VOX POPVLI, IN PLAINE ENGLISH.
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(1.)
IN Citie and Countrey throughout the whole Land,
The minds of the multitude divers wayes stand:
There's some that endeavour with might and with maine
To set the proud Prelates on Horse-back againe;
That they may make Cannons, and send out their Oath,
To stablish their power, and dish out their broth.
(2.)
Of this ranke there's many in every place,
The which were Created by little
Lauds grace:
Who since are growne lofty, and now like to fall;
Which makes them through Anguish alowd for to call,
To Papists and Atheists and all such as doth:
Love lazy proud Prelates and luke-warme broth.
(3.)
Those fat belli'd priests that have Livings great store,
If
Bishops goe downe: they shall never have more;
Their lourney-men readers, likewise are afraid:
That they must bee forc't to give ouer their trade,
And weare leather garments instead of blacke Cloth,
Which makes them loue
Bishops and luke-warme broth.
(4.)
And great men would never be counted such fooles,
As to send their Children for learning to Schooles,
But that they hoped in processe of time:
That they to the throne of a
Bishop might climbe;
And there domineer, which fills them with wroth:
Against such as love neither
Bishops nor broth.
(5.)
Another sort likewise must not be forgotten,
Who in their maine principles seemes to bee rotten;
Supposing that heaven stands open to all:
That tend on their pray'rs when the Saints Bell doth call?
Where in stead of substance there's nothing but froth,
Much like the proud Prelates: so is this their broth.
(6.)
All these doe endeavour as much as they may,
To backe the base Bishops from day unto day;
The Papists assist them, and rather then faile,
The Devill will helpe them, that he may prevaile:
It makes for his Kingdome to stand for them both,
I meane the proud Prelats and their common broth.
(7.)
Agninst this rude Regiment there doth appeare,
Some troupes of couragious hearts that will not feare,
T'incounter this rabble, in mischiefe profound,
Hark how they crie down with them, down to the ground:
The Papists and Prelates, away with them both,
For we will have none of them nor of their broth.
(8.)
And these are no base ones as some do suggest,
But of the Kings Subjects indeed are the best,
Indeav'ring the good both of Kingdome and State,
What ever
Baals Priests and proud Prelates doe prate.
Who for the love which they beare unto sloth,
Do labour to hold up their luk-warme broth.
(9.)
Then let all good people take courage indeed,
So that they from Antichrists yoke may be freed;
And seeing that Liberties gaind by the Scots:
Let Englishmen seeke for't, it may be their Lotts
Then joyne hands together, and feare not their wrath:
But Crie downe the Plelates: and spew out their broth.
(10.)
Their pride and presumption must needs have a fall,
Their wicked devices for judgement doth call;
Their hatred of holinesse, and love of sinne,
Will worke their destruction, which now doth begin:
Their curbing the Gospell, will kill their own growth,
Goe tole the Bell for them, and eke for their broth.
MDCXLII. A Present for this New yeare of the Prelates feare.
FINIS.