To a Vertuous and Judicious Lady, who (for the exerciſe of her Devotion) built a Cloſet, wherein to
ſecure the moſt Sacred Booke of Common-Prayer, from the view and violence of the
Enemies therof, the Sectaries and Schiſmatiques of this Kingdome.
Written by a moſt Orthodox, Moderate, and Judicious Divine,
A baniſhed Miniſter of this miſerable Kingdome.
Since it hath pleas'd our wise and new-born State,
The Common-Prayer-Book t'excommunicate:
To turne it out of all, as if it were,
Some grand Malignant, or ſome Cavaliere:
Since in our Churches 't is by them forbid,
To ſay ſuch Prayers, as our Fathers did:
So that Gods Houſe muſt now be call'd no more
The Houſe of Prayer, ſo ever call'd before:
As if thoſe Chriſtians were reſolv'd to uſe
That Houſe, as bad, as ever did the Jews:
Since that of Chriſt, may now of Prayer be ſaid,
It wants a place whereon to lay its head,
I cannot chooſe but think, it was your care,
To build your Cloſet for distreſſed prayer;
VVhich here in mourning clad, preſents it ſelfe,
Begging ſome little corner on your ſhelfe:
For ſince 't is baniſh'd from all publique view,
There be none dare it entertain, but you.
How times and men are chang'd! who would have (thought,
T'have ſeen the Service-Bookthus ſet at naught?
A Book worth Gold, if rightly underſtood;
Compos'd by Martyrs, ſealed with their blood,
Once burnt by Papiſts, meerly for this cauſe,
It was repugnant to their Popiſh Lawes.
Now by our Zelots 't is condemn'd to die,
Becauſe (forſooth) 't is full of Popery
And thus we ſee the Golden meane defy'd,
And how ('twixt two extreames) 't is crucify'd.
¶ But 't is no matter, we ſee ſtranger things,
Kings muſt be Subjects now, and Subjects, Kings.
The meaner sort of men have all the power;
The upper end is now beneath the lower:
The head below the feet; they'll weare the Crown:
whowould not think the world's turn'd upſide down:
Learning muſt now give place to Ignorance,
So must a Statute to an Ordinace;
Religion to Prophaneneſſe, and vain-glory;
The Common-Prayer-Book to the Directory.
All things are out of order, and I feare,
Are like to be, till we are as we were:
Till Biſhops doe returne to end the ſtir
Twixt th'Independent and the Presbyter.
Till Kings be Kings, and till we (wiſhed)ſee
The Church enjoy her ancient Lyturgie.
Till Loyalty be had in more regard:
And till Rebellion hath its just reward.
And that theſe things may be, we'll not deſpaire:
All this, and more, may be obtain'd by Prayer.
FINIS.