The great Assembly once renowned,
(Whose fame in Foreign parts did sound)
Displaced on Earth, in hast remove
Their Session to their House above.
Seraphic Twice went first 'tis true
As Prolocutor, it was his due:
Then Boroughs, Marshal, Whitaker, Hill.
Gouge, Gataker, Ash, Vines, White, still
Sharp Swords scon'st cut their Sheaths, Pern, Strong,
Spurstow, Tuckey, Calamy, they throng
The Gate of Bliss, as if they fear
That Heaven would fill, ere they got there.
⟨p. 94⟩But why such wast, Death, hast no measure?
Dost think 't no Theft to rob the Treasure
Of the Church? or art become so wise,
To seize first on the richest Prize?
Or are thy Laws so strict they can't,
The Benefit of the Clergy grant?
Or is't thine aim to cast the stone,
Where thou mayst kill many in one?
Thou needst not shake the Pulpit Glass,
Look with what hast the Sand doth pass.
Their work though great, is quickly done,
And too soon out of sight, they're gone.
The great Assembly once renown'd,
(Whost fame in Forraign parts did sound)
Displac'd on Earth, in hast remove
Their Session to their House above.
Seraphick Twisse went first 'tis true
As Prolocutor, it was his due:
Then Borroughs, Marshal, Whitaker, Hill.
Gouge, Gataker, Ash, Vines, White, still
Sharp Swords scon'st cut their Sheaths, Pern, Strong,
Spurstow, Tuckey, Calamy, they throng
The Gate of Bliss, as if they fear
That Heaven would fill, e're they got there.
⟨p. 94⟩But why such wast, Death, hast no measure?
Dost think 't no Theft to rob the Treasure
Of th'Church? or art become so wise,
To seize first on the richest Prize?
Or are thy Laws so strict they can't,
The Benefit of th'Clergy grant?
Or is't thine aim to cast the stone,
Where thou mayst kill many in one?
Thou needst not shake the Pulpit Glass,
Look with what hast the Sand doth pass.
Their work though great, is quickly done,
And too soon out of sight, they'r gone.