[Ane godly treatis, callit the first and second cumming of Christ] [with the tone of the winters-nicht shewing brieflie our native blindness / by James Anderson].

THE WINTER NIGHT. THe Winter night , I thinke it long , Full long and teugh , while it ouergang , The winters night I thinke so long . Both long and dreigh till day . Full long thinke I the winters night , While daye breake vp with beames so bright , And banish darknesse out of sight , And workes of darknesse , Aa . 2 The Winter night that I of meane , Is not this naturall night I weine , That lackes the light of the Sunne shine , And differs from the day . But darknesse of our minde it is , Which hides from vs the Heauens blisse , Since Adam first did make the misse , In Paradise that day . 3 The joyefull day is Iesus Christ , The Womans séede by God promist , To tread the Serpents head , that Beast , that did vs first betray : And it did tread him on the hiele , The bitter death when hee did féele , In his Manhood , to reconcile Vs to our God for ay . 4 The filthie louer , that vs illudes , Is Sathan , with his blinded buds , Of fleshly lusts , and worldly goods , which cause vs goe astray . Who ceaseth neuer , but subtillie , First gars vs doe , syne gars vs die That longsome Night eternally , To draw vs from our Day . 5 Wée haue no Day but onely one , The Sonne of God , our Life alone : For other dayes wée doe know none , Nor yet none other way . To guide vs to the Heauens glore , And to that state vs to restore , Which Adam lost for euermore , Were not that precious Day . 6 Which blessed Day must twise appeare , The first , to take our nature here Of his blest Mother , a Virgine cleare , As I say , doth hée say . The second time , the world to judge , Both quicke and dead , that number hudge : Where faithlesse shall finde no refuge , But godly , grace that Day . 7 The first cumming is long fore-gane , Sensyne fourescore of yeares and ninetane , Beyonde sixe hundreth and a thousand , Not an houre lesse or maa . Then since the first cumming is past , Wée should bée looking for the last , When the Archangel shall the blow blast , To dite vs to that Day . 8 Long was the Fathers winter night , Fiue thousand yeares , by reckning right , Twixt Adams fall , and Christ did light , into our flesh that Day . Yet though it was so long betwéene , They saw him with their spirituall eene , Which was the strength did them sustéene , To bide that joyfull day . 9 Abrams faith was so reposed Hée saw that day , and was rejoysed , Though faithles Iewes their eyes closed , When as come was that Day . For which their proude hypocrisie , And wilfull incredulitie , They are and ( their posteritie ) In darknesse to this day . 10 The prudent Prophet Isaie , Did speake of him als specially , As hée had séene him sensibly , And béene at his birth day . First saw him borne of a pure Maide , Syne heard him preach the Gospel glad : And last , our sinnes vpon him laide , To take them all away . 11 The Prophet Dauid did perceiue This mysterie beyond the laue , His soule should not bée left in graue , Nor flesh corrupt away . Of which as now I speake no mare , Till proper place , but will it spare , And forward to our purpose fare , Lest wee ouerlong delay . 12 When Daniel did expone the Dreame , Of the hudge Image , with copper wame , With lims of yron , and féete of leame , and haire of golde so gay . Hée saw a stone without mans hand , Breake first the féete , when it did stand : Syne brake it als small as the sand , And brought it to decay . 13 Which Image , with their properties , Did meane the foure great Monarchies , Of Babel , Perse , and Griece but lies , And Romanes in their ray . The little stone that hée did see , That brake the Image so mightilie , Was Christ , that matchlesse Monarchie , Which neuer shall decay , 14 When come was the appointed time , That hée should suffer for our crime , Hée lighted in the Virgine wyme , And did no longer stay . That blessed Virgine then him bred , Without companie of mans bed : The holy Ghost her ouershed , As Gabriel did say . 15 Elizabeth not long before , Conceiued Iohn , who gaue him glore , And in the wombe did him adore , For joye did spring and play . His Mother then full feruently , Calde Marie blest eternally , That shée belieued assuredly , To beare that birth that day . 16 In Bethlehem when hée was borne , The Angels timely in the morne , Came to the Heards without sojourne , In Fieldes whereas they lay . Saying , Rejoyce and make great mirth , Wée bring you tidinges mikell worth . To you is borne a blessed birth , In Bethlehem this day . 17 His Starre als in the Firmament , The wise men from the Orient , Did call them foorth incontinent , And guid them on the way . Till they came to the selfesame place , Where Christ our King then new borne was : That Stare would then no farder passe , But stood still in a stay . 18 Then came they in right courteously , Acknowledging his Majestie : Offering to him these gifts thrée , Gold , Incense , Mirh , that day . The Gold because hée was a King , Incense , because God euerlasting : The Mirh , in token of burying , Thus learned Doctours say . 19 Iust Simeon into his Song , Who for that day did looke so long , Said , Lord , let now thy seruant gang In peace , and passe away . Sith that mine eyes haue séene this sight , Of thy swéete Sonne the Gentles light , And of the Iewes the glorie bright , Whom thou hast sent this day . 20 Iohn Baptist did his way prepare , And pointed with his finger there , Behold the Lambe of God so faire , That takes our sinnes away . Bade them belieue and him imbrace , Repent and mend , while they had space , Or otherwise they get not no grace , But die in sinne that day . 21 When Iohn in Iordane him baptized , The Fathers voyce him authorized , This is my Son , in whom I am pleased , Heare him what hée doth say . And farder , in the peoples sight . The holy Ghost did on him light , And with him bode , to show his might , As God and Man that Day . 22 The diuine doctrine that hée taught , The wonderous works that he wrought , In suckring all that to him fought , And saying no man nay . His bright transfiguration , His patience in his Passion , And glorious Resurrection , Did proue hée was our Day . 23 For neuer man did speake as hée , Causde deafe men heare , and blind-borne sée : Hée praide for them that causde him die , And rose on the third day : Then fourtie dayes remained here , With his Disciples , and did them lere , And gart them know the Scriptures cleare , Before hée past away . 24 When hée had fully pacified , His Fathers wrath , and him obeyed Vnto the death , and purified , Our sinne , as white as Snow : Then sent hee his Apostles out , In all the world to teach about , And put all people out of doubt , That come was his first Day . 25 Then with our flesh before them plaine , Hée did goe vp to Heauen againe : Whereas his manhood must remaine , Till the dreadfull Doomesday . But when that dreadfull Day shall bee , No creature knoweth certainly , Except the Father , and that onely , So doubtsome is that Day . 26 Wherefore the Lord bade all men watch , ●nd let not sinne nor sleuth them catch , Incase vnwares hée with them match , When they least thinke that Day . Is with the Virgines , which playde the foole , That had their Lampes , but lacked Oyle : They got not in , but causde recoole , And barred out that day . 27 The many tokens that wée read , That second day which should proceede , Are come already in verie déede , Both come and gone away , As well into the Heauen aboue , As in the Earth almost are done , Which significes it shall come soone , As pleased God that day . 28 As for the signes celestiall , For longsomnesse I leaue them all , And treat of the terrestriall , That should procéede that day . In Scripture which are specified , Wée shall them find accomplished , To sée the same then verrified , Attend what I now say . 29 First shall bee Battels , and bloody Warres , That people and policie downe beares , We heare their rumour with our eares , Increasing euery day . Both Forraine Warres and Intestiene , That Realmes and Countreys wracketh cleane : Wée sée this token before our eine , Accomplished this day . 30 And yet the world most certainly , Is setled in such securitie , They thinke not once that they must die , And answere to that day . 38 Loue towards God is almost gone , And loue to Neighbour colde as stone , No loue now , but selfe-loue alone , Amongst all beares the sway . In Gods owne cause no feruencie : The poore opprest are cruellie : All séeke themselues so narrowlie , Promise and Loue is quite away . 39 The fourth shall bée defection , From Christ , and his correction , By folke of vile affection , Before that second day : That of his word they shall take loath , And with true Preachers bée so wroth , That when Christ comes scarsely shall Faith , Bée found in Earth that day . 40 This token for to testifie , That it is now come certainly , The manifest Apostasie , That many make this day , From Christes Kirke , and little Flocke , Which heare his word , and beare his yoke ▪ Whome these Apostates doe but mocke , By word and writ each day . 41 There is two sorts of Apostates , Some from Christes word are run-a-gates , Themselues that excommunicates , From Christes Kirke and Fay. Of this sort are our Iesuites , The sliest sort of Hypocrites , That Sathan sent with lying spirites , In Earth this many day . 42 For to aduance their fained fame , Of Iesus they vsurpe their name , And yet they traitors thinke no shame , His trueth for to betray . More méete of Iudas Iudaites , Or of Sus suis bee calde suites , Ad volutabrum of Romes ruites , They had their name perfay . 43 For Iesuites in generall , Are traitors to Christ Iesus all : And séeke to gar his Kingdome fall , With all the might they may . Omitting none occasion , To furder their inuasion . By pestilent perswasion , Both by night and day . 44 Their doctrine is but Papistrie . Set out with subtile Sophistrie , Founded to foster Idolatrie , By learned leys alway . For to maintaine the Popes Empyre , They are vpholden with his hyre : But at the length into the myre , Both hée and they shall faa . 45 They haue forsaken the wholsome strands , Of Gods owne word , and his Commands , And digged vp with féete and hands , And Padels of Papists Laa . And though they drinke while that they bu●●st , Those pooles shall neuer s●aike their thirst : But make their soules ( drinke as they list ) More drie from day to day . 46 The fond opinions of Papistrie , In euery point particularlie , Are else confuted cunningly , By moe than one or twa . It were but labour then in vaine , To tread the same ouer againe : Christs written word hath so them slaine They haue no more to say , 47 Yet they pretend Antiquitie , So doe they discens Linallie , And locall Visibilitie , From Christ vnto this day . In Christs time no Papistrie : They are degenerate whollie , And brooke that place by tyrannie , Against Christ euery day . 48 And to performe their interprise : They leaue not off with once or twise : But vp againe they mint to rise , The trueth to stope and stay , But when that Light they cannot sm●re , Which in their spite shines more and more , This is the last they make them fore . True teachers to mislay . 49 These truethlesse trukers without all shame , Name sundrie Pastors by their name : Them and their Doctrine to defame , Loude lies abroad they lay . The Iewes , they calde our Soueraigne Possest , sinfull Samaritane , Yea , Drunkard , and vylde Publicane , Who knew no sinne at aa . 50 No seruant is aboue his Lord , To bide such bragges : then make vs ford , Remembring aye our Masters word . Who shewde it should bée sa . Sith it is for the trueths owne sake , The godly will no slander take , What euer leasings these Lyars make . On one , or yet on aa . 51 Full many of our Nation , Scots , Spread daylie foorth of their foule spots : Who would bée glade to cut our throats , If they might sée their day . Yet though they would our bodies slay , ( If wée may lawfull for them pray ) Wée would them show in the right way Of Christ , and of his Laa . 52 Though they haue pleasure in despite , Which they spue out by word and write , In such pastime wée not delite , Neither in earnst or play . This God doeth know , good men perceiues , If wée speake ought against these Knaues , Their lies and raylings this same reaues , Out of our hands this day . 53 The other sort doe swerue in life , In whom all sinne aboundeth rise : Who will not mend , but stirre vp strife , Against the Kirke alway . And for their vitious vilanie , And this kind of Apostasie , The pure Kirke from her companie , Doeth cut off euery day . 54 That is the true Catholicke Kirke , Of Gods owne word that doth not irke , But thereto frames all that they worke , Both Faith and Fact alswa . Our Kirke is builded thereon sure , ●nd shall by Gods good grace indure : But Romish Kirke that Babels Hoore , Hath cast it cleane away . 55 Can shée bee calde a faythfull Spouse , ●er Husbands word that no wayes trowes , ●or at his bidding neuer bowes , But still doth disobey ? ●o more can Romish Synagogue , ●ée calde the Spouse and Kirke of God : ●or Dan , Bethell , Gog , or Magog , That did forsake his Lay. 56 They will not make the Scripture Iudge , ●or them they should finde no refuge : ●ut from their lurking gart deludge , And leasings lay away . ●it will bee Iudges vnto it , ●●d wrest it to their worldly wit : And so in mens conscience sit , As Antichrists this day . 57 Fift , Antichrist shall be reuealed , That man of sinne , Sathans childe , And by the Sprite of Christ be kilde , His breath it shall him slay . And make that Monster manifest , Which hath the Kirke of Christ opprest : And Christes place proudly possest , On Earth this many a day . 58 That same is very Antichrist , Whose law and life is contrare Christs : And Christs Shéepe doeth boast and tyst , From Christ to come away . And him imbrace in Christs stead , Of Kirke as vniuersall Head , And kéepe the statutes hée hath made , Contrarie to Gods Laa . 59 Though Antichrists full many béene , Since Christes time , as may bée seene , Was neuer Antichrist so kéene , As is the Pope this day . The Kirke of Christ for to deceiue , And Christs glore to steale and reane : Most craftily hée playes the Knaue , Aboue all other this day . 60 Of seruants Stiles him seruiture , Yet hee vsurpes Diuine honours , And maketh all , both xich and poore , On groufe before him faa . And will no nearer them admit , But kisse the Pantone on his féet , When hée vpon his throne doeth sit , As Antichrist each day . 61 If there were made comparison , Twixt Christ , and this companion , Great would bée that diuision , Should bée betwéene them twa . In euerie point contrarious , The Pope is to the Lord Iesus : Should hée not then bée odious , To faythfull , one and aa ? 62 Christ is the Sonne of Veritie , Begotten of God eternally , Sent to the world to shew mercie , On all that on him caa . The Pope the sonne of Lucifiere , The father of lies , and first lier : Most like his father a murderier , Of all that Christ will knaa . 63 Christ being God in Deitie , To shew his great humanitie , Came Man in our humilitie , From Hell to saue vs aa . The Pope a man of earth , earthly , To shew his pridfull tyranny , Will bee like God in dignity , To lose himselfe and aa . 64 Christ would not be an earthly King , Nor yet a Iudge in worldly thing , But had his pleasure in publishing , His Fathers will and Laa . The Pope a worldly King will bée , Yea , more , a mixed Monarchie , To that effect hath Crownes thrée , And both the swords will draa , 65 Christ did abhorre Idolatrie , So did hée vaine Hypocrisie , And vsed but simplicitie , Into his Kirke alway . The Pope maintaines Imageries , Wide Coules , side Caps , with Philatries : With shauing , jowking , and juglaries , Into the Kirke each day . 66 Christ made but once a Sacrifice , Whereby so full hée paide our price , Wée neede no moe to purge our vice , Nor it make ouer each day . The Pope will it not haue alone , But Sacrifices many one : And als the same made ouer againe : By his Masse-Priest each day . 67 Christ taught Iustification , To come fréely by Fayth alone , Without any satisfaction , Of our Workes any way . The Pope with his corrupted Clerkes , Apply a great part to their workes , Such euill séede their wicked sparkes , Sow in the Kirke this day . 68 Christ preached full remission . From fault and paine solution , To all of true contrition , On him that fixt their Fay. The Pope affirmes , that paine remaines In Purgatorie , that place of paines , And neuer slakes , till hée get gaines , To take the paine away . 69 Christ bade all people more and min , Come vnto him , opprest with sinne , Hee shall them of that burden twin , It fréely take away . The Pope bids all opprest with sinnes , Come buy his pardons in shéepe Skins , They are best hearde that first beginnes And offers most that day . 70 Christ bade vs all our prayers frame , To God aboue , and in his Name , Assuring vs t' obtaine the same , Our askings , one and aa . The Pope bids , pray to creatures , In name of moe mediatures : Or otherwise hée vs assures , Wée shall get nought at aa . 71 Christ knew no prayer for the dead , ●ince faythfull from all paine are fred : ●nd for the damned no remead , After they goe away . The Pope , for dead folke bids all pray , ●o ease their paine in purgatorie : Soule-masse , and drierie Dirigie , To take their paine away . 72 Christ into his New Testament , Ordained not a Sacrament , Safe Baptisme , and the Supper meant , These two but any moe . The Pope to these hath added fiue , And Sacraments made seuen beliue , So as hée lists doth clampe and ryue , Christs ordinances each day . 73 Christ lawfull Marriage approued , To eate all meates all men lieued , That no mans conscience should bee grieued , No state , no time , no day . The Pope forbiddeth Matrimonie , To all estates of his Clergie : And who eateth flesh , sinnes , deadly : In Lent , or on fryday . 74 Christ came to breake the bond of sinne , And gaue none leaue to lye therein , But bade all mend , both more and min , And lay that yoke away . The Pope to sinne giues libertie , To Bordels , and vylde lecherie , Which payeth him yearly tributie , In Romes towne this day . 75 Then his Religion is impure , A monstrous Maske , and vylde mixture , Of Gentiles Rites , and Iewes for sure , And made vs , of these twa . And eke his life licentious , A world of vices monstruous , Is both to Christ contrarious , What then should wée him caa ? 76 For Antichrist sith hee is knawne , And sinfull secrets all foorth shawne , Wherby he hath this long time drawne , The flocke from Christ away . Let vs , therefore , in time looke vp , And drinke no longer of his cupe , Lest of these plagues wee féele the whip , Which shall him wracke for aye , 77 Last , for the calling of the Iewes , To Christ their King and sprituall Spouse Their 's sundry of that sort that bowes , Vnto the Fayth each day . And if the Iewes conuert not all , Of this let bs assure our sell , That his Elect the Lord shall call , Of them before that day . 78 For of that people rebellious , God hath now cald Tremellious , ● conuert most commodious , Vnto his Kirke this day . Most learned in the Hebrwe phrase , That was since the Apostles dayes , The Bible doth giue him that prayse Which hee translated this day , 79 Now sith the tokens all and some , ●re come , and few or none to come : We should not be like blind and dumbe , That nothing can persaa . But should bée marking euermore , Both with our eye , and with our eare : Lest that the Lord come at vnware , And call vs to that day . 80 And though that day bee horrible , To Faythlesse wratches miseable , And to contemners terrible , And gar them cry and say , O Craigs , and Mountains monstruous , Fall downe at once , and couer vs , From that just Lambe , the Lord Iesus , Who shall vs judge this day . 81 Let not the Faithfull bée dismaide , Nor of that day bee ought affraide : But joyfully lift vp their head , To méete their Groome that day . And when they sée the signes appeare , Let them rejoyce , and make good cheare , For their Redeemer draweth neare , Who shall them blesse for aye . 82 Their buried bodies hée shall raise , From earth vnto eternall ease , And in a moment change all these , That bée aliue that day : They shall bée rest into the aire . To méete that King shall end their faire , And giue them joy for euermaire , Which neuer shall decay . 83 For then shall this corruption , Be cled with incorruption , And this mortalitie put on , Immortalitie for aye . Then shall the soule bee satiate , When body is resussitate : And with their head glorificate , Triumphantly that day . 84 No sorrow shall bée in their spleine , And all teares wyped from their eine : Both soule and body then shall shiene , Like Sunne in Summers day . When they shall get that Crowne of glore , Preparde for them so long before : Which they shall brooke for euermore , Without change or delay . 85 Though this bée calde the Winters Night , It is a verie Lampe of Light , To guide vs to the Heauen aright , By Christ the onely way . Then méete it were wée did it cleare , And had the same in prompe perquiere , This Winter Night it endeth here , To God bée praise for ay . 86 Christ Prince of Pastors defend and kéepe , The little Flocke of thy poore Shéepe , From Sathan , that doeth neuer sleepe , But waites them night and day . ●nd from all earthly enmity , from bloody Papists especially , Who both by craft and cruelty , Séeke to destroy them aa . 87 God saue the Kings Majestie , Thy graces on him multiplie , That hée may know his duetie , And doe the same alswa . Thy blessed word to fortifie , And purge this Realme of Papistrie , And to doe Iustice equally , Both to the great and smaa . 88 God grant him in his perfect age , A vertuous Quéene in marriage : Come of a godly Parentage , That yoke with him to draw , And grant them good posteritie , To know and loue the veritie , To reign● and rule in his Country , So long as day doeth daa , 89 Court , Counsell , and Nobility , Lord , purge from all Impiety , And namely from Hypocrisie , And Auarice with aa . And as their heartes meane inwardly , To thee , and to his Majestie , To thy pure Kirke , and this Countrie , Reward them one and aa . 90 Blesse , Lord , thy Pastors Spirituall , With giftes supernaturall : That thy true word they may vs tell , A●●●●ed with mans laa . Yea , shining lights , and sauorie salt , In word and deed they may bee that , And Christs cause stoutly to debate , Say contrare who will say . 91 Purge , Lord , thy Kirke , and make it cleane , From Baalams Priests , that therein beene , Who not thy glorie , but their owne meane , And vantage all the way . Lord , make the King once vnderstand , The great corruptions in that band , Them to reforme hee may holde hand , According to thy Laa . 92 And from dumbe Dogs that cannot barke : From wastefull Bées , tha●●ake no warke : ●Vho neuer aime at the right marke , ( Lord purge thy Kirke this day ) ●hey suppe the Milke , and worrie the Yow , ●o fill their ydle bellies fow : ●oth flocke and heard they plucke and pow , Most cruelly this day . From Idolater and Hypocrite ▪ from Athist , Papist , and Iesuite , ●●d from the vsurs of Sathans sprite , By Witch-crafe any way , ●●om oppression , Murder , and Mischiefe , ●●om Bellie gods , from Hoore and Thiefe , ●●om Auarice , of others chiefe , Lord , purge this Land this day , ●4 Inspire the common Populare . ●●●pire their heart , and open their eare , That they may heare thy word with feare , Belieue and eke obey . Lord make vs thankfull vnto thee , That blessed sight hast● let vs sée . And grant vs therein constancie , How euer you vs faa . ●● Glore to the Father full of might , Glore to the Sonne our Day so bright : Glore to the holy Ghost ▪ that Light , That lets vs sée our Day , One GOD equall in Maiestie : And yet distinct in persons thrée . As was , is now , and aye , shall bée . Beyond all Night and Day . So bee it ▪ euen So bee it .