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Has i'the Open Streets with his Hand Fiercely Stretched out, his Hat Cock'd up, his Eyes Set as if they would sparkle out.

 



Chapter VI.

A terrible word and fatal blow from the Lord upon the gathered churches (so called), especially upon those that are styled Anabaptists.


1.

He that has a care to hear
let him hear
what the Spirit saith against the churches

thus saith the Lord

woe be to the Bethaven

the house of vanity

who call thyself by the name Bethel

the house of God

it shall be more tolerable

now in the Day of Judgement
for Tyre and Sidon

for those whom thou account
and call Heathens
than for thee


2.

And thou proud Lucifer
who exalts thyself above all
the stars of God in heaven
shall be brought down into hell
it shall be more tolerable
for Sodom and Gomorrah
for drunkards and whoremongers
than for thee
publicans and harlots
shall sooner enter into the Kingdom of Heaven

than you

I'll give thee this fatal blow
and leave thee


3.

Thou has affronted
and defied
the Almighty
more than the vilest of men

upon the face of the earth

and that so much the more
by how much the more
thou takes upon thee
the name of saint
and assumes it to thyself only
damning all these that are not of thy sect


4.

Wherefore
be it known to all tongues
kindreds
nations
and languages upon earth

that my most Excellent Majesty
the King of Glory
the Eternal God
who dwells in the form
of the writer of this roll

among many other strange 
and great exploits

has i'the open streets
with his hand fiercely stretched out
his hat cock'd up
his eyes set
as if they would sparkle out

and with a mighty loud voice charged
100 of coaches
100 of men and women of the greater rank
and many notorious
deboist
swearing
roistering
roaring
cavaliers

so called

and other wild sparks of the gentry
and have proclaimed
the notable day of the Lord
to them

and through the streets
of the great city
and in Southwark
many times 
great multitudes following him
up and down
and for this the space of
12 or 13 days
and yet

all this while

not one of them
lifting up one finger
not touching
one hair on his head
or laying one hand
on his raiment

but many
yea
many notorious vile ones
in the esteeming of men

yea
of great quality
among men

trembling and bowing
to the God of heaven

&c.

but when I cam to proclaim

also

the great day of the Lord

among you

O ye carnal gospellers

the Devil 

in you

roared out
who was tormented
to some purpose
though not before his time

he there showed
both his fangs and paws
and would have
torn me to pieces
and have eaten me up

thy pride
envy
malice
arrogance

&c.

was poured out like a river of brimstone
crying out
a blasphemer
a blasphemer
away with him
at length threatening me
and being at last raving mad
some took hold of my cloak
on one side
some on another
endeavouring to throw me 
from the place where I stood

to proclaim 
his Majesty's message

making a great uproar
in a great congregation of people
till at length
I wrapped up myself in silence

for a season

for the well-favour'd harlots' confusion

&c.

and to thine 
eternal shame and damnation

O mother of witchcrafts
who dwells in gathered churches

let this be told abroad
and let her FLESH
be burned with FIRE

Amen
Hallelujah

FINIS



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