A Satyr Against Hypocrites

This rare 17th‑century satire bursts onto the scene with a sharp, theatrical take on a weekday service, skewering the pretensions of religious leaders and the fervor of their congregations. First entered in the Stationers’ Register in 1654‑55, the poem circulated anonymously before appearing in several editions that added minor revisions yet retained its biting tone. The accompanying scholarly introduction unpacks the tangled publication history, the mystery of its authorship, and the intricate web of Presbyterian, Independent, and Baptist references that color its humor.

Listeners will hear a vivid, almost theatrical portrait of a church where “free grace” is shouted, “Fifth Monarchy” prophecy is rattled, and clerical figures are lampooned with witty, sometimes grotesque details. The text offers a window onto the religious turmoil of the Commonwealth period, inviting modern ears to experience the same restless energy that provoked both scandal and fascination in its original audience.