Redemption A divine poem, In Six Books. The three first demonstrate the Truth of the Christian Religion, The three last the Deity of Christ. To which is added, A Hymn to Christ the Redeemer. By Sir Richard Blackmore |
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| I. |
Book I.
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| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
 | Redemption |  |
1
Book I.
I who have sung, how from the realms of night,
God call'd the first-born beams of smiling light,
And bad the vacant by his Word supreme
With orbs unripe, and worlds in Embrio team,
Then gave his works distinction, order, grace,
Till he had finish'd Nature's beauteous face;
With hardy wing now heights ætherial climb
To search new wonders, and in strains sublime,
Display mysterious subjects, while I sing
The Son of God, the Mediator King.
God call'd the first-born beams of smiling light,
And bad the vacant by his Word supreme
With orbs unripe, and worlds in Embrio team,
Then gave his works distinction, order, grace,
Till he had finish'd Nature's beauteous face;
With hardy wing now heights ætherial climb
To search new wonders, and in strains sublime,
2
The Son of God, the Mediator King.
Spirit Divine, by thy impulsive sway,
Support and guide me in my arduous way;
Kindle celestial rapture in my breast,
That of thy mighty influence possest
Above the Heav'ns I may uplifted soar,
Messiah's glorious labours to explore,
And sing his praise, whom Christian realms adore.
Support and guide me in my arduous way;
Kindle celestial rapture in my breast,
That of thy mighty influence possest
Above the Heav'ns I may uplifted soar,
Messiah's glorious labours to explore,
And sing his praise, whom Christian realms adore.
Thou God Proceeding, thou Essential Love,
And Boundless Pow'r, who did'st prolifick move
On the vast deep with energy divine,
And all the crude unfashion'd mass refine;
Thou, whof or ever did'st coeval dwell
With the blest Son and Father, thou can'st tell
The dark and hidden things of God, and show
What of his will and nature man can know.
And Boundless Pow'r, who did'st prolifick move
On the vast deep with energy divine,
And all the crude unfashion'd mass refine;
Thou, whof or ever did'st coeval dwell
With the blest Son and Father, thou can'st tell
3
What of his will and nature man can know.
When at th' Eternal Mind's creative call
Unnumber'd worlds appear'd, this earthly ball
From the black womb of night obedient sprung,
And in the air's soft bosom balanc'd hung.
Then did the hills and lofty mountains rise,
And with encroaching peaks invade the skies,
Peaks, which divided floating clouds, and grew
Dipt in cerulean ambient Æther blue.
Now drest in verdant pride, and bright array,
The vales did sweet voluptuous scenes display,
Thro' which the rivers drew their winding train,
And roll'd their silver treasures to the Main,
The store-house, which collected waters kept,
And where the floods, their travels ended, slept;
Which did the isles embrace, the realms divide,
The Earth with refluent streams, with clouds the air, supply'd.
Now groves and forests crown the mountain's head,
And painted flow'rs enrich the smiling mead.
The tuneful birds regale their shelt'ring woods,
And fish, unvocal tenants, range the floods.
The fleecy flocks adorn th' aspiring hill,
And fair horn'd herds the fertile vally fill.
Thus Nature in consummate beauty drest,
Unbounded pow'r, and art divine confest.
Unnumber'd worlds appear'd, this earthly ball
From the black womb of night obedient sprung,
And in the air's soft bosom balanc'd hung.
Then did the hills and lofty mountains rise,
And with encroaching peaks invade the skies,
Peaks, which divided floating clouds, and grew
Dipt in cerulean ambient Æther blue.
Now drest in verdant pride, and bright array,
The vales did sweet voluptuous scenes display,
Thro' which the rivers drew their winding train,
And roll'd their silver treasures to the Main,
The store-house, which collected waters kept,
And where the floods, their travels ended, slept;
4
The Earth with refluent streams, with clouds the air, supply'd.
Now groves and forests crown the mountain's head,
And painted flow'rs enrich the smiling mead.
The tuneful birds regale their shelt'ring woods,
And fish, unvocal tenants, range the floods.
The fleecy flocks adorn th' aspiring hill,
And fair horn'd herds the fertile vally fill.
Thus Nature in consummate beauty drest,
Unbounded pow'r, and art divine confest.
Man soon as fashion'd by th' Almighty's hand,
Spotless and pure, was rais'd to high command;
Appointed, as unerring Books record,
Of this new world the delegated Lord.
Spotless and pure, was rais'd to high command;
Appointed, as unerring Books record,
Of this new world the delegated Lord.
5
He did in Eden's happy walks reside,
By none, but blest celestial scenes, outvy'd.
A heav'n of pleasure in his breast he found,
While he with perfect innocence was crown'd,
And felt his Soul to his great Author move
In raptures of desire and strains of love.
To him the groves their heads submissive bow,
And balmy Zephyrs fragrant incense blow.
Streams from the hills, a sweet refreshment, spring,
To him the floods their flowing chrystal bring,
Where fish with sportive races please their King.
Fresh Nature's face profusely rich and gay
Does verdant charms and flow'ry joys display
Abundant, to delight their Sovereign's eye,
While arboring trees and blooming bow'rs supply
Delicious sweets and scents ineffable,
To entertain the Viceroy's ravish'd smell.
Birds, that abide glad inmates of the woods,
Or sing in trees the edging of the floods,
That high in air with flight ambitious rise;
And with terrestrial musick sooth the skies,
Congratulate at once in tuneful lays
Their new-made Lord, and sing their Author's praise.
The num'rous herds that in the pastures lowe,
And woolly flocks that crown the mountain's brow,
Did the vieegerent of the world obey;
And mighty beasts, that thro' the forest stray,
With a loud roar and complicated sound
Proclaim'd their King thro' all the lands around.
See, thus th' Almighty's bounteous hand bestow'd
This Paradise of joy, this blest abode,
Where no forbidden tree was found but one,
On man, and plac'd him on a royal throne;
Whence he dominion measureless extends
Deputed Lord, to earth's remotest ends:
And happy had this Creature-God remain'd,
Had he primæval innocence maintain'd.
By none, but blest celestial scenes, outvy'd.
A heav'n of pleasure in his breast he found,
While he with perfect innocence was crown'd,
And felt his Soul to his great Author move
In raptures of desire and strains of love.
To him the groves their heads submissive bow,
And balmy Zephyrs fragrant incense blow.
Streams from the hills, a sweet refreshment, spring,
To him the floods their flowing chrystal bring,
Where fish with sportive races please their King.
Fresh Nature's face profusely rich and gay
Does verdant charms and flow'ry joys display
Abundant, to delight their Sovereign's eye,
While arboring trees and blooming bow'rs supply
6
To entertain the Viceroy's ravish'd smell.
Birds, that abide glad inmates of the woods,
Or sing in trees the edging of the floods,
That high in air with flight ambitious rise;
And with terrestrial musick sooth the skies,
Congratulate at once in tuneful lays
Their new-made Lord, and sing their Author's praise.
The num'rous herds that in the pastures lowe,
And woolly flocks that crown the mountain's brow,
Did the vieegerent of the world obey;
And mighty beasts, that thro' the forest stray,
With a loud roar and complicated sound
Proclaim'd their King thro' all the lands around.
See, thus th' Almighty's bounteous hand bestow'd
This Paradise of joy, this blest abode,
7
On man, and plac'd him on a royal throne;
Whence he dominion measureless extends
Deputed Lord, to earth's remotest ends:
And happy had this Creature-God remain'd,
Had he primæval innocence maintain'd.
Proud Lucifer, who with his rebel host
Th' inglorious field to conqu'ring Michael lost,
Fought with vast fury on the plains of heav'n,
Was with projected darts of lightning driv'n,
And chas'd with thunder, till he blasted fell
From heights celestial to the depths of hell;
He chang'd the regions of immortal bliss
For seats of horror, and a dire abyss,
Where eat in deep, and scarr'd with piercing flame
He of the new creation heard the fame;
Then curs'd his own irrevocable fate,
And envying man his high and God-like state,
By heav'ns permission, left his burning cell,
Where torment howls and plagues unceasing yell:
He did his wings, immortal strength, display,
And with angelick swiftness cut his way
Thro' gulphs unbottom'd to the verge of day;
And saw the fresh creation charming fair
Pois'd and suspended in circumfluent air.
Th' inglorious field to conqu'ring Michael lost,
Fought with vast fury on the plains of heav'n,
Was with projected darts of lightning driv'n,
And chas'd with thunder, till he blasted fell
From heights celestial to the depths of hell;
He chang'd the regions of immortal bliss
For seats of horror, and a dire abyss,
Where eat in deep, and scarr'd with piercing flame
He of the new creation heard the fame;
8
And envying man his high and God-like state,
By heav'ns permission, left his burning cell,
Where torment howls and plagues unceasing yell:
He did his wings, immortal strength, display,
And with angelick swiftness cut his way
Thro' gulphs unbottom'd to the verge of day;
And saw the fresh creation charming fair
Pois'd and suspended in circumfluent air.
Thither with cruel joy, he took his flight,
And Eden's walks by sharp seraphick sight
Descry'd, and there arriv'd, did soon deceive,
And to rebellion won unwary Eve.
By him seduc'd, she eat forbidden fruit,
Of misery and woe the fatal root.
She tempted too her consort, he comply'd,
Drawn to transgression by his beauteous bride.
They fell; all nature own'd the dreadful shock,
The mountains trembled, and the marble rock
Felt the concussion, while without a breeze,
In calm unruffled air the waving trees
Did this and that way bend with mournful sway;
The flocks of grass disdainful pin'd away,
And forest-beasts refus'd in quest of food
To leave their dens, and range the hill and wood.
The molting birds hung down their pensive wing,
And sickning in their rousts forbore to sing.
The flowers their silken beauties folded kept,
And as with nightly dews replenish'd wept:
Rivers rush'd backward with portentous course,
And sought with refluent streams their distant source.
Thus troubled Nature Adam's fall bewail'd,
Disconsolate, that sin had thus prevail'd.
Now man perceiv'd his miserable state,
Deform'd with guilt, and fearful of his fate:
Insulting conscience strikes her poison'd dart
Deep in his breast, and penetrates his heart.
His courage with his innocence is fled,
And pious fear is chang'd to painful dread.
And Eden's walks by sharp seraphick sight
Descry'd, and there arriv'd, did soon deceive,
And to rebellion won unwary Eve.
By him seduc'd, she eat forbidden fruit,
Of misery and woe the fatal root.
She tempted too her consort, he comply'd,
Drawn to transgression by his beauteous bride.
9
The mountains trembled, and the marble rock
Felt the concussion, while without a breeze,
In calm unruffled air the waving trees
Did this and that way bend with mournful sway;
The flocks of grass disdainful pin'd away,
And forest-beasts refus'd in quest of food
To leave their dens, and range the hill and wood.
The molting birds hung down their pensive wing,
And sickning in their rousts forbore to sing.
The flowers their silken beauties folded kept,
And as with nightly dews replenish'd wept:
Rivers rush'd backward with portentous course,
And sought with refluent streams their distant source.
Thus troubled Nature Adam's fall bewail'd,
Disconsolate, that sin had thus prevail'd.
Now man perceiv'd his miserable state,
Deform'd with guilt, and fearful of his fate:
10
Deep in his breast, and penetrates his heart.
His courage with his innocence is fled,
And pious fear is chang'd to painful dread.
When man, seduc'd, fell by this black offence
From his high state of bliss and innocence,
Justice th' apostate's death did now demand,
Arm and extend th' Almighty's wrathful hand:
But that the conscious rebel should believe
Some means his threaten'd ruin might reprieve,
Sweet-smiling mercy of celestial race,
Her charms divine, ineffable her grace,
Before the throne fell on her God-like face;
And mov'd th' offended Sov'reign to forbear
His vengeance, and a while th' offender spare.
From his high state of bliss and innocence,
Justice th' apostate's death did now demand,
Arm and extend th' Almighty's wrathful hand:
But that the conscious rebel should believe
Some means his threaten'd ruin might reprieve,
Sweet-smiling mercy of celestial race,
Her charms divine, ineffable her grace,
Before the throne fell on her God-like face;
And mov'd th' offended Sov'reign to forbear
His vengeance, and a while th' offender spare.
11
And now, the filial emanation bright,
Equal in glory and unbounded might
With the blest Father, Light of Light, arose,
And gracious said; This contest to compose,
That tender mercy may her suit attain,
And justice may not unatton'd complain,
That this mild method will destroy the end
Of government, while subjects, who offend,
Unpunish'd triumph, more audacious grow,
And on the Ruler's throne dishonour throw;
Fal'n man's deserv'd destruction to prevent
And justice to appease, I free consent
To take man's proper nature, then to bleed
A sacrifice, and suffer in his stead.
Equal in glory and unbounded might
With the blest Father, Light of Light, arose,
And gracious said; This contest to compose,
That tender mercy may her suit attain,
And justice may not unatton'd complain,
That this mild method will destroy the end
Of government, while subjects, who offend,
Unpunish'd triumph, more audacious grow,
And on the Ruler's throne dishonour throw;
Fal'n man's deserv'd destruction to prevent
And justice to appease, I free consent
To take man's proper nature, then to bleed
A sacrifice, and suffer in his stead.
This gracious scheme th' Almighty did approve,
By boundless wisdom form'd, and matchless love,
Which would the honour of his laws secure,
And shew his nature just, and good, and pure.
All heav'n rejoyc'd, that God was reconcil'd,
Justice assents, and victor Mercy smil'd.
So oft his annual stages now the sun
Had in his azure road revolving run,
That he at length brought on th' auspicious day,
When the Redeemer should a ransome pay
For lost mankind, and to avert their doom,
By vital tyes their nature should assume,
And suffer death vicarious in their room.
By boundless wisdom form'd, and matchless love,
12
And shew his nature just, and good, and pure.
All heav'n rejoyc'd, that God was reconcil'd,
Justice assents, and victor Mercy smil'd.
So oft his annual stages now the sun
Had in his azure road revolving run,
That he at length brought on th' auspicious day,
When the Redeemer should a ransome pay
For lost mankind, and to avert their doom,
By vital tyes their nature should assume,
And suffer death vicarious in their room.
Now did he leave his high celestial throne,
Where he coeval with the Father shone;
Then of his robes majestick disarray'd,
And of the glorious pomp, which he display'd
From his bright seat of bliss, and laying down
His equipage divine and radiant crown,
He man became, and of a Virgin born,
Our nature did ennoble and adorn.
Where he coeval with the Father shone;
Then of his robes majestick disarray'd,
And of the glorious pomp, which he display'd
13
His equipage divine and radiant crown,
He man became, and of a Virgin born,
Our nature did ennoble and adorn.
Unrival'd instance of unbounded love,
That must eternal admiration move!
The Son of God, a co-essential Beam,
An uncreated, everlasting Stream,
Resulting from th' immortal source of light,
And, as the blissful fountain, infinite,
Urg'd by compassion for th' important ends
Of blest redemption gracious condescend,
Free, and by no compulsive method prest
To be embody'd, and in flesh confest.
Who do's not feel the growing rapture? who
This mystick scheme can unastonish'd view?
Where pow'r immense, benevolence divine,
And wisdom unrestrain'd, conspicuous shine,
Where pity justice satisfy'd disarms,
And goodness sets to view immortal charms?
That must eternal admiration move!
The Son of God, a co-essential Beam,
An uncreated, everlasting Stream,
Resulting from th' immortal source of light,
And, as the blissful fountain, infinite,
Urg'd by compassion for th' important ends
Of blest redemption gracious condescend,
Free, and by no compulsive method prest
To be embody'd, and in flesh confest.
Who do's not feel the growing rapture? who
This mystick scheme can unastonish'd view?
14
And wisdom unrestrain'd, conspicuous shine,
Where pity justice satisfy'd disarms,
And goodness sets to view immortal charms?
Th' angelick squadrons, who in Æther fly,
And watch the azure frontiers of the sky,
Look'd down from heav'n with eager eyes to see
Of godliness th' amazing mystery,
The Mediator born, the infant King,
Who to the nations should salvation bring.
They did the heav'ns with loud Hosannahs fill
And cry'd; To earth be peace, to man good will.
Now a detachment order'd from the height
Of heav'ns blue Terras swiftly wing'd their flight
Down thro' th' aerial gulphs, and reach'd the earth,
And to the shepherds did impart the birth
Of the great shepherd, who the chosen seed
Of Jacob should redeem, conduct and feed;
With all th' elect, that to his fold belong
Of ev'ry kindred, nation, land and tongue.
And watch the azure frontiers of the sky,
Look'd down from heav'n with eager eyes to see
Of godliness th' amazing mystery,
The Mediator born, the infant King,
Who to the nations should salvation bring.
They did the heav'ns with loud Hosannahs fill
And cry'd; To earth be peace, to man good will.
Now a detachment order'd from the height
Of heav'ns blue Terras swiftly wing'd their flight
Down thro' th' aerial gulphs, and reach'd the earth,
And to the shepherds did impart the birth
15
Of Jacob should redeem, conduct and feed;
With all th' elect, that to his fold belong
Of ev'ry kindred, nation, land and tongue.
The vain ambitious Jew, who misconceiv'd
Prophetick inspiration, long believ'd,
That the Messiah, for his glory's sake,
Would a triumphant, publick entrance make,
Like a great monarch, who the vulgar charms,
With all the pomp of courts, and pride of arms;
That he would march victorious thro' the East,
And lead in chains the princes of the West;
That he his yoke would on the nations lay,
Subdue proud Greece, wide Egypt's scepter sway,
And make the Roman Pow'rs his Laws obey.
That this great conquerour should their state retrieve,
And power extensive to his people give.
But see, their towering expectations bred
By vain traditions, by false glosses fed,
Appear a dream; no princely marks adorn
The blest Redeemer, in a stable born.
Prophetick inspiration, long believ'd,
That the Messiah, for his glory's sake,
Would a triumphant, publick entrance make,
Like a great monarch, who the vulgar charms,
With all the pomp of courts, and pride of arms;
That he would march victorious thro' the East,
And lead in chains the princes of the West;
That he his yoke would on the nations lay,
Subdue proud Greece, wide Egypt's scepter sway,
And make the Roman Pow'rs his Laws obey.
16
And power extensive to his people give.
But see, their towering expectations bred
By vain traditions, by false glosses fed,
Appear a dream; no princely marks adorn
The blest Redeemer, in a stable born.
Christ is a sov'reign prince it is confess'd,
And of an undisputed throne possess'd,
For God did empire on his Son bestow
O'er all in heav'n above and earth below,
And authoriz'd Messiah to command
The distant nations, and remotest land:
And this dominion, by divine decree
Establish'd firm, shall no abatement see,
Nor dissolution fear; but 'tis as true,
He did no temporal Monarchy pursue,
No honours, no terrestrial splendor claim,
Nor at the triumphs of the victor aim.
His kingdom does no worldly greatness know,
Nor does its strength from arms and conquest flow,
This Prince a heav'nly government maintains,
And o'er the willing heart in secret reigns,
Which he by grace and light immortal sways,
And guides to bliss by mild persuasive ways.
He does no king's prerogative destroy,
But lets them all their crowns in peace enjoy:
And more he issues forth his high command,
Forbidding subjects sov'reigns to withstand,
While no unrighteous precepts from the throne
Come forth, which overthrow the Saviour's own.
The Jew, as said, with prejudice possess'd,
Thought, majesty in pow'r, and pomp express'd,
Whose dazling rays excite the people's dread,
And the proud honours of the laurel'd head
The Saviour's blest appearance would adorn,
And therefore view'd his humble state with scorn,
Tho' then he open'd to the people's sight
Celestial scenes of beatifick light,
And uncontested miracles of might,
That more exalted dignity confess
Than the great monarchs of the earth possess;
Which miracles the Saviour's mission prove,
And shew it fix'd and ratify'd above.
Else we th' Almighty's justice can't maintain,
We must his truth and faithfulness arraign,
While he, by works omnipotent, has seal'd,
What an impostor has to man reveal'd,
And for his mission has to heav'n appeal'd.
And of an undisputed throne possess'd,
For God did empire on his Son bestow
O'er all in heav'n above and earth below,
And authoriz'd Messiah to command
The distant nations, and remotest land:
And this dominion, by divine decree
Establish'd firm, shall no abatement see,
Nor dissolution fear; but 'tis as true,
He did no temporal Monarchy pursue,
17
Nor at the triumphs of the victor aim.
His kingdom does no worldly greatness know,
Nor does its strength from arms and conquest flow,
This Prince a heav'nly government maintains,
And o'er the willing heart in secret reigns,
Which he by grace and light immortal sways,
And guides to bliss by mild persuasive ways.
He does no king's prerogative destroy,
But lets them all their crowns in peace enjoy:
And more he issues forth his high command,
Forbidding subjects sov'reigns to withstand,
While no unrighteous precepts from the throne
Come forth, which overthrow the Saviour's own.
The Jew, as said, with prejudice possess'd,
Thought, majesty in pow'r, and pomp express'd,
Whose dazling rays excite the people's dread,
And the proud honours of the laurel'd head
18
And therefore view'd his humble state with scorn,
Tho' then he open'd to the people's sight
Celestial scenes of beatifick light,
And uncontested miracles of might,
That more exalted dignity confess
Than the great monarchs of the earth possess;
Which miracles the Saviour's mission prove,
And shew it fix'd and ratify'd above.
Else we th' Almighty's justice can't maintain,
We must his truth and faithfulness arraign,
While he, by works omnipotent, has seal'd,
What an impostor has to man reveal'd,
And for his mission has to heav'n appeal'd.
A miracle's a wondrous sign of might,
Or act of understanding infinite,
Intended by th' Almighty to procure
Assent to heav'nly doctrines, and assure
The truth of some religious scheme reveal'd,
And by himself attested thus and seal'd.
God is so faithful, wise, and good, that he
Will never to delude the world agree,
He'll never num'rous miracles expend,
Never his high divine perfections lend,
A bold false prophet's words to ratify,
And thus oblige men to believe a lye.
Or act of understanding infinite,
19
Assent to heav'nly doctrines, and assure
The truth of some religious scheme reveal'd,
And by himself attested thus and seal'd.
God is so faithful, wise, and good, that he
Will never to delude the world agree,
He'll never num'rous miracles expend,
Never his high divine perfections lend,
A bold false prophet's words to ratify,
And thus oblige men to believe a lye.
Should not such signs and wonders to the sight
Of all afford a full convincing light,
That they, who work them, sure credentials bring
From the most High, of kings the sov'reign King;
That he does these his messengers approve,
And own they brought their doctrine from above?
Tell us, if God by any other way
Can to the world his mind and laws convey:
Yet all with one consenting voice will own,
God to the world can make his pleasure known
By revelation, which can only stand
On works and signs, that shew th' Almighty's hand
Now see th' amazing signs, that did attest
The blest Redeemer's doctrines, and confess'd,
That he from heav'n was sent to teach mankind,
Were works of pow'r and knowledge unconfin'd.
Of all afford a full convincing light,
That they, who work them, sure credentials bring
From the most High, of kings the sov'reign King;
That he does these his messengers approve,
And own they brought their doctrine from above?
20
Can to the world his mind and laws convey:
Yet all with one consenting voice will own,
God to the world can make his pleasure known
By revelation, which can only stand
On works and signs, that shew th' Almighty's hand
Now see th' amazing signs, that did attest
The blest Redeemer's doctrines, and confess'd,
That he from heav'n was sent to teach mankind,
Were works of pow'r and knowledge unconfin'd.
The miracles, that did confirm the law,
Produc'd amazement, fear, and solemn awe;
They prejudic'd the pale spectator's sight,
And fill'd the soul with terror and affright.
Witness the wonders done on Sinai's hill,
That did with consternation Israel fill,
Horror, distress, and agonies of fear,
Such flames they saw, and did such thunder hear.
Witness the dreadful signs in Egypt shown,
Destructive vengeance, plagues, and wrath unknown.
And thou, red sea, which didst divided stand
In chrystal mountains by divine command,
Which by the same resistless word dissolv'd,
Fierce Pharoah's host, and Egypt's pride, involv'd;
Do thou, opprest with slaughter, witness bear,
How terrible the signs and tokens were,
The ancient scheme Mosaick to prepare.
Produc'd amazement, fear, and solemn awe;
They prejudic'd the pale spectator's sight,
And fill'd the soul with terror and affright.
Witness the wonders done on Sinai's hill,
That did with consternation Israel fill,
21
Such flames they saw, and did such thunder hear.
Witness the dreadful signs in Egypt shown,
Destructive vengeance, plagues, and wrath unknown.
And thou, red sea, which didst divided stand
In chrystal mountains by divine command,
Which by the same resistless word dissolv'd,
Fierce Pharoah's host, and Egypt's pride, involv'd;
Do thou, opprest with slaughter, witness bear,
How terrible the signs and tokens were,
The ancient scheme Mosaick to prepare.
But now, behold, the wonders wrought to prove,
That Christian faith was authoriz'd above,
Are miracles of mercy, grace and love.
The Saviour doing good went up and down,
And carry'd heav'nly gifts from town to town;
Wild forest beasts have dens, in which they hide,
And foxes holes, where they in peace abide;
Jesus, mean time, the Lord of Nature's heir,
In want of all things, and opprest with care,
To no protecting refuge could repair.
From land to land, the gracious stranger pass'd,
And all around celestial blessings cast:
Such goodness, such compassion he express'd
As might be hop'd would melt the hardest breast;
And by endearing pledges of his love,
And proffer'd endless bliss, indulgent strove
To win th' obdurate Jews, but strove in vain;
Future immortal glories they disdain;
Christ worldly pomp and empire should have giv'n,
'Twas that they wanted, not his unseen heav'n.
In every place salvation he reveal'd,
The mind enlighten'd, and the body heal'd.
Impetuous winds and waves his will obey'd,
And by him check'd, loud storms their fury laid.
He smooth'd the ocean by his sole command,
And walk'd on liquid gulphs, as solid land.
His word the warring meteors reconcil'd,
The clouds retir'd, and heav'n serenely smil'd.
Demons, who this celestial stranger knew,
Dreading his awful presence swift withdrew,
And to their dark abodes indignant flew.
He rais'd the languishing, and cur'd the lame,
Made the dumb vocal to divulge his fame.
Now cleans'd the lepers with his healing word,
And now the raging lunatick restor'd.
His voice obedient fevers understood,
Laid down their heat, and left the boiling blood.
Distorted bones and members he replac'd,
Strengthen'd weak joynts, and slacken'd sinews brac'd,
And bad the slumb'ring dead arise ; the dead
Arose, and quickening left their dusty bed.
The deaf attentive, lent to him their ear,
Caught undulating sounds, and learn'd to hear
Impulsive accents, while he freed from night
The blind, and bad them see surprizing light.
That Christian faith was authoriz'd above,
Are miracles of mercy, grace and love.
The Saviour doing good went up and down,
And carry'd heav'nly gifts from town to town;
22
And foxes holes, where they in peace abide;
Jesus, mean time, the Lord of Nature's heir,
In want of all things, and opprest with care,
To no protecting refuge could repair.
From land to land, the gracious stranger pass'd,
And all around celestial blessings cast:
Such goodness, such compassion he express'd
As might be hop'd would melt the hardest breast;
And by endearing pledges of his love,
And proffer'd endless bliss, indulgent strove
To win th' obdurate Jews, but strove in vain;
Future immortal glories they disdain;
Christ worldly pomp and empire should have giv'n,
'Twas that they wanted, not his unseen heav'n.
In every place salvation he reveal'd,
The mind enlighten'd, and the body heal'd.
23
And by him check'd, loud storms their fury laid.
He smooth'd the ocean by his sole command,
And walk'd on liquid gulphs, as solid land.
His word the warring meteors reconcil'd,
The clouds retir'd, and heav'n serenely smil'd.
Demons, who this celestial stranger knew,
Dreading his awful presence swift withdrew,
And to their dark abodes indignant flew.
He rais'd the languishing, and cur'd the lame,
Made the dumb vocal to divulge his fame.
Now cleans'd the lepers with his healing word,
And now the raging lunatick restor'd.
His voice obedient fevers understood,
Laid down their heat, and left the boiling blood.
Distorted bones and members he replac'd,
24
And bad the slumb'ring dead arise ; the dead
Arose, and quickening left their dusty bed.
The deaf attentive, lent to him their ear,
Caught undulating sounds, and learn'd to hear
Impulsive accents, while he freed from night
The blind, and bad them see surprizing light.
To pity prone, and by soft love inclin'd
To Miracles beneficent and kind,
He pow'r divine expended, free to feast
The faint and craving multitude, opprest
With pinching hunger, while created meat
Augmented faster, than the crowd could eat,
As on their bodies he rich gifts bestow'd,
He to their minds yet more compassion show'd;
For see in uncreated light aray'd
The rising Sun of Righteousness display'd
Glory divine, which did from earth dispel,
Black clouds of error, and the gloom of hell.
Wand'ring about, he did, with ardent zeal,
Doctrines sublime and mystick Truth reveal;
And unfatigu'd did all his hours employ,
To spread glad tidings, heav'nly peace and joy,
Salvation thro' the Nations to proclaim,
And make the drousy world awake, and aim
At joys immortal and consummate bliss
In the next world attain'd, tho' not in this.
Nor in one only town, one place obscure,
Did he renown by mighty deeds procure,
But he upheld his wonder-working hand,
And stretch'd it forth o'er all Judea's land;
From every city crowding people came,
To see his actions, and exalt his fame.
To Miracles beneficent and kind,
He pow'r divine expended, free to feast
The faint and craving multitude, opprest
With pinching hunger, while created meat
Augmented faster, than the crowd could eat,
As on their bodies he rich gifts bestow'd,
He to their minds yet more compassion show'd;
25
The rising Sun of Righteousness display'd
Glory divine, which did from earth dispel,
Black clouds of error, and the gloom of hell.
Wand'ring about, he did, with ardent zeal,
Doctrines sublime and mystick Truth reveal;
And unfatigu'd did all his hours employ,
To spread glad tidings, heav'nly peace and joy,
Salvation thro' the Nations to proclaim,
And make the drousy world awake, and aim
At joys immortal and consummate bliss
In the next world attain'd, tho' not in this.
Nor in one only town, one place obscure,
Did he renown by mighty deeds procure,
But he upheld his wonder-working hand,
And stretch'd it forth o'er all Judea's land;
From every city crowding people came,
To see his actions, and exalt his fame.
26
Nor did he shew his Miracles of might
To lands, that had embrac'd his heav'nly light;
People long since recover'd to restore,
And to convince the men convinc'd before;
Nor to his friends were his great works confin'd,
Which, like his Love, regarded human kind;
But he his Wonders wrought among his foes,
Who did with rage his Ministry oppose,
Of truths celestial did his scheme detest,
And to himself immortal hate express'd.
To lands, that had embrac'd his heav'nly light;
People long since recover'd to restore,
And to convince the men convinc'd before;
Nor to his friends were his great works confin'd,
Which, like his Love, regarded human kind;
But he his Wonders wrought among his foes,
Who did with rage his Ministry oppose,
Of truths celestial did his scheme detest,
And to himself immortal hate express'd.
The Magians, who the honour did support
Of Necromantick art in Pharaoh's Court,
Did wonders, which in Scripture are enroll'd,
But wonders, that by greater were controll'd;
While those of Moses did with ease devour
The Serpents form'd from rods by magick pow'r;
Whence the Impostors could no credit gain,
Their works outrival'd were acknowledg'd vain;
Nor could they baffled give convincing light
Against the witness of superior might.
Of Necromantick art in Pharaoh's Court,
Did wonders, which in Scripture are enroll'd,
But wonders, that by greater were controll'd;
While those of Moses did with ease devour
The Serpents form'd from rods by magick pow'r;
27
Their works outrival'd were acknowledg'd vain;
Nor could they baffled give convincing light
Against the witness of superior might.
But no controlling Miracles were brought
To weaken those by bless'd Messiah wrought,
Who did in works astonishing excell,
And triumph'd o'er the pow'rs of earth and hell;
A victor crown'd on vanquish'd Satan trod
The prince of night, and of this world the god.
These tokens, more than Nature's works, have giv'n
Assurance, that the Teacher came from Heav'n,
A teacher, whom his audience did adore,
And said, he spoke, as no man spoke before;
And, when he comes, what will Messiah do
Yet more? what greater wonders can he shew?
And ev'n by those, who, crucify him, cried,
The Miracles he wrought were not denied.
But of his Glory Jesus to defraud
With calumnies infernal spread abroad,
The Pharisees, a proud, malignant Tribe,
To pow'rs unclean those Miracles ascribe;
Whence they in guilt unpardonable left,
And of all farther ways and means bereft,
That can convince their unbelieving mind,
And bring them to repentance, hard and blind
Are to despair, and endless pains consign'd.
To weaken those by bless'd Messiah wrought,
Who did in works astonishing excell,
And triumph'd o'er the pow'rs of earth and hell;
A victor crown'd on vanquish'd Satan trod
The prince of night, and of this world the god.
These tokens, more than Nature's works, have giv'n
Assurance, that the Teacher came from Heav'n,
A teacher, whom his audience did adore,
And said, he spoke, as no man spoke before;
And, when he comes, what will Messiah do
Yet more? what greater wonders can he shew?
28
The Miracles he wrought were not denied.
But of his Glory Jesus to defraud
With calumnies infernal spread abroad,
The Pharisees, a proud, malignant Tribe,
To pow'rs unclean those Miracles ascribe;
Whence they in guilt unpardonable left,
And of all farther ways and means bereft,
That can convince their unbelieving mind,
And bring them to repentance, hard and blind
Are to despair, and endless pains consign'd.
When Rome's proud Sons the western world assail'd,
And o'er the Indian Lords by arms prevail'd,
They to convince those nations never strove
By wonders of benevolence and love;
No miracles were for conversion shown,
But those of rage and cruelty unknown.
If gold and silver heaps obstructions lay
To heav'nly Bliss, they took those bars away,
And stripp'd them of their wealth, but ne'er design'd
By Christian knowledge to enrich their mind.
And o'er the Indian Lords by arms prevail'd,
They to convince those nations never strove
By wonders of benevolence and love;
No miracles were for conversion shown,
But those of rage and cruelty unknown.
29
To heav'nly Bliss, they took those bars away,
And stripp'd them of their wealth, but ne'er design'd
By Christian knowledge to enrich their mind.
When to the eastern realms they made their way,
Corrupted revelations to display,
And doctrines midst those nations to import
Rome's growth or arts religious, no effort
Is made their heav'nly mission to assure
By signs and wonders, that the test endure:
The managers for condescensions plead
On either side, and kindly will recede
From some great Christian precepts, that the foe
May, in his turn, the like concessions show.
In a new mould, they Christ's religion cast,
And form his doctrines to the Pagan taste,
That 'tis uncertain what we must assert,
If Christians are the converts, or convert:
Whether the Pagan is a Christian made,
Or if the Christian has his faith betray'd,
And grows a Pagan, tho' without the name,
Or each a third religion mixt may claim.
These sons of Rome, who pow'r Almighty vaunt
Do not the Christian faith in Scythia plant,
Nor Lybia's lands, whose natives tokens want
To make them impious Idol-worship quit,
And to the Christian's sacred Creed submit
Tho' here they cannot gems and silver find,
They see great nations ignorant of mind,
Who might to truth by wonders be inclin'd.
Prudent they keep their miracles at home;
Nor in the various lands, thro' which they roam
For profit, frugal of Omnipotence,
Of miracles they make the least expence;
Their wonders, where most needed, are not found,
But, where they are unuseful, they abound.
Corrupted revelations to display,
And doctrines midst those nations to import
Rome's growth or arts religious, no effort
Is made their heav'nly mission to assure
By signs and wonders, that the test endure:
The managers for condescensions plead
On either side, and kindly will recede
From some great Christian precepts, that the foe
May, in his turn, the like concessions show.
In a new mould, they Christ's religion cast,
And form his doctrines to the Pagan taste,
30
If Christians are the converts, or convert:
Whether the Pagan is a Christian made,
Or if the Christian has his faith betray'd,
And grows a Pagan, tho' without the name,
Or each a third religion mixt may claim.
These sons of Rome, who pow'r Almighty vaunt
Do not the Christian faith in Scythia plant,
Nor Lybia's lands, whose natives tokens want
To make them impious Idol-worship quit,
And to the Christian's sacred Creed submit
Tho' here they cannot gems and silver find,
They see great nations ignorant of mind,
Who might to truth by wonders be inclin'd.
Prudent they keep their miracles at home;
Nor in the various lands, thro' which they roam
For profit, frugal of Omnipotence,
Of miracles they make the least expence;
31
But, where they are unuseful, they abound.
But, see, Messiah sought meridian light,
And wrought his wonders in the people's sight;
His witnesses were confluent multitudes,
Which all suspected forgery excludes.
He mighty numbers, faint with hunger, fed
With fish fresh made, and still increasing bread.
At his rebuke before a thousand eyes,
The Demon now, and now the fever flies,
And at his call th' awakn'd dead arise.
Nor did he only once, or seldom prove
By miracles his mission from above,
But by immense profusion of his pow'r,
He wrought amazing wonders every hour;
Still for new works he did new seasons find,
And in unnumber'd miracles was kind.
And wrought his wonders in the people's sight;
His witnesses were confluent multitudes,
Which all suspected forgery excludes.
He mighty numbers, faint with hunger, fed
With fish fresh made, and still increasing bread.
At his rebuke before a thousand eyes,
The Demon now, and now the fever flies,
And at his call th' awakn'd dead arise.
Nor did he only once, or seldom prove
By miracles his mission from above,
But by immense profusion of his pow'r,
He wrought amazing wonders every hour;
32
And in unnumber'd miracles was kind.
He did by signs indubitable shew,
That he the inmost soul's emotions knew,
Did the first impulse of the will descry.
And Instincts rising from their fountain spy;
Did fancy's dim unfinish'd sketches see
And intellectual half-wrought imag'ry:
He try'd the reins, the secret heart discern'd,
And afar off man's thoughts and actions learn'd;
Thus he the converse to Nathaniel told,
Which he at distance did with Philip hold;
And to th' amaz'd Samaritan reveal'd
Her life, which she from all men thought conceal'd:
And when vile Judas
had his scheme design'd,
He told him all the treason of his mind.
Now if we grant the sacred volumes true,
To Christ's commission our assent is due,
Or we must contradict the clearest light,
And strong reluctance shew to think aright.
That he the inmost soul's emotions knew,
Did the first impulse of the will descry.
And Instincts rising from their fountain spy;
Did fancy's dim unfinish'd sketches see
And intellectual half-wrought imag'ry:
He try'd the reins, the secret heart discern'd,
And afar off man's thoughts and actions learn'd;
Thus he the converse to Nathaniel told,
Which he at distance did with Philip hold;
And to th' amaz'd Samaritan reveal'd
Her life, which she from all men thought conceal'd:
33
He told him all the treason of his mind.
Now if we grant the sacred volumes true,
To Christ's commission our assent is due,
Or we must contradict the clearest light,
And strong reluctance shew to think aright.
All nations long this notion had embrac'd,
That guilt by shedding blood must be effac'd;
In eldest times this custom did obtain,
While hecatombs piacular were slain,
And feather'd, or four-footed victims died,
On which the prostrate penitents relied,
As a sure means their deities to please,
To gain their favour, and their wrath appease
Tis like this practice from tradition flows,
Which from some precept positive arose,
To Adam giv'n, since
Abel victims brought
The firstlings of the flock, and favour sought:
How else should such a rite so soon obtain,
And thro' the world so long its pow'r retain?
This seem'd a type, that Christ should once for all
Be sacrific'd, who on his name should call,
His system of Redemption should embrace,
And on his Cross and intercession place
Their hopes of God's benevolence, and bliss
Immortal, in the life succeeding this.
That guilt by shedding blood must be effac'd;
In eldest times this custom did obtain,
While hecatombs piacular were slain,
And feather'd, or four-footed victims died,
On which the prostrate penitents relied,
As a sure means their deities to please,
To gain their favour, and their wrath appease
Tis like this practice from tradition flows,
Which from some precept positive arose,
34
The firstlings of the flock, and favour sought:
How else should such a rite so soon obtain,
And thro' the world so long its pow'r retain?
This seem'd a type, that Christ should once for all
Be sacrific'd, who on his name should call,
His system of Redemption should embrace,
And on his Cross and intercession place
Their hopes of God's benevolence, and bliss
Immortal, in the life succeeding this.
Thus had Messiah heav'nly truth display'd,
And the design of bless'd Redemption laid;
To lost mankind Salvation had proclaim'd,
At which the series of his actions aim'd;
He by a thousand miracles had shown,
That Heav'n did him a Mediator own;
Had made the twelve companions of his woe
His institution and their duty know;
How to improve, and heighten human kind,
Direct their manners, and instruct their mind,
And had his gracious ministry sustain'd,
'Till now it was completed; what remain'd,
But that in pangs and agonies of death,
He should, as was decreed, resign his breath,
And should his life inestimable lay
Down on the Cross, and a due ransom pay
For man's apostate species, and atone
Th' Almighty for transgressions not his own?
That blood no more should be on altars spilt
For expiation of th' offender's guilt,
He now will pay for man the penal price,
By dying in his stead a sacrifice.
And the design of bless'd Redemption laid;
To lost mankind Salvation had proclaim'd,
At which the series of his actions aim'd;
He by a thousand miracles had shown,
That Heav'n did him a Mediator own;
35
His institution and their duty know;
How to improve, and heighten human kind,
Direct their manners, and instruct their mind,
And had his gracious ministry sustain'd,
'Till now it was completed; what remain'd,
But that in pangs and agonies of death,
He should, as was decreed, resign his breath,
And should his life inestimable lay
Down on the Cross, and a due ransom pay
For man's apostate species, and atone
Th' Almighty for transgressions not his own?
That blood no more should be on altars spilt
For expiation of th' offender's guilt,
He now will pay for man the penal price,
By dying in his stead a sacrifice.
36
Th' Herodian sect, a courtly flat'ring tribe,
Who did Messiah's promis'd reign ascribe
To Herod, with th' invet'rate Scribes combin'd,
And Pharisees, by Sadok's scholars joyn'd.
Who were before enrag'd in endless strife,
Conspir'd in plots against the Saviour's life.
They argu'd thus; We must allow, 'tis true,
This man does uncontested wonders shew
Of pow'r divine, and should he still defeat
Our opposition, and his works repeat,
Soon would the people him Messiah own,
And force him to ascend Judea's throne;
Then would the Roman pow'rs, to guard their right
Come, and enslave us by superior might;
Therefore one man should rather die, than all
The people should involv'd in ruin fall:
And hence from forming schemes they never cease
To kill the Lord of life, the Prince of peace.
Who did Messiah's promis'd reign ascribe
To Herod, with th' invet'rate Scribes combin'd,
And Pharisees, by Sadok's scholars joyn'd.
Who were before enrag'd in endless strife,
Conspir'd in plots against the Saviour's life.
They argu'd thus; We must allow, 'tis true,
This man does uncontested wonders shew
Of pow'r divine, and should he still defeat
Our opposition, and his works repeat,
Soon would the people him Messiah own,
And force him to ascend Judea's throne;
Then would the Roman pow'rs, to guard their right
Come, and enslave us by superior might;
Therefore one man should rather die, than all
The people should involv'd in ruin fall:
37
To kill the Lord of life, the Prince of peace.
Judas at length,
the thief, that bore the purse,
And did the Saviour's poverty disburse,
Persidious wretch, by Satan's impulse sway'd
To his known foes, his Master's life betray'd.
The Son of God, whose vision unconfin'd
View'd all th' engendring instincts of the mind,
Saw bubling thoughts from their dark fountain spring,
And young desires first stretch their tender wing,
Shew'd, that he did not threaten'd death decline,
But bad him execute his black design
With speed; the traytor from his presence went
Determin'd to persue his curs'd intent,
He found the Jews, where then he understood,
Assembled they their market held of blood,
At a vile price, so books inspir'd unfold,
He to their chiefs the Lord of glory sold.
And did the Saviour's poverty disburse,
Persidious wretch, by Satan's impulse sway'd
To his known foes, his Master's life betray'd.
The Son of God, whose vision unconfin'd
View'd all th' engendring instincts of the mind,
Saw bubling thoughts from their dark fountain spring,
And young desires first stretch their tender wing,
Shew'd, that he did not threaten'd death decline,
But bad him execute his black design
With speed; the traytor from his presence went
Determin'd to persue his curs'd intent,
38
Assembled they their market held of blood,
At a vile price, so books inspir'd unfold,
He to their chiefs the Lord of glory sold.
The evening, when this tragedy began,
The Son of God, as well as son of man,
In a known garden agonizing lay,
And pray'd, the bitter cup might pass away.
Distress'd he groan'd beneath a weight immense,
As well of man's original offence
As after crimes; this vast collected store,
Imputed guilt, to free mankind, he bore.
Horrors and gloomy night o'erspread his Soul,
And wrathful tempests thro' his bosom roll;
Deeply he sigh'd, and fetch'd redoubled breath,
A prelude to the throws and pangs of death.
In this sad strife his sweat, rich drops of blood,
Strove thro' his limbs, and in a vital flood
Of streaming purple down his body flow'd.
By such a burden not to be oppress'd,
Almighty vigor and the God confess'd.
While sorrowful to death our Lord remain'd,
And wrath transfer'd from guilty men sustain'd,
An Angel, purer than the purest flame,
To find the Saviour, to the garden came,
From the bless'd seats of endless peace and love,
As swift, and milder, than the gentle dove.
A sudden day smil'd thro' the wond'ring trees
Still and unshaken by the softest breeze,
Unfading youth bloom'd rosy on his face;
Who then our Lord address'd with heav'nly grace,
And brought him in his streights divine relief,
Solac'd his anguish, and asswag'd his grief;
That with celestial fortitude inspir'd,
The tempest scatter'd, and new strength acquir'd,
Peaceful and firm of mind he might support
Th' expected sentence of a cruel court:
That done, the shining messenger withdrew,
And back to Heav'n thro' gulphs of Æther flew.
The Son of God, as well as son of man,
In a known garden agonizing lay,
And pray'd, the bitter cup might pass away.
Distress'd he groan'd beneath a weight immense,
As well of man's original offence
As after crimes; this vast collected store,
Imputed guilt, to free mankind, he bore.
Horrors and gloomy night o'erspread his Soul,
And wrathful tempests thro' his bosom roll;
39
A prelude to the throws and pangs of death.
In this sad strife his sweat, rich drops of blood,
Strove thro' his limbs, and in a vital flood
Of streaming purple down his body flow'd.
By such a burden not to be oppress'd,
Almighty vigor and the God confess'd.
While sorrowful to death our Lord remain'd,
And wrath transfer'd from guilty men sustain'd,
An Angel, purer than the purest flame,
To find the Saviour, to the garden came,
From the bless'd seats of endless peace and love,
As swift, and milder, than the gentle dove.
A sudden day smil'd thro' the wond'ring trees
Still and unshaken by the softest breeze,
Unfading youth bloom'd rosy on his face;
Who then our Lord address'd with heav'nly grace,
40
Solac'd his anguish, and asswag'd his grief;
That with celestial fortitude inspir'd,
The tempest scatter'd, and new strength acquir'd,
Peaceful and firm of mind he might support
Th' expected sentence of a cruel court:
That done, the shining messenger withdrew,
And back to Heav'n thro' gulphs of Æther flew.
When night advanc'd, a military band,
Their clubs upheld, and fauchions in their hand,
Th' ungrateful traytor Judas at their head,
Laid hold on Jesus, and the pris'ner led;
That they at length might reach their bloody aim,
To suffer painful death and publick shame.
Impious they doom the Lord of life to die,
And tho' they found no guilt, yet Crucify
This man, the crowd with endless clamours cry.
Tho' by the judge approv'd, the raving Jews
Our blameless Lord with vehemence accuse,
That he aspir'd at Rome's imperial throne,
Who left one far more glorious of his own.
Their clubs upheld, and fauchions in their hand,
Th' ungrateful traytor Judas at their head,
Laid hold on Jesus, and the pris'ner led;
That they at length might reach their bloody aim,
To suffer painful death and publick shame.
41
And tho' they found no guilt, yet Crucify
This man, the crowd with endless clamours cry.
Tho' by the judge approv'd, the raving Jews
Our blameless Lord with vehemence accuse,
That he aspir'd at Rome's imperial throne,
Who left one far more glorious of his own.
Now was the Saviour, spotless and unstain'd,
Again at Pilate's judgment seat arraign'd,
At whose Tribunal by his high command,
Pilate and Cæsar too at last shall stand,
Shudd'ring with horror, and devour'd with fear,
While they their charge and dreadful sentence hear.
Pilate declar'd his innocence, and then
Condemn'd him to the Cross: what will not men
Void of religious honour hardy do,
From vile unworthy aims? Behold the Jew,
To dire perdition doom'd, a dreadful flood
Of vengeance, due to publick guilt of blood,
Had on himself with earnest cries implor'd,
Which soon the Roman on their nation pour'd.
Again at Pilate's judgment seat arraign'd,
At whose Tribunal by his high command,
Pilate and Cæsar too at last shall stand,
Shudd'ring with horror, and devour'd with fear,
While they their charge and dreadful sentence hear.
Pilate declar'd his innocence, and then
Condemn'd him to the Cross: what will not men
42
From vile unworthy aims? Behold the Jew,
To dire perdition doom'd, a dreadful flood
Of vengeance, due to publick guilt of blood,
Had on himself with earnest cries implor'd,
Which soon the Roman on their nation pour'd.
Th' unrighteous sentence giv'n, th' insulting foe
Did cruel marks of hate immortal show.
They gnash'd their teeth, and spit upon his face,
As if our Lord had been the great disgrace,
The enemy and plague of Jacob's race.
With pointed thorns in sport they crown his head,
While painful wounds a crimson current shed;
Nor did so rich a glory e'er endow
A Saint's bright temples, or a Monarch's brow.
They dress'd him in a pageant robe of state,
On whom ten thousand servant angels wait,
To them unseen; and with a vulgar wand,
A mimick scepter, mock'd his awful hand,
Which of the nations shall the scepter sway,
And on the coming great judicial day,
To every man his due impartial pay.
Did cruel marks of hate immortal show.
They gnash'd their teeth, and spit upon his face,
As if our Lord had been the great disgrace,
The enemy and plague of Jacob's race.
With pointed thorns in sport they crown his head,
While painful wounds a crimson current shed;
Nor did so rich a glory e'er endow
A Saint's bright temples, or a Monarch's brow.
They dress'd him in a pageant robe of state,
On whom ten thousand servant angels wait,
43
A mimick scepter, mock'd his awful hand,
Which of the nations shall the scepter sway,
And on the coming great judicial day,
To every man his due impartial pay.
Now to the Cross was the bless'd Saviour nail'd,
While on his life encroaching death prevail'd:
The Jews relentless at his torments smile,
Deride his person, and his deeds revile,
While dreadful signs and prodigies appear,
Scarce was there heard a sigh, or seen a tear.
Only some few the deepest sorrow show,
His kindred and partakers of his woe,
Who at a distance broken-hearted stood,
And saw with melting eyes this scene of blood.
Great were the pains and tortures of the Cross,
That all his veins and vitals springs engross,
But what were these, tho' sad, compar'd with those,
That from th' Almighty's hot displeasure rose,
Who on his soul vindictive fury threw,
While from the suff'rer he his face withdrew,
And plung'd him deep in sorrow; whence he cried,
My God, my God, why am I now denied
Thy presence? why hast thou forsaken me?
In vast distress, why wilt thou absent be?
What are the burdens, which to life relate,
To that immense, unsufferable weight
Of human Nature's congregated guilt,
For which his blood he meritorious spilt?
That he lost man indulgent might restore,
To the blest station he enjoy'd before,
In agonizing pangs the Lord of life
Yields up the ghost, and sinking quits the strife.
While on his life encroaching death prevail'd:
The Jews relentless at his torments smile,
Deride his person, and his deeds revile,
While dreadful signs and prodigies appear,
Scarce was there heard a sigh, or seen a tear.
Only some few the deepest sorrow show,
His kindred and partakers of his woe,
Who at a distance broken-hearted stood,
And saw with melting eyes this scene of blood.
44
That all his veins and vitals springs engross,
But what were these, tho' sad, compar'd with those,
That from th' Almighty's hot displeasure rose,
Who on his soul vindictive fury threw,
While from the suff'rer he his face withdrew,
And plung'd him deep in sorrow; whence he cried,
My God, my God, why am I now denied
Thy presence? why hast thou forsaken me?
In vast distress, why wilt thou absent be?
What are the burdens, which to life relate,
To that immense, unsufferable weight
Of human Nature's congregated guilt,
For which his blood he meritorious spilt?
That he lost man indulgent might restore,
To the blest station he enjoy'd before,
45
Yields up the ghost, and sinking quits the strife.
He dies; all Nature did astonish'd look,
And seiz'd with horror to her center shook.
Diurnal night did with a gloomy shade
Miraculous, meridian light invade:
While clouds and darkness o'er th' horizon run,
Break Nature's order, and eclipse the Sun.
The temple's pillars trembled with affright,
And the partition Veil, portentous sight!
Was rent asunder, with design to show,
Th' Almighty now would no distinction know
Of nations as before, but unconfin'd
Would be to every land and language kind.
And seiz'd with horror to her center shook.
Diurnal night did with a gloomy shade
Miraculous, meridian light invade:
While clouds and darkness o'er th' horizon run,
Break Nature's order, and eclipse the Sun.
The temple's pillars trembled with affright,
And the partition Veil, portentous sight!
Was rent asunder, with design to show,
Th' Almighty now would no distinction know
Of nations as before, but unconfin'd
Would be to every land and language kind.
46
The earth in strong convulsions spoke her dread,
While by the conflict some awaken'd dead
Spring from the grave, and thro' the city stray,
A solemn prelude to the promis'd day,
When all the buried from the grave shall rise,
And to their trial, at the great assize
Of all mankind, shall confluent climb the skies.
While by the conflict some awaken'd dead
Spring from the grave, and thro' the city stray,
A solemn prelude to the promis'd day,
When all the buried from the grave shall rise,
And to their trial, at the great assize
Of all mankind, shall confluent climb the skies.
These miracles, and marks of pow'r divine,
These prodigies and strange events combine
Astonishment and terror to create,
And from the Lord of Nature's funeral state.
Two days he lay among the dead enroll'd,
But on the third, as he before had told,
The grave no longer could its pris'ner hold.
He broke with mightyforce death's pond'rous chains,
And, active heat rekindling in his veins,
He did again departed life assume,
And rose victorious from the cleaving tomb.
These prodigies and strange events combine
Astonishment and terror to create,
And from the Lord of Nature's funeral state.
Two days he lay among the dead enroll'd,
But on the third, as he before had told,
The grave no longer could its pris'ner hold.
47
And, active heat rekindling in his veins,
He did again departed life assume,
And rose victorious from the cleaving tomb.
Oft to his sad disciples he appear'd,
By aids divine their drooping spirits chear'd,
Gave more extensive knowledge, and reveal'd
Mysterious truths, that lay before conceal'd,
Or by his friends, ev'n those of clearest sight,
Discern'd but in a dim and dubious light.
He taught them, how they should instruct and guide
His Church, and free from avarice and pride
They should as leaders, not as lords preside.
He never bad his preachers troops command,
Nor Infidels convert with sword in hand;
By aids divine their drooping spirits chear'd,
Gave more extensive knowledge, and reveal'd
Mysterious truths, that lay before conceal'd,
Or by his friends, ev'n those of clearest sight,
Discern'd but in a dim and dubious light.
He taught them, how they should instruct and guide
His Church, and free from avarice and pride
They should as leaders, not as lords preside.
He never bad his preachers troops command,
Nor Infidels convert with sword in hand;
48
Thus the foundations of his kingdom laid,
And to his friends instructive rules convey'd,
He on his promise bad them firm depend,
That when arriv'd in Heav'n he thence would send
The Sacred Spirit, Comforter divine,
Who on their minds in stronger light should shine,
And teach them every truth, which should concern,
Or them to publish, or mankind to learn.
And to his friends instructive rules convey'd,
He on his promise bad them firm depend,
That when arriv'd in Heav'n he thence would send
The Sacred Spirit, Comforter divine,
Who on their minds in stronger light should shine,
And teach them every truth, which should concern,
Or them to publish, or mankind to learn.
And now their Lord before their wond'ring eyes
Uplifted swiftly mounts the steepy skies;
A glade of Æther parting clouds display,
Whence a clear pass between them open lay
To unknown glory, and ascending day.
Without corruption he by death oppress'd,
O grave! a while thy victory confess'd;
Now see him from the earth elastick rise,
And bound with greater vigor to the skies.
Emerging from the gloomy depths beneath,
The vale of tears, and the sad courts of death,
He cuts the spacious empire of the air,
And climbs the lofty azure mountains, where
He saw unnumber'd worlds and orbs immense,
Thro' intervening space their light dispense.
Empires by hands divine in Æther roll'd,
And which their everlasting course uphold.
Uplifted swiftly mounts the steepy skies;
A glade of Æther parting clouds display,
Whence a clear pass between them open lay
To unknown glory, and ascending day.
Without corruption he by death oppress'd,
O grave! a while thy victory confess'd;
49
And bound with greater vigor to the skies.
Emerging from the gloomy depths beneath,
The vale of tears, and the sad courts of death,
He cuts the spacious empire of the air,
And climbs the lofty azure mountains, where
He saw unnumber'd worlds and orbs immense,
Thro' intervening space their light dispense.
Empires by hands divine in Æther roll'd,
And which their everlasting course uphold.
And now the Heav'n of heav'n's cerulean height
The Saviour gain'd by unobstructed flight,
Where Seraphs, Thrones, and mighty potentates
Pour'd from the blissful court's immortal gates,
In glorious pomp and equipage divine,
Drawn in aray, did in bright order shine.
With acclamations they receiv'd their Lord,
And the bless'd Saviour of the world ador'd,
Ravish'd to see by the great Christian head
Captivity in chains a captive led,
And death and sin, a vanquish'd pair forlorn,
The triumph of the victor's march adorn.
With shouts of joy, which ecchoing did rebound
From the blue hills and chrystal tow'rs around,
The Saviour they attended to the throne
Of God most high, where he illustrious shone
On his right hand in perfect bliss, and where
The fragrant incense of his people's pray'r
He still shall offer up, still intercede,
And for their pardon boundless merit plead.
The Saviour gain'd by unobstructed flight,
Where Seraphs, Thrones, and mighty potentates
Pour'd from the blissful court's immortal gates,
In glorious pomp and equipage divine,
Drawn in aray, did in bright order shine.
50
And the bless'd Saviour of the world ador'd,
Ravish'd to see by the great Christian head
Captivity in chains a captive led,
And death and sin, a vanquish'd pair forlorn,
The triumph of the victor's march adorn.
With shouts of joy, which ecchoing did rebound
From the blue hills and chrystal tow'rs around,
The Saviour they attended to the throne
Of God most high, where he illustrious shone
On his right hand in perfect bliss, and where
The fragrant incense of his people's pray'r
He still shall offer up, still intercede,
And for their pardon boundless merit plead.
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