Redemption, A Poem In Two Books. By John Bennet |
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| I. | BOOK I. |
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| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
| II. |
| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
 | Redemption, A Poem |  |
1
BOOK I.
CHAP. I.
While others sing in high and lofty strains
The mighty actions of great Monarchs reigns,
Or in heroic numbers volumes swell
And the dire deeds of earthly champions tell,
Of thousands and ten thousands slain in War,
What horrid deaths grac'd each triumphal car:
My humble Muse attempts a nobler theme,—
A subject which the harmonious hosts proclaim
In those bright regions of eternal day,
Where Angels and Archangels gladly play
Upon their golden harps, sweet songs of praise,
To celebrate Jehovah's wond'rous ways.
The mighty actions of great Monarchs reigns,
Or in heroic numbers volumes swell
And the dire deeds of earthly champions tell,
Of thousands and ten thousands slain in War,
What horrid deaths grac'd each triumphal car:
My humble Muse attempts a nobler theme,—
A subject which the harmonious hosts proclaim
In those bright regions of eternal day,
Where Angels and Archangels gladly play
Upon their golden harps, sweet songs of praise,
To celebrate Jehovah's wond'rous ways.
Oh! for some spark of that celestial fire
To aid my Muse to tune the sacred lyre,
While I attempt those oracles divine,
Where truth and mercy so conspicuous shine;
To trace th' important plan, nor seek in vain,
To paint the glories of a Saviour's reign.
To aid my Muse to tune the sacred lyre,
While I attempt those oracles divine,
Where truth and mercy so conspicuous shine;
To trace th' important plan, nor seek in vain,
To paint the glories of a Saviour's reign.
Assist thou holy Spirit by whose aid
The soul of Man by sacred Truth is sway'd;
By whom the world unfolds that blessed law,
Which Man relieves, yet keeps his mind in awe.
The soul of Man by sacred Truth is sway'd;
By whom the world unfolds that blessed law,
Which Man relieves, yet keeps his mind in awe.
2
When great Jehove' dark chaos had illum'd,
And order thro' the vast expanse assum'd;
He Man created, upright, pure, and free,
And station'd him in sweet felicity:
Gave him a bride, of all his works most fair,—
Plac'd them in Paradise, and bless'd them there.
But ah! they fell, and lost that lov'd delight
By envy joining with the Tempter's spite:
Tho' seated in the bow'r of innocence,
Where sordid ill had not the influence
To warp their heav'nly minds, tho' upright made,
Devoid of guile to make their hearts afraid,
Not God's express command, not bliss compleat,
Could keep them faultless in this happy state.
Altho' in Paradise,—them Satan found,
Came, saw, and quickly gave the deadly wound.
And order thro' the vast expanse assum'd;
He Man created, upright, pure, and free,
And station'd him in sweet felicity:
Gave him a bride, of all his works most fair,—
Plac'd them in Paradise, and bless'd them there.
But ah! they fell, and lost that lov'd delight
By envy joining with the Tempter's spite:
Tho' seated in the bow'r of innocence,
Where sordid ill had not the influence
To warp their heav'nly minds, tho' upright made,
Devoid of guile to make their hearts afraid,
Not God's express command, not bliss compleat,
Could keep them faultless in this happy state.
Altho' in Paradise,—them Satan found,
Came, saw, and quickly gave the deadly wound.
Have you not seen the unsuspecting lamb
With sportive gambols, frisk around its dam,
While full security stands by his side,
He laughs at danger as an ill too wide
For him to fear,—'till wolves rush on the prey,
Destroy his bliss, nor heed his bleating plea.
Ev'n so the Tempter, foe to all mankind,
Did our first Parents with destruction bind;
Demolish'd all their joys, destroy'd their fence,
And broke the stay of blameless innocence.
With sportive gambols, frisk around its dam,
While full security stands by his side,
He laughs at danger as an ill too wide
For him to fear,—'till wolves rush on the prey,
Destroy his bliss, nor heed his bleating plea.
Ev'n so the Tempter, foe to all mankind,
Did our first Parents with destruction bind;
Demolish'd all their joys, destroy'd their fence,
And broke the stay of blameless innocence.
Now thro' the earth the whole creation groan'd,
And e'en the angelick host in silence moan'd;
When lo! the great Creator call'd the Man,
Who at the awful sound had always ran
T' adore his love; but now he shrinks behind,
In conscious guilt, some subterfuge to find.—
Unnumber'd fears his sinking heart confound,
His Maker calls—he trembles at the sound.
Alas! vain Man, to fly Jehovah's sight,
Tho' shrouded in the darkest veil of night;
Is most absurd—as soon at thy command,
Would cease the wonders of his mighty hand.
But now behold the first sad interview,
When tyrant sin had spoil'd Man's glorious hue.
Disrob'd of innocence he tries to stand,
And fault'ring says: I've broke thy great command,
The Woman whom thou gav'st to be with me
Has pluck'd the fruit of the forbidden Tree;
And eat thereof, then gave me of the same,
I eat and fell, by her delusive aim.
And e'en the angelick host in silence moan'd;
When lo! the great Creator call'd the Man,
Who at the awful sound had always ran
3
In conscious guilt, some subterfuge to find.—
Unnumber'd fears his sinking heart confound,
His Maker calls—he trembles at the sound.
Alas! vain Man, to fly Jehovah's sight,
Tho' shrouded in the darkest veil of night;
Is most absurd—as soon at thy command,
Would cease the wonders of his mighty hand.
But now behold the first sad interview,
When tyrant sin had spoil'd Man's glorious hue.
Disrob'd of innocence he tries to stand,
And fault'ring says: I've broke thy great command,
The Woman whom thou gav'st to be with me
Has pluck'd the fruit of the forbidden Tree;
And eat thereof, then gave me of the same,
I eat and fell, by her delusive aim.
When thus Omniscience,—Eve, what hast thou done?
How could'st thou thus to sure destruction run?
Did not I place thee in a Garden rare,
Adorn'd with ev'ry thing both good and fair;
Laid no restraint, but on that fatal Tree,
How dar'd'st thou take what was forbidden thee?
With down-cast looks, with mien, confus'd, and wild,
The Woman cry'd, the Serpent me beguil'd;
Perswaded me to touch,—I touch'd and eat,
And then involv'd my Adam in my fate.
Thus self-condemn'd, stern Justice heav'd her hand
To strike the blow, for breaking the command;
When Mercy interpos'd, remov'd the gloom
And our first Parents heard their earthly doom.
How could'st thou thus to sure destruction run?
Did not I place thee in a Garden rare,
Adorn'd with ev'ry thing both good and fair;
Laid no restraint, but on that fatal Tree,
How dar'd'st thou take what was forbidden thee?
With down-cast looks, with mien, confus'd, and wild,
The Woman cry'd, the Serpent me beguil'd;
Perswaded me to touch,—I touch'd and eat,
And then involv'd my Adam in my fate.
Thus self-condemn'd, stern Justice heav'd her hand
To strike the blow, for breaking the command;
When Mercy interpos'd, remov'd the gloom
And our first Parents heard their earthly doom.
4
To Adam, thus—for heark'ning to thy Wife,
Ills shall surround thee, sorrow, pain, and strife;
And for thy sake, thrice cursed be the ground,
With thorns and thistles shall it e'er abound;
With weariness each day thou shalt be fed,
And with the sweating brow shalt earn thy bread.
To Eve, God said, thou gav'st transgression birth,
Which banish'd innocence from off the earth:
In thy conception, pains I'll multiply,
And thou shalt on thy Husband's will rely:
He shall thee rule, and teach thee to obey,
Nor shalt thou murmur at his lordly sway.
Then to the Serpent—as thy artful wile
Has ruin'd Man, and fill'd his soul with guile,
Accurs'd thou art, 'bove all that range the field,
Nor shall the strength'ning herb thee nurture yield;
Upon thy belly, creeping shalt thou go,
And all thy life I'll dust for food bestow:
Dust shalt thou eat, and for thy envious spleen,
Such bitter enmity shall intervene
Betwixt thy feed and Eve's, that for her weal,
It sore shall bruise thy head, and thou his heel.
Thus was their several dooms by justice seal'd,
But how was heav'nly love to Man reveal'd!
Can gratitude be dumb, or can the mind
Cease to adore, to praise God ever kind?
No sooner fell,—than Christ's redeeming love
Was chorus'd by th' angelick host above:
Join, join the theme, ye Heav'ns rejoice and sing,
Loud hallelujahs to our God and King!
Ills shall surround thee, sorrow, pain, and strife;
And for thy sake, thrice cursed be the ground,
With thorns and thistles shall it e'er abound;
With weariness each day thou shalt be fed,
And with the sweating brow shalt earn thy bread.
To Eve, God said, thou gav'st transgression birth,
Which banish'd innocence from off the earth:
In thy conception, pains I'll multiply,
And thou shalt on thy Husband's will rely:
He shall thee rule, and teach thee to obey,
Nor shalt thou murmur at his lordly sway.
Then to the Serpent—as thy artful wile
Has ruin'd Man, and fill'd his soul with guile,
Accurs'd thou art, 'bove all that range the field,
Nor shall the strength'ning herb thee nurture yield;
Upon thy belly, creeping shalt thou go,
And all thy life I'll dust for food bestow:
Dust shalt thou eat, and for thy envious spleen,
Such bitter enmity shall intervene
Betwixt thy feed and Eve's, that for her weal,
It sore shall bruise thy head, and thou his heel.
Thus was their several dooms by justice seal'd,
But how was heav'nly love to Man reveal'd!
Can gratitude be dumb, or can the mind
Cease to adore, to praise God ever kind?
No sooner fell,—than Christ's redeeming love
Was chorus'd by th' angelick host above:
Join, join the theme, ye Heav'ns rejoice and sing,
Loud hallelujahs to our God and King!
5
But now, alas! with grief the first Man saw
A horrid change for breaking God's dread law:
The whole creation feels the mortal blow;—
No more the luscious fruits spontaneous grow.
Those fragrant sweets which Eden did adorn
Must now give place to noxious weed and thorn.
No confidence attends the brutish race,
But they with fear shun Man's distracted face,
Where shame and guilt, with equal terror reign,
While deep felt ills his troubled bosom stain.
Thus spotless purity, thus Nature fell,
And thus lost Man became a prey to Hell;
Became a prey to darkness and despair,
Till hope was sent by great Jehovah's care
To glad his breast, and ev'ry ill survive;—
Tho' Adam die, yet Christ shall make alive.
A horrid change for breaking God's dread law:
The whole creation feels the mortal blow;—
No more the luscious fruits spontaneous grow.
Those fragrant sweets which Eden did adorn
Must now give place to noxious weed and thorn.
No confidence attends the brutish race,
But they with fear shun Man's distracted face,
Where shame and guilt, with equal terror reign,
While deep felt ills his troubled bosom stain.
Thus spotless purity, thus Nature fell,
And thus lost Man became a prey to Hell;
Became a prey to darkness and despair,
Till hope was sent by great Jehovah's care
To glad his breast, and ev'ry ill survive;—
Tho' Adam die, yet Christ shall make alive.
6
CHAP. II.
By God's command, our Parents being driv'n
From Eden's sacred walks, terestrial Heav'n,
Were led by friendly Angels, whose discourse
Disarm'd despair of her heart-gnawing force.
When thus the Seraphs spoke—
Scarce hadst thou tasted the forbidden tree,
Before th' omniscient Pow'r thy fall did see;
And thou hadst ever been in error lost
Had not th' Eternal's mercy Satan crost.
But yet—to keep his truth inviolate
And raise with joy your low desponding state,
Was such a task as not the heav'nly Choir,
Not ev'n Archangels could thereto aspire.
For when ye fell, in you the human race
Fell in like manner with the same disgrace.
Then shone abroad the Sun of righteousness
With healing in his beams, to save and bless:
Thus Man, poor helpless Man, dust of the earth,
A Saviour has endow'd with second birth.
Man is the object of his wond'rous love;—
When Angel's err'd, and with presumption strove,
Tho' sinking to the depths of woe, yet none
No mediator offer'd to attone:
But to behold the glorious Son of God,
For wretched Man endure the scourging rod
With all the weakness of the human race,
Excepting sin, to free him from disgrace,
Makes Heav'n and Earth resound with love and praise,
To celebrate the great Jehovah's ways.
From Eden's sacred walks, terestrial Heav'n,
Were led by friendly Angels, whose discourse
Disarm'd despair of her heart-gnawing force.
When thus the Seraphs spoke—
Scarce hadst thou tasted the forbidden tree,
Before th' omniscient Pow'r thy fall did see;
And thou hadst ever been in error lost
Had not th' Eternal's mercy Satan crost.
But yet—to keep his truth inviolate
And raise with joy your low desponding state,
Was such a task as not the heav'nly Choir,
Not ev'n Archangels could thereto aspire.
For when ye fell, in you the human race
Fell in like manner with the same disgrace.
Then shone abroad the Sun of righteousness
With healing in his beams, to save and bless:
Thus Man, poor helpless Man, dust of the earth,
A Saviour has endow'd with second birth.
7
When Angel's err'd, and with presumption strove,
Tho' sinking to the depths of woe, yet none
No mediator offer'd to attone:
But to behold the glorious Son of God,
For wretched Man endure the scourging rod
With all the weakness of the human race,
Excepting sin, to free him from disgrace,
Makes Heav'n and Earth resound with love and praise,
To celebrate the great Jehovah's ways.
As stand the hearers of a Pastor's charge
When Gospel truths of Heav'n their minds enlarge,
While keen attention all their thoughts confine
T' embrace the doctrines of the sound Divine:
So stood our Parents, while their heav'nly friends
Unfold what greater bliss their Maker sends.
Redemption's by th' Eternal Godhead plann'd,
And perfect made by the Almighty hand,
To save, to comfort, to create—agree
With the perfections of this mystery.
Now as all Heav'n seem'd touch'd, with thy sad fate,
Hear thou, O Man, how God has chang'd thy state.
Jehovah seated on his heav'nly throne,
To the angelick host his will made known,
And thus th' Eternal spake—
Since disobedience to the righteous laws
Of justice, truth, and right, has given cause
For sin and death, mortality to wield
Over the earth, Creation's fairest field:
The guilty Pair unto the world I'll, send,
Nor shall the Tree of Life their station mend.
Man whom I made the favourite of Heav'n,
To whom my Angels free access had giv'n
To guide, to warn him of the dangerous sin
Of disobedience, and his thoughts to win
To holy deeds, to praise and to adore
His great Creator, God for evermore,
Is now a foe—is lost—what dreadful change,—
Depriv'd of Paradise—he now must range,
With loads of guilt, unworthy of the life
I gave, and dwell with wretchedness and strife;
And then—must die—yet he shall rise again,
Can one be found who will his cause maintain?
Hear then, ye Cherubims; I now decree
That Man to life restor'd, immortal be.
Man shall find mercy, all his race shall live,
When death and sin no terrors more can give;
If one of all these hosts will offer up
Himself the victim, and will drink the cup
Of my offended wrath,—will undertake
To die—to suffer—for the first Man's sake.
When Gospel truths of Heav'n their minds enlarge,
While keen attention all their thoughts confine
T' embrace the doctrines of the sound Divine:
So stood our Parents, while their heav'nly friends
Unfold what greater bliss their Maker sends.
Redemption's by th' Eternal Godhead plann'd,
And perfect made by the Almighty hand,
To save, to comfort, to create—agree
With the perfections of this mystery.
Now as all Heav'n seem'd touch'd, with thy sad fate,
Hear thou, O Man, how God has chang'd thy state.
Jehovah seated on his heav'nly throne,
To the angelick host his will made known,
And thus th' Eternal spake—
Since disobedience to the righteous laws
Of justice, truth, and right, has given cause
For sin and death, mortality to wield
Over the earth, Creation's fairest field:
The guilty Pair unto the world I'll, send,
Nor shall the Tree of Life their station mend.
8
To whom my Angels free access had giv'n
To guide, to warn him of the dangerous sin
Of disobedience, and his thoughts to win
To holy deeds, to praise and to adore
His great Creator, God for evermore,
Is now a foe—is lost—what dreadful change,—
Depriv'd of Paradise—he now must range,
With loads of guilt, unworthy of the life
I gave, and dwell with wretchedness and strife;
And then—must die—yet he shall rise again,
Can one be found who will his cause maintain?
Hear then, ye Cherubims; I now decree
That Man to life restor'd, immortal be.
Man shall find mercy, all his race shall live,
When death and sin no terrors more can give;
If one of all these hosts will offer up
Himself the victim, and will drink the cup
Of my offended wrath,—will undertake
To die—to suffer—for the first Man's sake.
Thus spake Omnipotence; but who could shew
Unbounded love, and meet th' extreme of woe;—
To die in Adam's stead, to suffer all
That load of sin which came by Adam's fall?
No Angel or Archangel made reply,
But silence reign'd thro' all Heav'ns canopy.
And when none could assist the first Man's state,
Th' Eternal's Son became his advocate;
With Mercy's rays he cloath'd himself immense,
And gladly offer'd to clear Man's offence;
Nay would unite with frail Mortality,—
Would take Man's nature, suffer, bleed, and die.
Then all the host of Heav'n with wonder view'd
The Christ Messiah with such love endu'd:
Around the throne with joy and praise they throng,
And tune their golden harps to vocal song:
The Hallelujah and Hosanna sing,
And make the arch of Heav'n with glory ring.
Unbounded love, and meet th' extreme of woe;—
To die in Adam's stead, to suffer all
That load of sin which came by Adam's fall?
No Angel or Archangel made reply,
But silence reign'd thro' all Heav'ns canopy.
And when none could assist the first Man's state,
Th' Eternal's Son became his advocate;
With Mercy's rays he cloath'd himself immense,
And gladly offer'd to clear Man's offence;
9
Would take Man's nature, suffer, bleed, and die.
Then all the host of Heav'n with wonder view'd
The Christ Messiah with such love endu'd:
Around the throne with joy and praise they throng,
And tune their golden harps to vocal song:
The Hallelujah and Hosanna sing,
And make the arch of Heav'n with glory ring.
10
CHAP III.
As balm pour'd into wounds whose healing pow'r
Returning bloom of health at once ensure,
E'n so the Seraphs words uprais'd the pair,
And comfort chas'd away the sting of care.
When thus they further said; what happy view
Has Man before him, if he will renew
Obedience to his God, th' unbounded love
Of Christ the Lord, to fix his joys above.
Creation and Redemption we unfold,
Thy fall and restoration we behold:
The justice,—mercy we've admired and prais'd,
Triumphant o'er the Tempter's envy rais'd;—
All this flows from the goodness of thy God,
Who shakes the Heavens with his awful nod;
By whom dark chaos from the globe was hurl'd,
And order call'd to grace this lower world.
Sun, Moon, and Stars he made, thyself and all,
And into being will thy offspring call,
So great, so num'rous—yea, thyself and Eve,
With Sons and Daughters, many days shall live,
But as you've both experienc'd bitter woe,
Never neglect God's wond'rous works to shew,
Thy children's children, and in hoary age
Let his great mercies all thy thoughts engage
T' instruct their tender years—then their increase
Will ev'ry day bring to you lasting peace.—
Then when the period of your life comes on,
And all your business on this earth is done,
God will receive you to eternal joy,
In realms where praise shall ev'ry tongue employ.
Returning bloom of health at once ensure,
E'n so the Seraphs words uprais'd the pair,
And comfort chas'd away the sting of care.
When thus they further said; what happy view
Has Man before him, if he will renew
Obedience to his God, th' unbounded love
Of Christ the Lord, to fix his joys above.
Creation and Redemption we unfold,
Thy fall and restoration we behold:
The justice,—mercy we've admired and prais'd,
Triumphant o'er the Tempter's envy rais'd;—
All this flows from the goodness of thy God,
Who shakes the Heavens with his awful nod;
By whom dark chaos from the globe was hurl'd,
And order call'd to grace this lower world.
Sun, Moon, and Stars he made, thyself and all,
And into being will thy offspring call,
So great, so num'rous—yea, thyself and Eve,
With Sons and Daughters, many days shall live,
But as you've both experienc'd bitter woe,
Never neglect God's wond'rous works to shew,
11
Let his great mercies all thy thoughts engage
T' instruct their tender years—then their increase
Will ev'ry day bring to you lasting peace.—
Then when the period of your life comes on,
And all your business on this earth is done,
God will receive you to eternal joy,
In realms where praise shall ev'ry tongue employ.
Thus did the Angels condescend to tell,
And guide our Parents how they should repel
The wiles of sin, and then with mildness shew
How the blest Spirit would within them glow,
T' instil a sense of attributes divine,—
How Providence and Mercy e'er would shine
Around them, how, God's goodness would suppress
Their daily wants, and them support and bless;
That tho' unseen, themselves had strict command
To watch and guard them from th' en'my's hand
Who tempted them to sin, nor should they find
Posterity unguarded left behind.
And now, O Man, with love we greet you here—
Be strong in faith—in paths of virtue steer.
This said—immediately a ray of light
Darted refulgent arm'd with holy might,
Which pour'd into the Pair a pious flame,
Who prostrate on the earth with thanks proclaim
God's wond'rous works, the mercy, love and praise,
Which to lost Man, Salvation now displays.
And guide our Parents how they should repel
The wiles of sin, and then with mildness shew
How the blest Spirit would within them glow,
T' instil a sense of attributes divine,—
How Providence and Mercy e'er would shine
Around them, how, God's goodness would suppress
Their daily wants, and them support and bless;
That tho' unseen, themselves had strict command
To watch and guard them from th' en'my's hand
Who tempted them to sin, nor should they find
Posterity unguarded left behind.
And now, O Man, with love we greet you here—
Be strong in faith—in paths of virtue steer.
This said—immediately a ray of light
Darted refulgent arm'd with holy might,
Which pour'd into the Pair a pious flame,
Who prostrate on the earth with thanks proclaim
God's wond'rous works, the mercy, love and praise,
Which to lost Man, Salvation now displays.
Then rising, thus to their Angelick friends—
Ye whom a gracious God unto us sends,
Accept these tears of love and gratitude
For the sweet joys your converse has renew'd,
Within our heartless breasts; but when you go,
Shall we not plunge again in bitter woe?
The Angels answer'd, Adam now you are
Sole Emp'ror of the earth, and to thy care
Has been committed pow'r o'er all therein,
Adore your Maker, strive to keep from sin;
Believe you are the objects of his love,
That by obedience he will you remove
Where sorrows are no more; but now employ
Your time as mortals,—with content enjoy
The moments as they rise, behold thy Bride
The fairest of Creation by thy side.
Her cherish and instruct,—nor fail to raise
Each morn thy tribute of unfeigned praise,
To magnify Jehovah's glorious name,
And let thy tongue most gratefully proclaim
His wond'rous deeds; then when thy labours call
Thee to thy daily task, think on thy fall
But let thy thoughts be such as to adore
Thy Saviour's boundless love for evermore.
Nor let the eve pass on,—but you return
A willing sacrifice; your hearts will burn
With grateful worship, when your mind reflects
How you have pass'd the day, how God protects
You through the dangers which your paths attend,
And from its num'rous crimes will you defend.
Thus time will pass, in peace you will remain,
'Till God's great summons bids us meet again.
This said, th' holy Angels gain'd the sky,
Sounding the praises of the God most high.
Ye whom a gracious God unto us sends,
12
For the sweet joys your converse has renew'd,
Within our heartless breasts; but when you go,
Shall we not plunge again in bitter woe?
The Angels answer'd, Adam now you are
Sole Emp'ror of the earth, and to thy care
Has been committed pow'r o'er all therein,
Adore your Maker, strive to keep from sin;
Believe you are the objects of his love,
That by obedience he will you remove
Where sorrows are no more; but now employ
Your time as mortals,—with content enjoy
The moments as they rise, behold thy Bride
The fairest of Creation by thy side.
Her cherish and instruct,—nor fail to raise
Each morn thy tribute of unfeigned praise,
To magnify Jehovah's glorious name,
And let thy tongue most gratefully proclaim
His wond'rous deeds; then when thy labours call
Thee to thy daily task, think on thy fall
But let thy thoughts be such as to adore
Thy Saviour's boundless love for evermore.
Nor let the eve pass on,—but you return
A willing sacrifice; your hearts will burn
With grateful worship, when your mind reflects
How you have pass'd the day, how God protects
You through the dangers which your paths attend,
And from its num'rous crimes will you defend.
Thus time will pass, in peace you will remain,
'Till God's great summons bids us meet again.
This said, th' holy Angels gain'd the sky,
Sounding the praises of the God most high.
13
Like to that tender soene, that parting day
When Parents leave th' habiliments of clay,
Around their bed their weeping children stand,
To gain a blessing from their dying hand,
When lo! the tie dissolves, the Spirit flies
Nor stays to hear the mourners piercing cries,
But sighs farewell, and mounts th' heav'nly skies.
Ev'n so the first Pair took their last adieu,
Nor tears nor sorrows could the scene renew;
With longing eyes they strain t'wards Heav'n's alcove,
Till lost in space the objects of their love.
When Parents leave th' habiliments of clay,
Around their bed their weeping children stand,
To gain a blessing from their dying hand,
When lo! the tie dissolves, the Spirit flies
Nor stays to hear the mourners piercing cries,
But sighs farewell, and mounts th' heav'nly skies.
Ev'n so the first Pair took their last adieu,
Nor tears nor sorrows could the scene renew;
With longing eyes they strain t'wards Heav'n's alcove,
Till lost in space the objects of their love.
To comfort Eve, thus Adam then began,
How merciful and kind is God to Man!
Tho' great our fall, my suff'ring partner Eve,
No more let us with anxious sorrows grieve;
The greatest act of kindness let's adore,
And praise that union which does Man restore.
For I foresee, that thro' thee shall have birth
A num'rous race to overspread the earth;
More than the stars of Heav'n in multitude,
And in time's fulness then shall be renew'd
That glorious promise, which we trembling heard,
When Justice, Love, and Mercy we rever'd.
How merciful and kind is God to Man!
Tho' great our fall, my suff'ring partner Eve,
No more let us with anxious sorrows grieve;
The greatest act of kindness let's adore,
And praise that union which does Man restore.
For I foresee, that thro' thee shall have birth
A num'rous race to overspread the earth;
More than the stars of Heav'n in multitude,
And in time's fulness then shall be renew'd
That glorious promise, which we trembling heard,
When Justice, Love, and Mercy we rever'd.
Fair Eve reply'd, O Adam, I adore
The wond'rous works of God, and grieve no more.
Far, far beyond our merits we are rais'd,
Nor can his glorious name too much be prais'd.
Yet to compare this wild extensive scene
To Eden's walks where peace was ever seen;
Where when we 'rose to meet the rising Sun,
No sinful guile e'er told us God to shun;
So lovely and so fragrant all things smil'd,
'Till by the Tempter's wiles I was beguil'd:
But what a contrast do we now behold,
Expos'd to storms, and tempests, wind and cold.
See how the black'ning clouds tumultuous rise,
Their gloomy aspect seem t'invade the skies;
The air no longer breathes that sweet repose
We felt in Paradise, when free from foes,
With innocence we reign'd; then no distrust
Was seen in animals,—but Nature's curst:
The raging lion kills the helpless lamb
While tygers seize, and tear its bleating dam:
They tear regardless of their cries and pain:
Oh sin, I fear the terrors of thy reign!
The wond'rous works of God, and grieve no more.
Far, far beyond our merits we are rais'd,
Nor can his glorious name too much be prais'd.
Yet to compare this wild extensive scene
To Eden's walks where peace was ever seen;
14
No sinful guile e'er told us God to shun;
So lovely and so fragrant all things smil'd,
'Till by the Tempter's wiles I was beguil'd:
But what a contrast do we now behold,
Expos'd to storms, and tempests, wind and cold.
See how the black'ning clouds tumultuous rise,
Their gloomy aspect seem t'invade the skies;
The air no longer breathes that sweet repose
We felt in Paradise, when free from foes,
With innocence we reign'd; then no distrust
Was seen in animals,—but Nature's curst:
The raging lion kills the helpless lamb
While tygers seize, and tear its bleating dam:
They tear regardless of their cries and pain:
Oh sin, I fear the terrors of thy reign!
Her fears then Adam in affecting strain
Strove to divert, nor reasons he in vain.
Plac'd by th' Almighty in a fruitful land,
Where bounteous Nature with a copious hand
Still pours her blessings forth, resign thy care,
Dispel thy sorrow, and her comforts share:
A thousand objects lead me to delight,
To please the fancy, or employ the sight;
And in thy lov'd society I find
My chiefest bliss, sweet soother of my mind.
Forth will I seek some calm secure retreat,
And raise a shed to keep us from the heat;
To keep us from th' inclement piercing cold,
Where happiness and pleasure shall unfold
Their mutual bliss, to ease thy sorrows here
Domestick comforts will demand thy care,
That great and good materiating Pow'r,
Will soon new blessings on his creatures show'r;
O then what gratitude, what thanks are due
To our Creator, God and Saviour too!
This said, their knees forth press'd the yielding sod
T' implore protection on their new abode.
Strove to divert, nor reasons he in vain.
Plac'd by th' Almighty in a fruitful land,
Where bounteous Nature with a copious hand
Still pours her blessings forth, resign thy care,
Dispel thy sorrow, and her comforts share:
A thousand objects lead me to delight,
To please the fancy, or employ the sight;
And in thy lov'd society I find
My chiefest bliss, sweet soother of my mind.
Forth will I seek some calm secure retreat,
And raise a shed to keep us from the heat;
To keep us from th' inclement piercing cold,
Where happiness and pleasure shall unfold
15
Domestick comforts will demand thy care,
That great and good materiating Pow'r,
Will soon new blessings on his creatures show'r;
O then what gratitude, what thanks are due
To our Creator, God and Saviour too!
This said, their knees forth press'd the yielding sod
T' implore protection on their new abode.
O thou great Being, Father, Lord of all,
Who didst thy servants to existence call,
With shame and guilt we own thy sov'reign sway
Which we've abus'd; but teach us to obey
Thy holy laws! O make us call to mind
Thy bounteous love, to bless and save mankind!
Most gracious God! when thou shalt children send,
Let thy protecting grace them e'er defend:
Be thou their guide, their Saviour, and their God,
On whom their trust may make its firm abode.
Who didst thy servants to existence call,
With shame and guilt we own thy sov'reign sway
Which we've abus'd; but teach us to obey
Thy holy laws! O make us call to mind
Thy bounteous love, to bless and save mankind!
Most gracious God! when thou shalt children send,
Let thy protecting grace them e'er defend:
Be thou their guide, their Saviour, and their God,
On whom their trust may make its firm abode.
16
CHAP. IV.
Confirm'd in hope our Parents 'rose from pray'r,
And sought in fragrant shades repose from care.
The Sun in ev'ning splendor made retreat
When Adam, Earth's sole Monarch, fix'd his seat
Nor let vain grandeur scorn his simple life,
Alike remote from luxury and strife:
Without his flatterers, or empty forms,
Or artful wranglings base, or state rais'd storms;
Yet first in earthly pow'r, most absolute
O'er kingly lions to the meanest brute,
He knew their properties, their various wills,
And all the knowledge education fills
Spontaneous 'rose in him;—for his great mind
Was fram'd thus high, to benefit Mankind.
Nor were his subjects few, each animal
Fit for his use, was ready at his call.
Thus Adam reign'd,—yet earn'd his daily bread
And was by labour'd cultivation fed,
For what so requisite here to sustain
Existence free from hunger, want, and pain?
And sought in fragrant shades repose from care.
The Sun in ev'ning splendor made retreat
When Adam, Earth's sole Monarch, fix'd his seat
Nor let vain grandeur scorn his simple life,
Alike remote from luxury and strife:
Without his flatterers, or empty forms,
Or artful wranglings base, or state rais'd storms;
Yet first in earthly pow'r, most absolute
O'er kingly lions to the meanest brute,
He knew their properties, their various wills,
And all the knowledge education fills
Spontaneous 'rose in him;—for his great mind
Was fram'd thus high, to benefit Mankind.
Nor were his subjects few, each animal
Fit for his use, was ready at his call.
Thus Adam reign'd,—yet earn'd his daily bread
And was by labour'd cultivation fed,
For what so requisite here to sustain
Existence free from hunger, want, and pain?
Now time who never stops his swift career,
Gave Sons and Daughters to the first made Pair;
From whom the earth was stock'd with nations round
While sin and death their horrid influence found.
Then came the period great Jehovah will'd
To have his wond'rous prophecies fulfill'd;
Those prophecies which spoke that gracious plan
The restoration of degen'rate Man.
That when all hopes of mercy from him fled,
The Woman's seed should bruise the Serpent's head.
The royal sceptre fix'd in Judah's line
Shall not depart,—until that Shiloh shine
Upon this earthly globe, and unto whom
The various people of the earth shall come:—
His shall the gath'ring of the people be
Salvation's rock to all that to him flee;
A Man of griefs, who felt Affliction's rod,
The great sin-off'ring holy to his God,
The Passover, the Lamb without a scar,
The corner stone, and the bright morning star,
The sprinkled blood, and in the wilderness
The Serpent lifted up to heal and bless.
He is the scape-goat, laden with the crimes
Of sin imputed now, and after times;
The covenant, the bow, the mercy seat,
The ephod, holy ark, and the breast plate:
The jubilee, the manna, the perfume,
The great atonement to avert our doom;
Th' extensive ladder which shall mortals raise
To Heav'n by easy steps with pray'r and praise;
The Paschal Lamb, the victim to be slain,
Who bore our griefs, iniquities, and pain;
Afflicted and despis'd, was sore oppress'd,
And sadly bruis'd to make transgressors bless'd.
Gave Sons and Daughters to the first made Pair;
17
While sin and death their horrid influence found.
Then came the period great Jehovah will'd
To have his wond'rous prophecies fulfill'd;
Those prophecies which spoke that gracious plan
The restoration of degen'rate Man.
That when all hopes of mercy from him fled,
The Woman's seed should bruise the Serpent's head.
The royal sceptre fix'd in Judah's line
Shall not depart,—until that Shiloh shine
Upon this earthly globe, and unto whom
The various people of the earth shall come:—
His shall the gath'ring of the people be
Salvation's rock to all that to him flee;
A Man of griefs, who felt Affliction's rod,
The great sin-off'ring holy to his God,
The Passover, the Lamb without a scar,
The corner stone, and the bright morning star,
The sprinkled blood, and in the wilderness
The Serpent lifted up to heal and bless.
He is the scape-goat, laden with the crimes
Of sin imputed now, and after times;
The covenant, the bow, the mercy seat,
The ephod, holy ark, and the breast plate:
The jubilee, the manna, the perfume,
The great atonement to avert our doom;
Th' extensive ladder which shall mortals raise
To Heav'n by easy steps with pray'r and praise;
The Paschal Lamb, the victim to be slain,
Who bore our griefs, iniquities, and pain;
Afflicted and despis'd, was sore oppress'd,
And sadly bruis'd to make transgressors bless'd.
18
These were the types the Son of God fulfill'd,
And whereon Man doth his Salvation build;
These were by Israel's tribes well understood
Whose hopes rely'd upon the promis'd good;
By the Almighty's oracles prepar'd,
Which Christ's mysterious birth had well declar'd,
They never strove with subterfuge to wave
The boldest truths, a Virgin shall conceive
And bear a Son, Immanuel his name,
The Father, God of everlasting fame,
Wonderful Counsellor, the Prince of Peace,
And David's throne shall ever find increase.
On him the holy Spirit shall remain
And truth and judgment e'er adorn his reign;
In him malicious rancor shall subside,
And rage and turbulence be thrown aside.
“The lambs with wolves shall graze the verdant mead,
And boys in flow'ry bands the tyger lead;
The steer and lion at one crib shall meet,
And harmless serpents lick the pilgrim's feet;”
With stinging asps shall play the suckling boy,
Nor shall the cockatrice the child destroy;
But with true peace the earth shall then be stor'd,
With goodness and the knowledge of the Lord.
With dignity the sacred truths proceed
To shew the glorious acts by God decreed;—
The deaf shall hear, the lame shall leap for joy,
And to his name the dumb shall songs employ.
O sing, ye Heav'ns! resound with holy mirth,
Shout, shout for joy, ye denizens of earth!
Let ev'ry mountain in the Lord rejoice,
“Ye forests wave in honour of his voice!”
Listen ye isles, ye distant nations hear,
And for the coming of the Lord prepare!
O Zion, put on strength, awake, awake,
And thou Jerus'lem for my mercies sake
Behold thy light is come,—arise and shine,
On him my glory shall appear divine.
'Tis I have call'd, in righteousness will stand;—
'Tis I the great I AM will hold thy hand,
Will guide and keep thee for a cov'nant made
To light the Gentiles from destruction's shade.
And whereon Man doth his Salvation build;
These were by Israel's tribes well understood
Whose hopes rely'd upon the promis'd good;
By the Almighty's oracles prepar'd,
Which Christ's mysterious birth had well declar'd,
They never strove with subterfuge to wave
The boldest truths, a Virgin shall conceive
And bear a Son, Immanuel his name,
The Father, God of everlasting fame,
Wonderful Counsellor, the Prince of Peace,
And David's throne shall ever find increase.
On him the holy Spirit shall remain
And truth and judgment e'er adorn his reign;
In him malicious rancor shall subside,
And rage and turbulence be thrown aside.
“The lambs with wolves shall graze the verdant mead,
And boys in flow'ry bands the tyger lead;
The steer and lion at one crib shall meet,
And harmless serpents lick the pilgrim's feet;”
With stinging asps shall play the suckling boy,
Nor shall the cockatrice the child destroy;
But with true peace the earth shall then be stor'd,
With goodness and the knowledge of the Lord.
With dignity the sacred truths proceed
To shew the glorious acts by God decreed;—
The deaf shall hear, the lame shall leap for joy,
And to his name the dumb shall songs employ.
O sing, ye Heav'ns! resound with holy mirth,
Shout, shout for joy, ye denizens of earth!
Let ev'ry mountain in the Lord rejoice,
“Ye forests wave in honour of his voice!”
19
And for the coming of the Lord prepare!
O Zion, put on strength, awake, awake,
And thou Jerus'lem for my mercies sake
Behold thy light is come,—arise and shine,
On him my glory shall appear divine.
'Tis I have call'd, in righteousness will stand;—
'Tis I the great I AM will hold thy hand,
Will guide and keep thee for a cov'nant made
To light the Gentiles from destruction's shade.
Oh deep! oh wonderful supernal love,
How doth God's oracles Man's fears remove;
The great Jehovah condescends so low
T' unfold his works to Man, his greatest foe.
He who hath measur'd out the vast abyss,
And spreads abroad the seat of glorious bliss;
Who fix'd the stars within the great expanse,
And at whose word th' unwieldly planets dance;
Who ascertains the dust of all the earth,
And weigh'd the hills and mountains at their birth,—
'Tis he redeems and saves,—bless'd be his name,
Let Heav'n and Earth with joy his praise proclaim.
How doth God's oracles Man's fears remove;
The great Jehovah condescends so low
T' unfold his works to Man, his greatest foe.
He who hath measur'd out the vast abyss,
And spreads abroad the seat of glorious bliss;
Who fix'd the stars within the great expanse,
And at whose word th' unwieldly planets dance;
Who ascertains the dust of all the earth,
And weigh'd the hills and mountains at their birth,—
'Tis he redeems and saves,—bless'd be his name,
Let Heav'n and Earth with joy his praise proclaim.
20
CHAP. V.
As Heralds sound the titles of the great,
And blaze their actions to exalt their state,
Ev'n so the Prophets tho' in higher sphere,
The great Messiah's glorious deeds declare.
Tumultuous war now thro' the earth did cease,
And feuds gave way to universal peace;
Vindictive Rome quite satiate with blood,
Like to a glutted monster quiet stood;
Proscriptions ceas'd, but not till Tully's fate
Was seal'd to shew the evils of the state;
And that vain Emperor, who to his pride
Could give up freedom, yea, his friends beside,
Now sat to hear his flatt'rers offer up
Libations from their vile dissembling cup,
While he to render state nor station free,
With haste now issues forth his great decree,
That all his wide domains should taxed be.
And blaze their actions to exalt their state,
Ev'n so the Prophets tho' in higher sphere,
The great Messiah's glorious deeds declare.
Tumultuous war now thro' the earth did cease,
And feuds gave way to universal peace;
Vindictive Rome quite satiate with blood,
Like to a glutted monster quiet stood;
Proscriptions ceas'd, but not till Tully's fate
Was seal'd to shew the evils of the state;
And that vain Emperor, who to his pride
Could give up freedom, yea, his friends beside,
Now sat to hear his flatt'rers offer up
Libations from their vile dissembling cup,
While he to render state nor station free,
With haste now issues forth his great decree,
That all his wide domains should taxed be.
The arbitrary summons all obey,
For despotism reigns with boundless sway.
Thus when Oppression first rear'd high his rod,
Fear shrunk, and turn'd the Tyrant to a God.
Each district to its city now repair'd,
Not age or sex could meet the least regard,
All are enroll'd, ev'n Pharisee and Scribe,
Must now appear with family and tribe.
Of royal blood of Judah's famous line
A pair to Bethl'em came, to pay their fine;
By poverty made low, yet rich in zeal,
Did ever goodness with Jehovah fail!
The Husband's name was Joseph, and his Bride
Was Mary call'd, humility her guide;
Forewarn'd of God, she at the accomplish'd time,
Brought forth the Saviour Christ, a King sublime;
But ah! so mean, a stable was the inn,
A manger held th' Extirpater of Sin.
And tho' so high, from earthly pomp conceal'd,
His birth to mighty Rome was not reveal'd;
But humble Shepherds keeping watch by night
Over their flocks, receiv'd this glorious light
From Gabriel, one of th' ethereal line,
Who thus address'd them, in those strains divine.
I bring you peace, dismiss your needless fears,
Receive the tidings which all nature cheers;
Ev'n now to you in holy David's town
Salvation, God's best gift, comes freely down,
Of Mary, whom the purest charms adorn,
The holy Christ, the great Messiah's born:
Go seek your Saviour, and observe this sign,
In swadling cloaths is wrapt the Babe divine,
And in a manger does Immanuel shine.
For despotism reigns with boundless sway.
Thus when Oppression first rear'd high his rod,
Fear shrunk, and turn'd the Tyrant to a God.
21
Not age or sex could meet the least regard,
All are enroll'd, ev'n Pharisee and Scribe,
Must now appear with family and tribe.
Of royal blood of Judah's famous line
A pair to Bethl'em came, to pay their fine;
By poverty made low, yet rich in zeal,
Did ever goodness with Jehovah fail!
The Husband's name was Joseph, and his Bride
Was Mary call'd, humility her guide;
Forewarn'd of God, she at the accomplish'd time,
Brought forth the Saviour Christ, a King sublime;
But ah! so mean, a stable was the inn,
A manger held th' Extirpater of Sin.
And tho' so high, from earthly pomp conceal'd,
His birth to mighty Rome was not reveal'd;
But humble Shepherds keeping watch by night
Over their flocks, receiv'd this glorious light
From Gabriel, one of th' ethereal line,
Who thus address'd them, in those strains divine.
I bring you peace, dismiss your needless fears,
Receive the tidings which all nature cheers;
Ev'n now to you in holy David's town
Salvation, God's best gift, comes freely down,
Of Mary, whom the purest charms adorn,
The holy Christ, the great Messiah's born:
Go seek your Saviour, and observe this sign,
In swadling cloaths is wrapt the Babe divine,
And in a manger does Immanuel shine.
The Shepherds rais'd their eyes in great amaze,
Almost o'ercome with the resplendent blaze;
When to the heav'nly Harbinger there came
A num'rous host of the angelic frame,
Joining in praises, and with loudest strains
Sung Hallelujahs to their King who reigns
O'er all,—in all, who sent his only Son
To finish what his mercy had begun.
Enraptur'd with the news the Shepherds flew
And found the Babe expos'd to public view.
Thus was the union hypostatical,
Which rescu'd Man from his destructive fall;
And which at once astonish'd, sav'd and blest,—
To all the nations round made manifest:
This was the myst'ry to the just made known,
The holy Simeon rich in faith, was one.
Full of that spirit which reveals all truth,
The consolation waiting from his youth,
Who when he'd seen the goodness of the Lord,
His heart a song of thankful rapture pour'd.
Almost o'ercome with the resplendent blaze;
22
A num'rous host of the angelic frame,
Joining in praises, and with loudest strains
Sung Hallelujahs to their King who reigns
O'er all,—in all, who sent his only Son
To finish what his mercy had begun.
Enraptur'd with the news the Shepherds flew
And found the Babe expos'd to public view.
Thus was the union hypostatical,
Which rescu'd Man from his destructive fall;
And which at once astonish'd, sav'd and blest,—
To all the nations round made manifest:
This was the myst'ry to the just made known,
The holy Simeon rich in faith, was one.
Full of that spirit which reveals all truth,
The consolation waiting from his youth,
Who when he'd seen the goodness of the Lord,
His heart a song of thankful rapture pour'd.
Like as the swan when drawing near the end
Of her existence will her last breath spend
To sing her solemn dirge in warbling strains,
Fearless (as Poets tell) of dying pains.
So holy Simeon his last requiem sings,
To Christ his Saviour, as the Mother brings
Him to the Temple, fearless of th' alarms
Of death, he takes him in his longing arms;
And in the fulness of his soul declares
The mercies of his God, in fervent pray'rs.
While with a holy flame my heart doth glow
In peace, O Lord, let now thy servant go;
For thy salvation have I seen this day,
The rock of ages Isr'el's glorious stay,
To all the Gentile world the heav'nly light,
Yea such a wonder glads my failing sight,
In thee my Saviour, God and Man unite.
Thus in the Temple sung the holy Seer,
The list'ning wond'ring crouds the tidings hear;
While 'midst their fervent joys the Virgin blest,
Receives the holy Infant to her breast;
Chanting the strains which thankful minds engage
Recorded to be hymn'd in ev'ry age.
My grateful soul doth magnify the Lord,
And in my heart my Saviour is ador'd;
For he regardful of my humble state
Hath chosen me from Daughters of the Great;
And now behold succeeding ages shall
In rapt'rous wonder me God's Mother call.
For He the God of everlasting fame
Hath blessed me and holy is his name.
His tender mercies doth he wide extend
To ev'ry generation without end;
His holy arm all nations gathers in
And ev'ry humble soul's restor'd from sin.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat,
And high exalted those of low estate;
To Abra'm he his promise will maintain
Which to his faithful seed shall e'er remain.
Such was the Virgin's song, such was her praise,
Thankful altho' adorn'd with glorious rays
Of pow'r divine, declaring to Mankind
Humility must true devotion bind.
Of her existence will her last breath spend
To sing her solemn dirge in warbling strains,
Fearless (as Poets tell) of dying pains.
So holy Simeon his last requiem sings,
To Christ his Saviour, as the Mother brings
Him to the Temple, fearless of th' alarms
Of death, he takes him in his longing arms;
And in the fulness of his soul declares
The mercies of his God, in fervent pray'rs.
While with a holy flame my heart doth glow
In peace, O Lord, let now thy servant go;
23
The rock of ages Isr'el's glorious stay,
To all the Gentile world the heav'nly light,
Yea such a wonder glads my failing sight,
In thee my Saviour, God and Man unite.
Thus in the Temple sung the holy Seer,
The list'ning wond'ring crouds the tidings hear;
While 'midst their fervent joys the Virgin blest,
Receives the holy Infant to her breast;
Chanting the strains which thankful minds engage
Recorded to be hymn'd in ev'ry age.
My grateful soul doth magnify the Lord,
And in my heart my Saviour is ador'd;
For he regardful of my humble state
Hath chosen me from Daughters of the Great;
And now behold succeeding ages shall
In rapt'rous wonder me God's Mother call.
For He the God of everlasting fame
Hath blessed me and holy is his name.
His tender mercies doth he wide extend
To ev'ry generation without end;
His holy arm all nations gathers in
And ev'ry humble soul's restor'd from sin.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat,
And high exalted those of low estate;
To Abra'm he his promise will maintain
Which to his faithful seed shall e'er remain.
Such was the Virgin's song, such was her praise,
Thankful altho' adorn'd with glorious rays
Of pow'r divine, declaring to Mankind
Humility must true devotion bind.
24
Here let th' ambitious Mortal make a stand,
Who vaults in pride, and braves th' Almighty's hand;
Let him reflect on the Messiah's birth,
That God supreme should mix with sinful earth;
Should deign his earthly being to receive,
Remov'd from all the comforts wealth could give;—
No stately rooms, no downy couch to rest
His Virgin Mother, weary and distress'd
With her long toil, and tho' of royal blood,
Almost a stranger to Earth's common good.
Such was the station which our Saviour chose
T' encounter guilt, to free Man from his foes,
Born in a stable, led a life obscure,
Was oft insulted, as he pass'd each door
With sad revilings, scoft at as the son
Of a mechanick, and despis'd as one
Who shew'd himself the Publicans fast friend,
And to vile sinners did his love extend.
Mistaken Men, like Caiaphas you speak,
Who said it was expedient, for the sake
Of all the people, that the Christ should die,
But what he said, he spoke unwittingly.
Ev'n so when you your Saviour dare revile,
And say that Publicans receiv'd his smile,
And that he was the wretched sinners friend,
Do not reflect—this was his only end.
For when he conquer'd sin, and rent the grave
All were vile sinners, whom he deign'd to save.
Who vaults in pride, and braves th' Almighty's hand;
Let him reflect on the Messiah's birth,
That God supreme should mix with sinful earth;
Should deign his earthly being to receive,
Remov'd from all the comforts wealth could give;—
No stately rooms, no downy couch to rest
His Virgin Mother, weary and distress'd
With her long toil, and tho' of royal blood,
Almost a stranger to Earth's common good.
Such was the station which our Saviour chose
T' encounter guilt, to free Man from his foes,
Born in a stable, led a life obscure,
Was oft insulted, as he pass'd each door
With sad revilings, scoft at as the son
Of a mechanick, and despis'd as one
Who shew'd himself the Publicans fast friend,
And to vile sinners did his love extend.
Mistaken Men, like Caiaphas you speak,
Who said it was expedient, for the sake
Of all the people, that the Christ should die,
But what he said, he spoke unwittingly.
Ev'n so when you your Saviour dare revile,
And say that Publicans receiv'd his smile,
And that he was the wretched sinners friend,
Do not reflect—this was his only end.
For when he conquer'd sin, and rent the grave
All were vile sinners, whom he deign'd to save.
The great Forerunner's mission now began,
Who preach'd aloud Salvation's come to Man.
Ye senseless nations, deep involv'd in sin
Ye crooked, harden'd, let repentance win
You to your God, behold the holy Lamb,
The promis'd sacrifice, the great I AM.
I verily baptize with Jordan's stream,
But he who after comes deserves such fame,
That ev'n to bear his shoes I can't aspire—
Shall baptize with the Holy Ghost and fire.
Who preach'd aloud Salvation's come to Man.
25
Ye crooked, harden'd, let repentance win
You to your God, behold the holy Lamb,
The promis'd sacrifice, the great I AM.
I verily baptize with Jordan's stream,
But he who after comes deserves such fame,
That ev'n to bear his shoes I can't aspire—
Shall baptize with the Holy Ghost and fire.
In expectation all the people mus'd,
And in their thoughts of Christ was much confus'd;
Thinking the Baptist He—with longing eyes
They view'd, then deem'd that under him should rise
The house of Isr'el, and that quickly they
Would be deliver'd from the Roman sway.
That he would David's regal house maintain,
And give them rule and liberty again;
But of a heavenly reign, tho' King of Kings,
They little thought, nor understood such things.
Thus have I seen an infant at his play,
Throw wholesome food for paltry trash away:
Nor can substantial good attract his sight,
But tinsell'd trifles form his chief delight.
And in their thoughts of Christ was much confus'd;
Thinking the Baptist He—with longing eyes
They view'd, then deem'd that under him should rise
The house of Isr'el, and that quickly they
Would be deliver'd from the Roman sway.
That he would David's regal house maintain,
And give them rule and liberty again;
But of a heavenly reign, tho' King of Kings,
They little thought, nor understood such things.
Thus have I seen an infant at his play,
Throw wholesome food for paltry trash away:
Nor can substantial good attract his sight,
But tinsell'd trifles form his chief delight.
John still continu'd to declare around
Now was the time, th' accepted season found.
Ye, whom in this clear stream, I now baptize,
Learn thro' repentance happiness to prize!
'Tis your Redeemer, him of whom I spake,
Your gracious God, who bids you all forsake
Your evil ways—who comes as with a fan
To fan like chaff, guilt from degen'rate Man;
Who comes adorn'd with purity most bright,
Who is, and ever was the truth and light.
Now was the time, th' accepted season found.
Ye, whom in this clear stream, I now baptize,
Learn thro' repentance happiness to prize!
'Tis your Redeemer, him of whom I spake,
Your gracious God, who bids you all forsake
Your evil ways—who comes as with a fan
To fan like chaff, guilt from degen'rate Man;
26
Who is, and ever was the truth and light.
While thus the Prophet their approaching good
Reveal'd, the people in amazement stood.
Yet some whom he baptiz'd unto him came,
Saying, that now thou must support thy fame;
If not the Christ, why dost thou then baptize?
Art thou Elias, whom we trust shall rise,
And happiness restore to Isr'el's race,
Say art thou come to bid our troubles cease?
The Prophet answer'd—I've baptiz'd 'tis true,
But he of whom I spake, is now in view;
And as refiners purify their gold
With fire intense, from all its drossy mould,
So will the great Messiah you refine
And like pure gold, will make your nature shine:
I'm come a witness only to disperse
His glorious deeds to all the universe.
Reveal'd, the people in amazement stood.
Yet some whom he baptiz'd unto him came,
Saying, that now thou must support thy fame;
If not the Christ, why dost thou then baptize?
Art thou Elias, whom we trust shall rise,
And happiness restore to Isr'el's race,
Say art thou come to bid our troubles cease?
The Prophet answer'd—I've baptiz'd 'tis true,
But he of whom I spake, is now in view;
And as refiners purify their gold
With fire intense, from all its drossy mould,
So will the great Messiah you refine
And like pure gold, will make your nature shine:
I'm come a witness only to disperse
His glorious deeds to all the universe.
27
CHAP. VI.
To Jordan's banks whose waters sweetly glide
Then to the Baptist came our heav'nly Guide;
There to receive in those transparent streams
That holy rite, which thro' the world proclaims
The Christian's glory: when John thus addrest
With great humility his sacred Guest.
And comest thou, to be baptiz'd of me?
Rather let me receive that bliss from thee,
My holy God, from this let me abstain,
O wash me, wash me from corruption clean!
Then to the Baptist came our heav'nly Guide;
There to receive in those transparent streams
That holy rite, which thro' the world proclaims
The Christian's glory: when John thus addrest
With great humility his sacred Guest.
And comest thou, to be baptiz'd of me?
Rather let me receive that bliss from thee,
My holy God, from this let me abstain,
O wash me, wash me from corruption clean!
To whom the mild, the bless'd Redeemer said,
Thou to perform it be not now afraid;
It must be so; for we therein fulfil
The sacred law, and God's most holy will;
Then was the Christ baptiz'd—
When lo! the Heav'ns a glorious scene display'd,
And that great Pow'r, who when the world was made
Illum'd the whole,—bid ev'ry creature move
Descended in the semblance of a Dove.
Thou to perform it be not now afraid;
It must be so; for we therein fulfil
The sacred law, and God's most holy will;
Then was the Christ baptiz'd—
When lo! the Heav'ns a glorious scene display'd,
And that great Pow'r, who when the world was made
28
Descended in the semblance of a Dove.
The Holy Ghost on your redeeming friend
Now rests, oh Earth, in silent awe attend!
And ye blest Angels, that the throne surround
With praises hear, how mercy doth abound
To sinful Man. Jehovah speaks, indeed,
And shews Salvation in his glorious meed.
Man can no longer doubt, no longer say,
That Christ the great Messiah makes long stay,
His coming, Heav'n and Earth do witness bear
While God th' eternal Father speaks his care,—
“This is my Son, my well beloved Son,”
O chearful sound, thou wond'rous three in one.
This is the evidence which shines so bright
And gives the world such glorious rays of light,
The sacred undivided Trinity,
One God in essence, tho' in persons three,
Or as recorded by the inspir'd John,
The Father, Word, and Spirit, three in one.
Now rests, oh Earth, in silent awe attend!
And ye blest Angels, that the throne surround
With praises hear, how mercy doth abound
To sinful Man. Jehovah speaks, indeed,
And shews Salvation in his glorious meed.
Man can no longer doubt, no longer say,
That Christ the great Messiah makes long stay,
His coming, Heav'n and Earth do witness bear
While God th' eternal Father speaks his care,—
“This is my Son, my well beloved Son,”
O chearful sound, thou wond'rous three in one.
This is the evidence which shines so bright
And gives the world such glorious rays of light,
The sacred undivided Trinity,
One God in essence, tho' in persons three,
Or as recorded by the inspir'd John,
The Father, Word, and Spirit, three in one.
The work stupendous to preserve Mankind,
To the Messiah being now assign'd,
In this high state with lowliness behold
The Prince of Peace, his sacred truths unfold,
To poor unletter'd Fishers, men who knew
Those ills which must from earthly wants accrue,
These he ordain'd to aid his vast design,
To raise Mortality to life divine.
No men of eminence his doctrine taught,
No Ministers in Palaces he sought,
Where Learning, Wit, and Elocution shine
In all the splendor which the world calls fine.
Nor did he try the Pharisees to gain,
To be attended by a deep taught train;
But those he chose were humble, poor, and meek,
These were the Mighties, Christ vouchsaf'd to seek.
With these he went abroad—
While crouds admiring, follow'd to behold
The Lamb of God, his gracious love unfold;
Who with compassion and a heav'nly smile
In plain, descriptive, yet enchanting stile
Sets Heav'n's delights before them in array,
And each beatitude declar'd the way.
To the Messiah being now assign'd,
In this high state with lowliness behold
The Prince of Peace, his sacred truths unfold,
To poor unletter'd Fishers, men who knew
Those ills which must from earthly wants accrue,
These he ordain'd to aid his vast design,
To raise Mortality to life divine.
29
No Ministers in Palaces he sought,
Where Learning, Wit, and Elocution shine
In all the splendor which the world calls fine.
Nor did he try the Pharisees to gain,
To be attended by a deep taught train;
But those he chose were humble, poor, and meek,
These were the Mighties, Christ vouchsaf'd to seek.
With these he went abroad—
While crouds admiring, follow'd to behold
The Lamb of God, his gracious love unfold;
Who with compassion and a heav'nly smile
In plain, descriptive, yet enchanting stile
Sets Heav'n's delights before them in array,
And each beatitude declar'd the way.
Thus preach'd the Saviour of the world around,
While pow'r and energy his preaching found;
Not like the pompous doctrine of the schools,
Reveal'd in formal and unmeaning rules,
T' amuse the head, but not the heart improve,
Nor from the sinner fell despair remove.
While pow'r and energy his preaching found;
Not like the pompous doctrine of the schools,
Reveal'd in formal and unmeaning rules,
T' amuse the head, but not the heart improve,
Nor from the sinner fell despair remove.
Ah! where is He, who has no higher aim
Than what the soundness of his morals claim?
Say what can Man, all imperfection, do,
Whose highest virtues are his duties too;
Infirmities and errors him surround,
Disturb'd societies oft him confound;
The duties of each moment still come on,
And blessings rise up with the rising sun.
Health, family, and friends, air, light, and food,
With all those pleasing joys the earth calls good,
Are blended in him; but when sin appears
It sinks him down amidst desponding fears.
Or where's the over-righteous in God's law
Whose high-wrought zeal will not admit a flaw
In human state, but like the Pharisee
Who would not with the Publican agree,
To pay devotion to the living God,
But pledg'd himself free from the dreadful rod
That's due to sin, and thought vain-glorious pride
Would rather aid than cast his plea aside.
Alas! such specious cov'rings wont avail,
For in the day of wrath they'll surely fail.
But when th' atoning Lamb, without disguise,
Appears the meritorious sacrifice,
Then Man appropriates, new life, new light,
And all his guilt is taken from his sight.
By this I know that Christ was born for me,
Fulfill'd the Law, and suffer'd on the Tree;
And in my nature has he mourn'd and dy'd,
Eternal justice too has satisfy'd;
Has finished my redemption with his blood,
On this I stand, on this my faith holds good;
And as in Adam none can death survive,
Ev'n so in Christ shall all be made alive.
Than what the soundness of his morals claim?
Say what can Man, all imperfection, do,
Whose highest virtues are his duties too;
Infirmities and errors him surround,
Disturb'd societies oft him confound;
The duties of each moment still come on,
And blessings rise up with the rising sun.
30
With all those pleasing joys the earth calls good,
Are blended in him; but when sin appears
It sinks him down amidst desponding fears.
Or where's the over-righteous in God's law
Whose high-wrought zeal will not admit a flaw
In human state, but like the Pharisee
Who would not with the Publican agree,
To pay devotion to the living God,
But pledg'd himself free from the dreadful rod
That's due to sin, and thought vain-glorious pride
Would rather aid than cast his plea aside.
Alas! such specious cov'rings wont avail,
For in the day of wrath they'll surely fail.
But when th' atoning Lamb, without disguise,
Appears the meritorious sacrifice,
Then Man appropriates, new life, new light,
And all his guilt is taken from his sight.
By this I know that Christ was born for me,
Fulfill'd the Law, and suffer'd on the Tree;
And in my nature has he mourn'd and dy'd,
Eternal justice too has satisfy'd;
Has finished my redemption with his blood,
On this I stand, on this my faith holds good;
And as in Adam none can death survive,
Ev'n so in Christ shall all be made alive.
Here then begins the Christian's life,—a war
Which we against a sinful world declare.
Now all those ills the human passions rear'd,
Which would allure us from fair Virtue's guard,
Fly far behind,—they've lost the pow'r to charm,
Nor can the hoping Penitent alarm;
But Truth and Mercy bid the conflict cease,
And lead the faithful Soul to endless Peace.
Which we against a sinful world declare.
Now all those ills the human passions rear'd,
Which would allure us from fair Virtue's guard,
31
Nor can the hoping Penitent alarm;
But Truth and Mercy bid the conflict cease,
And lead the faithful Soul to endless Peace.
So the industrious labourer pursues
His daily toil, inspir'd with pleasing views;
Each chearful day he acts and hopes the best,
And night rewards his toil with tranquil rest.
His daily toil, inspir'd with pleasing views;
Each chearful day he acts and hopes the best,
And night rewards his toil with tranquil rest.
END OF THE FIRST BOOK.
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