The parables of our lord and saviour Jesus Christ Done into familiar verse, with occasional applications, for the use and improvement of younger minds. By Christopher Smart |
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 | The parables of our lord and saviour Jesus Christ |  |
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[Though the following Passages of the New Testament be not Parables, yet as they are altogether pertinent to our present Design, we have not scrupled to insert them.]
CHRIST disputing amongst the Doctors.
Now when the Lord was twelve years old,
The customary feast to hold,
His parents to the city went;
And when the festal days were spent,
The child, as they went home again,
Did at Jerusalem remain.
But this they did not understand,
And rather thought he was at hand
Amongst the trav'lers by the way:
They therefore journey'd for a day,
And of each neighbour and each friend,
When they had sought him to no end,
They to the city turn'd about
Determining to find him out;
And this was the event at last,
That, after full three days were past,
Him in the temple plac'd they found
With learned doctors all around,
Whom he did hear by turns debate,
And from his seat interrogate:
And all admir'd a child so wise,
Struck with his reas'ning and replies.
And when his parents came in view,
They were in great amazement too.
And Mary said unto him, Son,
What is this thing that thou hast done?
Behold, thy father here, with me,
Has sought thee in anxiety.
And he, “What is it that you sought?
“Had ye not yet so much of thought,
“That I must needs with care pursue
“The work my Father bids me do?
The customary feast to hold,
His parents to the city went;
And when the festal days were spent,
The child, as they went home again,
Did at Jerusalem remain.
But this they did not understand,
And rather thought he was at hand
Amongst the trav'lers by the way:
They therefore journey'd for a day,
And of each neighbour and each friend,
When they had sought him to no end,
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Determining to find him out;
And this was the event at last,
That, after full three days were past,
Him in the temple plac'd they found
With learned doctors all around,
Whom he did hear by turns debate,
And from his seat interrogate:
And all admir'd a child so wise,
Struck with his reas'ning and replies.
And when his parents came in view,
They were in great amazement too.
And Mary said unto him, Son,
What is this thing that thou hast done?
Behold, thy father here, with me,
Has sought thee in anxiety.
And he, “What is it that you sought?
“Had ye not yet so much of thought,
“That I must needs with care pursue
“The work my Father bids me do?
Christ to the church did first repair,
And open'd his commission there;
Before the elders of the Jews
The tendency of grace he shews,
And with their best divines conferr'd
About the beauty of his word.
Mean time in vain his earthly sire
And mother after him inquire:
For his great work he must begin,
Promulge the gospel, silence sin,
With all his heart and mind above,
And all his labour that of love.
And open'd his commission there;
Before the elders of the Jews
The tendency of grace he shews,
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About the beauty of his word.
Mean time in vain his earthly sire
And mother after him inquire:
For his great work he must begin,
Promulge the gospel, silence sin,
With all his heart and mind above,
And all his labour that of love.
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The Disciples pluck the Ears of Corn on the Sabbath-day.
Christ JESUS on a certain mornWent through a field of standing corn;
This happen'd on the Sabbath-day,
And his disciples on the way
Were hungry, and began to eat
From the rubb'd ears the ripen'd wheat.
The Pharisees, when this they saw,
Said, thy disciples break the law,
And on the Sabbath act amiss;
But he his answer made to this,
“What, have ye never read the place,
“How David did in such a case,
“As he was hungry, with the band,
“That then was under his command,
“How to the house of God he sped,
“And from the altar took the bread,
“That bread not ever lawful known
“To eat but for the priests alone?
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“That in the temple every priest
“May still the Sabbath-day profane,
“And yet in innocence remain?
“But to you all it shall appear,
“One greater than the temple's here.
“And had ye known what this implies,
“I mercy choose, not sacrifice,
“Ye had been tempted to relent,
“And not condemn'd the innocent:
“For, know, the Son of Man bears sway
“Ev'n sov'reign of the Sabbath-day.”
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Pilate and the Galileans.
And some in company relate
Th'unhappy Galileans fate,
Whose mingled off'rings Pilate burn'd
With their own blood.—The Lord return'd,
“Think ye, they sinn'd in a degree
“Beyond all men of Galilee,
“That they were doom'd to undergo
“Such cruelties? I tell you, No.
“But if you do not soon repent,
“Ye all shall share a like event.
“Or those eighteen on whom there rush'd
“Siloam's falling tow'r and crush'd,
“Think ye, they did the crimes outweigh
“Of all the Jews? I tell you, nay.
“But if ye do not soon repent,
“Ye all shall share a like event.”
Th'unhappy Galileans fate,
Whose mingled off'rings Pilate burn'd
With their own blood.—The Lord return'd,
“Think ye, they sinn'd in a degree
“Beyond all men of Galilee,
“That they were doom'd to undergo
“Such cruelties? I tell you, No.
“But if you do not soon repent,
“Ye all shall share a like event.
“Or those eighteen on whom there rush'd
“Siloam's falling tow'r and crush'd,
“Think ye, they did the crimes outweigh
“Of all the Jews? I tell you, nay.
“But if ye do not soon repent,
“Ye all shall share a like event.”
Men never God's resentment feel
More fierce, than when they dare to deal
In judgments. 'Tis the Lord alone,
By whom all circumstance is known:
How force impells, how treach'ry lurks,
How wrath, and how temptation works;
How fiends approach, when grace withdraws,
What boldness, or abashment cause;
How wealth puffs up, how hardships drive,
How wordlings punish, or connive.
Then inward turn thy conscious eyes,
And self-condemn'd, be meek and wise.
More fierce, than when they dare to deal
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By whom all circumstance is known:
How force impells, how treach'ry lurks,
How wrath, and how temptation works;
How fiends approach, when grace withdraws,
What boldness, or abashment cause;
How wealth puffs up, how hardships drive,
How wordlings punish, or connive.
Then inward turn thy conscious eyes,
And self-condemn'd, be meek and wise.
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Christ delivereth the Woman taken in Adultery.
Christ to the mount of olives fled,And early in the morning sped
Back to the temple yet again,
And all the folk, a numerous train,
Did to his residence repair,
And he sat down and taught them there.
Then came the Pharisaic band,
And Scriv'ners, having in their hand
A woman in adult'ry found,
And shewing her the Lord, they sound,
“Lord, this is an adult'ress base,
“And far too evident the case.
“Now Moses, that we might atone
“For such, commanded us to stone:
“But what say'st thou?”—The wily Jews
Thus press'd him, that they might accuse.
But Jesus stoop'd upon the spot,
And with his finger something wrote,
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So when they ask'd, and persever'd,
Recov'ring of himself, said he,
Whoso from carnal vice is free
Amongst you all, let him begin
To stone this woman for her sin.
And then again, his body bent,
He wrote upon the ground intent.
This when the multitude had heard,
(Not one by his own conscience clear'd)
Sneak'd man by man from Christ and truth,
Ev'n from the eldest to the youth:
So that they left the Prince of Grace,
And woman standing in the place.
When Jesus then himself anew
Had rais'd with nothing in his view,
Except the woman, he inquir'd,
“Woman, where are thy foes retir'd?
“Art thou by none a convict made?”
Lord, not by any one, she said.
Then answ'ring her again, said he,
“Thou art no convict made by me:
“The Lord most merciful adore,
“And go thy ways, and sin no more.”
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The Story of Zaccheus.
Through Jericho as Jesus came
A man (Zaccheus was his name)
Chief of the Publicans for gold
And pow'r, sought Jesus to behold;
But could not for the press his eyes
Indulge by reason of his size.
He therefore hasty ran before,
And climb'd upon a sycamore,
That he his passing Lord might see,
Who when he came beside the tree,
Look'd up, and saw him o'er his head,
“Zaccheus, haste, come down, he said;
“For in thy house this very day
“Thy Lord has purposed to stay.”
He therefore coming down in haste,
With joy his holy Guest embrac'd:
Which when observ'd by all the rest,
They murmur'd, that he went a guest
With one so much immers'd in sin.
Mean time Zaccheus stood within,
And said unto the Lord, “Behold,
“The half of my ill-gotten gold
“I give the poor; and if by theft,
“Or falshood, any I've bereft,
“Four-fold the same I will replace.”
Then answer'd Jesus, This day grace
Is come upon this house; for he
Is also Abraham's progeny.
A man (Zaccheus was his name)
Chief of the Publicans for gold
And pow'r, sought Jesus to behold;
But could not for the press his eyes
Indulge by reason of his size.
He therefore hasty ran before,
And climb'd upon a sycamore,
That he his passing Lord might see,
Who when he came beside the tree,
Look'd up, and saw him o'er his head,
“Zaccheus, haste, come down, he said;
“For in thy house this very day
“Thy Lord has purposed to stay.”
He therefore coming down in haste,
With joy his holy Guest embrac'd:
Which when observ'd by all the rest,
They murmur'd, that he went a guest
With one so much immers'd in sin.
Mean time Zaccheus stood within,
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“The half of my ill-gotten gold
“I give the poor; and if by theft,
“Or falshood, any I've bereft,
“Four-fold the same I will replace.”
Then answer'd Jesus, This day grace
Is come upon this house; for he
Is also Abraham's progeny.
Praise-worthy in a high degree
Is godly curiosity;
To search the Lord, above, around,
If haply he may yet be found.
Short-sighted reason, dwarf desire,
Are faith and zeal when lifted high'r.
Then on the Tree of Life sublime
With hands and knees devoutly climb;
Catch mercy's moments as they fly,
Behold! the Lord is passing by.
Is godly curiosity;
To search the Lord, above, around,
If haply he may yet be found.
Short-sighted reason, dwarf desire,
Are faith and zeal when lifted high'r.
Then on the Tree of Life sublime
With hands and knees devoutly climb;
Catch mercy's moments as they fly,
Behold! the Lord is passing by.
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The poor Widow commended.
Christ saw some men of wealth and rank
Throw money in the public bank,
And saw a needy widow'd dame
Cast in two mites into the same:
He then this observation made,
And unto those around he said,
“This widow, needy and oppress'd,
“Has done far more than all the rest.
“For these from their abundance deal
“To God and to the common-weal:
“But she from an impoverish'd lot,
“Has cast in all that she had got.”
Throw money in the public bank,
And saw a needy widow'd dame
Cast in two mites into the same:
He then this observation made,
And unto those around he said,
“This widow, needy and oppress'd,
“Has done far more than all the rest.
“For these from their abundance deal
“To God and to the common-weal:
“But she from an impoverish'd lot,
“Has cast in all that she had got.”
Much is requir'd, where much is giv'n,
And in proportion as they've thriv'n,
Men should the Lord with wealth adore.
But when from a contracted store
You by small means attain great ends,
Then virtue tow'rs, and grace transcends.
And in proportion as they've thriv'n,
Men should the Lord with wealth adore.
But when from a contracted store
You by small means attain great ends,
Then virtue tow'rs, and grace transcends.
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The Transfiguration.
Christ JESUS on a certain day
Upon a mountain went to pray,
Commanding Peter to be there,
And John and James to join in pray'r:
When, lo! the fashion of his face
Was alter'd through exceeding grace,
And all his garments glist'ring white
By far outshone the morning-light:
And, lo! two men talk'd with them there,
Which Moses and Elias were,
Who came in glory from their peace,
And spake to him of his decease,
To happen in a certain space,
And nam'd Jerusalem the place.
Peter mean time and th'other twain
Slept sound, and when they woke again,
The bright appearance that he made,
And two men with him they survey'd:
Now haply as they went away,
The elder saint began to say,
“Lord, it is pleasant to abide,
“And in this place let us provide
“Three tabernacles for the three,
“Elias, Amram's son, and thee.”
This spake he on that great event,
Not understanding what he meant.
A cloud descended over-head,
And cover'd them, as this he said;
And now their hearts began to quake,
As in the cloud they entrance make:
And from the cloud a voice there broke,
Which thus the trembling saints bespoke,
“This is my best beloved Son,
“Attend that his commands be done!”
When those disciples heard the sound,
They straight fell prostrate to the ground.
But Christ approaching to their aid,
And touching them, “Be not afraid,
(He cry'd) “but instantly arise.”
And when they lifted up their eyes,
No man they either see or hear,
Save Jesus only standing near:
And as the mountain's brow they leave,
From Christ they this command receive,
“This vision to no man explain,
“Till Christ your Lord be ris'n again.”
Upon a mountain went to pray,
Commanding Peter to be there,
And John and James to join in pray'r:
When, lo! the fashion of his face
Was alter'd through exceeding grace,
And all his garments glist'ring white
By far outshone the morning-light:
And, lo! two men talk'd with them there,
Which Moses and Elias were,
Who came in glory from their peace,
And spake to him of his decease,
To happen in a certain space,
And nam'd Jerusalem the place.
Peter mean time and th'other twain
Slept sound, and when they woke again,
The bright appearance that he made,
And two men with him they survey'd:
Now haply as they went away,
The elder saint began to say,
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“And in this place let us provide
“Three tabernacles for the three,
“Elias, Amram's son, and thee.”
This spake he on that great event,
Not understanding what he meant.
A cloud descended over-head,
And cover'd them, as this he said;
And now their hearts began to quake,
As in the cloud they entrance make:
And from the cloud a voice there broke,
Which thus the trembling saints bespoke,
“This is my best beloved Son,
“Attend that his commands be done!”
When those disciples heard the sound,
They straight fell prostrate to the ground.
But Christ approaching to their aid,
And touching them, “Be not afraid,
(He cry'd) “but instantly arise.”
And when they lifted up their eyes,
No man they either see or hear,
Save Jesus only standing near:
And as the mountain's brow they leave,
From Christ they this command receive,
“This vision to no man explain,
“Till Christ your Lord be ris'n again.”
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Our Saviour's want, and friendless state,
Which all the race of wordlings hate,
Were one great cause the restif Jews
Did his blest ambassage refuse:
Hence ev'n the very twelve were prone
To flee and leave the Lord alone.
He therefore shew'd this glorious sight,
Transfigur'd into ghostly light,
To fortify the faith of those
Which from the chosen he had chose.
The caution giv'n, that they should hide
This vision, till their Master died
And rose again, was on this wise,
Lest envy 'mongst the nine should rise;
Or drive the Jews by crime on crime,
To cut off Christ before his time.
Which all the race of wordlings hate,
Were one great cause the restif Jews
Did his blest ambassage refuse:
Hence ev'n the very twelve were prone
To flee and leave the Lord alone.
He therefore shew'd this glorious sight,
Transfigur'd into ghostly light,
To fortify the faith of those
Which from the chosen he had chose.
The caution giv'n, that they should hide
This vision, till their Master died
And rose again, was on this wise,
Lest envy 'mongst the nine should rise;
Or drive the Jews by crime on crime,
To cut off Christ before his time.
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The fiery Disciples.
Now when the time was near compleat
When Christ must re-assume his seat,
He sat his face with stedfast view
The way tow'rds Salem to pursue,
And messengers before him sent,
Who to a certain village went,
By the Samaritans possess'd,
And there provision would have dress'd,
But they deny'd the Prince of Grace,
Because towards that hated place,
Jerusalem, his course he steer'd;
Which James and John no sooner heard,
But to Christ Jesus they apply,
“Lord, shall we summon from the sky
“Upon their heads consuming fire,
“As did Elias in his ire?”
But Jesus turn'd, and in offence
Rebuk'd them for their vehemence,
And said, “Ye know not, in your zeal,
“What spirit wakes the wrath ye feel;
“For Christ his mission's not design'd
“To sacrifice, but save mankind.”
When Christ must re-assume his seat,
He sat his face with stedfast view
The way tow'rds Salem to pursue,
And messengers before him sent,
Who to a certain village went,
By the Samaritans possess'd,
And there provision would have dress'd,
But they deny'd the Prince of Grace,
Because towards that hated place,
Jerusalem, his course he steer'd;
Which James and John no sooner heard,
But to Christ Jesus they apply,
“Lord, shall we summon from the sky
“Upon their heads consuming fire,
“As did Elias in his ire?”
But Jesus turn'd, and in offence
Rebuk'd them for their vehemence,
And said, “Ye know not, in your zeal,
“What spirit wakes the wrath ye feel;
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“To sacrifice, but save mankind.”
All bold opposers to consume
In the true stile of modern Rome,
These zealots were for fire and sword,
To make Christ's holy name ador'd.
But he against such zeal protests,
His peaceful sway no wrath infests;
But all his reign, and all his race,
Are truth and mercy, love and grace.
In the true stile of modern Rome,
These zealots were for fire and sword,
To make Christ's holy name ador'd.
But he against such zeal protests,
His peaceful sway no wrath infests;
But all his reign, and all his race,
Are truth and mercy, love and grace.
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Martha reproved.
Now haply in their way they came
Unto a certain village-dame,
Call'd Martha, who did entertain,
And make them in her house remain;
And with her was a sister dear,
Nam'd Mary, who was glad to hear
The word of Christ with heed discreet,
And sat obsequious at his feet.
But Martha was perplex'd with care,
Eager to serve and to prepare,
And she with her complaints drew nigh,
“Lord, dost thou not regard that I
“Am left to serve alone? she said,
“Bid Mary that she lend her aid.”
But, “Martha, Martha, Christ return'd,
“For many things thou art concern'd;
“But one thing needful is profess'd,
“And Mary's part is far the best,
“Which she has chosen here this day,
“And I shall never take away.”
Unto a certain village-dame,
Call'd Martha, who did entertain,
And make them in her house remain;
And with her was a sister dear,
Nam'd Mary, who was glad to hear
The word of Christ with heed discreet,
And sat obsequious at his feet.
But Martha was perplex'd with care,
Eager to serve and to prepare,
And she with her complaints drew nigh,
“Lord, dost thou not regard that I
“Am left to serve alone? she said,
“Bid Mary that she lend her aid.”
But, “Martha, Martha, Christ return'd,
“For many things thou art concern'd;
“But one thing needful is profess'd,
“And Mary's part is far the best,
“Which she has chosen here this day,
“And I shall never take away.”
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All worldly work and carnal cares
Are little to the soul's affairs:
Laborious man would make pretence,
And challenge heav'n by diligence;
And while he's hoarding for the moth,
Thinks he shall 'scape eternal wrath.
No.—Ghostly toil and mental pain,
For blest incorruptible gain,
Are that which Christ our hope desires,
And dread necessity requires.
Are little to the soul's affairs:
Laborious man would make pretence,
And challenge heav'n by diligence;
And while he's hoarding for the moth,
Thinks he shall 'scape eternal wrath.
No.—Ghostly toil and mental pain,
For blest incorruptible gain,
Are that which Christ our hope desires,
And dread necessity requires.
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Our Saviour washing his Disciples Feet.
From supper when the Lord arose,
Aside his garments he bestows,
Then with a towel girt about
His loins, he pours some water out
Into a bason, and began
To dip their feet in man by man,
And straightway with the towel dry'd,
The which his girded loins supply'd.
Then he to Simon Peter came,
Who with anxiety and shame
Cry'd out, “Lord, do'st thou wash my feet?”
Then Christ, in condescension sweet,
“Thou know'st not what these things imply
“At present, but shalt bye and bye.”
O Lord, (did Peter then rejoin)
Thou shalt not wash these feet of mine.
Christ answer'd, “If I wash thee not,
“With me thou hast no part or lot.”
Lord, not alone my feet (he said)
But wash my hands, and wash my head.
Says Christ, “Whose feet I wash to-night,
“They're pure and holy in my sight,
“And for their body have no call:
“Thus are ye cleansed: but not all.”
(He knew by whom he was betray'd,
And therefore this exception made.)
So after he had wash'd their feet,
And took his garments and his seat,
He then did question every one,
“Know ye how much for you is done?
“Me Lord and Master ye revere,
“And ye say well. The truth is clear.
“If then your Lord and Master deign
“To wash your feet, 'tis very plain
“In likewise that ye ought to do,
“And wash each man his fellow's too.
“The truth, the very truth I say,
“His Lord the servant must not sway,
“Nor does the poor man, sent on earth,
“Exceed the sender's endless worth.
“If all these things ye comprehend,
“You're bless'd to goodness if they tend.”
Aside his garments he bestows,
Then with a towel girt about
His loins, he pours some water out
Into a bason, and began
To dip their feet in man by man,
And straightway with the towel dry'd,
The which his girded loins supply'd.
Then he to Simon Peter came,
Who with anxiety and shame
Cry'd out, “Lord, do'st thou wash my feet?”
Then Christ, in condescension sweet,
“Thou know'st not what these things imply
“At present, but shalt bye and bye.”
O Lord, (did Peter then rejoin)
Thou shalt not wash these feet of mine.
Christ answer'd, “If I wash thee not,
“With me thou hast no part or lot.”
Lord, not alone my feet (he said)
But wash my hands, and wash my head.
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“They're pure and holy in my sight,
“And for their body have no call:
“Thus are ye cleansed: but not all.”
(He knew by whom he was betray'd,
And therefore this exception made.)
So after he had wash'd their feet,
And took his garments and his seat,
He then did question every one,
“Know ye how much for you is done?
“Me Lord and Master ye revere,
“And ye say well. The truth is clear.
“If then your Lord and Master deign
“To wash your feet, 'tis very plain
“In likewise that ye ought to do,
“And wash each man his fellow's too.
“The truth, the very truth I say,
“His Lord the servant must not sway,
“Nor does the poor man, sent on earth,
“Exceed the sender's endless worth.
“If all these things ye comprehend,
“You're bless'd to goodness if they tend.”
The Lord, e'er yet they drag him hence,
Did this last charity dispense,
Thus his Apostles feet prepare
News evangelical to bear.
But mark what time he makes his claim,
Avouching his majestic name,
Ev'n when humility was great,
And meekness, meekness at the height.
“Me Lord and Master, as ye greet,
“I serve your board, and wash your feet.”
Much too for their eternal use
From hence all Christians should deduce,
That brother brother should attend
As kind assistant, guide, and friend,
To help to purge all filth away,
And every long laborious day,
To lend a hand to speed the plough,
Or shoulder to the burthen bow.
Respect the pattern set on high,
And learn of Christ to live and die.
Did this last charity dispense,
Thus his Apostles feet prepare
News evangelical to bear.
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Avouching his majestic name,
Ev'n when humility was great,
And meekness, meekness at the height.
“Me Lord and Master, as ye greet,
“I serve your board, and wash your feet.”
Much too for their eternal use
From hence all Christians should deduce,
That brother brother should attend
As kind assistant, guide, and friend,
To help to purge all filth away,
And every long laborious day,
To lend a hand to speed the plough,
Or shoulder to the burthen bow.
Respect the pattern set on high,
And learn of Christ to live and die.
| The parables of our lord and saviour Jesus Christ | |