The Glorious Lover A Divine Poem, Upon the Adorable Mystery of Sinners Redemption. By B. K. [i.e. Benjamin Keach] |
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| VII. | CHAP. VII. |
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 | CHAP. VII. The Glorious Lover |  |
CHAP. VII.
Shewing what Consultations there were amongst the infernal Spirits to bring Jesus, Prince of Light, under the power of Death; a Council called in Hell: the Princes of the fallen Angels in a deep combination against him, for fear their Kingdom should fall, and the poor Creature be delivered. The grand Counsel of Old Satan is taken. He enters into Judas. Judas's sin discovered. Jesus is apprehended. A terrible battel, or Christ's
Agony before his Passion. Sin and Wrath combine together: shewing the Prince's Conquests over them both. Seven aggravations of Christ's sorrows in the Garden; and a Dialogue between the Devil, King of Darkness, and Death, the King of Terrors.
104
Here let's a while reflect with careful heed;
What! doth the guiltless for the guilty bleed?
This may astonish all, here's Love indeed!
Do Mortals ever greater love extend,
Then to lay down their lives for a dear Friend?
But for a Prince, a mighty Prince to die,
Not for a Friend, but for an Enemy,
Convicted and condemn'd for horrid Treason,
Thus to step in at that most Critick season,
When just the fatal blow was to be given;
This Love's above our Reach, higher than Heaven,
Deeper than Ocean Seas, so Infinite,
As well deserves our wonder day and night.
What? Was the Father free his Son to give,
His dear and only Son, that she might live?
And doth the Son i'th midst of Enemies
Yield up himself to be a Sacrifice?
Yet who can be so bold to lay their Hands
Upon this Prince, that Heaven & Earth commands?
How shall this thing be now accomplished?
And by what means shall his dear Blood be shed?
Let's now inquire who is't that will consent
To be the grand and chiefest Instrument
To execute this precious spotless Lamb,
Who for this purpose down from Heav'n came?
Has he on Earth any such spightful Foe,
As dare's attempt this 'mazing thing to do?
What! doth the guiltless for the guilty bleed?
This may astonish all, here's Love indeed!
Do Mortals ever greater love extend,
Then to lay down their lives for a dear Friend?
But for a Prince, a mighty Prince to die,
Not for a Friend, but for an Enemy,
Convicted and condemn'd for horrid Treason,
Thus to step in at that most Critick season,
When just the fatal blow was to be given;
This Love's above our Reach, higher than Heaven,
Deeper than Ocean Seas, so Infinite,
As well deserves our wonder day and night.
What? Was the Father free his Son to give,
His dear and only Son, that she might live?
And doth the Son i'th midst of Enemies
Yield up himself to be a Sacrifice?
Yet who can be so bold to lay their Hands
Upon this Prince, that Heaven & Earth commands?
How shall this thing be now accomplished?
And by what means shall his dear Blood be shed?
Let's now inquire who is't that will consent
To be the grand and chiefest Instrument
105
Who for this purpose down from Heav'n came?
Has he on Earth any such spightful Foe,
As dare's attempt this 'mazing thing to do?
You heard before he daily was beset,
And with what Enemies he often met;
But now his hour is drawing very near.
Great Consultations 'mongst his Foes there were,
How they might take his blessed Life away,
Who seem'd himself impatient of delay.
He long'd until his work were finished,
Which could not be until his blood were shed:
And though he had most raging Enemies,
Yet knew they not what project to devise
To bring this bloody traiterous deed to pass,
Which long before by them designed was:
Until Apollyon finding by his Art
The dire Intentions harbour'd in their Heart,
Doth rouse them up, and first the matter start
To the Infernal powers, to wake them all
A second time upon this Prince to fall.
Then Belzebub, Satan, and Lucifer,
Consult afresh how to renew the War,
And to this purpose wee'l suppose they spake:
And with what Enemies he often met;
But now his hour is drawing very near.
Great Consultations 'mongst his Foes there were,
How they might take his blessed Life away,
Who seem'd himself impatient of delay.
He long'd until his work were finished,
Which could not be until his blood were shed:
And though he had most raging Enemies,
Yet knew they not what project to devise
To bring this bloody traiterous deed to pass,
Which long before by them designed was:
Until Apollyon finding by his Art
The dire Intentions harbour'd in their Heart,
Doth rouse them up, and first the matter start
To the Infernal powers, to wake them all
A second time upon this Prince to fall.
Then Belzebub, Satan, and Lucifer,
Consult afresh how to renew the War,
And to this purpose wee'l suppose they spake:
Shake off your fears, and speedily let's make
The strongest Head that possibly we can
Against this strong, this Devil-amazing man.
Now, now's the day, let's bring him to Death's sting,
And then with shouts of Triumph we may sing:
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And we may sure secure him in the Grave.
'Tis he alone who frights us in our station,
And puts us all into great Consternation.
Our Kingdom by this means is like to fall,
And we thereby be ruin'd great and small.
I have engag'd him once, but could not stand,
I know his strength, he has a pow'rful Hand.
Belzebub.
My Sentence is for War; this Enterprize
Well managed, will make our Kingdom rise,
And re-inthrone us in our Antient Skies,
To a great Height and flourish, as before:
When he is down, we'l let him rise no more.
Can we but once deprive him of his Life,
'Twill put an end to all our fears and strife.
Lucifer.
Dominions, Pow'rs, and Principalities
You all in danger are; awake and rise
From off your Seats, and lazy Beds of Down:
Sleep you secure, or, fear not the dread frown
Of him who cast you down, and joys to see
Your abject state confess his Victory?
Shall all our brave infernal Regiments yield,
And basely quit the even yet doubtful Field?
What? by one man shall such a pow'rful Host
Be overcome, and all at once be lost?
Come, shew your valour, I'le command the Van,
Tho we're to engage with one that's more than Man,
Yet fear him not; why doth each spirits hand
Shake thus? why do you all amazed stand?
Has none found out a way to make him yield,
And either by fraud or force to quit the Field?
You all in danger are; awake and rise
From off your Seats, and lazy Beds of Down:
Sleep you secure, or, fear not the dread frown
Of him who cast you down, and joys to see
Your abject state confess his Victory?
Shall all our brave infernal Regiments yield,
And basely quit the even yet doubtful Field?
What? by one man shall such a pow'rful Host
Be overcome, and all at once be lost?
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Tho we're to engage with one that's more than Man,
Yet fear him not; why doth each spirits hand
Shake thus? why do you all amazed stand?
Has none found out a way to make him yield,
And either by fraud or force to quit the Field?
At this old Satan rose from off his Seat,
Ready to burst with Rage and Malice great,
And cast a terrible look (if minded well)
Enough to fright all th' Devils out of Hell.
Ready to burst with Rage and Malice great,
And cast a terrible look (if minded well)
Enough to fright all th' Devils out of Hell.
Satan.
You mighty Lords of the Infernal Lake,
Hark unto me, who for our Empires sake
Have now devis'd a Stratagem, that may
(If I mistake not) prove the only way
To bring about the Ruin of our Foe,
Whom I both hate and dread, as you well know:
There is his Servant Judas, he's our Friend,
And into him forthwith will I descend,
Who by my strong persuasions soon will do
That which may make for's Master's overthrow.
He will betray him to our Servants hand,
Who will secure him safe at your Command,
And put him unto Death, who when destroy'd,
We never any more shall be annoy'd.
Hark unto me, who for our Empires sake
Have now devis'd a Stratagem, that may
(If I mistake not) prove the only way
To bring about the Ruin of our Foe,
Whom I both hate and dread, as you well know:
There is his Servant Judas, he's our Friend,
And into him forthwith will I descend,
Who by my strong persuasions soon will do
That which may make for's Master's overthrow.
He will betray him to our Servants hand,
Who will secure him safe at your Command,
And put him unto Death, who when destroy'd,
We never any more shall be annoy'd.
They all agreed to what old Satan said,
Combining jointly to assist and aid
Him in this great, though cursed enterprise,
And bid him make what hast he could devise.
Delays are dangerous, Devils well know that:
But why need they Grim Satan instigate?
He needs not be provoked to make haste,
When 'tis to injure Souls; or them to waste;
Or wreck his Malice, Rage, and Hellish spight
On the sweet person of the Prince of Light.
For now, alas! is come the dismal hour,
The time of Darkness. And Hell's direful pow'r
No sooner spoke, but Satan flew away,
Winged with spight, impatient of delay.
He takes possession of poor Judas heart,
And unto him in secret doth impart
The grand Design of this Cabal of Hell;
Who presently consents, and likes it well.
Away he goes, resolv'd the work to do:
A work, Lord, did I say? sad work! Oh who
Could think that a Disciple could do this,
Betray his Lord with a false treach'rous kiss?
Perfidious wretch! what villany is here?
Who can conceive the Crime? or who declare
The horrid nature of this vile offence?
Transcending all degrees of insolence.
No treacherous Act like it was done on Earth,
Since Man first from enliv'ned Clay took breath.
Where was thy Conscience, wretch, it did not fly
Into thy face for this Impiety?
Were all his wondrous works out of thy mind,
His tender Love and pity to mankind?
Betray the Son of Man! Can this be so?
What hadst thou in thine Eye? what made thee do
This horrid deed? Was't mony did thee move
To forfeit thy Allegiance, and thy love?
'Twas from that filthy Root, Root of all Evil!
Base sordid Gain, thou soldst Christ to the Devil;
(That is to those vile men he did employ
To perpetrate this cursed Tragedy.)
This shew'd thy malice, and how thou didst hate him;
But tell us, Judas! at what price didst rate him?
What price didst set upon his blessed Head?
Are Thirty pence enough? What, valued
At this low price?—Is Jesus worth no more?
Such a sad Bargain ne're was made before.
A Box of Ointment's worth, in thy esteem,
Three hundred pence; and dost thou value him
Not to amount in worth 'bove the Tenth part?
Thou shew'st how blind, and how deceiv'd thou art?
He whose most precious personage out-shines
The fading Lustre of all Ophirs Mines.
And carries sweeter Odours in his Breast,
Than all the Spices that perfume the East;
He that's Omnipotencies choice delight,
Whom trembling Angels worship day and night;
He that the Saints above all Worlds do prize,
In whom all worth and true enjoyment lies;
Shall he be sold at such a rate? O fie!
Thou wilt repent it to Eternitie,
That thou didst ever such a Bargain make:
What? Thirty Bits of cursed Silver take
For th' Pearl of matchless price; thou sordid Sot!
Wilt thou be trading, when thou knowest not
What 'tis thou sell'st? Fool, 'tis a precious stone,
The Indian Quarries yield not such an one,
Worth more than Heaven & Earth. But it is gone?
So rich a Jewel lost?—Go howl and cry;
Thou'lt hang thy self; next in Hell-torments fry.
And who can pity thee? I prethee who
To such a Traytor will compassion show?
Now 'tis too late thou dost begin to mourn;
Better (vile wretch) thou never hadst been born.
Combining jointly to assist and aid
Him in this great, though cursed enterprise,
And bid him make what hast he could devise.
108
But why need they Grim Satan instigate?
He needs not be provoked to make haste,
When 'tis to injure Souls; or them to waste;
Or wreck his Malice, Rage, and Hellish spight
On the sweet person of the Prince of Light.
For now, alas! is come the dismal hour,
The time of Darkness. And Hell's direful pow'r
No sooner spoke, but Satan flew away,
Winged with spight, impatient of delay.
He takes possession of poor Judas heart,
And unto him in secret doth impart
The grand Design of this Cabal of Hell;
Who presently consents, and likes it well.
Away he goes, resolv'd the work to do:
A work, Lord, did I say? sad work! Oh who
Could think that a Disciple could do this,
Betray his Lord with a false treach'rous kiss?
Perfidious wretch! what villany is here?
Who can conceive the Crime? or who declare
The horrid nature of this vile offence?
Transcending all degrees of insolence.
No treacherous Act like it was done on Earth,
Since Man first from enliv'ned Clay took breath.
Where was thy Conscience, wretch, it did not fly
Into thy face for this Impiety?
Were all his wondrous works out of thy mind,
His tender Love and pity to mankind?
Betray the Son of Man! Can this be so?
What hadst thou in thine Eye? what made thee do
109
To forfeit thy Allegiance, and thy love?
'Twas from that filthy Root, Root of all Evil!
Base sordid Gain, thou soldst Christ to the Devil;
(That is to those vile men he did employ
To perpetrate this cursed Tragedy.)
This shew'd thy malice, and how thou didst hate him;
But tell us, Judas! at what price didst rate him?
What price didst set upon his blessed Head?
Are Thirty pence enough? What, valued
At this low price?—Is Jesus worth no more?
Such a sad Bargain ne're was made before.
A Box of Ointment's worth, in thy esteem,
Three hundred pence; and dost thou value him
Not to amount in worth 'bove the Tenth part?
Thou shew'st how blind, and how deceiv'd thou art?
He whose most precious personage out-shines
The fading Lustre of all Ophirs Mines.
And carries sweeter Odours in his Breast,
Than all the Spices that perfume the East;
He that's Omnipotencies choice delight,
Whom trembling Angels worship day and night;
He that the Saints above all Worlds do prize,
In whom all worth and true enjoyment lies;
Shall he be sold at such a rate? O fie!
Thou wilt repent it to Eternitie,
That thou didst ever such a Bargain make:
What? Thirty Bits of cursed Silver take
For th' Pearl of matchless price; thou sordid Sot!
Wilt thou be trading, when thou knowest not
110
The Indian Quarries yield not such an one,
Worth more than Heaven & Earth. But it is gone?
So rich a Jewel lost?—Go howl and cry;
Thou'lt hang thy self; next in Hell-torments fry.
And who can pity thee? I prethee who
To such a Traytor will compassion show?
Now 'tis too late thou dost begin to mourn;
Better (vile wretch) thou never hadst been born.
Under incensed wrath, ah! now he lies,
Where flames torment, and Conscience terrifies.
Be not offended, Sirs, I judg him not;
But his own Master's words can't be forgot,
Who speaking of his sad and sinful fall,
Doth him the Son of black perdition call,
And says that he is lost. Christ is the Judge,
And to repeat his Sentence who can grudge?
Where flames torment, and Conscience terrifies.
Be not offended, Sirs, I judg him not;
But his own Master's words can't be forgot,
Who speaking of his sad and sinful fall,
Doth him the Son of black perdition call,
And says that he is lost. Christ is the Judge,
And to repeat his Sentence who can grudge?
But to proceed—how can my spirits hold?
I need Relief, my heart (alas) grows cold,
Whilst I with wonder look on what's behind,
Soul-melting pity overwhelms my mind.
Who can of such heart-breaking suff'rings hear,
And not dissolve each Eye into a Tear?
But, ah! methinks something doth intervene,
The thought of which puts me to as much pain,
As doth the sad, but useful Contemplation
Of his unhappy happy bloody passion.
Then let's retreat, and to the Garden go,
For in that place began his grievous woe:
Before he doth with th' King of Terrors fight,
Another King sets on him full of spight,
Whose powr's great, by cursed usurpation,
He domineers and rules o're every Nation;
He brings the Mighty down unto his feet,
And makes them all with rigour to submit:
The good, the bad, the wise, the old, the young,
The rich, the poor, the beautiful, and strong,
All that live, or e're liv'd, have worsted bin
By this proud lofty one, whose name is SIN.
A Bastard Devil of most monstrous Birth,
Begot in Hell, by Satan first brought forth;
Already you have of his Malice heard,
And how in wrath he never Mortal spar'd.
A crafty Foe, who oftner steers his course
In all his wars, by fraud than open force:
'Tis he that keeps the Soul in Iron Chains,
And robs her of all Sense; lest those great pains
She otherwise might feel, should make her cry
To be deliver'd from his slavery;
Unless our Jesus doth this Foe destroy,
The Soul he loves he never can enjoy.
He had with him before oft a hard Duel,
And worsted him, escaping all his cruel
Attaques, but rallying now with other Foes
He joyns, to lay on more impetuous blows.
Well may we dread here an amazing Fight,
For lo! with him confederate in our sight
The Wrath of God, most fearful to behold:
Both these sad Enemies, with courage bold,
Are making all the Head that e're they can
Against this blessed Prince, the Son of Man.
Oh! let our Souls be arm'd with courage bold,
Whilst we this furious Battel do behold.
Before the Fight begins, do you not hear
How he doth cry unto his Father dear;
O let this Cup from me, Lord, pass away,
If it be possible; Let it, I pray,
Pass from me, that of it I may not drink.
Until this time he never seem'd to shrink
From any pain, conflict, or suffering;
This Combat is, alas, a different thing,
From what before he ever met withal;
From hence he did unto his Father call
Once and again, repeating of his cry,
It'h sense of what was now approaching nigh.
Some may at this 'tis likely much admire,
That our dear Saviour should so loud desire
To be deliver'd from that bitter Cup,
Which was prepared for him to drink up.
It did not rise for his unwillingness;
But from the pain, the anguish, and distress
'Twould bring him to: this humane Nature's weak,
From thence he might such supplications make.
Ah! wrath Divine, what humane Soul can bear?
But of Divinity he hath his share,
Which doth again his fainting spirit chear.
And such support he needs—Cast but an Eye,
See how the Combatants with fury fly
Upon each other; What a Battel's here,
Enough to melt our Souls into a tear.
Lo! the first blow that Sin and Wrath doth give,
It is the worst he ever did receive.
Behold! how frightfully grim Wrath doth frown;
Nay, more, the Prince seems by their strength cast down.
Now Sin & Wrath upon him both do lie,
Which makes him groan, and bitterly to cry,
With panting breast, and half-expiring Breath,
My Soul is sorrowful, ev'n unto Death.
I need Relief, my heart (alas) grows cold,
Whilst I with wonder look on what's behind,
Soul-melting pity overwhelms my mind.
Who can of such heart-breaking suff'rings hear,
And not dissolve each Eye into a Tear?
But, ah! methinks something doth intervene,
The thought of which puts me to as much pain,
As doth the sad, but useful Contemplation
Of his unhappy happy bloody passion.
Then let's retreat, and to the Garden go,
For in that place began his grievous woe:
111
Another King sets on him full of spight,
Whose powr's great, by cursed usurpation,
He domineers and rules o're every Nation;
He brings the Mighty down unto his feet,
And makes them all with rigour to submit:
The good, the bad, the wise, the old, the young,
The rich, the poor, the beautiful, and strong,
All that live, or e're liv'd, have worsted bin
By this proud lofty one, whose name is SIN.
A Bastard Devil of most monstrous Birth,
Begot in Hell, by Satan first brought forth;
Already you have of his Malice heard,
And how in wrath he never Mortal spar'd.
A crafty Foe, who oftner steers his course
In all his wars, by fraud than open force:
'Tis he that keeps the Soul in Iron Chains,
And robs her of all Sense; lest those great pains
She otherwise might feel, should make her cry
To be deliver'd from his slavery;
Unless our Jesus doth this Foe destroy,
The Soul he loves he never can enjoy.
He had with him before oft a hard Duel,
And worsted him, escaping all his cruel
Attaques, but rallying now with other Foes
He joyns, to lay on more impetuous blows.
Well may we dread here an amazing Fight,
For lo! with him confederate in our sight
The Wrath of God, most fearful to behold:
Both these sad Enemies, with courage bold,
112
Against this blessed Prince, the Son of Man.
Oh! let our Souls be arm'd with courage bold,
Whilst we this furious Battel do behold.
Before the Fight begins, do you not hear
How he doth cry unto his Father dear;
O let this Cup from me, Lord, pass away,
If it be possible; Let it, I pray,
Pass from me, that of it I may not drink.
Until this time he never seem'd to shrink
From any pain, conflict, or suffering;
This Combat is, alas, a different thing,
From what before he ever met withal;
From hence he did unto his Father call
Once and again, repeating of his cry,
It'h sense of what was now approaching nigh.
Some may at this 'tis likely much admire,
That our dear Saviour should so loud desire
To be deliver'd from that bitter Cup,
Which was prepared for him to drink up.
It did not rise for his unwillingness;
But from the pain, the anguish, and distress
'Twould bring him to: this humane Nature's weak,
From thence he might such supplications make.
Ah! wrath Divine, what humane Soul can bear?
But of Divinity he hath his share,
Which doth again his fainting spirit chear.
And such support he needs—Cast but an Eye,
See how the Combatants with fury fly
103
Enough to melt our Souls into a tear.
Lo! the first blow that Sin and Wrath doth give,
It is the worst he ever did receive.
Behold! how frightfully grim Wrath doth frown;
Nay, more, the Prince seems by their strength cast down.
Now Sin & Wrath upon him both do lie,
Which makes him groan, and bitterly to cry,
With panting breast, and half-expiring Breath,
My Soul is sorrowful, ev'n unto Death.
Can the great Prince of Earth and Heaven feel
Such heavy strokes, as thus to make him reel?
The dismal weight of Sin this doth declare;
None but a JESUS could it fully bear.
Happy are we, as the blest Prophet said,
Our Help was upon One that's mighty laid.
Could man or Angel ev'r have born all this,
And not have been cast down to th' deepst Abyss?
Nay of this mighty One, Saint Mark hath rais'd
Our Wonder higher, He was sore amaz'd:
Nay more than this, he fell upon the Ground:
No Soul before such anguish ever found,
To see the Lord of Life brought to the Earth,
Under the pressure of God's heavy Wrath;
And that he suffer'd all this in our stead,
May make our Souls to stand astonished;
Especially, if to these Trials we
Shall add his great and bloody Agony,
Wherein the sweat fell from him as he stood,
In Crimson dy, like trickling drops of blood.
Ah! precious Lord! this work was very sore;
But still thy Love, and its blest Vertue's more;
Through all these Toils thou graspst at Victory,
And Captive lead'st at last Captivity.
If Sin that day had not receiv'd a fall,
Grim Death and Hell had quickly swallow'd all
The race of Man; we all had been undone,
No help, no hope, no life for any one;
Sin was condemn'd, it had a fatal blow,
That now to Saints it little hurt can do.
Such heavy strokes, as thus to make him reel?
The dismal weight of Sin this doth declare;
None but a JESUS could it fully bear.
Happy are we, as the blest Prophet said,
Our Help was upon One that's mighty laid.
Could man or Angel ev'r have born all this,
And not have been cast down to th' deepst Abyss?
Nay of this mighty One, Saint Mark hath rais'd
Our Wonder higher, He was sore amaz'd:
Nay more than this, he fell upon the Ground:
No Soul before such anguish ever found,
To see the Lord of Life brought to the Earth,
Under the pressure of God's heavy Wrath;
And that he suffer'd all this in our stead,
May make our Souls to stand astonished;
Especially, if to these Trials we
Shall add his great and bloody Agony,
Wherein the sweat fell from him as he stood,
In Crimson dy, like trickling drops of blood.
104
But still thy Love, and its blest Vertue's more;
Through all these Toils thou graspst at Victory,
And Captive lead'st at last Captivity.
If Sin that day had not receiv'd a fall,
Grim Death and Hell had quickly swallow'd all
The race of Man; we all had been undone,
No help, no hope, no life for any one;
Sin was condemn'd, it had a fatal blow,
That now to Saints it little hurt can do.
But to proceed, here I shall now relate
Some things which very much do aggravate
The sufferings which Christ in's Soul indur'd,
When he this Conquest for our Souls procur'd;
No greater sorrows did he ever know,
Than those which then his Soul did undergo.
Some things which very much do aggravate
The sufferings which Christ in's Soul indur'd,
When he this Conquest for our Souls procur'd;
No greater sorrows did he ever know,
Than those which then his Soul did undergo.
Several Circumstances which demonstrate the Greatness of our Saviours sufferings in his Soul in the Garden.
First.
They did not seize him with the least surprize,From thence oft-times doth great Amazement rise
Unto poor Mortals: we are not aware
Oft-times what's nigh, know nothing of the snare.
But thus 'twas not with the blest Prince of Light;
What can be hid from Great Jehovah's sight?
105
Yet when it came, so great, surpassing all
Were th' Griefs he felt, he in amaze doth call
Unto his Father dear most earnestly,
If 'twere his will to let that Cup pass by.
Secondly.
It was the very thing he came to do,And yet cry'd out in such sad sort; O who
Can then conceive what he did undergo?
He freely did his precious Life give up;
And yet he's ready to refuse the Cup.
He takes it (as it were) into his hand
Most willingly, but presently doth stand
Pausing a while: then puts it to his Lip,
And after he had took one bitter sip,
Looks up to Heav'n, and cryes, O may it be
Thy will, dear God, this Cup might pass from me.
Thirdly.
He knew unless he drank it up, that weMust perish All to all Eternitie;
And that his coming would prove all in vain,
If he refused for us to be slain;
And yet with sighs and groans how did he cry,
In sense of wrath, and that extremity,
Which he beheld would quickly overtake him,
When once his blessed Father did forsake him!
106
Fourthly.
The Angels which did there to him appear,Demonstrate plain how great his sorrows were:
For like as one distressed, makes complaint,
Quite tired out, and all his spirits faint,
Needs to be strengthned by some faithful Friend:
So God to him did Holy Angels send,
For to relieve and comfort him that Day,
When Sin and Wrath so heavy on him lay.
Fifthly.
But what's Assistance from an Heavenly Host,To the great Power of the Holy Ghost!
Some little measure of the Spirit hath
Caused blest Saints to triumph over Death.
How have they sung with flames about their Ears,
Contemning pains, regardless of all fears?
This Spirit rested on him bodily,
Without measure; and yet how doth he cry!
As scarce well knowing which way to bear up,
Whilst he partakes of this most painful Cup.
This greatly doth his suff'rings amplify
To humane sense, if weighed seriously.
Sixthly.
O Lord! what means these melting sighs and Tears?
Why is thy Soul amaz'd, why fill'd with Fears?
Ah! 'tis enough to break our hearts to think
Upon that bitter potion thou didst drink;
Thou knewst thy sorrows would be quickly o're,
And then thou shouldst ne'r sigh nor suffer more;
'Twas from thy worth, both Wrath and Justice cryes,
We are appeas'd with this thy Sacrifice.
Might not the shortness of this Conflict yield
Thee some Relief? Besides thou knew'st the Field
Thou shouldst obtain, the Conquest was thine own,
And quickly too the Conflict would be gone.
Why is thy Soul amaz'd, why fill'd with Fears?
Ah! 'tis enough to break our hearts to think
Upon that bitter potion thou didst drink;
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And then thou shouldst ne'r sigh nor suffer more;
'Twas from thy worth, both Wrath and Justice cryes,
We are appeas'd with this thy Sacrifice.
Might not the shortness of this Conflict yield
Thee some Relief? Besides thou knew'st the Field
Thou shouldst obtain, the Conquest was thine own,
And quickly too the Conflict would be gone.
I'th midst of Wars, or anguish, Men indure,
If any can them certainly assure,
That in short time their Troubles will be over,
They straight rouse up their spirits to recover,
And patiently resolve to bear the smart,
For this is like a Cordial to the Heart.
All this thou knew'st, and more abundantly;
Yet Sins dire weight so heavily did lie,
That with strong groans & horror thou didst cry.
The Torments, Lord! of Hell took hold on thee,
Our Souls from that devouring Wrath to free.
If any can them certainly assure,
That in short time their Troubles will be over,
They straight rouse up their spirits to recover,
And patiently resolve to bear the smart,
For this is like a Cordial to the Heart.
All this thou knew'st, and more abundantly;
Yet Sins dire weight so heavily did lie,
That with strong groans & horror thou didst cry.
The Torments, Lord! of Hell took hold on thee,
Our Souls from that devouring Wrath to free.
But why didst thou into a Garden go
Thus to encounter with the hellish Foe?
Was it because there first began our woe?
Or, was it, Lord, to have us call to mind
When we in Walks and Gardens pleasures find,
What thou didst for us in a Garden bear,
To take our Hearts from flitting pleasures here?
Thus to encounter with the hellish Foe?
Was it because there first began our woe?
Or, was it, Lord, to have us call to mind
When we in Walks and Gardens pleasures find,
What thou didst for us in a Garden bear,
To take our Hearts from flitting pleasures here?
But stop, my Muse! look back, and let us see
What did succeed Judas his Treachery.
O mind, what Joy's amongst th' Infernal Crew,
In hopes of what is likely to ensue.
Hark how those Scrietchowls cry, but with small reason,
As will be manifested in its season.
What did succeed Judas his Treachery.
O mind, what Joy's amongst th' Infernal Crew,
In hopes of what is likely to ensue.
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As will be manifested in its season.
It was decreed the Glorious Prince should die,
Already you have heard the reason why.
And though the first contrivance was Divine,
Yet Hell hereby had also a design
Of horrid mischief; and for that intent
They first prompt on the cursed Instrument.
For having try'd their utmost strength before
In open force, they will engage no more
In that vain way; but now resolve to try
What may be done by Hellish policy.
This Project taking hitherto so well,
New Summons straight are issued out in Hell
To all Infernal Spirits to make speed,
And push on boldly the last cursed Deed;
Fearing this Prince would prove a mortal Foe,
Their Hellish Kingdom utterly o'rethrow,
And bring them to deserved punishment,
(For old and latter Treasons they invent)
Where they perpetual Tortures shall sustain.
They feared also that he would again
Restore that poor condemn'd degenerate
Forsaken Wretch, unto her first Estate,
Which she by Lust had lost; nay, further more,
Make her more famous than she was before.
Which to prevent, they all consult the way,
How him to Death with speed they may betray,
From's Heav'nly Kingdom to be banisht quite,
And ever kept under the shades o'th Night.
Various their treacherous Consultations be,
Yet all on Death do mutually agree.
Apollyon pusht it on with raging haste;
But Satan, cry'd, Forbear, drive not too fast.
Such mighty matters call for Consultation;
We strike uncertain, when we strike in passion.
Thus black-mouth'd Envy op'd his snaky Jaws,
To have them conduct well their Hellish cause:
Ere further you proceed in this design,
Pray take, saith he, these transient thoughts of mine.
Already you have heard the reason why.
And though the first contrivance was Divine,
Yet Hell hereby had also a design
Of horrid mischief; and for that intent
They first prompt on the cursed Instrument.
For having try'd their utmost strength before
In open force, they will engage no more
In that vain way; but now resolve to try
What may be done by Hellish policy.
This Project taking hitherto so well,
New Summons straight are issued out in Hell
To all Infernal Spirits to make speed,
And push on boldly the last cursed Deed;
Fearing this Prince would prove a mortal Foe,
Their Hellish Kingdom utterly o'rethrow,
And bring them to deserved punishment,
(For old and latter Treasons they invent)
Where they perpetual Tortures shall sustain.
They feared also that he would again
Restore that poor condemn'd degenerate
Forsaken Wretch, unto her first Estate,
Which she by Lust had lost; nay, further more,
Make her more famous than she was before.
Which to prevent, they all consult the way,
How him to Death with speed they may betray,
From's Heav'nly Kingdom to be banisht quite,
And ever kept under the shades o'th Night.
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Yet all on Death do mutually agree.
Apollyon pusht it on with raging haste;
But Satan, cry'd, Forbear, drive not too fast.
Such mighty matters call for Consultation;
We strike uncertain, when we strike in passion.
Thus black-mouth'd Envy op'd his snaky Jaws,
To have them conduct well their Hellish cause:
Ere further you proceed in this design,
Pray take, saith he, these transient thoughts of mine.
The hearts o'th Jews must first prepared be
With Pride, Revenge, and strongest Enmity;
And we must think upon some Friends that will
Forswear themselves, our pleasures to fulfil;
Such Witnesses our crazy Cause will need,
And such must we provide too with all speed.
For well we know his Innocence is such,
With the least stain Truth could it never touch;
Therefore those Crimes he wants in verity,
Malice must raise, and Perjuries supply;
And that they may pass current when he's try'd,
A Council we must pick, fit to decide
The matter right or wrong on our side.
Besides, 'tis fit e're we the work begin,
We should the King of Terrors summon in.
If his Commission will not reach so far,
In vain, alas; is all our present stir.
His Pow'r is great, but don't you understand,
He has refus'd to be at our Command,
Not once, but many times? this makes me quake:
We are undone, should he refuse to take
Part now with us in this Extremity,
When all we have and are at stake doth lie.
With Pride, Revenge, and strongest Enmity;
And we must think upon some Friends that will
Forswear themselves, our pleasures to fulfil;
Such Witnesses our crazy Cause will need,
And such must we provide too with all speed.
For well we know his Innocence is such,
With the least stain Truth could it never touch;
Therefore those Crimes he wants in verity,
Malice must raise, and Perjuries supply;
And that they may pass current when he's try'd,
A Council we must pick, fit to decide
The matter right or wrong on our side.
Besides, 'tis fit e're we the work begin,
We should the King of Terrors summon in.
If his Commission will not reach so far,
In vain, alas; is all our present stir.
His Pow'r is great, but don't you understand,
He has refus'd to be at our Command,
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We are undone, should he refuse to take
Part now with us in this Extremity,
When all we have and are at stake doth lie.
To this Advice the Devils all consent,
And call for Tyrant Death, who doth present
His gastly face, and boldly do's demand,
What 'twas they would have him to take in hand?
Then soon Apollyon, King of Darkness, breaks
Silence, and to this purpose gravely speaks.
And call for Tyrant Death, who doth present
His gastly face, and boldly do's demand,
What 'twas they would have him to take in hand?
Then soon Apollyon, King of Darkness, breaks
Silence, and to this purpose gravely speaks.
Dread King of Terrors, if thou stepst not in,
Down goes our Hell-bred Monarchy of Sin.
We now can walk the spacious Earth about,
And have we Friend or Foe, we find him out.
Where e're we see a person that's upright,
We seek his ruin with the greatest spight.
When we by fraud or craft can't him intice
To yield to Pride, or Lust, or any Vice,
But that he'l watch us with a wary Eye,
And persevere in all true Piety;
Then on him do we bring outward distress,
To make him lose, or leave his Holiness.
Our Kingdom by this practice is made strong,
Potent and large, and so has prosper'd long.
But now thy help we need, for much we fear
The downfal of our Kingdom draweth near.
Upon the Earth there now appears in sight
A mighty Foe, one call'd The Prince of Light.
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If not to execute on us that Doom
Which Heav'n long since decreed? To end which strife,
We are resolv'd to take away his Life.
Already he's betray'd; if things hit right,
And then we'l yield him up unto thy Might.
For thy Assistance, Death, we do implore,
Else to these mischiefs this will happen more,
That Creature we so long have captivated,
Will in her Pomp again be re-instated.
The thoughts of which there's none of us can bear,
Speak, speak, pale Monarch! for we long to hear
What's thy Advice? Thou mighty art in pow'r,
And canst, we know, whole Nations soon devour.
The King of Terrors.
Great Prince of Darkness, you must understand
We are not wholly at your proud Command.
For there's a mighty Pow'r in Heaven high,
Which you are subject to as well as I:
'Tis true, from him I cannot say at all
That I derive my strange Original;
Yet by his pleasure am circumscrib'd,
And 'gainst his Will cannot be forc'd nor brib'd.
Wherefore, if he this Prince of Light protect,
In vain at him shall I my shafts direct.
Besides, in this Exploit methinks I find
Some strange foreboding ills possess my mind,
As if engaging thus against your Foe,
I should but hasten mine own overthrow.
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Better sit still, you know, than rise to fall.
'Tis true indeed, as you have well observ'd,
Your threatned Judgment has been long deferr'd:
But if your Execution-Day be come,
You can't escape, but must abide your Doom.
Prince of Darkness.
Thou pale-fac'd Traytor! shan't we have thy Aid?
Then all our Hellish Projects are betray'd.
How oft have we stood by thee; sent thee forth
To do our will and pleasure on the Earth?
The first that ever thou hadst in thy hand,
Committed was by me, at my Command;
I caused Cain to slay his godly Brother;
And so taught thee how to bereave the Mother
Of her most dear, of her most hopeful Son;
And shall not now my will in this be done?
'Twas I which did thy being to thee give:
How many Subjects dost each day receive
From me and mine? who do in every Land
Promote thy State, and lend their helping-Hand.
Therefore consent, and show thy angry Brow,
And make this Conqueror to thy Scepter bow,
Yielding himself to thee, strike him with speed,
And pierce his very Heart until it bleed.
Then some dark Cave near the Earths Centre find,
Where Light ne're pierc'd, nor Phœbus ever shin'd,
There, there, the vanquisht Foe do thou retain
Close Prisn'er with an Adamantine Chain.
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Lest he revive and work our overthrow.
Be bold, attempt, and let thy pow'r be known,
The Glory of this Deed shall be thine own.
King of Terrors.
I must confess I have been often sent
By Hellish means unto the Innocent.
To satisfy your Envy, Pride, and Lust,
Some thousands I have turn'd into the Dust.
Yet never did I strike, but on Condition,
As Heaven did permit, in my Commission.
And though by Thee, and by that Monster, Sin,
The Child of Hell, I first of all came in;
Yet am I not subservient still to thee,
But bounded by Jehovah's own Decree:
For had I wholly been at thy Command,
Poor Job had fell before thy pow'rful hand.
Where my dread Sovereign Lord do's give me charge,
To stay my hand (though my Commission's large)
I must forbear; But if he once permit,
The Just, and the Unjust, alike I hit.
Apollyon King of Darkness.
Wilt thou eclipse my Glory and Renown?
Destroy my Pow'r, and tread my Kingdom down?
Fy Death! for shame forbear thy Insolence,
And do'nt dispute the Mandates of thy Prince.
Strike! I conjure thee; do not vainly think
'Twill be thy Int'rest from this work to shrink.
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If he prevail, at last will vanquish thee.
Though now on Earth thou dost in triumph dwell,
If he o'recome, he'l cast thee down to Hell.
Thou from thy Monarchy shalt then be driven,
And shalt abide in no place under Heaven.
Thou that hast been a Conqueror heretofore,
Shalt conquer'd be, and never conquer more.
Ah! lend thy Hand, shew forth thy mighty pow'rs,
'Tis for thy Int'rest, Death, as well as ours.
If Arguments and Reason may convince
Thee; try thy weapons on this dangerous Prince.
King of Terrors.
Say, say no more. If you find things agree
In order to his downfall, I will be
His Executioner, do you not fear,
I tremble at the thoughts of what I hear.
Damned Spirits.
Bravely resolv'd! At last they all Reply'd,
Swelling in Wrath, in Malice, Envy, Pride,
Wee'l now proceed, and craftily prepare
All things in readiness to end this War.
Apollyon.
Though Judas has a party for our turn,
Yet we have more to do e're we adjourn.
If we should bring this Enterprise to pass,
Yet when all's done, I shall be where I was.
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His so much honour'd and unblemish'd Name.
He's Just and Virtuous, and esteem'd so high,
Who dares charge him with th' least Impurity?
Satan.
At this an envious Devil strait jumpt in;
I'le lead the people on, let me begin;
I'le stir them up to Envy more and more,
Such Envy that he shall not stand before.
Belial.
These are but sparkles from an hasty Fire,
Which will for want of fuel soon expire.
His Glory still encreases, ours decays.
Words without Actions are but faint delays,
The rarest Wit amongst us must look out,
With wariness to bring this thing about.
I'le tell you what I newly have contriv'd:
Let my Lord Lucifer, the King of Pride,
Make one amongst their Rulers in the Seat
Of seeming Justice; Tell them they are Great
And Prudent men, yea Learned ones likewise,
And in their Breasts alone true Wisdom lies.
Yea, tell them that the Soveraign Lord of Heaven
To them the name of Gods on Earth hath given;
Tell them both God and men have thought it fit,
That they like Gods should in this Grandeur sit;
And, answerable to this lofty station,
The people have them in great veneration.
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And swell'd them up with Pride and self-conceit,
Tell them 'tis much below their high Degree,
That such a low inferiour Man as he
Should be their Prince, or over them bear sway,
Who rather ought their Greatness to obey.
Then, when the uncontrouled Breath of Fame
Has spread abroad the Glory of his Name,
And fill'd each Eye and Ear with Admiration,
Giving to him Applause and Veneration,
Then let our envious Friend once more take's place,
And sit as pale as Death in every Face;
And let him tell them, if they do not take
Some speedy course, their Honours lie at stake;
He grows so famous in the peoples Eyes,
They shortly will their Soveraignty despise.
Satan.
Nay, I can tell them yet another thing;
The people seek by force to make him King.
Which if the Roman Pow'r should understand,
They'd quickly come and take away their Land,
This sure will work, or other ways I'le find;
Good Mariners can sail with every wind.
Thus these Infernals seeking to prevent
Their future, but deserved punishment,
Far swifter than the lofty Eagle flies,
Did set upon their Hellish enterprize.
The King of Pride threw forth his poisonous Darts,
Which did not miss to pierce the yielding Hearts
Of those that sat at Stern, who should delight
To do the thing that's equal, just, and right:
But disregarding great Jehovah's Laws,
They sought (poor Souls) for popular Applause,
Puft up with Pride, and swoln with vain Ambition
(That Tympany of th' Soul) They had suspition
That if the Prince of Light were once affected,
They by the people soon should be rejected.
For first they saw his Miracles were great,
His Vertues rendred him still more compleat,
And made him so illustriously to shine,
He gain'd the Appellation of Divine.
Nay, furthermore, they heard how some did sing,
Hosanna in the Highest to the King
Of Israel! the fragrant Flower of Jess,
The Root of David; Oh! who can express
The depth of Envy which in them did burn,
With raging flames, almost at every turn?
Close Consultation in their Courts appears,
And i'th mean while strange Rumors fill their Ears.
The Miracles which he before had wrought
Into the minds of people fresh are brought,
Those wond'rous things did much encrease the strife:
He rass'd, said some, the Dead again to Life:
Gave sight unto the Blind, who from their Birth
Had never seen the Light that guilds the Earth:
The Dumb, the Deaf, the Lepers, and the Lame,
In all Distempers, whosoever came,
Had perfect Cure in every Disease;
Nay, he could hush the Winds, and calm the Seas;
Could dispossess the black Infernal Rout,
And cast whole Legions of fierce Devils out.
Of five mean Barly loavs, and two small Fishes,
He made above five thousand plenteous Dishes.
Thus many talkt what he before had done,
Grieving to think what now was coming on.
His gracious words, and vertuous Life commended
Him to the Multitude, but much offended
Th' inraged Rulers; yet his Innocence
Was still so sure a Guard and strong defence,
That they could not their wicked ends obtain,
Yet from their malice would they not refrain.
How often did they in clandestine way
Endeavour their blood-thirsty hands to lay
Upon this Sacred Prince? yet still through fear
The people would rise up, they did forbear.
Sometimes they thought to trap him in his words,
That Law & Justice then might draw their Swords,
And cut him off. And then again devise
Another course, charg'd him with Blasphemies
Against the God of Heaven, by which way
They surely thought they might his Life betray.
But never could they over him get pow'r
Untill his time were come: Now, now's their hour.
The work must needs be carried on with speed,
When Heaven and Hell about it are agreed.
Though different ends in these great Agents are,
Yet in the thing they both consenting were,
That Christ should be of his dear Life depriv'd.
Though Hell alone the guilty Act contriv'd,
Yet God indeed from all Eternitie,
Knowing what rage and curs'd malignity
Would be in their base Hearts, resolved then
He would permit and suffer these vile men,
To bring his Purpose and Decree to pass,
Which for our Good, and his own Glory was.
Their future, but deserved punishment,
Far swifter than the lofty Eagle flies,
Did set upon their Hellish enterprize.
The King of Pride threw forth his poisonous Darts,
Which did not miss to pierce the yielding Hearts
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To do the thing that's equal, just, and right:
But disregarding great Jehovah's Laws,
They sought (poor Souls) for popular Applause,
Puft up with Pride, and swoln with vain Ambition
(That Tympany of th' Soul) They had suspition
That if the Prince of Light were once affected,
They by the people soon should be rejected.
For first they saw his Miracles were great,
His Vertues rendred him still more compleat,
And made him so illustriously to shine,
He gain'd the Appellation of Divine.
Nay, furthermore, they heard how some did sing,
Hosanna in the Highest to the King
Of Israel! the fragrant Flower of Jess,
The Root of David; Oh! who can express
The depth of Envy which in them did burn,
With raging flames, almost at every turn?
Close Consultation in their Courts appears,
And i'th mean while strange Rumors fill their Ears.
The Miracles which he before had wrought
Into the minds of people fresh are brought,
Those wond'rous things did much encrease the strife:
He rass'd, said some, the Dead again to Life:
Gave sight unto the Blind, who from their Birth
Had never seen the Light that guilds the Earth:
The Dumb, the Deaf, the Lepers, and the Lame,
In all Distempers, whosoever came,
Had perfect Cure in every Disease;
Nay, he could hush the Winds, and calm the Seas;
118
And cast whole Legions of fierce Devils out.
Of five mean Barly loavs, and two small Fishes,
He made above five thousand plenteous Dishes.
Thus many talkt what he before had done,
Grieving to think what now was coming on.
His gracious words, and vertuous Life commended
Him to the Multitude, but much offended
Th' inraged Rulers; yet his Innocence
Was still so sure a Guard and strong defence,
That they could not their wicked ends obtain,
Yet from their malice would they not refrain.
How often did they in clandestine way
Endeavour their blood-thirsty hands to lay
Upon this Sacred Prince? yet still through fear
The people would rise up, they did forbear.
Sometimes they thought to trap him in his words,
That Law & Justice then might draw their Swords,
And cut him off. And then again devise
Another course, charg'd him with Blasphemies
Against the God of Heaven, by which way
They surely thought they might his Life betray.
But never could they over him get pow'r
Untill his time were come: Now, now's their hour.
The work must needs be carried on with speed,
When Heaven and Hell about it are agreed.
Though different ends in these great Agents are,
Yet in the thing they both consenting were,
That Christ should be of his dear Life depriv'd.
Though Hell alone the guilty Act contriv'd,
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Knowing what rage and curs'd malignity
Would be in their base Hearts, resolved then
He would permit and suffer these vile men,
To bring his Purpose and Decree to pass,
Which for our Good, and his own Glory was.
| CHAP. VII. The Glorious Lover | |