The Life of Our Blessed Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ An Heroic Poem: Dedicated to Her Most Sacred Majesty. In Ten Books. Attempted by Samuel Wesley ... Each Book illustrated by necessary Notes, explaining all the more difficult Matters in the whole History: Also a Prefatory Discourse concerning Heroic Poetry. With Sixty Copper-Plates |
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| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
BOOK IV.
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| V. |
| VI. |
| VII. |
| VIII. |
| IX. |
| X. |
 | The Life of Our Blessed Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ |  |
114
BOOK IV.
THE ARGUMENT OF THE Fourth BOOK.
Our Saviour having now foil'd the Enemy, the Angels, who had all the while hovered over and been Spectators of the Combat, descend with a Banquet, and sing a Song of Triumph on his Victory, which ended, they wait him back to Jordan. The Baptist's further Testimony concerning him. Our Lord, departing thence, enters on his Ministerial Office; and ascending the Mount of the Beatitudes, chuses his Twelve Apostles, and then preaches that famous Sermon, containing the chief Heads of his Religion. Which he begins with an Enquiry after Happiness, removing the commonly received Notions about it, and fixing it rather in their Contraries. After which he repeats the Ten Commandments; assuring his Auditors he came not to destroy but to fulfil them; and instructs in Alms, Fasting, Prayer, and other Duties, giving 'em a particular Form to assist their Devotion, and concludes his Discourse with a lively Parable of two Houses, one built on the Rock, the other on the Sand. The Sermon finished, our Lord descends from the Mountain, and preaches in Galilee; working his first Miracle at Cana; and at Naim, not far from it, restoring the Widow's Son to Life. In the mean while the Baptist continued preaching Repentance, and acquiring a great Veneration among the People, and even from Herod himself, at that time Tetrarch of Galilee, who reforms from all his Vices but his unlawful Love to Herodias. The manner of his falling in Love with her; his Courtship, and, at length, accomplishing his Desires under the pretence of Platonic Love and an innocent Friendship. Their Familiarity continuing so long, till it grew publick; which St. John hearing of, comes to Court, and boldly reproves the King. At which Herodias being enrag'd, gets him imprisoned in Machætus, and some time after beheaded; he having first prophesied of the Invasion of Galilee, and the Discomfiture of Herod's Army; which soon after come to pass. Aretas, the King of Arabia, being enrag'd at the Injury done to his Daughter, whom Herod had formerly married; and entring his Country with an Army, which Herod prepares to encounter; but his Forces forsake him, and he loses the Day. All which our Saviour having advice of, and of the Rage of Herod upon these Losses, retires, with his Disciples, into the Desarts of Bethsaida.
115
'Tis pleasant, when the rugged Storm is o'er,
To see the Waves expiring on the Shore:
Like some new World, at distance to behold
The Silver Hills all Flame with heav'nly Gold:
The chiding Winds all hush'd, the Sky look fair,
The Fields in Smiles new clad, Sea, Earth and Air
A diff'rent Face put on, a diff'rent Dress,
And Mother Nature's self her Joys express:
So shin'd the Son of God, whose Love to Man,
His Conquests in his Suff'rings thus began;
Tho press'd with weight he still more pow'rful rose,
And, when he pleas'd, shook off th' infernal Foes;
Who, when they his unequal Might assay'd,
In vain so many a furious Onset made,
Slunk desp'rate back to their own conscious Shade:
Nor long remov'd, e'er brighter Guards were there,
Wafted, Triumphant thro' the yielding Air.
Hymning their Head, the heav'nly Host descend,
Who did before their needless Aid suspend,
And hov'ring high the VVars event attend:
Nor unconcern'd Spectators, had they staid,
But each in their own glitt'ring Arms array'd;
Indignant, saw the Fiend our Lord assail,
And o'er what Mortal was, so far prevail:
Saw the foul Spirit him mild and patient bear,
From place to place wide hurry'd in the Air;
Unfir'd, their dreadful Bolts cou'd hardly keep,
Oft had they sunk the Rebel to the Deep,
And Thunder-nail'd him there—
Oft had their ancient Valour on him shown,
Had they receiv'd Commission from the Throne;
Nor durst beyond their Line one step proceed,
Nor did our Lord th' officious Kindness need;
Nor did their Loyal Aid and Love refuse,
In Triumph, which in VVar he wou'd not use;
Tho' all the while he knew and mark'd 'em there,
And beckons now away; thro' yielding Air
They instantaneous glide, as Thoughts can fly,
Untrack'd, from East to West, from Earth to Sky:
Manna, Ambrosial-food, before him lay'd,
And VVine in beauteous Eden newly made;
Who tasts of these will regal Boards despise;
Such Angels, such the bless'd in Paradise:
No dregs they leave, nor earthly rellish know,
Nor ever tempt to these vain Joys below;
But Hope, and Peace, and heav'nly Love inspire,
And warm the Soul with pure immortal Fire:
While these our Lord upon the verdant ground
Refresh'd, his shining Train kept Guard around:
Some chearful wait, i'th' Air some hov'ring hung;
And thus his mighty Deeds in mighty Numbers Sung.
To see the Waves expiring on the Shore:
Like some new World, at distance to behold
The Silver Hills all Flame with heav'nly Gold:
The chiding Winds all hush'd, the Sky look fair,
The Fields in Smiles new clad, Sea, Earth and Air
A diff'rent Face put on, a diff'rent Dress,
And Mother Nature's self her Joys express:
So shin'd the Son of God, whose Love to Man,
His Conquests in his Suff'rings thus began;
116
And, when he pleas'd, shook off th' infernal Foes;
Who, when they his unequal Might assay'd,
In vain so many a furious Onset made,
Slunk desp'rate back to their own conscious Shade:
Nor long remov'd, e'er brighter Guards were there,
Wafted, Triumphant thro' the yielding Air.
Hymning their Head, the heav'nly Host descend,
Who did before their needless Aid suspend,
And hov'ring high the VVars event attend:
Nor unconcern'd Spectators, had they staid,
But each in their own glitt'ring Arms array'd;
Indignant, saw the Fiend our Lord assail,
And o'er what Mortal was, so far prevail:
Saw the foul Spirit him mild and patient bear,
From place to place wide hurry'd in the Air;
Unfir'd, their dreadful Bolts cou'd hardly keep,
Oft had they sunk the Rebel to the Deep,
And Thunder-nail'd him there—
Oft had their ancient Valour on him shown,
Had they receiv'd Commission from the Throne;
Nor durst beyond their Line one step proceed,
Nor did our Lord th' officious Kindness need;
Nor did their Loyal Aid and Love refuse,
In Triumph, which in VVar he wou'd not use;
Tho' all the while he knew and mark'd 'em there,
And beckons now away; thro' yielding Air
They instantaneous glide, as Thoughts can fly,
Untrack'd, from East to West, from Earth to Sky:
Manna, Ambrosial-food, before him lay'd,
And VVine in beauteous Eden newly made;
Who tasts of these will regal Boards despise;
Such Angels, such the bless'd in Paradise:
No dregs they leave, nor earthly rellish know,
Nor ever tempt to these vain Joys below;
But Hope, and Peace, and heav'nly Love inspire,
And warm the Soul with pure immortal Fire:
While these our Lord upon the verdant ground
Refresh'd, his shining Train kept Guard around:
Some chearful wait, i'th' Air some hov'ring hung;
117
Hail, Son of God! announc'd, confest, approv'd!
Saviour of Man, and Head of Angels hail!
Thee thus ador'd we sing; thus cast our Crowns,
With trembling aw, at thy triumphant Feet:
Before all Worlds, who, from the Mount of God,
When Lucifer had half dis-peopled Heav'n,
“Ledst forth th' embattel'd Seraphim to fight;
Met at the Head of his rebellious War,
Didst seize th' Arch-Traitor, all his Bands disperse,
And crush 'em underneath thy flaming Wheels.
We saw 'em from the top of Heav'ns high-Wall,
We saw 'em tumbl' abrupt, and Chaos wide,
Struck with a dreadful Flash of unknown Light,
Shrink back its sooty Waves, and inward roll
To find a new Abyss; till wheeling down,
Like falling Stars, th' Exile Spirits of Heav'n
On its black Bosom hiss'd, thick sprinkled o'er
With scatter'd Drops of dying sulph'rous Flame:
They, deep confin'd, thou, O Eternal Word,
Didst will this beauteous World from the dark Void:
High Hills, rich Dales, sweet Springs, Sea, Earth and Sky,
And those Eternal Lamps which flame above
To light the Lord of the Creation, Man;
The best, the last Essay of Wit divine;
Whose Godlike Form thou didst with Soul inspire,
Thee not unapt to Know and Love, design'd
To fill those Seats th' Apostate Angels lost,
And plac'd him happy in sweet Paradise:
Envious th' Arch-Fiend beheld, his Iron Teeth,
Vexatious, gnash'd with rage and rancour fell,
That Man shou'd Lord it o'er so fair a VVorld:
Shot up thro' Chaos and the frighted Deep,
On dang'rous Expedition bent, t'explore
His Rival's Force; then grapple and subdue,
And Captive drag t'his own Eternal Night;
Who, ah! too far prevail'd; nor cou'd weak Man,
The Woman and the Fiend, when leagu'd, resist:
He eat, he fell; the sick Creation groan'd,
And sympathiz'd with their lost Master's Fate:
We sighing saw the ruins of the World;
So wide the Breach we knew no Remedy;
Nor all our Wisdom Methods cou'd invent,
T'attone thy justly anger'd Father's Wrath,
Punish th' Arch-Fiend accurst, and Man restore:
Till in deep Consult of th' Eternal Three,
Thou didst stand forth and chuse the mighty Task;
The weight of heav'nly Vengeance chuse to bear;
Which feeble Mortals wou'd have crush'd to Hell:
The old Red-Dragon met, O spotless Dove!
By thy unequal Arms is doom'd to fall,
Tho' thou no Thunder in the Fight wilt use,
But naked Virtue, and pure Innocence.
Thou the chast Womans-Seed, O Virgin-born!
The mighty Serpent's vainly-threatning Head
Shalt crush beyond retrieve; while Spirits enrag'd,
And Life at once, and yellow Venom flow
From his wide Mouth, that open Sepulchre:
In long volum'nous Folds outstretch'd he lies,
The Wonder and the Burden of the Earth:
Hell's Principality thou shalt destroy,
And stoln Dominion here; while Thunderstruck,
And hurl'd headlong, the grinning Fiends forsake
Their Temples and fallacious Oracles:
What tho' their Malice, desp'rate, may prevail,
Permitted, o'er thy frail Humanity?
The God's still safe, and smiles at their weak rage;
While they their own Confusion only gain.
Hell's Masterpiece is Ill from Good to draw,
The Art of Heav'n Good from the worst of Ill:
Thy Death the Life of Man, a Ransom paid,
To thy just Father's Wrath for the lost World:
Which from his Bosom thou in mortal Clay
Didst come, first to instruct, and then to save.
Thy Triumphs here begin, O Son of God!
The Tempter foild with all his boasted Arts:
He no uxorious Adam found in thee,
No vain-consenting Eve—Salvation, Pow'r,
And Strength and Might, and Thanks, and Praise, and Love,
We thus ascribe to thee, O spotless Lamb!
Thus Allelujah! Allelujah sing.
Saviour of Man, and Head of Angels hail!
Thee thus ador'd we sing; thus cast our Crowns,
With trembling aw, at thy triumphant Feet:
Before all Worlds, who, from the Mount of God,
When Lucifer had half dis-peopled Heav'n,
“Ledst forth th' embattel'd Seraphim to fight;
Met at the Head of his rebellious War,
Didst seize th' Arch-Traitor, all his Bands disperse,
And crush 'em underneath thy flaming Wheels.
We saw 'em from the top of Heav'ns high-Wall,
We saw 'em tumbl' abrupt, and Chaos wide,
Struck with a dreadful Flash of unknown Light,
Shrink back its sooty Waves, and inward roll
To find a new Abyss; till wheeling down,
Like falling Stars, th' Exile Spirits of Heav'n
On its black Bosom hiss'd, thick sprinkled o'er
With scatter'd Drops of dying sulph'rous Flame:
They, deep confin'd, thou, O Eternal Word,
Didst will this beauteous World from the dark Void:
High Hills, rich Dales, sweet Springs, Sea, Earth and Sky,
And those Eternal Lamps which flame above
To light the Lord of the Creation, Man;
The best, the last Essay of Wit divine;
Whose Godlike Form thou didst with Soul inspire,
Thee not unapt to Know and Love, design'd
To fill those Seats th' Apostate Angels lost,
And plac'd him happy in sweet Paradise:
Envious th' Arch-Fiend beheld, his Iron Teeth,
Vexatious, gnash'd with rage and rancour fell,
That Man shou'd Lord it o'er so fair a VVorld:
Shot up thro' Chaos and the frighted Deep,
On dang'rous Expedition bent, t'explore
His Rival's Force; then grapple and subdue,
And Captive drag t'his own Eternal Night;
Who, ah! too far prevail'd; nor cou'd weak Man,
The Woman and the Fiend, when leagu'd, resist:
He eat, he fell; the sick Creation groan'd,
And sympathiz'd with their lost Master's Fate:
118
So wide the Breach we knew no Remedy;
Nor all our Wisdom Methods cou'd invent,
T'attone thy justly anger'd Father's Wrath,
Punish th' Arch-Fiend accurst, and Man restore:
Till in deep Consult of th' Eternal Three,
Thou didst stand forth and chuse the mighty Task;
The weight of heav'nly Vengeance chuse to bear;
Which feeble Mortals wou'd have crush'd to Hell:
The old Red-Dragon met, O spotless Dove!
By thy unequal Arms is doom'd to fall,
Tho' thou no Thunder in the Fight wilt use,
But naked Virtue, and pure Innocence.
Thou the chast Womans-Seed, O Virgin-born!
The mighty Serpent's vainly-threatning Head
Shalt crush beyond retrieve; while Spirits enrag'd,
And Life at once, and yellow Venom flow
From his wide Mouth, that open Sepulchre:
In long volum'nous Folds outstretch'd he lies,
The Wonder and the Burden of the Earth:
Hell's Principality thou shalt destroy,
And stoln Dominion here; while Thunderstruck,
And hurl'd headlong, the grinning Fiends forsake
Their Temples and fallacious Oracles:
What tho' their Malice, desp'rate, may prevail,
Permitted, o'er thy frail Humanity?
The God's still safe, and smiles at their weak rage;
While they their own Confusion only gain.
Hell's Masterpiece is Ill from Good to draw,
The Art of Heav'n Good from the worst of Ill:
Thy Death the Life of Man, a Ransom paid,
To thy just Father's Wrath for the lost World:
Which from his Bosom thou in mortal Clay
Didst come, first to instruct, and then to save.
Thy Triumphs here begin, O Son of God!
The Tempter foild with all his boasted Arts:
He no uxorious Adam found in thee,
No vain-consenting Eve—Salvation, Pow'r,
And Strength and Might, and Thanks, and Praise, and Love,
We thus ascribe to thee, O spotless Lamb!
119
Here ending, they their Lord triumphant bore,
To Jordan's reedy Banks, not long before
Bless'd with his sacred Feet, where lately he,
Baptiz'd by the great Son of Zachary,
All Righteousness fulfill'd—The Crowd, who mourn'd
His Loss, surpriz'd with Joy when he return'd.
Nor sooner him agen the Baptist spy'd,
When loud, 'tis he! Extatic all, he cry'd:
See Israel, see the Lamb of God, design'd
To purge your Sins, your heavy Chains unbind!
Him his great Father from the Clouds confest,
And I, th' attesting Dove my self attest:
He, the Messiah, freely I disclaim,
That next to our unutterable Name!
Me, tho unworthy, did high Heav'n prefer,
E'er his approach, to be his Harbinger;
That Israel him might with due Honours meet,
Unworthy e'en to kneel and kiss his Feet:
Tho' after-born, existing long before;
Shou'd we thro vast Eternal Ages soar,
His Birth we cannot reach—
He still must Live, while I to Dust descend;
His Kingdom and his Glory know no end.
To Jordan's reedy Banks, not long before
Bless'd with his sacred Feet, where lately he,
Baptiz'd by the great Son of Zachary,
All Righteousness fulfill'd—The Crowd, who mourn'd
His Loss, surpriz'd with Joy when he return'd.
Nor sooner him agen the Baptist spy'd,
When loud, 'tis he! Extatic all, he cry'd:
See Israel, see the Lamb of God, design'd
To purge your Sins, your heavy Chains unbind!
Him his great Father from the Clouds confest,
And I, th' attesting Dove my self attest:
He, the Messiah, freely I disclaim,
That next to our unutterable Name!
Me, tho unworthy, did high Heav'n prefer,
E'er his approach, to be his Harbinger;
That Israel him might with due Honours meet,
Unworthy e'en to kneel and kiss his Feet:
Tho' after-born, existing long before;
Shou'd we thro vast Eternal Ages soar,
His Birth we cannot reach—
He still must Live, while I to Dust descend;
His Kingdom and his Glory know no end.
He said, agen our Lord himself withdrew,
Tho' closely followed by a faithful few:
Who learn'd what Arts to use, what Methods take,
Others as happy as themselves to make:
Envious of none; more Rivals they desir'd,
Each Day, each Hour their Master more admir'd.
Thro' Galilee's wide Coast soon spread his Name,
His Auditors encreasing with his Fame:
Thick rolling Crowds promiscuous far and near,
Attend, the way to Life and Bliss to hear:
For ev'ry Ill mirac'lous Ease they find,
All Maladies of Body and of Mind.
Tho' closely followed by a faithful few:
Who learn'd what Arts to use, what Methods take,
Others as happy as themselves to make:
Envious of none; more Rivals they desir'd,
Each Day, each Hour their Master more admir'd.
Thro' Galilee's wide Coast soon spread his Name,
His Auditors encreasing with his Fame:
Thick rolling Crowds promiscuous far and near,
Attend, the way to Life and Bliss to hear:
For ev'ry Ill mirac'lous Ease they find,
All Maladies of Body and of Mind.
An easie Hill there is, whence looking down
Tiberias here, there fair Bethsaida's Town,
At equal distance seen; our Saviour there,
Did first entire his Father's Will declare.
Well pleas'd, around the plenteous Harvest saw;
And further still t'advance the Sacred Law,
Twice six did from his constant Foll'wers chuse,
Who might the same thro' the vast Globe diffuse.
The Noble, Great and Learn'd he did not take,
Poor Fishers most, who on the neighb'ring Lake,
In honest Industry their Lives had spent,
Equally Ignorant and Innocent:
Barjonas first, still eager to engage
In the fair Cause, and first in Zeal and Age;
Firm as a Rock, he bold our Lord confest,
Thence Cephas nam'd, by him who knows him best.
His Brother Andrew, of unspotted Fame,
The next, both from Bethsaida's Villa came:
Thence Philip, who Nathanael did invite,
Approv'd an undissembling Isra'lite:
Matthew, who freely did the VVorld forsake,
Fair Seat, and gainful Office on the Lake,
Near proud Capernaum: the lesser James,
Who justly honourable Kinred claims,
With our Lov'd Lord; Simon, whom Cana names,
His Brother Jude—All three did Mary bear
To Cleophas: next Jude our Treasurer;
Iscariot from his Birth-place styl'd; and he,
Whom his glad Mother in her Arms did see
But half a Birth—
We, more than all the rest of that high Grace,
Unworthy, fill the last and humblest place:
Zebedee's Sons, o'th' Galilean Race.
Tiberias here, there fair Bethsaida's Town,
At equal distance seen; our Saviour there,
Did first entire his Father's Will declare.
120
And further still t'advance the Sacred Law,
Twice six did from his constant Foll'wers chuse,
Who might the same thro' the vast Globe diffuse.
The Noble, Great and Learn'd he did not take,
Poor Fishers most, who on the neighb'ring Lake,
In honest Industry their Lives had spent,
Equally Ignorant and Innocent:
Barjonas first, still eager to engage
In the fair Cause, and first in Zeal and Age;
Firm as a Rock, he bold our Lord confest,
Thence Cephas nam'd, by him who knows him best.
His Brother Andrew, of unspotted Fame,
The next, both from Bethsaida's Villa came:
Thence Philip, who Nathanael did invite,
Approv'd an undissembling Isra'lite:
Matthew, who freely did the VVorld forsake,
Fair Seat, and gainful Office on the Lake,
Near proud Capernaum: the lesser James,
Who justly honourable Kinred claims,
With our Lov'd Lord; Simon, whom Cana names,
His Brother Jude—All three did Mary bear
To Cleophas: next Jude our Treasurer;
Iscariot from his Birth-place styl'd; and he,
Whom his glad Mother in her Arms did see
But half a Birth—
We, more than all the rest of that high Grace,
Unworthy, fill the last and humblest place:
Zebedee's Sons, o'th' Galilean Race.
This past, to us he his bless'd Law reveal'd,
Which from the Wise and Prudent is conceal'd:
What Noble Paradoxes did he teach?
Above what humane VVisdom e'er cou'd reach;
As much beneath his Worth is our Esteem;
Sure never Man e'er spake, or liv'd like him!
He all false Eloquence, all Colours he
Of Grecian, or of Roman Sophistry
Disdain'd; nor Popularly low he bow'd,
To beg, or steal Applauses from the Crowd:
His Truths in their own native Beauty shine,
Deliver'd with Authority divine:
They pierc'd the secret Soul where e'r they came,
And warm'd each conscious Breast with heav'nly Flame:
Hear Fathers part of what he then express'd!
And, O that you from him wou'd learn the rest!
Which from the Wise and Prudent is conceal'd:
What Noble Paradoxes did he teach?
Above what humane VVisdom e'er cou'd reach;
As much beneath his Worth is our Esteem;
Sure never Man e'er spake, or liv'd like him!
He all false Eloquence, all Colours he
Of Grecian, or of Roman Sophistry
Disdain'd; nor Popularly low he bow'd,
To beg, or steal Applauses from the Crowd:
His Truths in their own native Beauty shine,
121
They pierc'd the secret Soul where e'r they came,
And warm'd each conscious Breast with heav'nly Flame:
Hear Fathers part of what he then express'd!
And, O that you from him wou'd learn the rest!
Our Saviour's Sermon of the Beatitudes, Matth. V.
Mistaken
men! He cries, who still complain,
Still search for happiness, but search in vain,
For when you dream you've found it, false as fair
It cheats your clasping arms with empty air.
There are who think their Bliss fast lockt they hold,
If their strong Chests are fill'd with Ophirs gold:
Base vulgar drossie minds, with more alloy
Then is that captive wealth they might enjoy;
Which Thieves may steal, which Rust or Fire destroy;
True happiness is always in our pow'r,
Beyond the reach of one unlucky hour
To rend away, 'tis for its self desir'd,
While Riches are for something else admir'd,
Pleasure or Ease, nor therefore can they be
The solid Basis of Felicity.
Woe, woe, eternal woe and pain are near
To those who only place their Treasure here.
Sooner may happiness be found with them
Whom for their Poverty the World contemn;
Who, when my Honour and their Conscience call
With generous unconcern'dness part with all:
If Providence a larger stock affords,
Its Gifts enjoy as Stewards, not as Lords:
These, rich in Faith, to Heav'n directly tend,
Heirs of a Kingdom that shall never end.
Still search for happiness, but search in vain,
For when you dream you've found it, false as fair
It cheats your clasping arms with empty air.
There are who think their Bliss fast lockt they hold,
If their strong Chests are fill'd with Ophirs gold:
Base vulgar drossie minds, with more alloy
Then is that captive wealth they might enjoy;
Which Thieves may steal, which Rust or Fire destroy;
True happiness is always in our pow'r,
Beyond the reach of one unlucky hour
To rend away, 'tis for its self desir'd,
While Riches are for something else admir'd,
Pleasure or Ease, nor therefore can they be
The solid Basis of Felicity.
Woe, woe, eternal woe and pain are near
To those who only place their Treasure here.
Sooner may happiness be found with them
Whom for their Poverty the World contemn;
Who, when my Honour and their Conscience call
With generous unconcern'dness part with all:
If Providence a larger stock affords,
Its Gifts enjoy as Stewards, not as Lords:
These, rich in Faith, to Heav'n directly tend,
Heirs of a Kingdom that shall never end.
Unwary youth which seldom chuses right,
Hurry'd by their unbridl'd appetite
Rush hot and furious after vain delight
And false delusive Bliss—No they'll not stay
Tho' Heav'n call'd back, and Hell were in their way.
And can a cheating short-liv'd vitious Joy,
Which ev'n one moments thinking can destroy,
Nay that it self.—Say, can it ever be
A reas'ning Creatures true felicity?
Ah foolish Boy! Ah wither wilt thou run?
Why in such headlong hast to be undone?
Thy mirth is madness; e'r too late return!
And learn how blest are those who truly mourn;
Who mourn their Sins while Life's swift sand do's last,
And dear irrevocable moments past:
O what a change! when those whom now they see
Spend all their days in thoughtless jollity
Shall howl in quenchless Flames; while such as here
Oft wet their Cheeks with a repentant Tear,
Oft heave with pious Sighs their working Breast,
Of him, whom long unseen they lov'd, possest
In Abrahams bosom find eternal rest.
Hurry'd by their unbridl'd appetite
Rush hot and furious after vain delight
And false delusive Bliss—No they'll not stay
Tho' Heav'n call'd back, and Hell were in their way.
And can a cheating short-liv'd vitious Joy,
Which ev'n one moments thinking can destroy,
122
A reas'ning Creatures true felicity?
Ah foolish Boy! Ah wither wilt thou run?
Why in such headlong hast to be undone?
Thy mirth is madness; e'r too late return!
And learn how blest are those who truly mourn;
Who mourn their Sins while Life's swift sand do's last,
And dear irrevocable moments past:
O what a change! when those whom now they see
Spend all their days in thoughtless jollity
Shall howl in quenchless Flames; while such as here
Oft wet their Cheeks with a repentant Tear,
Oft heave with pious Sighs their working Breast,
Of him, whom long unseen they lov'd, possest
In Abrahams bosom find eternal rest.
Others, as vain, attempt their Names to raise,
Their Lives employ'd in eager chase of praise:
Honour, that gawdy Nothing, they pursue,
For this in Blood their guilty Hands embrew:
For this unhinge the World, and when 'tis done
By all their long Fatigues what have they won?
What gains, what Trophies but a Blast of Breath,
Which seldom lives, tho' lowd, beyond their Death?
He then who here his Happiness wou'd find
As soon may grasp the Air, or track the Wind:
The gaudy Fly as soon as hatcht is flown,
'Tis in anothers pow'r and not our own:
True Magnanimity my Laws impart,
But fix it in a meek and humble heart:
What lies so low can no rough Tempest fear,
But unconcern'd, above, the Thunder hear:
Impenetrably soft's a lowly mind
Where wrongs glide off and can no Entrance find;
Not kindling into rage when e'r we see
The least appearance of an Injury;
Or suff'ring in ill Language wrath t'aspire,
Lest Angers flames be purg'd with hotter Fire.
If wrong'd, all private base Returns decline;
Your Wrath repress, Vengeance is only mine;
'Tis a false Liberty that leaves you free
Loving your Friend to hate your Enemy:
My Followers must to nobler things aspire,
My Laws exalt the humane Nature higher
Than e'er before; if mine your selves you'd prove
Bless them that curse, and those that hate you love!
Pray for their Lives who would not let you live!
As you your selves forgiveness hope, forgive!
This makes you likest God, and all divine,
Whose fruitful Rain does fall, whose Sun-beams shine
On good and bad promiscuous; thus you'll be
As far as suits with weak Humanity
Above the World, and perfect ev'n as he:
Thus wait and you'll at last the Conquest gain;
When the meek Soul shall over Nations reign.
Their Lives employ'd in eager chase of praise:
Honour, that gawdy Nothing, they pursue,
For this in Blood their guilty Hands embrew:
For this unhinge the World, and when 'tis done
By all their long Fatigues what have they won?
What gains, what Trophies but a Blast of Breath,
Which seldom lives, tho' lowd, beyond their Death?
He then who here his Happiness wou'd find
As soon may grasp the Air, or track the Wind:
The gaudy Fly as soon as hatcht is flown,
'Tis in anothers pow'r and not our own:
True Magnanimity my Laws impart,
But fix it in a meek and humble heart:
What lies so low can no rough Tempest fear,
But unconcern'd, above, the Thunder hear:
Impenetrably soft's a lowly mind
Where wrongs glide off and can no Entrance find;
Not kindling into rage when e'r we see
The least appearance of an Injury;
Or suff'ring in ill Language wrath t'aspire,
Lest Angers flames be purg'd with hotter Fire.
If wrong'd, all private base Returns decline;
Your Wrath repress, Vengeance is only mine;
'Tis a false Liberty that leaves you free
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My Followers must to nobler things aspire,
My Laws exalt the humane Nature higher
Than e'er before; if mine your selves you'd prove
Bless them that curse, and those that hate you love!
Pray for their Lives who would not let you live!
As you your selves forgiveness hope, forgive!
This makes you likest God, and all divine,
Whose fruitful Rain does fall, whose Sun-beams shine
On good and bad promiscuous; thus you'll be
As far as suits with weak Humanity
Above the World, and perfect ev'n as he:
Thus wait and you'll at last the Conquest gain;
When the meek Soul shall over Nations reign.
How few who any true Concern will show
For ought but these vain perishing Goods below!
To guard this Life mistaken Man contends,
But little for that Life which never ends:
How much of Toyl, how much of fruitless pain
No more than six small feet of Earth to gain?
How hard for those in this who happy are
For t'other World to take sufficient care?
If that neglected, they refuse to know
That Benefactor who did all bestow;
Full fed, refuse their stubborn Necks to yield,
Loose and unyoak'd fly wanton round the field;
Feasted themselves, despise and scorn the poor,
While Lazarus lies starving at their door;
The day, the dreadful day they soon shall see
When they in Torments, he in Bliss shall be:
One drop of Water then they'll ask in vain,
To cool their panting Tongues in endless pain:
But blest are those, such all who wou'd be mine,
Who thirst and hunger after Food divine,
Whom Heav'nly thoughts and meditations fill,
Whose meat and drink's to do my Father's will,
This their first Care, and firmly can repose
On him who all their wants and sorrows knows,
Be then your care for a good Life exprest,
Nor doubt but God will care for all the rest.
Why these distracted Thoughts? Why thus Dismay'd?
Wants he or Pow'r or Love to send thee Aid?
If more he gives, will lesser be deny'd?
If Life, he'll Food; if Food, he'll Cloaths provide.
All his Creation of his Love partake,
Nor will he ruine what himself did make.
Behold the feather'd Nations of the Air
Which sing in yonder Trees—how full, how fair,
They neither sow nor reap, nor plant nor plough,
Yet God provides their Food on every bush and bough:
And will He not for you? Who did inspire
Your breasts with part of his own Heav'nly fire.
Besides, such anxious thoughts but vex the mind,
Which thence can neither Ease nor Comfort find:
Nor more for Rayment care! tho forc'd to go
Beneath your Quality, mean, scorn'd and low:
What's not your Crime, no longer vainly grieve,
You spite of clamorous Sense must still believe.
Look on those lovely Lilies how they grow
Thoughtless and free in yonder Vale below!
For all those Robes they neither toil nor care,
Nor spin the Web at home, nor fetch't from far;
Yet Solomon himself, tho' cover'd o'er
With Gold and Purple from rich Sidon's shore,
Compar'd to these, had mean and homely shown;
His all but borrow'd Glories, theirs their own.
He then who thus the fading Herb supplies,
Which flourishes to day, to morrow dies,
Will he forget his Word and prove untrue?
Has he less kindness, or less care for you?
For ought but these vain perishing Goods below!
To guard this Life mistaken Man contends,
But little for that Life which never ends:
How much of Toyl, how much of fruitless pain
No more than six small feet of Earth to gain?
How hard for those in this who happy are
For t'other World to take sufficient care?
If that neglected, they refuse to know
That Benefactor who did all bestow;
Full fed, refuse their stubborn Necks to yield,
Loose and unyoak'd fly wanton round the field;
Feasted themselves, despise and scorn the poor,
While Lazarus lies starving at their door;
The day, the dreadful day they soon shall see
When they in Torments, he in Bliss shall be:
One drop of Water then they'll ask in vain,
To cool their panting Tongues in endless pain:
But blest are those, such all who wou'd be mine,
Who thirst and hunger after Food divine,
Whom Heav'nly thoughts and meditations fill,
Whose meat and drink's to do my Father's will,
This their first Care, and firmly can repose
On him who all their wants and sorrows knows,
Be then your care for a good Life exprest,
Nor doubt but God will care for all the rest.
124
Wants he or Pow'r or Love to send thee Aid?
If more he gives, will lesser be deny'd?
If Life, he'll Food; if Food, he'll Cloaths provide.
All his Creation of his Love partake,
Nor will he ruine what himself did make.
Behold the feather'd Nations of the Air
Which sing in yonder Trees—how full, how fair,
They neither sow nor reap, nor plant nor plough,
Yet God provides their Food on every bush and bough:
And will He not for you? Who did inspire
Your breasts with part of his own Heav'nly fire.
Besides, such anxious thoughts but vex the mind,
Which thence can neither Ease nor Comfort find:
Nor more for Rayment care! tho forc'd to go
Beneath your Quality, mean, scorn'd and low:
What's not your Crime, no longer vainly grieve,
You spite of clamorous Sense must still believe.
Look on those lovely Lilies how they grow
Thoughtless and free in yonder Vale below!
For all those Robes they neither toil nor care,
Nor spin the Web at home, nor fetch't from far;
Yet Solomon himself, tho' cover'd o'er
With Gold and Purple from rich Sidon's shore,
Compar'd to these, had mean and homely shown;
His all but borrow'd Glories, theirs their own.
He then who thus the fading Herb supplies,
Which flourishes to day, to morrow dies,
Will he forget his Word and prove untrue?
Has he less kindness, or less care for you?
Injustice and Revenge the World divide,
Mistaken Censure, Cruelty and Pride:
Blest is the man himself who truly knows,
And Mercy, which he hopes, to others shows;
Whose Joy, the miserable to relieve,
Who tasts the mighty Pleasure to forgive:
Justly severe when he himself surveys,
As candid when he others Actions weighs:
Born for the World and not himself alone,
He always makes anothers Case his own.
Observe that Golden Rule of Equity,
Thy Neighbour treat as thou'dst have him treat thee!
Mistaken Censure, Cruelty and Pride:
Blest is the man himself who truly knows,
And Mercy, which he hopes, to others shows;
Whose Joy, the miserable to relieve,
Who tasts the mighty Pleasure to forgive:
Justly severe when he himself surveys,
As candid when he others Actions weighs:
Born for the World and not himself alone,
He always makes anothers Case his own.
125
Thy Neighbour treat as thou'dst have him treat thee!
How vain the Glosses foolish men devise!
How do they blend eternal Truth with Lies!
Traditions teach you, if your Body's pure,
Your Mind's your own, and from all stain secure:
Whatever fond Pretences these invent
I ask the Heart, nor am with less content:
That must be purg'd from Sin, and all divine,
Holy and pure, a Temple fit t'enshrine
The sacred Dove, who never yet did rest
In muddy Soil or a polluted Breast;
Gross Acts in vain you shun, unless you're free
From th' heart's and eye's and hand's Adultery:
Part with that guilty hand, that wand'ring eye,
Or soon they they'll gangreen all, and you must die:
Call then the Wand'rers home! your Self command!
And make strict Covenants with the eye and hand!
Each secret Glance that glows with lawless fire,
And kindles in the Soul a loose desire;
Each trembling touch of a forbidden hand
By which the sparks into a flame are fann'd,
All these avoid, in vain you these wou'd hide
From him who them in their dark Causes spy'd
Long e'er they were—If him in Bliss you'd find
Rather than sin, be ever lame or blind!
While those who thus their Appetites deny,
Half-Martyrs for forgotten Chastity,
Bravely repelling every poyson'd Dart,
Holy and pure, alike in eyes and heart;
Who thus their eyes, who thus their hearts employ
The Beatific Vision shall enjoy;
Which e'n while wandring here shall on 'em shine,
In this dark World their Souls still more refine,
And fill with Heav'nly Love and Joy Divine.
How do they blend eternal Truth with Lies!
Traditions teach you, if your Body's pure,
Your Mind's your own, and from all stain secure:
Whatever fond Pretences these invent
I ask the Heart, nor am with less content:
That must be purg'd from Sin, and all divine,
Holy and pure, a Temple fit t'enshrine
The sacred Dove, who never yet did rest
In muddy Soil or a polluted Breast;
Gross Acts in vain you shun, unless you're free
From th' heart's and eye's and hand's Adultery:
Part with that guilty hand, that wand'ring eye,
Or soon they they'll gangreen all, and you must die:
Call then the Wand'rers home! your Self command!
And make strict Covenants with the eye and hand!
Each secret Glance that glows with lawless fire,
And kindles in the Soul a loose desire;
Each trembling touch of a forbidden hand
By which the sparks into a flame are fann'd,
All these avoid, in vain you these wou'd hide
From him who them in their dark Causes spy'd
Long e'er they were—If him in Bliss you'd find
Rather than sin, be ever lame or blind!
While those who thus their Appetites deny,
Half-Martyrs for forgotten Chastity,
Bravely repelling every poyson'd Dart,
Holy and pure, alike in eyes and heart;
Who thus their eyes, who thus their hearts employ
The Beatific Vision shall enjoy;
Which e'n while wandring here shall on 'em shine,
In this dark World their Souls still more refine,
And fill with Heav'nly Love and Joy Divine.
How many, not content with mortal Fame,
Are eager for an Hero's sounding name!
Poor Apotheosis! the God must die
And worse, among the Fiends in Torments lie:
But happy those who peaceful Triumphs gain!
'Tis the best Empire o'er our selves to reign.
O blest Employment! theirs: O happy state!
Who Peace twixt God and Man negotiate!
Who where they come my peaceful Law disperse,
Bear these glad Tidings round the Universe:
Ah! wou'd they practise but as these advise
How soon the World wou'd be a Paradise?
They must not there expect so calm a Fate;
Peace will, tho' strange, breed War, and Love breed Hate;
Murder and Blood my miscall'd Followers stain,
Discord and Spite, and wild Confusion reign:
Hell-born Ambition will invade the Skies,
And tow'ring Pride and griping Avarice;
Parties and Sects my seamless Garment rend,
The Cause their Interest, tho' they mine pretend:
Who dare but speak of Peace, they'll stop their breath,
Twixt different Parties ground, or starv'd to death;
As base betrayers of their Cause revil'd,
And Sons of Breadth by lewd Apostates stil'd,
But tho' cast out, and under-foot they're trod,
I'll give 'em better Names—they're Sons of God.
Are eager for an Hero's sounding name!
Poor Apotheosis! the God must die
And worse, among the Fiends in Torments lie:
But happy those who peaceful Triumphs gain!
126
O blest Employment! theirs: O happy state!
Who Peace twixt God and Man negotiate!
Who where they come my peaceful Law disperse,
Bear these glad Tidings round the Universe:
Ah! wou'd they practise but as these advise
How soon the World wou'd be a Paradise?
They must not there expect so calm a Fate;
Peace will, tho' strange, breed War, and Love breed Hate;
Murder and Blood my miscall'd Followers stain,
Discord and Spite, and wild Confusion reign:
Hell-born Ambition will invade the Skies,
And tow'ring Pride and griping Avarice;
Parties and Sects my seamless Garment rend,
The Cause their Interest, tho' they mine pretend:
Who dare but speak of Peace, they'll stop their breath,
Twixt different Parties ground, or starv'd to death;
As base betrayers of their Cause revil'd,
And Sons of Breadth by lewd Apostates stil'd,
But tho' cast out, and under-foot they're trod,
I'll give 'em better Names—they're Sons of God.
However others widely then mistake,
And of their Reputations Idols make,
Even those, when I require, you must despise,
And unto mine, your Honour sacrifice!
In Curses let the World their Malice show,
And all their Leaden Thunders at you throw!
Let 'em, (the kindest thing they e'er can do)
As false Apostles, separate from you!
Out of their Synagogues and Councils hurl'd
As Hereticks, and Troublers of the World;
Or as by Priest-craft sly, and juggling skill
You'd fain bring men to Heav'n against their Will.
If you like Salt, a cleansing Virtue show,
And credit Piety where e'er you go;
If you still Light the World, who when they see
Your spotless Life, know what they ought to be;
If evil they, ungrate, for good, return,
And you in more than lambent flames wou'd burn;
Now doubly blest if Innocent you are,
If causless all for me you meekly bear:
Patience too mean a Virtue is, your Choice
Be something nobler here! Exult! Rejoice!
To Heav'n direct your Songs, your Hymns, your Pray'r!
A double Crown of Glory waits you there;
You first, Triumphant, from the Dust shall rise,
And with me ever reign in Paradise:
And of their Reputations Idols make,
Even those, when I require, you must despise,
And unto mine, your Honour sacrifice!
In Curses let the World their Malice show,
And all their Leaden Thunders at you throw!
Let 'em, (the kindest thing they e'er can do)
As false Apostles, separate from you!
Out of their Synagogues and Councils hurl'd
As Hereticks, and Troublers of the World;
Or as by Priest-craft sly, and juggling skill
You'd fain bring men to Heav'n against their Will.
If you like Salt, a cleansing Virtue show,
And credit Piety where e'er you go;
If you still Light the World, who when they see
Your spotless Life, know what they ought to be;
If evil they, ungrate, for good, return,
And you in more than lambent flames wou'd burn;
Now doubly blest if Innocent you are,
127
Patience too mean a Virtue is, your Choice
Be something nobler here! Exult! Rejoice!
To Heav'n direct your Songs, your Hymns, your Pray'r!
A double Crown of Glory waits you there;
You first, Triumphant, from the Dust shall rise,
And with me ever reign in Paradise:
Nor think, whatever Spite and Envy say,
I come to show to Heav'n a nearer way
Than by Good Faith and Life, t'annul or break
One Word my Father did from Sinai speak:
I came not to destroy, but to fullfil,
To do and suffer my great Father's Will:
Each type and shadow now compleat shall be,
Hither they tend, and center all in me.
What Laws of moral Obligation are,
Eternal Truth, your pleasure be't and care
To keep inviolate, they'll still prevail,
Nor pass away tho' the Creation fail:
By God's own Hand they were to Moses given,
When thus he them had Thunder'd down from Heav'n.
I come to show to Heav'n a nearer way
Than by Good Faith and Life, t'annul or break
One Word my Father did from Sinai speak:
I came not to destroy, but to fullfil,
To do and suffer my great Father's Will:
Each type and shadow now compleat shall be,
Hither they tend, and center all in me.
What Laws of moral Obligation are,
Eternal Truth, your pleasure be't and care
To keep inviolate, they'll still prevail,
Nor pass away tho' the Creation fail:
By God's own Hand they were to Moses given,
When thus he them had Thunder'd down from Heav'n.
Exod. XX. The Ten Commandments.
Jehova
speaks, attend with awful Love and Fear!
From Egypts Bondage sav'd, O rescu'd Israel, hear!
From Egypts Bondage sav'd, O rescu'd Israel, hear!
I
With me let no false Gods thy Love and Praise divide,Nor from Heav'ns piercing Eye such Treason hope to hide!
II
By no Resemblance vain the Godhead dare t'express,Who'll down to Grandchild Ages plague such Wickedness.
128
III
No hallow'd thing let thy bold Sacrilege profane!Nor take thy mighty Makers Sacred Name in vain.
IV
Six parts of Time when freely I indulge to thee,Neither forget nor grudg to pay a seventh to me.
V
If thou long Life dost hope, and many a happy day,Thy Parent and thy Prince in all that's just obey.
VI
Dy not thy furious Hand in Murders guilty Red:For he that sheds Mans blood, by Man his blood be shed!
VII
Against thy Neighbour's Honour harbor no design,As thou his heavy Vengeance wou'dst avoid and mine!
VIII
Shun Thefts base sordid Sin, and mean unlawful gain,And for thy own provide with honest sweat and pain.
IX
What's false ne'er speak, much less in Courts thy self forswear,But know a greater Judg looks down and Ey's thee there!
X
Each Sin in Thought abhor, and not in Act aloneNor seek thy Neighbour's Goods, contented with thy own!
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Let these claim all your thoughts exactest care.
To these add Fasting, Alms, and fervent Pray'r.
If you desire your Fasts successful prove
Fear'd Ills t'avert, or what you feel remove,
Not like those Hypocrites distort your Face
Who make an ugly Look a mark of Grace:
Who with rough Robes and Sack-cloth raze their skin
Or cut with Whips, or lance it deeper in,
And mortifie themselves, but not their Sin.
Your Alms dispense as Stars shoot silent Light
Untrack'd and large thro' the dark Realms of Night.
In all let no vain Ostentation be.
To your good Deeds, no witness ask but me.
They shall not pass without a kind regard
But at the last Great-Day I'll them reward.
Discreet, yet warm and zealous be your Pray'r
And still and silent as the Angels are.
To these add Fasting, Alms, and fervent Pray'r.
If you desire your Fasts successful prove
Fear'd Ills t'avert, or what you feel remove,
Not like those Hypocrites distort your Face
Who make an ugly Look a mark of Grace:
Who with rough Robes and Sack-cloth raze their skin
Or cut with Whips, or lance it deeper in,
And mortifie themselves, but not their Sin.
Your Alms dispense as Stars shoot silent Light
Untrack'd and large thro' the dark Realms of Night.
In all let no vain Ostentation be.
To your good Deeds, no witness ask but me.
They shall not pass without a kind regard
But at the last Great-Day I'll them reward.
Discreet, yet warm and zealous be your Pray'r
And still and silent as the Angels are.
Since you a Form for your Direction need
Thus let your faithful Vows to Heav'n proceed.
Thus let your faithful Vows to Heav'n proceed.
The Lords Prayer.
O Father of the World! whose Throne on highIs plac'd in Light above the Crystal Sky,
Let all thy works thee their great Lord proclaim,
And with loud praises hymn thy sacred Name!
Let thy dear Son his promis'd Empire gain,
And over all th' obedient Nations reign!
Let Sin's and Hell's proud Kingdom soon decay,
And Earth as well as Heav'n their Lord obey!
For our frail Bodies needful food assign,
But chiefly feast our Souls with Food divine.
O thou on whose free Grace and Love we live
Forgive our Sins as others we forgive!
Save from the Tempter those who trust in Thee,
O Save at once from Sin and Misery!
Thy glorious Might no Time or Place restrain,
Thou dost, O God! to endless Ages reign!
Thus to the King of Heav'n devoutly pray,
Nor that enough, you must his Laws obey;
Else him in Glory ne'r expect to see
Nor with vain idle Faith depend on me!
If not your Lord, I can't your Saviour be.
Who then themselves my true Disciples show,
Not only know, but practise what they know;
Them to wise Master-builders I'll compare
Who in the solid Rock with sweat and care
Their firm Foundations lay, the Floods arise
And meet new Floods thick pou'ring from the Skies:
Th' impetuous Winds from stony Caves enlarg'd
With all their dusty Squadrons on 'em charg'd,
The House still stands, each vain assault can mock,
Nor can they move it, till they move the Rock:
But those who with cold Notions are content
Christians alone in Name and Complement;
To foolish Builders them I must compare
Who on th' unfaithful Sand their Houses rear:
Already, heark! the whistling storm is nigh!
See the black Tempest pouring from the Sky!
Waves ride on Waves and push each other on!
From the loose Earth the false Foundation's gone;
The foolish House falls with the mould'ring Shore,
And sinks i'th' vast Abyss to rise no more.
Nor that enough, you must his Laws obey;
130
Nor with vain idle Faith depend on me!
If not your Lord, I can't your Saviour be.
Who then themselves my true Disciples show,
Not only know, but practise what they know;
Them to wise Master-builders I'll compare
Who in the solid Rock with sweat and care
Their firm Foundations lay, the Floods arise
And meet new Floods thick pou'ring from the Skies:
Th' impetuous Winds from stony Caves enlarg'd
With all their dusty Squadrons on 'em charg'd,
The House still stands, each vain assault can mock,
Nor can they move it, till they move the Rock:
But those who with cold Notions are content
Christians alone in Name and Complement;
To foolish Builders them I must compare
Who on th' unfaithful Sand their Houses rear:
Already, heark! the whistling storm is nigh!
See the black Tempest pouring from the Sky!
Waves ride on Waves and push each other on!
From the loose Earth the false Foundation's gone;
The foolish House falls with the mould'ring Shore,
And sinks i'th' vast Abyss to rise no more.
He said—Still his pleas'd Auditors attend,
All thought too soon he his Discourse did end.
Which past, he did from the bless'd Mount descend
To Cana, whence the other Simon nam'd,
'Mongst Galilean Zealots widely fam'd:
There, whilst he at a Nuptial-Feast did dine
When Wine they want, he VVaters turns to Wine.
Nor far from thence, by pleasant Naims VValls
The mournful VVidows Son to Life recalls.
All thought too soon he his Discourse did end.
Which past, he did from the bless'd Mount descend
To Cana, whence the other Simon nam'd,
'Mongst Galilean Zealots widely fam'd:
There, whilst he at a Nuptial-Feast did dine
When Wine they want, he VVaters turns to Wine.
Nor far from thence, by pleasant Naims VValls
The mournful VVidows Son to Life recalls.
Mean while the Baptist did to Virtue press
His Voice, loud-sounding in the VVilderness:
Censor of Vice, unblemish'd as severe,
And as he none did fear, he none wou'd spare:
Ev'n Life it self by far too dear he thought
If with bare silence or mean Flatt'ry bought:
This honest Freedom and plain roughness pleas'd;
Nor rarely wrought a Cure on Minds diseas'd:
Arm'd with Elijah's spirit and holy fire
To his Acquaintance Royal Names aspire;
Virtues they wou'd not follow, forc'd t'admire!
Among the rest so often Herod went
And heard, he grew almost a Penitent;
With all besides one darling Vice did part,
That kept its hold, still festering in his heart:
Dishonourable Love, a lawless Flame,
Unnat'ral Crime, which Incests fouler name
Disgrac'd; the Cause HERODIAS, fair, but vain,
Whose Lord did in poor Trachonitis reign,
And wild Iturea, from whose petty Court
Where only bordering Arabs did resort
Not long before Herod invites her down
To fair Tiberias, his own stately Town:
Until his Brother from the Wars return'd,
Who, while she him at home half Widdow'd, mourn'd
Thro' stony Fields, and Woods of fatal Yew,
Did Bands of roving Ishmaelites pursue:
Arriv'd, her Beauties all the Court surprize,
Her Brother most, who feasts his wand'ring Eyes
On her forbidden Face, thence soon takes fire,
His careless Breast soon glows with loose desire:
All Arts on her weak Sex, prevail he try'd,
Flatters her Vanity, and feeds her Pride:
Now do's he stately Masks and Balls provide,
With Musicks melting Charms, and now apply
The powerful Bait of Courtly Luxury:
Her in his Royal Barge wou'd sometimes take,
And splendid treat, upon the neighb'ring Lake;
Now her convey to proud Caperna'ms Walls
Where, thro' broad Arches Jordan headlong falls:
To ancient Cinn'roth, or Bethsaida fair
To hunt or walk in lonely Desarts there;
Oft wou'd he gaze, and with a sudden sigh
As often—Ah! too happy Philip! cry!
Why shou'd his envious ragged Walls confine
A Treasure ought in Cesar's Court to shine?
Are these the richest Robes he can provide
For such a Queen? This all Iturea's pride?
Trample 'em sordid in the dust, and see
If ought Tiberias has more worthy Thee!
Then, costly Babylonian Robes he brings,
And Tyrian Silks, that cloath and ransom Kings:
All honour'd to be touch'd by her fair hand,
Who Salem and Sebaste might command;
In both his Royal Palaces did stand;
The worst of both to Philip's she'd prefer
And both were hers, tho' both unworthy her.
These Presents she receives, and more than these
Without a Frown,—Sure 'twas no sin to please!
With well-known Art repell'd, yet did invite,
—And wishes she his bounty cou'd requite.
But soon recalls that Wish—she had forgot
That Herod was her Brother—Think me not,
He trembling cries, my Gratitude to show,
I'd gladly give my Crown I were not so—
—Or if I am—
“Friendship so pure as mine, who can reprove?
“Minds have no Sexes 'tis your Mind I love:
Platonic all, her Honour he'll prefer
T'his Life and Love, nor wrong his Queen or her.
He'd only ask a wish, an hand, an eye:
Favours for which 'twas worth the while to dye,
And swears in these eternal Secrecy.
—What bounds has lawless Love? Soon headlong hence
They sunk to Sin, and thence to Impudence:
Bewitch'd with wicked Joy and stupid grown
No measures kept: To all the Court 'tis known,
Last to his Queen, whom he'll no longer own;
Whose Father long his peaceful Scepter sway'd
At fair Damascus, Zobah him obey'd,
Him Aram's fields, and those wild Troops which stray'd
Thro' Geshur's Realm, for Pastures ever green
Renown'd, and the wide wand'ring Hagarene:
To him enrag'd with loud Complaints she fled
Against the Rival of her Crown and Bed;
Her and her faithless Lord with mortal Hate
She prosecutes, and urges on their Fate;
Whilst her old Father, youthful Anger warms
Who for Revenge his fierce Arabians arms.
Herods lewd Court's all silent, or approve
With wicked flattery their Princes love;
Till to the Baptist brought by babbling Fame,
Whom Zeal to injur'd Virtue did inflame;
Inspir'd with that, he from the Desarts came;
Thence to the Court his steps directly bent,
The opening Crowd bow'd lowly as he went;
He past the Guards; struck with religious fear
None durst oppose his way; approaching near
Thro' every Gate and Antichamber past
Preventing his own Fame, arriv'd at last
To the retir'd Alcove; he thither prest,
Sees the false Charmer negligently drest,
Sees the luxurious King lean loosly on her Breast.
Fierce Herod rose at the unwonted Noise,
And hasty asks with a death-threat'ning Voice
And Eyes all flame, what bold Intruder he
Who dar'd invade his Princes privacy,
And rush on certain Fate?—Nay rather tell
How dares a bold Adulterer rush on Hell,
The Baptist firm replies.—No sooner saw
The guilty King, but struck with trembling awe
Silent he stood confus'd, his Queen the same,
With anger pale by turns, and red with shame:
So strange a pow'r undaunted Virtue brings,
Dazling e'en Beauties self and conquering Kings:
Hard was the struggle.—Now his nobler Part,
His Reason rul'd, and from his Royal Heart
Drew sighs of Penitence, Abortive sighs;
Nor sooner were his Tempters charming Eyes
Bent on him, but agen he doubtful stood;
Which that curst Spirit, eternal Foe to Good
Perceiving, found 'twas time himself t'engage,
Inspiring Him with Lust, and Her with Rage:
Silent the King, thus haughty Herodias said—
His Voice, loud-sounding in the VVilderness:
Censor of Vice, unblemish'd as severe,
And as he none did fear, he none wou'd spare:
Ev'n Life it self by far too dear he thought
If with bare silence or mean Flatt'ry bought:
This honest Freedom and plain roughness pleas'd;
Nor rarely wrought a Cure on Minds diseas'd:
131
To his Acquaintance Royal Names aspire;
Virtues they wou'd not follow, forc'd t'admire!
Among the rest so often Herod went
And heard, he grew almost a Penitent;
With all besides one darling Vice did part,
That kept its hold, still festering in his heart:
Dishonourable Love, a lawless Flame,
Unnat'ral Crime, which Incests fouler name
Disgrac'd; the Cause HERODIAS, fair, but vain,
Whose Lord did in poor Trachonitis reign,
And wild Iturea, from whose petty Court
Where only bordering Arabs did resort
Not long before Herod invites her down
To fair Tiberias, his own stately Town:
Until his Brother from the Wars return'd,
Who, while she him at home half Widdow'd, mourn'd
Thro' stony Fields, and Woods of fatal Yew,
Did Bands of roving Ishmaelites pursue:
Arriv'd, her Beauties all the Court surprize,
Her Brother most, who feasts his wand'ring Eyes
On her forbidden Face, thence soon takes fire,
His careless Breast soon glows with loose desire:
All Arts on her weak Sex, prevail he try'd,
Flatters her Vanity, and feeds her Pride:
Now do's he stately Masks and Balls provide,
With Musicks melting Charms, and now apply
The powerful Bait of Courtly Luxury:
Her in his Royal Barge wou'd sometimes take,
And splendid treat, upon the neighb'ring Lake;
Now her convey to proud Caperna'ms Walls
Where, thro' broad Arches Jordan headlong falls:
To ancient Cinn'roth, or Bethsaida fair
To hunt or walk in lonely Desarts there;
Oft wou'd he gaze, and with a sudden sigh
As often—Ah! too happy Philip! cry!
Why shou'd his envious ragged Walls confine
A Treasure ought in Cesar's Court to shine?
Are these the richest Robes he can provide
For such a Queen? This all Iturea's pride?
132
If ought Tiberias has more worthy Thee!
Then, costly Babylonian Robes he brings,
And Tyrian Silks, that cloath and ransom Kings:
All honour'd to be touch'd by her fair hand,
Who Salem and Sebaste might command;
In both his Royal Palaces did stand;
The worst of both to Philip's she'd prefer
And both were hers, tho' both unworthy her.
These Presents she receives, and more than these
Without a Frown,—Sure 'twas no sin to please!
With well-known Art repell'd, yet did invite,
—And wishes she his bounty cou'd requite.
But soon recalls that Wish—she had forgot
That Herod was her Brother—Think me not,
He trembling cries, my Gratitude to show,
I'd gladly give my Crown I were not so—
—Or if I am—
“Friendship so pure as mine, who can reprove?
“Minds have no Sexes 'tis your Mind I love:
Platonic all, her Honour he'll prefer
T'his Life and Love, nor wrong his Queen or her.
He'd only ask a wish, an hand, an eye:
Favours for which 'twas worth the while to dye,
And swears in these eternal Secrecy.
—What bounds has lawless Love? Soon headlong hence
They sunk to Sin, and thence to Impudence:
Bewitch'd with wicked Joy and stupid grown
No measures kept: To all the Court 'tis known,
Last to his Queen, whom he'll no longer own;
Whose Father long his peaceful Scepter sway'd
At fair Damascus, Zobah him obey'd,
Him Aram's fields, and those wild Troops which stray'd
Thro' Geshur's Realm, for Pastures ever green
Renown'd, and the wide wand'ring Hagarene:
To him enrag'd with loud Complaints she fled
Against the Rival of her Crown and Bed;
Her and her faithless Lord with mortal Hate
She prosecutes, and urges on their Fate;
Whilst her old Father, youthful Anger warms
133
Herods lewd Court's all silent, or approve
With wicked flattery their Princes love;
Till to the Baptist brought by babbling Fame,
Whom Zeal to injur'd Virtue did inflame;
Inspir'd with that, he from the Desarts came;
Thence to the Court his steps directly bent,
The opening Crowd bow'd lowly as he went;
He past the Guards; struck with religious fear
None durst oppose his way; approaching near
Thro' every Gate and Antichamber past
Preventing his own Fame, arriv'd at last
To the retir'd Alcove; he thither prest,
Sees the false Charmer negligently drest,
Sees the luxurious King lean loosly on her Breast.
Fierce Herod rose at the unwonted Noise,
And hasty asks with a death-threat'ning Voice
And Eyes all flame, what bold Intruder he
Who dar'd invade his Princes privacy,
And rush on certain Fate?—Nay rather tell
How dares a bold Adulterer rush on Hell,
The Baptist firm replies.—No sooner saw
The guilty King, but struck with trembling awe
Silent he stood confus'd, his Queen the same,
With anger pale by turns, and red with shame:
So strange a pow'r undaunted Virtue brings,
Dazling e'en Beauties self and conquering Kings:
Hard was the struggle.—Now his nobler Part,
His Reason rul'd, and from his Royal Heart
Drew sighs of Penitence, Abortive sighs;
Nor sooner were his Tempters charming Eyes
Bent on him, but agen he doubtful stood;
Which that curst Spirit, eternal Foe to Good
Perceiving, found 'twas time himself t'engage,
Inspiring Him with Lust, and Her with Rage:
Silent the King, thus haughty Herodias said—
—Bold Priest—this Insolence shall cost thy Head,
Is't not enough, hast thou not cheated well
Who can'st the Vulgar scare with Tales of Hell?
Let them drudge on, dull Virtues Laws obey,
But Princes find to Heav'n an easier way.
Guards, drag him hence, and him t'his Fate convey.
Is't not enough, hast thou not cheated well
Who can'st the Vulgar scare with Tales of Hell?
Let them drudge on, dull Virtues Laws obey,
134
Guards, drag him hence, and him t'his Fate convey.
The King arose, with the vex'd Fair debates
And her imperious Sentence mitigates:
His ent'ring Guards the Pris'ner bids secure
And him in strong Macherus walls immure:
Fain each brave Warrior wou'd himself excuse,
And had they dar'd, th' ungrateful Task refuse;
Fain, for the fearless Pris'ner intercede,
Who looks secure of Fate, and bids 'em lead.
Where e'er commanded by the Tyrant, they
With much regret and slowly, at last obey.
Nor after long, as chanc'd, the festal day
Of Herod's Birth arriv'd, at regal Bords,
As Custom call'd, his Captains and his Lords
And all his High Estates invited Dine:
The splendid Feast well o'er, in generous Wine
Concluded, Royal Musick finish'd all,
“Treating their noble Fancies at a Ball:
One Daughter, e'er from him Herodias fled
Had blest the injur'd Tetrarch's nuptial Bed;
Too plain in her the World her Mother spies,
The same fair Face and false deluding Eyes;
Like her, of Slaves she had a mighty band,
And cou'd like her, Smiles, Tears and Oaths command;
Like her, Sweet Poyson from her Eyes and Tongue
Distill'd; she like an Angel mov'd and sung.
Some soft Arabian Tune the Musick play,
She at the signal glides as soft away;
Her feet as nimbly as their fingers move,
From all that saw, she Wonder, forc'd or Love.
The King extravagantly pleas'd, and proud
As she her self to hear th' applauses loud
So justly on her thrown from every side,
Ask, by th' unutterable Name, he cry'd,
Ask what thou wilt, nor shall thou be deny'd,
Tho' half my Kingdom were the mighty Boon.
Instructed by her Mother, but too soon
She claims his Royal Word, Nor ought, she said,
Ought wou'd sh' accept, besides the Baptist's Head.
He struck the Board—Rather than that shou'd fall
Take, cruel Maid! not only half but all
My Realms, he cry'd; If you'll my Words release,
And leave the Holy Man to die in peace!
Inexorably wicked still she stood,
Nothing cou'd quench her Thirsty, but guiltless Blood.
The Council diff'rent suffrages divide,
Some Love engag'd, fair Murdress! on thy side;
Some pure Revenge—He at the Court did rail;
Some hers, because they thought she wou'd prevail.
A generous few there were, who tho' he'd sworn,
His Oath unlawful thought, but over-born
Are lost i'th Crowd—The King himself gives way,
And bids his Guards the Damsels word obey.
Scarce with long search they found a Villain, who
Was black enough the horrid work to do;
Whom from the Dungeon when the Baptist spy'd,
Warn'd he that moment must for Death provide,
Long since that bus'ness is dispatch'd he cry'd,
That I was mortal born, I ever knew;
And since this Debt's from all to Nature due,
The sooner paid the better, gladly I
In Gods fair Cause, and injur'd Virtue's die:
Nor if o'th' Edg of Life our Souls can see
Within the Realms of dark Futurity,
Shall long my guiltless blood unpunisht be.
I see th' Arabians from their Quivers pour
O'r Galilee a dusky deadly show'r;
I see—The ugly Headsman will afford
No longer time, his unrelenting Sword
Soon stop'd his breath, an easie way it found;
And Blood and Life at once gush'd from the ghastly wound.
His Head they to the Feast in triumph bear,
With joy receiv'd by false Herodias there;
Who, lest they should delude her Cruelty,
Wipes his wan bloody Face, and cries 'Tis he!
Now saucy Censures at thy betters fling!
Now, if thou canst, preach on, and scorn a King!
Short-liv'd her wicked Joys base triumphs were,
For in the midst a panting Messenger
With dust all cover'd, Terror and surprize
And hast and danger in his Face and Eyes,
Thro' the thick Circle pale and bloodless springs,
And from the Borders dismal Tidings brings;
That Aretas with his Arabian bands
Passage obtain'd thro' wrong'd Iturea's Lands,
Jordan's small streams had near Cesarea pass'd,
And all the higher Galilee laid wast
With Fire and Sword; to whom strong Abel's Town
Their Gates had open'd, marching Conq'ror down
Thro' old Zaanaims Grove to Kedesh near,
Which with high Ramah, struck with panic fear
Prepar'd to yield—Tho' Guilt in Herod's Eyes
Fear in his Face, to Arms, To Arms, he cries?
With speed the bold Invader meet, before
He march too far, his Troops shall rove no more!
His Forces then from proud Sebaste draws,
And strong Macherus, which th' Arabian aws
Wide-wandring thro' Baara's distant Vale;
From Carmel's Mount and Hermon's fruitful Dale:
With his own Troops his pow'rful Treasure brings
Of Ishmael's Race, Auxiliary Kings
From Jordan's Eastern side, and now cou'd boast
Had Heav'n stood still, a formidable Host:
Ev'n Heav'n it self to bribe t'his side he'll try
By unbecoming aukward Piety;
By mighty Gifts he to the Temple sent,
And more than all—he promis'd he'd repent.
In hast a Corier to the Prison sends,
The Baptist's body to his mourning Friends
He bids be strait deliver'd, him t'inter;
And he with Tears wou'd wash his Sepulchre:
Thro' the thin Vizard all with ease perceiv'd,
His penitence, nor Earth, nor Heav'n believ'd;
Loaden with Curses to the Field he went
But more with guiltless blood—You know th' event!
His swift Retreat, his num'rous Army broke,
The Day and Honour lost without a stroke.
All this did babbling Fame t'our Lord convey
Who with his Twelve at rich Caperna'm lay,
While the great Baptist his Disciples mourn'd,
Till Herod, furious to the Court return'd;
Then with wise Caution, no unworthy Fear,
Seeks a more safe Retreat in Desarts, near
Bethsaida's wealthy Villa, where before
He did, in Heav'nly Wisdoms sacred Lore,
Instruct his Auditors—Thither he went
With his lov'd few, and the calm Moments spent,
In thoughts of that great Work to which design'd,
And all the wond'rous Things were yet behind.
And her imperious Sentence mitigates:
His ent'ring Guards the Pris'ner bids secure
And him in strong Macherus walls immure:
Fain each brave Warrior wou'd himself excuse,
And had they dar'd, th' ungrateful Task refuse;
Fain, for the fearless Pris'ner intercede,
Who looks secure of Fate, and bids 'em lead.
Where e'er commanded by the Tyrant, they
With much regret and slowly, at last obey.
Nor after long, as chanc'd, the festal day
Of Herod's Birth arriv'd, at regal Bords,
As Custom call'd, his Captains and his Lords
And all his High Estates invited Dine:
The splendid Feast well o'er, in generous Wine
Concluded, Royal Musick finish'd all,
“Treating their noble Fancies at a Ball:
One Daughter, e'er from him Herodias fled
Had blest the injur'd Tetrarch's nuptial Bed;
Too plain in her the World her Mother spies,
The same fair Face and false deluding Eyes;
Like her, of Slaves she had a mighty band,
And cou'd like her, Smiles, Tears and Oaths command;
Like her, Sweet Poyson from her Eyes and Tongue
Distill'd; she like an Angel mov'd and sung.
Some soft Arabian Tune the Musick play,
She at the signal glides as soft away;
Her feet as nimbly as their fingers move,
From all that saw, she Wonder, forc'd or Love.
The King extravagantly pleas'd, and proud
As she her self to hear th' applauses loud
So justly on her thrown from every side,
Ask, by th' unutterable Name, he cry'd,
Ask what thou wilt, nor shall thou be deny'd,
Tho' half my Kingdom were the mighty Boon.
Instructed by her Mother, but too soon
She claims his Royal Word, Nor ought, she said,
Ought wou'd sh' accept, besides the Baptist's Head.
135
Take, cruel Maid! not only half but all
My Realms, he cry'd; If you'll my Words release,
And leave the Holy Man to die in peace!
Inexorably wicked still she stood,
Nothing cou'd quench her Thirsty, but guiltless Blood.
The Council diff'rent suffrages divide,
Some Love engag'd, fair Murdress! on thy side;
Some pure Revenge—He at the Court did rail;
Some hers, because they thought she wou'd prevail.
A generous few there were, who tho' he'd sworn,
His Oath unlawful thought, but over-born
Are lost i'th Crowd—The King himself gives way,
And bids his Guards the Damsels word obey.
Scarce with long search they found a Villain, who
Was black enough the horrid work to do;
Whom from the Dungeon when the Baptist spy'd,
Warn'd he that moment must for Death provide,
Long since that bus'ness is dispatch'd he cry'd,
That I was mortal born, I ever knew;
And since this Debt's from all to Nature due,
The sooner paid the better, gladly I
In Gods fair Cause, and injur'd Virtue's die:
Nor if o'th' Edg of Life our Souls can see
Within the Realms of dark Futurity,
Shall long my guiltless blood unpunisht be.
I see th' Arabians from their Quivers pour
O'r Galilee a dusky deadly show'r;
I see—The ugly Headsman will afford
No longer time, his unrelenting Sword
Soon stop'd his breath, an easie way it found;
And Blood and Life at once gush'd from the ghastly wound.
His Head they to the Feast in triumph bear,
With joy receiv'd by false Herodias there;
Who, lest they should delude her Cruelty,
Wipes his wan bloody Face, and cries 'Tis he!
Now saucy Censures at thy betters fling!
Now, if thou canst, preach on, and scorn a King!
Short-liv'd her wicked Joys base triumphs were,
For in the midst a panting Messenger
136
And hast and danger in his Face and Eyes,
Thro' the thick Circle pale and bloodless springs,
And from the Borders dismal Tidings brings;
That Aretas with his Arabian bands
Passage obtain'd thro' wrong'd Iturea's Lands,
Jordan's small streams had near Cesarea pass'd,
And all the higher Galilee laid wast
With Fire and Sword; to whom strong Abel's Town
Their Gates had open'd, marching Conq'ror down
Thro' old Zaanaims Grove to Kedesh near,
Which with high Ramah, struck with panic fear
Prepar'd to yield—Tho' Guilt in Herod's Eyes
Fear in his Face, to Arms, To Arms, he cries?
With speed the bold Invader meet, before
He march too far, his Troops shall rove no more!
His Forces then from proud Sebaste draws,
And strong Macherus, which th' Arabian aws
Wide-wandring thro' Baara's distant Vale;
From Carmel's Mount and Hermon's fruitful Dale:
With his own Troops his pow'rful Treasure brings
Of Ishmael's Race, Auxiliary Kings
From Jordan's Eastern side, and now cou'd boast
Had Heav'n stood still, a formidable Host:
Ev'n Heav'n it self to bribe t'his side he'll try
By unbecoming aukward Piety;
By mighty Gifts he to the Temple sent,
And more than all—he promis'd he'd repent.
In hast a Corier to the Prison sends,
The Baptist's body to his mourning Friends
He bids be strait deliver'd, him t'inter;
And he with Tears wou'd wash his Sepulchre:
Thro' the thin Vizard all with ease perceiv'd,
His penitence, nor Earth, nor Heav'n believ'd;
Loaden with Curses to the Field he went
But more with guiltless blood—You know th' event!
His swift Retreat, his num'rous Army broke,
The Day and Honour lost without a stroke.
All this did babbling Fame t'our Lord convey
Who with his Twelve at rich Caperna'm lay,
137
Till Herod, furious to the Court return'd;
Then with wise Caution, no unworthy Fear,
Seeks a more safe Retreat in Desarts, near
Bethsaida's wealthy Villa, where before
He did, in Heav'nly Wisdoms sacred Lore,
Instruct his Auditors—Thither he went
With his lov'd few, and the calm Moments spent,
In thoughts of that great Work to which design'd,
And all the wond'rous Things were yet behind.
The End of the Fourth Book.
| The Life of Our Blessed Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ | |