University of Virginia Library

Let Christians now the Hallelujah sing
To Christ the Lord, the God, the heavenly King;
Let thankful praise be heard thro' all the earth,
For the Messiah gives Salvation birth.
What glorious change to sinful Man appears
To guide him happy thro' this vale of tears;
The Buffetters are fled, the Rulers gone,
And those who shame and misery put on
The Holy Christ, now lie entranc'd as dead,
Nor is there one who dares to raise his head.
For this great scene did all the Watch confound,—
With wild affright they leave the usual bound
Of their allotted duty, and return
To the High Priest, who fill'd with much concern,
Beheld them trembling with unusual dread,
While broken sentences the tidings spread
That Christ was ris'n,—that round them shone such light
As with amazement long o'ercame their sight,
That while they wond'ring fell upon the ground;
T' escape those terrors which did them surround,—
The trembling earth shook horribly and seem'd
As tho' her womb with dissolution teem'd;—
That then they found the Tomb where Christ was laid
Wide open, and the stone which fast was made
Remov'd, altho' secur'd by Pilate's seal,
But how effected they could not reveal.

Have you not seen the anxious Parent stand
To see his son approach his native strand,
With longing eyes he views the boist'rous main,
The ship appears which all his joys contain;
When lo! a sudden storm dispels delight,
And all his joys are gone to endless night:
No more his hopes rise with the rising gale,
The prospect chills his soul, his spirits fail.
So stood the Priest in fancy quite secure,
But how could happiness like his endure?
He vainly vaults in pride, his counsel giv'n
He thought was worthy all the bliss of Heav'n.
Alas! when blind delusion warps the mind,
Hypocrisy can Virtue's semblance find,—
A moment's calm had lull'd his soul to rest,
But when the Centinels their tale exprest,
His boasted stratagems at once gave way,
And to despair himself had been a prey,
Had not the Prince of darkness sought again
With ev'ry art, to prop his tott'ring reign.
For he with Caiaphas being closely leagu'd,
Assur'd him that the Soldiers were fatigu'd
With over watching, and no doubt requir'd
Refreshment oft, this thought the Priest admir'd—
'Twas true such horrors had disturb'd the night,
As would ev'n more than human beings fright;
The lightning's vivid flash—the thunder's roar
Had scarce been equall'd on the earth before.

Th' officious Sanhedrim again attend
On the High Priest, their counsellor and friend;
He tells the plan his intimate had shewn,
But they must make the active part their own;
Then bids them try with artful bribes to gain
The Watch, this grand imposture to maintain.
Thus by their Chief these misled zealots taught,
The Centinels with eager care they sought;
Laugh'd at their doubts, o'erwhelm'd their sense in wine,
And when the copious draught made fear resign
Her station in their lately failing breast,
Then thus the subtile train themselves exprest:—
The terrors of the night might well prevent
Your seeing Jesus' followers intent;
For while o'ercome with sleep and care you lay,
They mov'd the stone, and took the corpse away,
That all would be convinc'd this tale was true,
Since none the fraud could e'er expose to view;
And Jews and Romans well were satisfy'd
Th' Impostor had been punish'd for his pride.
Then added they, tho' you in duty fail,
No punishment or danger shall assail
Your want of prudence,—only well accord,
And we will recompence with great reward.
This said, with gifts they ev'ry fear remov'd,
And to their will, the Watch obedient prov'd.—
Such lights appear the Christian faith to prove,
Which no base frauds or falshoods can remove.
The Priest's commands deliver'd with design
To stifle truth, more lovely made it shine.
If the Guards knew what happen'd while they slept,
Why had not they the sacred body kept?
How could they know, while they all prostrate were,
As their new tale confess'd, with sleep and care,
Who took the body, yet if that they knew,
Why not attempt those robbers to subdue?
Of all Christ's num'rous friends, but one was found,
Who dar'd to raise his hand, to give a wound;
And after that his courage did subside,
And with vile oaths he thrice his Lord deny'd.
When all were scatter'd round thro' grief and fear,
Was he the head to bring those cowards near
T' encounter Soldiers, arm'd with sword and spear?
Oh, holy Father! ever just and true,
Let full conviction ev'ry mind subdue,
To taste thy glorious Truths, that bliss divine,
The fountain where thy mercies ever shine.

Such mighty deeds could not remain conceal'd,—
Th' Apostles heard, and the glad news reveal'd
That Christ was ris'n, which spread from friend to friend,
And made their timid apprehensions end.
Ev'n Thomas, tho' so full of doubting pride,
Unless he saw his Master's wounded side,
And thrust his hand therein, had not believ'd,
Receiv'd those proofs, and knew that Jesus liv'd.—
The great Messiah on the earth again
Appear'd triumphant over Death and pain;
And with his much-lov'd friends behold him stand,
Giving this holy, pure, and just command:—
Go forth and teach the various nations round,
I give you pow'r all evils to confound;
Let Baptism be perform'd on ev'ry coast
In name of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
For now the great partition wall is broke,
And all are freed from th' heavy Jewish yoke;
The Holy Spirit shall descend in sight,
And spread conviction clear as morning light;
Those beauteous truths which mysteries conceal,
To all the Gentile world he will reveal;
And tho' the time—the joyful time is come,
Which now restores me to my heav'nly home,
Be not afraid, for tho' from you I go,
I've put on grief, and cloath'd myself with woe;
And your frail nature took to set you free,
Thus all have found accomplishment in me.
Yet 'till I go, the Comforter on you
Will not descend, but when his pow'r you know
He'll be your wisdom, spirit, strength, and guide,
And shew you paths from whence you shall not slide.
Then cease from grief, my absence ne'er bewail,
I carry with me your Redemption's seal;
And ye, my brethren, who believe and love,
Shall one day join th' angelic choir above;
And ye who doubt my saving grace repent,
So shall ye endless misery prevent.
Remember this—
Salvation is complete, its purchase paid,
No more you'll want the smoaking altar's aid,
No sacrifice, or offer'd blood takes place,
New moons and all your vain oblations cease.
No other merits come before the throne
But mine, and for your sins they shall atone.
When I go hence I will this body take
An earnest that from Death you shall awake;
Then will the Heav'ns declare Jehovah's praise,
And sing the wonders of his glorious ways;
Millions of millions will in joy accord,
To sing of Man's Redemption, Man restor'd.
The Cherubim and Seraphim divine,
Who in the radiant robes of glory shine,
And who eternal honours pay their King,
Of Man restor'd shall then exulting sing;—
Shall sing of Justice, with sweet Mercy join'd—
Shall sing of Love, display'd to all Mankind.
Such were the comforts the Messiah gave
His lov'd Apostles, e'er he took his leave;
Thus he convers'd, immaculate, and pure,
And thus set forth the wretched Sinner's cure;
'Till the great day of his Ascension came,
When with the Brethren to the Mount of Fame
Call'd Olives, he repair'd, where shining rays
Of glory beam'd around the Lord of Praise.
His lov'd Disciples now a num'rous band,
With awe and admiration silent stand;
While holy Angels fill'd th' expanse of Heav'n,
And throng'd to hear our Saviour's blessing giv'n.—
With tender love his arms he did extend,
Farewell, he cry'd, my brethren, I ascend
The throne of Grace,—in love and kindness live,
Freely ye have receiv'd, as freely give.
The holy bond, sweet peace, I leave with you,
Then 'midst refulgent light in glory flew
To his bright mansion, blessing as he rose,
While Angels did this joyful Hymn compose.

Now worthy is the Lamb to reign supreme,
And to receive all honour to his name;
The holy Lamb of God, the Sacrifice,
Has Man receiv'd as his redeemed prize:
He is th' accepted Sacrifice for all,
Who have offended by first Adam's fall:
All Men on Earth join, join the holy theme,
Let love, let gratitude, his works proclaim.