II.
“Not this man, but Barabbas.”—John xviii. 40.
“Not this man, but Barabbas.” Dreadful choice!
Yet, such is man, and such is man's free-will;
Ever to proffered good preferring ill!
That shameful cry was fallen Nature's voice.
The world will love its own; and men rejoice
In the bold chief and lawless hero still,
And mock the saint; and persecute and kill
Those whose pure life their darkened sense annoys.
Whom does the sinner serve, his yoke accurst
Preferring to the Saviour's service mild?
Father of lies, a murderer from the first,—
So is the tyrant he has chosen styled;
The best of Lords deserting for the worst!
O Grace that can transform the rebel to a child!
