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 ... also a prefatory discourse concerning heroic poetry ; with sixty copper plates.

THE ARGUMENT OF THE Seventh BOOK.

OVR Saviour and his Disciples come early to the Temple, the Musick whereof is described, and the several Instruments the Iews made use of in their Sacred Service. The Morning Anthem. The Buyers and Sellers in the Temple, and our Saviour's driving 'em thence, pursuing 'em to Solomon's Porch, which is described, with the Valley of Kidron, and the Precipice be∣tween Mount Moriah and Olivet. In the mean while his Disciples survey the Buildings of the Temple, the Gates, the Courts, the Pillars, and the Golden Vine, and finding our Saviour, with Admiration shew them to him, and discourse of them; who prophesies the Destruction of all those stately Buildings; which he more at large describes, on their Desire, as ascending thence, and looking back on the City and Temple from the Mount of Olives; mentioning also the Rise of a False Christ, or Antichrist, in the World; and, on their still desiring to know more of these Matters, foreshews the Opposition his Fol∣lowers should first meet with by the Roman Empire, under the Ten Persecu∣tions; when Constantine should conquer the Heathens under his Banner, and embrace the Christian Religion. After which, on the Degeneracy of the Church, Mahometanism arises in the Eastern, and Popery in the Western World, the latter followed and check'd by the Reformation, and at last de∣stroyed by Christ's second Coming. Which he goes on to describe, and exhorts 'em to be always ready for it, the precise Hour not known, first by Parables that of the ten Virgins, and of the Lord and his Servants. Then by a plain Relation of the manner and Pomp of the last Judgment. The Con∣flagration of the World. The Sentence of the Just and Unjust, and their eternal Bliss and Misery. The Book concluding with a Prayer of the Author, being a Paraphrase on that Part of the Litany, In all Time of our Tribula∣tion, in all Time of our Wealth, in the Hour of Death, and in the Day of Judgment, Libera nos.

(Book 7)

THE LIFE OF CHRIST: AN Heroic Poem. BOOK VII. (Book 7)

AND now the Sun, gilding the Earth and Skies, Did over lofty Olivet arise; Gently he rose, as him some sacred Awe Had seiz'd, when first the Temple Roofs he saw; Saw thro' the Shades, nor durst directly see, * Lest that shou'd dazle him, as mortal he: Scarce cou'd his own reflected Image bear, From the vast Golden Mirrour flaming there: Earlier than he his watchful Maker rose, [ 10] As early to his Fathers House he goes

With his lov'd Twelve, when those within unfold The mighty Gates, heavy with loads of Gold: * Twice Ten robustous Servants there attend, * Who to the Work their Shoulders panting lend: The Gentiles, and the Womens Court they pass To the Third Gate, of rich Corinthian Brass; * Next Israel's Court they enter, prostrate there, T' attone high Heav'n with pious Hymns and Pray'r, In decent ranks the Vested Priests begin, * Loud answer'd by the full-mouth'd Quire within: [ 20] Musick's soft Notes, and loud Majestick sound; From the gilt Roofs and vaulted Courts rebound, And distant Zion-hill beats back the sacred Sound: Nature and Art in the blest Service joyn, Voices and tuneful Instruments combine; The Consort first sweet Aijeleth begun, * And welcom'd to the World the cheerful Sun; Next the Creator's Praises they recite On Alamoth, chast Virgins best delight; * Grave Ionath, soft Mahalah mixt with these, * And melting Harps that never fail'd to please: * [ 30] Shrill Cornets, clanging Trumpets, apt t' inspire, With holy Raptures, or with Martial Fire; The Anthem this, once sung to David's royal Lyre.

PSALM 135. Hallelujah!

* LOfty Hallelujahs sing To th' Alwise, th' Almighty King! Him with Hearts and Voices raise! Him, ye his blest Servants, Praise!

Ye who ever stand to bless, In the Beauty of Holiness! [ 40] In his House, with Glory crown'd, Or the sacred Courts around,

Him, the Spring of Life and Light, Boundless Goodness, boundless Might! Him, and his great Name record! The Service is its own reward. *

You, O Isra'l's Sons rejoice! Your Father's God's peculiar Choice! Great and high! What Idol dare [ 50] With the Lord of Hosts compare?

His Pow'r no other Limits knows, But what his Goodness will impose: * Heav'n, Earth and Sea his Orders keep; Close he seals the Aged Deep.

See his Clouds make black the Skies, Lightnings glare, and Storms arise; And freed from their dark stony Cave, Hark, th' impetuous Whirlwinds rave!

To Zoan's Fields, with Blood o'erflown, [ 60] Too well his Signs and Wonders known; Known by their First-born too well, First they, and then their Fathers fell.

He pow'rful Nations did subdue; Monsters quell'd, and Tyrants slew: Sihon, by th' Amorite obey'd, And mighty Og, who Bashan sway'd.

In vain proud Can'ans Kings combine, Their weak Arms in vain they joyn; The sooner all they Captive stand, To Israel, God dispos'd their Land. *

[ 70] Still, O God! Thou art the same, Still we sing thy glorious Name; Our glad Hymns thy Iustice raise, And thy pard'ning Goodness praise.

Not so the Gods by Mortals made, To whom vain Vows and Incense paid; In vain for their Advice they come, Mouths they have, but still are dumb.

Lifeless Eyes, which see no more Than those Stocks who them adore; Nor their Ears the sound can take, [ 80] Which their lost Devotions make.

Tho' they lean their Nostrils down, If they 've no Incense, they'll not Frown; Such are they, and such are those, Who on them their Hopes repose.

You, O Israel, who alone, The great God of Gods have known; You, who guard his holy Place, Mitred Aaron's sacred Race!

You, who from great Levi spring, [ 90] His illustrious Praises sing! You too ought to do the same, Each good Man that hear his Name.

At once let all our Vows aspire! Let our glad Voices fill the Quire; Him bless who do's at Salem dwell, The Saviour of his Israel! Hallelujah!

* 2.1Mean while, rich Incense feeds the sacred Fire, * And odorif'rous Clouds to Heav'n aspire; Next on the Brazen-Altar bleeding lies [ 100] * 2.2A Milk-white Lamb, the morning Sacrifice; * With these the Priests, the holiest Mincha joyn, * A cheerful blaze of Flow'r, and Oyl and Wine: In silence then, their private Pray'rs they make, Then frequent Crowds the sacred Walls forsake; Our Saviour last; but such as still remain, With Isr'el's God t' adore their Idol Gain: Scarce from their Knees they rose, (and worldly Care Had seiz'd their Thoughts, e'en while dissembling there;)

[illustration]

S^t. MARKE.

[illustration]

S^t. LVKE:

[illustration]

S^t MATTHAEVS

[illustration]

S^t. THADAEVS.

[illustration]

S^t. MATHEW

When strait a busie Hum ran round the place, And all things strait put on a different Face: The Temple a profane Exchange was made, Religion vanish'd thence, or grown a Trade; * Some in the Cloisters gainful Shops unfold, And spread on Tables glitt'ring heaps of Gold; Some fair-neck'd Doves, and murm'ring Turtles bring, The poor Good-mans accepted Offering.* 2.3 Thus the arch'd-Roofs, while the void space between [ 120] Soon fills with dusty droves of Beasts and Men; Here free-neck'd Bullocks which disdain'd the Yoke, Stand ready for the Sacrificers stroke; The largest that rich Basan's Pasture feeds, The choice of all that Flowry Hermon breeds: Here num'rous Flocks from Sharon's lovely Plain Stand bleating by, or drag their pond'rous Train; While spotless Lambs the next partition fill, * Driv'n with more ease from Carmel's fertile Hill. All eager bent on the hot chase of Gain, [ 130] Some bargain, some advise, and some complain: All were deceiv'd, or else Deceivers there, Dust and a confused Noise fills the Air. The Saviour saw, and strait such Frowns he wore, As ne'er were seen on his calm Face before: * Blushes at once of Shame and Anger rise; A just Resentment sparkling in his Eyes, Soon breaks in Words — Avoid profane! he cries! Hence sacrilegious Wretches, nor disgrace With your unhallow'd Feet this sacred Place! [ 140] That House where holy Pray'rs shou'd force the Skies, You've made a Den of Thieves, a Scene of Cheats and Lies. Actions his Words succeed, when slow they went, Them thence with unexpected hast he sent; A Scourge, with Slaves the fittest Argument, He do's of strongly-twisted Cords prepare, And soon with strokes and cries resounds the Air: None durst resist, but murm'ring melt away, As guilty Ghosts fly swift th' approach of Day. To the bright Eastern-gate he them pursu'd, [ 150] Which Kidron's horrid Vale beneath it view'd;

Unfashion'd Precipice! to the lost sight At once affording Terror and Delight. Yet here great Solomon, and none but he Cou'd do't, with much of Pain and Industry, A wondrous Pile, in spite of Nature rais'd, Whilst all the Nations round him fear'd and prais'd: The Work-men min'd deep, wond'rous deep below, * As to the Center's self they meant to goe: Of Tyre they were, and oft had plough'd those Seas, * Where lie the doubtful Cassiterides: [ 160] Beneath some Hill that threats the angry Main, There had they oft pursu'd some wand'ring Vein, And dug almost to Hell in search of Gain; Yet ne'er so near as now — The Turrets rise As high above the Earth, as deep amidst the Skies: Beneath whose spacious Arch our Saviour taught; For whose kind touch th' Infirm and Maim'd they brought, He Cur'd 'em all, wide spreads his Fame around, And Death and Med'cine no employment found. Thus busy'd there, his chosen Twelve the while, [ 170] Wond'ring, survey the Temples glorious Pile; * 2.4On solid Rock the firm Foundations laid, Of Earthquakes or of Thunder not afraid; Firm as the Centers self on which they stay'd: Those everlasting Gates the Porches close, * Tall as the mighty Cedars them compose; The spacious Courts, which such vast Crowds cou'd hold; The glitt'ring Pillars, and the Vine of Gold: * The Temples self, all gilt its Front, and Side, A Godlike-Work, and worthy Herod's pride: [ 180] The stately Porch twixt two vast Columns rose, * * 2.5Iachin and Boaz scarce more tall than those, Of the Corinthian Order, fair and high, Sweet Beauty joyn'd with awful Majesty: The Stones so huge, they scarce dare trust their Sense; * Each a whole Mountain seem'd, not hew'd from thence: Yet these vast Ribs of Iron closer chain So large, each rather seem'd a Native Vein. A heap of Miracles — When long they stay'd,

[ 190] And all things with unweary'd Eyes survey'd; Wond'ring, they to the beauteous Porch repair, And find with Joy their much lov'd Master there; Whom they, yet full of the prodigious Sight, To the same Entertainment wou'd invite: What Stones, what Building here! how rare, how vast! Sure these as long as Time it self must last! To whom, with a wise sadness in his Eyes, Which boded something more, our Lord replies; — With such vain Hopes no more your selves deceive, [ 200] Prepare to meet that Fate you won't believe! Not one of those proud Tow'rs which Heav'n invade, Whose strong Foundations, deep as Hell are laid; But soon must kiss the Dust — Not one of those Prodigious Stones which this huge Pile compose; Now, e'en by more than their own weight combin'd, As parts of Matter, close to Matter joyn'd; Not one, but by a Force superior born, * From its old Seat, from its strong Brethren torn, Must from these Walls and firm Foundations go, [ 210] And sink for ever in the Vale below. Struck with these dreadful Truths they silent stood, Pale Fear had stop'd their Words and chill'd their Blood: Bold Cephas first reviv'd, and as they went Their well known way, o'er Olivets ascent Thro' the cool Shades for pleasant Bethanie, Submiss, he asks, When these dread Things shou'd be? What sure Prognosticks their approach declare, And his, that wise, they might for both prepare? What dreadful Sights his Coming shou'd foreshow? [ 220] * How they the Worlds and Temples End might know? Silent our Lord awhile, and looking down Compassionate on the devoted Town, Intent he stood, and fix'd his lab'ring Mind, On the prodigious Scene of Woes behind; Till Tears and Words at length well-mingled brake, From his sad Eyes and Lips, and thus he spake. Ah lost Ierusalem!* 2.6 how much, how oft Hast thou thy Ruin, I thy Welfare sought! Oft didst my Prophets, as Impostors, stone,

And shed their Blood who came to save thy own: [ 230] E'en I, the Heir, who left my Native Sky, Ungrate! to bring thee Life, my self must Die. How oft wou'd I thy wand'ring Flocks have led To Crystal Streams, in Flowry Pastures fed? Thy stubborn Sons my kind Protection lent, At once preserv'd 'em safe and innocent? As heat and warmth the royal Eagle brings, * And cherishes her Young beneath her Wings. Still all was then in vain, now all too late, Heav'n has thy Ruin seal'd, and made it Fate. [ 240] For you, my chosen Few, who firm remain, No sanguine Dreams of Pleasure entertain! Be ever on your Guard, your Lamps shine clear! The Night, the long, the fatal Night is near: How unprepar'd the most, as those who fell * 2.7In Noah's Flood, thro' Earths black Vaults to Hell? * 2.8On their rich Carpets some Luxurious laid, Some underneath their Vineyards leafy Shade; Some in the busie Markets Sweat, and some Their glitt'ring Brides conduct in Triumph home: [ 250] Th' old Prophet all despise, and dread no more The Plague denounc'd an hundred Years before. * This saw just Heav'n, and strait the signal gave; Nature agast shrinks back, the roaring Wave Rides foaming o'er the Beach, new Rivers flow, In Earthquakes born from frightful Gulfs below: While pitchy Clouds a long continu'd show'r, From Heav'ns wide Cataracts incessant pour: O'er Tow'rs and Hills th' impetuous Floods arise, Sweep the lewd Earth, and vindicate the Skies: [ 260] So sudden, so unthought will I appear; The Change as much expected there as here. Sudden to th' stupid World, who not regard The threatn'd Wrath, but You not unprepar'd, Secure shall be in my Protection found, And see unmov'd the tott'ring World around: Then many a vile Impostor shall pretend * My Name, and meet a just, a dreadful End; These, mischiefs shall in close Cabals conspire,

[ 270] Those to the lonely Wilderness retire: All vain alike, when I from Heav'n appear, The Lightning's not so sudden or so clear: But first for all the Injuries prepare, Which Malice can inflict, or Virtue bear! Hated by all, abus'd, contemn'd, betray'd, * My very Name and yours shall Crimes be made: Dragg'd to Tribunals, hurry'd up and down, Kings shall your Iudges sit, and Princes frown. Yet still intrepid, face 'em all, for I, [ 280] My faithful Friends! unseen, will still be by: To me remit the care of your Defence, Safe in my Pow'r and your own Innocence! This all their pompous Rhet'ric shall outdo, Your guilty Iudges trembling more than you! And much, much greater Cause have they to fear; When to this height arriv'd, their fall is near; My Blood and yours for loud Revenge will cry, Which Deluges of theirs must satisfie: Fierce War its wasting Squadrons scatt'ring wide, [ 290] Shall o'er the guilty Land triumphant stride; Death, Rapine, Murder shall compose its Train, And after proudly walk on heaps of Slain. * Nation with Nation, Tribe with Tribe engage, Excuse the common Foe, and save their Conqu'rors rage: Who left, abroad, from these Distractions be, * Unhappy Solyma! shall fly to thee; To thee shall just Destruction with 'em bear, And all th' unnumb••r'd Miseries of War. The mighty Foe, with long Successes crown'd, [ 300] * Shall with a Fourth, thy Three proud Walls surround; Fly e'er 'tis done, a Moment more 's too late Fly, or prepare for your approaching Fate! Fly those curst Walls, for nought behind you stay, Scape for your Life, and on wild Mountains stray! But first th' abhor'd Prophaners of your Law, * Which Heav'n-lov'd Daniels piercing Eyes foresaw; The Holy place with wicked Arms shall seize, And fill with Blood and piles of Carcasses; The Guardian Minds shall the sad Word receive,

And to those humane Fiends the Temple leave; [ 310] Leave with a Voice wou'd chill the firmest Heart, A deep, a mournful Voice — Let us depart! * Scarce can the dreadful Sights above foreshow Worse Plagues than those, they then shall feel below: Tho' high in Heav'n a bloody Sword shall glare, * A Besom of Destruction sweep the Air; Horses and Chariots arm'd look gastly down, And show'rs of Blood, stain all the trembling Town: Thunders and Earthquakes then they'll scarcely mind, * Harden'd with what they feel and what's behind. [ 320] All these, alas, compar'd to what remains, But the beginning of their hopeless Pains; * For now the Famine enters its sad reign, Attended by a gastly meager Train: A single Death less dreadful in each Street, The half-starv'd Citizens like Ghosts shall meet; * Thence starting at the sight, each other fly, And tott'ring a few steps, fall down and Die: Tho' now you think a barren Womb a curse, Woe to the Mother then, and vainly-fruitful Nurse! [ 330] The miserable Mother shall become Her own dear Infant's Murd'rer and his Tomb: All Piety and Nature banish'd there, Bread shall the Sons from gasping Fathers tear, From them the ravening Soldier; Bread the Cry! Who gain it, are but longer e'er they Die. Within Sedition reigns, without the Foe, Above your Tow'rs, above your Walls they goe; This after that each day resistless win, And like a Deluge over all come pouring in. * [ 340] What a sad Conquest shall their Fury find? How few by Plague and Famine left behind? Yet ah! too many shall the Sword devour, The greedy Sword — These from a half-burnt Tow'r, Precipitate th' invading Soldier fly, And run on Death because they fear to die: While desp'rate, these leap headlong from the Wall, In hopes to kill a Roman by their fall; These to the Altar, sacred now no more

[ 350] For Refuge fly, they'd that Prophan'd before. —Here still they Fight, and a new War 's begun, * Till — See! the Temple fir'd, the Work is done. Ierusalem's no more, one Ruin all; This the last fatal Blaze before her Fall: Her Flames and dying Groans at once aspire, While Blood enough is shed to've quench'd the Fire: Salem's no more, nor can she now Repent, Her Children's, and her own sad Monument: Nor e'er shall Israel's Race these Walls regain, [ 360] Till Heav'n has clos'd the Gentiles destin'd reign. But first must many a wond'rous Thing befal, First my pure Doctrine fill the spacious Ball. What passes here, what here we've done or said, Shall be by after-Ages, wond'ring read. Four Scribes will I to that great Task assign, Whilst the blest Spirit shall dictate every Line. Thence, till I come, my Friends my Law shall teach, In Times successive Links how vast a Breach! Which yet no points in Gods Duration reach: [ 370] Nor must my Followers soon a Calm enjoy, Nor soon my Rebels pow'r will I destroy; First he'll a Rival raise my Seat to claim, * And in the Church usurp my Throne and Name; Between the Seas superb,* 2.9 his Palace rear, On seven proud Hills, long tyrannizing there; The World shall wonder,* 2.10 Kings his Train shall bear And kiss his Feet; my Followers, who refuse The servile Mark, he'll treat as me the Iews; By Inquisitions, Tortures, Poyson, Fire [ 380] Unnumber'd Thousands must prepare t' expire. Conqu'rers in all, these all shall have the Grace To joyn their Great Forefathers Martyr'd Race; The Beatific Vision first enjoy, And with me reign, when Babel I destroy. He said, but tho' such wond'rous Things exprest, Their modest Silence still did more request: He knew their Hearts,* 2.11 nor their Confession needs; And thus on the same mystic Theme proceeds. * The World for the Elect was chiefly made,

And by the Church the Fates of Empires sway'd; [ 390] Who that defend shall stand, who that oppose, Can never grapple such unequal Foes; The Heav'nly Host all rang'd in bright array, Suspended till their King commands away; These o'er their stated Provinces preside, And these the mighty Turns of Nations guide: My Flock amidst a World of Wolves defend, While those that hate 'em meet a dreadful End. The World declines, Time rolling down the Hill, Shall soon the ancient Prophesies fulfil: [ 400] The mighty Image ('twas a wond'rous sight) * 2.12Which Daniel saw in Visions of the Night, Now wears apace, and verges to decay, Soon will his Iron Feet be mix'd with Clay: The pond'rous Stone cut from the Mountains side, Shall soon th' ill-mingled Policy divide; The lifeless Trunk and Limbs to Powder grind, Its very dust wide-scattering in the Wind: * 2.13The Fourth prophetic Beast, foreseen from far, Is enter'd now on the Worlds Theatre; [ 410] Fiercer than all the rest — The Roman Pow'r, Which the contending Nations shall devour: This, Hell shall to its Int'rests soon engage, And you must grapple their united Rage: What Men and Devils, what Arts and Arms can do, Bravely prepare to meet, and conquer too! Ten furious Tyrants, fierce as ever wore, * Their Purple Dublets dy'd in guiltless Gore, Shall their keen Axes and their Rods employ, And vainly wou'd your Name and mine destroy: [ 420] On their devoted Heads the Curse shall fall; An heavy Vengeance hovers o'er 'em all. A Wretch the first, who shall Mankind disgrace, To them a Foe as to your sacred Race: On his own Town and Mother first shall try In Fire and Sword, his Infant Cruelty; Murder'd and Burnt, yet their desert they'll have; This gave the Monster Birth, and that a Scepter gave: Pity on them is lost, but guiltless you,

[ 430] Whom he'll with the same Fire and Sword pursue You in his festal Flames shall shine, and be * The first bright Martyrs burnt for Heresie. But Vengeance shall the Parricide attend, His own curst Hand his hated Life shall end; At once deliver the vex'd World and you, The only Good the Wretch will ever do. * Who next shall against Heav'n renew the Fight, Is Mankind's Hate; (his Brother their delight!) * The foul aspiring Fiend a God wou'd be, * [ 440] Mixture of Lewdness and of Blasphemy: If in his Race there's ought remains of good, Jealous, by Martyrdom he'll purge his Blood: * Then you, my Friend! from distant Asia born, At once his utmost Rage shall feel, and Scorn; Tho' plung'd in flaming Oil, you need not fear, Still shall the Son of Gods bright Form be near; * Still safe you shall at the weak Tyrant smile, When kindly banish'd to some desart Isle:* 2.14 Ev'n there I'll meet thee, there agen relate [ 450] In wond'rous Types, the Worlds and Churches Fate; Whilst our proud Foe a hasty Death shall seize, * And his mild Successor our Friends release. * Nor must the Churches then, long hope for Peace: Then restless Schism, and wilder Heresie Shall all invade, and with bold Blasphemy, Some, ev'n the Lord that bought 'em, shall deny: * To worldly Domination some aspire, And soon my Field will need a purging Fire; Which the third Time shall kindle, that dread Day [ 460] Shall sift the VVbeat, and sweep the Tares away: Nor he himself, who wields the weighty Rod * Of injur'd Heav'n, and a revenging God, Unplagu'd escapes a destin'd dire Event, Unless on your repenting he repent. Unwarn'd the next to th' Purple will succeed, And you agen in Crowds must burn and bleed; But more the Iews, whom their false Christ shall head, * Their short-liv'd Meteor to destruction lead. Rebellious, justly they, you guiltless, fall;

Nor long unheard your Blood shall Vengeance call: [ 470] What Plagues shall your vain Persecutor seize? How oft he'd fly to Death in vain for ease? * How oft his little flutt'ring Soul away, Which Vengeance makes in the loath'd Carcass stay? By him who next succeeds, Barbarians tam'd, A peaceful Prince, and Pious more than Nam'd: * God's Empire he'll, without design, restore, And punish those who tortur'd you before. A Vain Philosopher shall next arise, * By whom the Iust with various torments dies: [ 480] Till to my Follow'rs he his Life shall owe, Vict'ry, and Rain their pow'rful Pray'rs bestow; As great Elisha once three Kings did save, * 2.15And Water to their Host, and Conquest gave. This a far fiercer Tyrant knows in vain; * Swift moves his Fate, nor has he long to Reign. Whose wicked Sons as barbarous as lewd, In one anothers, shall revenge your Blood. Next a fell VVolf, who, the mild Shepherd slain, * Shall by false Treason the World's Empire gain; [ 490] Short his keen Rage, the Soldiers him displace, And ease the World of him and all his Race. The next an equal Guilt and Fate attend, * Oppress'd in VVar by an untimely End. Another yet will you and Heav'n engage; Cruel Old Man! What means this impious Rage? * For you the worst of Tortures he'll prepare; How little thinks he what himself must bear? * These Nine fierce VVaves in vain already gone, The Tenth, with all their Force comes rolling on: [ 500] Two Monsters shall the groaning World divide, * And rule with equal Cruelty and Pride: With doubled Rage, the Fiend, and doubled Fear, Ranges the Earth, he knows his Fall is near; Knows the wise Nations will his Gods despise, The Idol-Banners stoop, and Cross must rise: * Their vainly-thund'ring Iove himself, and all Their helpless Fry of spurious Gods must fall, Once more the fatal Stone shall claim the Capitol: *

[ 510] * The Tyrants drop by Iustice or Despair, And my blest Champion shall the Purple wear.* 2.16 See those brave Men his Throne and Honors share, Whose pow'rful Pray'rs and Arms had fix'd him there! See him the rev'rend Confessors embrace, And by his Royal Side triumphant, place! With Admiration, he'll, and Transport, see * Those glorious Scars they wear for Truth and me; "Of foregone ills almost the Trace remove; They blest in his, he in his Empires Love: [ 520] So much of Good, ev'n one good Prince can do! So much I'll favour those who favour you!* 2.17 * Yet still some Signs of antient Fraud remain; Still shall the Lust of Empire and of Gain, * Distract the World — Nor yet my fated Reign. Scandals must come, those in the Church arise, Who tho' they bear my Name, my Name despise: Vengeance at length th' ungrateful World pursue, New suffer'd Ills shall punish those they do: * Fierce Magog's Sons shall in the East embrace [ 530] A cursed Law, with Ishmael's wand'ring Race; * Whilst all the VVest a fiercer Tyrant spoils, Hated and fear'd by Cittim and the Isles; Nay the dire mortal Gangrene shall disperse, It's hateful Poison round the Universe: Widely the Cath'lick Mischief shall prevail; * Some Stars to Earth drawn by the Dragon's Tail:* 2.18 * The Earthly Gods this Monster shall dethrone, Ev'n him in Heav'n he wou'd, and reign alone: Tho' that he can t', he'll with his Laws dispence, [ 540] Sure Death to all appear in their Defence: * But first,* 2.19 what lets must be remov'd away, The mighty Roman Empire first decay: Then shall this Name of Blasphemy arise, And soon renew the VVar against the Skies: Flatt'ry and Murder shall his Title gain, Which he'll, by the same cursed Arts maintain; Luxurious,* 2.20 he shall Abstinence enjoin From what kind Heav'n did for Man's Use design, * Chast Marriage shall the worst of Crimes be grown,* 2.21

Tho' all the Sins of Sodom shall be none: [ 550] Long shall he Reign, but when he sits on high, * 2.22Sits most secure of Fate, his Fall is nigh: A Swan in Gomer's spacious Fields shall rise, * Will all his Laws, as he does mine, despise: Then ev'n repenting Kings shall hate the Whore * 2.23As much as they enchanted, lov'd before; * 2.24Th' Ill-gotten Empire by degrees decay, * 2.25Till by my Sword and Thunder driven away: Then shall the Iust their promis'd Kingdom gain, * 2.26"And then the Saints of the most high shall reign. [ 560] If more you ask, the Day, the Hour precise VVhen I appear, my Father this denies; The wisest Mind that near the Throne does wait, And deepest read in the dark Rolls of Fate, Must own this Myst'ry is from him conceal'd, * 2.27Nor to the Son himself, as Man, reveal'd; Since, if far off, it might prevent your Care, If near, might sink in Terror and Despair. * 2.28Your Task is — Still be ready — VVatch and Pray! Thus arm against the Fears of this dread Day! [ 570] * 2.29Come learn a Parable—Ten Virgins fair, Together liv'd, no matter when or where! Five Prudent, whom no danger cou'd surprize; All fair, tho' th' other Five more Fair than Wise. These once a Royal Bridegroom did invite T' a Princely Feast, on his blest Nuptial Night: Five had their Silver Lamps all clear and bright, With purest Oil supply'd; not so the rest, Whose empty Lamps their Negligence confest: Yet all prepare the joyful Pomp to meet; [ 580] The Prince and his fair Princess lowly greet: They travell'd long, but still no Bridegroom near, Nor any News of his approach they hear; Night hasten'd on, and the cold Air they fear; Unwholsom Mists, and dropping Evening Dew: At a Friends House, which on the Road they knew * They all take up, convenient t'was and nigh, They'd soon be ready when the rest came by: There enter'd, long they waiting there in vain,

[ 590] With various Talk each other entertain; Till Sleep had seiz'd and seal'd their weary'd Eyes, When the pale Moon had measur'd half the Skies; And scarce they on the downy Couch were laid, E'er at the Gate the joyful Cry was made, He comes, he comes—Quick starting at the sound, All rising, for their Lamps they search'd around, E'er we'll awake; theirs soon the Prudent found; Well worth their Care, glorious they shin'd and bright, And shot new Day across the gloomy Night: [ 600] Nor Light nor Oil in theirs the others find, Unpleasing Reliques only left behind; Recruits for both they from the Wise intreat, In vain, for their own Store was not too great: They to the Merchants send 'em, there to buy, What might their thirsty Bankrupt Lamps supply, Then join themselves the Train, not yet too late, And find a cheerful welcom at the Gate. Not so the other, who in darkness stray'd; Till all was shut, they their return delay'd: [ 610] Now all too late, they no admittance meet, Expos'd t' Affronts and Dangers in the Street: Clam'rous and loud when clos'd the Gates they found, They knock and call, the Courts and VValls resound: Till from the Board the Bridegroom's self arose, And to the sounding Gates in anger goes; As loud demanding what ill-manner'd Guest, Unseasonably there disturb'd the Feast? Forward and bold they answer — Lord 'tis VVe, Part of thy own invited Company; [ 620] Prepar'd and ready at the Gates we stand, But wish'd admittance, yet in vain demand; Repuls'd by the rude Servants — But you here, We now no longer can our Entrance fear. — Ah 'tis too late, the time for that is o'er— 'Tis past, already past, and comes no more; The Lord rejoins — You're Strangers all to me, And utter Darkness must your portion be. The Moral easie is, and evident; Delay no longer! Now, ev'n now repent!

Devout and vigilant, still on your Guard, [ 630] Lest the Iudg comes, and finds you unprepar'd: Lest such your Fate as that bad Servants, whom, * 2.30His angry Lord did to just Torments doom. Earnest they ask't, intent and fix'd upon Each VVord he spoke, our Saviour thus goes on. A Lord there was, whose business call'd him far From his own House, whether for Peace or VVar, Not matters much, but his Estate was large, Of which he Part thinks fit to leave in charge With his remaining Servants; well he knew [ 640] What each was worth, and what they all cou'd do; Five Talents this receiv'd, the other Two, One ev'n the least; he this Division makes, And strait he his far distant Iourney takes: Who had the Five, by Merchandise and Trade, So well improv'd his Stock, Five more they made: Who Two, receiv'd proportionable Gain; Who only One, and even that One in vain; Digs in the Earth, his Talent there he leaves, No pain he takes, or profit thence receives: [ 650] Long after comes their Lord from foreign Lands, And of his Servants their Accounts demands: The two with humble Ioy their Master meet, And cast their Labours product at his Feet; Both from him meet a just and kind regard, And both his gen'rous bounty did reward; With guilty Eyes demiss and conscious Face, The third comes in, and thus with an ill Grace Accosts his Lord — I knew you ev'r you went, A hard Exactor of what Sums you lent. [ 660] Rigid and hard, nay did from others pains Expect, I know, large unproportion'd Gains? How could I then propose my self to save, If I in Trade had lost those Sums you gave? With these vexatious Thoughts I struggling lay A while, but took at last the safest way: Your Talent I entrusted to the Ground, And there the same agen in Specie found: 'Tis here, tho' I've no Interest gain'd, here's all,

[ 670] Each Mite and farthing of the Principal. To him his Lord, whose Eyes just Anger dart— —"Wicked and slothful Servant as thou art—! If gain from others Labour I desire, Whose all is mine, I but my own require: But since thou this didst know, since so austere A Lord I was, a Master so severe, Since honest Pain like these thou woud'st not take, Why might not others the advantage make Of what I left: but since I see my cost, [ 680] And kindness all on thee, Ungrate! are lost, Thy Talent giv'n to those who'll it improve; Hence let thy Fellow-Servants thee remove, Thee hence, unprofitable Wretch, convey, Hid, like thy Talent from the cheerful Day, In noisom Dungeons; bound and fetter'd there For ever mourn in Darkness and Despair. But if these Truths you more distinct and clear Without a Parable desire to hear, Attend while I th' amazing Scenes display, [ 690] The awful prospect of the last Great Day? * My Harbingers the Seven Archangels bright, Heark how their Trumps the guilty World affright!* 2.31 The awful Trumps of God! a Call they sound, Is heard thro' Nature's universal Round; That Signal heard from the dissolving Sky, Decrepid Nature lays her down to die: Not so Man's deathless Race, who now revive, And must in Ioy or Pain for ever live: From long-confining Tombs each dusky Guest [ 700] Disturb'd arise, most, never more to rest; The clust'ring Atoms as before they were Together Troop; the Earth, the Sea, the Air Give up their Dead — How diff'rent all they rise? These light and chearful, these behold the Skies With Looks obverse and horrid, how they shine All dreadful bright, all red with Wrath divine. Ev'n yon fair Star,* 2.32 whose Webs of Light disperse Their golden Threds around the Universe. Loose from it's Center down Heav'ns Hill must roll,

And by its Fall unhinge the steddy Pole, [ 710] And whilst he, hissing in th' Abyss, is drown'd, Ten thousand-lesser Suns lie scatter'd round.* 2.33 * The Moon's bright Eye shall dark and bloodshot grow, Reflecting only Smoak and Fire below. Vast Heaps on Heaps, thick Orbs on Orbs are hurl'd, Chaos on Chaos, World confus'd in World: Huge Spheres, so fast each after other roll'd, Ev'n boundless space their ruines scarce will hold: If the Great Whole no more from Fate secure, What Ravage shall this little part endure! [ 720] This Point in the great Circle! As before, When by th' impetuous Deluge floated o'er; The Oceans both of Heav'n and Earth did join,* 2.34 Both with the Fountains of the Deep combine; And Wave did after Wave unweary'd come, Sea after Sea from its hydropick VVomb; So from the Sources whence that ruin came, Delug'd with Seas of Fire, and Waves of Flame: As when Heav'ns Vengeance on curst Sodom fell; The World's one Tophet now, one Etna or one Hell. [ 730] From Earth's wide Womb large Floods of Flame shall flow, The fi'ry World above shall meet with that below: Thence holy Souls refin'd and made more bright, * Shall safe emerge to VVorlds of calmer Light; While those still stain'd with odious marks of Sin, Must desp'rate sink, for ever sink therein. But first that Doom which they deserve so well, They must receive, that Sentence, half their Hell; The Thrones are set, the conscious Angels wait, And turn th' eternal brazen Leaves of Fate; [ 740] High in the midst shall my Tribunal stand, Apostles, Prophets, Saints on my Right-hand, Martyrs and Confessors— A glorious Train! Now well-content they suffer, then to reign. Whilst on the left, a dismal gloomy Band, Of Kings, proud Nobles, factious Commons stand; Lewd Priests, Apostate Poets, who disgrace Their Character, and stain their Heav'n born Race.

Lean Hypocrites, who by long Fasts and Pray'r [ 750] Get damn'd, with much of pain, and much of care: —But strange! there will not be one Atheist there. All Marshal'd thus, tho' now they 're mingled seen; To you I'll with applauding Smiles begin. "Come you,* 2.35 by me and my great Father blest! "Come, holy Souls, to endless Peace and Rest! "For some short Years of Misery and Pain, "In Light and Ioy for ever with me reign "In that blest Place, before all Worlds prepar'd "By Heav'nly Skill, by Hands Almighty rear'd: [ 760] "In that bad World your selves you've faithful shown, "You own'd me there, and you in this I'll own: "Fainting for Hunger, me you oft reliev'd, "And burnt with Thirst, I your kind Aid receiv'd; "Wide wand'ring thro' the World, you entertain'd; "Half Naked, not my Poverty disdain'd, "But careful, Cloathed; when Sick, your help did lend; "Nay, e'en Imprison'd, not forsook your Friend. With modest Ioy, in their enlighten'd Eyes, Thus humble, all the righteous Host replies: [ 770] —"Thy Mercy,* 2.36 not our Merits, Lord, we own, Must place us by thee, on thy radiant Throne: Much, of our selves, of Ill, our selves we knew, Such Good, alas, when did we ever do? Thus they — Thus will agen the King rejoyn—* 2.37 Those Kindnesses I still accounted mine, My Friends receiv'd; these did I still record, And this great Day shall bring their full Reward. Then to th' unjust he turns, who trembling wait, Their too-well-known intolerable Fate; [ 780] Iustice unmix'd dwells on his angry Brow, Tho' Mercy only there, and Pardon now; Ah what a Change? why will they not relent? Since now they may — Why will they not repent? Yet, yet there's hope, I'll cover all their Sins! — Then all too late, for thus their Iudge begins. "Go,* 2.38 ye accurst! to endless Torments go! "(For such your Choice) to endless Worlds of Woe! "Prepar'd at first for those lost Sp'rits who fell;

"You shar'd their Crimes, now doom'd to share their Hell. "I'th' other World unkind your selves you've shown, [ 800] "Me you disown'd, you now I here disown. "Fainting for Hunger, me you not relieve, "For Thirst, you'd not one Cup of Water give; "When wand'ring thro' the World, ne'er entertain'd; "Half Naked, Poor and Mean, you me disdain'd, "Or Cloath'd with Stripes, when Sick did Curses lend "For Balm; Imprison'd, Stones for Bread wou'd send. With all the hast of impudent Despair, * 2.39 They'll all deny, and ask me when and where? To them my Answer like the last shall be, [ 810] —What to my Brethren's done, is done to me. A Place there is, from Heav'ns sweet Light debarr'd, Where dismal Shrieks of guilty Souls are heard; Loud Yells, deep Groans, thick Stripes, long Clanks of Chains; There solid, everlasting Darkness reigns: E'en that sad Fire, which on the Wretched feeds, Nor new supplies of Matter ever needs, Lends 'em no Gleam, no comfortable Ray, But change of Torments measures Night and Day: Hither black Fiends shall snatch th' Unjust away, [ 820] Tormentors and Tormented—Deep they fall, And on the ruines of this flaming Ball Whirl to th' Abyss, on Waves of Sulphur tost, In that black direful Gulf for ever lost. Not so the Iust, who shall their Lord attend To Worlds of Ioy, that know no bound or end: A Place there is, remov'd far, far away, From that faint Lamp that makes this mortal Day: A blissful Place, that knows no Clouds or Night, But Gods high Throne scatters perpetual Light: [ 830] There Angels live, there Saints, so far refin'd, Their Bodies scarce less glorious than their Mind:: There, true, eternal Friendship all profess; There, in the height of Piety, possess The Heav'n of Heav'n, the height of Happiness: Perfect their Joys, yet still their Joys improve, For still the Infinite they See and Love.

Here shall they enter, here triumphant plac'd, Unutterable Bliss for ever tast [ 803] In mine, and my great Fathers Arms embrac'd. —Here, Thou whom Men and Angels must adore! Here, Saviour! When this storm of Life is o'er, Thy worthless Servant place! One Moment there, For many tedious Years of Want and Care, Will more than even make — And whilst I stay, If from my Post I must not yet away; Accept this humble Verse, my Lifes great Task! 'Tis all I can, and more thou wilt not ask: Bless my few Friends, or if but Names they be, [ 840] My Friend, — For I've scarce more than One and Thee. Bless e'en my Foes! may they, till better, live, And my vast Debts, as I do theirs, forgive! Thy help in all my Tribulation,* 2.40 lend! More than in Promise, (like the World) my Friend. Down all vain tow'ring Hopes! But Saviour! grant, I may n't my daily Bread and Cloathing want! The very Flow'rs and Ravens these possess; Thy Will be done, if I must still have less! Or if to Wealth or Fame I e'er shou'd rise;* 2.41 [ 850] (Those Gifts I neither Covet, nor Despise, Chuse for me,* 2.42 Lord! "For thou hast both my Eyes! If e'er thou me from this low Turf shou'dst raise, Grant, as thou me, I may advance thy Praise! Else, in this Dust, let me to Dust return! —Then,* 2.43 then when my sad Friends around me Mourn, O be not far away! Thy Grace supply, And like a Man, and Christian let me Die! And when my weary Soul forsakes my Breast, O take it in thy Arms, and give me Rest! [ 860] —So shall I for my Consummation stay, And hope,* 2.44 not fear the great decisive Day: Refresh'd, beyond the reach of Pain or Vice, * In the Celestial Shades of Paradise.

The End of the Seventh Book.

Notes

• * 2.1

  Exod. 30.7, 8.
• * 2.2

  Exod. 29.39, 40.
• * 2.3

  John 2.15.
• * 2.4

  Vid. Joseph. de Bell. Iud.
• * 2.5

  1 Kings 7.21.
• * 2.6

  Matt. 33.37.
• * 2.7

  Matt. 24.73.
• * 2.8

  Luk. 17.36.
• * 2.9

  Dan. 11.45.
• * 2.10

  Rev. 17.9.
• * 2.11

  John 16.19.
• * 2.12

  Dan. 2.19.
• * 2.13

  Dan. 7.
• * 2.14

  Rev. 1.9, 10, 11, 13.
• * 2.15

  2 Kings 3.17, 18.
• * 2.16

  Constantine the Great.
• * 2.17

  Matth. 18.7.
• * 2.18

  Rev. 12.4.
• * 2.19

  2 Thess. 2.7.
• * 2.20

  Tim. 3.4.3.
• * 2.21

  Ibid.
• * 2.22

  Revel. 18.7, 8.
• * 2.23

  Revel. 17.17.
• * 2.24

  2, 4.
• * 2.25

  2 Thess. 2.8.
• * 2.26

  Dan. 7.18.
• * 2.27

  Mark 13.32.
• * 2.28

  Ibid. 33.
• * 2.29

  Matth. 25.1. to 12.
• * 2.30

  Matth. 25.14, to 30.
• * 2.31

  Vid. From v. 32. to the end.
• * 2.32

  Mark 13.29.
• * 2.33

  Ibid. 25.
• * 2.34

  Gen. 7.
• * 2.35

  Matt. 25 34. &c.
• * 2.36

  37, 38, 39.
• * 2.37

  40.
• * 2.38

  41.
• * 2.39

  44.
• * 2.40

  In all time of our Tribula∣tion.
• * 2.41

  In all time of our Wealth.
• * 2.42

  Herbert.
• * 2.43

  In the hour of death.
• * 2.44

  And in the day of Iudg∣ment.