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16
THE MIRACLES
AND
DOCTRINE OF CHRIST. *
____
In miracle and doctrine now he moved,
In bold relief, and grandeur of a God!
And first -- at "Caana's feast, by power divine,
He gave to water, the gen'rous warmth of wine;
See! cried they, while in red'ning tide it gush'd,
The bashful stream hath seen its God -- and blush'd."
A breath from Jesus wings its instant course
To miles around, and there, with heavenly force,
O'ercomes disease -- with health fills ev'ry vein,
And pleasure's throb succeeds to that of pain.
The shrivell'd form of ghastly atrophy,
Is cloth'd with flesh, and swells with youthful glee;
The impotent are nerv'd with manhood's strength --
The limb contracted, gains its equal length.
The blind behold the golden flood of day,
And bound in wonder and in ecstacy:
The floating atmosphere is turn'd to bread,
And thereon, marvellously, are thousands fed.
Now sailing o'er the deep and raging sea
Toward Capernaum, Christ's disciples see
Their master, walking on the foaming wave --
The billows own their maker, and his feet they lave.
In glist'ning sprag, now swiftly rolling on
In liquid softness, yet with strength of stone,
To bear their God, in flesh, to the frail bark
In which his followers sail'd, and trembling mark'd
The roaring tempest and the mountain surge,
Which hung terrific o'er their groaning barge.
The vessel gain'd, new impulse now was given
To winds and waves -- by which, obedient driven,
The master and his servants reach their haven.
Again, the Saviour rides the mighty deep --
Heaven wrapp'd in whirlwind, and himself in sleep;
Aghast his followers stand, or wildly cry,
Master awake! behold that awful sky!
* This account of the ministry of Christ, is from the gospel by John.
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How dire its darkness -- how its thunders roll!
And see its lightnings blaze from pole to pole!
See how our vessel reels! O Master save --
Behold that yawning sea, that mountain wave,
It fills -- we sink -- the ocean is our grave!
Jesus, majestically serene, arose;
And from his lips, the mighty mandate goes
To warring elements -- peace -- be still, he said,
And all was hush'd as slumbers of the dead.
At his small voice, heaven's darkness roll'd away,
The deep voracious gave him up its prey,
And the sky kindled into sudden day;
The winds retire to their unknown abode,
And oceans billows, prostrate own their God!
O'er grave of Lazarus, the mighty Son
In human sympathy, and sorronv hung;
While in the same omnific word, he said,
To him, now mould'ring with the sleeping dead,
'Lazarus, come forth, from out thy loathsome grave:
And prove my arm omnipotent to save!'
Obedient to the word, behold him come!
While friends and kindred all, delighted run
To greet him welcome to their arms again,
And their tongues the name of Christ proclaim.
These miracles perform'd, and thousands more,
Rous'd men to hear, to wonder and adore
The glorious author. -- Eternal Spirit, tell
The doctrine utter'd by Immanuel!
And first -- a Rabbi struck with sacred awe,
At what his ears now heard, his eyes now saw
Of the Messiah -- 'neath covert of the night,
Sought his abode, to feast his longing sight
With his bright form -- and have his list'ning ears
Fill'd with the mission, which the Saviour bears.
In terms of adulation, he salutes
The lowly Jesus, and therefrom computes
The object of his homage, would observe
Much deference to himself, and truths reserve
Of harsh and vulgar import; or dispense
His words selected and of polish'd sense.
(Thus, vain man still, in little learning dress'd,
Or rais'd in power, something O'er the rest;
Conceives e'en God should always speak to him,
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In soften'd lainguage of a hell and sin;
'Tis this, that prompts the liberal support
Of Teachers, who with their very words assort
To please the ear, to fan the innate pride.
Of fiends incarnate, who the truth deride.
They talk of human dignity and moral worth,
As superceding the celestial birth,
And call, alike the pious and profane,
Dear brethren -- lovers of the Saviour's name; --
Be not offended, if we dare once tell,
That somewhere, it is written, there's a hell!)
The Ruler's Rabbi, and his words polite,
Pass'd with Immanuel for their just weight
Of worth -- for nothing. -- Listen to Christ's reply;
Hear, feel, and understand, or doubly die!!
Thou learned Rabbi, mark what I proclaim --
You and vour race, must all be born again!
Born in free grace, and by the Spirit's power,
And made to own the God-head of the doer.
Or this not done, and man shall never know,
The nature of my kingdom here below;
Or this not done, he ne'er can rise to see,
That Kingdom's glory in eternity.
The Ruler, startled and amaz'd, exclai,'d,
How call this be, -- or how at all explain'd?
Can a man enter in his mother's womb
A second time? such doctrine, I presume,
Is not impli'd -- for never yet has been
An instance of it heard, or read, or seen
Among the human race. Then Rabbi, say,
What is its character, its mode and way.
That, said Immanuel, which of flesh is born,
Is flesh in every inner fold and form.
As well as outward. What is flesh, you cry --
Let God's unerring word give the reply.
Each thought is evil -- evil is their heart --
Each acts the Demon, e'en when most approv'd his part:
In sin conceived, in sin he lives and moves,
Hates God -- hell serves -- and all uncleanness loves.
Proud is his heart -- his mind is cloth'd with lies,
He lives a Demi-god -- a devil, dies!
Such portrait, by the high command of heaven,
Has the unerring Spirit of Jehovah given
Of human kind; vain mortals shrink, from this
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Self knowledge -- ignorance here is bliss.
The renovation which I now proclaim,
Is to restore this fallen wretch again
To holiness -- so that heaven may become
His glorious dwelling place, and final home!
No power created, can the work perform,
And thus, to holiness the soul transform,
But th' Eternal Spirit -- and that comes
To whom he list -- to all the chosen ones!
As blows the wind; so does that Spirit move
On every soul, that the Creator's love: *
Not more resistless, is the tempest storm,
By which the loftiest forests are uptorn.
Not more beyond created fiat or control
Do ocean's billows rage, or gently roll
From their deep centre, to the distant pole.
Again, the Rabbi marvels -- and again he cries,
Can these things be -- so hidden from my eyes!
Must human reason thus submissive bend,
Believe, what it can never comprehend?
To whom the Saviour -- In nature many things
In mystery operate; in mystery, springs
The wind that prostrates, or that gently spreads
Its balmy undulations o'er our heads;
'Tis heard by all, by all its power is felt --
From whence it comes, or where it hidden dwelt,
Or whither goes -- is knowledge never dealt
To creature mind. Jehovah thus ordains,
Or where the Spirit moves, or where triumphant reigns.
Be wise, and from effects, judge ye the cause --
Such only is the base of reason's laws:
O shame for Israel! when thou, a master's place,
Holdest among her dark degenerate race;
Untutor'd thou, in first, plain, simple rules
Of my salvation, taught in Prophets' schools
A thousand years -- a perfect fool I find --
Blind leader of the feeble, perishing blind!
Thyself, a sample of a host to come
In after tiines; who, thro' the earth shall run
As sent of God, and moved from above,
When gold's their God, and only self they love.
I say to you, we speak what we well know,
And testify to what we've seen below,
* Zeber ath Buriak.
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Of this great work; if this be not believ'd,
How will the heav'nly vision be receiv'd?
Beyond the grave, no mortal eye hath seen --
To bring to light Eternity's dread scene:
What this world is, and has been since the fall,
A few brief years will give a gust to all!
I only know, what's in the world to come --
And I alone, can tell what's the doom
Of sinful man -- Then by myself I swear,
He that's not born again, shall perish there!
Sin, like the poison, which the Hebrews felt,
(When in the wilderness, of old they dwelt,)
From fiery serpents, diseases every part,
And pours its deadly influence thro' the heart.
And as the remedy to Israel given,
Was by the SOV'REIGN will and power of heaven,
So, when the sinner's cur'd, the power's the same --
The antidote is 'looking to the Lamb,'
Slain from the earth's foundation; look and live,
Is the great lesson I have come to give
To fallen man -- who learns its import well,
Is saved from sin and everlasting hell.
God so loved man, as to give up his Son,
That in man's form, due honours might be done
To his dishonour'd law. In Adam, all transgress --
I am the Lord -- their perfect righteousness.
I am deliver'd for the sins of men,
To wo and death, that they may live again.
Whoe'er believes, and feels these doctrines true,
Is born again -- or Gentile, or the Jew!
Light has come into this benighted world --
That light, is God's most holy law reveal'd
In Moses' precepts, and my pattern bright:
But men avoid, and hate the holy light,
And rather choose a state of moral night. *
* (John iii. 18 to 21.) In this passage of scriptures Jesus evidently means his own light as a moal example!
Not his light as "the sun of righteousness" to Zion! It was his moral example and precept, the world hated and hates
-- shrunk, and still shrinks from -- and this, their hatred, of his example and precept, and turning their backs
upon him, as that moral light, provid they were depraved and condemned already. Jesus refers to their conduct towards
himself, to shew their fallen nature and condemnation. -- He then declares, that whosoever believeth in him is not
thereafter condemned but justifted freely from all things, and this manifestatively to his
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If they would come to Sinai's holy law,
There they would see themselves -- as yet they, never saw. --
A mirror, burnished by the hand of heav'n,
Would that law prove; in which their sins engraven,
Would so alarm them, that no peace of mind,
Nor gleam of heaven-ward hope, could they e'er find.
Whoe'er desires to do God's righteous will,
Comes to this law, which all his sins reveal
His sins revealed, abhorring self, he flies
To me the righteous -- then he never dies;
That law Is the judge of all the human race,
And with that law, my gospel I preface:
Till THAT is felt, extending to each thought,
THIS is neglected, spurn'd, and set at nought,
What God has join'd together, none may part --
The attempt proclaims a dark and impious heart.
Man's device makes a thousand standards more,
To judge of man -- till blinded o'er and o'er,
Each, by another, measures his proud self,
And when he's bankrupt, boasts of moral wealth.
Samaria's border now the Christ receives --
He went obedient to high heaven's decrees.
People he had, among that hated tribe,
For whom he suffer'd, -- and for whom he died.
A woman loose, and profligate he met
At Jacob's well -- where wearied, he was set;
To whom he spoke of the celestial springs,
Whose living water, full salvation brings
To vilest souls, and cleanses from all sins.
own soul! on the contrary, whosover believeth not, remains in nature's depravity and condemnation to the law!
This is the scope, sum and substance of Jesus Christ's meaning in this passage of scripture. And this harmonises
exactly with the matter of fact experience of the church and the world, and the tenor of divine revelation.--
Nothing but the spirit of Arminanism would ever breathe a different interpretation of the passage.
The difference between Fullerism and Arminianism, appears to be this --- The latter says, God will
send no man to hell without giving him a chance to secure for himself an interest in the salvation of Israel! The
former says, that men are condemned because they reject the gospel; and that in fact there was no condemnation until
they had so rejected it. If this be true, thrice happy would it have been for man that the gospel had never
been promulged; for nine out of ten that hear it, reject it: and what is the everlasting happiness of one compared
with the everlasting misery of nine!
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The woman marvelled, and desired to know,
Where such choice waters might be found to flow;
That as he saw her, now herself she felt,
Conceiv'd in sin, and laden'd deep with guilt;
Relief she ask'd from the dread power of sin,
And wept and groan'd to have her soul made clean;
Besought Immanuel to inform her mind,
Where she the presence of her God might find;
That to Jerusalem, Samaritans could not go --
And only there, 'twas said, God dwelt below.
The Saviour, answered -- list! the time is nigh,
When souls regenerate, one and all shall fly,
Into my name; there there their God adore,
Their superstitions, and vain forms give o'er.
God, is a Spirit diffus'd throughout all space --
No form describes him, and no time or place
Controls his presence -- equally he dwells
In highest heaven, and earth's unfathom'd cells.
Who feel the unction of devotion burn
In their new hearts, are ever prompt to learn
The precious truth; the water I will give
To those who thirst, shall in their spirits live
A springing well, eternal as my throne --
And all the glory be secur'd my own!
The woman heard, and flew away to tell
Her friends and kindred, of Immanuel.
Come, come, she cries, to Jacob's well, and see
Some glorious One, resembling Deity! --
He told me all my thoughts, my heart and life,
And how to five, I've been a faithless wife;
Must this not be the long-foretold Messiah?
Lost Israel's hope, and the whole world's desire!
Of whom 'tis written -- I will Jacob show
All his transgressions -- Israel too, shall know
His numerous sins. In both their souls, shall rise
Wailings and groans, whose voice shall reach the skies,
As that repentance, which alone ne'er dies.
Meanwhile, Disciples their great Master greet
With proffer'd food, and urge him much to eat.
I've meat, said Jesus, that ye know not of --
'Tis to perform the will of God above,
And finish his great work of saving love.
The day is coming when you too, shall feel
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How high the Spirit mounts, that has his will
For its great pole-star; and how much endure,
That heav'n soul, that does its God adore!
With what solicitude do men compute
The varied seasons, till the earth yields fruit:
E'en you exclaim, within a few months more,
Again we'll reap our ample annual store
Of golden grain; again our vallies ring,
With songs of those who shout the harvest hymn.
If joys thus high, expand the human breast,
When with their earthly bread, each season is bless'd,
How vast my joy, when I shall gather in,
Those sheaves of grace I've saved from hell and sin!
How full my glory, when I shall make good,
That harvest sown and nurtur'd in my blood!
This joy is set before me; and for it I brave
Unfatom'd woes, and taste death's bitterest wave.
O look, my friends! the ripening harvest's come,
When my elect shall gather to their home;
Already are their whit'ning heads bow'd down
In penitence, which God himself shall own
As unto life, through his exalted Son!
Pray ye the Lord, that lab'rers may increase,
And reap in rightousness the sheaves of grace;
Until the time come, when you all shall meet
In my areat garner, as the chosen wheat:
When joys of him who sow, and they who reap,
Shall be eternal, and exceeding great.
While thus the Saviour his disciples taught,
The woman had a thousand neighbors brought
To Jacob's well -- these, too, his words attend,
And hail him Christ, the sinner's only friend!
This doctrine taught, and works of mercy done,
The Jews in wrath now charge upon the Son,
A breach of Moses' law -- because, said they,
Thou'st done these, these things upon the Sabbath day.
To whom, Immanuel thus an answer gave --
I knonw the law, which you from Moses have --
From heaven it came -- I am the mighty Lord
Of e'en the Sabbath day, ordain'd of God.
Who gave the law, he only, can annul:
The Lord of th' Sabbath, is the God of all!
These truths displease you, fill your hearts with rage,
And urge you now most impious to engage
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In bloodiest deed against my sinless life;
And henceforth to maintain the fiercest strife
Against my person -- doctrine - and my cause,
And make your own blind passions all your laws:
But I'm the same -- eternally the same --
I work as God -- Immanuel is my name;
I raise the dead -- I quicken whom I will --
I lift to heaven -- I sink to lowest hell!
I judge the world -- the mighty universe!
My smile is bliss; my frown the heaviest curse:
Who honours not the Son as the great Sire,
May say he worships, but he is a liar.
Who hear my words, and thus believe on me,
They shall be bless'd thro' vast eternity.
The hour is coming, and is now at hand,
When those who're dead shall hear my great command
Say to them, sleepong in sin's awful grave,
'Awake -- come forth,' it is my will to save
Your souls from sin -- obedient they shall live,
And thro' all ages, shall due honour give
To their Redeemer's name -- which honours shall be full
When o'er creation my loud voice shall roll,
To wake each atom of the mortal dead,
From the long slumber of their dreamless bed.
Thus I will speak: all flesh shall then appear
Before my throne, their final doom to hear.
The good to life and endless joys shall rise,
The wicked to taste the death that never dies!
I can in my mere manhood, nothing do
Of all you've seen, or all I've promis'd you
I will perform; yet is my judgment just
Or of myself, or you, from last to first.
My, works and Father, testify of me --
He owns me Son -- they speak my Deity!
Search ye the scriptures, for in them ye say,
Ye have eternal life -- and they are they
That testify of Christ. They thus proclaim,
The countless honours of his matchless name,
JEHOVAH call'd! of whom all Israel boasts:
The GOD of Jacob, and the Lord of Hosts!!
The First and Last in heaven's unceasing praise,
The Ancient of interminable days:
A God most true -- most great -- God over all:
Before whom, heaven bows and devils fall!
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Of his Eternity, those scriptures tell,
And loud proclaim him the Immutable:
Whose presence fills the boundless universe --
Whose eye Omniscient, does all space traverse;
While his Omnipotence, their pages prove,
And deep engrave his name 'The God of Love!'
To him, those scriptures every work assign --
Or what eternity unfolds, or in time,
By him, all are, upheld, on him depend:
He their beginning, and their final end.
Of him, the holy oracles have said,
The woman's seed shall bruise the serpent's head;
While Moses cries, his bosom fill'd wiih praise,
A prophet shall the Lord to Israel raise,
Like unto me -- him shall the people hear,
And Jew and Gentile each, his name revere.
Old Jacob wrestled with him thro' the night --
The man! the God! nor e'er forgot the sight;
But dying look'd thro' ages yet to come,
And thus predicts the advent of the Son.
Hear ye my sons! now tottering o'er the grave,
I bow myself to taste death's icy wave;
Ere I depart, I claim your solemn thought,
Of the bright vision to my spirit brought.
That angel who, hath saved myself and you,
And led me all life's fitful journey thro',
Appears! His inspiration all my powers feel,
And thus, triumphant, I his truth reveal.
From Judah's hands, the sceptre shall not go
Til he appear from heaven, to man below:
To him, the gath'ring nations all shall come --
The world's vast empire own his sway alone.
O glorious day, when that bless'd angel reigns,
The end of human crimes and mortal pains!
Thus Israel spake -- heav'n beaming in his face
And fell, exultant, in death's cold embrace.
Now holy Job, beholds his day afar,
Gleaming thro' clouds, like the bright morning star;
To heaven he lifts his hands and tear-dimm'd eyes,
With sacred rapture -- there the patriarch cries,
I know that my Redeemer lives, and shall stand
At the last day on earth -- and give command
To the pale inmates of the narrow tomb,
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To lift their heads, and to his preqence come.
Then joyful, to corruption may I say,
Thou art my Father -- hasten thou this way --
And to the grave, O mother, let my head
Repose within thee as my downy bed.
My mothers and my sisters, clay-clod worms,
O how I long to have your sinewy forms,
Wanton and sport within this curious cell,
In which my soul is confin'd, and there to dwell
Battening on this now fainting, tortur'd flesh,
And at life's fountain moisten'd and refresh'd.
All this I hail as my soul's final good;
For thus in flesh refin'd, I'll see my God: *
And him, whose mem'ry the bless'd psalms embalm,
Whom Zion gives as minstrel, bay and palm,
He by the Spirit, says of Christ to come,
'My Lord and God! my long-desir'd Son!
Thy foes shall fall -- Jehovah's is thy throne;
Thou wilt not leave me to the grave or sin --
Thou'lt raise my body, make my soul all clean.
Thee I shall worship in thy courts above,
And swell the anthem of redeeming love.
Isaiah now, the prince of prophets, cries,
Behold, descending from the lofty skies,
The Holy One of God! to us he's given,
A child! a Son! the God of earth and heaven!
The Government shall on his shoulders rest;
And therein Israel be forever blest.
His name, (incarnate) shall be "Wonderful --
The Mighty God," who filleth all in all!
The Everlasting sire of Israel's race,
The warrior roll'd in blood -- "The Prince of Peace."
For me the striptures prophesy -- for me run blood --
And bring to view, all that is great and good
* The denial of the resurrection of the body, by a numerous denomination of professed Christians, furnishes out
one impressive evidence that man, in nature under the delusion and influence of the Devil will disbelieve
every truth of the Bible -- Indeed it is worthy of notice again and again -- that the Devil has at last, raised up
about as many denomidations of professors, as is necessary to enable him to have a separate and distinct
instrument, for assailing every important truth the Doctrine of the Gospel!! And then he comes forward with
a proposition to exercise charity for one, and for all! i. e. Believe all to be in the truth, tho'
all-together, deny and denounce all the truths of the gospel!!
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In human life; as a faint type of me,
So glorious they -- what must the substance be!
Such testimony do, your prophets give --
And yet I know, you never will believe:
How can you -- when earth's honours are your God --
Nor own my righteousness, nor want my blood!
Your Rabbies teach, to be far-famed for lore --
God's wisdom they exclude -- their own adore;
Your Rabbies rule -- God's providence exclude,
That men may laud them, for their country's good;
Your Priests burn incense, with unhallow'd fire --
Exalt Jehovah -- but themselves still higher,
But all is done in the Eternals name,
And heaven's made pander, thus to spread their fame,
The world's epitome! from north to south,
From east to west, such is its moral growth,
Rabbies and heroes, scribes and priests and kings
Their virtue from pride and vanity, all springs;
While each, obsequious to the other bows,
Flatters -- is flatter'd -- nor higher motive knows. *
And now to Gaililee, the Saviour moves,
Follow'd by those who love, and whom he loves:
And here, mirac'lous he five thousand fed,
From two small fishes, and five loaves of bread;
They with one voice, when their strange feast was done,
Declare him in truth, the prophet that should come;
Make heaven and earth with his loud praises ring --
Offer to make and claim him for their king.
To whom the Saviour, thus himself declar'd --
I see you now, are one and all prepar'd
To follow me -- the object too I know,
For which, so zealous after me ye go.
The loaves are in your eyes -- these move your feet;
The bread of idleness, you find is sweet.
My awful power none of your spirits moves,
You're all engross'd with the miraculous loaves.
You are the first fruits of a numerous tribe,
Whom loaves and fishes shall inspire and guide,
As my disciples, in an outward form,
Who will mendicity, itself adorn.
* Who is prepared to deny this; no one having common sense, and extensive intercourses with the
professing world!
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So, now, the world in raptures those adore
Who feed its appetites, and promise more;
Who see its present and prospective worth,
In mind and words; and glowing set it forth,
As heaven's bright image -- (albeit yet to come!)
And only claim the glory as their own.
Hence -- who has made two spears of grass to rise,
Where one but grew, is lauded to the skies,
As man's great patron -- wonder of the age! *
Statesman and patriot, philosopher and sage!
While millions sacrifice to Frenchman's blood,
Hail him their Saviour -- toast him as their God!
Thus honour to the man who acts a part,
To feast man's senses, or his pride of heart,
In his great praise, tongues eloquently move,
While dumb and speeclliless of the God of love!
Thus, earthly, do they think and speak of earth,
And prove they know not the celestial birth.
Albeit among the Galellians some,
In nature's pride inquire, what must be done
To work the works of God -- to please high heaven,
To save their souls, and have their sins forgiven.
To whom the Saviuour -- 'tis by Jehovah's power,
That man believes -- the Godhead is the doer,
Of this great work, the sov'reign gift of grace,
God is the author -- God's be all the praise.
Were you indeed, true follow'rs of me,
Your hearts desire and prayer to God would be,
To give your souls imperishable bread,
That on it might evermore be fed,
To life eternal -- here each soul would feast,
Wonder, adore, that it was made a guest
At this rich banquet -- and in holy strife
Contend for me, as the true bread of life!
But tho' you've seen me, this you don't believe,
Or that my flesh, can life eternal give.
† All that the Father gave me, shall confess
* Vide -- Beniamin Franklin's life.
† The stupid Jews, (like the stupid Arminians of the present day) thought, that the character of Christ and of
his doctrine, was to be estimated by the artificial distinctions of life, or the numbers that followed
him: Jesus saw into their hearts -- and calmly replied, "All that my Father hath given me shall come
unto me." -- This was the Elect Head's consolation, so it must be of the evangelical minister --
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I am the Lord -- their souls great righreousness.
For this they'll labour, and for this they'll groan,
'Till all my fulness shall be made their own.
Such is the Father's will -- it must be done!
From his all-glorious, everlasting throne,
He say, My counsel shall forever stand,
My work shall prosper in my Servant's hand:
All who're to life ordained, will believe,
I come to seek them, and they'll me receive.
The Father gave them -- what he gave, I prize --
For them Christ liveth, and for them he dies --
With me they'll suffer, and with me they'll rise!
Cease ye to murmur at the sov'reign grace,
Which the great doctrine of my lips displays.
Is your eye evil because I am good?
Shall th' hungry starve because you hate the food?
What's gall and wormwood to your carnal mind,
More sweet than honey, my elect all find!
Drawn by the Father, my embrace they seek --
Undrawn by him -- in sin's dark grave they sleep;
Thus it is written in prophetic word,
"And all the people shall be taught of God."
If taught of him, on them convictions fall
That Christ's their Lord, their God, their all in all.
Indignant, now the multitude depart --
The words of Christ had cut them to the heart.
The false professor found his guile explor'd,
The Pharisee, the idol he ador'd
Denounced as loathsome in the sight of God.
So still the doctrine of electing love,
When preach'd detects, and hypocrites all prove --
Who still exclaim, 'what sayings! heavens, how hard!
† All, but th' Elect of sov'reign grace debarred.'
Christ spurned mere appearances of rank or numbers in his followers -- and so must those
churces and ministers, who have the mind that was in him!
* The same cause will produce the same effects! Let the same doctrine be preach'd and most professors will fly
like chaff before the fan!
† Nothing is more frequent in the ministry of Arminians for them to say -- did we believe, "once in grace,
always in grace; we would live as we list -- we would eat, drink and be merry, and indulge ourselves in all sin." --
For once they speak truth! they would do so -- and in that very acknowledgement testify, that their inclination
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Let's leave such doctrine - Satan is its sire,
And every one who holds it is a liar.
Albeit, there's some who think the middle way,
Is the expedient; and warm profess to pray,
That those who preach the doctrine, and who revile,
May mutual yield, and on each other smile,
In christian love and unity; while each esteem,
Half Truth, Half Lies, the Gospel's glorious theme.
Ye hypocrites! ye serpents! can you tell,
How you may escape the devil and his hell?
All now, the Christ forsook, except the few,
To whom he said, -- "will ye forsake me too?"
The impetuous Peter, answer'd for the rest,
And thus their feelings and their views express'd.
Lord of our life, to whom then shall we go --
There's none our hearts desire to serve below
But thy dear self -- thou hast the words of life --
Thee, we will follow in thy peace and strife.
Depart front thee! what, when we feel assur'd
Thou art the Christ, the anointed of the Lord,
On whom we rest our oft delighted eye,
And to thy arms for endless refuge fly:
Thou must be ours, or we forever die!
Bless'd art thou Simon, Jesus then replied,
To me in bonds eternal, thou 'rt allied;
My Father taught thee who and what I am,
The brightness of his glory -- sin's atoning lamb.
You twelve I have chosen -- and you seem to prove
Yourselves confirm'd in faith and holy love.
Yet of Your number, one is full of evil,
And in the end, will prove himself a devil.
Thus will it be, in every age to come,
That, in my church below, there will be some
Assign'd, or chosen in God's providence,
To Zion, various service to dispense,
Who yet, essential, have no part in grace,
Or of my chosen, or regenerate race.
And now the tabernacle feast came on;
To which, Christ's brethren urge him to be gone.
No man, said they, if honest, ere will claim,
is to sin! that a carnal, sensual, devilish nature, is still their own! The child of grace however, cannot live in,
or love sin -- holiness is his element, for God has made him a new creature! the Spirit has made him holiness
unto the Lord! unto Jehovah!
31
From hidden deeds the meed of public fame;
If you and your mission be indeed divine,
Why not appear in Jewry at this time?
Where now are met our rulers, great and wise, --
They'll prove thy power infernal -- thy doctrine lies.
Thus did their conduct forcibly express
That nature's ties are wide from those of grace,
That who, of th' flesh, were breth'ren of the Lord,
Revil'd the Christ, and all his truth abborr'd.
To them, Immanuel thus himself address'd,
And on their minds, his heavenly doctrine press'd:
My time, said he, is not arrived to go
To Judea's feast: with you it is not So.
Your time is always ready; you can fill
Your part in union with this vain world's will --
Whose children you, by nature's spirit are, --
One in their labours and their earthly care.
You, they cannot hate -- you, they will receive,
And all the service that you have to give.
Their pride you flatter, and their maxims learn,
For their idolatries with zeal you burn;
Nor will the world e'er cease to smile upon
A man or devil, if he but prolong
Their pride -- and pomp -- he's timbrel and their song.
Go then, the world's own children, to the feast.
You each, no doubt, will prove a welcome guest.
One will be with you, after whose dark work
Has more progressed, I also will go up.
Till then, my going is forbid of him,
Who's God around me, and a God within.
The world hates me because I prove it evil,
A mass of sin, and captive to the Devil.
I am ordain'd of God, to seek and save
Those whom Jehovah loves and to me gave.
The time, the place, for me to meet with them
By God is determin'd, tho' unknown to men.
Where'er their sojourn on this woe-worn earth,
There shall my word and spirit give them birth.
At the Full time, the Saviour secret goes
Up to the feast, where murmuring friends and foes
Inquire for him -- or if he's to appear
At their great banquet, and his truths declare.
'Twas then, as now -- they murmur'd different views
Of Christ -- his miracles and glorious truths.
32
Some thought him a good man -- and some a bad,
Some thought him wisdom -- and some said he's mad --
As now 'twas then -- a thousand notions rose
In man's vain mind, of him, who none e'er knows,
But those to whom the spirit's power is given,
To feel themselves a Hell, and Jesus Christ their Heaven!
To all the malice, ignorance and lies
Of these revilers, Jesus thus replies.
My doctrine that, in boldest terms, embrace
The fallen nature of the human race,
And God's DISCRIMINATING, SOV'RIGN grace,
Is not my doctrine, but it is that or him,
Who sent me on earth to save from hell and sin.
To him who does Jehovah's will perform,
Which will is by his spirit to transform,
And from which will, my people are all born;
He shall the doctrine know, as God's own truth,
Or hoary age, or inexpenenced youth.
Whoe'er has aught of his vain self to say,
As agent in salvation's work or way,
Is a blasphemer, or a Deity!
There is a glory in the vast design
And mighty act, of pard'ning human crime,
Of which, Jehovah never will dispense
One ray to any but Omnipotence.
I seek not mortal's, but Jehovah's fame --
This proves itself from who, and whence I came.
The Son of man has nothing -- nothing claims
On earth, but sufferings, infamy and pains;
The Son of God, demands an equal share,
In th' Father's glory, of which he's heir.
* Ye know me from whence I am,
My earliest and my latest years as man:
In all my acts, in all my words, I've been
Harmless, and undefiled, and free from sin.
A life like mine the best guarantee,
I honour God, and he will honour me.
And now the last day of the feast arrives --
* Arminianism here, with its characteristick ignorance, supposes that those Jews knew him as the Saviour,
when it was his mere life as an harmless man, and good citzen, that Jesus is speaking of; and which they
knew from first to last: hence he said -- "which of you convinceth me of sin."
33
Jesus stands forth, and vehemently cries,
Whoever thirsts, O let him come to me,
(Whate'er his nation or his crimes may be,)
And drink the waters that I will reveal,
Which in his soul, shall prove a living well.
Man thirsts for pleasure, honour, and for wealth --
The poor for bread, the sick man pants for health.
'Midst this vast concourse, is there not one,
Who thirsts for life in God's eternal Son?
Not one, who lifts his eyes and heart to me,
And cries, O Christ, my soul does pant for thee,
More than the swellinig fish pants for the sea!
If such there be -- to me, O sinner come,
And share the river flowing from my throne.
Fierce now the wrath of rul'd and rulers grew --
To mount of Olives, Immanuel then withdrew;
There thro' night watches, Jesus sought the face
Of his great Father, and his lov'd embrace.
To cheer and elevate once more his heart
In ardent zeal to finish the great part,
Design'd him to fulfil -- the Father heard
The voice of his beloved, and appear'd
To his delighted vision, in those glories high,
Which the Son shared from all eternity.
Again, the Saviour felt the miglity glow
Of Deity's own consolation, flow
Through all his soul; and strengthen'd to sustain
The labours, sorrows, o'erwhelming shame --
That now were forming for his life's last scene!
Thee day return'd, again he came among
The motley group, and wonder-gazing throng,
Within the temple; where as he meekly raught,
The Scribes and Rulers to his presence brought,
A woman, taken in adulterous sin --
And, tempting, ask'd that she be judg'd by him.
Master, say they, what punishment is due
To her transgressions -- shall we here pursue
The course prescribed by Moses, who doom'd
All culpritslike her to be swiftly ston'd,
Till they were dead -- but Master, what say'st thou?
Was their inquiry, with the artful view,
To tempt him in some seeming form, to stand
In opposition to divine commmmand
34
To their great leader given; that attain'd,
And well they knew, that furious and inflam'd,
The passions of the Jews would urge them on,
In murderous wrath to kill the Holy One.
Immanuel stoop'd, and on the ground he wrote,
As if he heard not what these serpents spoke.
Again they ask him -- while his fingers trace
Their moral portrait and their own disgrace.
He rais'd himself and thus the throng address'd --
Why have ye on me thus, this question press'd?
Because your natures were so sunk in sin,
Your appetites so beastly and unclean,
That e'en your plighted matrimonial oaths,
Could not the flood-gates of your lusts oppose --
To save your species from a brute-like state,
And the fell curse, unbridled lusts create,
God gave to Moses a command to kill
The woman, that in the foul transgression fell.
But I bring forward other means to check
Your brutal passions, and your fears beget;
Yet I forbid not any to fulfill
The law of Moses, and the adultress kill.
Whoe'er is sinless, * let him cast a stone --
'Till all ye righteous have your missiles thrown.
The Saviour's words the hypocrites now felt,
And stood convicted of their secret guilt;
Abash'd, retreated from Immanuel's eye, †
Nor more insisted that the culprit die.
The woman only, with the Saviour staid --
To whom, in gentlest accents now he said,
'Thine accusers, woman, are they then all gone?
And uncondemn'd have left thee here alone?
Then go in peace -- I know thy heart contrite,
And that thou seest thyself in a true light
As chief of sinners. I break no bruised reed!
But every stream of godly sorrow feed!
To judge you after different laws of men,
* 'Tis well that this law of Moses' is abrogated, or the numerous, perfect and sinless professors
in the Methodist church, would have prodigious labour-- and vast would be the havoc they would make,
of the frail daughters of Eve!
† In the the same mantier our modern Pharisees, alias, Arminians, will shrink away from the eye of Jesus,
in the judgment day!
35
Is not my province -- that power is given them,
Whose kingdom is below -- go sin no more,
Lest a worse evil fall you than before.'
The Jews returning -- Christ once more began
To preach himself, the light life of man!
'The world, said he, in grossest darkness lies,
In sin conceived -- in sin lives and dies;
In sparks of their own kindling they pursue
A thousand paths, nor find the one that's true.
Nor in their darkness and their errors think,
Their feet are sliding down damnation's brink;
Or care they for the endless worlds to come,
If they but have possessions in this one.
I am the light! -- who follows me shall find
Joys that shall fill his vast, immortal mind.
His path shall shine in brightening prospects on,
'Till death shall bear him to celestial noon
Of day immortal -- where the Son of God,
Shall ceaseless, spread his glories all abroad,
O'er every eye; and warm each holy soul,
And consummate the vision of the whole.
One point, the subject's brought to -- that is this --
Whoever hopes, or seeks for heavenly bliss,
Must learn of me -- the beggar and the prince
Alike, must my bless'd Spirit still convince,
I am their light. -- The life of man proclaims
In every age, that darkness o'er him reigns,
In reference to that world to which he goes,
In all its blessedness and all its woes.
Ye judge me after my mere form as man,
Nor know from whence I came -- or who I am --
Tho' I be clothed in flesh, can ye not not see,
No signs, no features of the God in me?
Has ever man or creature spoken as I speak?
Can man or angels, my grcat acts repeat?
O blind, blind mortals -- first of those to come
In after years, who shall esteem the Son
Angelic -- super-human -- or much less --
And treat his blood and his great righteousness,
As nothing better than their own vile forms,
And God's own image, class with guilty worms.
But they and you shall all die in your sins --
And when you grasp at heaven, your hell begins.
36
ALL ARE IN SIN -- they who do not believe in me,
In sin continue, through eternity!
Condemn'd already! -- ere my gospel came!
And not believing, they condemn'd remain.
Not by my gospel cursed! But by the law,
Other condemnation, in my word none e'er saw!
I go my way, to my great throne on high,
By paths unknown to e'en the vultures eye.
In vain you'll seek me -- neither can you come
To where I go, when my great work is done.
Ye are from beneath, but I am from above --
In different course our thoughts and feelings move.
Mine flow to glorify Jehovah's name,
And yours, to prove from sin and hell they came.
I have many things to say and judge of you --
But he who sent me, is forever true,
Or sleeps his vengeance, or his judgments slow.
Whoe'er continues in my word will prove,
They are the objects of my Father'love;
For 'tis ordain'd that this shall be a sign,
Who have me theirs, and are forever mine!
They shall know the truth, the truth shall make them free
From earth, from hell, from sin and misery.
Whoe'er professes to be born of God,
And then returns to tread in sin's broad road,
By this will manifest they're not my sheep;
For all my flock, Jehovah's power keeps!
Ye boast of freedom, when the slaves of sin,
Call Abraham Father, tho' no more like him
Than vulture's like the dove -- he, friend of God --
Ye thirst to shed your very Maker's blood.
What dire delusion overspreads your brain,
When children's place with Israel's God you claim;
Call him your Father -- of his favours tell --
When Satan's your sire, and your portion hell.
Thus countless numbers thro' a future age,
Shall speak of God, and of themselves presage
In different forms and names, themselves profess,
Begot of God, and subjects of his grace;
When darkness shrouds their mind -- their hearts will rage --
Against my glory, and my truth engage
37
Your Father Abraham, saw my day afar,
Beaming resplendent as the polar star;
Rejoicing saw it with exceeding joy --
The blessed Prelude, all his thoughts employ.
Before his day I was -- the same shall be
Thro' life -- in death -- and all eternity!
Furious, the incarnate demons now become,
And breathing slaughter, essay Christ to stone,
E'en in the temple -- where, profess'd they came,
To worship in Jehovah's awful name.
Full well that scene our modern forms describe,
Or rampant vanity or wounded pride.
The ample temple, fretted aisles and dome,
The gilded pulpit, and the organ's tone,
Feed thousand's vanity, and bid them rise
In self-esteem, above the very skies.
But should some one by accident appear
Within their temple, and the truth declare;
Contrast their temple, with their hearts and mind,
That beastly foul -- and this more beastly blind,
How would their pride, insulted, urge them on,
To curse the doctrine and the preacher stone
With calumny -- contempt, and each bad name,
Until they murdered all his honest fame.
Jesus retired from the infuriate throng,
Within the temple -- and as he pass'd along,
He saw a man who from his birth was blind,
With whom he stopped in purposes most kind.
The disciples notice and inquire of him,
Whether the parent's or the child's great sin
Had been the cause: The Saviour, brief replies,
Ye err in judgement why he has no eyes.
This man nor parents either e'er did sin,
More than all others who are born therein,
What think you? those on whom the tower fell
Were greatest sinners than have went to hell?
Or those whose blood, with Pilate's offering flow'd,
When sacrificing to his idol God?
I tell you nay -- nor longer dream ye thus --
Man -- one and all -- are 'neath the law's dread curse.
One mind they have -- it's darkess -- awful night --
One heart they have -- it's enmity to light --
One path they have the broad and downward road --
38
They worship the creature and the world's their God.
One heaven the righteous have in worlds to come --
one hell the wicked find, their endless doom --
God ne'er has taught you that there are degrees
Of joy in heaven, or torment in those seas
Of Tophet's flame. Each saint's ordain'd to be,
Heirs of God's glory and joint heirs with me!
Proud man -- false teachers may from this inquire,
What greater portion Israel can desire,
And what they are, who look for something higher?
The fire prepared for Satan and his crew,
Is the dread portion of each sinner too;
The doctrine of degree, of hell and heaven;
Springs from man's pride, and is delusion's leaven. *
Man's natural, and his moral blindness too,
But serve to show what sov'reign grace can do.
All nature's maladies its power can qwell;
Its mighty acts redeem from sin and hell.
The works I work, inverting nature's laws,
Proclaim who is the essential and first cause;
And well may prove to all the human race,
The secret omnipotence of reigning grace.
For sovereign judgment to the world I came --
Eyes give I to the blind, feet to the lame --
I quench the light of those who think they see,
Make blind and lame each righteous pharisee.
Who enters not into the fold of grace,
By me the door, shall never see the face
Of God in peace. Who climbs some other way
Into the fold, shall in the judgment day,
Be sentenced as a robber of his God,
And feel forever, his avenging rod.
All that have come before me, are but thieves --
Their doctrine falsehoods, and their life deceives;
The mantle of their literary fame,
When raised, but left them a mere, Rabbi's name.
* I am aware that this sentiment will make a hue and cry! But I believe that the scriptures will fully support
the sentiment: unless they represent a Devil in chains, less a Devil than when roaming at large!
Should any person of the calvinistic faith, offer any argument, or authority, drawn from the scriptures,
or sound philosophy to the contrary, I shall duly notice it! -- if I am wrong, Arminianism is right!
39
Their vain traditions, dawning day did quench,
* Their light delusion -- and their presence, stench.
Again I say, I am the only door
To heaven -- thro' which the rich man or the poor,
Can ever enter. -- This the sheep well know,
And other way, into the fold wont go:
For they are helpless, and salvation crave,
And feel my arm Omnipotent to save.
At my command, my spirit seeks my sheep,
At my command, their wand'ring feet he'll keep --
He sanctifies, or puts each of them forth.
From east to west, and from the south and north,
I call them by that spirit -- lead them out
From nature's darkness, and the world's vile rout.
I go before them in that Spirit's power --
They follow me -- I keep them every hour!
My voice they hear -- they know 'the certain sound.'
'Tis music in their ears -- a balm for each wound!
A stranger's voice they will not follow now,
A stranger's voice my sheep can never know.
When mine they've heard -- a stranger's voice they'll flee,
As plague and pestilence or infamy.
All but my sheep, do only force their way
Into the fold, to make the sheep their pray,
Make merchandize of pasture and of flock --
Insult -- betray -- and artfully provoke,
To their Base Projects, those who think no guile,
And glory in the infamy and spoil.
I'm the good shepherd, and my life I give,
That my dear sheep, may all forever live;
Their lives are hid with me, their Christ, in God --
I'll wash them clean, in my own precious blood.
Each one I know -- they're ever in my view --
On earth I'll own them, and in glory too.
* Will the Baptist society ask themselves, what servants or service they have derived from their theological
seminaries? Or, if Baalam's ass, was not about as laborious and luminous a divine, as any one of the protoges
of these institutions has been! Or if Judas Iscariot moved less from under the influence of the mammon of
unrighteousness, than these excrescences do! Let the Baptist church ask when or where they have'seen them
evangelically engaged; and the merits of the case are met: -- Surely they have a right to do so, when this
fry have cost them $100,000!
40
Me they shall know as him whose blood was spilt,
To wash their souls and free them from their guilt.
Not more distinctly does my Father know,
Me, as his Son, from creatures here below,
Than I know those among the human race,
Who are my sheep, and destin'd heirs of grace.
And now arrives the long-expected time,
When Gentiles shall appear as sheep of mine;
As such, the Father gave them to his Son,
That Jew and Gentile might in me be one!
They are wand'ring now in sin and darkest night --
Them I must also bring to heavenly light.
They shall hear my voice, and enter in my fold --
One flock, one shepherd, will the end unfold.
You ask, again -- if I'm the Christ of God?
Still unbelieving in my solemn word.
Once more I bid you all my works survey,
And due attention to their import pay.
If ye believe not, it is indeed because,
Ye are not my sheep, or subjects of my laws
As Mediator -- my sheep hear and follow me
From earth, from hell, from sin I'll set them free;
I give unto them an ETERNAL life!
They are my bride -- long betrothed wife --
They ne'er shall perish, or from my hand be pluck'd --
The everlasting arms shall bear them up,
Thro' all the fury of life's stormy sea,
With me they'll suffer, and then reign with me.
My Father gave me all my chosen sheep;
He loves them in me, and will safely keep,
The shepherd and the fold -- with him I'm one --
They know the Father, who have knowetbe Son!
Ye stone me now -- say ye -- for which good deed,
Does all your rage and violence proceed?
Or would ye have me, my very self deny,
And for your excuse, admit myself to lie.
Make what you will of the eternal truth,
I'm Son of man, and God's co-equal both --
You hate the doctrine -- whence is your dislike,
Because if true, my judgment must be right.
I judge you ignorant, sinful and accursed --
In earthly things selfish views immersed.
Now treading down the broad frequented road,
41
To hell's dark caverns -- Satan's dread abode.
Nor can you think if I Jehovah be,
That of yourselves to judge you can be free.
But to my word, your every thought must bow,
And own without me, you can nothing know.
This galls your pride; your vanity and fame --
Dependant leaves you with the meanest name
Upon my teaching -- bids your boasted lore,
Lie prostrate in the dust and me adore.
As little children, ye must learn of me,
However great, However wise you be.
These truths repeated, still you wont believe,
But think by wisdom and your deeds you'll live.
This strong delusion on your minds will dwell,
Till undeceived you raise vour eyes in hell.
The doctrine of my Godhead and my GRACE,
Is what you abhor -- as will the human race
In every age -- 'gainst these will hell array
Its fiercest front, and men their guile display
In subtle lore; these truths will test and prove
Who know the Son, and whom the Aliem * love;
Who take the Glory of my GRACE away,
As sov'reign, free, discriminating, -- may
As well deny my proper Deity!
In Bethany, Immanuel now appears
'Mong those he loves, and who himself reveres:
They had recent laid their brother in the tomb,
And all was lamentation and deep gloom.
When Christ appear'd, the weeping Mary cried,
Lord, hadst thou been here, our brother had not died!
To whom, the Saviour thus august repli'd:
The resurrection and the life I am --
I made -- I kill -- I keep -- destroy or save vile man:
I give the faith by which the soul shall rise,
From sin's dark grave and soaring reach the skies!
I too will raise the bodies of all men,
And in those bodies, acquit, approve, condemn. --
Whoever believes in me. shall never die --
God's be the glory -- every heart reply.
But come and shew me where your brother lays,
And soon your sorrow shall be turn'd to praise.
E'en tho' the 'worms are battening on his flesh
* Aliem or Gods
42
And at the fountain of his heart refresh
Their appetites voracious -- still, your dead
Shall hear my voice and leave his loathsome bed.
The grave now reach'd, the Saviour said to some
Attendant on him -- roll away the stone;
This done, Immnanuel raised his eyes to heaven,
And said, Father! I thank thee, that to me is given
Thy gracious ear; -- that always thou dost hear,
And answer to my ever fervent prayer:
That now I do, in feeble mortal's form,
A deed, from which some present here, shall learn,
I'm God their Saviour, and thine own first-born!
This homage paid, the anointed cried, come forth
Thou Lazarus, mouldering in the humid earth!
The dead arose -- the event was made the mean,
Of raising many from the grave of sin,
To a new life, in th' kingdom of Christ's grace,
The precious pledge of everlasting peace.
The Pharisees now heard of Christ's great deed --
All former bounds, their passions here exceed;
And now a council's call'ed, and prompt convene.
And fierce determine here to close the scene
Of the Messiah's life. Then, of his foes,
Caiphas, (high priest of the Jews) arose,
And thus address'd prophetic words to them,
Tho' priest nor people did their import ken.
Ye do not appear thus much to know, said he,
That 'tis expedient that this man should be
An offering -- that our nation may keep free.
Or that this event shall gather from afar
Our scattered tribes, and all to Judea draw.
If the great deeds and doctrines of this man,
Are but directed to some earthly plan
Of aggrandizement, in this event they say,
He'll stir up th' Roman's cruel jealousy,
Who will come and take our liberty away.
The counsel is -- that now this man be slain --
His single life will be a nation's gain.
To this, the council one and all agreed,
And now prepare to execute the deed.
But Jesus knew their bloody, base intent,
And with his followers in retirement went:
There waited till the Paschal feast drew nigh,
43
The time he pointed when himself must die.
His visits now, to different friends he paid,
E'er he was numbered with the sleeping dead,
And Bethany,once more receives the Lord,
And Laz'rus spreads again his ample board.
While here the Saviour with his followers eat,
The pious Mary, bathed and washed his feet;
Anointing theme with unguent soft and sweet.
At this, indignant, Judas thus observ'd,
Why is this waste? -- or why have ye thus serv'd
These feet of Jesus with such costly oil --
Why was it not used in charity's sweet toil?
The value would be full three hundred pence,
Which to the poor would varied good dispense.
How many bodies, and how many souls now die,
For want of means, that ointment might supply!
This said arch Judas, not that once he cared,
Or if the poor were fed, or if they starved.
The name of charity, or Christ he would press
Into his service, that he might possess
Himself of money. This dear aim, here was cross'd --
He deep deplored that all these pence he lost;
Nor could he rest, until he made it good --
And to that end, he sold the Saviour's blood.
Such Judas was -- and such was Judas' God!
No lack of likeness in the present brood
Of begging teachers -- who compass earth and sea,
So they get money for self charity.
They cry for gold -- rebuke -- exhort and threat --
Nor can they good perform, till that they get!
To whom, as Judas, thus the Saviour says:
Think ye herein, that this true zeal displays?
I feel myself most worthy of your all --
What's given to me shall ne'er unfruitful fall:
Or in my person, or that of my saints. --
The water given, when either of us faints,
Shall be recorded as an act of love,
And full recompense received above.
Who love me, in my members, do proclaim,
That they are true believers in my name:
Who give to me, by serving my elect,
Shall in their souls, the choicest peace beget,
Israel I love -- for Israel live and die --
44
For them I rise -- for them I reign on high!
For them I feel -- for them I intercede --
E'en God's elect, and Abraham's faithful seed.
The world is Satan's -- that I pray not for --
I pray for those, for whom my soul I pour
Out unto death * -- what cause of wonder then,
That my own love should be surpass'd by men!
† E'en Judas here, exalts himself above
The God of Jacob, in his claims to love!
Ten thousand thousand, shall the world afford,
Who, Judas-like, shall rise above the Lord;
More full in charities -- in grace still higher --
Save all the world and Devils from their fire.
Should not my doctrine and their claims agree,
They'll fill the measure of their charity,
By cloaking that, and telling lies for me.
Who have my mind as teachers by me sent,
For Israel's weal they labour, and they're spent
In charities and doings for the souls
Of my elect; this all their heart controls.
Their charity, their zeal, their labour and their love.
* If Jesus Christ prays not for the world -- Who that has the mind that was in him can pray for it? if Jesus
Christ prays only for those whom the Father hath given him, out of the world, and had the Spirit without measure:
how can the Holy Ghost ever make intercession in the hearts of genuine believers for the salvation of all men? Let them
answer this, whom it concerns: -- for our own part we believe it mere nature's ebullition of passion; or the
trimming policy of those, who would be something more than even Jesus Christ himself, at least in the estimation
of the world. The simple fact is -- the Holy Ghost never put it into the heart of man, yet to pray for the salvation of
the world, or all men -- but only for those whom the Father has given Christ, out of the world! -- If the
contrary, then the Holy Ghost makes intercession in Christ for one thing, and his people for another!
† This is a striking incident! Judas, judging from appearances, was really more charitable, benevolent and
evangelically zealous than the Lord Jesus Christ himself -- and yet he was a Devil! Who may not, after this suspect
mere appearances! May we not suspect those popular Baptist D.D's, who build splendid, round, meeting houses in large
commercial cities, and cheat orphan and widow, friend and stranger, out of 50,000 dollars to accomplish it! Or who
build Baptist colleges and theological seminaries, and defraud the community out of 100,000 dollars.
==> Apply for further information to the Editor of the "Columbian star."
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Is to them peculiar -- its value known above!
No trumpet sounds their fame -- no tongues proclaim
What mighty acts of love their lives mantain;
Nor that they save, restore, confirm, and keep
My flock -- and make the very world my sheep!
The service that my shepherds do my fold,
Is not in mortal's eulogy e'er told;
When that's incentive and the world's the judge,
That is all delusion -- and this the pledge.
And now the Saviour leaves the peaceful home,
Intent once more among his foes to come.
While in his way admiring crowds attend,
And heaven's vast concave, with hosannas rend.
This multitude was fill'd with joy and dread,
To think of him, whose power could raise the dead!
They fondly hoped their homage might secure
A living interest in his almighty power;
That he, who a friend had raised from the grave,
From death's dire embrace might them also save. *
The Pharisee's exclaim, in maddening throes,
Behold this Jesus -- the world after him all goes. --
Our mandates, frowns and laws do not prevail;
The people crowd him and his presence hail!
Some Greeks attendant at the paschal feast,
Eager inquire if Jesus be a guest --
They say to Philip, sir, we wish to see
Jesus -- the Jew's and Gentile's mystery.
Philip and Andrew thus inform their Lord,
And HE an answer to the Greeks afford.
The hour is come, in which I am glorified --
Life is man's glory -- mine that I have died!
The hour of my miracle and doctrine's gone --
Those ensign I resign, -- and stand alone --
The subject of man's meanest, basest form,
In human eyes a grovelling reptile worm --
Such will the Greeks behold me, and despise,
* It is very important, that we know upon what ground we estimate, or from what considerations we are
attached to the name of Christ! This multitude lauded him as one able to give bodily health, and to preserve
or raise the body from the grave. The name of Christ now a days, is found excellent, and duly lauded by a
multitude, because, in that they can get a living from the turn-spit of a college kitchen to the D. D. president.
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My life, recorded as but foolish lies.
The corn of wheat that's buried in the earth,
But dies to give a countless number birth;
So thus I die, -- and dying raise to heaven,
The numerous seed to me in covenant given.
My death's their life -- my infamy their crown --
Hell claim'd their souls -- I give that hell my own! *
While thus he spake, dire horrors seize his soul,
And from his lips, strange words began to roll;
My soul, he said, is troubled -- what shall I say?
Father! O save me from this awful day!
So craves my trembling flesh; -- but for this hour,
I left my glory, and my regal power.
'Tis past! the energies of grace divine,
Now makes my prayer -- thy will be done -- not mine --
O Father, glorify thy glorious name!
I'll bear the cross and glory in the shame.
In awful thunder, now a voice from heaven,
Replies to Jesus; and this answer is given --
My name I've glorified -- and now proclaim,
That I will glorify that name again!
In thy obedience, law is magnified,
And now my justice must be satisfied
By thy life's blood. -- My mind is ever one --
The cov'nant's sealed -- Thy Work must now be done,
And die thou must, my nameless, matchless Son!
The multitude had heard the voice, and stood
O'erwhelm'd with awe and wrapt in musing mood.
This, Christ perceives, and now his lips repeat
His glorious truth in accents bland and sweet.
This voice said he, for you, not me, has come --
It testifies, I have Jehovah's pleasure done.
He hears my prayer -- has promised to fulfil
Through me, the counsel sov'reign will.
A little while the light remains with you --
That light's my precept and my example too.
My sinless life, and my pure guileless heart, †
* Spiritiial and eternal life to the elect, was and is, in the promise of God, as sure as the death of
Christ was made sure by the promise of God.
† This is a passage of scripture that Mr. Fuller uses with much apparent triumph to prove, that it is the duty
of all men to exercise faith, saving faith in Christ! when in fact, it has nothing to do with
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Of Moses' law a comment does impart;
This shews what man is ever bound to be,
In his relation to the Deity.
Such light's offensive to the sons of men;
It tests them all, and all it will condemn.
While I am with you, walk ye after me --
My limit may set you from delusion free;
Give you, as in a faithful mirror, view
Of what God's laws require of man to do.
This knowledge given, and men will contrite cry,
What shall we do, or whither shall we fly
From wrath to come -- and then shall grace reveal
My works, to justify, my blood to heal,
And that I've power to make alive, and power to kill.
My miracles, my ministers, God will use,
My life, my word, or what means he may choose.
Of sin, of righteousness, and judgment, to convince.
And bring the soul to Israel's penitence.
Without his power, the means are vain and naught --
The present proves it, as the past has taught.
What miracles were wrouoht in Egypt's land,
When Moses, by Jehovah's high command,
Spread midnight darkness o'er her, at mid-day --
Her waters turn'd to blood -- or her first-born slay.
But Pharaoh and his host, impious stood
Against the wondrous workings of a God.
So Israel witness'd thro' the wilderness,
The depths of wo, and heights of earthly bliss;
And all by miracle. -- For them there came
Manna from heaven, as a shower of rain;
For them, when panting with a deadly thirst,
From flinty rock; the living streams out-burst:
For them ihe clouds a moving pillar go,
To guide them daily all their journey thro'.
For them a pillar of mirac'lous light,
Appears, to guide them' thro' the shades of night,
The Sun recedes, that Israel's tribes may see,
To strike, pursue and kill their enemy.
Again -- when Israel fights in Ajalon,
To give them light, Jehovah stops the moon:
the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in Christ Jesus, as a Saviour! But as a moral example!
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Yet Israel's prophet cries, who hath believ'd,
God's own message, or his word receiv'd.
And now for three years I have daily done,
Such miracles as have been perform'd by none.
Yet men believe not! -- this will fully give
Conclusive proof, that men, by God believe!
Such doctrine does the word of God declare --
Hence says the prince of Prophets, great Isaiah,
To whom hath Jehovah's arm been revealed?
To whom has salvation's prophecy been sealed?
They cannot believe without Jehovah's arm --
Miracles and judgment but surprise -- alarm.
Men s eyes are blinded, harden'd are their hearts:
God leaves them so to act their various parts
Of opposition to his sacred word,
And of their darkness evidence afford.
So God ordains, that heaven and earth may trace
The faith of Israel to his SOV'REIGN grace!!
So God ordains, that Israel e'er may own,
Salvation is of Jacob's God alone!
And other faith, detest, denounce, disown!
Did signs and miracles convert the soul,
Then all who see or know them would be whole. *
That, signs and miracles are not design'd to do,
But man's unbelief and awful darkness show,
And round my earthly life, due glory throw.
Who believes on me, believes too on his name,
From whom, inspired, the sacred scriptures came.
Man's moral infamy that book reveals --
True faith perceives it, and the soul then feels
Itself all sin -- all hell -- on me it cries --
I show my cross -- to that the wretch now flies;
There lays him down beneath sin's awful load --
The mountains † melt and leave him in my blood.
When in my blood, sin ne'er can burn again,
Forever quench'd is the accursed flame.
He sees the Father, Who has once seen me --
I was, I am, and ever am to be!
* The awful sentiment, that saving faith is the mere belief of the fact that Christ is the Messiah, upon the
testimony of twelve men and their miraculous doings -- has, for its Father, in the Baptist society, the Arian Robinson
-- and Alex. Campbell has but revived from the writings of Robinson [Robert Robinson's 1790
History of Baptism ?], the Arian delusion.
† Judges v. 5.
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The brightness of the Father's glory I,
His person's image from Eternity?
Who sees me truly, ever see me this --
The vision's glory and the sense is bliss!
An all-devouring, great desire reigns
Within believers, while each soul exclaims,
"All hail, Immanuel! my heaven thou art in whole:"
Hail! NAMELESS object to my musine soul!
Who believes in me, in darknes don't abide;
I give him grace and will to glory guide.
Whoe'er rejects me, continues in his sin,
And proves I knew him not or died for him!
Those the Father gave me, in Providence I keep --
In grace my spirit shall each of them seek:
As prodigals shall they come to my arms,
There rest embalm'd in my ten thousand charms.
The word I have spoken that shall judge all men,
Those left in nature, and those born again.
That word does law and gospel too embrace --
The world that judges, but this the fold of grace.
That word has said, the world is dead in sin,
But those in me, are every whit made clean.
And when the day ordained shall arrive,
That word shall prove its truth -- or, as I live. *
God has commanded what I've spoke on earth,
Has made that word the mean of spiritual birth; --
And so will make it to the end of time --
Man's all the grace the glory, Lord, be thine!
Who knows as I, God's commandments sure,
Ordain'd to give, and to eternal life secure;
Obedient to his great command will tell
Of sov'reign grace redeeming man from hell.
The word, the counsel, of the Lord he'll preach;
No other gospel know, receive, or teach. --
Or if the world abhor, defame, despise,
wrap him in infamy, or pierce with lies,
He'll preach it still, in it will "toil along,
Weep tears of joy, and burst into a song!"
* Here is another, favorite passage of scripture that Andrew Fuller makes use of to support his darling proposition --
that is the duty of all men who have the scriptures to exercise faith, &c. -- Now, suppose that the above
interpretation is correct, and how miserably ignorant he must have been of the import of the "word," in this
place.
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