THE

MESSIAH;

OR THE

REDEMPTION OF MAN.

BOOK X.

The Argument.

The Ministry of John, commonly called the Baptist, sent before the Mes

siah to proclaim publicly his appearance upon earth, and to preach remission of sins, and forgiveness to all believers; also the blessed Ministry of the Messiah himself, declaring and publishing the whole duty of man, in the strongest, most impressive, and plainest manner possible. This Book the reader is most earnestly requested carefully to peruse and inwardly digest, assuring him that its contents are the precepts of his God faithfully narrated in poetic language; precepts that must be observed by all before they can reach eternal felicity.

THE

MESSIAH;

OR THE

REDEMPTION OF MAN.

BOOK X.

ISAIAH.

YE thirsty souls with joy awake,
Of life's sweet fountain to partake!
Elate, with thanks, your anthems raise,
To yield the Giver grateful praise:
Exalt the chord, the theme divine,
The chorus grand, the strain sublime,
For, lo! the great Messiah's come
And gives to man the pleasing stream!

Behold your God!-Your God appears,
He, Ancient of eternal years.-

Ye vallies rise !-Ye mountains low
Before your Mighty Maker bow!

The Glory of Jehovah see!*
Ye mortals rev'rence and obey!
He rules with truth, His reign is grace,
His laws are love, His kingdom's peace.
The Prince I Wonderful proclaim'd,
The King Great Counsellor I nam'd,
Everlasting Father, Mighty God,†
Of peace the blessed sov'reign Lord,
Descends from heaven mankind to bless,
Bears in His train their happiness ;
Plac'd on His comely shoulders see
Man's happiness eternally.

Rise, Salem, rise thou from the dust!

Erect, exalt, thy tow'ry crest!

He on thee makes light radiant shine,

In brilliant ray, from love divine:

66

Though seas shall waste, and skies decay, "Rocks fall to dust, and melt away,

"Yet shall His saving power remain,

"And He thy God for ever reign."

JOHN THE BAPTIST.§

Repent! Repent! the Lord of life is near, A God,-a God,-among us doth appear!

* See Isaiah chap. xl.

+ Ibid ix.

The last four lines from Pope.

§ See Malachi; Matthew and Luke's Gospels, third chapter of each; see also, 40th of Isaiah.

Come,-clear the choaked paths!-make way for Him!—
Be straight ye crooked!—ye rough places plain !—
Ho, you exalted, humbly to Him bow!

Ye lowly, rise!-He comes to comfort you!
But why you pois'ning vipers come ye here?
How dare you e'er presume God to adore?
Repent, before you adoration pay,
Let good works prove you faithfully obey;
Let charity your greedy minds possess,
Relieve ye poverty in her distress;

Let plenty freely, and with pure intent,
The naked clothe, and feed oppressed want!
Ye public stewards, take but that's your right,
Oppression ever banish from your sight;
Accuse not falsely, do ye wrong to none,
For wages be contented with your own:
So cleanse your hearts of sin's infernal stain,
Then I'll baptize you in my Master's name;
Think not the rite to hypocrites is giv'n,
God's Holy Spirit cannot dwell in them.

You proudly think your father's Abraham,
Are God's selected, call yourselves His own;
But learn of me, the stones inanimate
To Abram's children God can soon convert!

Behold! of God approaching is the Lamb,
Come down from heaven to purge the world of sin,
I, but the herald sent to make Him way,

Soon shall be call'd death's summons to obey :