On GOD'S LOVE

The King of Kings, the great Eternal One, Sent from his Bosom his beloved Son, Lost Man to seek, and to restore ag'in, From the most vile Captivity of Sin; Who for our Sakes his Father's Throne forsook, And, as a Servant, freely on him took, The Form of Man, and among Mortals came, Yea, meekly bore the Cross, despis'd the Shame, Walking on Earth amongst his chosen Ones, The Isra'lites, beloved Jacob's Sons. But they, rebelling in disdainful Pride, Their King, their Saviour disown'd, deny'd, Because he did not, to the sensual Eye, Unveil his Glory and his Majesty. The Rays that did around his Temples shine, His Mein, his Speech, bespoke him all divine. Yet this vain Off-spring did him still deny, Accuse, condemn, degrade and crucify; Who patiently resign'd his Life, his Breath, And, thro' his Lamb-like Sufferings, conquer'd Death.

Thus they with wicked Hands did crucify The spotless Lamb, descended from on high: Yet him they could not long i' th' Grave detain, But with great Glory he arose again; Astonishing the Watchmen at the Tomb. He, to their great Amazement, forth did come: Which, when they to the Rulers did declare, They charg'd them not to noise it in the Ear Of the Plebeian Multitude; but say, That his Disciples stole him thence away, While they slept in the Silence of the Night. Thus seeking, by Deceit, to hide the Light That then was dawning, to confound its Foes; But for a Leader, and a Guide, to those That meekly waited for its Consolation; They have entail'd a Curse upon their Nation.

But Isra'l's Glory's surely broken forth, Light to the Gentiles, shining in the North; As by the holy Prophet was foretold, That in the latter Days th' Almighty would, Call and bring forth a Seed out of the North, A then despised Corner of the Earth. Should we not now, in Lowliness of Mind, And true Contritedness, wholly be resign'd Unto his Will in all Things, who hath thus Extended his engaging Love to us, And tasted Death for us? Alas! who can Enough admire his boundless Love to Man!