318 REDEMPTION.
Death's cerements and the barriers of the tomb."
Pity and sorrow fill'd the Saviour's breast, At this recital of their unbelief; 'Twas not enough the world should him disown, That Israel should his proffer'd mercy spurn j But whom, he special loved, endow'd with gifts, The myst'ries of his mission full unveil'd, Made partners in his kingdom, and co-heirs, That these should fall, so soon, so sadly fall, Lost in the mazes of their unbelief, ReneVd the anguish that had rack'd his breast, Anew the sluices of his soul unloosed, And bathed his cheeks afresh with copious tears, Though hid from them, his face averted turn'd. Yet pity, more than grief, his bosom sway'd, Tow'rds whom he saw so hopeless, weak, infirm, Urged him, compassionate, to mild reproof, With new instruction, which he thus began :
" O foolish people ! slow of heart in faith ! Who not the prophets e'en, or priests believe, Nor words of Him now sent ; ought not the Christ T' have suffer'd your default, abandon'd earth, And so unto his glory have return'd ? Who sole th' offended law had pow'r t' amend, Man's debt infinitive, had means to pay, That pow'r exerts, himself to punishment Submits ; dies, that the race ingrate might live, And thus imputes his righteousness to all, Who feel their need, and to this source repair, Finds, ah ! how few, disposed t' accept the boon j How few to own him, or confess his faith. What manner of Christ is he, ye would accept ?
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