And e'en for bread, whene'er that bread was giv'n, Whate'er can reason, or can fancy bless; Yet little of the sacred donor deem, Or while they cram, their feeder they blaspheme! With what a full command he could divest, The wild rebellious passions from the breast, 80 Appears in all the horrid misery, Of his severe stupendous agony; When nature shock'd, a strong reluctance shew'd, At that affrightful and oppressive load Of griefs, which were appointed to be borne, A cruel death, with still more cruel scorn. Vouchsafe to take this bitter cup away. 85 مو "If it be possible; O be it done! "But be thy will perform'd, and not my own!" Yet some deluded, vainly will declare The total inutility of pray'r. But such as heretics should be esteem'd, 95 And without bigotry unworthy deem'd, To bear of Christians, the respected name, For bad their tenets are, provoking b'ame. Ask, and the heav'nly good ye shall receive, 100 For our strong lusts, like a besieging foe, Are active all our guards to overthrow, Are vigilant to win, by storm or guile, Our inner camp, to burn it or to spoil. Line 96, &c. Luke 18. 1. 7 And he himself has taught us how to pray, In a concise, but comprehensive way, 115 "Our Father, who in Heav'n dost keep thy throne, "Be thy name hallow'd, and thy name alone. "O may thy kingdom come triumphant forth; "Thy will, as 'tis in heaven, be done on earth. "Grant us our daily comforts, and relieve, "As we our neighbour's trespasses forgive. "From all temptation keep, or 'gainst it arm, "And helpless shield us from surrounding harm: "For the great kingdom is for ever thine, "The pow'r, the glory, endless and divine." 120, Oft would he pass, by pious love inspir'd, The night in pray'r upon a hill retir❜d. And with the doctrine that the Master taught, Much is the potency of fervent pray'r, 125: And great the benefit from hence we bear. Line 121 and 122. Vide Luke vi. 12. Line 124. "Pray without ceasing." 1 Thess. v. 11 Timothy v. 5. For not alone more readily is giv'n, His tender sheep where wolves ferocious roam, Our Saviour's piety is first approv'd, 130 135 As 'twas the vital principle that mov'd His mind to action, and as this we deem Yet some there are, who of its merit doubt; 140 145 As this great virtue's absence must at least For is it natʼral merit to revere,. E'en in a low imperfect character ? Can we be struck with goodness that's confin'd, And not transported our affections find, By boundless goodness in th' eternal mind? Or how can we of gratitude approve, And not be grateful to the source of love? 150 155 Such conduct in essentials wrong must be, 160 Who claims our highest love, respect and gratitude? Awake harmonious verse, my harp awake! Myself will rise for my great Maker's sake! 165 |