A POETICAL ESSAY TOWARDS AN EPITOME OF THE GOSPEL OF THE BLESSED JESUS Nec verbum verbo curabis reddere fidus Interpres nec defilies imitator in arctum Unde pedem proferre pudor vetet aut operis lex Hor. de Arte Poet. C R HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE LONDON Printed in the Year 1678. To the READER TO say nothing of this Essay might perhaps argue me of pride and putting a slight upon the Reader to say much of vain-glory and setting too great a value upon my Verse or the Prose wherewith I would recommend it The concealing the Author's name may bring his little Work into suspicion as if it were a Birth of which the Parent is ashamed for otherwise it may be imagined that my vanity would be uniform to its self and would cause me to own what it made me think worth the Printing But in things of this nature every Man is guided by his particular fancy and it is mine that whoever gives his name to the Criticks does as good as send them a challenge and defie them to find fault with what he has done for my part I have not leisure to contend for the propriety of every expression or the justness of the sence which I have put upon holy writ yet I may say 't is what I thought I found there in other words and this being pen'd only for my private satisfaction I took no pains to see if others were of the same mind with me nor can I charge my misprisions to the account of any Commentator But as I should be sorry to bring upon my self the guilt of misleading any one that trusted to my sentiments so it would be a great rejoycing to me and I should obtain my end in making this publick if like a weak ray it might but lead to that Fountain of Light and saving Truths from whence it issued and which cannot but guild the very Clouds that are drawn over it by my unskilful Hand an attempt to illustrate these sacred many of them Eternal verities would be to hold a Candle to the Sun or to enamel a Diamond I pretend to no more than as an Index to invite to the perusal of what is contained under such excellent Heads as cannot but occur in this abstract I have endeavoured a continued Poem and possibly the Reader may find a connexion of the whole by transitions not very obscure If the Twenty third Chapter proves to be a Satyr against some sort of Men I hope they that observe the Parallel will not be severe upon my version if any that look into it have made themselves parties I cannot help their falling into the way I aim'd at no body I have received no provocation neither would I give any I at first only used the Christian liberty of free thought which I had still kept to my self if I had believed it could do any mischief in the World either in giving just scandal or breaking the peace of that community for the maintaining which every one ought to contribute his Talent and his Prayers I wrote in charity with all Men and at that time of the year when in all Ages succeeding the Nativity of our Blessed Saviour the acts of Charity have been most attended to and cultivated with the greatest ceremony I shall add no more than what it may be is obvious that I have taken St. Matthew Chapter by Chapter and gathered the most remarkable passages out of the other Evangelists as they seemed for time coincident with or prior to any part of St. Matthew's Divine Record An ESSAY towards an EPITOME of the GOSPEL of the BLESSED JESUS FAther of Lights assist me from above James 1.17 Whil'st I recount the wonders of thy love That love which lay in Night and Mystery 'Till the Day-star brought comfort from on high John The tydings of Salvation drawing nigh That Phospher shew'd the yielding of the shade The Sun of Righteousness our clear day made Mal. 4.2 At sundry times in divers ways thy Grace Heb. 1.1 Before had visited fal'n Mortal Race Thy Prophets like thick Stars adorn'd the night They now are drown'd in the large source of light When the just fulness of the time was come Eph. 1.10 Our Sun rose not from Seas but from the Virgins womb For us this Child was born to us God 's Son is giv'n Jsa 9.6 The greatest Boon to Earth and Gift of Heav'n Angels to see it clapt their Wings and Sung Luke 2.13 And the enlight'ned Air with Anthems rung Glory to God peace and good will on Earth V. 14. Were the choice themes peculiar to this Birth The Shepherds and the Wise-men saw his ray Mat. 2.11 Luke 2.8 Which led them where the Infant-glory lay To th' Consecrated Stable of an Inn Luke 2.16 This Pilgrim came who travel'd for our Sin All Prophets until John did Christ declare Mat. 11.13 He and devout old Simeon saw him here Luke 2.25 This Consolation Simeon had in view The reveal'd Promise he with joy found true He saw th' Anointed e're Death clos'd his Eyes V. 26. Sings his Dimittis and goes home and Dyes V. 29. To a great Age he happily arriv'd Who thus the misery 's of Age surviv'd Anne this reward had for pure Widowhood V. 37. She her Redeemer early understood V. 38. The Spirit Printed in her spotless Breast Those notiâ—…s whereby she made the test Now he begins to shew himself Divine His opening Glory 's in the Schools do shine V. 46. But by degrees he to the World is shown Nor is his function yet t' his Mother known V. 48 49 50. To grace the Ministry of John he stays Mat. 3. And till his being Baptiz'd keeps in his rays V. 13. But then the Heav'ns the shouts of Angels rend The Holy Ghost does visibly descend The Son of God doth Eccho through the Air Myriads of Spirits his great Name declare Satan makes the last effort of despair Mat. 4. His Kingdom threatned the first day of 's Reign Gen. 3.15 He now saw falling to decay amain He knew 't was fruitless yet must bite his Chain Therefore he does all his Temptations lay The Captain of Salvation to betray Heb. 2 1â— Mat. 4.2 He watcht his time found him with Fasting faint Yet surely then ev'n Man hath most of Saint First he attempts him with great policy And his reliance on his God doth try V. 6. But he is silenc'd by a quick reply V. 7. The God of this World doth for his last blow 2 Cor. 4.4 Offer him all the Empires here below Mat 4.9 The God of Heav'n who their Foundations laid By these poor trifles could not be betray'd The Prince of fallen-lights retir'd with shame And 'bout their Master Minist'ring Spirits came Heb. 1.14 Mat. 4.12 To Galilee he goes in holy Flame Dev'ls and Diseases fly before his
1 Cor. 5.5 As Satan o're th' excluded Members Reigns All kind of Blessings are to th' Church convey'd Whilst Men Petitions in Christ's Name are made Where two or three shall join in Common-Pray'r V. 20. He 'l grace the Service with his Presence there How great soe're's our Debt if we submit Without full payment we shall stand acquit V. 27. Then others to forgive is highly fit V. 33. If we on them God will exact on us V. 35. To the unmerciful he 's rigorous The Doctors jealous of this true new light Mat. 19. Forcing it self upon their Scene the Night That Night where Laws for retribution lay With Clouds of Cavils strive t' obscure the day To them his Law of Marriage he maintains V. 9. That nothing but Adultry breaks it's Chains V. 10. All Men cannot receive this saying save they to whom it is given But intimates if God give continence A single Life is best and freest from offence He 's happy who his thoughts on Heav'n does place Strong Nature being curb'd by stronger Grace V. 12. There be Eunuchs which have made themselves Eunuchs for the Kingdom of Heavens sake He that is able to receive it let him receive it That manifests 't is onely Divine Love Makes him insensible to others prove But Men will still be Men though they believe This immaterial Doctrin few receive Nor is' t expected of them for if 't were They'd need those harsh initiations bear Which superstitious Heathenism requir'd To purge the Soul from all it here acquir'd And bring it to the state suppos'd it had E're 't was with an infecting Body clad That Body which must now be satisfi'd As well as the thin substance to it ty'd Pleasure's the gluten which doth both cement That perish'd they will part in discontent Here Grace on Children our Arch-bishop sheds His Hands in Confirmation bless their Heads V. 15. To all that come he bright instruction spreads A Rich young Man in heat to Heav'n would go V. 20. And the possessions 'bove the Stars would know But would not part with his acquists below He lov'd his God and Neighbour Mammon too Our Saviour thence takes notice of the snares V. 23. Which lie in Riches and in worldly Cares The God of comforts large account will make Of whatsoe're we part with for Christ's sake His twelve Apostles on twelve Thrones he 'l place V. 28. And give Eternal Life to th' self-denying race God no respect will to Man's merit bear Mat. 20. ad Who e're will Work shall equal payment share Although we come i' th' closing of the day When e're we answer to the call he 'l pay V. 10. Many come in at first but fail at last V. 16. For ever happy he whose Tryal's past The merit of Christ's Death being thus declar'd For the Description of it they 'r prepar'd V. 18 19. The name of Death is not so direful known As when its circumstance and manner 's shown But now they 'r strong enough to bear that grown It thus being plain his Kingdom 's not below For an high place above he 's prest for two V. 21. But he declares Ambition's not the way Their Master here himself did lowest lay V. 28. Illuminating thus the dark'ned mind He next with groapt-for Sight salutes the Blind V. 30. He doth his right in worldly Goods to share Mat. 21. But once and for a Prophesie declare V. 4. For that the Ass and Colt he did command V. 2. The Word o' th' Lord no Owner could withstand V. 3. Then on the Beast so Sanctifi'd did ride V. 7. While the admiring croud Hosanna cry'd V. 9. Come to Jerusalem he takes no Crown But pulls their Idols from the Temple down V. 12. Money usurp'd the Worship due to God V. 13. Under his Feet their bafled hopes he trod Sinners he to him took but to reform He thrusts them from the Temple in a Storm He that by 's presence and his Works does cleanse And drives Diseases and sick minds from thence V. 14. Approves himself a Prophet and a Prince Recounts the blessings of his happy Raign That Pray'rs through him are ne're put up in vain V. 22. His Pow'r is question'd by Phanatick Jews V. 23. Which he at large with their rejection shews a 33 ad 42. Who the last method of God's Grace refuse God hath invited many to his Feast Mat. 22. But it is rare to find a worthy Guest Luke 14.5 Some for their Master Mammon cannot come Mat. 22.5 Some for expecting Mistresses at home Luke 14.20 His Feast these undervalue more despise And to their scorn his Servants sacrifice V. 6. One will pretend to be God's chosen one V. 11. But by his filthy rags of Sin is known And into utter darkness justly thrown V. 13. Our Lord doth all by means sufficient call Themselves do render't ineffectual The Pharisees who found themselves reprov'd Correctors of great faults are seldom lov'd Before his life his words now sought t' ensnare Mat. 21.48 They sought to lay hands on him To take him from his guard they rev'rence bear V. 16. He like an Oracle of doubtful sense Sends them away in wonder and suspence V. 22. The Sadduces more drown'd in body thought V. 23. They had a Question far more subtle brought He answer'd cleerly yet above their Spheres For he brought Spir'ts and Angels to their Ears Acts 23.8 But now the Pharisees rally again Mat. 22.34 They thought the Lawyer might their Plea maintain V. 35. His single Quere soon is satisfi'd a 36 ad 41. He dare not move again to have it try'd Doth Christ's abridgment of the Law approve That it is all contracted into love Only to know it's true extent doth move Luke 10.29 Christ shews it reaches to the highest Heav'n And o're the Earth where any object 's giv'n He is our Neighbour who does want our aid Luke 10.37 Vicinity is by distresses made To all that need like God we should be nigh None durst ask more as none could now reply Mat. 22.46 Our Saviour next as for late times describes Mat. 23. Lay-Elders Pharisees the Teachers Scribes V. 2. V. 7. Affecting Rabbi as ours name of Saint More then the Whore they lash bedaub'd with Paint Of Babylon V. 27. V. 6. The precious Teacher must have th' upper place Whence he deals blessings to his Babes of Grace His zealous Pray'r doth sanctifie the Meats V. 14. More the Devotion with which he eats He swallows Widows House and Soul and all Whilst the poor silly Flock answer his call But these alas much greater Bigots grow V. 15. For the most ignorant are always so But sure they could not wheedle many in If Cobweb-niceties they did not spin a
16 ad 23. Whereby with a distinction Men may Sin Except their Tribe they Heav'n deny to all V. 13. But unto them 't is unconditional Yet about room they need not be severe For they are never likely to come there Whilst they the utmost of Religion place In the preciseness of the Garb and Face In little rigors which God ne're requir'd And the Traditions of a Man admir'd But pass-by justice mercy charity V. 23. Let them as lower dispensations lye Yet their Redeemer taught them better things And for this scatter'd Fowl extends his Wings V. 37. Sin being taxt he fore-tells punishment Mat. 24. Revealing angry Heav'ns most dire intent The desolation of the stubborn Jews A faint resemblance of the World's he shews That great Catastrophe he saw most cleer Yet would not fix the time but point to 't near V. 33. He marks the Symptoms of the World's decay What tumults to its feaver lead the way False Prophets and false Christs shall fill the Stage V. 24. Ills in themselves as they the last presage Ev'n the Elect had need be on their Guard ' Gainst them and the great foll'wing day prepar'd The careless they 'l to their subjection bring Apeing with wonders the Prophetick King He will the Earth from these foul Monsters cleer But in a day unlook'd for will appear V. 42 50. Angelick Trumpeters shall go before V. 31. Whilst through the Clouds our Sov'raign Judge is bore To circuit all the whole Creation o're Who would not let him here possess his Throne Their base Rebellion shall for ever moan They for a while may Lord it o're th' Elect V. 49. Christ soon will cast them down his own Erect They may oppress and revel with their spoil But sure-avenging Heav'n does mock the while Heav'n that at their calamity will smile But they who true to their Great Master prov'd V. 46. Shall be t' advancement in the Skies remov'd Their prudence justice temp'rance being approv'd Such Spiritual promotion all would reach Mat. 25. That many fail this Preaching King doth teach Not through the want of the blest Bridegroom's call Though the Oyl were not that was general V. 8. Who have not the conditions of their own Trust vainly supererrogation V. 8. God gave to all Talents enough t' improve V. 15. That others thrive doth but our sloth reprove He will exact a just and full account Whilst it lies still the Int'rest high will mount V. 27. Those happy Servants that put out to Trade Returns inestimable will have made a 35 ad 41. Especially for what with ' Poor is laid Christ takes upon himself what they contract They as receivers under him do act Who those his Ministers misuse or slight He at the Righteous Judgment will requite Good and ill Offices with him are weigh'd And to the full large compensation made The Teachers and the Elders of the Jews Mat. 26.3 Whose miserable lot he plainly shews Vext by that Mouth which proclaim'd future Fire To put to Death the Lord of Life conspire V. 4. At Simon 's House as he at Table sate V. 6. She her own memory did consecrate Who on his precious Head the Oyl did pour V. 7. That unction took against the supream hour Our Saviour knowing that his end was nigh His House in order sets before he dye Blest Tokens of his love he leaves behind Symbols to represent himself design'd V. 26 27 28. O Lord for evermore give me this Bread John 6.34 That Wine that precious Blood for Sinners shed Now the last Scene of wickedness is near The Clouds forerunners of the Storm appear The Serpent spreads his Venom in a kiss V. 49. To ills there always a fair preface is Who Troops of Angels had at his command Would not usurping Earthly pow'rs withstand His Kingdom like the Path he shews is peace 'T was told War and its Emblems Swords should cease Isa 2.4 He here in part made good that Prophet's word Whilst in his service he condemns the Sword V. 52. Himself he does t' his Rebels Pris'ner make V. 57. His Servants then their captive Lord forsake V. 56. Yet Peter always forward follow'd near V. 58. But soon discover'd the worst kind of fear So hot-heads always prove when danger 's nigh Only the mod'rate promise constancy His Lord he had oppos'd but now deny'd Mat. 16.22 This out of weakness t'other out of pride Mov'd with the sense of Guilt he went and cry'd Mat. 26.75 But still the hardned Jews their Work pursue Mat. 27.1 Put on those Chains they must for ever rue V. 2. And unto Pilate brought their Pris'ner bound But Pilate soon their canker'd envy found V. 18. Besides an Angel on his Wife imprest V. 19. Those characters of Christ which fill'd her breast Till she declar'd them she could have no rest Yet see the Pow'r of importunity His Judgment and his Wife he doth deny ' Cause for pretended Justice loudly urg'd He yields and by no Water can be purg'd V. 24. He loads with stripes him who did bear our Sins V. 26. The condemnation of the Jews begins Hence is their Epocha of mournful times They cloath him with the colour of their crimes V. 28. A Scarlet Robe A Crown of Thorns they planted on his Head V. 29. In his Right Hand for Scepter plac'd a Reed To this mock'd King they in derision bow Their freedom by unrobing him avow V. 31. Treat him with blows and supercilious brow They further yet their poyson'd malice own Nothing but Crucifiction could atone That Prophecy and that their rage requir'd And they obtain'd the issue they desir'd V. 35. With two known Thieves he that secur'd Mankind V. 38. T' improve the malice by the scandals join'd Happy that chosen Thief whom God did make To shew how soon he 'l Man to Mercy take Christ with him carry'd the late penitent To Paradise immediately he went Luke 23.43 If Men to Heav'n their former habits * This life is the time of our preparation for our future state such a temper and disposition of mind as a Man carries with him out of this life he shall retain in the next 'T is true indeed Heaven perfects those holy and vertuous dispositions which are begun here but the other World alters no Man as to his main State Tillotsons Sermons pag. 33. Edit 2. bear Perhaps it may seem strange what he does there But the frame of his mind was alter'd here who 'l say that so late penitence as this Can now be true or have reward with his Yet that becomes not us to look into Let us but keep what is reveal'd in view See how Christ's goodness triumph'd o're his foes Ev'n to his Murtherers he blessings throws Luke 23.34 He who ne're ask'd in vain free pardon brought For them could think they did but what they ought Some thought they did God service by his end Who did not to his Miracles attend Their ign'rance might with care have conquer'd been They stood in need of Pardon for that Sin And thus that Holy Lamb both liv'd and dy'd Equal to God without assuming pride Philip. 2.6 And yet to Man in flesh and pain ally'd Affright'ned Nature trembling shook the Earth V. 51. To see him dye who gave to all things Birth The Rocks divide while Men their Hearts did close The Temple Rent and sleeping Saints arose V. 52. And well they might his death did Hell controul And to the Grave infus'd a quick'ning Soul Good Joseph his own name kept from decay V. 57. While he embalm'd the God-head's Corps of Clay And did in 's Tomb that sacred relick lay V. 60. Christ who prepares our Mansions in the Skies Mat. 28. Had done the same for what intomb'd here lies Now it he reassumes to shew to Men V. 9. His Church being fix'd with it returns agen Thither to intercede for Man he went Whence Grace through him is from the Father sent He promis'd and 't is sure he never ly'd He will for ever with his Church abide V. 20. Yet to it here his Sp'rit's by measure giv'n Whilst it remains a Candidate for Heav'n That place which he arose t' assure to his Consummates Grace in an unmeasur'd bliss May I the meanest Member that attain And Lord subject me here to thy most equal Raign SIT SOLI DEO GLORIA FINIS