There hangs all human hope; that nail supports 175 Creation had been smother'd in her birth- 180 A thousand worlds, so bought, were bought too dear; 185 190 And Christian languish? On our hearts, not heads, 195 'Expended Deity on human weal?" Feel the great truths which burst the tenfold night Of endless day. To feel is to be fired; 200 Thou most indulgent, most tremendous Power! Thou, rather than thy justice should be strain'd, 205 Bord thought! shall I dare speak it or repress? 210 Should man more execrate or boast the guilt Which roused such vengeance? which such love in flamed? O'er guilt (how mountainous!) with outstretch'd arms Supporting in full majesty thy throne, A mystery no less to gods than men ! 215 220 Not thus our infidels the' Eternal draw, A God all o'er consummate, absolute, 225 Full orb'd, in his whole round of rays complete: They set at odds Heaven's jarring attributes, And with one excellence another wound; Maim Heaven's perfection, break its equal beams, 230 A God all mercy is a God unjust. Ye brainless wits! ye baptized infidels! Ye worse for mending! wash'd to fouler stains! 235 The ransom was paid down; the fund of Heaven, Heaven's inexhaustible, exhausted fund, Amazing and amazed, pour'd forth the price, All price beyond: though curious to compute, 240 And was the ransom paid? it was; and paid 245 A midnight new! a dread eclipse (without 250 Which bow'd his blessed head, o'erwhelm'd his cross, Made groan the centre, burst earth's marble womb With pangs, strange pangs! deliver'd of her dead? 255 Hell howl'd; and Heaven that hour let fall a tear: Heaven wept, that men might smile! Heaven bled. that man Might never die ! And is devotion virtue? 'tis compell'd. What heart of stone but glows at thoughts like these? Such contemplations mount us, and should mount 261 The mind still higher, nor ever glance on man Unraptured, uninflamed.-Where roll'd my thoughts To rest from wonders? other wonders rise, And strike where'er they roll: my soul is caught: 265 Heaven's sovereign blessings, clustering from the cross, Rush on her, in a throng, and close her round, The prisoner of amaze !--In his bless'd life I see the path, and in his death the price, 270 He rose! he rose ! he burst the bars of Death Lift up your heads, ye everlasting Gates! And give the King of glory to come in. 275 Who is the King of glory? he who left His throne of glory for the pang of death. Who is the King of glory? he who slew 280 The theme, the joy, how then shall man sustain ? Triumphant pass'd the crystal ports of light, 295 Was then transferr'd to death; and Heaven's duratior Unalienably seal'd to this frail frame, This child of dust.-Man, all immortal! hail; Hail, Heaven! All lavish of strange gifts to man! Where am I rapp'd by this triumphant theme, On Christian joy's exulting wing, above Of being, to preclude a close of woe? I boast it still, though cover'd o'er with guilt · If, sick of folly, I relent; he writes 300 305 310 My name in Heaven with that inverted spear (A spear deep dipped in blood) which pierced his side, And open'd there a font for all mankind, 315 Who strive, who combat crimes, to drink and live : And what is this?-Survey the wondrous cure, A pardon bought with blood! with blood divine ! 320 Persisted to provoke! though wooed, and awed; A rebel midst the thunders of his throne! Nor I alone! a rebel universe! My species up in arms' not one exempt! 325 Yet for the foulest of the foul he dies, Most joy'd for the redeem'd from deepest guilt! 330 As if our race were held of highest rank; And Godhead dearer, as more kind to man!' Bound, every heart; and, every bosom, burn! O what a scale of miracles is here! Its lowest round high planted on the skies, 335 Its towering summit lost beyond the thought The wonderful ascent, with equal praise! Will give thee leave) my praise! for ever flow; 340 And all her spicy mountains in a flame. So dear, so due to Heaven, shall Praise descend Though black as hell, that grapples well for gold? 350 355 Like gibbets yet untenanted, expect Their future ornaments? From courts and thrones Return, apostate Praise! thou vagabond! Thou prostitute! to thy first love return, 360 |