ordinary military preparations of the Parthians to resist the incursions of the Scythians. He then informs our Lord, that he showed him this purposely that he might see how necessary military exertions are to retain the possession of kingdoms, as well as to subdue them at first, and advise him to consider how impossible it was to maintain Judea against two such powerful neighbours as the Romans and Parthians, and how necessary it would be to form an alliance with one or other of them. At the same time he recommends, and engages to secure to him, that of the Parathians; and tells him that by this means his power will be defended from any thing that Rome or Cæsar might attempt against it, and that he will be able to extend his glory wide, and especially to accomplish, what was particularly necessary to make the throne of Judea really the throne of David, the deliverance and restoration of the ten tribes, still in a state of captivity. Jesus, having briefly noticed the vanity of military efforts and the weakness of the arm of flesh, says, that when the time comes for ascending his allotted throne he shall not be slack; he remarks on Satan's extraordinary zeal for the deliverance of the Israelites, to whom he had always showed himself an enemy, and declares their servitude to be the consequence of their idolatry; but adds, that at a future time it may perhaps please God to recall them, and restore them to their liberty and native land.
So SPAKE the Son of God; and Satan stood A while, as mute, confounded what to say, What to reply, confuted, and convinc'd Of his weak arguing and fallacious drift; At length, collecting all his serpent wiles, With soothing words renew'd him thus accosts.
I see thou know'st what is of use to know, What best to say canst say, tó do canst do; Thy actions to thy words accord, thy words To thy large heart give utterance due, thy heart Contains of good, wise, just, the perfect shape. Should kings and nations from thy mouth consult, Thy counsel would be as the oracle
Urim and Thummim, those oraculous gems
On Aaron's breast; or tongue of seers old Infallible: Or wert thou sought to deeds That might require the array of war, thy skill Of conduct would be such, that all the world Could not sustain thy prowess, or subsist
In battle, though against thy few in arms. Pose God like virtues where fore dost thou hide, Atteering private life, ar more obscure da savage wilderness? Wherefore deprive All Bath her wonder at the acts, thyself The time and glory glory, the reward That solo exeries to high attempts, the flame O most oveted spies most temper'd pure Paboral, was all ploaies else despise, All neways and at gå`r esrem as dross, And a wal james all at the highest? The rear we ran a så ørersege; the son Oh Marvises P.. glad er these 19 bone of Ormas held Arba dope you, je Sopar hai brenght down The Chujones young Younger quell'd The Pick Kinga ta ta timpà hai sode. Tejas xom a po yun mirnent mare, educach nor dhe dust of ginn, dut Buguesa. Corvardelles kidz send she wurit admires, Po take de grew 22 yens, the more intum'è
With glory, wept that he had liv'd so long Inglorious: But thou yet art not too late..
To whom our Saviour calmly thus replied. Thou neither dost persuade me to seek wealth For empire's sake, nor empire to affect For glory's sake, by all thy argument. For what is glory but the blaze of fame, The people's praise, if always praise unmix'd ?. And what the people but a herd confus'd,
A miscellaneous rabble who extol
Things vulgar, and, well weigh'd, scarce worth the praise ?
They praise, and they admire, they know not what, And know not whom, but as one leads the other; And what delight to be by such extoll'd,
To live upon their tongues, and be their talk, Of whom to be disprais'd were no small praise ? His lot who dares be singularly good. The intelligent among them and the wise Are few, and glory scarce of few is rais'd.
This is true glory and renown, when God Looking on the earth, with approbation marks The just man, and divulges him through Heaven To all his Angels, who with true applause
Recount his praises; thus he did to Job,
When, to extend his fame through Heaven and
As thou to thy reproach may'st well remember,
He ask'd thee," Hast thou seen my servant Job?” Famous he was in Heaven, on Earth less known ; Where glory is false glory, attributed
To things not glorious, men not worthy of fame, They err, who count it glorious to subdue By conquest far and wide, to over-run
Large countries, and in field great battles win, Great cities by assault: What do these worthies, But rob and spoil, burn, slaughter, and enslave Peaceable nations, neighbouring, or remote, Made captive, yet deserving freedom more Than those their conquerours, who leave behind Nothing but ruin wheresoe'er they rove, And all the flourishing works of peace destroy; Then swell with pride, and must be titled Gods, Great Benefactors of mankind, Deliverers, Worshipt with temple, priest, and sacrifice? One is the son of Jove, of Mars the other; Till conquerour Death discover them scarce men, Rolling in brutish vices, and deform'd,
Violent or shameful death their due reward. But if there be in glory aught of good,
It may by means far different be attain'd, Without ambition, war, or violence; By deeds of peace, by wisdom eminent, By patience, temperance: I mention still Him, whom thy wrongs, with faintly patience borne, Made famous in a land and times obscure;
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