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LXXVI.

John nam'd, and Zacharias reftor'd to his Speech.

AT length Eliza fees her destin'd Son,

Who muft before the King of Glory run.
Seven Days, entire, he in her Bofom lies,
On th' eighth, as Mofes bids, they circumcife:
The folemn feftal Morn fhone bright and fair,
They all things for the facred Rite prepare ;
Their Friends came crowding in, the Prieft
was there,

He bids 'em Name the Child, they all agree,
The Father's 'twas, it must be Zachary,
Infpir'd his Mother her Content deny'd,
They yield, the aged Sire the doubt decide.
He figns, a Table's brought, and he thereon
To their amazement writes- His Name is JOHN;
Tho' the Spectators were far more amaz'd,

When he with Voice reftor'd, aloud th' Almighty prais'd.

LXXVI.

St. LUKE Chap. I. Ver. 60, to 64.

76.

60. His mother answered and faid, Not fo; but be fhall be called John.

61. And they faid unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.

62. And they made figns to his father, how he would have him called.

63. And he asked for a writing-table, and wrote, faying, His name is John. And they marvelled all. 64. And his mouth was opened immediately, and bis tongue loofed, and he spake, and praifed God.

LXXVII.

The Nativity of Chrift declar'd by an Angel to Shepherds.

IN

N Bethlehem's happy Regions, where of old The Royal Shepherd wont his Flocks to fold, The fame Employ the Swains did waking keep, From Thieves and mid-night Wolves to guard their Sheep.

The Queen of Night high mounted on her Throne,
Had now thro' half her filent Journey run,
When loe the Eaft far lovelier Beams adorn,
Than guild the evening Clouds or rising Morn;
And on a Globe of pure etherial Flame,
Descending flow, a heav'nly Courtier came:
Groveling on Earth, th' affrighted Swains he rears,
And bids 'em banish their mistaken Fears,
Never fuch cause of Joy; This happy Morn,
The promis'd Saviour of the World is born :
To Bethlehem hafte, you'll find him there, he said,
Nurft in a Cave, and in a Manger laid.
---Strait, Myriads of the heav'nly Hoft appear,
And crowd with shining Forms, the Hemisphere;
This Anthem fung by all the Quire above,

GLORY TO GOD ON HIGH, TO MORTAL
PEACE AND LOVE.

LXXVII.

St. LUKE Chap. II. Ver. 10, to 14.

77.

10. The angel faid unto them, Fear not for be hold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which Shall be to all people.

11. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12. And this fhall be a fign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in fwadling clothes,lying in a manger. 13. And Juddenly there was with the angel a mu titude of the heavenly hoft praifing God, and faying, 14. Glory to God in the higheft, and on earth peace, good will towards men.

LXXVIII

Jefus in the Manger, vifited by the
Shepherds.

WITH Joy and Wonder fill'd, the Shepherds

run,

At early Dawn to seek a brighter Sun
Than e're before enlighten'd mortal Eyes:
But O! aftonifh'd Heavens! fee where he lies!
That Voice which fhakes the Poles, to Infant-

cries

Is now contracted; thofe Almighty Hands Which launch th unerring Thunder, wrapt feeble Bands:

And he who turn'd the fhining Orbs above, Which, as his Nod prescribes 'em, ftand or move; When he comes down our ruin'd World to fave, Is fhelter'd in a Stable, and a Cave.

in

By him his Virgin-Mother watching there, Nothing befides her Son, on Earth so fair. O what a fight! with new and ftrange amaze, Well may the Shepherds look, when Angels gaze. They faw, and flowly part, and what they found, They foon difperfe th' aftonish'd Land around: With Hymns from Seraphs learnt, his Name they raise,

Whom holy Souls adore, Fiends dread, and Angels praise.

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