LXXVIII.

St. LUKE Chap. II. Ver. 15, 16, 17.

78.

15. The shepherds faid one to another, let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and fee this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16. And they came with hafte, and found Mary and Jofeph, and the babe lying in the manger.

17. And when they had feen it, they made known abroad the faying which was told them concerning this child.

LXXIX.

Our Saviour prefented, and good old Simeon's Nunc dimittis.

Now

OW to the Temple they our Lord convey, Two Turtle-Doves, as Mofes bids, to pay: When loe an aged Sire accofts 'em there, Simeon his Name, his Head with filver Hair Was venerably crown'd, whose pious Zeal To recompenfe, an Angel did reveal, He fhou'd not die, nor cou'd he freely reft Until his Saviour's fight his Eyes had bleft. He came, in his glad Arms the Child he takes With Tears of Joy, and thus his filence breaks. -Lord let thy Servant now in Peace depart, Whofe aged Eyes have feen what Joys his Heart : Thy wish'd Salvation, now no more confin'd To Judal's Land, or Jacob's chofen Kind; But for the universal Globe prepar'd, To be alike by all the Faithful shar'd: A Light to Gentiles, who in darkness dwell, The Glory and the Pride of thy lov'd Ifrael.

LXXIX.

St. LUKE Chap. II. Ver. 28, to 32.

79

28. Simeon took him up in his arms, and blef fed God, and faid,

29. Lod, now letteft thou thy fervant depart in peace, according to thy word.

30. For mine eyes have feen thy falvation: 31. Which thou haft prepared before the face of all people:

32. A light to lighten the gentiles, and the glory of thy people Ifrael.

7

LXXX.

Jefus found Difputing with the Doctors in the Temple.

WHen Childhood paft, and blooming Youth

begun,

Unto the facred Town their Heav'n-born Son
His pious Parents brought, a glorious Guest,
Himself the Lamb, to their great Pafchal Feast.
To God's high Temple he did foon repair,
Not unimploy'd, nor idly gazing there,
But went where learned Hillel fill'd the Chair;
High rais'd the Sanhedrim and Doctors round,
Below th' attentive Audience on the Ground:
Silent a while our Saviour fat, but rofe

}

At length, and did his weighty Doubts propose.
The Reverend Fathers with amazement heard,
His ftronger Judgment to their own preferr'd :
Here, by his careful Parents found, who mourn'd
His Lofs, and searching to the Town return'd:
His Mother asks him, Why fo long he staid,
And both uneafy with his absence made?
---Why fhou'd you feek me, he replys; And where
But to my Father's House fhou'd I repair,
In whose blefs'd Service I my Hours have spent?
Amaz'd they filent ftood, unknowing what he

meant.

LXXX.

St. LUKE Chap. II. Ver. 46, to 49.

Бо

46. They found him in the temple, fitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.

47. And all that beard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.

48. And when they faw him, they were amazed: and his mother faid unto him, Son, why haft thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have fought thee forrowing.

49. And he faid unto them, How is it that ye fought me ? wift je not that I must be about my father's business?