CXVI.

Philip call'd, and Nathanael approved by Chrift.

BEthfaidan Philip a Disciple made,

Nathanael found, and to our Lord convey'd: At distance he perceives 'em on the way, And to his fmall Retinue thus did fay: ---An Ifra lite indeed you there may fee From all ill Arts, and guileful Practice free: Nathanael wond'ring thus--- Whence know'ft' thou me,

Unseen till now? To whom our Lord reply'd,
E're Philip call'd, thou wert not unefpy'd:
I faw thee when repos'd beneath a Shade,
By the broad Fig-tree's leavy Branches made.
O Son of God, confefs'd! I ask no more,
Nathanael cries, but Ifrael's King adore.
Does this your Wonder raife, our Lord' rejoyn'd?
What then will more ftupendious things behind?
When your glad Eyes fhall in mid-Air behold
The heav'nly Hofts their glitt'ring Ranks un-
fold:

Their glorious Enfigns in the Clouds display
Around the Son of Man, at the laft dreadful
Day?

CXVI.

St. JOHN Chap. I. Ver. 47, to 50.

116

47. Jefus faw Nathanael, coming to him,and faith of him, Behold an Ifraelite indeed, in whom is no guile, 48. Nathanael faith unto him, whence knowest thou me? Fefus anfwered and faid unto him, Before that Philip called thee when thou waft under the figtree, I saw thee.

49. Nathanael anfwered and faith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God, thou art the King of Ifrael. 50. Fefus answered and faid unto him, Because I faid unto thee, I saw thee under the fig-tree, believest thou? thou shalt fee greater things than thefe.

CXVII.

Marriage at Cana, Water turn'd into Wine.

AT Cana, they a Nuptial Feaft prepare,

Our Lord, his Mother, and the Twelve were
there :

Free, but not faft, the cheerful Bowl went round
With decent Mirth, and fober welcom crown'd:
The num'rous Guefts exhauft their frugal Store,
The Servants go for Wine, but find no more.
This the great Mother faw, her Care express'd,
And begg'd Affiftance of their heav'nly Guest,
Regardless first he seem'd of her Request,
Who wou'd her Son's mirac'lous Pow'r confine,
But yields at length, and Water turns to Wine:
Six fair capacious Urns the Treasure hold,
Repleat with gen'rous Juice, and liquid Gold:
The Guefts admire from whence this fecret Store,
Of nobler Flavor far than that before.

Our Saviour thus his Miracles began,

Which show'd his Pow'r, and spake him more than Man:

Confirm'd the Faith of those with him remain'd,

Wide fpread his Glory round, and new Disciples

gain'd,

CXVII.

St. JOHN Chap. II. Ver. 7, to 10.

7. Jefus faith unto them, Fill the water-pots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.

8. And he faith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governour of the feaft. And they bare it.

9. When the ruler of the feast had tafted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was, (but the fervants which drew the water knew) the governour of the feaft called the bridegroom,

10. And faith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth fet forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.

CXVIIL

Chrift teaches Nicodemus the Neceffity of Regeneration

'Twas Night which covers Fear, and covers

Shame,

When Nicodemus to our Saviour came :
Rabbi, (he thus began) we must confess
Thou art from God, thy Works declare no less:
He'd ne're with Miracles thy Miffion fign,
Were not thy Doctrine like thy felf, Divine,
To whom our Lord-----

That which is born of Flesh must Flesh remain,
Till of the Spirit and Water born again:
Reason's too fhort the fecret Mode t' explain,
Tho' clear the Fact, as cooling Breezes blow,
Unknown from whence they come, or where they

go.

But greater Things are in my Law reveal'd,
Tho' from the Wife and Prudent yet conceal'd.
The Son, who does his Father's Will declare,
Came down from Heav'n, he heard and learnt
it there,

Yet ftill's in Heav'n, for he is every where.
Who him believe, and on his word depend,

He'll bring to lafting Bliss and Joy, that know no

End.