CXXVIII.

St. JOHN Chap. XIX. Ver.1.

128.

Matth. xxvi. 67. They spit in his face, and buffeted him, and others fmote him with the palms of their hands.

Marth. xxvii. 26. When Pilate had fcourged Jefus, he deliver'd him to be crucifi'd.

Mark xv. 19. And they fmote him on the head with a reed, and did fpit on him.

Luke xxiii. 11. Herod with his men of war fet him at nought, and mocked him.

John xix. 1. Then Pilate took Jefus and Scourged him and the foldiërs, &c.

:

CXXIX.

Chrift crown'd with Thorns and mock'd.

Uch had the Lamb of God already born,

MU

Yet more remains of Cruelty and Scorn: The Soldiers all their Band together bring, And with abufive Honours, hail him King. A Robe of Royal Purple they provide, With that his bleeding mangled Shoulders hide. A reedy Scepter in those Hands he bears, Which as they moulded firft, ftill guide the Spheres;

His Head, the Spring of Bleffing, they adorn With a mysterious Crown of pungent Thorn, While Drops of facred Blood profufely shed, With precious Rubies circle round his Head. Him thus adorn'd with bended Knees they greet, Or lower bow, and proftrate at his Feet ; Then rifing, fmite with impious Hands his Face,

And with infulting Shouts and Laughter fill the Place.

CXXIX.

St JOHN Chap. XIX. Ver. 2, 3, 4, 5.

129

2. The foldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe,

3. And faid, Hail king of the Jews: and they fmote him with their hands.

4. Pilate therefore went forth again, and faith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye nay know that I find no fault in him.

5. Then came Jefus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate said unto them, Behold the man.

CXXX.

Our Saviour offer'd, and Barabbas demanded.

'Orth to the clam'rous People Pilate goes,
And in his mock-Regalia Jefus fhows:

His reedy Scepter in his Hands he bore,
And still his thorny Crown and Purple wore:
When Pilate to the Crowd- Behold the Man!
Anew their Clamors and their Rage began;
They rend their Garments and they rend the
Sky,

No Voice amongst them heard, but Crucify!
Again the Governour did thus reply,

What Crime, what Accufation can you bring?
Why am I prefs'd to Crucify your King ? ·
They anfwer--- Cæfar is our King alone,
All others as Impoftors we disown,
This Galilean moft; again they cry'd,

If thou art Cafar's Friend, let him be Crucify'd.
No more their Fury Pilate dares engage,

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The spotless Victim gives to their infatiate Rage.

CXXX.

St. JOHN Chap. XIX. Ver. 13, 14, 15.

130

13. He brought Jefus forth, and fat down in the judgment feat, in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabatha.

14. And it was the preparation of the paffover, and about the fixth hour: and he faid unto the Jews, Behold your King.

15. But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucifie him. Pilate faith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests anfwered, We have no king but Cæfar,