X L. The Parable of the Labourers in the Vineyard. A Careful I andlord did the Sun prevent, His Bufinefs call'd, he to the Market went; And there for painful Labourers enquir'd, Whom he to work in his fair Vineyard hir'd; Their Wages fix'd, his Care he twice repeats, With others on the fame Conditions treats. 'I'was now the Hour when the declining Sun Almoft the Western Goal of Heav'n had won: Again the Lord did to the Streets repair, And others found, remifs, and idling there; Difpleas'd he ask'd 'em-- Why fo long they stay, And waste in thriftlefs Idleneis, the Day? That none had hir'd 'em, they for answer give; Go work, he faid, and what is Juft, receive. At Night his Steward call'd, the Workmen paid, And first and laft their Wages equal made: Those murmur who began at carly Morn, And all the Sun and scorching Heat had born. My Friends, you are not wrong'd, the Lord replies, Why thou'd you then behold with envious Eyes, Another's Gocd? and why, without Offence May I not, as I please, my own dispense? But there are Laft who fall the First appear, And oft the foremoft Ranks come lateft in the Rear. X L. St. MATTH. Chap. XX. Ver. 1,2,3,4. 40. 1. The kingdom of heaven is like into a man that is an houfholder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. 2. And when he had agreed with the labourers for a peny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3. And he went out about the third hour, and faw others ftanding idle in the market-place. 4. And faid unto them, Go ye alfo into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right, I will give you. XLI. Humility recommended on occafion of the Request of the Zebedees Mother. THE Mother of the Zebedean Pair Embrac'd ourSaviour's Feet,and proftrate there, That these my Sons who with thee first embrac'd XLI. St. MATTH. Chap. XX. Ver. 20, to 28. 20. Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children, with her fons, worshipping him, and defiring a certain thing of him, &c. 26. Whofoever will be great among you, let him be your minifter. 27. And whofoever will be chief among you, let him be your fervant. 28. Even as the Son of man came not to be mi niftred unto, but to minifter, and to give his life a ransom for many. XLII. Chrift's entry into Jerufalem; the Ho Janna's of the People. ON Na mean Afs to Town our Saviour came, Yet loud Hofanna's his approach proclaim: The Palms fair Branches in his Road they lay, And with their Garments spread the crowded way: Before, behind, unnumber'd thousands press, And with glad Hymns the Son of David bless: Thus came those sacred Oracles to pass, Which in a Vifion's intellectual Glass: Ten Ages fince by Angels shown to thee Great Iddo's Son, illuftrious Zacharie! Who thus O Sion's Daughter! do not fear! Behold thy King! Behold thy Saviour near! By no triumphant Chariot is he born, No Horse, whom rich Caparisons adorn : A humble Affes tender Fole must bring, The Saviour of the World, fair Salem's peaceful King, |