Abram and Lot part. The Affyrian Kings defeated. Abram's Congress with Melchifedec.
ROM Harans Fields to Canaan Abram went
And in the Plains of Moreh pitch'd his Tent:
His wealthy Nephew Lot, he with him bears,
His God he worships and his Fortunes fhares:
Their Substance great, their Flocks and Herds so large
When joyn'd they the depaftur'd Land orecharge:
But Lot removes to where fair Jordan falls,
And graz'd his Flocks by Sodoms impious walls;
Too near Ill-Neighbours whom a Vengeance waits
Worthy their Crimes, almoft he fbar'd their Fates:
For raging War, and Thirst of Blood begins,
Treaties are broke, and Sins are plagu'd with Sins,
Fierce Chedorlaomer his Vafals arms
And o'r Phenicia pours unumber'd Swarms :
Luxurious Sodoms Prince refifts in vain,
With Fire and Blood they cover all the Plain:
Among the Captives, Lot; when Abraham knew
With his Allies he to his Rescue flew :
Heav'n on his fide engag'd; the Victors fled,
And their Captivity he captive led:
On whole Return thro' Shavel's royal Dale
Grateful Refreshments his tir'd Hoft regale:
The Great Melchizedech, of Race unknown,
Who wore a Miter, tho' he sll'd a Throne,
To Heav'ns Ally did thefe kind Presents bring,
Himielf a wondrous Prophet, Prieft, and King.
Low at his Feet did the glad Patriarch fall,
His Bleffing there receiv'd,and gave him Tythes of all.
GENESIS, Chap. XII. 5. 6. XIII. 5.6. 11. 12. XIV. i. 11. to the End.
Chap. xii. ver. 5. Abram went forth into the land of Canaan to the plain of Moreh.
xiii. 5. Lot alfo who went with Abram had flocks, and herds, and tents. And the land was not able to bear them.
12. Abram dwelt in Canaan,and Lot in the plain toward Sodom.
17. After his return from the laughter of Chedorlaomer, &c. Melchifedec king of Salein brought forth bread and wine,&c. And he gave him tithes of all.
Hagar flies from her Miftrefs. An Angel comforts her.
OOD Servants fhall their Mafters Blessing
share,
Ev'n wandring Hagar's worth an Angel's care.
From her imperious Ladys Face fhe fled,
The way that to her native Regions led :
At length a Well the faw, but on the Brink
Sinks fainting down, and wants the Pow'r to drink:
Here, by her kind celeftial Guardian found,
When juft expiring on the Defert Ground:
He bids her to her Mistress strait repair,
Confefs her Faults and make fubmiffion there,
And adds the Promife of a joyful Heir;
Ishmael his name; He Beasts and Men shou'd chase
The Father of a bold unnumber'd Race,
She heard, and did th' All-feeing Goodness blefs,
Who Pity'd and Reliev'd her in Distress:
The Place preferves the wondrous Action's Fame,
And thence to distant Ages wears its name.
.. She rose reviv'd, and to her Lady came;
And of her ripen'd Burthen foon releas'd
She with a welcomeSon her Mafter's house increas'd.
GENESIS, Chap. XVI. Ver. 6, 7, 8,
v. 6. When Sarai dealt hardly with Hagar, fhe fled from her face. And the Angel of the Lord found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness:
9. And faid unto her, Return to thy mistress, and fubmit thy felf under her hands.
10. And the Angel of the Lord faid unto her, I will multiply thy feed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude.
Abraham entertains Three Angels. A Son is promis'd him.
Eneath a spacious Oak's refreshing shade
Which o'r his Tent a friendly Arbour made,
Repos'd the Father of the Faithful lay,
To tafte the gentle Breez and fhun the scorching Day.
Three glorious Guests before the Tent appear'd
In human Form; the Patriarch kneel'd and fear'd:
If mortal, asks a mortals Board they'd share,
Or if Divine, his Sacrifice and Prayr.
With Candor they accept his friendly Treat,
Around the Oak each takes his moffy Seat,
Chearful and Grave, and eat, or seem to eat:
When He, who most of Majefty exprefs'd,
Larger his Form, and brighter than the reft,
Did hofpitable Abraham thus accoft,
Nor is, Great Sir! your gen'rous Friendship loft,
You all the Blifs of happieft mortals fhare,
To crown it all you only want an Heir:
Nor shall you long; your Confort fhall conceive,
All things are possible, if you believe.
The Patriarch bow'd, and gave his firm affent, And from their joyful Hoft th' illuftrious Strangers
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