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<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en"> <head> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0"> <meta charset="utf-8" /> <title> Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. IV : Poems - Five Books in Reply to Marcion.</TITLE> <LINK REL=STYLESHEET TYPE="text/css" HREF="../fathers.css"> </HEAD> <BODY BGCOLOR="#f7f8d1"><A NAME="TopOfPage"> </A> <A HREF="anf04-29.htm#TopOfPage"><IMG SRC="../pix/mroonppv.gif" ALT="Previous Page" BORDER=0></A><A HREF="/" TARGET="_top"><IMG SRC="../pix/mroontoc.gif" ALT="Table Of Contents" BORDER=0></A><A HREF="anf04-31.htm#TopOfPage"><IMG SRC="../pix/mroonpnx.gif" ALT="Next Page" BORDER=0></A><HR SIZE=2 WIDTH=80%> <A HREF="#P3348_683501" NAME="LOC_P3348_683501">5. Five Books in Reply to Marcion.</A> <UL><A HREF="#P3351_683554" NAME="LOC_P3351_683554">Book I.-Of the Divine Unity, and the Resurrection of the Flesh.</A> <A HREF="#P3353_683617" NAME="LOC_P3353_683617">Part I.-Of the Divine Unity.</A> <A HREF="#P3629_698573" NAME="LOC_P3629_698573">Part II.-Of the Resurrection of the Flesh.</A> <A HREF="#P3722_703666" NAME="LOC_P3722_703666">Book II.-Of the Harmony of the Old and New Laws.49 </A> <A HREF="#P4150_726717" NAME="LOC_P4150_726717">Book III.-Of the Harmony of the Fathers of the Old and New Testaments.</A> <A HREF="#P4647_752686" NAME="LOC_P4647_752686">Book IV.-Of Marcion's Antitheses.195 </A> <A HREF="#P5046_775133" NAME="LOC_P5046_775133">Book V.-General Reply to Sundry of Marcion's Heresies.281 </A></UL> <HR SIZE=2 WIDTH=80%> <H2 ALIGN=CENTER><A NAME="P3348_683501"></A> 5. Five Books in Reply to Marcion.</H2> (Author Uncertain.) <UL><A NAME="P3351_683554"></A> Book I.-Of the Divine Unity, and the Resurrection of the Flesh. <A NAME="P3353_683617"></A> Part I.-Of the Divine Unity. <UL>After the Evil One's impiety Profound, and his life-grudging mind, entrapped Seduced men with empty hope, it laid Them bare, by impious suasion to false trust 5 In him,-not with impunity, indeed; For he forthwith, as guilty of the deed, And author rash of such a wickedness, Received deserved maledictions. Thus, Thereafter, maddened, he, most desperate foe, 10 Did more assail and instigate men's minds In darkness sunk. He taught them to forget The Lord, and leave sure hope, and idols vain Follow, and shape themselves a crowd of gods, Lots, auguries, false names of stars, the show Is 15 Of being able to o'errule the births Of embryos by inspecting entrails, and Expecting things to come, by hardihood Of dreadful magic's renegadoes led, Wondering at a mass of feigned lore; 20 And he impelled them headlong to spurn life, Sunk in a criminal insanity; To joy in blood; to threaten murders fell; To love the wound, then, in their neighbour's flesh; Or, burning, and by pleasure's heat entrapped, 25 To transgress nature's covenants, and stain Pure bodies, manly sex, with an embrace Unnameable, and uses feminine Mingled in common contact lawlessly; Urging embraces chaste, and dedicate 30 To generative duties, to be held For intercourse obscene for passion's sake. Such in time past his deeds, assaulting men, Through the soul's lurking-places, with a flow Of scorpion-venom,-not that men would blame 35 Him, for they followed of their own accord: His suasion was in guile; in freedom man Performed it. Whileas the perfidious one Continuously through the centuries<A HREF="footnote/fn33.htm#P3393_685178">1</A> Is breathing such ill fumes, and into hearts 40 Seduced injecting his own counselling And hoping in his folly (alas!) to find Forgiveness of his wickedness, unware What sentence on his deed is waiting him; With words of wisdom's weaving,<A HREF="footnote/fn34.htm#P3400_685423">2</A> and a voice 45 Presaging from God's Spirit, speak a host Of prophets. Publicly he<A HREF="footnote/fn34.htm#P3403_685617">3</A> does not dare Nakedly to speak evil of the Lord, Hoping by secret ingenuity He possibly may lurk unseen. At length 50 The soul's Light<A HREF="footnote/fn34.htm#P3408_685771">4</A> as the thrall of flesh is held; The hope of the despairing, mightier Than foe, enters the lists; the Fashioner, The Renovator, of the body He; True Glory of the Father; Son of God; 55 Author unique; a Judge and Lord He came, The orb's renowned King; to the oppress Prompt to give pardon, and to loose the bound; Whose friendly aid and penal suffering Blend God and renewed man in one. With child 60 Is holy virgin: life's new gate opes; words Of prophets find their proof, fulfilled by facts; Priests<A HREF="footnote/fn34.htm#P3421_686285">5</A> leave their temples, and-a star their guide- Wonder the Lord so mean a birth should choose. Waters-sight memorable!-turn to wine; 65 Eyes are restored to blind; fiends trembling cry, Outdriven by His bidding, and own Christ! All limbs, already rotting, by a word Are healed; now walks the lame; the deaf forthwith Hears hope; the maimed extends his hand; the dumb 70 Speaks mighty words: sea at His bidding calms, Winds drop; and all things recognise the Lord: Confounded is the foe, and yields, though fierce, Now triumphed over, to unequal<A HREF="footnote/fn34.htm#P3433_686835">6</A> arms! When all his enterprises now revoked 75 He<A HREF="footnote/fn34.htm#P3436_687030">7</A> sees; the flesh, once into ruin sunk, Now rising; man-death vanquisht quite-to heavens Soaring; the peoples sealed with holy pledge Outpoured;<A HREF="footnote/fn34.htm#P3440_687192">8</A> the work and envied deeds of might Marvellous;<A HREF="footnote/fn34.htm#P3442_687480">9</A> and hears, too, of penalties 80 Extreme, and of perpetual dark, prepared For himself by the Lord by God's decree Irrevocable; naked and unarmed, Damned, vanquisht, doomed to perish in a death Perennial, guilty now, and sure that he 85 No pardon has, a last impiety Forthwith he dares,-to scatter everywhere A word for ears to shudder at, nor meet For voice to speak. Accosting men cast off From God's community,<A HREF="footnote/fn34.htm#P3453_688172">10</A> men wandering 90 Without the light, found mindless, following Things earthly, them he teaches to become Depraved teachers of depravity. By<A HREF="footnote/fn34.htm#P3458_688504">11</A> them he preaches that there are two Sires, And realms divided: ill's cause is the Lord<A HREF="footnote/fn34.htm#P3460_688952">12</A> 95 Who built the orb, fashioned breath-quickened flesh, And gave the law, and by the seers' voice spake. Him he affirms not good, but owns Him just; Hard, cruel, taking pleasure fell in war; In judgment dreadful, pliant to no prayers. 100 His suasion tells of other one, to none E'er known, who nowhere is, a deity False, nameless, constituting nought, and who Hath spoken precepts none. Him he calls good; Who judges none, but spares all equally, 105 And grudges life to none. No judgment waits The guilty; so he says, bearing about A gory poison with sweet honey mixt For wretched men. That flesh can rise-to which Himself was cause of ruin, which he spoiled 110 Iniquitously with contempt (whence,<A HREF="footnote/fn34.htm#P3477_689763">13</A> cursed, He hath grief without end), its ever-foe,- He doth deny; because with various wound Life to expel and the salvation whence He fell he strives: and therefore says that Christ 115 Came suddenly to earth,<A HREF="footnote/fn34.htm#P3483_689997">14</A> but was not made, By any compact, partner of the flesh; But Spirit-form, and body feigned beneath A shape imaginary, seeks to mock Men with a semblance that what is not is. 120 Does this, then, become God, to sport with men By darkness led? to act an impious lie? Or falsely call Himself a man? He walks, Is carried, clothed, takes due rest, handled is, Suffers, is hung and buried: man's are all 125 Deeds which, in holy body conversant, But sent by God the Father, who hath all Created, He did perfect properly, Reclaiming not another's but His own; Discernible to peoples who of old 130 Were hoping for Him by His very work, And through the prophets' voice to the round world<A HREF="footnote/fn35.htm#P3500_690923">15</A> Best known: and now they seek an unknown Lord, Wandering in death's threshold manifest, And leave behind the known. False is their faith, 135 False is their God, deceptive their reward, False is their resurrection, death's defeat False, vain their martyrdoms, and e'en Christ's name An empty sound: whom, teaching that He came Like magic mist, they (quite demented) own 140 To be the actor of a lie, and make His passion bootless, and the populace<A HREF="footnote/fn35.htm#P3511_691373">16</A> (A feigned one!) without crime! Is God thus true? Are such the honours rendered to the Lord? Ah! wretched men! gratuitously lost 145 In death ungrateful! Who, by blind guide led, Have headlong rushed into the ditch!<A HREF="footnote/fn35.htm#P3517_691610">17</A> and as In dreams the fancied rich man in his store Of treasure doth exult, and with his hands Grasps it, the sport of empty hope, so ye, so 150 Deceived, are hoping for a shadow vain Of guerdon! Ah! ye silent laughingstocks, Or doomed prey, of the dragon, do ye hope, Stern men for death in room of gentle peace?<A HREF="footnote/fn35.htm#P3526_692035">18</A> Dare ye blame God, who hath works 155 So great? in whose earth, 'mid profuse displays Of His exceeding parent-care, His gifts (Unmindful of Himself!) ye largely praise, Rushing to ruin! do ye reprobate- Approving of the works-the Maker's self, 160 The world's<A HREF="footnote/fn35.htm#P3534_692630">19</A> Artificer, whose work withal Ye are yourselves? Who gave those little selves Great honours; sowed your crops; made all the brutes<A HREF="footnote/fn35.htm#P3537_692770">20</A> Your subjects; makes the seasons of the year Fruitful with stated months; grants sweetnesses, 165 Drinks various, rich odours, jocund flowers, And the groves' grateful bowers; to growing herbs Grants wondrous juices; founts and streams dispreads With sweet waves, and illumes with stars the sky And the whole orb: the infinite sole Lord, 170 Both Just and Good; known by His work; to none By aspect known; whom nations, flourishing In wealth, but foolish, wrapped in error's shroud, (Albeit 'tis beneath an alien name They praise Him, yet) their Maker knowing! dread 175 To blame: nor e'en one<A HREF="footnote/fn35.htm#P3551_693368">21</A> -save you, hell's new gate!- Thankless, ye choose to speak ill of your Lord! These cruel deadly gifts the Renegade Terrible has bestowed, through Marcion-thanks To Cerdo's mastership-on you; nor come' 180 The thought into your mind that, from Christ's name Seduced, Marcion's name has carried you To lowest depths.<A HREF="footnote/fn35.htm#P3559_693818">22</A> Say of His many acts What one displeases you? or what hath God Done which is not to be extolled with praise? 185 Is it that He permits you, all too long, (Unworthy of His patience large,) to see Sweet light? you, who read truths,<A HREF="footnote/fn35.htm#P3565_694748">23</A> and, docking them, Teach these your falsehoods, and approve as past Things which are yet to be?<A HREF="footnote/fn35.htm#P3568_694900">24</A> What hinders, else, 190 That we believe your God incredible?<A HREF="footnote/fn35.htm#P3570_695023">25</A> Nor marvel is't if, practiced as he<A HREF="footnote/fn35.htm#P3572_695793">26</A> is, He captived you unarmed, persuading you There are two Fathers (being damned by One), And all, whom he had erst seduced, are gods; 195 And after that dispread a pest, which ran With multiplying wound, and cureless crime, To many. Men unworthy to be named, Full of all magic's madness, he induced To call themselves "Virtue Supreme; "and feign 200 (With harlot comrade) fresh impiety; To roam, to fly.<A HREF="footnote/fn35.htm#P3583_696223">27</A> He is the insane god Of Valentine, and to his Aeonage Assigned heavens thirty, and Profundity Their sire.<A HREF="footnote/fn35.htm#P3587_696708">28</A> He taught two baptisms, and led 205 The body through the flame. That there are gods So many as the year hath days, he bade A Basilides to believe, and worlds As many. Marcus, shrewdly arguing Through numbers, taught to violate chaste form 210 'Mid magic's arts; taught, too, that the Lord's cup Is an oblation, and by prayers is turned To blood. His<A HREF="footnote/fn35.htm#P3596_697254">29</A> suasion prompted Hebion To teach that Christ was born from human seed; He taught, too, circumcision, and that room 215 Is still left for the Law, and, though Law's founts Are lost,<A HREF="footnote/fn36.htm#P3601_697471">30</A> its elements must be resumed. Unwilling am I to protract in words His last atrocity, or to tell all The causes, or the names at length. Enough 220 It is to note his many cruelties Briefly, and the unmentionable men, The dragon's organs fell, through whom he now, Speaking so much profaneness, ever toils To blame the Maker of the world.<A HREF="footnote/fn36.htm#P3610_697852">31</A> But come; 225 Recall your foot from savage Bandit's cave, While space is granted, and to wretched men God, patient in perennial parent-love, Condones all deeds through error done! Believe Truly in the true Sire, who built the orb; 230 Who, on behalf of men incapable To bear the law, sunk in sin's whirlpool, sent The true Lord to repair the ruin wrought, And bring them the salvation promised Of old through seers. He who the mandates gave 235 Remits sins too. Somewhat, deservedly, Doth He exact, because He formerly Entrusted somewhat; or else bounteously, As Lord, condones as it were debts to slaves: Finally, peoples shut up 'neath the curse, 240 And meriting the penalty, Himself </UL></UL>Deleting the indictment, bids be washed! <UL><A NAME="P3629_698573"></A> Part II.-Of the Resurrection of the Flesh. </UL>The whole man, then, believes; the whole is washed; <UL><UL>Abstains from sin, or truly suffers wounds For Christ's name's sake: he rises a true<A HREF="footnote/fn36.htm#P3633_698751">32</A> man, 245 Death, truly vanquish, shall be mute. But not Part of the man,-his soul,-her own part<A HREF="footnote/fn36.htm#P3636_698963">33</A> left Behind, will win the palm which, labouring And wrestling in the course, combinedly And simultaneously with flesh, she earns. 250 Great crime it were for two in chains to bear A weight, of whom the one were affluent The other needy, and the wretched one Be spurned, and guerdons to the happy one Rendered. Not so the Just-fair Renderer 255 Of wages-deals, both good and just, whom we Believe Almighty: to the thankless kind Full is His will of pity. Nay, whate'er He who hath greater mortal need<A HREF="footnote/fn36.htm#P3649_699553">34</A> doth need<A HREF="footnote/fn36.htm#P3650_699577">35</A> That, by advancement, to his comrade he 260 May equalled be, that will the affluent Bestow the rather unsolicited: So are we bidden to believe, and not Be willing to cast blame unlawfully On the Lord in our teaching, as if He 265 Were one to raise the soul, as having met With ruin, and to set her free from death So that the granted faculty of life Upon the ground of sole desert (because She bravely acted), should abide with her;<A HREF="footnote/fn36.htm#P3662_700011">36</A> 270 While she who ever shared the common lot Of toil, the flesh, should to the earth be left, The prey of a perennial death. Has, then, The soul pleased God by acts of fortitude? By no means could she Him have pleased alone 275 Without the flesh. Hath she borne penal bonds?<A HREF="footnote/fn36.htm#P3669_700401">37</A> The flesh sustained upon her limbs the bonds. Contemned she death? But she hath left the flesh Behind in death. Groaned she in pain? The flesh Is slain and vanquisht by the wound. Repose 280 Seeks she? The flesh, spilt by the sword in dust, Is left behind to fishes, birds, decay, And ashes; torn she is, unhappy one! And broken; scattered, she melts away. Hath she not earned to rise? for what could she 285 Have e'er committed, lifeless and alone? What so life-grudging<A HREF="footnote/fn36.htm#P3681_700992">38</A> cause impedes, or else Forbids, the flesh to take God's gifts, and live Ever, conjoined with her comrade soul, And see what she hath been, when formerly 290 Converted into dust?<A HREF="footnote/fn36.htm#P3686_701183">39</A> After, renewed Bear she to God deserved meeds of praise, Not ignorant of herself, frail, mortal, sick.<A HREF="footnote/fn36.htm#P3689_701780">40</A> Contend ye as to what the living might<A HREF="footnote/fn36.htm#P3691_701877">41</A> Of the great God can do; who, good alike 295 And potent, grudges life to none? Was this Death's captive?<A HREF="footnote/fn36.htm#P3695_702001">42</A> shall this perish vanquished Which the Lord hath with wondrous wisdom made, And art? This by His virtue wonderful Himself upraises; this our Leader's self 300 Recalls, and this with His own glory clothes God's art and wisdom, then, our body shaped What can by these be made, how faileth it To be by virtue reproduced?<A HREF="footnote/fn37.htm#P3703_702467">43</A> No cause Can holy parent-love withstand; (lest else 305 Ill's cause<A HREF="footnote/fn37.htm#P3706_702733">44</A> should mightier prove than Power Supreme;) That man even now saved by God's gift, ma, learn<A HREF="footnote/fn37.htm#P3708_702849">45</A> (Mortal before, now robed in light immense Inviolable, wholly quickened,<A HREF="footnote/fn37.htm#P3711_702952">46</A> soul And body) God, in virtue infinite, 310 In parent-love perennial, through His King Christ, through whom opened is light's way; and now, Standing in new light, filled now with each gift,<A HREF="footnote/fn37.htm#P3716_703465">47</A> Glad with fair fruits of living Paradise, May praise and laud Him to eternity,<A HREF="footnote/fn37.htm#P3719_703604">48</A> </UL></UL>315 Rich in the wealth of the celestial hall. <UL><A NAME="P3722_703666"></A> Book II.-Of the Harmony of the Old and New Laws.<A HREF="footnote/fn37.htm#P3723_703716">49</A> <UL>After the faith was broken by the dint Of the foe's breathing renegades,<A HREF="footnote/fn37.htm#P3726_704060">50</A> and sworn With wiles the hidden pest<A HREF="footnote/fn37.htm#P3728_704433">51</A> emerged; with lies Self-prompted, scornful of the Deity 5 That underlies the sense, he did his plagues Concoct: skilled in guile's path, he mixed his own Words impious with the sayings of the saints. And on the good seed sowed his wretched tares, Thence willing that foul ruin's every cause 10 Should grow combined; to wit, that with more speed His own iniquitous deeds he may assign To God clandestinely, and may impale On penalties such as his suasion led; False with true veiling, turning rough with smooth, 15 And, (masking his spear's point with rosy wreaths,) Slaying the unwary unforeseen with death Supreme. His supreme wickedness is this: That men, to such a depth of madness sunk! Off-broken boughs!<A HREF="footnote/fn37.htm#P3745_705140">52</A> should into parts divide 20 The endlessly-dread Deity; Christ's deeds Sublime should follow with false praise, and blame The former acts,<A HREF="footnote/fn37.htm#P3749_705421">53</A> God's countless miracles, Ne'er seen before, nor heard, nor in a heart Conceived;<A HREF="footnote/fn37.htm#P3752_705549">54</A> and should so rashly frame in words 25 The impermissible impiety Of wishing by "wide dissimilitude Of sense" to prove that the two Testaments Sound adverse each to other, and the Lord's Oppose the prophets' words; of drawing down 30 All the Law's cause to infamy; and eke Of reprobating holy fathers' life Of old, whom into friendship, and to share His gifts, God chose. Without beginning, one Is, for its lesser part, accepted.<A HREF="footnote/fn37.htm#P3763_706179">55</A> Though 35 Of one are four, of four one,<A HREF="footnote/fn37.htm#P3765_706480">56</A> yet to them One part is pleasing, three they (in a word) Reprobate: and they seize, in many ways, On Paul as their own author; yet was he Urged by a frenzied impulse of his own 40 To his last words:<A HREF="footnote/fn37.htm#P3771_706901">57</A> all whatsoe'er he spake Of the old covenant<A HREF="footnote/fn37.htm#P3773_707169">58</A> seems hard to them Because, deservedly, "made gross in heart."<A HREF="footnote/fn37.htm#P3775_707588">59</A> Weight apostolic, grace of beaming word, Dazzles their mind, nor can they possibly 45 Discern the Spirit's drift. Dull as they are, Seek they congenial animals! But ye Who have not yet, (false deity your guide, Reprobate in your very mind,<A HREF="footnote/fn37.htm#P3782_707875">60</A> ) to death's Inmost caves penetrated, learn there flows 50 A stream perennial from its fount, which feeds A tree, (twice sixfold are the fruits, its grace!) And into earth and to the orb's four winds Goes out: into so many parts doth flow The fount's one hue and savour.<A HREF="footnote/fn37.htm#P3789_708214">61</A> Thus, withal, 55 From apostolic word descends the Church, Out of Christ's womb, with glory of His Sire All filled, to wash off filth, and vivify Dead fates.<A HREF="footnote/fn37.htm#P3794_708407">62</A> The Gospel, four in number, one In its diffusion 'mid the Gentiles, this, 60 By faith elect accepted, Paul hands down (Excellent doctor!) pure, without a crime; And from it he forbade Galatian saints To turn aside withal; whom "brethren false," (Urging them on to circumcise themselves, 65 And follow "elements,"leaving behind Their novel "freedom,") to "a shadow old Of things to be" were teaching to be slaves. These were the causes which Paul had to write To the Galatians: not that they took out 70 One small part of the Gospel, and held that For the whole bulk, leaving the greater part Behind. And hence 'tis no words of a book, But Christ Himself, Christ sent into the orb, Who is the gospel, if ye will discern; 75 Who from the Father came, sole Carrier Of tidings good; whose glory vast completes The early testimonies; by His work Showing how great the orb's Creator is: Whose deeds, conjoined at the same time with words, 80 Those faithful ones, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, Recorded unalloyed (not speaking words External), sanctioned by God's Spirit, 'neath So great a Master's eye! This paschal Lamb Is hung, a victim. on the tree: Him Paul, 85 Writing decrees to Corinth, with his torch,<A HREF="footnote/fn38.htm#P3822_710090">63</A> Hands down as slain, the future life and God Promised to the fathers, whom before He had attracted. See what virtue, see What power, the paschal image<A HREF="footnote/fn38.htm#P3828_710549">64</A> has; ye thus 90 Will able be to see what power there is In the true Passover. Lest well-earned love Should tempt the faithful sire and seer,<A HREF="footnote/fn38.htm#P3832_710785">65</A> to whom His pledge and heir<A HREF="footnote/fn38.htm#P3834_710847">66</A> was dear, whom God by chance<A HREF="footnote/fn38.htm#P3835_710937">67</A> Had given him, to offer him to God 95 (A mighty execution!), there is shown To him a lamb entangled by the head In thorns; a holy victim-holy blood For blood-to God. From whose piacular death, That to the wasted race<A HREF="footnote/fn38.htm#P3842_711253">68</A> it might be sign 100 And pledge of safety, signed are with blood Their posts and thresholds many:<A HREF="footnote/fn38.htm#P3845_711416">69</A> -aid immense! The flesh (a witness credible) is given For food. The Jordan crossed, the land possessed, Joshua by law kept Passover with joy, 105 And immolates a lamb; and the great kings And holy prophets that were after him, Not ignorant of the good promises Of sure salvation; full of godly fear The great Law to transgress, (that mass of types 110 In image of the Supreme Virtue once To come,) did celebrate in order due The mirrorly-inspected passover.<A HREF="footnote/fn38.htm#P3857_711935">70</A> In short, if thou recur with rapid mind To times primordial, thou wilt find results 115 Too fatal following impious words. That man Easily credulous, alas! and stripped Of life's own covering, might covered be With skins, a lamb is hung: the wound slays sins, Or death by blood effaces or enshrouds 120 Or cherishes the naked with its fleece. Is sheep's blood of more worth than human blood, That, offered up for sins, it should quench wrath? Or is a lamb (as if he were more dear!) Of more worth than much people's? aid immense 125 As safeguard of so great salvation, could A lamb, if offered, have been price enough For the redeemed? Nay: but Almighty God, The heaven's and earth's Creator, infinite,<A HREF="footnote/fn38.htm#P3874_713552">71</A> Living, and perfect, and perennially 130 Dwelling in light, is not appeased by these, Nor joys in cattle's blood. Slain be all flocks; Be every herd upburned into smoke; That expiatively 't may pardon win Of but one sin: in vain at so vile price; 135 Will the stained figure of the Lord-foul flesh- Prepare, if wise, such honours:<A HREF="footnote/fn38.htm#P3883_713891">72</A> but the hope And faith to mortals promised of old- Great Reason's counterpart<A HREF="footnote/fn38.htm#P3886_714212">73</A> -hath wrought to bring These boons premeditated and prepared 140 Erst by the Father's passing parent-love; That Christ should come to earth, and be a man! Whom when John saw, baptism's first opener, John, Comrade of seers, apostle great, and sent As sure forerunner, witness faithful; John, 145 August in life, and marked with praise sublime,<A HREF="footnote/fn38.htm#P3894_714615">74</A> He shows, to such as sought of olden time God's very Paschal Lamb, that He is come At last, the expiation of misdeed, To undo many's sins by His own blood, 150 In place of reprobates the Proven One, In place of vile the dear; in body, man; And, in life, God: that He, as the slain Lamb, Might us accept,<A HREF="footnote/fn39.htm#P3903_715043">75</A> and for us might outpour Himself Thus hath it pleased the Lord to spoil 155 Proud death: thus wretched man will able be To hope salvation. This slain paschal Lamb Paul preaches: nor does a phantasmal shape Of the sublime Lord (one consimilar To Isaac's silly sheep<A HREF="footnote/fn39.htm#P3910_715342">76</A> ) the passion bear, 160 Wherefore He is called Lamb: but 'tis because, As wool, He these renewed bodies clothes, Giving to many covering, yet Himself Never deficient. Thus does the Lord shroud In His Sire's virtue, those whom, disarrayed 165 Of their own light, He by His death redeemed, Virtue which ever is in Him. So, then, The Shepherd who hath lost the sheep Himself Re-seeks it. He, prepared to tread the strength Of the vine, and its thorns, or to o'ercome 170 The wolf's rage, and regain the cattle lost, And brave to snatch them out, the Lion He In sheepskin-guise, unasked presents Himself To the contemned<A HREF="footnote/fn39.htm#P3925_715968">77</A> teeth, baffling by His garb The robber's bloody jaws. Thus everywhere 175 Christ seeks force-captured Adam; treads the path Himself where death wrought ruin; permeates All the old heroes' monuments;<A HREF="footnote/fn39.htm#P3930_716261">78</A> inspects Each one; the One of whom all types were full; Begins e'en from the womb to expel the death 180 Conceived simultaneously with seed Of flesh within the bosom; purging all Life's stages with a silent wisdom; debts Assuming;<A HREF="footnote/fn39.htm#P3937_716581">79</A> ready to cleanse all, and give Their Maker back the many whom the one<A HREF="footnote/fn39.htm#P3939_716697">80</A> 185 Had scattered. And, because one direful man Down-sunk in pit iniquitous did fall, By dragon-subdued virgin's<A HREF="footnote/fn39.htm#P3943_716839">81</A> suasion led; Because he pleased her wittingly;<A HREF="footnote/fn39.htm#P3945_717058">82</A> because He left his heavenly covering<A HREF="footnote/fn39.htm#P3947_717156">83</A> behind: 190 Because the "tree" their nakedness did prove; Because dark death coerced them: in like wise Out of the self-same mass<A HREF="footnote/fn39.htm#P3951_717367">84</A> re-made returns Renewed now,-the flower of flesh, and host Of peace,-a flesh from espoused virgin born, 195 Not of man's seed; conjoined to its own Artificer; without the debt of death. These mandates of the Father through bright stars An angel carries down, that angel-fame The tidings may accredit; telling how 200 "A virgin's debts a virgin, flesh's flesh, Should pay." Thus introduced, the Giant-Babe, The Elder-Boy, the Stripling-Man, pursues Death's trail. Thereafter, when completed was The ripe age of man's strength, when man is wont 205 To see the lives that were his fellows drop By slow degrees away, and to be changed In mien to wrinkles foul and limbs inert, While blood forsakes his veins, his course he stayed, And suffered not his fleshly garb to age. 210 Upon what day or in what place did fall Most famous Adam, or outstretched his hand Rashly to touch the tree, on that same day, Returning as the years revolve, within The stadium of the "tree" the brave Athlete, 215'Countering, outstretched His hands, and, penalty For praise pursuing,<A HREF="footnote/fn39.htm#P3976_718417">85</A> quite did vanquish death, Because He left death of His own accord Behind, disrobing Him of fleshly slough, And of death's dues; and to the "tree" affixed 220 The serpent's spoil-"the world's<A HREF="footnote/fn39.htm#P3981_718697">86</A> prince" vanquisht quite! Grand trophy of the renegades: for sign Whereof had Moses hung the snake, that all, Who had by many serpents stricken been, Might gaze upon the dragon's self, and see 225 Him vanquisht and transfixt. When, afterwards, He reached the infernal region's secret waves, And, as a victor, by the light which aye Attended Him, revealed His captive thrall, And by His virtue thoroughly fulfilled 230 The Father's bidding, He Himself re-took The body which, spontaneous, He had left: This was the cause of death: this same was made Salvation's path: a messenger of guile The former was; the latter messenger 235 of peace: a spouse her man<A HREF="footnote/fn39.htm#P3997_719367">87</A> did slay; a spouse Did bear a lion:<A HREF="footnote/fn39.htm#P3999_719414">88</A> hurtful to her man<A HREF="footnote/fn40.htm#P4000_719482">89</A> A virgin<A HREF="footnote/fn40.htm#P4002_719650">90</A> proved; a man<A HREF="footnote/fn40.htm#P4003_719743">91</A> from virgin born Proved victor: for a type whereof, while sleep His<A HREF="footnote/fn40.htm#P4006_719819">92</A> body wrapped, out of his side is ta'en 240 A woman,<A HREF="footnote/fn40.htm#P4008_720006">93</A> who is her lord's<A HREF="footnote/fn40.htm#P4009_720037">94</A> rib; whom, he, Awaking, called "flesh from his flesh, and bones From his own bones; "with a presaging mind Speaking. Faith wondrous! Paul deservedly, (Most certain author!) teaches Christ to be 245 "The Second Adam from the havens."<A HREF="footnote/fn40.htm#P4015_720279">95</A> Truth, Using her own examples, doth refulge; Nor covets out of alien source to show Her paces keen:<A HREF="footnote/fn40.htm#P4019_720424">96</A> this is a pauper's work, Needy of virtue of his own! Great Paul 250 These mysteries-taught to him-did teach; to wit, Discerning that in Christ thy glory is, O Church! from His side, hanging on high "tree," His lifeless body's "blood and humour" flowed. The blood the woman<A HREF="footnote/fn40.htm#P4026_720711">97</A> was; the waters were 255 The new gifts of the font:<A HREF="footnote/fn40.htm#P4028_720775">98</A> this is the Church, True mother of a living people; flesh New from Christ's flesh, and from His bones a bone. A spot there is called Golgotha,-of old The fathers' earlier tongue thus called its name,- 260 "The skull-pan of a head: "here is earth's midst; Here victory's sign; here, have our elders. taught, There was a great head<A HREF="footnote/fn40.htm#P4036_721112">99</A> found; here the first man, We have been taught, was buried; here the Christ Suffers; with sacred blood the earth<A HREF="footnote/fn40.htm#P4039_721262">100</A> grows moist. 265 That the old Adam's dust may able be, Commingled with Christ's blood, to be upraised By dripping water's virtue. The "one ewe" That is, which, during Sabbath-hours, alive The Shepherd did resolve that He would draw 270 Out of th' infernal pit. This was the cause Why, on the Sabbaths, He was wont to cure The prematurely dead limbs of all flesh; Or perfected for sight the eyes of him Blind from his birth-eyes which He had not erst 275 Given; or, in presence of the multitude, Called, during Sabbath-hours, one wholly dead To life, e'en from the sepulchre.<A HREF="footnote/fn40.htm#P4053_721838">101</A> Himself The new man's Maker, the Repairer good Of th' old, supplying what did lack, or else 280 Restoring what was lost. About to do- When dawns "the holy day"-these works, for such As hope in Him, in plenitude, (to keep His plighted word,) He taught men thus His power To do them. What? If flesh dies, and no hope 285 Is given of salvation, say, what grounds Christ had to feign Himself a man, and head Men, or have care for flesh? If He recalls<A HREF="footnote/fn40.htm#P4065_722393">102</A> Some few, why shall He not withal recall All? Can corruption's power liquefy 290 The body and undo it, and shall not The virtue of the Lord be powerful The undone to recall? They, who believe Their bodies are not loosed from death, do no, Believe the Lord, who wills to raise His own 295 Works sunken; or else say they that the Good Wills not, and that the Potent hath not power,- Ignorant from how great a crime they suck Their milk, in daring to set things infirm Above the Strong.<A HREF="footnote/fn40.htm#P4079_722887">103</A> In the grain lurks the tree; 300 And if this<A HREF="footnote/fn40.htm#P4081_723076">104</A> rot not, buried in the earth, It yields not tree-graced fruits.<A HREF="footnote/fn40.htm#P4083_723163">105</A> Soon bound will be The liquid waters: 'neath the whistling cold They will become, and ever will be stones, Unless a mighty power, by leading on 305 Soft-breathing warmth, undo them. The great bunch Lurks in the tendril's slender body: if Thou seek it, it is not; when God doth will, 'Tis seen to be. On trees their leaves, on thorns The rose, the seeds on plains, are dead and fail, 310 And rise again, new living. For man's use These things doth God before his eyes recall And form anew-man's, for whose sake at first<A HREF="footnote/fn40.htm#P4095_723973">106</A> The wealthy One made all things bounteously. All naked fall; with its own body each 315 He clothes. Why man alone, on whom He showered Such honours, should He not recall in all His first perfection<A HREF="footnote/fn41.htm#P4101_724209">107</A> to Himself? man, whom He set o'er all? Flesh, then, and blood are said To be not worthy of God's realm, as if 320 Paul spake of flesh materially. He Indeed taught mighty truths; but hearts inane Think he used carnal speech: for pristine deeds He meant beneath the name of "flesh and blood; " Remembering, heavenly home-slave that he is, 325 His heavenly Master's words; who gave the name Of His own honour to men born from Him Through water, and from His own Spirit poured A pledge;<A HREF="footnote/fn41.htm#P4113_724769">108</A> that, by whose virtue men had been Redeemed, His name of honour they withal 330 Might, when renewed, receive. Because, then, He Refused, on the old score, the heavenly realm To peoples not yet from His fount re-born, Still with their ancient sordid raiment clad- These are "the dues of death"-saying that that 335 Which human is must needs be born again,- "What hath been born of flesh is flesh; and what From Spirit, life; "<A HREF="footnote/fn41.htm#P4123_725334">109</A> and that the body, washed, Changing with glory its old root's new seeds,<A HREF="footnote/fn41.htm#P4125_725483">110</A> Is no more called "from flesh: "Paul follows this; 340 Thus did he speak of "flesh." In fine, he said<A HREF="footnote/fn41.htm#P4128_725616">111</A> This frail garb with a robe must be o'erclad, This mortal form be wholly covered; Not that another body must be given, But that the former one, dismantled,<A HREF="footnote/fn41.htm#P4133_725798">112</A> must 345 Be with God's kingdom wholly on all sides Surrounded: "In the moment of a glance," He says, "it shall be changed: "as, on the blade, Dispreads the red corn's<A HREF="footnote/fn41.htm#P4138_726113">113</A> face, and changes 'neath The sun's glare its own hue; so the same flesh, 350 From "the effulgent glory"<A HREF="footnote/fn41.htm#P4141_726288">114</A> borrowing, Shall ever joy, and joying,<A HREF="footnote/fn41.htm#P4143_726380">115</A> shall lack death; Exclaiming that"the body's cruel foe Is vanquisht quite; death, by the victory Of the brave Christ, is swallowed; "<A HREF="footnote/fn41.htm#P4147_726585">116</A> praises high </UL></UL>355 Bearing to God, unto the highest stars. <UL><A NAME="P4150_726717"></A> Book III.-Of the Harmony of the Fathers of the Old and New Testaments. <UL>Now hath the mother, formerly surnamed Barren, giv'n birth:<A HREF="footnote/fn41.htm#P4153_726848">117</A> now a new people, born From the free woman,<A HREF="footnote/fn41.htm#P4155_726924">118</A> joys: (the slave expelled, Deservedly, with her proud progeny; 5 Who also leaves ungratefully behind The waters of the living fount,<A HREF="footnote/fn41.htm#P4159_727077">119</A> and drinks- Errant on heated plains-'neath glowing star:<A HREF="footnote/fn41.htm#P4161_727334">120</A> ) Now can the Gentiles as their parent claim Abraham; who, the Lord's voice following, 10 Like him, have all things left,<A HREF="footnote/fn41.htm#P4165_727521">121</A> life's pilgrimage To enter. "Be glad, barren one; "conceive The promised people; "break thou out, and cry," Who with no progeny wert blest; of whom Spake, through the seers, the Spirit of old time: 15 She hath borne, out of many nations, one; With whose beginning are her pious limbs Ever in labour. Hers "just Abel"<A HREF="footnote/fn41.htm#P4174_727884">122</A> was, A pastor and a cattle-master he; Whom violence of brother's right hand slew 20 Of old. Her Enoch, signal ornament, Limb from her body sprung, by counsel strove To recall peoples gone astray from God And following misdeed, (while raves on earth The horde of robber-renegades,<A HREF="footnote/fn41.htm#P4182_728185">123</A> ) to flee 25 The giants'sacrilegious cruel race; Faithful in all himself. With groaning deep<A HREF="footnote/fn41.htm#P4185_728387">124</A> Did he please God, and by deserved toil Translated<A HREF="footnote/fn41.htm#P4188_728479">125</A> is reserved as a pledge, With honour high. Perfect in praise, and found 30 Faultless, and just-God witnessing<A HREF="footnote/fn41.htm#P4191_728640">126</A> the fact- In an adulterous people, Noah (he Who in twice fifty years<A HREF="footnote/fn41.htm#P4194_728731">127</A> the ark did weave) By deeds and voice the coming ruin told. Favour he won, snatched Out of so great waves 35 Of death, and, with his progeny, preserved. Then, in the generation<A HREF="footnote/fn41.htm#P4199_728959">128</A> following, Is Abraham, whose sons ye do deny Yourselves to be; who first-race, country, sire, All left behind-at suasion of God's voice 40 Withdrew to realms extern: such honours he At God's sublime hand worthily deserved As to be father to believing tribes And peoples. Jacob with the patriarchs (Himself their patriarch) through all his own 45 Life's space the gladdest times of Christ foresang By words, act, virtue, toil. Him follows-free From foul youth's stain-Joseph, by slander feigned, Doomed to hard penalty and gaol: his groans Glory succeeds, and the realm's second crown, so 50 And in dearth's time large power of furnishing Bread: so appropriate a type of Christ, So lightsome type of Light, is manifest To all whose mind hath eyes, that they may see In a face-mirror<A HREF="footnote/fn42.htm#P4218_729738">129</A> their sure hope. Himself 55 The patriarch Judah, see; the origin Of royal line,<A HREF="footnote/fn42.htm#P4222_730052">130</A> whence leaders rose, nor kings Failed ever from his seed, until the Power To come, by Gentiles looked for, promised long, Came. Moses, leader of the People, (he 60 Who, spurning briefly-blooming riches, left The royal thresholds,) rather chose to bear His people's toils, afflicted, with bowed neck, By no threats daunted, than to gain himself Enjoyments, and of many penalties 65 Remission: admirable for such faith And love, he, with God's virtue armed, achieved Great exploits: smote the nation through with plagues; And left their land behind, and their hard king Confounds, and leads the People back; trod waves; 70 Sunk the foes down in waters; through a "tree"<A HREF="footnote/fn42.htm#P4238_730821">131</A> Made ever-hitter waters sweet; spake much (Manifestly to the People) with the Christ,<A HREF="footnote/fn42.htm#P4241_730922">132</A> From whose face light and brilliance in his own Reflected shone; dashed on the ground the law 75 Accepted through some few,<A HREF="footnote/fn42.htm#P4245_731469">133</A> -implicit type, And sure, of his own toils!-smote through the rock; And, being bidden, shed forth streams; and stretched His hands that, by a sign,<A HREF="footnote/fn42.htm#P4249_732913">134</A> he vanquish might The foe; of Christ all severally, all<A HREF="footnote/fn42.htm#P4251_733088">135</A> 80 Combined through Christ, do speak. Great and approved, He<A HREF="footnote/fn42.htm#P4254_733204">136</A> rests with praise and peace. But Joshua, The son of Nun, erst called Oshea-this man The Holy Spirit to Himself did join As partner in His name:<A HREF="footnote/fn42.htm#P4258_733359">137</A> hence did he cleave 85 The flood; constrained the People to pass o'er; Freely distributed the land-the prize Promised the fathers!-stayed both sun and moon While vanquishing the foe; races extern And giants' progeny outdrave; razed groves; 90 Altars and temples levelled; and with mind Loyal<A HREF="footnote/fn42.htm#P4266_733711">138</A> performed all due solemnities: Type of Christ's name; his virtue's image. What Touching the People's Judges shall I say Singly? whose virtues,<A HREF="footnote/fn42.htm#P4270_733891">139</A> it unitedly 95 Recorded, fill whole volumes numerous With space of words. But vet the order due Of filling out the body of my words, Demands that, out of many, I should tell The life of few. Of whom when Gideon, guide 100 Of martial band, keen to attack the foe, (Not keen to gain for his own family, By virtues,<A HREF="footnote/fn42.htm#P4280_734224">140</A> tutelary dignity,<A HREF="footnote/fn42.htm#P4281_734263">141</A> ) And needing to be strengthened<A HREF="footnote/fn42.htm#P4283_734522">142</A> in the faith Excited in his mind, seeks for a sign 105 Whereby he either could not, or could, wage Victorious war; to wit, that v. with the dew A fleece, exposed for the night, should be Moistened, and all the ground lie dry around (By this to show that, with the world,<A HREF="footnote/fn42.htm#P4290_734830">143</A> should dry<A HREF="footnote/fn42.htm#P4291_734855">144</A> 110 The enemies' palm); and then again, the fleece Alone remaining dry, the earth by night Should with the self-same<A HREF="footnote/fn42.htm#P4295_735350">145</A> moisture be bedewed: For by this sign he prostrated the heaps Of bandits; with Christ's People 'countering them 115 Without much soldiery, with cavalry<A HREF="footnote/fn42.htm#P4299_735814">146</A> Three hundred-the Greek letter Tau, in truth, That number is<A HREF="footnote/fn43.htm#P4302_735947">147</A> -with torches armed, and horns Of blowers with the mouth: then<A HREF="footnote/fn43.htm#P4304_736082">148</A> was the fleece, The people of Christ's sheep, from holy seed 120 Born (for the earth means nations various, And scattered through the orb), which fleece the word Nourishes; night death's image; Tau the sign Of the dear cross; the horn the heraldings Of life; the torches shining in their stand<A HREF="footnote/fn43.htm#P4311_736412">149</A> 125 The glowing Spirit: and this testing, too, Forsooth, an image of Christ's virtue was:<A HREF="footnote/fn43.htm#P4314_736552">150</A> To teach that death's fierce battles should not be By trump angelic vanquished before Th' indocile People be deservedly 130 By their own fault left desolate behind, And Gentiles, flourishing in faith, received In praise. Yea, Deborah, a woman far Above all fame, appears; who, having braced Herself for warlike toil, for country's sake, 135 Beneath the palm-tree sang how victory Had crowned her People; thanks to whom it was That the foes, vanquisht, turned at once their backs, And Sisera their leader fled; whose flight No man, nor any band, arrested: him, 140 Suddenly renegade, a woman's hand- Jael's<A HREF="footnote/fn43.htm#P4331_737195">151</A> -with wooden weapon vanquished quite, For token of Christ's victory. With firm faith Jephthah appears, who a deep-wounding vow Dared make-to promise God a grand reward 145 Of war: him<A HREF="footnote/fn43.htm#P4336_737570">152</A> then, because he senselessly Had promised what the Lord not wills, first meets The pledge<A HREF="footnote/fn43.htm#P4339_737707">153</A> dear to his heart; who suddenly Fell by a lot unhoped by any. He, To keep his promise, broke the sacred laws 150 Of parenthood: the shade of mighty fear Did in his violent mind cover his vow Of sin: as solace of his widowed life For<A HREF="footnote/fn43.htm#P4346_737954">154</A> wickedness, renown, and, for crime, praise, He won. Nor Samson's strength, all corporal might 155 Passing, must we forget; the Spirit's gift Was this; the power was granted to his head.<A HREF="footnote/fn43.htm#P4351_738161">155</A> Alone he for his People, daggerless, Armless, an ass-jaw grasping, prostrated A thousand corpses; and no bonds could keep 160 The hero bound: but after his shorn pride Forsook him thralled, he fell, and, by his death,- Though vanquisht,-bought his foes back 'neath his power. Marvellous Samuel, who first received The precept to anoint kings, to give chrism 165 And show men-Christs,<A HREF="footnote/fn43.htm#P4361_738581">156</A> so acted laudably In life's space as, e'en after his repose, To keep prophetic rights.<A HREF="footnote/fn43.htm#P4364_738699">157</A> Psalmographist David, great king and prophet, with a voice Submiss was wont Christ's future suffering 170 To sing: which prophecy spontaneously His thankless lawless People did perform: Whom<A HREF="footnote/fn43.htm#P4371_738936">158</A> God had promised that in time to come, Fruit of his womb,<A HREF="footnote/fn43.htm#P4373_739025">159</A> a holy progeny, He would on his sublime throne set: the Lord's 175 Fixt faith did all that He had promised. Corrector of an inert People rose Emulous<A HREF="footnote/fn43.htm#P4378_739236">160</A> Hezekiah; who restored Iniquitous forgetful men the Law:<A HREF="footnote/fn43.htm#P4380_739333">161</A> All these God's mandates of old time he first 180 Bade men observe, who ended war by prayers,<A HREF="footnote/fn43.htm#P4383_739476">162</A> Not by steel's point: he, dying, had a grant Of years and times of life made to his tears: Deservedly such honour his career Obtained. With zeal immense, Josiah, prince 185 Himself withal, in like wise acted: none So much, before or after!-Idols he Dethroned; destroyed unhallowed temples; burned With fire priests on their altars; all the bones Of prophets false updug; the altars burned, 190 The carcases to be consumed did serve For fuel! To the praise of signal faith, Noble Elijah, (memorable fact!) Was rapt;<A HREF="footnote/fn43.htm#P4398_740146">163</A> who hath not tasted yet death's dues; Since to the orb he is to come again. 195 His faith unbroken, then, chastening with stripes People and frenzied king, (who did desert The Lord's best service), and with bitter flames The foes, shut up the stars; kept in the clouds The rain; showed all collectively that God 200 Is; made their error patent;-for a flame, Coming with force from heaven at his prayers, Ate up the victim's parts, dripping with flood, Upon the altar:<A HREF="footnote/fn44.htm#P4409_740849">164</A> -often as he willed, So often from on high rushed fire;<A HREF="footnote/fn44.htm#P4411_740945">165</A> the stream 205 Dividing, he made pathless passable;<A HREF="footnote/fn44.htm#P4413_741042">166</A> And, in a chariot raised aloft, was borne To paradise's hall. Disciple his Elisha was, succeeding to his lot:<A HREF="footnote/fn44.htm#P4417_741259">167</A> Who begged to take to him Elijah's lot<A HREF="footnote/fn44.htm#P4419_741313">168</A> 210 In double measure; so, with forceful stripe, The People to chastise:<A HREF="footnote/fn44.htm#P4422_741400">169</A> such and so great A love for the Lord's cause he breathed. He smote Through Jordan; made his feet a way, and crossed Again; raised with a twig the axe down-sunk 215 Beneath the stream; changed into vital meat The deathful food; detained a second time, Double in length,<A HREF="footnote/fn44.htm#P4429_741939">170</A> the rains; cleansed leprosies;<A HREF="footnote/fn44.htm#P4430_742244">171</A> Entangled foes in darkness; and when one Offcast and dead, by bandits'slaughter slain 220 His limbs, after his death, already hid In sepulchre, did touch, he-light recalled- Revived. Isaiah, wealthy seer, to whom The fount was oped,-so manifest his faith! Poured from his mouth God's word forth. Promised was 225 The Father's will, bounteous through Christ; through him It testified before the way of life, And was approved:<A HREF="footnote/fn44.htm#P4442_742815">172</A> but him, though stainless found, And undeserving, the mad People cut With wooden saw in twain, and took away 230 With cruel death. The holy Jeremy Followed; whom the Eternal's Virtue bade Be prophet to the Gentiles, and him told The future: who, because he brooded o'er His People's deeds illaudable, and said 235 (Speaking with voice presaging) that, unless They had repented of betaking them To deeds iniquitous against their slaves,<A HREF="footnote/fn44.htm#P4454_743478">173</A> They should be captived, bore hard bonds, shut up In squalid gaol; and, in the miry pit, 240 Hunger exhausted his decaying limbs. But, after he did prove what they to hear Had been unwilling, and the foes did lead The People bound in their triumphal trains, Hardly at length his wrinkled right hand lost 245 Its chains: it is agreed that by no death Nor slaughter was the hero ta'en away. Faithful Ezekiel, to whom granted was Rich grace of speech, saw sinners' secrets; wailed His own afflictions; prayed for pardon; saw 250 The vengeance of the saints, which is to be By slaughter; and, in Spirit wrapt, the place Of the saints' realm, its steps and accesses, And the salvation of the flesh, he saw. Hosea, Amos, Micah, Joel, too, 255 With Obadiah, Jonah, Nahum, come; Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, And Zechariah who did violence Suffer, and Malachi-angel himself! Are here: these are the Lord's seers; and their choir, 260 As still they sing, is heard; and equally Their proper wreath of praise they all have earned. How great was Daniel! What a man! What power! Who by their own mouth did false witnesses Bewray, and saved a soul on a false charge 265 Condemned;<A HREF="footnote/fn44.htm#P4484_744819">174</A> and, before that, by mouth resolved The king's so secret dreams; foresaw how Christ Dissolves the limbs of kingdoms; was accused For his Lord's was made the lions' prey; And, openly preserved<A HREF="footnote/fn44.htm#P4489_745046">175</A> before all eyes, 270 Rested in peace. His Three Companions, scarce With due praise to be sung, did piously Contemn the king's iniquitous decree, Out of so great a number: to the flames Their bodies given were; but they preferred, 275 For the Great Name, to yield to penalties Themselves, than to an image stretch their palms On bended knees. Now their o'erbrilliant faith, Now hope outshining all things, the wild fires Hath quencht, and vanquisht the iniquitous! 280 Ezra the seer, doctor of Law, and priest Himself (who, after full times, back did lead The captive People), with the Spirit filled Of memory, restored by word of mouth All the seers' volumes, by the fires and mould<A HREF="footnote/fn45.htm#P4506_745863">176</A> 285 Consumed. Great above all born from seed Is John whose praises hardly shall we skill To tell: the washer<A HREF="footnote/fn45.htm#P4511_746337">177</A> of the flesh: the Lord's Open forerunner; washer,<A HREF="footnote/fn45.htm#P4513_746402">178</A> too, of Christ, Himself first born again from Him: the first 290 Of the new convenant, last of the old, Was he; and for the True Way's sake he died, The first slain victim. See God-Christ! behold Alike, His Twelve-Fold Warrior-Youth!<A HREF="footnote/fn45.htm#P4520_746646">179</A> in all One faith, one dove, one power; the flower of men; 295 Lightening the world<A HREF="footnote/fn45.htm#P4523_746744">180</A> with light; comrades of Christ And apostolic men; who, speaking truth, Heard with their ears Salvation,<A HREF="footnote/fn45.htm#P4526_746860">181</A> with their eyes Saw It, and handled with their hand the late From death recovered body,<A HREF="footnote/fn45.htm#P4529_747142">182</A> and partook 300 As fellow-guests of food therewith, as they Themselves bear witness. Him did Paul as well (Forechosen apostle, and in due time sent), When rapt into the heavens,<A HREF="footnote/fn45.htm#P4534_747345">183</A> behold: and sent By Him, he, with his comrade Barnabas, 305 And with the earlier associates Joined in one league together, everywhere Among the Gentiles hands the doctrine down That Christ is Head, whose members are the Church, He the salvation of the body, He 310 The members' life perennial; He, made flesh, He, ta'en away for all, Himself first rose Again, salvation's only hope; and gave The norm to His disciples: they at once All variously suffered, for His Name, 315 Unworthy penalties. Such members bears With beauteous body the free mother, since She never her Lord's precepts left behind, And in His home hath grown old, to her Lord Ever most choice, having for His Name's sake 320 Penalties suffered. For since, barren once, Not yet secure of her futurity, She hath outgiven a people born of seed Celestial, and<A HREF="footnote/fn45.htm#P4556_748177">184</A> been spurned, and borne the spleen<A HREF="footnote/fn45.htm#P4557_748681">185</A> Of her own handmaid; now 'tis time to see 325 This former-barren mother have a son The heir of her own liberty; not like The handmaid's heir, yoked in estate to her, Although she bare him from celestial seed Conceived. Far be it that ye should with words 330 Unlawful, with rash voice, collectively Without distinction, give men exemplary (Heaven's glowing constellations, to the mass Of men conjoined by seed alone or blood), The rugged bondman's<A HREF="footnote/fn45.htm#P4569_749136">186</A> name; or that one think 335 That he may speak in servile style about A People who the mandates followed Of the Lord's Law. No: but we mean the troop Of sinners, empty, mindless, who have placed God's promises in a mistrustful heart; 340 Men vanquisht by the miserable sweet Of present life: that troop would have been bound Capital slavery to undergo, By their own fault, if sin's cause shall impose Law's yoke upon the mass. For to serve God, 345 And be whole-heartedly intent thereon, Untainted faith, and freedom, is thereto Prepared spontaneous. The just fathers, then, And holy stainless prophets, many, sang The future advent of the Lord; and they 350 Faithfully testify what Heaven bids To men profane: with them the giants,<A HREF="footnote/fn45.htm#P4587_749877">187</A> men With Christ's own glory satiated, made The consorts of His virtue, filling up The hallowed words, have stablished our faith; 355 By facts predictions proving. Of these men Disciples who succeeded them throughout The orb, men wholly filled with virtue's breath, And our own masters, have assigned to us Honours conjoined with works. Of whom the first 360 Whom Peter bade to take his place and sit Upon this chair in mightiest Rome where he Himself had sat,<A HREF="footnote/fn46.htm#P4601_750369">188</A> was Linus, great, elect, And by the mass approved. And after him Cletus himself the fold's flock undertook; 365 As his successor Anacletus was By lot located: Clement follows him; Well known was he to apostolic men:<A HREF="footnote/fn46.htm#P4607_750775">189</A> Next Evaristus ruled without a crime The law.<A HREF="footnote/fn46.htm#P4610_751075">190</A> To Sixtus Sextus Alexander 370 Commends the fold: who, after he had filled His lustral times up, to Telesphorus Hands it in order: excellent was he, And martyr faithful. After him succeeds A comrade in the law,<A HREF="footnote/fn46.htm#P4616_751295">191</A> and master sure: 375 When lo! the comrade of your wickedness, Its author and forerunner-Cerdo highs- Arrived at Rome, smarting with recent wounds: Detected, for that he was scattering Voices and words of venom stealthily: 380 For which cause, driven from the band, he bore This sacrilegious brood, the dragon's breath Engendering it. Blooming in piety United stood the Church of Rome, compact By Peter: whose successor, too, himself, 385 And now in the ninth place, Hyginus was, The burden undertaking of his chair. After him followed Pius-Hermas his Own brother<A HREF="footnote/fn46.htm#P4631_751858">192</A> was; angelic "Pastor" he, Because he spake the words delivered him:<A HREF="footnote/fn46.htm#P4633_751948">193</A> 390 And Anicetus<A HREF="footnote/fn46.htm#P4635_752032">194</A> the allotted post In pious order undertook.'Neath whom Marcion here coming, the new Pontic pest, (The secret daring deed in his own heart Not yet disclosed,) went, speaking commonly, 395 In all directions, in his perfidy, With lurking art. But after he began His deadly arrows to produce, cast off Deservedly (as author of a crime So savage), reprobated by the saints, </UL></UL>400 He burst, a wondrous monster! on our view. <UL><A NAME="P4647_752686"></A> Book IV.-Of Marcion's Antitheses.<A HREF="footnote/fn46.htm#P4648_752722">195</A> <UL>What the Inviolable Power bids The youthful people,<A HREF="footnote/fn46.htm#P4651_753080">196</A> which, rich, free, and heir, Possesses an eternal hope of praise (By right assigned) is this: that with great zeal 5 Burning, armed with the love of peace-yet not As teachers (Christ alone doth all things teach<A HREF="footnote/fn46.htm#P4656_753319">197</A> ), But as Christ's household-servants-o'er the earth They should conduct a massive war;<A HREF="footnote/fn46.htm#P4659_753554">198</A> should raze The wicked's lofty towers, savage walls, 10 And threats which 'gainst the holy people's bands Rise, and dissolve such empty sounds in air. Wherefore we, justly speaking emulous words,<A HREF="footnote/fn46.htm#P4664_753782">199</A> Out of his<A HREF="footnote/fn46.htm#P4666_753877">200</A> own words even strive to express The meaning of salvation's records,<A HREF="footnote/fn46.htm#P4668_753980">201</A> which Is 15 Large grace hath poured profusely; and to ope To the saints' eyes the Bandit's<A HREF="footnote/fn46.htm#P4671_754089">202</A> covert plague: Lest any untrained, daring, ignorant, Fall therein unawares, and (being caught) Forfeit celestial gifts. God, then, is One 20 To mortals all and everywhere; a Realm Eternal, Origin of light profound; Life's Fount; a Draught fraught<A HREF="footnote/fn46.htm#P4678_754376">203</A> with all wisdom. HE Produced the orb whose bosom all things girds; Him not a region, not a place, includes as 25 In circuit: matter none perennial is,<A HREF="footnote/fn46.htm#P4682_754637">204</A> So as to be self-made, or to have been Ever, created by no Maker: heaven's, Earth's, sea's, and the abyss's<A HREF="footnote/fn46.htm#P4686_754787">205</A> Settler<A HREF="footnote/fn46.htm#P4687_754811">206</A> is The Spirit; air's Divider, Builder, Author, 30 Sole God perpetual, Power immense, is He.<A HREF="footnote/fn46.htm#P4690_754917">207</A> Him had the Law the People<A HREF="footnote/fn46.htm#P4692_755083">208</A> shown to be One God,<A HREF="footnote/fn46.htm#P4694_755178">209</A> whose mighty voice to Moses spake Upon the mount. Him this His Virtue, too, His Wisdom, Glory, Word, and Son, this Light 35 Begotten from the Light immense,<A HREF="footnote/fn46.htm#P4698_755387">210</A> proclaims Through the seers' voices, to be One: and Paul,<A HREF="footnote/fn47.htm#P4700_755485">211</A> Taking the theme in order up, thus too Himself derives; "Father there is One<A HREF="footnote/fn47.htm#P4703_755625">212</A> Through whom were all things made: Christ One, through whom 40 God all things made; "<A HREF="footnote/fn47.htm#P4706_755873">213</A> to whom he plainly owns That every knee doth bow itself;<A HREF="footnote/fn47.htm#P4708_756066">214</A> of whom Is every fatherhood<A HREF="footnote/fn47.htm#P4710_756247">215</A> in heaven and earth Called: who is zealous with the highest love Of parent-care His people-ward; and wills 45 All flesh to live in holy wise, and wills His people to appear before Him pure Without a crime. With such zeal, by a law<A HREF="footnote/fn47.htm#P4716_756674">216</A> Guards He our safety; warns us loyal be; Chastens; is instant. So, too, has the same 50 Apostle (when Galatian brethren Chiding)-Paul-written that such zeal hath he.<A HREF="footnote/fn47.htm#P4721_756872">217</A> The fathers'sins God freely rendered, then, Slaying in whelming deluge utterly Parents alike with progeny, and e'en 55 Grandchildren in "fourth generation"<A HREF="footnote/fn47.htm#P4725_757339">218</A> now Descended from the parent-stock, when He Has then for nearly these nine hundred years Assisted them. Hard does the judgment seem? The sentence savage? And in Sodom, too, 60 That the still guiltless little one unarmed And tender should lose life: for what had e'er The infant sinned? What cruel thou mayst think, Is parent-care's true duty. Lest misdeed Should further grow, crime's authors He did quench, 65 And sinful parents' brood. But, with his sires, The harmless infant pays not penalties Perpetual, ignorant and not advanced In crime: but lest he partner should become Of adult age's guilt, death immature 70 Undid spontaneous future ills. Why, then, Bids God libation to be poured to Him With blood of sheep? and takes so stringent means By Law, that, in the People, none transgress Erringly, threatening them with instant death 75 By stoning? and why reprobates, again, These gifts of theirs, and says they are to Him Unwelcome, while He chides a People press With swarm of sin?<A HREF="footnote/fn47.htm#P4750_758343">219</A> Does He, the truthful, bid, And He, the just, at the same time repel? 80 The causes if thou seekst, cease to be moved Erringly: for faith's cause is weightier Than fancied reason.<A HREF="footnote/fn47.htm#P4755_758558">220</A> Through a mirror<A HREF="footnote/fn47.htm#P4756_758625">221</A> -shade Of fulgent light!-behold what the calf's blood, The heifer's ashes, and each goat, do mean: 85 The one dismissed goes off, the other falls A victim at the temple. With calfs blood With water mixt the seer<A HREF="footnote/fn47.htm#P4763_758872">222</A> (thus from on high Bidden) besprinkled People, vessels all, Priests, and the written volumes of the Law. 90 See here not their true hope, nor yet a mere Semblance devoid of virtue:<A HREF="footnote/fn47.htm#P4768_759109">223</A> but behold In the calf's type Christ destined bodily To suffer; who upon His shoulders bare The plough-beam's hard yokes,<A HREF="footnote/fn47.htm#P4772_759256">224</A> and with fortitude 95 Brake His own heart with the steel share, and poured Into the furrows water of His own Life's blood. For these "temple-vessels" do Denote our bodies: God's true temple<A HREF="footnote/fn47.htm#P4777_759642">225</A> He, Not dedicated erst; for to Himself 100 He by His blood associated men, And willed them be His body's priests, Himself The Supreme Father's perfect Priest by right. Hearing, sight, step inert, He cleansed; and, for a "book,"<A HREF="footnote/fn47.htm#P4783_759915">226</A> Sprinkled, by speaking.<A HREF="footnote/fn47.htm#P4785_760290">227</A> words of presage, those 105 His witnesses: demonstrating the Law Bound by His holy blood. This cause withal Our victim through "the heifer" manifests From whose blood taking for the People's sake Piacular drops, them the first Levite<A HREF="footnote/fn47.htm#P4791_760968">228</A> bare 110 Within the veil; and, by God's bidding, burned Her corse without the camp's gates; with whose ash He cleansed lapsed bodies. Thus our Lord (who us By His own death redeemed), without the camp<A HREF="footnote/fn47.htm#P4796_761221">229</A> Willingly suffering the violence 115 Of an iniquitous People, did fulfil The Law, by facts predictions proving;<A HREF="footnote/fn48.htm#P4800_761381">230</A> who A people of contamination full Doth truly cleanse, conceding all things, as The body's Author rich; within heaven's veil 120 Gone with the blood which-One for many's deaths- He hath outpoured. A holy victim, then, Is meet for a great priest; which worthily He, being perfect, may be proved to have, And offer. He a body hath: this is 125 For mortals a live victim; worthy this Of great price did He offer, One for all. The<A HREF="footnote/fn48.htm#P4813_761834">231</A> semblance of the "goats" teaches that they Are men exiled out of the "peoples twain"<A HREF="footnote/fn48.htm#P4815_762202">232</A> As barren;<A HREF="footnote/fn48.htm#P4817_762291">233</A> fruitless both; (of whom the Lord 130 Spake also, in the Gospel, telling how The kids are severed from the sheep, and stand On the left hand<A HREF="footnote/fn48.htm#P4821_762747">234</A> ): that some indeed there are Who for the Lord's Name's sake have suffered: thus That fruit has veiled their former barrenness: 135 And such, the prophet teaches, on the ground Of that their final merit worthy are Of the Lord's altar: others, cast away (As was th' iniquitous rich man, we read, By Lazarus<A HREF="footnote/fn48.htm#P4829_763076">235</A> ), are such as have remained 140 Exiled, persistent in their stubbornness. Now a veil, hanging in the midst, did both Dissever,<A HREF="footnote/fn48.htm#P4833_763384">236</A> and had into portions twain Divided the one shrine.<A HREF="footnote/fn48.htm#P4835_763525">237</A> The inner parts Were called "Holies of holiest" Stationed there 145 An altar shone, noble with gold; and there, At the same time, the testaments and ark Of the Law's tablets; covered wholly o'er With lambs'skins<A HREF="footnote/fn48.htm#P4841_763746">238</A> dyed with heaven's hue; within Gold-clad;<A HREF="footnote/fn48.htm#P4843_764433">239</A> and all between of wood. Here are so 150 The tablets of the Law; here is the urn Replete with manna; here is Aaron's rod Which puts forth germens of the cross<A HREF="footnote/fn48.htm#P4847_764974">240</A> -unlike The cross itself, yet born of storax-tree<A HREF="footnote/fn48.htm#P4849_765130">241</A> -And over it-in uniformity 155 Fourfold-the cherubim their pinions spread, And the inviolable sanctities<A HREF="footnote/fn48.htm#P4852_765322">242</A> Covered obediently.<A HREF="footnote/fn48.htm#P4854_765437">243</A> Without the veil Part of the shrine stood open: facing it, Heavy with broad brass, did an altar stand; 160 And with two triple sets (on each side one) Of branches woven with the central stem, A lampstand, and as many<A HREF="footnote/fn48.htm#P4860_765735">244</A> lamps: The golden substance wholly filled with light The temple.<A HREF="footnote/fn48.htm#P4863_765846">245</A> Thus the temple's outer face, 165 Common and open, does the ritual Denote, then, of a people lingering Beneath the Law; amid whose<A HREF="footnote/fn48.htm#P4868_766035">246</A> gloom there shone The Holy Spirit's sevenfold unity Ever, the People sheltering.<A HREF="footnote/fn48.htm#P4871_766138">247</A> And thus 170 The Lampstand True and living Lamps do shine Persistently throughout the Law and Seers On men subdued in heart. And for a type Of earth,<A HREF="footnote/fn48.htm#P4876_766416">248</A> the altar-so tradition says- Was made. Here constantly, in open space, 175 Before all eyes were visible of old The People's "works,"<A HREF="footnote/fn48.htm#P4880_766561">249</A> which ever-"not without Blood"<A HREF="footnote/fn48.htm#P4882_766733">250</A> -it did offer, shedding out the gore Of lawless life.<A HREF="footnote/fn48.htm#P4884_766805">251</A> There, too, the Lord-Himself Made victim on behalf of all-denotes 180 The whole earth<A HREF="footnote/fn48.htm#P4887_766959">252</A> -altar in specific sense. Hence likewise that new covenant author, whom No language can describe, Disciple John, Testifies that beneath such altar he Saw souls which had for Christ's name suffered, 185 Praying the vengeance of the mighty God Upon their slaughter.<A HREF="footnote/fn48.htm#P4894_767232">253</A> There,<A HREF="footnote/fn48.htm#P4895_767262">254</A> meantime, is rest. In some unknown part there exists a spot Open, enjoying its own light; 'tis called "Abraham's bosom; "high above the glooms,<A HREF="footnote/fn48.htm#P4899_767458">255</A> 190 And far removed from fire, yet 'neath the earth.<A HREF="footnote/fn49.htm#P4901_767578">256</A> The brazen altar this is called, whereon (We have recorded) was a dusky veil.<A HREF="footnote/fn49.htm#P4904_767670">257</A> This veil divides both parts, and leaves the one Open, from the eternal one distinct 195 In worship and time's usage. To itself' Tis not unfriendly, though of fainter love, By time and space divided, and yet linked By reason.'Tis one house, though by a veil Parted it seems: and thus (when the veil burst, 200 On the Lord's passion) heavenly regions oped And holy vaults,<A HREF="footnote/fn49.htm#P4914_768062">258</A> and what was double erst Became one house perennial. Order due Traditionally has interpreted The inner temple of the people called 205 After Christ's Name, with worship heavenly, God's actual mandates following; (no "shade". Is herein bound, but persons real;<A HREF="footnote/fn49.htm#P4921_768423">259</A> ) complete By the arrival of the "perfect things."<A HREF="footnote/fn49.htm#P4923_768886">260</A> The ark beneath a type points out to us 210 Christ's venerable body, joined, through "wood,"<A HREF="footnote/fn49.htm#P4926_769023">261</A> With sacred Spirit: the aërial<A HREF="footnote/fn49.htm#P4928_769188">262</A> skins Are flesh not born of seed, outstretcht on "wood; "<A HREF="footnote/fn49.htm#P4930_769310">263</A> At the same time, with golden semblance fused,<A HREF="footnote/fn49.htm#P4932_769527">264</A> Within, the glowing Spirit joined is 215 Thereto; that, with peace<A HREF="footnote/fn49.htm#P4935_769734">265</A> granted, flesh might bloom With Spirit mixt. Of the Lord's flesh, again, The urn, golden and full, a type doth bear. Itself denotes that the new covenant's Lord Is manna; in that He, true heavenly Bread, 220 Is, and hath by the Father been transfused<A HREF="footnote/fn49.htm#P4941_770177">266</A> Into that bread which He hath to His saints Assigned for a pledge: this Bread will He Give perfectly to them who (of good works The lovers ever) have the bonds of peace 225 Kept. And the double tablets of the law Written all over, these, at the same time, Signify that that Law was ever hid In Christ, who mandate old and new fulfilled, Ark of the Supreme Father as He is, 230 Through whom He, being rich, hath all things given. The storax-rod, too, nut's fruit bare itself; (The virgin's semblance this, who bare in blood A body:) on the "wood"<A HREF="footnote/fn49.htm#P4955_770731">267</A> conjoined 'twill lull Death's bitter, which within sweet fruit doth lurk, 235 By virtue of the Holy Spirit's grace: Just as Isaiah did predict "a rod" From Jesse's seed<A HREF="footnote/fn49.htm#P4960_770964">268</A> -Mary-from which a flower Issues into the orb. The altar bright with gold Denotes the heaven on high, whither ascend 240 Prayers holy, sent up without crime: the Lord This "altar" spake of, where if one doth gifts Offer, he must first reconciliate Peace with his brother:<A HREF="footnote/fn49.htm#P4968_771251">269</A> thus at length his prayers Can flame unto the stars. Christ, Victor sole 245 And foremost.<A HREF="footnote/fn49.htm#P4971_771364">270</A> Priest, thus offered incense born Not of a tree, but prayers.<A HREF="footnote/fn49.htm#P4973_771440">271</A> The cherubim<A HREF="footnote/fn49.htm#P4974_771481">272</A> Being, with twice two countenances, one, And are the one word through fourfold order led;<A HREF="footnote/fn49.htm#P4977_771668">273</A> The hoped comforts of life's mandate new, 250 Which in their plenitude Christ bare Himself Unto us from the Father. But the wings In number four times six,<A HREF="footnote/fn49.htm#P4982_771859">274</A> the heraldings Of the old world denote, witnessing things Which, we are taught, were after done. On these<A HREF="footnote/fn49.htm#P4985_772480">275</A> 255 The heavenly words fly through the orb: with these Christ's blood is likewise held context, so told Obscurely by the seers' presaging mouth. The number of the wings doth set a seal Upon the ancient volumes; teaching us 260 Those twenty-four have certainly enough Which sang the Lord's ways and the times of peace: These all, we see, with the new covenant Cohere. Thus also John; the Spirit thus To him reveals that in that number stand 265 The enthroned elders white<A HREF="footnote/fn49.htm#P4997_772961">276</A> and crowned, who (as With girding-rope) all things surround, before The Lord's throne, and upon the glassy sea Subigneous: and four living creatures, winged And full of eyes within and outwardly, 270 Do signify that hidden things are oped, And all things shut are at the same time seen, In the word's eye. The glassy flame-mixt sea Means that the laver's gifts, with Spirit fused Therein, upon believers are conferred. 275 Who could e'en tell what the Lord's parentcare Before His judgment-seat, before His bar, Prepared hath? that such as willing be His forum and His judgment for themselves To antedate, should 'scape! that who thus hastes 280 Might find abundant opportunity! Thus therefore Law and wondrous prophets sang; Thus all parts of the covenant old and new, Those sacred rights and pregnant utterances Of words, conjoined, do flourish. Thus withal, 285 Apostles' voices witness everywhere; Nor aught of old, in fine, but to the new Is joined. Thus err they, and thus facts retort Their sayings, who to false ways have declined; And from the Lord and God, eternal King, 290 Who such an orb produced, detract, and seek Some other deity 'neath feigned name, Bereft of minds, which (frenzied) they have lost; Willing to affirm that Christ a stranger is To the Law; nor is the world's<A HREF="footnote/fn50.htm#P5028_774425">277</A> Lord; nor doth will 295 Salvation of the flesh; nor was Himself The body's Maker, by the Father's power.<A HREF="footnote/fn50.htm#P5031_774542">278</A> Them must we flee, stopping (unasked) our ears; Lest with their speech they stain innoxious hearts. Let therefore us, whom so great grace<A HREF="footnote/fn50.htm#P5035_774695">279</A> of God 300 Hath penetrated, and the true celestial words Of the great Master-Teacher in good ways Have trained, and given us right monuments;<A HREF="footnote/fn50.htm#P5039_774851">280</A> Pay honour ever to the Lord, and sing Endlessly, joying in pure faith, and sure 305 Salvation. Born of the true God, with bread Perennial are we nourished, and hope </UL></UL>With our whole heart after eternal life. <UL><A NAME="P5046_775133"></A> Book V.-General Reply to Sundry of Marcion's Heresies.<A HREF="footnote/fn50.htm#P5047_775190">281</A> <UL>The first Book did the enemy's words recall In order, which the senseless renegade Composed and put forth lawlessly; hence, too, Touched briefly flesh's hope, Christ's victory, 5 And false ways' speciousness. The next doth teach The Law's conjoined mysteries, and what In the new covenant the one God hath Delivered. The third shows the race, create From freeborn mother, to be ministers 10 Sacred to seers and patriarchs;<A HREF="footnote/fn50.htm#P5058_775980">282</A> whom Thou, O Christ, in number twice six out of all,<A HREF="footnote/fn50.htm#P5060_776082">283</A> Chosest; and, with their names, the lustral<A HREF="footnote/fn50.htm#P5062_776172">284</A> times Of our own elders noted, (times preserved On record,) showing in whose days appeared i 15 The author<A HREF="footnote/fn50.htm#P5066_776558">285</A> of this wickedness, unknown, Lawless, and roaming, cast forth<A HREF="footnote/fn50.htm#P5068_776641">286</A> with his brood. The fourth, too, the piacular rites recalls Of the old Law themselves, and shows them types In which the Victim True appeared, by saints 20 Expected long since, with the holy Seed. This fifth doth many twists and knots untie, Rolls wholly into sight what ills soe'er Were lurking; drawing arguments, but not Without attesting prophet. And although 25 With strong arms fortified we vanquish foes, Yet hath the serpent mingled so at once All things polluted, impious, unallowed, Commaculate, -the blind's path without light! A voice contaminant!-that, all the while 30 We are contending the world's Maker is Himself sole God, who also spake by voice Of seers, and proving that there is none else Unknown; and, while pursuing Him with praise, Who is by various endearment<A HREF="footnote/fn50.htm#P5088_777436">287</A> known, 35 Are blaming-among other fallacies- The Unknown's tardy times: our subject's fault Will scarce keep pure our tongue. Yet, for all that, Guile's many hidden venoms us enforce (Although with double risk<A HREF="footnote/fn50.htm#P5094_777665">288</A> ) to ope our words. 40 Who, then, the God whom ye say is the true, Unknown to peoples, alien, in a word, To all the world?<A HREF="footnote/fn50.htm#P5098_777912">289</A> Him whom none knew before? Came he from high? If 'tis his own<A HREF="footnote/fn51.htm#P5100_777987">290</A> he seeks, Why seek so late? If not his own, why rob 45 Bandit-like? and why ply with words unknown So oft throughout Law's rein a People still Lingering 'neath the Law? If, too, he comes To pity and to succour all combined, And to re-elevate men vanquisht quite 50 By death's funereal weight, and to release Spirit from flesh's bond obscene, whereby The inner man (iniquitously dwarfed) Is held in check; why, then, so late appear His ever-kindness, duteous vigilance? 55 How comes it that he ne at all before Offered himself to any, but let slip Poor souls in numbers?<A HREF="footnote/fn51.htm#P5115_778585">291</A> and then with his mouth Seeks to regain another's subjects: ne'er Expected; not known; sent into the orb. 60 Seeking the "ewe" he had not lost before, The Shepherd ought<A HREF="footnote/fn51.htm#P5120_778832">292</A> to have disrobed himself Of flesh, as if his victor-self withal Had ever been a spirit, and as such<A HREF="footnote/fn51.htm#P5123_778972">293</A> Willed to rescue all expelled souls, 65 Without a body, everywhere, and leave The spoiled flesh to earth; wholly to fill The world<A HREF="footnote/fn51.htm#P5128_779141">294</A> on one day equally with corpses To leave the orb void; and to raise the souls To heaven. Then would human progeny 70 At once have ceased to be born; nor had Thereafter any scion of your<A HREF="footnote/fn51.htm#P5133_779338">295</A> kith Been born, or spread a new pest<A HREF="footnote/fn51.htm#P5135_779399">296</A> o'er the orb. Or (since at that time<A HREF="footnote/fn51.htm#P5137_779458">297</A> none of all these things Is shown to have been done) he should have set 75 A bound to future race; with solid heart Nuptial embraces would he, in that case Have sated quite;<A HREF="footnote/fn51.htm#P5142_779689">298</A> made men grow torpid, reft Of fruitful seed; made irksome intercourse With female sex; and closed up inwardly 80 The flesh's organs genital: our mind Had had no will, no potent faculty Our body: after this the "inner man" Could withal, joined with blood,<A HREF="footnote/fn51.htm#P5149_780415">299</A> have been infused And cleaved to flesh, and would have ever been 85 Perishing. Ever perishes the "ewe: " And is there then no power of saving her? Since man is ever being born beneath Death's doom, what is the Shepherd's work, if thus The "ewe" is stated<A HREF="footnote/fn51.htm#P5156_780795">300</A> to be found? Unsought 90 In that case, but not rescued, she is proved. But now choice is allowed of entering Wedlock, as hath been ever; and that choice Sure progeny hath yoked: nations are born And folk scarce numerable, at whose birth 95 Their souls by living bodies are received; Nor was it meet that Paul (though, for the time, He did exhort some few, discerning well The many pressures of a straitened time) To counsel men in like case to abide 100 As he himself:<A HREF="footnote/fn51.htm#P5168_781605">301</A> for elsewhere he has bidden The tender ages marry, nor defraud Each other, but their compact's dues discharge. But say, whose suasion hash, with fraud astute, Made you "abide," and in divided love 105 Of offspring live secure, and commit crime Adulterous, and lose your life? and, though 'Tis perishing, belie (by verbal name) That fact.. For which cause all the so sweet sounds Of his voice pours he forth, that "you must do, 110 Undaunted, whatsoever pleases you; " Outwardly chaste, stealthily stained with crime! Of honourable wedlock, by this plea,<A HREF="footnote/fn51.htm#P5181_782396">302</A> He hath deprived you. But why more? 'Tis well (Forsooth) to be disjoined! for the world, too, 115 Expedient 'tis! lest any of your seed Be born! Then will death's organs<A HREF="footnote/fn51.htm#P5186_782638">303</A> cease at length! The while you hope salvation to retain, Your "total man" quite loses part of man, With mind profane: but neither is man said 120 To be sole spirit, nor the flesh is called "The old man; "nor unfriendly are the flesh And spirit, the true man combined in one, The inner, and he whom you call "old foe; "<A HREF="footnote/fn51.htm#P5194_783043">304</A> Nor are they seen to have each his own set 125 Of senses. One is ruled; the other rules, Groans, joys, grieves, loves; himself<A HREF="footnote/fn51.htm#P5198_783241">305</A> to his own flesh Most dear, too; through which<A HREF="footnote/fn52.htm#P5200_783341">306</A> his humanity Is visible, with which commixt he is Held ever: to its wounds he care applies; 130 And pours forth tears; and nutriments of food Takes, through its limbs, often and eagerly: This hopes he to have ever with himself Immortal; o'er its fracture doth he groan; And grieves to quit it limb by limb: fixt time 135 Death lords it o'er the unhappy flesh; that so From light dust it may be renewed, and death Unfriendly fail at length, when flesh, released, Rises again. This will that victory be Supreme and long expected, wrought by Him, 140 The aye-to-be-revered, who did become True man; and by His Father's virtue won: Who man's redeemed limbs unto the heavens Hath raised,<A HREF="footnote/fn52.htm#P5217_784038">307</A> and richly opened access up Thither in hope, first to His nation; then 145 To those among all tongues in whom His work Is ever doing: Minister imbued With His Sire's parent-care, seen by the eye Of the Illimitable, He performed, By suffering, His missions.<A HREF="footnote/fn52.htm#P5224_784321">308</A> What say now 150 The impious voices? what th' abandoned crew? If He Himself, God the Creator's self, Gave not the Law,<A HREF="footnote/fn52.htm#P5229_784565">309</A> He who from Egypt's vale<A HREF="footnote/fn52.htm#P5230_784625">310</A> Paved in the waves a path, and freely gave The seats which He had said of old, why comes 155 He in that very People and that land Aforesaid? and why rather sought He not Some other<A HREF="footnote/fn52.htm#P5236_784837">311</A> peoples or some rival<A HREF="footnote/fn52.htm#P5237_784873">312</A> realms? Why, further, did He teach that, through the seers, (With Name foretold in full, yet not His own,) 160 He had been often sung of? Whence, again, Could He have issued baptism's kindly gifts, Promised by some one else, as His own works? These gifts men who God's mandates had transgressed, And hence were found polluted, longed for, 165 And begged a pardoning rescue from fierce death. Expected long, they<A HREF="footnote/fn52.htm#P5247_785292">313</A> came: but that to those Who recognised them when erst heard, and now Have recognised them, when in due time found, Christ's true hand is to give them, this, with voice 170 Paternal, the Creator-Sire Himself Warns ever from eternity, and claims; And thus the work of virtue which He framed, And still frames, arms, and fosters, and doth now Victorious look down on and reclothe 175 With His own light, should with perennial praise Abide.<A HREF="footnote/fn52.htm#P5257_785757">314</A> What<A HREF="footnote/fn52.htm#P5259_785892">315</A> hath the Living Power done To make men recosnise what God can give And maul can suffer, and thus live?<A HREF="footnote/fn52.htm#P5262_786031">316</A> But since Neither predictions earlier nor facts 180 The latest can suede senseless frantic<A HREF="footnote/fn52.htm#P5265_786284">317</A> men That God became a man, and (after He Had suffered and been buried) rose; that they May credit those so many witnesses Harmonious,<A HREF="footnote/fn52.htm#P5270_786490">318</A> who of old did cry aloud 185 With heavenly word, let them both<A HREF="footnote/fn52.htm#P5272_786590">319</A> learn to trust At least terrestrial reason. When the Lord Christ came to be, as flesh, born into the orb In time of king Augustus' reign at Rome, First, by decree, the nations numbered are 190 By census everywhere: this measure, then, This same king chanced to pass, because the Will Supreme, in whose high reigning hand doth lie The king's heart, had impelled him:<A HREF="footnote/fn52.htm#P5282_787530">320</A> he was first To do it, and the enrolment was reduced 195 To orderly arrangement. Joseph then Likewise, with his but just delivered wife Mary,<A HREF="footnote/fn52.htm#P5287_788009">321</A> with her celestial Son alike, Themselves withal are numbered. Let, then, such As trust to instruments of human skill, 200 Who may (approving of applying them As attestators of the holy word) Inquire into this census, if it be But found so as we say, then afterwards Repent they and seek pardon while time still 205 Is had<A HREF="footnote/fn52.htm#P5296_788468">322</A> The Jews, who own<A HREF="footnote/fn52.htm#P5298_788642">323</A> to having wrought A grave crime, while in our disparagement They glow, and do resist us, neither call Christ's family unknown, nor can<A HREF="footnote/fn53.htm#P5302_788847">324</A> affirm They hanged a man, who spake truth, on a tree:<A HREF="footnote/fn53.htm#P5304_788955">325</A> 210 Ignorant that the Lord's flesh which they bound<A HREF="footnote/fn53.htm#P5306_789240">326</A> Was not seed-gendered. But, while partially They keep a reticence, so partially They triumph; for they strive to represent God to the peoples commonly as man. 215 Behold the error which o'ercomes you both!<A HREF="footnote/fn53.htm#P5312_789485">327</A> This error will our cause assist, the while, We prove to you those things which certain are. They do deny Him God; you falsely call Him man, a body bodiless! and ah! 220 A various insanity of mind Sinks you; which him who hath presumed to hint You both do, sinking, sprinkle:<A HREF="footnote/fn53.htm#P5320_789804">328</A> for His deeds Will then approve Him man alike and God Commingled, and the world<A HREF="footnote/fn53.htm#P5323_790251">329</A> will furnish signs 225 No few. While then the Son Himself of God Is seeking to regain the flesh's limbs,<A HREF="footnote/fn53.htm#P5327_790368">330</A> Already robed as King, He doth sustain Blows from rude palms; with spitting covered is His face; a thorn-inwoven crown His head 230 Pierces all round; and to the tree<A HREF="footnote/fn53.htm#P5332_790671">331</A> Himself Is fixed; wine drugged with myrrh,<A HREF="footnote/fn53.htm#P5334_790727">332</A> is drunk, and gall<A HREF="footnote/fn53.htm#P5335_790782">333</A> Is mixt with vinegar; parted His robe,<A HREF="footnote/fn53.htm#P5337_790991">334</A> And in it<A HREF="footnote/fn53.htm#P5339_791050">335</A> lots are cast; what for himself Each one hath seized he keeps; in murky gloom, 235 As God from fleshly body silently Outbreathes His soul, in darkness trembling day Took refuge with the sun; twice dawned one day; Its centre black night covered: from their base Mounts move in circle, wholly moved was earth, 240 Saints'sepulchres stood ope, and all things Joined In fear to see His passion whom they knew! His lifeless side a soldier with bare spear Pierces, and forth flows blood, nor water less Thence followed. These facts they<A HREF="footnote/fn53.htm#P5351_791649">336</A> agree to hide, 245 And are unwilling the misdeed to own, Willing to blink the crime. Can spirit, then, Without a body wear a robe? or is't Susceptible of penalty? the wound Of violence does it bear? or die? or rise? 250 Is blood thence poured? from what flesh. since ye say He had none? or else, rather, feigned He? if 'Tis safe for you to say so; though you do (Headlong) so say, by passing over more In silence. Is not, then, faith manifest? 255 And are not all things fixed? The day before He then<A HREF="footnote/fn53.htm#P5365_792155">337</A> should suffer, keeping Passover, And handing down a memorable rite<A HREF="footnote/fn53.htm#P5367_792286">338</A> To His disciples, taking bread alike And the vine's juice, "My body, and My blood 260 Which is poured<A HREF="footnote/fn53.htm#P5371_792416">339</A> for you, this is," did He say; And bade it ever afterward be done. Of what created elements were made, Think ye, the bread and wine which were (He said) His body with its blood? and what must be 265 Confessed? Proved He not Himself the world's<A HREF="footnote/fn53.htm#P5377_792698">340</A> Maker, through deeds? and that He bore at once A body formed from flesh and blood? This God This true Man, too, the Father's Virtue 'neath An Image,<A HREF="footnote/fn53.htm#P5383_792857">341</A> with the Father ever was, 270 United both in glory and in age;<A HREF="footnote/fn53.htm#P5385_793106">342</A> Because alone He ministers the words Of the All-Holder; whom He<A HREF="footnote/fn53.htm#P5388_793209">343</A> upon earth Accepts;<A HREF="footnote/fn53.htm#P5390_793259">344</A> through whom He all things did create: God's Son, God's dearest Minister, is He! 275 Hence hath He generation, hence Name too, Hence, finally, a kingdom; Lord from Lord; Stream from perennial Fount! He, He it was Who to the holy fathers (whosoe'er Among them doth profess to have "seen God"<A HREF="footnote/fn53.htm#P5397_793560">345</A> )- 200 God is our witness-since the origin Of this our world,<A HREF="footnote/fn54.htm#P5400_793697">346</A> appearing, opened up The Father's words of promise and of charge From heaven high: He led the People out; Smote through th'iniquitous nation; was Himself 285 The column both of light and of cloud's shade; And dried the sea; and bids the People go Right through the waves, the foe therein involved And covered with the flood and surge: a way Through deserts made He for the followers 290 Of His high biddings; sent down bread in showers<A HREF="footnote/fn54.htm#P5410_794138">347</A> From heaven for the People; brake the rock; Bedewed with wave the thirsty;<A HREF="footnote/fn54.htm#P5413_794432">348</A> and from God The mandate of the Law to Moses spake With thunder, trumpet-sound, and flamey column 295 Terrible to the sight, while men's hearts shook. After twice twenty years, with months complete, Jordan was parted; a way oped; the wave Stood in a mass; and the tribes shared the land, Their fathers' promised boons! The Father's word, 300 Speaking Himself by prophets' mouth, that He<A HREF="footnote/fn54.htm#P5422_794876">349</A> Would come to earth and be a man, He did Predict; Christ manifestly to the earth Foretelling. Then, expected for our aid, Life's only Hope, the Cleanser of our flesh,<A HREF="footnote/fn54.htm#P5428_795108">350</A> 305 Death's Router, from th' Almighty Sire's empire At length He came, and with our human limbs He clothed Him. Adam-virgin-dragon-tree,<A HREF="footnote/fn54.htm#P5432_795439">351</A> The cause of ruin, and the way whereby Rash death us all had vanquisht! by the same 310 Our Shepherd treading, seeking to regain His sheep-with angel-virgin-His own flesh- And the "tree's" remedy;<A HREF="footnote/fn54.htm#P5438_795647">352</A> whence vanquisht man And doomed to perish was aye wont to go To meet his vanquisht peers; hence, inter-posed, 315 One in all captives' room, He did sustain In body the unfriendly penalty With patience; by His own death spoiling death; Becomes salvation's cause; and, having paid Throughly our debts by throughly suffering 320 On earth, in holy body, everything, Seeks the infern! here souls, bound for their crime, Which shut up all together by Law's weight, Without a guard,<A HREF="footnote/fn54.htm#P5450_796197">353</A> were asking for the boons Promised of old, hoped for, and tardy, He 325 To the saints'rest admitted, and, with light, Brought back. For on the third day mounting up,<A HREF="footnote/fn54.htm#P5454_796420">354</A> A victor, with His body by His Sire's Virtue immense, (salvation's pathway made,) And bearing God and man is form create, 330 He clomb the heavens, leading back with Him Captivity's first-fruits (a welcome gift And a dear figure<A HREF="footnote/fn54.htm#P5461_796733">355</A> to the Lord), and took His seat beside light's Father, and resumed The virtue and the glory of which, while 335 He was engaged in vanquishing the foe He had been stripped;<A HREF="footnote/fn54.htm#P5467_796946">356</A> conjoined with Spirit; bound With flesh, on our part. Him, Lord, Christ, King, God, Judgment and kingdom given to His hand, The father is to send unto the orb. </UL></UL>(N.B.-It has been impossible to note the changes which I have had to make in the text of the Latin. 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