Page:Poem on the creation of the world, or, A meditation on the wonderful operation of the divine hand.pdf/43

 By Faith and Sight the Shepherds did eſpy

The greatest Meanneſs, greateſt Majeſty,

Meeting at once in 's Humility.

The living God who Life to all did give,

Now to himſelf a Life lie doth receive.

The God that was from all Eternity,

In Bethlem doth a ſucking Infant ly

The Heir of all Things, he who doth no leſs

Than Heav'n and Earth, both as his own, poſſeſs,

His Virgin Mother now can nought obtain

But a Horſe Manger for to lay him in;

Yet divine Worſhip unto him was paid,

E'en while he's in this humble Poſture laid:

For through his human Nature there did ſhine

Some Rays that ſhew'd his Perſon was divine,

Which unto ſome appear'd and was reveal'd,

But from the moſt lay hid and quite conceal'd.

He to the Law, tho' he was Lord of it,

Did in each Part obediently ſubmit,

According to the Cuſtom of the Jews,

(As what we ſee the ſacred Scripture ſhews.)

At eight Days old he's circumcis'd, that he

In this conform'd might to his Brethren be.

The Name of JESUS to this Child they gave,

Because from Sin his People he ſhould ſave.

Satan who knew full-well our Saviour had

On Purpoſe come his Kingdom to invade,

As ſoon as he had enter'd on the Stage,

Stir'd up the Pow'rs of Earth at him to rage.

To Egypt ſoon from Herod's Cruelty,

Joſeph and Mary with the Child muſt fly.

There they remain till Herod's Death, and then

The Lord call'd Joſeph, with him, home again.