Page:Redemption, a Poem.djvu/188

 182 REDEMPTION.

Next follow'd James of Alpheus, who, join'd With Thaddeus, embraced the Master's cause ; Last, he, who, nameless here, betray'd his Lord. Unletter'd, rude, and ignorant of arts, Unknown to great, or wise, profound, or skill'd, These, unction Jesus gave, indued with pow'r, To heal the sick, to raise the dead, lepers To cleanse, and cast out devils in his name. Poor in their spirit, poor in purse, nor shoes Their feet supported, nor with staff their hands, Who, without scrip, were sent to go their way, And gather the lost sheep of Israel's house. Superior to the twelve whom Gessen knew; Those earthly, these with heav'nly thrones endow'd; And greater than that Madian shepherd, Who, from out the burning bush, God's voice heard, Calling him the Israelites to lead, From Egypt's bondage to the promised land. These rather God's true Israel conduct, From earth to his true Canaan in the skies ; Whom, now commission'd, thus the Master sends : " Go forth, companions dear, associates made With me in this great work; go seek the sheep, Long lost, of Israel's house; and going, preach, The kingdom of heav'n is nigh at hand. Go heal the sick, raise the dead, the lepers Cleanse; freely you have received, freely give. Cheerless the field before you lies; from truth Afar, the people, and from God estranged; Iniquitous, perverse, contentious, proud; With hearts depraved, and manners deep debauch'd, By lusts unclean, concupiscence inflamed;

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