The glorious lover a divine poem upon the adorable mystery of sinners redemption /

For th' Prince of Peace had notice of this thing, And fled to Egypt from this wrathful King; And there remaining, graciously was fed, Until this Savage Murderer was dead. And when he heard what had that wretch befell, He hastened back to the Land of Israel. But news being brought of Archilaus's Reign, Soon found it needful to remove again. So being warned of God, to Galilee He turned aside; and there at present we Shall leave him, whilst we may more fully hear The great design of this his coming there. Some possibly may say, was it not to take Unto himself a Kingdom, and so make Himself Renowned, Great and very High, Above each Prince and Earthly Monarchy?

For th' Prince of Peace had notice of this thing, And fled to Egypt from this wrathful King; And there remaining, graciously was fed, Until this Savage Murderer was dead. And when he heard what had that wretch befel, He hastned back to'th Land of Israel. But news being brought of Archilaus's Raign, Soon found it needful to remove again. So being warn'd of God, to Galilee He turn'd aside; and there at present we Shall leave him, whilst we may more fully hear The great design of this his coming there. Some possibly may say, was't not to take Unto himself a Kingdom, and so make Himself Renowned, Great and very High, Above each Prince and Earthly Monarchy?

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Was it not to take the Crowns of every King, And all their Glory to the Dust to bring, To set their Diadems on his own head, That so the Nations might be better led? Was it not to take Revenge upon his Foes, And grind to Powder all that him oppose? Was it not to commence his glorious Reign, That so he might the pride of Nations stain? Herod, tis like, as you before did hear, Such things might dream, and it might vainly fear: But wholly groundless: for (alas) he came Not as a King to punish, but a Lamb, To offer up in sacrifice his Life, To put an end to all tormenting strife, And only gain a poor, but longed-for Wife. His sole design, I told you, it was Love, 'Twas that alone which brought him from above, These hardships, and these pains to undergo, And many more, which yet we have to show: For these are nothing, in comparison Of those which must be told ere we have done.