REDEMPTION. 107
And now would cease, earth t' Eden's bliss restored, Did man but rightly comprehend the boon, Full purchased through Messias' peaceful reign.
Psalmist of Israel, type of Him to come, Whose pastoral pipe, melodious, oft Hath charm'd the flow'ring plains of Bethlehem, What time thy father's flocks browsed on the hills, Or drank the waters of its grassy meads, Inspire mine ear, list'ning more rapt to thee, Than fleecy charge, or warbling audience, Instinctive, to thy tuneful lay. Let peace, With healing wings outspread, sweetly infuse And calm my soul, perturbed with carking cares, And dreams inane of man's beneficence; Oft drumni'd in faithful ears, that faithless prove, Since men their faithful brethren daily crush, And seldom raise a helping hand to stay; Oft preach 'd, but rarely practiced, e'en before The altar, save when interest inspires. Peace, best attain'd in rural fields and glades, With shepherd's crook, and pipe, and bleating herds, Where frugal life, with simple wants bestow'd, Flows on unenvied, most exempt from care; Peace, which to grace conjoin'd, with rest and joy, The saints partake in hcav'n; now known to thee, Who, long involved in internecine wars, Wast sorely tried, yet, after God's own heart, And overshadow' d by his presence, rich Wast endow' d midst pastoral charms, to be The type of that great Pastor, who his sheep, Purchased with covenant blood, gently leads Into the one great Fold, there to abide
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