{"id":31,"date":"2015-11-05T16:59:00","date_gmt":"2015-11-05T16:59:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/newellpoems.library.okstate.edu\/?page_id=31"},"modified":"2017-08-29T18:48:36","modified_gmt":"2017-08-29T18:48:36","slug":"poem-7-8","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/newellpoems.library.okstate.edu\/index.php\/poem-7-8\/","title":{"rendered":"Christmas Day VII and VIII"},"content":{"rendered":"

VII<\/a>
\nWhen the great lamp of Heaven, the glorious sun,
\nHad touch’d his southern period<\/a>, and begun
\nTo leave the winter tropic and to climb
\nThe Zodiacks ascending signs<\/a>, that time
\nThe brighter sun of Righteousness<\/strong> did chose
\nHis beams of light and glory to disclose<\/a>
\nTo our dark lower world; and by those Rays
\nTo chase the darkness, and to make it day
\nAnd left the glorious and resplendent light
\nfor mortals eyes to gaze upon: he shrouds
\nAnd clothes his fiery pillar with the Cloud<\/a>
\n of humane flesh,<\/a> that in that dress he may
\nConverse with men: acquaint them with the way
\nTo life and glory; shew his father’s mind
\nConcerning them, how bountifull and kind
\nHis thoughts were to them; what they might expect
\nFrom him in the observance or neglect
\nOf what he did require and then he fear’d
\nwith his dear blow. the truth he had reveal’d<\/p>\n

VIII<\/a>
\nWhen the Almighty doth his first born bring
\nInto the world, behold how every thing
\nDoth strive to bear him witness, and proclaim
\nThat this was he on whose most healing name
\nMan’s Restitution<\/a> lay. the Woman’s seed
\nPromis’d in Eden; thus it was decree’d1<\/a> <\/sup><\/a>:
\nTo print an Eminence upon that day,
\nWithin whose womb so great concernment<\/a> lay
\nAnd first those prophecys that seem’d to lie
\nin a long sleep, the Day spring2<\/a> <\/sup><\/a> from on high
\nSummons them up: to Bethlem they are sent,
\nAnd there they read their own accomplishment.
\nHere Abraham<\/a> finds his promis’d seed3<\/a> <\/sup><\/a>, in whom
\nThe nation’s bliss was wrapt; David<\/a> his son4<\/a> <\/sup><\/a>,
\nAnd yet his Lord; Jacob’s<\/a> dim aged5<\/a> <\/sup><\/a> eye
\nBeholds his wished Shilo<\/a> 6<\/a> <\/sup><\/a>; Jeremy.<\/a> ,
\nThe Lord our Righteousness7<\/a> <\/sup><\/a>; Ezechiel<\/a>
\nHis kingly shepherd8<\/a> <\/sup><\/a>; I say, Immanuel <\/a> ,
\nThe virgin’s son9<\/a> <\/sup><\/a>; Wise Daniel<\/a> , while he seeks10<\/a> <\/sup><\/a>
\nHe finds within the Compass of his wishes
\nmessing birth, where micha’s<\/a> prophecy11<\/a> <\/sup><\/a>
\nBefore precisely fixt it; Malachy<\/a> ,
\nThe last of all the ancient prophets12<\/a> <\/sup><\/a> here
\nOf the new Covenant<\/a> , finds the Messenger
\nThere, and an Army more of prophecys
\nLike stars of several magnitudes<\/a> arise
\nFrom several periods<\/a>, and then fix their station<\/a>
\nConjoyn’d<\/a> in one great Constellation;
\nJust over Bethlem with that Eastern star, and<\/p>\n

And joyntly sing; we were fulfilled are
\nHither comes also Moses with a train
\nOf Types<\/a> and sacrifices13<\/a> <\/sup><\/a> which contain
\nShadows of that great prophet he foretold14<\/a> <\/sup><\/a>
\nThis day unveils their face and his unfolds
\nTheir mysteries; all and here with one consent
\nThey publish all; lo! this was he we meant
\nThe Blessed Angels from the Heavens descend,
\nThe prince of Heavens birth-day to attend15<\/a> <\/sup><\/a>
\nand cloath’d with light and glory, they became
\nThe Heralds those glad tidings to proclaim
\nUnto the watchfull shepherds; forthwith they
\nTo Bethlehem as directed, hast away
\nAnd find as they were told and every where
\nWhat they has seen and heard, they do declare16<\/a> <\/sup><\/a>
\nAnd that the Heavens, as well as Angels,
\nContribute somewhat to this solemn day
\nA star is born, that never before appear’d17<\/a> <\/sup><\/a>
\nWhose course so wisely through tho air us frear’d
\nTo Bethle’m, that by it, as by a thread,
\nThe Eastern Wise-men thither just are lead;
\nAnd there it makes a halt, and so do they
\nTo Jacob’s star18<\/a> <\/sup><\/a>, while they their homage pay19<\/a> <\/sup><\/a>
\nWhen after Mary to the temple went,
\nHer and her maker’s first-born20<\/a> <\/sup><\/a> to present
\nThither by secret providence are brought
\nSimeon and Anna <\/a> that of long had fought
\nFor Isreals consolation; there they see
\nThe hope they sought, and witness this is he.
\nThus did our Lord no sooner land among
\nUs mortals, but immediately a throng
\nOf Strang and wonderful conjunctures swarm to
\nTo this divine Attractive, and Alarm
\nThe unexpecting world that he for whome
\nThe world was made, into the world is come,
\nA thing exceeding wonder, therefore fit
\nThat wonders should attest and publish it<\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

Footnotes<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/a>1<\/sup> Matthew 1:22-23<\/strong> Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Back to text.<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a>2<\/sup> Luke 1:78<\/strong> Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us Back to text.<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a>3<\/sup> Genesis 12:3<\/strong> And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. Back to text.<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a>4<\/sup> Jeremiah 23:5<\/strong> Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. Back to text.<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a>5<\/sup> Psalm 110:3<\/strong> Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth. Back to text.<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a>6<\/sup> Genesis 49:10 <\/strong> The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be. Back to text.<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a>7<\/sup> Jeremiah 23:6<\/strong> In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. Back to text.<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a>8<\/sup> Ezekiel 34:23<\/strong> And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd. Back to text.<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a>9<\/sup> Isiah 7:14<\/strong> Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Back to text.<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a>10<\/sup> Daniel 3:24<\/strong> Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. Back to text.<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a>11<\/sup> Micah 5:2<\/strong> But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. Back to text.<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a>12<\/sup> Malachi 3:1<\/strong> Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. Back to text.<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a>13<\/sup> Hebrews 10:1<\/strong> For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. Back to text.<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a>14<\/sup> Deuteronomy 18:15<\/strong> The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken; Back to text.<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a>15<\/sup> Luke 2:9,15<\/strong> 9: And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 15: And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.Back to text.<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a>16<\/sup> Luke 2:17<\/strong> And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. Back to text.<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a>17<\/sup> Matthew 2:7<\/strong> Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. Back to text.<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a>18<\/sup> Numbers 24:17<\/strong> I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth. Back to text.<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a>19<\/sup> Luke 2:25<\/strong> To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. Back to text.<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a>20<\/sup> Colossians 1:15<\/strong> Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature Back to text.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

VII When the great lamp of Heaven, the glorious sun, Had touch’d his southern period, and begun To leave the winter tropic and to climb The Zodiacks ascending signs, that time The brighter sun of Righteousness did chose His beams … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newellpoems.library.okstate.edu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/31"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newellpoems.library.okstate.edu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newellpoems.library.okstate.edu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newellpoems.library.okstate.edu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newellpoems.library.okstate.edu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=31"}],"version-history":[{"count":38,"href":"https:\/\/newellpoems.library.okstate.edu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/31\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":401,"href":"https:\/\/newellpoems.library.okstate.edu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/31\/revisions\/401"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newellpoems.library.okstate.edu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}