Christmas Day XI
\nby Sir Matthew Hale<\/p>\n
The Angels whose pure nature had no spot <\/a>1<\/sup> Though, in her notes, Newell claimed this line was in reference to Luke 2:13, it more accurately fits Luke 2:10 (1611 King James Bible<\/em>). Back to text.<\/a><\/p>\n <\/a>2<\/sup> Luke 2:13-14 (1611 King James Bible<\/em>). Back to text.<\/a><\/p>\n <\/a>3<\/sup> Luke 2:14 (1611 King James Bible<\/em>). Back to text.<\/a><\/p>\n <\/a>4<\/sup> Philippians 2:6-7 (1611 King James Bible<\/em>). Back to text.<\/a><\/p>\n <\/a>5<\/sup> Matthew 22:30 (1611 King James Bible<\/em>). Back to text.<\/a><\/p>\n <\/a>6<\/sup> Matthew 16:27 (1611 King James Bible<\/em>). Back to text.<\/a><\/p>\n <\/a>7<\/sup> Use of the poetic technique chiasmus, which is “a grammatical figure by which the order of words in one of two parallel clauses is inverted in the other” (OED). Back to text.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Christmas Day XI by Sir Matthew Hale The Angels whose pure nature had no spot Of sin or guilt, and therefore needed not An expiation; yet when sent they were, The tidings of that peace and joy to bear1 Which … Continue reading
\nOf sin or guilt, and therefore needed not
\nAn expiation<\/a>; yet when sent they were,
\nThe tidings of that peace and joy to bear1<\/a> <\/sup><\/a>
\nWhich this day dawn’d to man, they fill the skies
\nWith acclamations: Glory to God on high2<\/a> <\/sup><\/a>,
\nPeace on the earth, good will to man3<\/a> <\/sup><\/a>: thus they
\nRejoyce to see the spring of others joy
\nAnd shall the Angels when the news they bring
\nOf bliss to man an Heavenly Anthem sing,
\nAnd man be silent; man, for whose only sake
\nOur blessed Lord did Humane nature take4<\/a> <\/sup><\/a>
\nAnd stoopt blow<\/a> the Angels, to instal
\nAnd place man in a state Angelical5<\/a> <\/sup><\/a>
\nDear Lord, our hearts are narrow, let thy love
\nFill and inlarge<\/a> their compass and improve
\nTheir dew returns6<\/a> <\/sup><\/a>, and as thy loves extent
\nDid cause that strang<\/a> and wonderfull descent
\nOf heaven to Earth, so it again may raise
\nOur earth to Heaven7<\/a> <\/sup><\/a>, so our hearts to thee in praise.<\/p>\n