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النشر الإلكتروني

CXLIII.

ACTS Chap. X. Ver. 3, 4, 5, 6.

143

3. Cornelius a centurion faw in a vifion evidently, about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of God coming in to him, and faying unto him, Cornelius.

4. And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and faid, What is it, Lord? And he faid unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.

5. And now fend men to Joppa, and call for one Simon whofe furname is Peter:

6. He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whofe heufe is by the fea-fide: he shall tell thee what thou oughteft to do.

CXLIV.

Peter imprison'd, and deliver'd by an Angel.

BY Herod, Zebedean James was flain,

He loft his Head a Martyr-Crown to gain : The Tyrant faw the bloody Jews were pleas'd, And farther went, and next on Peter feiz'd; Within a loathsom Dungeon him confin'd, A fecond Victim to their Rage defign'd. To Guards twice doubled, him commit in vain, At Night they lodge him with a double Chain. Sweetly he flept, for all was calm within, No black difturbing Dreams of Guilt or Sin. --Sleep on blefs'd Saint! nor haft thou ought to fear, Tho' near the Tyrant's Guard,thy heav'nly Guard's

more near.

The Angel who secur'd thee from the Womb,
Enrob'd in Light is to thy Rescue come.
He came, he saw, he gently touch'd his Side,
And bids him rise, the Doors are open'd wide;
The first and fecond Ward unfeen they paft,
The Iron-Gate that mov'd on Hinges vaft,
Silently open'd to the heav'nly Guide,

While his lov'd Charge walk'd wond'ring by his
Side.

Another Street they pass'd, from Danger clear'd, Forthwith the Angel left his Saint, and disappear'd.

CXLIV.

ACTS Chap. XII. Ver. 6, 7, 8, 9.

144.

6. Peter was fleeping between two foldiers, bound with two chains; and the keepers before the door kept the prifon.

7. And behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he fmote Peter on the fide, and raised him up, faying, Arife up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.

8. And the angel faid unto him, Gird thy self, and bind on thy fandals: And fo he did. And he faid unto him, Caft thy garment about thee and follow me. 9. And he went out and followed him.

CXLV.

Herod fmitten by the Angel of God.

WHEN thus the haughty Tyrant's Rage de

ceiv'd,

And of his long expected Prey bereav'd;
Against his Guards he ftorm'd and rav'd in vain,
The Saint by Wonders fav'd, while these are flain.
Now he's with Tyre's and Sidon's Towns dif-
pleas'd,

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Who him by Gifts at length and Friends appeas'd.
When in his glitt'ring Royal Robes aray'd,
Whereon the Sun with fierce Reflexions play'd,
Plac'd on his Throne be an Oration made.
The Crowd with Acclamations rend the Sky,
And fawning low, a God! a God! they cry.
What flowing Sweetness and what maffy Sense !
No mortal Voice, nor mortal Eloquence!
The Tyrant all with fecret Pride receives,
And scarce his due he thinks th' Affembly gives:
But Heav'n who faw him ripe for Wrath, when He
To Perfecution added Blafphemy;

A vengeful Angel fends who fmites him there,
And from his Throne he tumbles in Despair;
Th' Jimmortal Man now owns fuperiour Pow'r,
And yet alive, the Wretch increafing Worms de-

your,

CXLV.

ACTS Chap. XII. Ver. 21, 22, 23.

145.

21. Upon a fet day, Herod arayed in royal ap parel, fat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them.

22. And the people gave a fhout, faying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.

23. And immediately the angel of the Lord fmote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.

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