XXV. The Parable of the Sower and the Tares. NOW he in lively Parables express'd His facred Law, in this among the rest. A Sower went to fow his fertile Land, And spread choice Seed abroad with liberal Hand; But while his Servants flept, an envious Foe, Unhappy Tares among the Wheat did fow: Together they, a dubious Crop, arise, The angry Servants faw, and ftrait advise To weed the Field: the wifer Lord replies, So may the Wheat for Tares be caft away: No both fhall ftand till the Great Harvest Day, Then fhall the Reapers in my Garners lay, The Field's the World, the Tares referv'd for Fire, XXV. St. MATTH. Chap. XIII. Ver. 39; 40, 41, 42. 25 39. The harvest is the end of the world: and the reapers are the angels. 40. As therefore the tares are gathered and burnt in the fire; fo fhall it be in the end of this world. 41. The Son of man shall fend forth his Angels, and they fhall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; 42. And shall caft them into a furnace of fire: there fhall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. XXVI. The Decollation of St. John the Baptift. HE Baptift at his Life's expence reproves THE Herod the King, for his inceftuous Loves ; Imprifon'd firft, till Feftal Pomps proclaim The Tyrant's Birth, when all his Nobles came To Hail the happy Day, nor wanted thereHerodias felf, that false revengeful Fair. Her Daughter with her, Ah! too like her, came, And young Herodias ftill out-fhines the Ball. Which to her Mother, fhe with barb'rous Joy convey'd. XXVI. St. MATTH. Chap. XIV. Ver. 3, to 11. 26. 3. Herod had laid hold on John, d bound him, and put him in prifon for Herodias fake, his brother Philip's wife. 4. For John faid unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her, &c. 10. And he fent and beheaded John in the prison. 11. And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damfel: and fhe brought it to her mother. XXVII. The Miracle of the five Loaves and OW to the Defart Jefus did repair, Now And fought in vain a calm Retirement there; Five Loaves and two small Fishes all their ftore Five thoufand Souls the wondrous Feast sustain'd, Yet Twelve large Baskets-full of broken Food remain'd. |