Than prompt her to do aught may merit praise.
What if with like aversion I reject

Riches and realms? yet not for that a crown,
Golden in show, is but a wreath of thorns,
Brings dangers, troubles, cares, and sleepless nights,
To him who wears the regal diadem,
When on his shoulders each man's burden lies;
For therein stands the office of a king,
His honor, virtue, merit, and chief praise,
That for the public all this weight he bears.
Yet he, who reigns within himself, and rules
Passions, desires, and fears, is more a king;
Which every wise and virtuous man attains;
And who attains not, ill aspires to rule
Cities of men, or headstrong multitudes,
Subject himself to anarchy within,
Or lawless passions in him, which he serves.
But to guide nations in the way of truth
By saving doctrine, and from error lead
To know, and knowing worship God aright,
Is yet more kingly; this attracts the soul,
Governs the inner man, the nobler part;
That other o'er the body only reigns,
And oft by force, which, to a generous mind,
So reigning, can be no sincere delight.
Besides, to give a kingdom hath been thought
Greater and nobler done, and to lay down
Far more magnanimous, than to assume.
Riches are needless then, both for themselves,
And for thy reason why they should be sought,
To gain a sceptre, oftest better miss'd."

BOOK III.

THE ARGUMENT.

supposing that the seeming reluctance of Jesus to be thus advanced, might arise from his being un acquainted with the world and its glories, conveys him to the summit of a high mountain, and from thence shows him most of the kingdoms of Asia, particularly pointing out to his notice some extraordinary military preparations of the Parthians to resist the incursions of the Scythians. He then informs our Lord, that he showed him this pur posely that he might see how necessary military exertions are to retain the possession of kingdoms, as well as to subdue them at first, and advises him to consider how impossible it was to maintain Judea against two such powerful neighbors as the Romans and Parthians, and how necessary it would be to form an alliance with one or other of them. At the same time he recommends, and engages to secure to him, that of the Parthians; and tells him that by this means his power will be defended from any thing that Rome or Cæsar might attempt against it, and that he will be able to extend his glory wide, and especially to accomplish, what was particularly necessary to make the throne of Judea really the throne of David, the deliverance and restoration of the ten tribes, still in a state of captivity. Jesus, having briefly noticed the vanity of military efforts, and the weakness of the arm of flesh, says, that when the time comes for his ascending his allotted throne, he shall not be slack: he remarks on Satan's extraordinary zeal for the deliverance of the Israelites, to whom he had always showed himself an enemy, and declares their servitude to be the consequence of their idolatry; but adds, that at a future time it may perhaps please God to recall them, and restore them to their liberty and native land.

So spake the Son of God; and Satan stood
Awhile, as mute, confounded what to say,
What to reply, confuted, and convinc'd
Of his weak arguing and fallacious drift;
At length, collecting all his serpent wiles,
With soothing words renew'd, him thus accosts.
"I see thou know'st what is of use to know,
What best to say canst say, to do canst do;

Satan, in a speech of much flattering commenda-
tion, endeavors to awaken in Jesus a passion for
glory, by particularizing various instances of con-
quests achieved, and great actions performed, by
persons at an early period of life. Our Lord
replies, by showing the vanity of worldly fame,
and the improper means by which it is generally
attained; and contrasts with it the true glory of
religious patience and virtuous wisdom, as ex-
emplified in the character of Job. Satan justifies
the love of glory from the example of God him- Thy actions to thy words accord, thy words
self, who requires it from all his creatures. Jesus To thy large heart give utterance due, thy heart
detects the fallacy of his argument, by showing Contains of good, wise, just, the perfect shape.
that, as goodness is the true ground on which Should kings and nations from thy mouth consult,
glory is due to the great Creator of all things, Thy counsel would be as the oracle
sinful man can have no right whatever to it.- Urim and Thummim, those oraculous gems
Satan then urges our Lord respecting his claim On Aaron's breast; or tongue of seers old,
to the throne of David; he tells him that the Infallible: or wert thou sought to deeds
kingdom of Judea, being at that time a province That might require the array of war, thy skill
of Rome, cannot be got possession of without Of conduct would be such, that all the world
much personal exertion on his part, and presses Could not sustain thy prowess, or subsist
him to lose no time in beginning to reign. Jesus In battle, though against thy few in arms.
refers him to the time allotted for this, as for all These godlike virtues, wherefore dost thou hide
other things; and, after intimating somewhat re- Affecting private life, or more obscure
specting his own previous sufferings, asks Satan, In savage wilderness? wherefore deprive
why he should be so solicitous for the exaltation All Earth her wonder at thy acts, thyself
of one, whose rising was destined to be his fall. The fame and glory, glory the reward
Satan replies, that his own desperate state, by ex- That sole excites to high attempts, the flame
cluding all hope, leaves little room for fear; and Of most erected spirits, most temper'd pure
that, as his own punishment was equally doomed, Ethereal, who all pleasures else despise,
he is not interested in preventing the reign of All treasures and all gain esteem as dross,
one, from whose apparent benevolence he might And dignities and powers all but the highest?
rather hope for some interference in his favor. Thy years are ripe, and over-ripe; the son
Satan still pursues his former incitements; and, Of Macedonian Philip had ere these

T

The deed becomes unprais'd, the man at least,
And loses, though but verbal, his reward.
Shall I seek glory then, as vain men seek,
Oft not deserv'd? I seek not mine, but his
Who sent me; and thereby witness whence I am.'
To whom the tempter murmuring thus replied.

Think not so slight of glory; therein least
Resembling thy great Father: he seeks glory,
And for his glory all things made, all things
Orders and governs; nor content in Heaven
By all his angels glorified, requires
Glory from men, from all men, good or bad,
Wise or unwise, no difference, no exemption;
Above all sacrifice, or hallow'd gift,
Glory he requires, and glory he receives,
Promiscuous from all nations, Jew or Greek,
Or barbarous, nor exception hath declar'd;
From us, his foes pronounc'd, glory he exacts."

To whom our Savior fervently replied.
"And reason; since his word all things produc'd
Though chiefly not for glory as prime end,
But to show forth his goodness, and impart
His good communicable to every soul
Freely; of whom what could he less expect
Than glory and benediction, that is, thanks.
The slightest, easiest, readiest recompense
From them who could return him nothing else,
And, not returning that, would likeliest render
Contempt instead, dishonor, obloquy?
Hard recompense, unsuitable return
For so much good, so much beneficence!
But why should man seek glory, who of his own
Hath nothing, and to whom nothing belongs,
But condemnation, ignominy, and shame ?
Who for so many benefits receiv'd,
Turn'd recreant to God, ingrate and false,
And so of all true good himself despoil'd;
Yet, sacrilegious, to himself would take
That which to God alone of right belongs:
Yet so much bounty is in God, such grace,
That who advance his glory, not their own,
Them he himself to glory will advance."

So spake the Son of God; and here again
Satan had not to answer, but stood struck
With guilt of his own sin; for he himself,
Insatiable of glory, had lost all;
Yet of another plea bethought him soon.

"Of glory, as thou wilt," said he, "so deem;
Worth or not worth the seeking, let it pass.
But to a kingdom thou art born, ordain'd
To sit upon thy father David's throne,
By mother's side thy father; though thy right
Be now in powerful hands, that will not part
Easily from possession won with arms:
Judæa now and all the Promis'd Land,
Reduc'd a province under Roman yoke,
Obeys Tiberius; nor is always rul'd
With temperate sway; oft have they violated
The temple, oft the law, with foul affronts,
Abominations rather, as did once
Antiochus: and think'st thou to regain

By deeds of peace, by wisdom eminent,
By patience, temperance: I mention still
Him, whom thy wrongs, with saintly patience borne, Thy right, by sitting still, or thus retiring?
Made famous in a land and times obscure;
Who names not now with honor patient Job?
Poor Socrates, (who next more memorable?)
By what he taught, and suffer'd for so doing,
For truth's sake suffering death, unjust, lives now
Equal in fame to proudest conquerors.
Yet if for fame and glory aught be done,
Aught suffer'd; if young African for fame
His wasted country freed from Punic rage;

So did not Maccabeus: he indeed
Retir'd unto the desert, but with arms;
And o'er a mighty king so oft prevail'd,
That by strong hand his family obtain'd,
Though priests, the crown, and David's throne usurp'd.
With Modin and her suburbs once content.
If kingdom move thee not, let move thee zeal
And duty; and zeal and duty are not slow,
But on occasion's forelock watchful wait;

Won Asia, and the throne of Cyrus held
At his dispose; young Scipio had brought down
The Carthaginian pride; young Pompey quell'd
The Pontic king, and in triúmph had rode.
Yet years, and to ripe years judgment mature,
Quench not the thirst of glory, but augment.
Great Julius, whom now all the world admires,
The more he grew in years, the more inflam'd
With glory, wept that he had liv'd so long
Inglorious but thou yet art not too late.

To whom our Savior calmly thus replied.
"Thou neither dost persuade me to seek wealth
For empire's sake, nor empire to affect
For glory's sake, by all thy argument.
For what is glory but the blaze of fame,
The people's praise, if always praise unmix'd?
And what the people but a herd confus'd,
A miscellaneous rabble, who extol
Things vulgar, and, well weigh'd, scarce worth the
praise ?

They praise, and they admire, they know not what,
And know not whom, but as one leads the other;
And what delight to be by such extoll'd,
To live upon their tongues, and be their talk,
Of whom to be disprais'd were no small praise?
His lot who dares be singularly good.
The intelligent among them and the wise
Are few, and glory scarce of few is rais'd.
This is true glory and renown, when God,
Looking on the Earth, with approbation marks
The just man, and divulges him through Heaven
To all his angels, who with true applause
Recount his praises: thus he did to Job,
When to extend his fame through Heaven and Earth,
As thou to thy reproach may'st well remember,
He ask'd thee, Hast thou seen my servant Job?'
Famous he was in Heaven, on Earth less known;
Where glory is false glory, attributed

To things not glorious, men not worthy of fame.
They err, who count it glorious to subdue
By conquest far and wide, to over-run
Large countries, and in field great battles win,
Great cities by assault: what do these worthies,
But rob and spoil, burn, slaughter, and enslave
Peaceable nations, neighboring, or remote,
Made captive, yet deserving freedom more
Than those their conquerors, who leave behind
Nothing but ruin wheresoe'er they rove,
And all the flourishing works of peace destroy;
Then swell with pride, and must be titled Gods,
Great Benefactors of mankind, Deliverers,
Worshipt with temple, priest, and sacrifice?
One is the son of Jove, of Mars the other;
Till conqueror Death discover them scarce men,
Rolling in brutish vices, and deform'd,
Violent or shameful death their due reward.
But if there be in glory aught of good,
It may by means far different be attain'd,
Without ambition, war, or violence;

fernal compeers to relate the bad success of his enterprise. Angels in the mean time convey our blessed Lord to a beautiful valley, and, while they minister to him a repast of celestial food, celebrate his victory in a triumphant hymn.

tells him that he might with the greatest ease expel Tiberius, restore the Romans to their liberty, and make himself master not only of the Roman Empire, but by so doing of the whole world, and inclusively of the throne of David. Our Lord, in reply, expresses his contempt of grandeur and worldly power, notices the luxury, vanity, and PERPLEX'D and troubled at his bad success profligacy of the Romans, declaring how little The tempter stood, nor had what to reply, they merited to be restored to that liberty, which Discover'd in his fraud, thrown from his hope they had lost by their misconduct, and briefly re- So oft, and the persuasive rhetoric fers to the greatness of his own future kingdom. That sleek'd his tongue, and won so much on Eve: Satan, now desperate, to enhance the value of his So little here, nay lost; but Eve was Eve; proffered gifts, professes that the only terms, on This far his over-match, who, self-deceiv'd which he will bestow them, are our Savior's fall- And rash, beforehand had no better weigh'd ing down and worshipping him. Our Lord ex- The strength he was to cope with, or his own: presses a firm but temperate indignation at such But as a man, who had been matchless held a proposition, and rebukes the tempter by the title In cunning, over-reach'd where least he thought, of Satan for ever damned." Satan, abashed, To salve his credit, and for every spite, attempts to justify himself: he then assumes a Still will be tempting him who foils him still, new ground of temptation, and proposing to Jesus And never cease, though to his shame the more: the intellectual gratifications of wisdom and Or as a swarm of flies in vintage time, knowledge, points out to him the celebrated seat About the wine-press where sweet must is pour'd, of ancient learning, Athens, its schools, and other Beat off, returns as oft with humming sound; various resorts of learned teachers and their dis- Or surging waves against a solid rock, ciples; accompanying the view with a highly- Though all to shivers dash'd, the assault renew finished panegyric on the Grecian musicians, po- (Vain battery!) and in froth or bubbles end; ets, orators and philosophers of the different sects. So Satan, whom repulse upon repulse Jesus replies, by showing the vanity and insuf- Met ever, and to shameful silence brought, ficiency of the boasted heathen philosophy; and Yet gives not o'er, though desperate of success, prefers to the music, poetry, eloquence and didac- And his vain importunity pursues. tic policy of the Greeks, those of the inspired He brought our Savior to the western side Hebrew writers. Satan, irritated at the failure Of that high mountain, whence he might behold of all his attempts, upbraids the indiscretion of Another plain, long, but in breadth not wide, our Savior in rejecting his offers; and, having, in Wash'd by the southern sea, and, on the north, ridicule of his expected kingdom, foretold the suf-To equal length back'd with a ridge of hills ferings that our Lord was to undergo, carries him That screen'd the fruits of the earth, and seats of men, back into the wilderness, and leaves him there. From cold Septentrion blast; thence in the midst Night comes on: Satan raises a tremendous Divided by a river, of whose banks storm, and attempts further to alarm Jesus with On each side an imperial city stood, frightful dreams, and terrific threatening spectres; With towers and temples proudly elevate which, however, have no effect upon him. A On seven small hills, with palaces adorn'd, calm, bright, beautiful morning succeeds to the Porches, and theatres, baths, aqueducts, horrors of the night. Satan again presents him- Statues, and trophies, and triumphal arcs, self to our blessed Lord, and, from noticing the Gardens, and groves, presented to his eyes, storm of the preceding night as pointed chiefly at Above the height of mountains interpos'd: him, takes occasion once more to insult him with (By what strange parallax, or optic skill an account of the sufferings which he was cer- Of vision, multiplied through air, or glass tainly to undergo. This only draws from our Of telescope, were curious to inquire :) Lord a brief rebuke. Satan, now at the height And now the tempter thus his silence broke. of his desperation, confesses that he had frequent- The city which thou seest, no other deem ly watched Jesus from his birth, purposely to dis-Than great and glorious Rome, queen of the Earth, cover if he was the true Messiah; and, collecting So far renown'd, and with the spoils enrich'd from what passed at the river Jordan that he most Of nations; there the Capitol thou seest, probably was so, he had from that time more as- Above the rest lifting his stately head siduously followed him, in hopes of gaining some On the Tarpeian rock, her citadel advantage over him, which would most effectual- Impregnable, and there mount Palatine ly prove that he was not really that Divine Per- The imperial palace, compass huge and high son destined to be his "fatal enemy." In this he The structure, skill of noblest architects, acknowledges that he has hitherto completely With gilded battlements conspicuous far, 'failed; but still determines to make one more Turrets, and terraces, and glittering spires: trial of him. Accordingly he conveys him to the Many a fair edifice besides, more like Temple at Jerusalem, and, placing him on a point- Houses of Gods, (so well I have dispos'd ed eminence, requires him to prove his divinity My aery microscope,) thou may'st behold, either by standing there, or casting himself down Outside and inside both, pillars and roofs, with safety. Our Lord reproves the tempter, and Carv'd work, the hand of fam'd artificers, at the same time manifests his own divinity by In cedar, marble, ivory, or gold. standing on this dangerous point. Satan, amazed Thence to the gates cast round thine eye, and see and terrified, instantly falls; and repairs to his in- What conflux issuing forth, or entering in;

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