212 REDEMPTION.
The first was now to say, the one for all :
" Thou art the Christ, Son of the living God." Not in his own strength, nor as of himself, The inspired primate this confession made. Though first in zeal, impetuous yet, and rash, He least might seem to merit this renown ; But, taught of heav'n, him the Father chose, Chief to proclaim, Jesus the Son, divine. With heav'nly complaisance the Saviour smiled; Smiling, he spake, and thus the Chief endow'd :
" Bless'd art thou Simon; for, nor flesh, nor blood, Hath this reveal'd to thee, but God alone, My Father, who in heaven is enthron'd. And now I say to thee, Simon, Bar-Jona, on of the dove, who hears and who obeys, Thy name henceforth is Cephas, Peter, Hock; And on this rock, will I build up my Church, Nor 'gainst it shall the gates of hell prevail. The Keys of heaven I to thee will give, And what thou bind'st on earth, or what thou loos'st, The same shall be, or bound, or loosed, in heav'n."
So spake the Author, Finisher of faith, And set that Rock, which next t' himself secure, Doth stand; nor storms of time, nor floods of wrath, Hell's powers insane, nor error, heresy, Or sin, from its firm basis can remove.
Earth, and the pow'rs of hell, full oft had paid, Their tribute to the great Immanuel's name; But now, to seal the truth of Peter's faith, A dazzling ray gleams from the throne on high, The Sun of Righteousness bedecks, and part Reveals his native splendor of the sky.
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