218 . REDEMPTION.
A prospect large, luxuriant diffused,
Where Israel his pastoral skill display'd.
Not unobservant pass'd the Son of Man,
These verd'rous scenes, yet paused not for repose,
Nor ceased his heav'nly mission to fulfill,
Tracing his way profuse with acts of grace.
Here heal'd the sick, there snatch'd from death his prey,
Now penitential grief with pardon sooth'd,
Then dried each weeping eye, and, with the oil
Of gladness, bounteous pour'd, each heart assuaged,
Till hill and valley glad, responsive rang,
With rapturous acclaim Iramanuel's praise.
The ford of Jordan he at Bethsan cross'd, Pursued the wand'rings of that famous stream To Zephon, thence Ainathus took, Succoth, Rural retreats, in Jordan's verdant vale, To Debir, tortuous course, until the ford, Where John baptized, Bethbera, now once more Laves his worn feet, and gently o'er the stream To Juda's hallow'd soil, bears him refresh'd. The city' of palms receives him next, where rose That fount, whose waters, barrenness and death Brought, blight untimely, premature decay, Until the prophet bade them healing flow. But now, a greater than Eliseus, stands On that sequester'd spot, and richer floods Pours out of tenderness, compassion, love, Chief of Samaritans, who came with these, To heal the nations, and redeem, who sit The shadowy vale within of sin and death. Here blind Bartimeus, and that hapless twain, At Jesus bidding, ope their eyes, to see
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