Provoking God to raise them enemies:From whom as oft he saves them penitentBy Judges first, then under Kings; of whomThe second, both for pietie renowndAnd puissant deeds, a promise shall receiveIrrevocable, that his Regal ThroneFor ever shall endure; the like shall singAll Prophecie, [t]hat of the Royal StockOf David (so I name this King) shall riseA Son, the Womans Seed to thee foretold,
[1220]
Foretold to Abraham, as in whom shall trustAll Nations, and to Kings foretold, of KingsThe last, for of his Reign shall be no end.But first a long succession must ensue,And his next Son for Wealth and Wisdom fam'd,The clouded Ark of God till then in TentsWandring, shall in a glorious Temple enshrine.Such follow him, as shall be registerdPart good, part bad, of bad the longer scrowle,Whose foul Idolatries, and other faults
[1230]
Heapt to the popular summe, will so incenseGod, as to leave them, and expose thir Land,Thir Citie, his Temple, and his holy ArkWith all his sacred things, a scorn and preyTo that proud Citie, whose high Walls thou saw'stLeft in confusion, Babylon thence call'd.There in captivitie he lets them dwellThe space of seventie years, then brings them back,Remembring mercie, and his Cov'nant swornTo David, stablisht as the dayes of Heav'n.
[1240]
Returnd from Babylon by leave of KingsThir Lords, whom God dispos'd, the house of GodThey first re-edifie, and for a whileIn mean estate live moderate, till grownIn wealth and multitude, factious they grow;But first among the Priests dissension springs,Men who attend the Altar, and should mostEndeavour Peace: thir strife pollution bringsUpon the Temple it self: at last they seiseThe Scepter, and regard not Davids Sons,
[1250]
Then loose it to a stranger, that the trueAnointed King Messiah might be bornBarr'd of his right; yet at his Birth a StarrUnseen before in Heav'n proclaims him com,And guides the Eastern Sages, who enquireHis place, to offer Incense, Myrrh, and Gold;His place of birth a solemn Angel tellsTo simple Shepherds, keeping watch by night;They gladly thither haste, and by a QuireOf squadrond Angels hear his Carol sung.
[1260]
A Virgin is his Mother, but his SireThe Power of the most High; he shall ascendThe Throne hereditarie, and bound his ReignWith earths wide bounds, his glory with the Heav'ns.He ceas'd, discerning Adam with such joySurcharg'd, as had like grief bin dew'd in tears,Without the vent of words, which these he breathd.O Prophet of glad tidings, finisherOf utmost hope! now clear I understandWhat oft my steddiest thoughts have searcht in vain,