The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1838-06-01 00:00:00

ottrp.

THE PREACHING OF KNOX BEFORE THE LORDS
OF THE CONGREGATION—JUNE 10, 1559.
Most respectfully inscribed to Sir David Wilkie.

BY CHARLES SWAIN.

Oh, cross of Christ, first reared 'mid scoff and scorn,
Cherished in secret 'gsinst a bad world's bate;
Now, on the neck maiden of beauty worn—
Blazing 'mid arms and banners of the state—
The flags of navies—crowned and consecrate!—
Frst, type of persecution, shame, and blood;—
Now the bowed knees of nations on thee wait,
Awl kiags adore where burning martyrs stood,
Like Faith amidst ttw flames—unchanged and nnsubdued
Oh, blest of Heaven, Religion, God-born guide!—
Not thine the torture and the bigot-chain,—
Not thine the unsparing creed,—the zealot pride
That would through persecution Christ attain!
Thon'hast no heavenly joy in human pain!
Bat ever com'st by love and mercy led!
Yet wert thou parent-called by many a Cain,
Who from the altar struck his brother dead,
And pray'd with gore-stained hands—as if 'twere incenseabed!
Come to our souls and make us all thine own,
Come with thine eye of truth,—thy lip of grace,—
Thy peace—which is the light of Jesus' throne;—
Thy hope—which beameth like an angel's face;
Oh, come, Religion, all the world embrace!
For all are brothers, and God's home would seek;
Back to thy breast our erring footsteps trace;
Teach us with Christian charity to speak,
Nor crouch to high estate—nor trample on the weak !
Swords in the crowded chancel—armed feet
Trampling the solemn aisle-4hom serve they here?
Terror is in the wild and anxious street
Where gleams the holy church with axe and spear!
Where Crichton, Napier, Rutherford, appear
To list the voice which menaced death defies;—
The intrepid Knox !—who sees not, owns not fear,
But to the gospel lifts his heavenward eyes,
Content to yield his life, if fur God's Word be dies ?
Fear? He had known captivity untamed;
Had worn the dungeon's fetters undismayed:
Fear? Though the martyr's death had round him flamed,
Or rack inquisitorial been displayed,
His heart—unconquerably firm—had made
A crown of glory from the thorns of hate !
Fear? 'Twas not man could make his soul afraid.
God was his sword—his shield inviolate,
Aud fenced by these his soul could stand and smile at fate!
But not alone that bounded spot of earth,
His sin-denouncing thunders smote each land
Where Rome's idolatries and crimes had birth ;
Her mitres shook 'neath his indignant hand :
Though offered titles, sent at Kings' command
To win his silence—still no Judas be
To vend his Saviour for a bribe; and brand
The immortal conquest of a Gospel free,
For rank ambition craves, and godless bends the knee!
Then vain was Hamilton's remorseless threat,
That dared he mount the pulpit—even there
Should he by sword and arquebus be met;
Shot like a wolf within its safest lair!
And spake the preacher—" For His sake I dare
Not only thine—hilt all sin's champions armed
Thou of a creed that knows not hew to spare,
• Shalt learn how Truth can face thee unalarmed,
And prove from bolt and brand this bo,k of life is charmed I"
And forth the lightning of his spirit flew,
Striking the superstitious of his day;
Its relics, images, and saints o'erthrew ;
Rending.the veil which bid corruption's way!
And from that hour the pomp and, the array
Of mitred mammon lost their legal pride;
The cross of Christ again assumed its sway ;
God's book to all the world was opened wide,
And nations blest His name who for redemption died!
See! mark you not the dark emotions round?
The brow convulsed, the wild, vindictive eye?
Methinks I hear the stern, deep murmuring sound
Of carbless rage and vengeance sweeping by!
'Tis but the Artist's mind, and genius high,
Yielding existence to departed time;
Showing how Christian faith may yet defy
Sin's serpent feet the pulpit steps climb,
To sell the shrines of heaven, or shake our trust sublime !
Manchester,