Classic Poem

PARABLE LVI.

Perseverance in Christ encouraged.

Behold! I send you all away
Like sheep amongst the wolves of prey;
Then be ye like the serpents keen,
But doves, as harmless and serene.
?Yet of the carnal world take heed:
For at their bars they shall implead,
And scourge you in the house of pray'r,
And to their chiefs you must repair,
And dragg'd before each earthly prince,
Both Jews and Gentiles shall convince.
But, when giv'n up to pow'r, be meek,
And take no thought what ye shall speak:
Ye shall be prompted in that day
In ev'ry thing you ought to say.
Ye speak not but as God controuls
Your spirit, working in your souls.
And brothers brethren shall forsake,
And sire his son, when life's at stake;
Children against their parents rise,
And ev'n tormenting deaths devise;
And all shall hate you, and defame,
Because you're called by my name:
But they that to the last endure,
Shall make their own salvation sure.