The Parables of the loft Sheep, and piece of Silver.
A Hundred Sheep of pond'rous Fleece and
A Shepherd fed on Dothan's fertile Plain.
Each Morn his Flock, and late at Ev'n furvey'd,
And mark'd with Care if ought difeas'd or ftray'd:
Yet one, by hopes of better Pafture led
To diftant barren Defarts wand'ring fled :
Soon mifs'd, the Shepherd ranges Hills and Dales,
O're craggy hanging Rocks and hollow Vales.
Till he at length th' unhappy Straggler find,
Too faint to go, 'tis on his Shoulders laid,
And to the Fold again with Joy convey'd ;
His Friends, and Neighbours are invited round,
All muft rejoyce, the wand'ring Sheep is found.
Such Joy in Heav'n receives each friendly Mind, (Not unconcern'd at Cares of human Kind) When one poor Sinner here, whofe Loss they mourn'd,
To Virtue's fhining Paths, and to himself return'd.
St. LUKE Chap. XV. Ver. 4, 5, 6.
4. What man of you having an hundred sheep, if he lofe one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is loft, until he find it?
5. And when be hath found it, he layeth it on his fhoulders, rejoycing.
6. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, Saying unto them, Rejoyce with me, for I have found my sheep which was loft.
The prodigal Son leaves his Father's
House.
A Good old Sire there was, whom Age and
Had blefs'd with Wealth, and crown'd with filver
Two Sons he had, this careful of the Main,
The younger, wild, extravagant and vain;
Yet he the Darling; which too well he knew,
And only did his Sports and Mirth pursue.
But tir'd at last with Home, he longs for change,
His Pleasures now must have a larger range:
His Portion giv'n, he'll not a moment stay,
But to far diftant Regions speeds. away.
See him encompass'd round with Harlots ftand,
How faft he makes his Fathers Bags disband!
As faft difmifs'd his Confcience and his Shame,
Learns to Treat high, to Revel, and to Game:
See him to Balls, and Masks, and Mufick run,
To THEATRES at laft, and then he's for
undone.
St. LUKE Chap. XV. Ver. 11, 12, 13.
11. A certain man had two fons:
12. And the younger of them faid to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
13. And not many days after, the younger fon gathered all together, and took a journey into a far countrey, and there wafted his fubftance with riotous living.
The prodigal Son reduc'd to Mifery.
When all was spent, a dreadful Famine rose,
And to a wealthy Citizen he goes ;
Who weary'd foon, defires his Friend's excufe,
One Place he had, which he must not refuse
Till better fell, 'twou'd ferve in Time of need,
And many fought it-- 'twas his Swine to feed.
What cannot fatal want of Bread perfuade!
Tho' Blushes his ingenuous Shame betray'd,
He takes the fervile Task, and waits the Swine,
While they on envy'd Husks and Acorns dine.
Till these fuffic'd, he at a diítance ftood,
Half-famish'd wish'd to fhare their fordid Food.
When loe! of heav'nly Light a chearful Ray,
To his dark Breaft reftor'd forgotten Day:
To mind his injur'd Father's Image brought,
And once, dear Home, a fadly pleafing Thought;
He'll thither ftrait, if him his Limbs will bear,
And perish if he muft, refolve to perish there.
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