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CXXXVIII.

ACTS Chap. V. Ver. 1, to 12,

138

1. A certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, fold a pofsession,

2. And kept back part of the price, his wife allo being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the Apostles feet.

3. But Peter faid, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? &c.

5. Ananias hearing these words, fell down and gave up the ghost, &c.

CXXXIX.

The Apostles imprifon'd and released by an Angel:

AND

ND now the Sect of Sadoc rofe enrag'd,
(The furious Pontiff on their fide engag'd ;)
To see the Wonders by th' Apostles wrought,
To hear our Saviour's Refurrection taught;
By these their darling Principles were croft,
And every Day fome new Disciple lost.
Then on the Twelve their impious Hands they
laid,

And to the common Prison them convey'd.
High-mounted on her Ebon-Car, the Night
Had conquer'd half her Stage, when loe a Light
Beyond the Sun's, the lonesom Vault invades,
And quickly chafes thence the trembling Shades.
I'th' midft, behold a heav'nly Watcher shine,
Of Strength immortal, and of Form divine:
He touch'd the brazen Gates, the Gates gave way,
The Pris'ners freed, and thus to them did say,
To God's high Temple go with speed, and there
Unto the lift'ning Crowd the way of Life declare.

CXXXIX.

ACTS Chap. V. Ver. 17, 18, 19, 20:

239

17. The high priest rofe up, and all they that were with him (which is the feet of the Sadduces) and were filled with indignation,

18. And laid their hands on the Apostles, and put them in the common prison.

19. But the Angel of the Lord by night opened the prifon doors, and brought them forth, and Jaid, 20. Go, ftand and fpeak in the temple to the people, all the words of this life.

CXL.

St. Stephen, the first Martyr for Chrift, ftoned.

JUST Stephen, full of Faith and Pow'r, the

Fers

Before their partial Sanhedrim accufe:
That Mofes and the facred Law he dar'd
Blafpheme, nor God, nor his High-Temple (par'd.
Angelic Splendor in his Face they fee

Mild Goodness mixt with awful Majesty.
Undaunted he his Nation's Errors told,
God's wondrous Works, and all their Sins of old:
Like their Fore-fathers they, a stiff-neck'd Race,
But clearer Light abus'd, and greater Grace:
The Holy, and the Juft, foreseen, defir'd
Of pious Minds of old from Heav'n inspir'd;
By you betray'd, and by your faithless Train,
Of wicked Hands was crucify'd and flain.

They hear, they gnash their Teeth, they rave,
they cry,

With Duft, and Shouts, and Curses fill the Sky;
They drag him thro' the Gates without the Walls,
And ftone him; on the Lord of Life he calls,
Prays for his Murderers, his Faith expreft,
Then down he calmly lay, and flept in endless

Reft.

CX L.

ACTS Chap. VI. Ver. 8, to the End of Chap. VII.

140

8. And Stephen full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people, &c.

57. They cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,

58. And caft him out of the city, and ftoned him: and the witneffes laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.

59. And they ftoned Stephen, calling upon God, and Saying, Lord Jefus, receive my Spirit.

60. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this fin to their charge. And when he had faid this, he fell asleep.

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