The Virginia Gazette

He who, of all the worlds around,
Which through immensity are found,
Was by one word Creator.
Yet from his heavenly throne of bliss
Vouchsafed to appear in this,
As God, Man, Mediator.

When blood of bulls for sacrifice,
And that of goats, could not suffice
T' appeased offended Heaven,
Then said our Lord, behold I come
To free the wretched slave from doom,
Myself the ransom given.

The angels thee good tidings spread,
A star the eastern Magi led,
Who forthwith presents bring;
Myrrh, teaching us the child was man,
Incense, by which we God him can,
And by the gold a King.

Yet see from Herod's cruelty
This infant King soon forced to fly,
For shelter and relief;
And with amazement too perceive
That from his manger to his grave
He was a man of grief.

At last to's heavenly father's will,
Which he had sent him to fulfill,
He paid a due submission;
His life he for us sinners gave,
And by his sufferings we have
Of sins the full remission.

He paid the debt which we did owe,
For us his precious blood did flow;
For us who did rebel!
From hence all blessings we receive,
By it, at length, we hope to have
A sure release from hell.

When thus our great Redeemer trode
The wine-press of the wrath of God,
And trode it out alone,
The Sun, amazed, his face did hide!
Earth from her inmost centre sighed!
And Nature gave a groan!

The temple's veil was rent in twain!
Darkness did universal reign!
The graves gave up their dead!
Twas then, O serpent, thou didst feel
The seed, of whom thou hadst bruised the heel,
Then sorely bruised thy head.

Forbid it, Lord, that we offend
This so divine and heavenly Friend,
Or former faults renew,
Since by such conduct we again
Do give our blessed Redeemer pain,
And torture him anew.

Let love and gratitude inspire
Our souls with pure seraphic fire,
To adore this best of friends;
On goodness such let us not trample,
But wisely follow his example,
Until our lives he ends.

MAYFIELD,
CALEDONIENSIS.
Dec. 16, 1768.