MATTHEW

Matthew 4

On the mountain of temptation
The Son of God displayed
The glory of subjection.

Matthew 5

On the mountain of legislation
The great King
Promulgated a fresh form of law.

Matthew 14

On the mountain of intercession
Jesus Christ the righteous
Acted Patron with the Father

Matthew 15

On the mountain of compassion
The Evangelist
Was the answer to ever need.

Matthew 17

On the mountain of transfiguration
God's beloved Son
Was announced as the One to be heard.

Matthew 24

The Mount of Olives,
Scene of wonders and signs,
Became the mountain of education.

Matthew 28

On the mountain of confirmation
The Risen One
Assured, commissioned, and empowered.

22 February 2019

PARAGRAPHS FROM BUNYAN'S "THE HOLY WAR"

Then the Prince called for the prisoners to come and to stand again before him, and they came and stood trembling.  And he said unto them, ‘The sins, trespasses, iniquities, that you, with the whole town of Mansoul, have from time to time committed against my Father and me, I have power and commandment from my Father to forgive to the town of Mansoul, and do forgive you accordingly.’  And having so said, he gave them, written in parchment, and sealed with seven seals, a large and general pardon, commanding my Lord Mayor, my Lord Willbewill, and Mr. Recorder, to proclaim and cause it to be proclaimed to-morrow, by that the sun is up, throughout the whole town of Mansoul.

Moreover, the Prince stripped the prisoners of their mourning weeds, and gave them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.

Then he gave to each of the three jewels of gold and precious stones, and took away their ropes, and put chains of gold about their necks, and ear-rings in their ears.  Now, the prisoners, when they did hear the gracious words of Prince Emmanuel, and had beheld all that was done unto them, fainted almost quite away; for the grace, the benefit, the pardon, was sudden, glorious, and so big, that they were not able, without staggering, to stand up under it.  Yea, my Lord Willbewill swooned outright; but the Prince stepped to him, put his everlasting arms under him, embraced him, kissed him, and bid him be of good cheer, for all should be performed according to his word.  He also did kiss, and embrace, and smile upon the other two that were Willbewill’s companions, saying, ‘Take these as further tokens of my love, favour, and compassions to you; and I charge you that you, Mr. Recorder, tell in the town of Mansoul what you have heard and seen.’

TABERNACLE

He has brought us to
What He Himself pitched -
The true tabernacle.

Within it the ark, structured
By such nobles,
Bezaleel and Aholiab.

The mercy-seat,
Blood on the pure gold,
Is the place of justification.

All lit by
The lamps of the pure lampstand
Of pure gold, laced
With pure beaten olive oil.

     But purity demands
     That our approach is by
     The copper altar and the blood,
     The laver and its water.

For the heart of God
The golden altar pours up
Fragrance of His Beloved.

Blow the silver trumpet!
Let the good report
Sound and resound.

13/01/2019

RESURRECTION

Righteousness was there
As the Saviour rose,
Glorying in the witness to itself.

Peace was there
With the new ground for man
Established in clarity.

Joy was there
For the grave testing
Was forever past.

Mercy was there,
Feeling its release
To bless whosoever will.

Grace was there
Effusive with Joy;
Loving-kindness met Truth.

Justice was there;
And joined Grace and Mercy
In the celebration.

Love presided:
With Glory, Goodness, Greatness ...
All of God's attributes.