Sequence 32. St. John the Evangelist

December 27TH.
JOHN'S theology declareth,
Though on earth all flesh appeareth
To decline in swift decay,
That the Word's word self-existent,
Through all ages still consistent,
Will remain nor pass away.

As the loved disciple sinketh
On his Master's breast, and drinketh
Wisdom's fount and learning's stream.

From a posture so endearing
Word and faith, and speech and hearing,
Mind and God, converging seem.

By the flights of thought thence taken, —
Flesh and carnal sense forsaken, —
Far o'er error's cloudy night, iS
Eagle-like, by observation,
The true Sun's illumination,
Keeps his keen-eyed heart in sight.

Want of Style the sense confuses, s
But such subtlety John uses,
And so CathoUc his faith,
That all heretics, depraving
Doctrines of that Word soul-saving.

Fail to gainsay aught he saith.
Lo ! that Word, beyond expression,
Who all very good did fashion
By His power of creation,
From the eternal Sire appeareth
Undivided, John declareth,
Save in Personal relation.

Whom with chaste milk Matthew feedeth,
Which from virgin breasts proceedeth,
With much toil and trouble blended \
Whom that ox-horn, Luke's pen, placeth
On the cross and high upraiseth,
As the serpent was suspended ;
Whom from death's sepulchral portal
Lion Mark restores immortal.

Whilst earth quakes and rocks are riven ;
Him John paints with skill unstudied,
First and last, God in true Godhead,
Father of all earth and heaven.

He the eyes all round these creatures,
Their swift wings, their fourfold features,
And the wheels that stand beside them,
In their might had seen in heaven,
Ere form here to them was given,
Or the charioteer to guide them.

They describe what craft Christ suffered ;
Violence by Pilate offered,
With the thorn-crown, then endured :
He, borne up on soaring pinion,
Treats of Christ's supreme dominion,
And of His avenging sword.

On his wings, though uninstructed,
Rise the King's own wheels, conducted
As though on the living four ;
While the heavenly harpers, kneeling
At the Father's throne, their thrilUng
Alleluia's song outpour ! Amen,