_John the Baptist._ Manasseh is past, who turned from thee his heart. Ahaz and Ammon have now no more ado, Jechoniah with others who did themselves avert From thee to idols, may now no farther go. The two false judges, and Baal's wicked priests also, Phassur and Semaiah, with Nebuchadnosor, Antiochus and Triphon, shall thee displease no more. Three score years and ten, thy people into Babylon Were captive and thrall for idols' worshipping. Jerusalem was lost, and left void of dominion, Burnt was their temple, so was their other building, Their high priests were slain, their treasure came to nothing; The strength and beauty of thine own heritage, Thus didst thou leave them in miserable bondage. Oft had they warnings, sometimes by Ezekiel And other prophets, as Isay and Jeremy, Sometimes by Daniel, sometimes by Hosea and Joel, By Amos and Abdiah, by Jonah and Sophonya,[625] By Nahum and Micah, Haggai and by Zachary, By Malachias, and also by Habakkuk, By Olda the widow, and by the prophet Baruch. Remember Josiah, who took the abomination From the people, then restoring the laws again. Of Rahab consider the faithful generation, Whom to wine drinking no friendship might constrain. Remember Abimelech, the friend of truth certain, Zerubabel the prince, who did repair the temple, And Jesus Josedech, of virtue the example. Consider Nehemiah, and Esdras the good scribe, Merciful Tobias, and constant Mardocheus;[626] Judith and Queen Esther, of the same godly tribe, Devout Matthias and Judas Maccabæus. Have mind of Eleazer, and then Joannes Hircanus, Weigh the earnest faith of this godly company, Though the other clean fall from thy memory. _Pater Cœlestis._ I will John, I will, for as I said before, Rigour and hardness I have now set apart, Minding from henceforth to win man evermore By wonderful kindness to break his stubborn heart, And change it from sin. For Christ shall suffer smart, In man's frail nature for his iniquity, This to make open, my messenger shalt thou be. _John the Baptist._ As thy pleasure is, so blessed Lord appoint me, For my health thou art, and my soul's felicity. _Pater Cœlestis._ Long ere I made thee, I the predestinate, Before thou wert born I thee endued with grace. In thy mother's womb wert thou sanctificate By my godly gift, and so confirmed in place, A prophet, to shew a way before the face Of my most dear son, who will come: then until Apply thee apace thine office to fulfil. Preach to the people, rebuking their negligence, Dip them in water, acknowledging their offence; And say unto them, The kingdom of God doth come. _John the Baptist._ Unmeet, Lord, I am, _Quia puer ego sum_.[627] And other than that, alas, I have no science Fit for that office, neither yet clean eloquence.