April 10

Wednesday after first Sunday in Lent

(Ember Day.)

Into the wilderness. S. Matthew 4:1.

THIS is the field chosen for this duel betwixt the roaring lion of the bottomless pit and the royal Lion of the tribe of Judah. This serpent tempted the first Adam in the garden, and the second Adam in the wilderness, with different success indeed; and ever since both still tempt the posterity of both, in all variety of places and conditions, in several ways suitable. Company and conversation have their temptations; and solitude, even the wilderness, hath its own. No place or estate on earth is privileged; no business, not lawful labouring, eating and drinking, yea, not fasting and praying; yea, in these are readily the most assaults, but in them likewise the sweetest victory, till at last—

The righteous, upward soaring, To the heavenly land shall go, 'Midst the cohorts of the Angels, Where is joy for evermo:

To Jerusalem exulting They with shouts shall enter in, That true "sight of peace" and glory That sets free from grief and sin.

Christ shall they behold for ever Seated at the Father's Hand, As in beatific vision His elect before Him stand.

Wherefore, man, while yet thou mayest From the dragon's malice fly, Give thy bread to feed the hungry, If thou seek'st to win the sky:

Let thy loins be straitly girded, Life be pure and heart be right, At the coming of the Bridegroom, That thy lamp may glitter bright.