Stedman and Hutchinson, comps. A Library of American Literature:
An Anthology in Eleven Volumes. 1891.
Vols. IX–XI: Literature of the Republic, Part IV., 1861–1889
In Praise of Master Stone
By John Cotton (1585–1652)H
As sometimes Christ did Simon Cephas own.
A Stone for solid firmness fit to rear
A part in Zion’s wall, and it upbear.
Like Stone of Bohan, bounds fit to describe
’Twixt Church and Church, as that ’twixt tribe and tribe.
Like Samuel’s Stone, erst Eben-Ezer hight,
To tell the Lord hath helped us with his might.
Like Stone in David’s sling, the head to wound
Of that huge Giant-Church, so far renowned,
Hight the Church Catholic œcumenical,
Or at the lowest compass National;
Yet Politic Visible, and of such a fashion
As may or rule a world or rule a nation.
Which though it be cried up unto the Skies
By Philistines and Israelites likewise,
Yet seems to me to be too near akin
Unto the Kingdom of the Man of sin.
In frame, and state, and constitution,
Like to the first beast in the Revelation
Which was as large as Roman empire wide,
And ruled Rome, and all the world beside.
Go on, good Brother, gird thy sword with might,
Fight the Lord’s battles, plead his Church’s right.
To Brother Hooker thou art next akin,
By office-right thou must his pledge redeem.
Take thou the double portion of his spirit,
Run on his race, and then his crown inherit.
Now is the time when Church is militant,
Time hast’neth fast when it shall be triumphant.