175 Before all eyes were visible of old
The People’s “works,” which ever—“not without
Blood”—it did offer, shedding out the gore
Of lawless life. There, too, the Lord—Himself
Made victim on behalf of all—denotes
180 The whole earth—altar in specific sense.
Hence likewise that new covenant author, whom
No language can describe, Disciple John,
Testifies that beneath such altar he
Saw souls which had for Christ’s name suffered,
185 Praying the vengeance of the mighty God
Upon their slaughter. There, meantime, is rest.
In some unknown part there exists a spot
Open, enjoying its own light; ’tis called
“Abraham’s bosom;” high above the glooms,
190 And far removed from fire, yet ’neath the earth.
The brazen altar this is called, whereon
(We have recorded) was a dusky veil.
This veil divides both parts, and leaves the one
Open, from the eternal one distinct
195 In worship and time’s usage. To itself
Tis not unfriendly, though of fainter love,
By time and space divided, and yet linked
By reason. ’Tis one house, though by a veil
Parted it seems: and thus (when the veil burst,
200 On the Lord’s passion) heavenly regions oped
And holy vaults, and what was double erst
Became one house perennial.
Order due
Traditionally has interpreted
The inner temple of the people called
205 After Christ’s Name, with worship heavenly,
God’s actual mandates following; (no “shade”
Is herein bound, but persons real;) complete
By the arrival of the “perfect things.”
The ark beneath a type points out to us
210 Christ’s venerable body, joined, through “wood,”
With sacred Spirit: the aërial skins
Are flesh not born of seed, outstretcht on “wood;”
At the same time, with golden semblance fused,
Within, the glowing Spirit joined is
215 Thereto; that, with peace granted, flesh might bloom
With Spirit mixt. Of the Lord’s flesh, again,
The urn, golden and full, a type doth bear.
Itself denotes that the new covenant’s Lord