Consistency

Beelzebub. Of Blasphemy, and of Words.

(The Gospel History, Section 92)

And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven. But he, knowing their thoughts, called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan? Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself will not be able to stand. And if Satan casteth out Satan, and hath risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end; how then shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils by Beelzebub. And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges. But if I by the finger of God cast out devils, then is the kingdom of God come upon you. When the strong man fully armed guardeth his own court, his goods are in peace: but when a stronger than he shall come upon him and overcome him, he taketh from him his whole armour wherein he trusted and divideth his spoils. He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.

Consistency

(The Saviour of the World, Vol VI Book III Poem XXXII)

As men in a crowd see backs of those before
But scarce a face at all, nor can they trace
What prospect lies about them, so, these men;
But Christ, uplifted, had beneath His eye
The tumultuous thought engaging every man;
The prospect wide-emerging shewed from whence,
However subtly, every thought advanced,
And whither tended. As Joseph, come to tell
His dream to Pharaoh, would Christ now reveal
To these the casual thoughts each entertained—
As guests who should assume the master’s place
And rule his house of soul.

Patient, the Lord

Confutes these wayward men; “How then,” saith He,
“Can Satan expel himself? Can any man
Cast himself forth from house or synagogue?
Another, stronger, needs must turn him out,
Or not a foot he stirs. No man can act
Against himself to hinder or compel:
How then, Beelzebub (who compassed hath
All heights and depths to make a man his thrall),
Shall he bid himself go forth and quit the man?
Bethink you, friends,—that kingdom soonest falls,
Not, which is overthrown by hostile State,
Made desolate with war’s horrors,—but that land
Split up by faction, torn to shreds by hate,
Where men take arms against their next of kin
And a man kills his brother. Think ye, then,
Beelzebub slackens his rule to let
Those owning his control waste substance thus?
Would he, indeed, his zealous slave allow
To attack another in that fellowship?
Should Satan cast out Satan, then indeed
His kingdom hath an end; he cannot stand,
And Earth is freed from monstrous tyranny!
Too wily, he, who knows to keep his own;
And, if your sons claim power to exorcise,
Whence, if they have it, is that power? They’ll say
If by the power of God I cast out fiends!”

So spake the Lord; and many a whispered word
And crafty glance went round; as caught in net,
They had no word to say: traced they His power
To Satan, what of them who, arrogant,
In solemn guise went muttering magic spells
O’er men possess’d, who thought them sudden cured,
And praised the sorcerer had delivered them?
Christ, noting their confusion, cried aloud;—
“Perceive and know that which hath come to pass;
If by the power of God I can bid forth
A devil, hidden in the winding ways
Of a man’s subtle heart—perceive a sign!
The King is among you, come with no array
Of royal pomp and power, no trumpets’ blast;
The Kingdom of God is with you!”

Fearful, they

Look right and left if so they may discern
By any sign the King they knew was there;
Thus, truth convinced the men.

“What sign giv’st Thou,

How know we that the Kingdom of God is come?”

“Hear ye a parable, truth in a tale:—
A robber chieftain held his keep secure;
Had he not raised thick walls, and fortified,
And stationed men at loopholes to command
Approaches to his fort, and on the roofs,
With arrows, lance and spear? What cause to fear
Though in his courts, of many a caravan,
The priceless booty—spices, gems and gold?
So he was merry in his eerie tower;
Voluptuous ease and dance and song were his
To share with his following. What’s amiss?
Was he not fully armed, and all his force,
Watchful and clad in armour, tho’ they played?
These, foolish, thought not of the sighs and groans,
The mulcted merchants, stript and sorely mauled,
Had, year by year, a sad procession,
Borne straight to the King’s ear.

Long, spake He nought;

But on a day He said,—‘We must go forth;
Arm Thee, My Son; this robber shall not live.’
The King’s Son, irresistible, goes out,
His troops, with Him. They take him unawares,
That execrable bandit; his towers storm’d,
His forces slain or captured, he must meet
The King’s Son, hand to hand: what careth he?
His armour steel-proof, he himself so strong
Ten men could scarce withstand him, what to him
To battle with this Power? He will go down:—
The wretch lies prostrate, pierced, at feet of Him
Whose might he had contemned; of armour stript,
Denuded of the spoils piled in his courts,
What, for the caitiff now?

Ye ask a sign;

Behold the sign; a tale wherein to read
That which has come upon you. See ye to’t;
Behold the Stronger, come to spoil your goods
And claim each man’s allegiance.”

A man

Came whisp’ring in His ear,—“Master, pray note,
Not we who said malicious things of Thee—
That Thou by Satan’s power expellest fiends—
’Twas the rulers, not we simple citizens;
Nothing said we.”

“And therein lies your guilt.

Who is not with Me is against: no place,
No neutral ground is left for him, who waits,
Loves not, nor hates, nor holds to either side;
Who gathers not with Me, he scattereth;
Come, fill your bosom with the enemy’s spoils
And wear your Captain’s colours!”

St. Luke xi. 16–23.
St. Matthew xii. 25–30.
St. Mark iii. 22–27.

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