Before Abraham was, I AM

(The Gospel History, Section 79)

Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

(The Saviour of the World, Vol V Book IV Poem LII)

Always, O Christ, wert there? At the cool of eve

Didst walk in the Garden with the primal pair?
When Enoch mounted chariot, wert Thou there?

Did old Methuselah see Thee and believe?

Didst watch with David, hastening to retrieve

Thy chosen Singer, that he yet might share
Divine Companionship, might still declare

All that a man may of his God conceive?

Did Plato know Thee in the dim obscure?

Great Alexander, saw he Righteousness,
A world his mighty arm was made to bless?

Was Phidias of Thy Beauty very sure?

In every age, where man at goodness wrought,
Lord, wert Thou with him, unperceived, unsought?

St. John viii. 58.
Genesis iii. 8.
Genesis v. 24.
Psalm li.