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What if Shakespeare had written a New Testament style epistle? Weaving quotes sometimes skewered by literary license from The Bard’s life’s work, SheepTrax Xpress humbly present The Gospel According to Shakespeare.
O Rome, O Rome, wherefore art thou, Rome? – Diary of St. Shakespeare while lost at sea en route to preach to Julius Caesar.
Dear Horatio,
We are presently lost at sea yet I pen this quick note trusting you well receive both it and me safely. Though storms assail, I trust Christ shall deliver us Out Of The Jaws Of Death yet again. Our company is on King’s business and God Shall Befriend Us, As Our Cause is Just. Though storm tossed, yet I trust that Heaven Hath A Hand In These Events.
Though withstood by men and devils, yet I press on for the mark of the high calling in Christ, to preach His Gospel, to finish the race set before me. The devil would gladly Cry “Havoc,” And Let Slip the Dogs Of War to consume and devour us. Through terrified in our flesh, we yet remember Jesus, trusting He Will Give The Devil His Due.
As I contemplate my own mortality, I am reminded that the Psalmist prayed that God would teach him to number his days that he might learn wisdom. This raging storm is a good reminder of these things. A Man Can Die But Once, and after this, the judgment. All That Lives Must Die, Passing Through Nature To Eternity.
“O True Apothecary! Great Physician Of Our Souls, Save us!” This is my private prayer, yet to my companions I speak, “Courage And Comfort, All Shall Yet Go Well.” When Sorrow Comes, They Come Not Single Spies, But In Battalions. The same holds true for trials. Such Outrageous Misfortune! That It Should Come To This.
That false prophet Shylock has wrongly accused me of treason and I am now the Lord’s ambassador in chains to go and state my case to Caesar. O Villain, Villain, Smiling, Damned Villain! He’s Mad That Trusts In The Tameness Of A Wolf; beware of him, Horatio. He has done me much harm. Remember to be wary of his accusing tongue, for There Are Dagger’s In Men’s Smiles, especially his. The Devil Can Cite Scripture For His Purpose, and Shylock is ever his father’s vile offspring!
You well know my testimony. My efforts to live by the Law of Moses were really Much Ado About Nothing. My own efforts to be holy were as A Sound And Fury, Signifying Nothing.
All The World’s A Stage, And All The Men And Women Merely Players. They Have Their Exits And Entrances; And One Man In His Time Plays Many Parts. I started as a Pharisee zealous for the Law, and after meeting the risen Savor, I am even more zealous for the goodness of His unearned grace! Really, Can One Desire Too Much Of A Good Thing? I think not.
Who would desire the weight of being an Apostle of Christ? The plain truth of our great labors is that Asses Are Made To Bear, and so are we! Lord, What Fools These Mortals Be! What A Piece Of Work Is Man!
Horatio, my beloved son in the faith, This Is The Short And The Long Of It: Christ died for sinners. Doubt The Sun To Move, Doubt Truth To Be A Liar, But Never Doubt The love of God. In your preaching of Christ, remember: An Honest Tale Speeds Best, Being Plainly Told. Declare him!
Remember my life and doctrine. Cowards Die Many Times Before Their Death, Horatio, so play the man! Love All, Trust A Few, Do Wrong To None. Of All Base Passions, Fear Is The Most Accursed. True Nobility Is Exempt From Fear. Walk worthy of being a son of God.
Love is far more than mere doctrine. They Do Not Love Who Do Not Show Their Love. God is love, and he notes our love for himself and others in his Book Of Memory. If any have offended you, Pray Now, Forget And Forgive. It is the way of Christ.
I am ready to be poured out. As it ‘Tis Better To Be Brief Than Tedious, I bid you Good Night! Good Night! Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrow. If We Meet Again, Why, We Shall Smile: If Not, Why Then This Parting Was Well Made. Good Night Till It Be Morrow! I go to Rome to preach to Caesar.
Adieu, And Take Thy Praise With Thee to Heaven. My Blessings Go With Thee.
Signed,
St. Shakespeare
Bryan Hupperts (c) 2004 - 2009
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