DIVINE POEMS ESSAYS ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS; V I Z. Immanuel ; or, the Godhead of A Walk at Enſield. Chriſt diſplayed. - L Meditations on the Canticles." AMeditation written ina Bowcr for the Lord's Supper. at Lady Grovc, Button. Q Chriſt All in All. Elegies. , l Meditations on Rev.xii. 6. Epithalamiums. A Summer Day's Excdrſion. Epiſtles to Miranda, &c. Odes. Hymns. ' Letters. A Poem on Redemption. A Soliloquy. w By MARIA DE FLEURT. With Recomme'ndatory Prefaces, by the Rev Mr WILLs, Rev. Mr TOWERS, and Rev. Mr RYLAND. L o N 1) O N, Printed for the Author, and ſold by T.W1LKI N s, Aldcrmanbury; By Bellamy and Roberts, No. 202, Strand; M. Traipp, NOJ, Pater-noſter-Row; Mr Nott, Lombard ſtreet; M. Gurncy,No.ux, Holborn, and by the Author, No. 31, jewin-ſtreet. 1 7 9 I . [ Price THREE smumcs ſewed. ] /
CO'NTENvTS. Page IMMANUEL; or, the Godhead of Chriſt diſplayed, . . . 3 Thoughts written in a Bdwer, at Ladygrovc, Suttcton, . . ſi . 65 An Hymn of Praiſe, 69 An irregular Ode, . '. 72 An Flegy on the Death ofthe Rev. Dr. Gifford, 7 5 An Elegy on the Death of Mrs. Dowland, 80 ' of Mr. Seldom-ſlow, 8 5 _ of Mrs. Burrows, 89 . ofthe Rev. Dr. Woude, 92 An Hymn, . . 95 An Hymn, . -. . 97 Epiſtle to an abſent Friend, 98 - An Invitation to London, 'to Miranda, lOO An Evening Thought, . . 103 106 _ An Epithalamit'im to Mr. and Mrs. D. F . to Mr. and Mrs. M-n, 108 to Mr. and Mrs. J-d, lIO to Mr. and Mrs. Collier, I 13 to Mr. and Mrs. Drew, 4116 - to Mr. and Mrs. A-y, 1 19 A Meditation on Redemption, . 1 22 on the Canticles, . 133 An Ode, . . . . 177 A 2 Chriſt
\ \\>\\ 21\\ \\* 2',\(.\iV )' Chriſtſi All in All. . . . - Pza7g; A Summer-day's Excurfion, - . I 85 A Meditation for the Lord's Supper, 19'7 ſi A Walk at Enficld; . . 20! Meditations on Revelations xii. 6'. . 209 A Letter to Mr. and Mrs. M n, 2_2 5 to Mrs. B . . 234. toMiſsJ*****y, . . 238\ "A Somoquy, _ . . . 241
lap/7 To the READER, * Mongſt all the grand doctrines which the BIBLE ' reveals to fallenman, that of the TRINITY in 'un-raw; a TRIUNE GOD, is perhaps the moſt ſub zlime, and therefore it may appear ſomewhat like preſumption in a woman to exerciſe her pen upon ſuch a ſubject; 'but in times like the preſent, when this glorious truth is ſo awfully denied by many, 'when arianiſm, ſabelianiſm and ſocinianiſm is pour ing in upon us like a flood, and ſome even dare to ſtand forth in public and blaſpheme that. WORTHY NAME by which we are called, it ought not to be wondered at if even the ſtones in the ſtreet roſe up with indignation, and found a voice to bear teſti- *mony to the DilGNITY, and to aſſert the DEITY oſ their divine CREATOR.--LC[ this conſideration plead my excuſe. Impreſſed with a deep ſenſe oſ the importance of the ſubject, and conſcious of my own Utter inability to defend'ſo illuſtrious a truth, fearing to darken council by words without knowledge, I wiſhed, but durſt not for ſeveral years, attempt any thing ofthis kind, though requeſted by ſeveral friends to do it ;_, however, an unexpected ſolicitation from a gentle man at that time a perfect ſtranger, to me, prevailed upon me to take up my pen-I -viewed it as the voice of providence, and therefore durſt not refuſe. So far as I am capable of knowing my 0wn heart, I know this, that I do not write from intereſted motives, I feel the higheſt ſazisſaction in thevteſti mony of my conſcience, that I write not for the gain or applauſe of the world: if the LORD jesus CHRIST, the great GOD my SAVIOR, is glorified in the ſmalleſt degree, if his cauſe is any way promot . J A 3 _ J eq i,
(vil ed ; and any, if it be only one, of his children edi fied by any thing he has enabled me to write, my labour will be richly repaid, and he ſhall have the glory. Conſcious as I am oſ the many impropri eties' of language and deficiencies in point qf gram mar, which are very diſcernable in theſe poems and tracts, 1 feel myſelf conſtrained to put in a hum ble claim to the cana'id attention of my readers, from the conſideration that l am a W'aman, that I have not enjoyed the advantages of a liberal education 5 that ſome of the pieces were written many years ago, and that I have not had the kind affiſtance of any judicious friend in preparing 'them fOr- the preſs, or even in correcting and revifing the proof ſheets, but have gone through the whole fatiguc of this work myſelf, and that in the midſt of much weakneſs and indiſpoſition of body.-When theſe facts are duly weighed, lflatter myſelf that the ſoft and gentle hand of candaur will draw a veil over the inaccuracies of the following pieges, and ſkreen them from the ſeverity of the keen eye of (ritici m. However, ſuch as they are, [commit them to the c_are_ and bleffingofheaven ; and I am encouraged to do this, becauſe I know the LORD of Hoſts is a GOD of un limited power, he can not only bleſs the labours of his great and eminent ſervants, but he can alſo bleſs, the feebleſt attempts for his glory, and own the Weakeſt inſtrument; he is pleaſed ſometimes to ,make uſe oſ weak and contemptible things to con ſound the mighty and the wiſe, that no man ſhould glory in man, but that' CHRI'sr ſhould be all in all, I Cor. i.'26, 31. , That he may be all your ſalvation and all your deſire, gentle reader, is the fincere prayer of , Yours, ſor CHRIST's ſake, MARIA DE FLEURY- ' No; 31, Jewin Street, . ju/y 29, 1791.
( vii -) HE female author of the following Eſſays, ' is ſo well known in the religious world by her many productions, as to need neither intro. duction nor any recommendation of mine to the public : but as ſhe has earneſtly requeſted it at my hands, I conſider her ſo faithful a champion in having contended earneſtly and ſucceſsfully, (under the divine bleſſing) for the faith once de livered to the ſaints, on more occaſions than one, that ſhe is fairly entitled to every claim of this kind, both on myſelf, and on every one of the Lord's watchmen in Zion, that love our Lord Jeſus Chriſt in all his offices, and preach the even. laſting goſpelin all its branches, in ſincerity. As one therefore that has come up to the help of the Lord againſt the mighty,_ I honour her. As one that is perfectly ſound in the goſpel, as the following ſheets clearly evince; and eſpeci ally as ſhe is, like many of her divine Maſter's ſervants, poor in this world, though I truſt, rich in grace, I heartily commend her, and the pre ſent'publication, to the church of GOD; truſting they will encourage the ſale of it, not only for her profit, but I humbly hope for the glory of God, and the good of precious ſouls. ſi r - ' . T. WlLLS.: July 23, 1791. '
. _.. _ -__'_-t.__ DEAR READER, T H E following miſcellaneous collection, hath been written by a pious godly woman; whom I really believe fears God above. many. In many of her writings, her ſtyle is rather maſ. culine, than otherwiſe; and therefore ſhe has been ſuſpected of publiſhing works under her name, which were not her 0WN, but had ſoine Miniſ ter for their author :-whoever thus judged, I am perſuaded were altogether miſtaken. Being frez quently in the company of miniſters, it isi not to be wondered at, if ſhe ſhould IMPERCEPTIBLY ſpeak or write, in ſome reſpects, after their man ner. The pieces in proſe and verſe, that are here preſented to thee, are not controzverſial, like ſome of the productions of the ſame pen, but they will be found to be of ſuch a nature, that I think all unprejudiced friends of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt will cordially receive them. A warm attachment to and no inconfiderable zeal for the glorious doc trines of the Trinity-Of the Divinity of the Lard Jeſus, and of the Divinity and divine perſonalzſity qf the Holy Gbzſſ, are diſcernable throughout the work: Nor are the other truths of the goſpel ſparingly introduced.-If thou, beloved reader, art one of the followers of the Lamb ; if Chriſt be very precious to thee; if his name be as oint ment poured forth to thy ſoul, then moſt pro bably \ .
lX) bably, the peruſal of this publication will afford thee both pleaſure and profit; eſpecially if thou lookeſt up to the bleſſed Sþirit of God for a di 'vine bleffing upon it. ' ' If it ſhould be aſked, what was my induce ment to write this recommendatory addreſs? I muſt inform the reader, that it was 'n'ot from any ſuppoſition that the name at the cloſe hereof, had vany weight, which would render any capital ſervice to the performance or to the ſpread there. of ; or that either the ONE or the OTctHER needed ſuch help; but the particular deſire of theiwriter conſtrained me, ſhe having been for ſome years, a worthy member of the church of Chriſt amongſt whom l have long laboured, with whom 1 hope to live and die. I was the more diſpoſed to acþ, cede to her requeſt, as the matter that follows appears to me to be agreeable to the word of God and calculated to promote the manifeſtative glo. ry of God and the good of precious ſouls. That ſome poor finners minds may receive be nefit from her labours-that ſhe may have the pleaſure of knowing this to bethe caſe, if not in this world, at leaſt in the world to come-that the Redeemer's honour and his kingdom may ſpread far and wide, and all his enemies be ſeat tered, is the fincere deſire and prayer of Thy fincere friend in our common Lord, Clerkenwell, _ JonN ToWrins. July a5,1791. -
o all inquiſitive and impar-tial Lo r vers of the Truths Of the Goſpel. MY FRIENDS, IT is a matter ofunſpeakable importance to have right conceptions of the revealed character of GOD; and in order to this, a man muſt have a very ſow o inion Of his own underſtanding, as to its weakn'e s to diſCern, to poſſeſs and retain the truths of divine revelation 3, and he muſt abide v by this as a moſt ſure principle, " that it is rea ſonable to ſubmit to the plain'dictates of GOD in all affairs, which reaſon, independent of revela tion, could 'never diſcover." e Every wiſe man will neVer depart from this principle ; and conſequently he will come to his bible not to teach GOD WHAT he ought to reveal, or HOW he ought to expreſs himſelf, but he will ſubmit his reaſon and conſcience intirely to the dominion Of infinit'e and eternal truth. This will be the caſe in a very peculiar man ner with reſpect vto all our enquiries into the evi dence of the Divinity Of the LORD Jesus CH a' sr, we 'ſhall not ruſhly reject it, no'r with boldneſs and irreverence inquire into the modus oſif it; but' we ſhall with great ſincerity and ſtmplicity of? heart receive the whole teſtimony of GOD con-.. cernin it. Wit? theſe preliminaries, I ſearch my bible for-v the evidences of Chriſt's Divinity ;-I find he is ſtiled EHOVAH, LORD and GOD, in a thouſand places in the holy bible-I find that all the natural; and moral perfections which are aſcribed to GoD A 4. the.
(xii) i the Father, are equally aſcribed to GOD the Son I find that all the works of Creation, Providence and Redemption, equally belong to GOD the Son as they belong to GOD the Father-I find that all acts of worſhip which were ever paid to GOD the Father, are equally paid to GOD the Son. Un bounded eſteem riſing into veneration; unbound ed veneration riſing into adoration, and unutterable admiration of the beauties Ofct the divine Works, and unſpeakable gratitude fordivine bleſ. fings.-The patriarchs, the prophets, the apoſtles, all join in one voice crying out, " Glory, honor, praiſe and power be to GOD the Redeemer for ever and everll" What then ſhall we think ofthoſe mi ſerable men who declare that the' corner-ſtone Of all error is the idolatrous worſhip ofjtsusCHiusT? theſe men may cry and blubber concerning the loſs Oſ their apparail/s, their books, and their Pre ClOUS manuſcripuſſ; it would be well for them if they would rather cry and roar with conviction and ſorrow, under a ſenſe of their hatred, their malice, their blalſiphemy Of the eternal perſon Of the ſon of GOD. This bitter repentance would become them well, they would- then conciliate the eſteem and affection Of all the ſincere lovers Of CHRIST.- But now whilſt they continue in a ſtate of impenitence, and impudent rejection Of CHRIST, they muſt remain the objects of con tempt and abhorrence to GOD and man. The following poem is defi ned to diſplay the ſi ' true and eternal divinity ofouriord] ESUSCHRIST. My reſpect to the author is fincere, my regard for I the ſubject is great and infinitely ſuperior. to all the perſonal friendſhip that can exiſt 'in this world. Jl 26 7 JOHN RYLAND. uy , I 91.
IMM ANUEL;. 'OR THE \ GdDHEAD OF pHRizs T DISPLAYED. - A POvE M. _--._ K a, _'_!___ Ay _-\ ,_ W>d£"\ -
IMMANUEL; APOEM. COME, from thy heav'nly ſeat, O ſacred Muſe, And warm my heart with thy own hallow'd fire; Bid it awake to raptures all divine. O bear mevon thy bright celeſtial wing AboVe the confines of this little World, ' 5 Above yon ſtauy orbs, and that pale moon; YVith ſwiſteſt flight, O mount and ſoar away And waft me to the realms of pureſt light, Where the ſull ſplendors of eternal day, _ The unveil'd glories of the Lord the Lamb, ' ſjioſi Blaze forth in beams of light ineffable, And make the ſun aſhamed-Fain would I fly To that bright world, but chains forbid my flight, Cheek my ambition, bind me down to earth; * The chains, the (hackles Of mortality. 15 Come then, meditation, maid divine, Ilelp me to muſe the reſt, and let my mind View things unſeen by any mortal eye, And tho' confin'd in fleſh, converſe with heaven. B There l v MW J **-*-t'--\ .__. >- e >-* ._ --=-_-WUM< wi Ner vub
4- IMMANUEL. There, on a glorious throne, lMMANUE L reigns, The GOD of nature, and the GOD of grace : 26 _ LORD of ten thouſand worlds 3 array'd in fleſh. A MAN, but not of ſorrows now, no more A ſacrifice for ſin, he bleeds and dies. 'Tis done l-The great SALVATION is complete : And high exalted, nov.r he lives and reigns 25 A Prieſt upon his throne-there angels bow And own their Maſter and adore their GOD. There blood bought ſaints, the trophies of his grace Proſtrate before his feet, pierced for their ſins, Caſt dOWn their crowns of amaranth and gold, 30 And Abr'hams ſons with gentile ſinners join To raiſe the triumphs of the ſinner's friend. Do Angels bow before lMMANUEL's throne, And, in triumphant ſongs adore his iiIme ? 35' Yes l their bright myriads, tho' ten thouſand times Ten thouſand, fill'd With holy vawe and zeal, NVith burning love and pure immortal'joy, Veil their celeſtial faces with their wings When they draw 'near his ſeat: Liſt, O my ſoul! 40' I hear the voice of 'mighty ſeraphim, Louder than ocean in his loudeſt roſſar; I hear archangels ſlidiit-*tliey clap their wings. Their gorgeous wings, and with ſweet uniſon In one grand chorus ſhake the upper ſkies. 4 " Hail! holy, holy, holy Izoan (they cry) LORD God of ſabbaoth l iVorthy the Lamb if, U' The I * [aunt-i. jolinxfi. Rev. r. ) . c,,____ Þ., "- war Ter-u ,, 'p w...
IMMANUEL; '5 The SELF-EXXSTENT and eternal GOD, Cloath'd with humanity, great King of heav'n, 7 And Ranſomer Of men! Worthy art thou 50 Oſendleſs domination, pow'r and praiſe." Hark l the redeemed millions join the ſong, Take up the theme, and tune their golden harps To higher ſtrains, as ſtronger motives call , TO nobler gratitude, and boundleſs praiſe. 55 " Worthy the Lamb, who ſtoop'd ſo low for us To veil his Godhead in a robe oſ fleſh, ' Who bought us with his blood : Our ſacrifice; Our righteouſneſs; who brought us by his grace From every nation of the peopled earth 60 To reign in glory, kings and prieſts to him. Worthy the Lamb oſ bleſſing, pow'r and might, Riches and honour, everlaſting thanks. Let heaven and earth, and all creation join To worſhip him, for whom, and by whoſe pow'r All things ſubſiſt; glory and praiſe be his r Who ſitteth on the throne, who once was dead Buttlives for ever " Lo! again they ſhout " Worthy the Lamb I" and at his gracious feet _ In low proſtration fall, ſweetly O'er-whelm'd ' 70 With rap'turous gratitude, with heav'nly love. Hqw grand the theme, how glorious the ſong l What melody, when ſaints and angels ſing GOD the RanaaMt-zn's praiſe. But hark, my ſoul! JEHOVAH ſpeaks, let heaven and earth attend 75 _ In ſolemn ſilence to the great decree. B 2 _ " Hear '7 .
'6v IMMANUEL. f' Hear, all my angels, my celeſtial pow'rs; " Cherubic armies, flaming ſeraphim; " Bright ſons oſmorn, who hymn around my throne, " Or thro' my ſpacious univerſe diſpenſe 80 " vThe ſov'reign mandates of my righteous will. *' Behold my nrzsr BEGOTTEN, and adore ' JESUS the GOD, the MAN for ſinners ſlain. " At my right hand he ſits exalted high, " Fall at his feet and worſhip him as_me." 85 And to the ſon he ſaith, " Thy throne, OtGoD " Endures for ever, thy right hand ſhall graſp " A righteous ſceptre thro' eternity ; " And rule with ſov'reign ſway; (thy native right) " Theboundleſs empire which thine hands have formd'." 'Thus from his throne, th' Almighty Father ſpake. 90 The ſov'reign voice kindled new joy in heav'n- . Low at his feet they bow; the concave rung With' hallelujahs, voices jubilant Proclaim the honours of the ſlanghter'd Lamb. 95 A GOD INCARNATE! let the heav'ns rejoice l A GOD INCARNATE! let the earth be glad! Reigns o'er the heavens and earth, the ranſom'd throng, And hoſts angelic hymn his ſacred name With burſts Of loud applauſe.-Thee too they ſing ALMIGHTY FATHER, and adore thy grace; roo FATHER of JESUS CHRIST, thy firſt elect, Father, in him, of all the choſen ſeed ; Father of everlaſting love to men. Nor from the ſong do they disjoin thy name, Eternal SPiRr'r! Holy COMFORTER! p '105 Giver cf life, of peace," and heav'nly joy ; ' . Great
IMMAN-UEL. _7 Great Banctifier of thine Iſrael, But lowly reVerent, at thy feet they fall, And give due worſhip to a triune GOD. uo The Almighty JAH! the infinite I AMI A GOD in cov'nant for the ſons of men. Celeſtial armies ſing his boundleſs name; And the redeemed ſwell his triumphs high, While they aſcribe ſalvation', pow'r and praiſe And endleſs honours to their SAViOUR-GOD. [15 While thus the heav'ns adore; come, O my ſcul, And let thy nobleſt pow'rs awake and ſing: O catch a ſpark of that celeſtial fire That animates the concert of the ſkies. no Thou too art choſen from the ſons of men; Thou too/art purchas'd by the blood of GOD *. Call'd from the heirs of wrath, by grace divine, And ſeal'd a daughter and an heir of heav'n. Come then, my ſoul, and at thy Father's feet. [25 Low in the duſt adore his ſov'reign grace, And bleſs the wonders of electing love, That made a Sailiour thine, and wrote thy name, . Thy worthleſs name, in JEsu's book of life. Jesus, my GOD, I_love thee, and adorel 130 O for a heart inflam'd, an heart on fire With conſtant, pure, ſeraphic love of thee, Great Lover oſ my ſoul; who-lov'd ſo dear, That from thy throne of glory, ſtooping low, To plunge into a boundleſs ſea of grief, [35 A boundleſs ſea of wrath divine; to plunge Into the dreadfuljaws of death, and all The gloomy horrors 0f1ſſ3the grave, for me. 3 ' Acts xx. at.
m _IMMANUEL - What words are theſe! hears't thou, O sUN, a voice Deny the Deity of thy CREATOR, And doſt not hide thy radiant head in clourh? Doſt thou not feel, O EARTH, the dreadful ſhock, And tremble to thy centre P-Fearful awe Has ſeiz'd my ſpirit, all my pow'rs recoil l Hoiror thri'lsthro' my veins, and all aghaſt I ſtand and look around-Am I awake? 205 And is there, in a univerſe of beings, _ One who with front of braſs; and vip'rous tongue Dare thus affront his Maker? YVhence this voice? ſſ From heaven it comes not ; there in concord ſweet, . The bleſt inhabitants bow at his name; 210 And hail him GOD o'er all, for ever bleſt. From the dark regions of eternal Woe, Where night and everlaſting horrors reign, It muſt proceedſi-yet no ! the great arch- fiend, Satan, the leader of the rebel hoſt, _ A 215 And all his millions, know the dignity ct Of man's Redeemer. They can never doubt Meſiiah's Godhead, till they ceaſe to be. Deep rooted memory of what is paſt; , And ſenſe of preſent pain, conſtrains belief. zzo Yes! they BELtEVEand TREMBLE, for they know His might, 'tremble thro' ev'ry pow'r, And from the truth of his eternalbeing, They know their own eternity Of woe. They felt the pow'r of his OMNIPOTENCE 225 YVhen from the realms of bliſs he drove' them down To utter darkneſs ; from his Vengeſhl arm They fled affrighted, but in vain they fied. His vengeance follow'd; flames of wrath divine i Purſu'd
IMMANUEL-ſ n Purſu'd their flight, ten thouſand thunders roll'd 230 i And ſunk them low in horrors infinite. And long ſince that, has ſatan and his crew Oſ ſpirits accurſed, felt the potent arm Oſman's Redeemer, 'when in human fleſh - Array'd, they from his preſence fled with ſpeed, 235 Obcy'd his awſul mandate, fear'd his frown, And trembled thro' their being at his name. Not leſsA'lmighty, when a man ofgrieſ, Than when enthron'd between the cherubim. But chiefly then, when burſting from the grave 24' The riſing GOD triumphant over death, TramPled beneath his feet the powr's of hell, Then vanquiſh'd Satan felt a ſecond full; His empire to its deep foundations ſhook, New terrors, like a flood, o'erwhelm'd his heart ; 243 New blaſphemies employ'd his horrid tongue. The fierce, the proud blaſphemer ſhakes his chain In all the rage and madneſs of deſpair, Yet owns the mighty arm that binds him down ' In evsrlaſting horrors, feels and owns 256 Jeſus the CONVIEROR; the GOD he hates. Nor is there in the dark abhorred pit " One hapleſs, ruin'd ſoul! who doubts this truth. Eternity ſweeps unbelief away. _ There'ls no deception there 3 the truth they know. 255 O fearful knowledge, by experience learn'd, In the black realnſs of'endleſs miſery, They ſee'the truth, but by the dreadful light Of
12 IMMANUEL" Of Tophet's flames; O horrible! to know i When knowledge ſinks the deeper in deſpair. 26' lf'heav'nly hoſts unite to raiſe on high The lofty honours ofthe SAVIOUR-GOD: If in the world beneath, he reigns in wrath, And all. its millions ſeel his Deity; 'Tis here alone exiſts the MAN who dares 265' Boldly deny his ſov'reign dignity. And is it thou, LOTHARIO? come thou man Of REASON and LHILOSOPHY, come bring Thy pow'rful reaſons, potent arguments, Summon thy depth of thought, for thou art wiſe. 270 Þlore wiſe than Angels, yet more ignorant (O ſhame to thee) than Devils. Come and bring Thy ſtrong objections; come, Goliah like In tenfold armour clad.-I' come to thee. In the great name and ſtrength of him whom thou 27; Defieſt; Jrsus, my Gum-ſay'ſt thou that I i Blaſphdme,land with preſumptuptzs boldnefs rob Th' ETERN-AL FArHsR of- his ſacred right, In paying to the SoN honours divine? 'ſhe charge is falſe and groundleſs z I adore 280 A tri une Deity with equal Praiſe. 'When low before the Lamb who died, I bow, And hail him as Jehovah, GOD of Hoſts, 'Tis in obedience to the FATHER'S will; 'Tis in obedience to the FATHER'S voice. 285 Heat the great mandate, hear and tremble thou, ' _ Who
IMMANUEL. 13 Who dares't rebel againſt the grand decree ? X ** LET ALL The Aserts oFGOin WORSHIP HIMJ' What! does th' eternal FATHER call his hoſts, Celeſtial ſpirits that furround his throne, 290 Before a creature's ſootſtool to fall down, And pay their adorations to a man? Has he not ſaid, he'll not divide his praiſe, Nor give his glory to anotherP-Say Thou learned the ſcriptures, has he not iz95 In thunders made his ſov'reign pieaſure known, 'That no created thing in heav'n or earth' Shall ſtand his rival, or his honours ſhare. And has he chang'd his mind i-Cauthe great God, Say and unſayl forbid idolatry _' ſi 300 In terms direct, command idolatry In terms direct, and bid'his winged ſaints, s The holy miniſters that round him wait - - A Worſhip an idoctl and adore a MAN? i O no! he is ofone eternal mind, p _ 305 And changeth not ; yet ſuch the Deity Lethario worſhips; One who bids to-day What he unbids to-'morrd'rvi who could truſt A ſouſil with ſuch a fluctctuating GOD ? If the Redemer be no more than man, 310 Ur if heilives and'ſhines a dem-y-God, I' The firſt Of creatures, he's a creature ſtill, If-to another he his being O\ve_ Derivative, 'he cannot 'be ſupreme, If not ſupreme; no adoration'due. 3'5 1 _ q B-ilt
a. -IMMANUEL But ifador'd, an idol, yet ſaith Gonſi " Confoun ded be all they that idols ſerve*,ſi '5 But bow my Angels at Immanuel's ſeetl, iA'nd worſhip him as Me, wi'th equal zeal. He whoſe devouring breath, like ſtreams of fire 320 Idols and idol-makers ſhall conſume ; Bids us adore the SoN, and kiſs his feet In low proſtration, why? becauſe in him Two natures join, a human and divine. A Man, a Son, he is, and yet a GoD. 32; The ſelf-exiſting and eternal JAH l One eſſence with the Father; we may. bow And ſafely; worſhip at IMMANUEL'S feet; . For he is GOD WITH US, we may draw near And pay our humble adorations there, 330 Upon the high authority of heav'n; A warrant ſigu'd by GOD the Father's hand ; And ſeal'd with the great figuet of the ſkies. Unto the Soal he ſaith, V Thy throne, O GOD, V For ever muſt endure, thy ſceptre ſtill, 335 'A ' Shall yruleo'er heav'n and earth with boundleſs ſway, ' They are the work of thine Almighty hand; ' They ſhall exPire; but thou ſhalt yet remain " Triumphantin thine own eternity." Hear'ſt thou, LOTHARIO, what the voice diſ/ine 340 Teſtifies of the SAVIOR's dignity? Behold the ſtarry glories of the ſkies ;' The ſplendid king ofday, actnd that bright moon, ſi _VVhoſe ſ -Pſa]. xcviiþ. 1- Hcb. i.
IMMA'NUEL. 35 l Whoſe milder beams'illuminate the night: i Behold the earth, clzid in the gay' attire v '7 J345 ' Of roſeate SUMMEIZ, when the grovel-crown'dþyhills Rejoice, and humbler Vallies laugh a'nd'ſing, _' . Exalt thy view iabove th' cth'erialjſlzy. H v A Behold the wing'd inhabitants who "dwell" _ In happy fields beyond -the ſongeſ morn; i A i '3550 Grand intellectual eſſences-Frotn thence, _ Look downward, thro' the ivaff, the' vfirioustribesi Of beings numberleſs, that float-in air, t t "1 That walk the eaflh- and waſh their ſcaly coatcts In limpid ſirenms, 'and ocean's brihy Wave. 355 Al! theſe, the creatures of lMMANUEL s hand, To being by his mighty fiat call'd, ' Live on his bounty; own him Lord of' all, i And with a ſolemn gloriousvoice prctoclaim " ' "r i The mighty builder ofa 'univerſe, * - 5 '360 So grand, [otgood, ſo eminently ſair, ' 'ſ Can be no leſs a being than a GOD ; The uncreated, ſelf-exiſtent GoD. Do the whole race of creatures owe their birth 7 .' ATo the Redeemer's pow'r, and on his will' 365 * Depends their being? then Lothario breaths The breath he gave him, that immortal ſoul, With all its reas'nihſſg powr's, thy boaſt, thy' pride; The wond'mus caſket where that jewel dwells, ' Form'd by his greatcreating hand, upheld 370 By conſtant emanations of his pow'r; Witneſs th' important truth , that he to whom Creation owes her being, muſt himſelf Be uncreate, eternal and ſupreme. ) VVho's
16 I M M A N U ELL Who's then the thief LOTHARro, thou-or I ? Say, who's the wretch who robs his GOD ofpraiſe? I bow before my Maker's awful throne; Aſcribe to him eſſential Deity, And join angelic hoſts to worſhip him, In due obedience to the high command Of the eternal FATHER, Thou more bold, Dar'ſt to ſtand forth, and in the face of heav'n, Undeify thy MAKIFAR', ſpurn thelaw To angels given by th' eternal King, 380 Charge the immutable and changeleſs GOD With mutability; the GOD whoſe heart Abhors idolatry, with ſetting up Ofidol worſhip.-I the charge return Of blaſphemy and treaſon on thyſelf ; I am a loyal ſubject to the king Inviſible, immortal, ever bleſt. But thou'rt a traitor oſ the blackeſt kind, A rebel of the deepeſt, darkeſt dye ; A vile ingrate, who breathes his Maker's air, Who lives upon the bounties of his hand; And tells him he is not a Deity. If to rebel againſt the great decree Of heaven's Almighty, be to honour him, To contradict his ſov'reign voice, and mar His bright perſections, be to glorify The GOD you worſhip, then Lothario gives Abundant glory to his Deity. When diſobedience for obedience ſtands; And contumacy proves our loyalty,Then will th' eternal Father's ſmile appro've ct 405 Lothario's 39o 395 400 375. - --_(-__ſ.4-
,iMMANtJEL.* 17 Lothario's worſhip, and accept his zeal. Till then, his ſrown the rebel muſt purſue', And his ſtrong arm avenge the bold affrontffl To ſix the crown upon Messmn's head; To prove the SAvroR's character divine, = 4to C The * Compare Exodus xx. 3, 4. with Pſal. accvii. 7. and Heb i. b. Here we kind the infinite Jehovah claim ifig to himſelf the honours of divine worſhip as his own peculiar right, and forbidding the adoration of any crea-_ ture whatever, in heaven or earth, in the moſt direct terms, and yet laying as direct and poſitive an injunction upon the moſt eXalted of his creatures to pay that very wor ſhip to the Loan jesus Cnaxsr. " Worſhip Him, all ye gods," ſaith the eternal Father: the apoſtle Paul informs us this glorious HlM is no other perſOn than 'the Loan jesvs Canter, conſequently he is the ſelf-exiſtent GOD; for if we ſuppoſe him a mere man, with 'the Socinian, orademi god, with the Aſian, yet we muſt ſuppoſe him 'to be a Great-armour! then Goo the Father in commanding him to be worſhipped, commands that very act of idolat'y which' he hath himſelf ſo exPreſsly forbidden; but this ſuppoſition is abſurd to an extreme, and full of blaſ phemy; it is highly derogatory to the divine perſec tion', and very unworthy of the Deity. But iſ the LORD Jesus CHMST 'Poſſeſſes two natures in one per ſon, not only the HUMAN, in its higheſt degree-of per fection, but 'alſo a DlVlNE, eo-EQyAL, CO-ETERNAL, c0>ESSENTlAL with the FA'THER and HOLY SPiiu'r, poſſeſſing his being in, and of HrusELF alone, which is the truth, then there is the higheſt propriety in this corn mand for the angels to worſhip him', and i': does not daſh in the leaſt with the firſt and ſecond commandments, becauſe he is in unity of eſſence with the FATHIR, and the HOLY Gaos'rz that very jehovah who forbids idoi worſhip, and claims all the adoration of his cr'tatures as his own peculiar right.-ln commanding divine wor ſhip to be paid to the Redeemer, and in aſcribingr the great work of creation to him, which can' be the produc tion oſ no leſs a being than art-infinite Gan; and therefore ſays the Apoſtle, "He that built all things is GOD," Held. iii. 4. GOD the Father gives the ſtrongeſt teſti
18 IMMANUEL. The holy Ghoſt, Spirit of truth, appears A witneſs inconteſtible, and gives ' The cleareſt evidence, ſo bright, ſo full, So big with demonſtration, that to doubt, Argues the proud, perverſe, rebellious heart, 41; More than the fable ſhades of ignorance Clouding the mind.---See a bright train ariſe Of prophets and apoſtles; proof on proof, Eſtabliſhing this grand and glorious truth, Thatjesus is JEHOVAH ! GOD ſupreme. 420 They ſung his name IMMANUEL, Gonmith us, GoD in our nature, manifeſt in fieſhl'. The LORD of Hosrs HtMsELF*, the mighty Gon; The Father of eternity, the prince Of peace divine, who made it with his blood. 42; Whoſe going forth in wiſdom, pow'r and love, ' Hath been from everlaſting; and ſhall be While everlaſting age: roll alongs. Though a meek babe in humble Bethlehem In time he condeſcended to be born, _ 43d And in one glorious perſon made to meet Two diſtinct natures, human and divine. In lofty ſtrains, the raptur'd prephets ſing The native honours of the SAVIOR GOD, . Hail teſtimony poſiible to the Divinity of the Lent) Jaw: CHRIST ; and whoever dare: to reject that teſtimony, does it at the peril of their ſouls: and though they who do, vainly ſuppoſe they are doing him honour; yet the truth is, they cannot offer him a more inſolent, dat-ing and aggravated affront i they give him the lie to his face; they rob him of his brighefi perſections, and add to the ſin of diſobedience, that of high treaſon againſt the glorious Redeemer, the Knto of KING', and Loxn of LORDS, whom Gon the Fatherfs ſoul deligixteth to honour. . T Iſaiah vii. 14. ' Iſaiah viii. [3. x Peter ii. 8, &Mical. v. 2r
IMMANUEL. 19 Hail him Jehovah, and exalt his throne 535 All thrones above; yet with ſweet voice proclaim His love and mercy to his ranſom'd church, Her Maker, Huſband, eVc-rlaſting Friend; And O ſweet name, The LoRD her RIGHTEOUSNESSS ' The LORD her ſtrength, he who alone can be 440 ' A juſt Jehovah, yet a SAVIOUR-'GOD*. God over allf, the only Potentate, The only wiſe, who in himſelf aloneHath immortality'j. Th' eſſential WORDi', if -_ ,' Who tabernacled in ahoufe of Clay - 44; Man amongſt men, yet in whoſe perſon ſhines The brightneſs of the Father's glory forth, ' In beatns ſo radiant, that no mortal eye _, Can bear the ſplendors.-v--In-ourJESUS dwell - . ſ The full perfections of the Deity. 4 < 45o_ Girt with OMNiPoTENce, he rules o'er all. - While his OMNiscrENr eye beholds the night Shine as the Day, and tenfold darkneſs blaze I_n all the gilded beams of noon.-He fills Unbounded ſpace; and in ſupreme degree, 455 Poſſeſſes all the attributes divine. The INCOMMUNlCABLE names and things Of heaven's JEHOVAH. Has LOTHARIO heard Theſe faithful witneſſes iſin concnrd ſweet, Record the native dignity of him r 460 Who man on C'ALVARY? has he not ſeen Them bow the humble knee before his throne, And as his heralds, ſound from pole to pole The glories of the great redeeming GOD? ' C 2 WVhile \ SJcrerniah xxiii. 6, * Iſaiah xlv. at. r]- Rom. ix. 5. ' q I Than. vi. 15, 16. I John i. 6.
ac IMMANUEL." x While yet their meſſage is not theirs, but his 455 Who ſent them forth. Th' eternal BPmtT ſpeaks' By prOphets and apoſtles to mankind, And ſets his royal ſeal, the ſeal of heav'n' To this grand TRUTH, that Jesus Son ofGon, Is the eternal ſelf-exiſtent JAH. 470 The great FIRST CAUSE; to whom creation owes Her birth and being ; by his potent voice Call'd from the womb of chaos and upheld T' exalt the glories of its maker Gon. What ſays LOTHARIO to this evidence? Is it not valid, pointed, ſtrong and clear, Deciſive, and ſufficient to repel The ſubtile arguments of unbelief; Is not this wrrNEss, worthy to be heard 2- - Worthy of credit? Can'ſt thou aught object T' invalidate the evidence he gives? Has he e'er err'd, or brought a falſe report? No, he's the Gon of Truth, that cannot lie; Then why believe him not? with Voice divine He teſtifies ofjssm; and to him Aſcribes the names, the glorious characters ' And grand perfections of the DEITY. This is the teſtimony of a God ; But lo! LOTHARIO riſes from the drg/Y, A creature of a day; a worm of eartb, And ſtrong in all the might of feaſt/'II pow'r, Denies the grand aſſertion.---Say, O man Proſoundly wiſe, who muſt the liar be ' In this great conteſt, is it earth or heav'n ? 475 48'. 485 49' LOTHARlO, or his Gon 9 ſhame'fiuſh the cheek, 495 And harrow up the rebel ſoul who dares ' \ Impure
IMMANUEL m _ ...._ __ MH, ____ nd, r _ _ _, ſ. .' Impute ſuch infamy to his Creator. No! juſt and true art thou, Almighty king; AGOD of truth, without iniquity. 'Tis the proud reas'ning infect ofthe earth ; The mit: drop'd down from the Creator's hand 500v Deep in the boſom of his univerſe, Leſs in his fight than is the graſs-hopper*. Who darkens council, and with erring tongue And ſtubborn heart, rejects the voice of heav'n, 'Becauſe his finite nature cannot graſp 505 The nature of the [NFINITE I AM; His purblind reaſon cannot comprehend The great, the grand INCOMPREHENSIBLE. Behold the SoN of Man in robes of light, 510 Walking amidſt the golden candleſticks, i Celeſtial ſplendors ſhine aropnd vhis head. Girt with omnipotence ; his flaming eye Darts lightnings round; piercing the heights of heav'n, The depths of hell, the gloomy ſhades of death, And deepeſt receſs ofthe human heart. ' 515 Like poliſh'd braſs his feet; ſo firm he ſtands In all th* immutability of Goo. His hand ſupports the ſtars, and from his lips A two-edg'd ſword proceeds, pointed and keen 520 To ſlay his enemies; bright with the rays Shot from vindictive juſtice burning. eye, While as the ſun in his meredian ſtrength His count'nance ſhines in majeſty divine. v Sublime his voice, more awſul than the ſound 525 Of inany waters in tumultuous roar, C 3 ' Let * iſttiah xl. 15, 17, 22. .--*..-- \--*'- 'va '*'. --*-+'-**
22 IMMANUEL. iLet heav'n and earth attend. Meffiah ſpeaks. And with ſolemnity beyond cotnpare, Declares his grand eſſential dignity. "I am the FIRST, the LAST, the great I AM. 530 The ALPHA and OMEGA. LORD of All. Supreme eternal ages paſt, I reign Thro' time, and ſhall extend my potent ſway, While everlaſting ages roll along.v Th' ALMIGHTY, who was dead, but live again, 53; And live for ever: Lo l my hands contain i ſi The adamantine keys of hell and death. One with the eternal Fether ever bleſt; In all the grand eſſential dignities And independancc oſ the Deity. 540 My name is KING of KlNGs, and LORD of LORDS. On my white horſe I ride triumphant forth, Conqu'ring, to conquer all my enemies, By the vindictive terrors of my hand; Or the ſweet ſceptre of Victorious love. 545 Great Shepherd of my ſheep, with my ſtrong arm I ſnatch them from the jaws of death and hell. ſ And from the eaſt and weſt; from north and ſouth Gather my Lambs with condeſcending grace, And in my gentle boſom foſter' them, 555 With all the kind compaffions of a GOD; Yet on my great white throne I ſhall appear, My throne ofjudgment, from before my face The heav'ns and earth ſhall flee, my voice ſhall ſhake Hell from its deep foundationszq-ſhall unlooſe 555 The bands of death, and call his pris'ners up Tohear: their final ſentence from my mouth, To own my great determinations juſt, And
IMMANUEL._ 23 And feel and know that GOD isjudge himſelf, The mighty GOD, Jehovah: then to me 56o All knees ſhall bow, and ev'ry tongue confeſs That I am LORD, to GOD the Father's praiſe. He loves the SoN, and to his hand commits All judgment, that his creatures may adore, And equal homage, equal honours pay 565 As to the Father: _He that honours me, a Honours the Father;, he that diſobeys, Shall fcel the vengeance of a triune GOD. The ſinner who believes not that I AM, Dies in his ſins, ſinks to the depths of hell, 570 To endleſs night and everlaſting fire. While in my kingdom, ſhall my ſaints rejoice, And ſee in their Redeemer's perſon ſhine The fulneſs of unclouded DELTY."_ Thus ſpeaks the lips oſ'rRU'rH, can doubtariſe 575 Againſt a teſtimony ſo divine l 'Tis written in the mouth oſ two or three Whoſe witneſs harmonize, ſhall ev'ry word Eſtabliſhed, in public credit, ſtand, Nor ſcrup'lous unbelief dare wag her tongue. 580 Here then, LOTHARIO, is th2 eternal THREE. i The undivided GOD, in eſſence one, Bearingv united. evidence to prove\ The native grandeur oſ/the finner's friend; The BABE'atBETHLEHEM; the MAN who groan'd585 IlLſadlGETHSEMANE, who bled and died A ſacrificemſor ſin on CALVARY. The GOD whoſe arm ſupports a univerſe ; The king ſupreme who reigns o'er earth and heav'n. ſi C 4 And
14, ' IMMANUEL." And ſtretches forth his empire over hell. 59] JLHOVAH JEsUs, bright with all the rays ſſ' ſi Of the - eternal Father's majeſty, His own eſſential, independant right. And is LoT-HARIO deaf to all the proof ſ A GoD cen give of his divinity ? ' And is LOTHAkto blind to all the beams Of light divine that REVELA-rrou pours On the grand myflery of Godlineſs? How would LOTHARIO ſmile, ſhould he behold JAn idiot, ſhutting out the light of day, 6oo_ i Reſuſing the bright glories of the Sun Toe-hear him with a taper's feeble beam. Yet ſuch thy folly, O thou man of parts I Deep read in SCIENCE, nurtur'd in the ſchools Of lit'rature, thou with matureſt thought, 605 Rejects the glorious beams of LrGH'r DIVINE, ſi Th" hqcrring teſtimony of; GPD ; To walk by the falſe glimm'ring of thine ow't Depraved, beclouded RLAsoN. REAsotg cries, Right REASOlN, =REMON ſanctified by CRAFE, 610 Cries with loud voice, Sinner obey thy GOD, Receive his mandates, and believe his'wordi' ffii; ReASONTs triumph to fall lowly down, And bow to REVELATLON's grand diſplay Ofſacred truth; and where its pow'rs o'ercome 615 By ſplendors all divine, muſt link and fail; Believe and acquieſce with humble awe, Silent, adore the heights it cannot climb, Fſcribing TRUTH apd WISDOM to its'Gon. Docs 1 fli'u
IMMANUEL; zſiz Does the Redeemer to himſelf aſſume þzg All the grand titles due to Deity, And is 'he not the Deity ſupreme? Is he a virtuous, high exalted man, Humble and lowly while he dwelt below, Now ruling all things by deputed pow'r? '625 ' Where is his virtue, if he utter lies? Where is his goodneſs, if he can deceive i Where's' his humility if he preſume To arrogate the ſtile of DEt'rY? The glorious characters, and awful names 63. Of heaven's Jehovah, this were blaſphemy; . Pride, horrid pride; no virtuous holy man X Dare ſo preſume, t?would ſtamp his character The worſt of beings: Can LOTHARIo's faith Commit his ſoul to ſuch a Savior's hands? 63, Nay, be conſiſtent; if he be not GOD, 'As he aſſerts, ſay not he is a man i Poſſeſtl of every virtue, good and great, Reject him as a cheat, impoſter vile; Commit thy erring bible to the flames, 640 And ſeek ſalvation by ſome other way Than that reveals; that knows no other name Than Jesus CHRIST, the ever-living GOD. Say he is holy, then his word is true; For truth and holineſs can never part; 645 Iſ true his word, the titles he aſſumes, The glorious attributes he calls his own Muſt be his native right.--Grant this-He ſhine: In the full ſplendors of the Deity, The uncreate, the ever bleſt I AM. 6507 No cheat, no impoſter, but the great Gonſſ The ..- . t. ,_ ..- -.---.->s- . _..__.-_.\___,_.__5__.--\\ K - _
25,A LMzM AzN U-E- L. The righteous Judge, who comes in flaming fire, To pour his wrath upon his enemies. Omay LOTHARlO, by his grace ſubdu'd Fall at his feet intime, and kiſs the Son, 655 That when that day arrive, he may appear 'The GOD Ofghis ſalvation g angels then Shall tune their golden harps, and ſw'eetly ſing The Prodigy] reſtored to life and peace, Their Maſter honoured and a ſinner fail'd; 666 And while joy echoes thro' the courts of heav'n, The diſtant earth-ſhall Catch the pleaſing ſound, Saints ſhall'delight-to hear the news, to ſee Triumphant- TRUT-H prevail, and error fall, Jesus exalted, and LOTHARIO bleſt*. 665 * " Let I. If was appointed by the Moſaic law that in the mouth of two or three witneſſes every word ſhould be eſtabliſhed - now if the witneſs oſ men is to be received, as to the things of men, the witneſs of Goo is greater, and certainlyought to be received as to the thingsoſ Gon. There are Three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Spirit, and theſe Three not only are Onein eſſence, but bear one united teſti mony of the Divinity of the Lozn Jesus CHRlST. The de clnrations of Gon the FATHER upon this grand ſubject are noticed in the former note. The Witneſs Of the Holy Spirit runs throughout the ſcriptures of the old and new teſtament, Both prOphets and apoſtles proclaim this illuſtrious truth, and the Redeemermho aſſumes to himſelf the character oſ eſſential truth, John xiv. o. aſſumes to himſelf alſo all the other-cha racters, perfections and titles which peculiarly belong to the Deity,-One of the grand characteriſtics oſ jehovah, is that, of being theflartlzcr of the heart, and the trier of the reins of the children of men, I Kings viii. 39. " Then hear thou irvheaven thy dwelling place: and forgix e, and do, and give to every man according to his work, whoſe heart thou knoweſt; for thou, even thou amjz, knoweſt the hearts of all the chil dren of men." Pſalm vii. 9. '" For the righteous GOD trieth the heart and reins," jer. xi. w. "0 Lono aſ holts that judgeſt righteouſlv, that trieſt the 'reins and the heart," ibid xvii. to. " I the Lend ſearch the heart, I try' the reim.hv Now ct \ the a - e 43: ':':'=_£:"" ***-,-*=L:,-<;;-7 NNW' i _
r M M A N UIEl Lg 27, Let us by truth and contemplation led, From modern ſcenes, and European climes Retire; and thro' the fields of PALESTme; Imperial SALEM, and the flow'ry vale Of the LORD Jesus ſpeaking of himſelf, directly aſſumes this cha. racter. Rev. ii. 23. '5 And all the churches ſhall know that I am he whcih ſearcheth the reins and heart, and I wrll give unto every one of you according to your works." john ii. 14., 25. " He knew all men, and needed not that any ſhould teſtify of man, for he knew what was in man."-Ezek. xxxiv. n, re. The infinite Jehovah condeſcends to take upon him the cha racter of the great and true Shepherd of Iſrael; for thus ſaith the Loan GOD', Behold I, even -I, will both ſearch my ſheep and ſeek them out, as a ſhepherd ſeeketh out his flock. Iſaiah xl. r', ir. " Behold the LORB Gon will come with ſtrong hand, and his arm ſhall rule-for him; behold his reward i: with him, and his work before him, he ſhall feed his flock like a ſhepherd." The LORD Jesus aſſumes this character, John x. 17. " l am the good ſhepherd." 1 Peter. ii. 25. " For ye were as ſheep going aſtray, but ye are now returned unto the ſhepherd and biſhop of your ſouls." Heb. xviii. 20. " Now the ' Goo of peace that brought again from the dead our Lolu' jews, that great ſhepherd oſ the ſheep."--The ſupreme goz vernment ofheaven and earth is aſcribed to the Deity. Pſal. xlvii. z, 7. "For the LORD moſt high is terrible, he is agreat king over all the earth, for GOD is the king of all the earth." But this is aſcribed to the LORD Jrsus, Rev. xix. 16. as his proper name and title, " Kmc of xrncs, and Lonu of Lorms." The final judgment of all men, is a work for which none but: the Deity can be competent; it is therefore aſcribed unto him, Pſal. l. r, 3, 4., 5, 6. "The mighty GOD even the LORD, hath ſpoken and called the earth from the riſing of the ſun, unto the going down thereof: our Goo ſhall come, and ſhall not keep ſilence, a fire ſhall devour before him,and it ſhall be very tempeſtuous round about him; he ſhall call to the heaven' from above, and to the earth, that' he may judge his people, and the heavehs ſhall declare his righteouſneſs, for Goo is judge a l MSELF." But the new teſtament declares that grand work will be performed by the LORD Jesus CHRIST, See Matt. xxv. John v. az, 23. " For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto' the Son, that all men ſhould honour the Son, even as they honour the FATHBR; he that honoureth not the Son, honoureth not the Fnrue R which hath
28 IMMANUE'L. Of Ouver, attend the Savior Goo. 670 See him a MAN, in humble plain attire, Deſpis'd, rejected by the ſons of men, Though from his lips all gracious accents flow, And heav'nly wiſdom ſits upon his tongue. Though hath ſent him." Now none can be competent to be the judge of men and angels, but he who is the infinitely righteous, om miſcien', omnipreſent, omnipotent GOD. But the Lono Jesus Cuxrs'r will be the judge of men and angels, conſequently he is the infinitely righteous, omniſcient. omnipreſent, omnipotent Corn-'Iſaiah viii. 13, 14.. " Sanctify the Loao of hoſts him ſelf, and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread, and he ſhall be for axſanctuary, but for a ſtone of ſtumbling and for a rock of offence to both houſes of Iſrael." Compare this with Rom.ix.3 2,33."For they ſtumbled at that sTUMBLmc-rroue, as it is written, "Behold I lay in Zion a ſtumbling-ſtone and rock of offence, and whoſoever believeth in him, ſhall not be aſhamed." Here it is very evident that the Lono Jxsvs Cnus'r is intended, butAIſaiah ſtiles this very perſon the Lend of nos'rs HlMSELF. Conſequently the LORD Jxsus is the Lord of hoſts himſelf, which is the grand and moſt ſub lime characteriſtic ofthe Deity, and which none but the ſelf exiſtent Deity can poffibly ſuſtain. If we attend to the teſti mony the Lo' D jesus bears of himſelf, we ſhall find that he aſſumes the moſt eſſential attributes of the Godhead in the plaineſt and moſt unequivocal manner poſſible. Rev. i. 8. " I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, ſaith the Lortn, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty." ver. 17. " l am the firſt and the laſt." John viii. 24.. 5' If ye belieVC not that I AM. ye ſhall die in your ſins." ver. 58. " Before Abraham was, I AM." Compare this with Iſaiah xli. 4.. *' I the LoRD thefi'ſi, and with the laſt, l AM' he." ibid xliii. '1. "1, even I, am the Lent), and beſide me thered: no Saviour." xliv. 6.-'5 Thus ſaith the Loan, the king oflſrael, and his Redeemer the Loao of hoſts, I am the firſt, and I am the laſt, and beſides me there is no Gon." ** 1 'nd my Father are one," John it. It is impoſſible for the word of God to vbe more clear and explicit upon this ſubject than it is; how dark and benighted muſt that underſtanding be, that cannot ſee this grand truth? how rebellion: muſt that heart be that does ſee, but will not receive it, and which proudly and obſtinately dares to reject and diſbelieve the teſtimony ofa lriune Gon t Vain man would be wiſe, though he is born like-v a / \ i ſſ _,,_'- ,:_ i ſhin _, 7 _ ;_ , _ - -._-_)--=_-. --_n-.:._*.-:'
IMMA'NUEL * 19 Though his kind heart and lib'ral hand diffiiſe 67 5 Ten thouſand all-important bleſſings round. Aſtoniſh'd multitudes about him preſs, And from his rich magnificence receive Supplies as variOUS as their wants require ; For thro' the veil of fleſh, that deep diſguiſe, 68' The glories oſa GOD illuſtrious ſhine. i In acts of matchleſs pow'r, confound his foes, And prove him the JehoVah infinite. See univerſal nature own her LORD, Wait with obſequious duty his command, 68; , And ſwift obedience to his mandate pay. The b'luſhing WATER owns the preſent GOD, And reddens into wine! th' obedient bread, - 'A ſcanty pittance, ſcarce enough to feed A little band of hungry appetites, , ' 69' See it enlarge, encreaſe and multiply, And dine its thouſands with ſufficient food, ' While more remains than firſt the table ſpread. Th' aſtoniſh'd thouſands, wond'ring (land and ſhoot jesus the prophet and the CHRIST oſ GoD! 695 What crouds are theſe that compaſs him around, And preſs to touch his ſeamleſs garment's hern! Children oſ miſery, a ghaſtly train, Num'rous as fallen leaves that ſhew the ground ſi Before a wild aſs's colt,]oh. But that wiſdom is ſooiiſhneſs to an ex treme that would exalt itſelſ above thewiſdom oſ Goox it is the higheſt point of wiſdom, and the nobleſt triumph of reaſon, to bow with Icquieſcenceſhumble ſaith,and holy delight to divine Revelation, and thereby to honour the infinite wiſdom_and ve mity of Jehovah. '
M IMMANUEL Before the autumnal breeze; emaciate, pale 70 With pining ſickneſs ſome, and ſore diſeaſe ; Some on the rack oſ agonizing pain From ſtone, and ſharp acute diſorder bred; Some ſcorch'd with burning ſevers, in whoſe veins Death flows triumphant in the purple flood, 705 And wild delirium revels in the brain. - Demoniac ſome, whoſe wretched carcaſes Are made the dwelling of infernal fiends, Toſt at their pleaſure in the briuy wave, , Qr raging fire, loſt to humanity 710 By ſtrange diſtraction hurried to and fro; No bands can hold them, nor no chains confine. The mourners who with cover'd lips exclaim Unclean, unclean, Zſymbolical of thoſe Who groan beneath the leproſy of ſin.) _ 71; iForbid the joys of ſweet ſociety; Daom'd to perpetual ſolitude and woe. The blind whoſe eye-halls ne'er beheld the day; Ne'er ſaw the light, whoſe balmy bleffings cheer The heart unchear'd by any joy beſide. 720 The lame, whoſe feet have never trod the earth, Chain'd by contracted limbs to one abode. The deaf. the dumb, ſad ſirangers to the ſweets Of ſounds and ſpeech, condemnffd to pine away In ſilence while the circling years roll on. 7 z5 Theſe, and a thouſand more ſad objects come And throng around where'er the SAVIOR goes, How eagerly they preſs to come in view; How their hearts throb with anxious ſtrong deſire T' attract his notice, and obtain a cure! 730 While their united voice and earneſt cries . _ Humble
IMMANUEL. . 3; Humble petitions to his ear addreſs. He ſpeaks l 'tis done--the mourners ceaſe to groan, At his ALMIGHTY FrAT, pale diſeaſe, p Acute diſorder, all the ghaſtly train, his Death's meſſengers, retire, i they quit their prey .:, Death diſappointed, ſhakes his darts in vain. v And Jesus triumphs, ſov'reign LORD of life. See ruddy health her chearful bleſſings ſhed, Glow in each cheek, and ſparkle in each eye: 'no Late pale and languid, lepers bleſs the voice That ſpake them clean, for when the SAVIOUR ſpake - Omnipotence put forth its mighty arm - And heal'd them all.-See I like the bounding roe ' -The lame man leaps, and runs with nimble ſeet, 74.; While his heart dances with extatic joy. The ſtamm'ring tongue unloos'd, its ſilence breaks, And its firſt accents learn lMMANUEL's praiſe. The blind no more in ſhades of darkneſs ſ'it, A kind Redeemer ſpeaks the gloom away, _ 750 Celeſtial light burſts on th' aſtoniſh'd/eye, And all is rapture, extacy and praiſe. Satanic hoſts obey his great command, And at his bidding quit their wretched prey, To ſeek for new abodes, their legions fly 755 Before his awful frown, leſt his ſtrong arm _ Should'chain them down ten thouſand fathom deep In the black gulph, abhorred Tartarous, While the poor mortais from their pow'r ſet free, Wake to new life, and ſing deliv'ring grace, > 760 Fall down and worſhip at lMMANUBL's feet, And bleſs the great INCARNATE DEITY. Hark! how a thouſand tongues repeat his name. Hark ! 4
32 IM'MANUED; YK tra-p a.- Bark! how hoſannahs echo through the airſſ. From heart to heart tranſporting pleaſure flies; 765 And all is wonder, love and praiſe around. ſi Angels unſeen admire; and tune their ſongs 'To ſwell the triumphs of the great GOD-MA N. See a ſond father weeping o'er his child; - v While moumful relatives ſtand round her bed 7 70 To bid a laſt adieu. The beauteous girl Expiring lays, pale as the hand of death, Diſeaſelhas done his fatal Work, and lo l The gloomy king, high' brandiſhing his dart, Seizes his lovely prey; life ebbs apace, 77 And death victorious folds her in his arms. And lays the breathleſs victim in the dult. But Jesus comes; can his ſtrong arm arreſt The monſter death, and force him to diſgorge The ſwallow'd morſel P-Can his pow'rſul voice 780 Call back the ſoul on angels wings convey'd Half way to heav'n, again to re-poſſeſs Its late forſaken clay? Yes, lol he ſpeaks,i *' Damſel ariſe." The breathleſs victim breaths, She wakes, ſhe lives, to life and ſtrength reſtor'd; 785 Health volatile flows chearſul tliro' her veins, Glows in her cheek, and ſparkles in her eye ; Whilejoy and wonder, gratitude and love, Burſts like a flood upon her aged fire, And heights and depths of bliſs unutt'rable 790 Convulſe and agitate the mother's frame, Such as a mother's breaſt alone can feel, Such as a mother's tongue cannot deſcribe. 7 ' Low
IMMANUEL n Low at the great phyſician's ſect they fall, v 'Adore hlS pow'r, and magniſy his name. - 79 5 Ah! what ſad ſight is this that ſtrikes mine eye. A mournſul rrain with ſlow and ſolemn pace, Conducting to his cold mauſoleumAſteeping youth. He ſleeps the ſleep oſideath, Late, like the bpunding hart, his nimble ſect 800Tript lightly o'er the hills, and thro' the plain. i His gladd'ning heart beat high with chearſul hope, From the bright proſpect of' long years to come, While vig'rous health and gay vivacity Inſpir'd his mind, and in his count'nance ſhone; 80; But now l a breathleſs corpſe, ſtretch'd on the bier His active nimble feet forget to move; .-\ No more his heart beats high with chearſul hope, Nor gay vivacity, nor vig'rous health Play round his vitals and adorn his cheek. 810._ Cold, pale and ſtiff, he lies; triumphant death With unrelenting hand, paſs'd by grey hairs, To pluck the new blown flow 'r.-\Vhat voice is that - Which ſtrikes mine ear? the voice of_deep lament, And o'ercharg'd ſorrow, xutt'ring words oſ woe, 81; And heavy import, " O! my ſon, my ſon, Would Gon that I had dy'd ſor thee, my ſon." Ah! 'tis his mother ; let the tender heart Prepare to ſigh, let'_ſympathy awaite, _ And ſhed a gen'rous tear to ſooth 'her woe. 820 His widow'd mother, he her only ſon, The ſtay and ſtaff of her declining. years, Snatch'd from her arms, to mingle with the duſt: - I) , i No
a IMMANUEL No more his pleaſing voice ſhall ſooth her care, His kind affection watch to miniſter 815 In acts of duteous love to all her need. Fondly ſhe entertain'd deluſive hope His gentle hand would cloſe her dying lids, And to the ſilent tomb commit her duſt; But heav'n ſubſcrib'd not to the vain deſire. 830 See from her eyes ſad floods of ſorrow fall, She droops, ſhe faints! O let ſome pitying friend - Support her ſinking frame : All-gracious heav'n, Smile on the mourner, bid thy comforts flow; O calm the ſtormy paffions of her ſoul, 835 Breathe ſweet ſubmiffion to thy ſov'reign will, i ' Thro' all her pow'rs.--Lo ! the REDEEMER comes: Thou good phyſician, can thy ſov'reign ſkill Bring health and cure to this diſtracted mind? Can'ſt thou ſalubrious balms apply, and find 840 A medicine for ſuch a wound as this P- _ - Lo l he draws near; he views the mournful train, He knows the ſighing mother's bleeding heart; All the ſoft feelings of HUMANIT Y Glow in his gentle breaſt, and melt him down 845 To kind concern, and tend'reſt ſympathy : Sweet PITY ſparkles in his gracious eye, And all the rich compaſiions of a Gon Divinely move to bid her ſorrows ceaſe. Nor do her grieſs riſe higher for her ſon, 850 Than Jesu's ſtronglcompaſiions riſe for her. '* Woman, weep not," the dear Redemer ſaith : Then with a gentle, yet Almighty voice, He bids the dead ariſe ', the dead obeys, Starts into life at the divine. command; ' 855 Riſes
IMMANUEL * g Riſes in all the active ſtrength of youth, Springs from the uſeleſs bier, and at the feet Oſ his Reſtorer, hails his ſacred name. See the kind SAVroa haſtes to give him back To his aſtoniſh'd parent's ſond embrace. 869 Her thars no' longer flow, her throbbing breaſt No longer ſwells with agonizing woe, Amazement and delight entrance her ſoul,And wrapt in mute aſtoniſhment ſhe ſtands! i ' Y Beholds her ſon, beholds her heav'nly friend, 865 Andjoy and gratitude divide her pow'r-5. Surrounding multitudes admire the deed ; Surpriſeand wonder fill their minds with awe. A They bleſs the gloricus PROPHET, a-nd adore (And glorify the Goo of Iſrael. 87qFrom tribe toltribe the ſplendor oſ his name ſi Spreads ſar and wide, the diſtant provinces - \ Heat and admire the wonders of his hand, And throng to ſhare the bleſſings he beſtows. . Where'erwe turn,what wonders ſtrike our view l 87 Stupendous miracles, height above height, Grandly ſublime ariſing! With one voice, As heralds of the heav'nly King, 'they ſound The trumpet of his praiſe, and cry aloud " Behold the GOD of glory in the MAN 830 Whoſe nod controuls creation ; at whoſe word, Diſeaſe, and death, and devils flee aſham'd, As night retires when radiant S-OL appearsff See the belov'd, the friend of Jesus dies l Again the haughty tyrant of the grave 88; D z Shake'
_p IMMANUEL ' Shakes his Victorious dart, and hides it deep In the kind heart of gentle LAZARUS:' But lol the friend oſ Jesus ſoars aloft, ſi He dies-He burſts to better life, and ſings A ſong oſtriumph o'er his eonqu'ror. 890 Smiles at death's feeble ſhaft, defies his pow'r, Wrapt in the bliſs oſ IMMORTALlTY. See two fair mourners weeping o'er his'grave; In all the ſad ſolemnity of woe, , 'They mourn a BROTHER; kind endearing name! 89 They mourn a FRlEND ; O name more ſacred ſtill, Long interwoven with fraternal love, Friendſhip had knit their kindred ſouls in one; But death, relentleſs death, has torn away Their better part : in vain the gentle voice 900 Of conſolation pours her cordials forth, 7 And tender ſympathy attempts in vain . To ſooth their ſorrows: four times hath the ſun With riſing ſplendors crown'd this earthly orb; Four times the moon with milder beams diſperſt 905 The gloom of darkneſs, ſince the yawning grave Receiv'd their much-lov'd brother's ſleeping Clay, And Jssus lingers :-Oft their wiſhful eyes Look ouſit in vain to ſee their LoRD appear; Oſt their impatienrſighs break forth, and chide 9ſſto The dear Redeemer for his long delay: But lo! he comes-let us attend his ſteps; He goes 'with the ſad ſitrain to view the grave, The cold- mauſoleum of his Lazarus. Here ſoft affection kindles to a flame, 915 Freſh ſorrows ſpring, and overwhelming woe Burſts forth in floods of grief: tears, tender tears, Drown
IMMANUEL. 37 Drown ev'ry face; and with pathetic Voice, l Declare how much they lov'd, how much they feel. Lo l Jnsus weeps ; aſtoniſh'd angels ſtand 920 In ſilent admiration and delight. Behold! the RESURRECTXON and the LIFE, The mighty SAVIOR lifts his eyes to heav'n ;Then with the voice that call'dvcreation forth From the dark womb of chaos and old night; 925 'That bade celeſtial light with orient beams' Shine on his univerſe: He ſpeaks again, And. " LAZARUS come roam," is his command. Hark! gentle eeho on her doWny wing _ Catches the ſound,and back returns,"Cameflrtb."930 Death to the centre of his dark domain Heats the ſublime command ; the ſov'reign voice, Death, to the centre of his dark domain Trembles with mighty awe, loth to give up _ His vanquiſh'd prey; unable to detain. 935 JBUS-the Son of MAN; Jesus the GOD, Holds in his hand the adamantine key That ſhuts and opens his ten thouſand gates, \ The locksþfly back, he burſts the maſſy bars, The captive leaves his dreary cave, forſakes 940 Worms and corruption, to enjoy the day: He riſes and comes forth, while angels ſing The boundleſs glories of the SoN of MAN. Hark, how the winds, with hollow murmurs riſe; Theheav'ns grow black with cloudsLadiſſlitmlgloom945' Spreads o'er the hemiſphere, and ſtrikes diſmay Upon the ſtouteſt heart, a ſudden flood Pours from on high, to meet the flood beneath; D 3 And 3.', q-Tr-\ ..-__._
38 IMMANUEL. And lo! the ſwelling billows riſe and rage In battle dangerous, the foaming waves i 950ſi Lift their mountainous heads, like watry alps, And threat the lkies, then break with noiſe more dire Than all the dreadful h0wls that pierce the woods, In midnight hours, when Wolves voracious ,proul, And the fierce lion fat'tcns o'er his prey. ' 955 Amidſt the waves, behold a little bark Toſt to and fro the ſport ofraging winds; In vain the mariners their ſkill oppoſe, The mad'ning tempeſt, deafto all their cries, Derides their efforts, and with thund'ring roar, 960 Threats to entomb it in a watry grave, _And make the deep their vaſt mauſolcum. And yet how ſafe the little veſſel rides! Encompaſs'd by the guardian care of heav'n, She bears the grandeſt freight that eyer fail'd 965 Upon the hoary boſom of the deep, ſi A treaſure richer than ten thouſand worlds; No haughty CJESAR, but the great GOD-MAN.He ſleeps, amidſt the roar of elements; i The thunders of the ſtorm diſturb him not, 970So ſweet he flumbers 3 but the trembling crew, l * His little company, all pale with fear, ' Strange COnſternation wrote on ev'ry face, Break his repoſe, with the terrific cry A Of " Maſter, Maſter, lo! we periſh actlL'J _ So quick, ſo ready, is his ear to hear" "' " The breathings of his people in diſtreſs, _ He wakens in a moment to their aid; ſſ He riſes in ſereneſt majeſty; i ſi Calm and compos'd, he looks upon his friends 980 With ſweet complacence, mildly chides their fears ; l With
IMMANUEL m With ſolemn ſteps advances to the prow, And views the ſtorm unmov'd: then with the voice Divine, the' voice that one day ſhall awake The dead, and call tojudgment all thſſeſons 985 Of men, he gives the great, the grand command, "PEACE,thou proud reſtleſs deepzYe winds,Bt-: snu." 'Tis done Iwthe deep puts on his ſmootheſt ſage,With ſofteſt gales, ſee gentle zephlyrs play, On the ſmooth ſurſace ofthc azure main, * 990 And all is huſh'd in ſilence and repoſe. Say now, LoTHARlO, ſor thy mental eye Hath ſeen the ſick made whole, the dead ariſe, The wind and ſeas obey the SAVIOR's voice, Is he a creature, man, or demi-god? 995 Or is he the ſupreme, eternal JAH? See, univerſal nature, the whole race Of beings animate, inanimate await (His grand attendants) to aſſume what form His ſov'reign pleaſure bids-to be and do tooo Whate'er his will appoints Diſeaſe and death Of ev'ryhkirid, in ev'ry ſtage, Obeys His mighty ſiat, while his potent voice Controuls the pow'rs of hell ; their legions fly, And roaring own the holy One of GOD. 1005 The SON of MAN came not with borrow'd powr's; Nor uſtier'din his mighty miracles With the grand ſanction uf*-*Thus ſaith the LORD-'J As did his ſervants, but with voice divine, ' His own imperiaLna'ne, and potent arm, -= note in all the fulneſs 'i fAlmighty "pow'r, D4. ' He
40 IMMANU'E'IQ' He rules a boundleſs empire, and controuls' Heav'n, earth and hell. the winds, the ſeas', the dark *Domains of death, and all death's meſſengers, And univerſal nature with a nod: A look, a word, ſwifter than ſwifteſt thought, They haſten to obey his ſov'reign will; [Ols And byſtheir ready, prompt obedience, prove Their Maſter is Jehovah infinite. The sr-zr F-EXI TENT, tho' rNcARNATE-GOD; rozo An INDEPENDANT Br tNG, who exiſts And hath his being from himſelf alone*. Behold ' That the divine nature ofthe Lonn Jr'st's Cruusr is the Son of GOD, 'begotten of the Father from all eternity, or as the Nicene creed expreſſes it, U Before all worlds," is a very graſs, abſtud and erroneous, though an almoſt univerſally re cei\ ed opinion; it appears to be one of the grand ſourCes of Arianiſm and Sccinianiſm, and though it is ſanctioned 'by be ing adopted by many great men who hate Arianiſm and Soci niauiſm with perfect hatred, yet nevertheleſs it'is contrary to the ſcriptures, and very derogatory to the glory oſGOD the Re deemer, who either is the sElF-EXlsTENT tion,or noGun at all: if he is t'elf-exiltent, he cannot be begotten, he cannot de rive his exiſtcnce from Gc-D the Father, but from the very neceſſity of his cvtn nature, and is as independant as to his divine nature, of the Father, as the I-ſiatlrer','pho exiſts by the metſiity of lis nature, is indeperdant oſthe divine na ture of tlre'Son.-Fl he ſcriptures reveal one infiſſnite'þ-hoſſvah. "Bear, _O Iſrael, 'he LoRD thy Gon is one _Lonp.7'1_)eut. viza. And that in the one glorious jehovah, there exiſts a 'rnr Nt'rY of divine per ſons. to-cqual. co-eſſential,'co eternal. 'i he chaſi racters of Father, tion, and Holy Spirit are not revealed thg ſcriptures to intoirn us of the nature of the divine Being, but to make known to us the characters and cfficeswhich the-every bleſſed trinity of pertcns in the undivided unity of the Gndz head are plcaſed to aſſume and ſuſtain in the covenant of grace, and the grand work cf redqnption which that covenant pro vided ** for us men, and for our ſulvation."- in almoſt ever place in the hew '1 ttlamcnt vslrtre the LORD Jesus is ſpoken of as a Sex, it evidently relates to his human nature: to 'ii-r; flance in only a few, 'I [hat holy thing that ſhall be \born of . ._.I_*__;_; __. z 7 __
IMMANUEL. 4 Behold the son of MAN_With ſtately ſtep, Walks in the ſanctuary, the houſe oſ pray'r Appointed for all nations : here the voice 1'25 Of ſacred joy was wont to fill the air With glad hoſannahs: here th'e kneeling ſaint, Was wont to ſupplicate the aid of heav'n. Devotion kindled here her pureſt fires. ' While thee, ſhall be called the Son ofGon." Iuke i. 35. to. Alſo Cntusr glorified not himſelkſ to be made an high prieſt, but he that ſaid unto him, "Tuoo art my SoN, this day have 1 be gotten thee." A' he ſaith alſo in another place, U Thou art a prieſt for ever, after the order of Melchiſedec." Heb. v. 5, 6. It is plain that the Sonſhip here ſpoken of, is connected with' the prieſtly office which the LORU jzsus ſuſtained, and it con ſequently relates not to his divine nature, but to his human. ' As Gon, he is *' without father, without mother, without de ſcent, having neither beginning of days, nor end oſ life; but made like unto the Son of Gon (when manifeſted in the fleſh) abifieth a prieſt continually." Heb. Vii. 3. The expreſſion, lth unto, does not mean that he was not really and truly made the SON of Gou, but that he really was; ſee the ſame 'Xpreflion Phil. ii. 7. " Took upon him the form of a ſervant, and was made in the likeneſs of men z" which implies, that CHRIST really took upon him the office of a ſervant,agreeable to Iſaiah xlii. l. '4 Behold my ſervant whom Iuphold." And that he really was made a man, the apoſtle Paul applies, the' 7th ver. of the and.PſaIm, intirely to the human nature oſ theRedeemer, _ Acts xiii. 32, 33. " And we declare unto you glad tidings, \ how that the promiſe which uas made unto the fathers, Goo hath fulfilled the ſame unto us their children in that he hath raiſed up je sus again." As it is alſo writtenin the znd.Pſ_alm, uThou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee." And i'f we advert to the text asit ſtands in the ſecond Pſalm in connection with the Bth verſe, we ſhall find it has nothing to do with the manner of the exxſtence of the divine nature of the Redeemer, but it has to do with him as MAN and MantAToa,as the great King whom God the Pin-net; had determined to ſet upon his holy hill otZion: "I will declare the decree; theLoanhath ſaid unto me,THou art my Son, thisþday have l begotten thee: all: of me, and I will give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermoſt parts of the earth for thy poſſeſſion." This Evidently reſpects the grand Wort; oſ redemption,þand was emil ' ' nently
42 . IMMANUEL. While Fuitb look'd wond'ring round, pleas'd to behold 1030 Where'er ſhe turn'd her bright and piercing eye, The myſtic glories ofIMMANUEL ſhine ; While from his throne between the cherubim Jehovah ſmil'd, and ſweet communion held With upright Worſhippers. Ah! where are now 1035 ſThoſe happy days?" thoſe upright worſhippers ? Where mntly fulfilled when preſently after the reſurrection and aſcen. lion oſ the Lonn jesus, the goſpel was preached to the gen tiles, the Spirit from on high,was poured out upon the heathen world, and thouſands and millions of finners in the uttermoſt parts of the earth were turned from dumb idols to ſerve the living Goo.-There are ſome ſcriptures in which what pro perly belongs to the divine nature is aſcribed to Cmus'r as the Son, that is as man; and there are other ſcripture: in which what properly belongs to his human nature is aſcribed to his divine, but this is becauſe of the infinitely cloſe union of his two natures in one perſon ; but wherever we read OF-the Sou's poſſeſſing any thing as derivative from the FATHER, it certainly reſp: cts his human nature, and not his divine. As man, he poſſrſſcs all power, all government, and authority to judge the world at the laſt day, as the 'gift of the FATHER; but as jehovah, they are his own eſſential right. L How amaaingly abſurd and erroneous alſo, 1' the idea that the Holy Spirit is the breath oſGon, breathed by the FATHER and the Son. It is trde that the Loan JESUS breathed upon theApcſties, and they received the Holy Ghoſt: it wasthe way by which the Lonn was pleaſed to communicate his Spirit to the Apoſtles at that time; but it by no means indicates the manner of the exiſtence of the Holy Spirit. 'I he ſcriptures re; veal a TRIUNE jehovah, but the manner oſ his exiſtence is not revealed, but is a tnyſiery which neither men nor angels cart fathom.- an infinite underſtanding alone can comprehend an in. finite Deity. ' ſi tſſ " A GOD alone can wmprehcnd a Gan, As to the covenant ofgrace, and the grand work oſredempg tion, i: has pleaſed the ever bleſied and glorious TttrNi'rY to take upon them the names and characters ofFATHER, Son, and 'Hour Gnos'r; to whom, as to the TRUI Gon and eternal life . . - l be everlaſting honour and p raiſe, Young. Amen. \
IMMANUE'L. 43 Where are the ſo'ngs oſZIoN; and the flames 'Of pure devotion now ?-the ſtrife oftongues Aſſaults mine ear! a noiſy din alarms, Loud as tumultuous waves; confus'd uproar i 104.' Re-echoes thro' the hallow'd walks, and fills With buſy hubbub! and-commotion ſtrange, God's holy houſe, the ſacred ſeat of peace. Glory of SALEM, how art thou prophan'd i! , A den of thieves! an houſe of merchandizel i 104.; Here money-changers ſit with heaps of Gold, Here doves abound, ſheep bleat and oxen low; And men, more bruml ſtill, with clamour rude, Fearleſs oſGon and man. practis'd in gtile, Break ev'ry ſacred, ev'ry moral tie: ' 1053But JESUS comes, and with an vawſul frown Of holy indignation looks around; "Take theſe things hence z" he cries, behold! they flee. Guilt turns them pale, terriſic horror ſtrike: i i Their frighted ſouls, confuſion and diſmay loss Runs thro' the crowd ; reſiſlleſs they retire. And like a flock of tim'rous ſheep diſperſe, And ſeek for ſafety in the ſpeedieſt flight. But whyZ-Hc graſps no flaming thunderbolt, But a ſmall whip ofplatted cord,-n0 crown lmperial ſits upon his brow, nor robes ' 1060 Of majeſty 'adorn the mighty' King: _ No Roman legions follow in his train; _He comes alone, or with a feeble few Of unarm'd rist-LERMEN; yetlo! they fly. . 1065 As from the 'ſhoutings of Victorious heſts, Women and children haſten to 'retire- X Or
44 t i-MMANUEL. Or he were Goo, or they were leſs than men. What i leave theirflocks, their merchandize, their gold, Aw'd by the preſence oſ an unarm'd man? 1070 No! they were hardy, fearlcſs, ſtout and bold, And bound by ſtrong attachment to their gains ; Th" INCARNATE Gon put forth a gentle my Of his OMNIPOTENCE, and all their might Sunk into weakneſs,- courage into fear, 1075 With ſpeed precipitate they quit the place At the'great mandate of IMMANUEL. So when the kingly Ltou roars, and waiks The ſoreſt, meaner beaſts retire with awe, And leave him the ſole monarch of the WOOd'. 108' _ Who but the Deity with gracious voice Can ſoftly whiſper in the inmoſt ſoul " Thy ſins are all forgiven." Who but a Gon Supreme and infinite, can e'er abſolve The guilty criminal, can pardon ſins r 1085 Againſt the awſul Majeſty of heav'n i But Jesus, the Redeemet oft pronounc'd 'Th' amaling wor , U Thy ſins are all forgiv'n ;" The great HtcH PRIEST, who for his'people ſtood And offer'd for their ſin, and in their name 'ago To juſtice infinite a ſacrifice As infinite as juſtice could demand, Atonement all divine, and all complete; r To bring tranſgreſſors near apard'ning Gop; To reconcilc them to his glorious ſelf, xo95 At once th' offended DEta'Y, the PRUZST, And grand ATONEMBNT for his ranſom'd church, No creature ſacrifice could put away ' t The
IMMANUEL 5, The dark, the deep malignity of ſin. a No creature, can aCquit a guilty ſoul, no' That is the high prerogative oſ heav'n ; But JESUS ſpeaks the conſolating word ; He pardons ſins. the ſame Almighty voice That bade the ſick be whole, the "dead ariſe, Says to the mourning ſinner. " Ceaſe thy fears,- "05 Thy ſins are blotted out." To creature pow'r, This is impoſſible, but to the God Of nature, grace and providence, alike Are all things eaſy. When Apoſtles ſpake And Prophets wrought the mighty works of God, t I lo 'Twas in his glorious name, and by his pow'r; ** Thus ſaith the LORD," preceded all they did; But when IMMANUEL ſpeaks, 'tis like a Gon Eternal, independant and ſupreme, The sov'RmGN MASTER of the univerſe, In; LORD of the SABBATH, SAVIOR of the ſoul, Cleanſing the 'body and immortal mind, With this grand, all-important word, I WILL. And is this vaſt diſplay'of ſov'reign pow'r, The glorious witneſs of a TRIUNE GOD. - "20 The pattern of redeemed ſaints on earth. And the bright armies in the world above, Too impotent to gain LOTHAluo's ear, And make a convert of his unbelief i Cannot celeſtial TRUTH with ſun-like beams "25 Diſperſe the ſhades of error from his mind i Still ſits proud reaſon umpire in his ſoul ? Vain, ignorant and blind, dare ſhe preſume
A IMMANUEL To ſcan infinity, and ſtill reply _" ='Gainſt the uuited voice of heav'n and earth? 1130 Preſumptuous, dare ſhe yet reject the-voice Of aevun'rrorc ſacred and divine, Whereby Jehovah condeſcends to make ' Himſelf and grand deſignsſi to mortals known? ;O folly in extreme! O proof of proofs t' 1133 That man,vproud, reas'ning man, is ſunk below 'The brute, in blindneſs,vign0rance and ſin. The cx, his ſeeder knows. the ſtupid aſs His maſter's crib, but man, apoſtate man Denies his Goo l-Bluſh human nature, bluſh; rit-4' Aſtoniſh'd ANGLLS marvel at the ſight, Aſtoniſh'd DEYXLs ſcorn the wretched fool. - Amid-ſi the ills of life, the thouſand ills Entail'd by ſin upon the ſons of men, ſſ Grieſs that o'erwhelm'the ſoul, flood aſter flood, 1145 And pour confuſion on their brighteſt joys. Severe affliction, diſappointment ſtrange, At whoſe dire ſrown, hope ſickens and expires: See how LOTHARIO, arm'd with all the pow'rs That REASON and PHILOSOPHY can give 115.' Endures the ſtorm : awhile he ſtands compos'd, _Um_nov'd he hears the diſtant t'hunders roll, ſiAhd saLF-surrlcrEN'r, meets th' uplifted ſtroke With manly courage; but anon, the waves Indignant roar, the black'ning tempeſt darts \ 1155 A thouſand thunderbolts around his head; ' His heart, his ſoul, transfix'd in ſoar amaie, He ſtands confounded, all his ſtrength of mind, , Abſorbtd
IMMANUEL- a Abſorb'd in ſorrOWS, (like the melting ſnow) Sinks into weakneſs, or to ſtoic braſs, '116. Hard'ned by oft repeated blows-in vain He calls his boaſted REASON to his aid; Her ſober voice is drOWn'd amidſt the roar . Of noiſy paſſion; paffion holdsithe reins, And all is tumult in his anxions mind: "65 Reaſon, too weak to ſound the depths divine, Too dim to trace the mazy paths, and ſcan. The ſecret, great deſigns of providence, ' Aſt'ords a poor ſupport ; ſhe faints beneath i The mighty weight, and yields the ſceptre up "70 To diſcontent, proud'murnt'ring, ſad deſpaio; Black glooms of melancholy overſpreads . His ſoul, nor can philoſophy compoſe His troubledſplrit :-_-diſmai as the night, Moonleſs and chearleſs, ſee Lormuuo lean Itzs O'er Yonder brook, abſorb'd in peuſive thought, He muſes terror, while deſtruction hangs Like a huge pile of mountainso'er his head, And threatens by an inſtantaneous fall To cruſh him into atoms : Lo! the ſhoclc 11'8' Too rude for nature's pow'rs ſweeps him away Hopeleſs, without a friend, without a GOD. Hark! how ſoft echo on her gentle wing Waſts a ſweet ſong to my enraptur'd ear: Liſt, O my ſoul, 'tis ſolemn and divine. '185 '1 Amidſt a thouſand ſtorms I ſtand, Guarded by an Almighty hand; , Tho'
Tho' ſorrows riſe, and thunders roar, I'm ſtill preſerv'd, l'm ſtill ſecure ; And ſhall, tho' death and devils frown, I '90 Poſſeſs a bright celeſtial crown. Jesus, my GoD, I truſt thy power To make me more than conqu'ror ; On thine omnipotence depend, My glorious, all-ſufficient friend ; '19 5 Thy ſmiles ſhall chaſe my grieſs away, And turn my darkneſs into day." " Hail l voica well known-'tis Theodofius ſings, Long has he ſtruggled with ſurrounding woes : The fierceſt ſhafts of ſatan, rudeſt frowns rzoo Oſ earth, ſhock after ſhock, wave after wave, His ſubſtance plunder'd by rapacious hands; Spoil'd of domeſtic joys by greedy death : Where'er he turns, affliction meets his view, And all his ſteps are meaſur'd by the croſs: no; Yet lo l he ſtands compos'd and placid ſtill, 'Unmov'd, unſhaken: tho' the tempeſt roar, He riſes ſtill ſuperior to the ſtorm; Triumphs 'by FAITH ; while gentle PATIENCE breaths Sweet peace and calm ſerenity within. 1110. His faith built firm on the eternal rock, JEHovAH JESUS, pierces through the cloud Of Preſtnt things, and ſees all ſafe beyond: His righteouſneſſ', his ſhrrffire, his ſtrength; His Hi s, his treaſure, everlaſting all, 1215 Concenters in the ever-bleſt God-man : His joy in ſorrow, life in death; his peace Amidſt
IMMANUEL w Amidſt the loudeſt thtmders of the ſtorm. No Stoic he-he feels the keen attacks Ofpale-ey'd grieſ, but when his courage droops, 3220 His fainting heart recovers at the ſmile Of his kind SAVIOR; his ſupporting hand Upholds, his wiſdom guides, his preſence chears; And happy THEODOSXUS travels on, ' Leaning by faith on his redeeming GOD ; 12:5 Faint, yet purſuing, ſorrowing, yet with joy: Oſtimes his heart exults in glorious hope Ofthat bright crown, eternity preſents, With all its heav'nly ſplendors to his view. Behold'ORssus on the bed of pain: 1230 No ſtorms burſt o'er his lie/ad, no rude alarms Diſturb'd his quiet; while the king oſ day, Bright SoL, with forty ſummers crown'd the earth; Nurs'd in the lap of caſe, he journey'd on ) Scent-e thro* life, the CALM Pnrnosornnn, 1235 The man oſ Reaſon: well ORBSTES knew The paths of ſcience; how to weigh the air, Meaſure' the ſtars, and circumſcribe the ſun. Ofvvirtue much he talk'd-Of GOD and things Great and'abſtruſez himſelf ſo great, ſo good, 1240 So bright his virtues, and ſo rare his parts, That 1111-ſhffltimt in himſelf he ſtood, Doubtlcſs of heav'n-imputed righteouſneſs, The grand atonement of a' SAVIOR's blood, i The great INCARNATE SAVlOR, Gon o'er all: 1245 Theſe are the objects of OatsTBs's ſcorn, i ſolly in his ſight, ſo wiſe is her ' But
p 'IMMANUEL But death, terrific king, gloomy as night, Ben-ds o'er his bed, and with his keeneſt dart, Aims at his breaſt an unexpected blow : The veil's withdrawn l-a ſudden burſt oſ light Illumes his mind, a ſudden voice more dire v Than the loud craſh of falling mountains, rouſe' His flumb'ring ſoul-He wakes to fleep no more: Conſcience, deep ſtung by the ne'er dying worm, lies; Loud as tcn thouſand thunders, on his ear P0urs her complaints, and to his eye preſents A long, tremendous ſcroll: within, without, In plaineſt characters inſcrib'd with SlN, SIN unaton'd, a juſt and jealous GOD, A dread eternity, a certain HELL. O awſul ſightl-In vain with gentle words The meſſengers of peace attempt to ſooth The anguiſh oſhis mind, and ſet in view The riches of redeeming grace; the heights '265 And depths, the lengths and breadths oſlove divine, The blood of Jes us, all-ſufficient blood, To waſh his crimſon ſoul as white as ſnow; His righteouſneſs, ſufficient to acquit The chief of ſinners, Who by precious faith Can truſt a ruin'd ſoul on that alone. His ſtormy, paffions kindle at the name Of JESUSX "No! (with diſmal voice he cries) I cannot look that xway 4, is there no name But Jesus, that can ſave a ſoul from hell ? I have renounc'd his righteouſneſs, deſpis'd, And long rejeſcted his atoning blood. I feel he is a GOD, the GOD ſupreme, But I'vc deny'd his Deity, deny'd 1250 1260 1270 1375
IMMANUEL. 51 \ 'Who bids him with an angel's face appear, My Maker : now his wrath awak'd,like ſtreams 1280 Of fire, burns in my ſoul: behold he ſtands Like a fierce lion ready to devour And cruſh my bones to atoms.-Muſt I go, And ſtand before him P-that's the hell of bells! Aſham'd, abaſh'd, how ſhall I bear his frown? 1235 Hide me, O earth, and thou profoundeſt deep, i < If in creation can be ſound a ſpot : \ Which his bright flaming eye cannot pervadc, There let me ſhelter from the dreadful frown Of that juſt Judge."-l*le pauſes, horror,ſits 1290 In ſtrong convulſions on his countenance, _ While black deſpair and anguiſh wring his heart : A ſudden groan alarms attending friends, He dies-With trembling ſteps they. quit his bed, Silent and ſad, with fearfuhawe o'erwhelm'd. 1295 Not ſo the happy THEODOSIUS dies; Death comes not like a dreadful enemy To ſweep him in a whirlwind from the earth ; His ſting's extracted by the Lord of life, 'goe And ſmiling, gently ſummons him away From all the ills of time, to the bright realm' Oſ perfect peace, and ſweet celeſtial day. In his calm ſoul no awful terrors riſe, No diſmal gloom diſtorts his countenance, Serene and placid as a ſummer's eve, He ſmiles on death, and welcomes his approach: By faith divine triumph's in glorious hope, As his beſt bleſſing, triumph's o'er' the grave, ' Secure of heav'n and immortality. Ea 1 305 1 310 Weep
p IMMANUEL U Weep not (he cries to his ſurrounding friends) Weep not, my hope is firm, my heav'n ſecure; Jehovah Jesus, my redeeming GOD \ ls gone, my great Forerunner, to prepare My ſeat on high 5 my manſion in the ſkie's: Now he invites, and calls my ſoul away To prove its glories, and at his right hand Enjoy the fruits of all his victories O'er ſatan, ſin and death: my conqu'ring Lono - Bruis'd ſatan's head for me ; he vanquiſh'd ſin 1320 When on the cnoss he hung, my ſacrifice. No condemnation, now againſt my ſoul r3'3 Is regiſter'd in heav'n, who ſhall condemn i My Cnars-r acquits, Gon Jesus juſtifies, And I am ſafe l a pardon'd ſinner, ſav'd By ſov'reign grace; electing love that wrote My worthleſs name in Jesusſſbook oflife, Before I had a being, wrote my name Deep in IMMANUEL'S heart, that precious heart, That groan'd,was pierc'd, and burſt in twain for me. 1350 Rejoicel rejoice, ye Iſrael of GoD ; For me, ſor you, he dy'd, and with his robe Of ſpotleſs righteouſneſs adorn'd our ſouls: Our advocate on high, he pleads our cauſe, Till in his Father's preſence we appear . i To prove the fulneſs oſ eternal joy. I long to go l-uCome, O my S AVIOR GOD, Bring thy bright chariot, let my ſoul acſend, Andn the wings of holy ſeraphs mount To that bright world where my Redee mer: reigns, 1349 Where I ſhall ſee his face withjoy extreme, ſi ' end in his preſenpe dwell to hymn his nam'e, 1325 tass While
IMMANUEL'. 53 While eVerlaſting ages roll along." He pauſes-ſaints beneath the mighty jay ; Revives again, again exulting tells r Of Jesus' kindneſs; triumphs in his name, And ſmiles at death, defies his pow'r to kill, 1345 x And riſes all Victorious o'er the grave. " Precious ſalvation!" ſays the dying ſaint, U Precious ſalvation! "-.with a gentle ſigh He breathes his ſoul into his Saviour's hands, i350 Upborn on angel wings to heav'n he ſoars, To ſing ſalvation to the bleeding LAMB, Thro' the long ages of eternity. How great the contraſt of theſe dying beds l The man 'of ſaith, the friend of nsus ſoars To the bright world where boundleſs pleaſures flow, In one vaſt ocean of immOrtal bliſs, I355 Extatic jo'y and infinite delight. The ſcholar of SoclNus, foe proſeſt To GOD the SAVIOUR, finks in black deſpalr, To the dark regions of eternal wrie ; There, he for ever feels the force of truth, And r'aſon bows to RFVELATiON's voice 3 1360 But ſoon with awful glory, ſolemn pomp, A contraſt ſtill more ſtriking ſhall appear, And heav'n and earth, angels and men 'behold The ſcene ſublime, the grand concluding ſcene, When the diſſolvſhgsvn ſhall pour his fires Like a vaſt deluge on the flaming earth -, When time expires, and burſting from the ſkies, The GOD Lf glory on a throne of light, ſi E 3 Unnumber'd r365 i37o
54 I'MMANUEL. Unnumber'd millions of the ſons of morn Swelling his ſplendid train, in ſolemn ſtate The Judge ſupreme appears---His mighty voice 1375 Shakcs heav'n and earth, the echoing ſpheres reſound, " ARISE YE DEAD, AND COME TO tuum/ram', ſtand Before the Son ofMAN, and hear his voice ,ſſ Pronounce eternal bliſs, or endleſs ſhame Your everlaſting ptirtion.'T---See,the throng, 1380 The glorious armies of redeemed ſaints, How bright they ſhine in ſplendors all divine : Hark! with triumphant ſongs they meet their GOD, Waſh'd from their ſins in his atoning blood, Clad in his robe ofſpotleſs righteouſneſs, 1385. Complcte in himſi, perfect in holineſs. On clouds of dazzling light upborne, they ſoar Amidſt angelic guards, to take their place At his right hand, to ſee his ſmiling face, And in his preſence quaff immortal joy 1390 Thro' everlaſting years---they tune their harp' To ſweeteſt, loftieſt ſtrains, the concave rings With hallelujahs-nſaints and angelsjoin To ſing ſalvation and the SAVloR GOD, In one grand chorus oſ unbounded praiſe. I395 Say, in this great, tremendous, awful day, This ſudden burſt of glory, this grand ſcene, How ſhall MESSIAH'S enemies appear? 1 Say with what eyes ſhall they behold the JUDGB, The but), the Savroa E Where's the , REAS'NERI now ? \r4oo The proud LOTHARIOS; SClENTlFIC men, The bold ORESTES', will they now ſtand forth, Now
IMMANUEL.'*' 55 Now, in the midſt-oſ flaming worlds, and proVe That JESUS is no GOD ; that creatures need No righteouſneſs divine, no ſacrifice? 1405 t Will they deride him Now, and ſummon all Their potent argurrients upon this field? With ſtrong perſuaſive eloquence debate In long oratic-ns i No, their eyes behold Jehovah JEsUs on his judgment ſeat: 1410 This is no place'for infidelity, Her mouth is ſtop'd---the great conteſt is o'er! And DEMONSTRATXON of the higheſt kind Decides th' important queſtion: now explain'd, * The MYSTERY of connmass ſhines forth; "15 GOD MANtrr-zs'r in FLESHAappears to view, And doubt, and contradiction ſwept away Shrink from his preſence, at his, ſrown exPire. Lo l from their dungeons drag'd, the pris'ners come, Forc'd by a dire neceſſity to quit 1420 The ſilent grave.---O could they there abide, There hide for ever, 'twould appear a boon Beyond conception great, but 'tis deny'd; No, they muſt ſtand before the SoN of MAN. High on his great white throne he ſits ſupreme, 1425 And all the bright effulgeuce of a GOD Shine in his Perſon, and in ſplendid beams Dart glories inexpreſiible around. Pale with amazing horrors, lo! they come, Abaſh'd, aſham'd, ſilent as death, nor dare 1430 Behold lMMANUEL's face; his flaming eye Darts thro' their ſo_uls: the guilty ſugitives Stand ſelf-convicted, ſelf-condemn'd: deſpair, E 4. - Arm'd
A IMMANUEL Arm'd with ten thouſand ten-cus, gathers round, Burſts in a mightyflood, o'erwhelms and ſweeps '435 Ccleſtial hope eternally away. * No more they ſcorn the great redeeming GOD, No more they doubt of his Divinity ; Their eyes behold, their hearts confeſs the truth 3 ' They feel the pow'r of his omnipotence: 1 140 'Fhro' all their being, feel no creature's wrath Conſume them, but the veng'ance of a God, The wrath awak'd of injur'd Deity. In vain to tocks and hills they call to hide And 'ſcreen them from the LAMn's indignant ſrown : The fallingſinmntains can afford no ſhade 1445 From his broad burning eye, and when his voice Shakes heav'n and earth, and echoes thro' the ſpheres, V Depart ye Curſed into endleſs fire 3" His frown, worſe than a thouſand hells, purſue: And ſmks them down to the abhorred pit 145' Where infinite deſpair and horrors reign: There, thro' a long eternal night they groan, The ſcorn and ſport of devils; deeper plung'di Than millions in the dreadful burning lake : Tophet for them ſtirs up his fierceſt fires, - 1455 And-in perdition ſevenfold, they prove l The 'wrath ofJesus is the 'wrath of Gan. Behold the New jERUsALEM appears ! Bright with celeſtial ſplendors, there enthronfd, Jesus Jehovah reigns: Low at his ſect 1460 _ His ranſom'd millions bow ; in rapt'rous ſongs They hymn his glorious name : triumphant joy Inſpires
IMMANUEL w ' PRAISE HIM, O ZUN, celeſtial king of day! Inſpires their ſwelling notes : SALVATION ſounds' Tin-o' all th' eternal arches: LOVB and PRAlSE a Gloav in each heart, and dwell on ev'ry tongue: 1465 Angels and glad archangels join the theme, And all is Wonder, harmony, and bliſs. Peace, everlaſting peace, ſerenely flows In the pure boſoms of the ſons of light ; And while eternal ages roll along 1470 They prove the heights and depths of ſov'reign grace, Ofdying love; and in ſweet uniſon Aſcribeſalvation, honour, pow'r, and praiſe, To theirctincarnate God, who lives and reigns The man of GLORY, tho' the soN of MAN. 1475 O bleſt rerum-ry! when will the ſhade-s Of time withdraw, and thy bright morn appear, When happy ſaints ſhall thus behold their GOD, And celebrate his name to harps of gold? 'Till then, tho' with a feebler voice, in ſtrains Imperfect, with a meaner ſong than theirs, 148' Let umveasar. NATURE own her LORÞ; And at his footſtool, offer up an hymn Of holy gratitude, and humble praiſe. 1485 When with bright riſi ng beams thou crown'ſt the earth, And when with full meridian ſplendors deck'd, Thy flaming car hath climb'd the heights of noon, ſi Bow at the footſtool of IMMANUEL'S throne, Who call'd thee into being, bade theeblaze In all the rich magnificence of day !__ . _ 159.' A' Fountain oflight and heat-in dewy eve, . _ When
p IMMANUEL APea-fix3.-_;..W_-.___.__s.__... When thou illum'ſt the weſtern clouds with gold, And ſup'ſt with Tbetir, let thy ſong ariſe Till Hgſpcr uſhers in the ſtarry hoſt, '495 And Cyntbr'a darts her ſilver rays around. Praiſe HtM, thou Moon ; and all ye worlds of light: i Ye Planzrr, as ye roll in boundleſs ſpace, O let your mighty orbs in myſtic ſong Record the wonders of the SON of MAN ; 1500 Sing the Casnroa, the REDEEMER-Gon, Ye Camm', bow your grand terrific heads, And while th' affrighted earth admiring views _ Your trains majeſtic, ſweep thro' half the ſkies, Join the ſweet concert, and ſubmiſſive own 1505 Your being hangs upon his ſov'reign will. $'Ye clouds, that ſail along the vaſt expanſe, And in your fleecy boſoms bear the dews, The rain, the ſnows. to fructiſy the earth, Swell the grand chorus, and report his name, 1510 Till higheſt heav'n, and diſtant earth reſound With the loud honours of the SAVIOR-Gonl Praiſe vHIM, ye ſtormr; ye thunderr, as ye roll; Ye ligbtmſings, with your forked tongues proclaim The dignity oſ him who ſends you forth 1515 Accompliſhing his will. Praiſe HIM, ye winds, As ye burſt forth tumultuous-in his hand He holds you, when with clangour wide and rude You ſweep o'er waving ſoreſts, rend the air With noiſy, uproar :-On your wings, O bear, 1520 And let your voices ſound IMMANUE L's praiſe. Soft breathing zephyrr, whiſper it abroad ; _ Charm the ſtill ev'ning with the pleaſing tale, When thy cool breeZes ſan her gentle breaſt. . - - .. Ye
IMMANUEL. 5, Ye placid ſhow'rr, and ſweet diſtilling Jews, 157.; Join vwith the ruſhing current, that deſcends, ' ſſ And with impetuous roa-r laſhes the hills, And foams along the plain, to laud his name! Praiſe HIM, ye lofty dip' and Apeninu*_; Ye loftier Judaſ, who involve your heads, 1530 Your ſnow-crown'd heads in clouds-ye rock: and bill', Ye plainr, and verdant wilz'er; flow'ry mead: And garden: of delight, where Flora's train Puts on their gayeſt foliage, richeſt hues ; p While you emit ten thouſand ſweets around, 1535 O breathe his praiſes-Let theforc/Is ſing; The ſtately Ctdar, the tall Pin: rejoice ; And humbler ſhrubs unite to ſpread the theme From eaſt to weſt, from florid ſouthem climes, To the cold regions of the frozen north. 1540 Praiſe HIM, gay Summer, crown'd with fruits and flow'rs; Ol let thy beauteous train unite to pay Due homage to the great immortal KmG z And hail JEHOVAH-'JESUS LORD of ALL. Winter, with all his ſons, Froſt, Hail and Snow, 1545 Black nights and gloomy days, adore the Goo Who turns the rivers into ſtone.-Again He ſpeaks ; and lo, the waters flow.--Sing thou, Soft breathing Spring, weave a freſh coronet Of Primroſe, Crocus, humble Violet- i 1550 Inſcribe it with IMMANUEL'S ſacred name; And let, it, as thine off'ring, ſpeak his praiſe: While Autumn, with her yellow ſheaves, attends ' To * Alpr and Alþþeni'rtr, are mountains in haly. ' '1 1- The Andt-r, are lofty mountains in South Ameriea. ' *
w - IMMANUEL To ſwell thre gen'ral anthem, and adore. Praiſt HIM'L'yc Bag/er, as with lofty flight 1555' Ye ſoar to meetþthc ſun, and with bold eye Dare gaze, undazzled on the king of day. Praiſe Hl M, ye' warbling larks, in ſofteſt airs 3 And all ye tuneful ſongſters of the groves, Waft on your wings, and in your ſongs his praiſe. 1560 .. Ye LIoNs, as to him'ye roar for prey, Roar out his praiſes-JUDAH'S LlON reigns, Let ev'ry creature worſhip at his throne : Ye who in midnight hours range o'er the woods, _ Majeſtically fierce, and ye who play 1573 In gameſome ſrolics o'er the flow'ry lawn ; Ye gentle HINDS, ye tender playful LAMBS, And all who walk the earth, and all who creep ;_ INSECTS who wanton in a ſunny ray, And ſpread their ſilkenwings, be-dropt with gold. 1570 And you who in the briny wave diſplay Your ſcaly coats of various form and hue, _ But chiefiy THOU the TYRANTr of the deep, V'ct LEVIATHAN, who like a mountain rolls _ In the unfathom'd ocean, when thou play'ſt, 1575 And from thy ſtormy noſtrils ſpout'ſt a flood, Bid it ariſe to praiſe the SoN of MAN, The KrNG of GLORY, the INCARNATE Gon. Let HEAV'N, and' EARTH, and AIR, and sr-zhs, unite To ſound IMMANUBL's name: let echo bear x580 On her ſoft wings to nature's utmoſt verge The glorious ſound, and back return his praiſe. Come ye who ſtandfor ever near his ſeat, 'Bright sons of d-dORN, cherubic legions, come : And
-IMMANUEL. 6' And ye, who nearer to his tl rone than they, [585 ' View the immortal glories of your GOD, Strike, ſtrike your golden harps-nbegin a ſong More noble than you ever ſung before) The ſaints on earth, the ranſom'd of the Lonn, Take up the theme; they join the joyful lay, 590 And in a ſolemn chorus laud the LAMB, The LAMB who dy'd, the LAMB who lives for them u WORTHY the LAMB (they cry) 0fP0W'R andM lGHT. Eternal HONOURS, and imbounded PRAISI, GLORY and BLESSlNG, MAJESTY divine, 1595 And everlaſting worſhip are his due." _ Hail, then Jehovah JEsus, take the PRAISE : Thine is the kingdom, THoU art LORD of ALL ; _ l Thy ſaints ſhall crowjn thee, and their ſong ſhall be Thxo' endleſs years,"SALVATloN to the LAMB!"L600 '1818.
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(65) THOUGHTS, WRITTEN IN A BOWER AT .' o. LADT-GROVE. HAIL! happy ſpot, ſequeſter'd lone retreat, ' Sacred' to meditation and the muſe: Beneath thy cool embow'ring ſhade vI ſit, And [or awhile forget-the buſy world To view the op'ning roſe, and mark how ſprings The violet, and how the lilies bloom: Harkl how the robin i/vhiſiles as- he flies From bough to bough; theſiblackbird's mellow note, And warbling thruſh on yonder hawthorn perch*d, Increaſe the tuneſul muſic of the grove: And wanted zqwhyrs breathing gentle gales O'er ruſtlingilenves. with an harmonious baſs Completes the concerr L, theſe are thy ſweet gifts, O ſummer, gayeſt daughter of 'the year; vNature throughout her Wide domain, 'ſhall own Fy Thy
66 THOUGHTS WRlTTEN lN A BOWER. Thy genial influence: ſee the foreſt ſhake In grateful homage, while the grove-crown'd hills Wave plaudits; for the grove crown'd hills rejoice, . And fruiful valleys laugh and ſing for thee. 'Tis now 'high noon, the blazing king of day Thron'd in mid heav'n, ſurveys the unive'rſe, And darts meridian ſplendors round the world. But Lafely ſhelter'd in this vernal bow'r, Embrown'd with thickeſt ſhade of lofty trees, Whoſe ſpreading branches taught by art to meet ln kind embraces, form a rural arch, ct 1\nd bid defiance to the ſuhry ray; I taſte theſicool refreſhing breeze, and feel The pleaſures which a ſcene like this inſpires. How ſhall my ſoul improve a ſcene like this; I look around. and every flow'r and ſhrub, Each beauteous object that attracts my view, Turns preacher to my mind, and drops tho' mute A ſilent admonition in my ear, vAnd lead my thoughts, O garden of delight, Thou ſweet, thou ſacred paradiſe, to thee, Vlſſhere man, the noble image of his Goo, With all his native dignity adorn'd, Bright with unſullied Purity and truth, 7 Crowffid with unrivall'd. grandeur, ſtood declar'd i Lord of the wide creation, and enjoy'd , ,Tiie ſmiTes' and boundleſs bounties of a GOD: \ 1 (Þhi (Oifld he in the nudſt oſ aH this good, ' i Stfil ſigh for nunc; thus enfinendy grean l'ntluige ambitionxi thus ſupremely bleſt, i Could he rebel' agaiufiiliis Mulier's "will, And L___
THOUG'HTS WRlTTE'ti IN' A iz'ow'ER. 67 And diſobey his great,_-his ſole command; Wilſul reject his bleſſing, court his curſei' Ingrate how Vile, well might a God inquire"v "'Adam 'where art thou P" vOlil how loſt, how fall'n, How ſunk in ſad diſgrace, in bitter woe, In guilt and'miſery, in ſin and ſhame. Then did thy roſes ſade, thy liliesſi die ; And all thy 'blooming train,lO paradiſe, v VVither and hang their heads; thy crown was fall'n; For man, thy lord and glory, had prophan'd Thy ſacred ſhades, and his polluted ſect No more muſt tread thy more than hallow'd ground: I Driv'n out to common earth, he now muſt fill A ſoil leſs fruitful, with laborious. pain; Subject to ſore diſeaſe, a prey to death In all its threeſold horrors: this the doom' Of the firſt ſinner, this the legacy w He only coul'd bequeath to all his race. But'ſee, my muſe, another garden riſe In the ldv'tl ſeriile vale oſ Oliver; Coitie ſing, Gethſcmane; hail! ſacred lþot, Haillhallow'd grove; y'e venerable ſhaded, Dc-arer than Eden; there a world was loſt; There one_-tranſgreſiion þlung'd a world in woe; But here the GoD dVſiVllO bade the ſun exiſt, TVho callZd creation from the womb of night, Who planted paradiſe, and by his'pow'r Upholds this vaſt ſiupendous edifice; Here, rob'd in fleſh, clad with ltumanity,- - He ſtood the ſurety of the choſen race, _The finner's Saviour, their redecming friend; ' i F 2. * - Their \
68 THOUGHTS WRITTEN IN A BO'NER. Their bondſman, bound to pay their dreadful debt; And here with groans, with anguiſh infinite, With ſorrow inexprcſſible, and woe Too' big for mortal language to expreſs, Too vaſt for angel boſoms to conCeive, He ſtruggles with the load oſ human guilt, And (midſt the chill damp vapours of the night) Sweats blood: O garden of Gethſemane, Thou wert a ſilent witneſs of this ſcene;lAſtoniſh'd angels. gazing, hover'd round And ſaw the mighty conflict, 'and with ſhouts Proclaim'd the mighty victor: for with blood, Anguiſh and death, he conquer'd death and hell; He paid the finner's debt, cancell'd the bond And gave them free redemption in his blood. Worthy art thou, O Lamb, for finners flain, Of angels ſongs, thy ſaints ſhall join the theme, And ſing thy wonders, and adore thy love. Let heav'n and earth adore, let nature bow, And one loud ſong of praiſe to thee ariſe While time endures, and then in nobier ſirains Thro' the vaſt ages oſ eternity,
(69) 15 ÞJ HYMN OF PRAISE. lNVlLLctSlNG OF MERCY. I. COME, oh! my ſoul, awake ; awake and ſing; Come tune thy harp to ſweeteſt, ſofteſt lays: Record the wonders of/thy GOD and King, And offer up a ſong of grateful praiſe. II. Praiſe waits for Thee, at humble diſtance waits, ConſciOu.c how far ſhe falls beneath thy throne: Fain would ſhe ſoar beyond the heav'nly gates, And make thy triumphs to archangels known, Ill. O for the wings of holy joy and love, v To hear 'her adorations up to Thee ! O for the whiſpers of the ſacred Dove, To bring thy approbation down to ine. IV. I_ ſing of Mercy-'tis a theme divine! lt flows to ME thro' ſtreams of precious blood: Rich are thv bleſſings; but they brighteſt ſhine, As pur'chas'd by thy death, my SAVIOEGOD. _ ate,
. l'! 7o_ AN HYMN _OF PBAISE. \ v. ' Late , thro' a painful path myjourney lay, High blew the whirlwind, while the ſtorm aroſe; Black clouds, tempeſtuous, overhung the day, i And all was anguiſh, all was gloom and foes. VI. With trembling ſteps I travell'd thro' the ſhade, i .And oft, affrighted by the Lion's roar, i To thee, my GOD, my King, I flew for aid, And found my mighty refuge in thy power. VII . Thine arm ſupported, while the tempeſt blew! Thy gracious eye pervaded all my grief! Thou wiſely guided, kindly brought me through, And flew on eagle's wings to my relief! Vlll. The thunder's o'er, and all's ſerenely calm! Hujh'd to ſweet peace, the fioods no longer beat, This is the triumph of lMMANUEL's arm! _] ſtill aſtoniſh'd-at his gracious feet. *' IX. My Father and my GOD, to thee I'll ſing Eternal anthems ſſof unbounded praiſe 5_ ' Myfelf, my all, an humble off'ring bring To thee, the GoD 'of Providence and Grace. x. O for a thouſand hearts to love thy name! A thouſand tongues to ſound thy glories high! To ſpread abroad'thineþ eVerlaſting fame," ſi. And join the hallelujahs of the ſky, i 'I *' Faith-3
AN HYMN OF PRAISE 71 XI. Faithful and true is thy tremendous name, My gloriofis Maſter, my Almighty LoRo ! Eternal ages prove thee ſtill the ſame ; \ Eternal ages ſhall thy truth record. _ o Xll. On thee, the ocean of unbounded love, My ſoul embarks her all, commitsct to thee _ Her cares, her fears, her wants, and longs to prove An "everlaſting refuge, LORD, in thee. i X_IlI. On thy kind boſom l would fain recline, My SAVlOR GOD. O let thy preſence cheer! Thy Spirit guide, and guard and ſeal me thine Lead and direct me while I ſojourn here. 7 'xxv. . Then in the realms of bright celeſtial day, My ſoul ſhall bleſs thee in ſublimer- lays; Shall ſee thy glories in their full diſplay, And ſing a ſweeter, nobler ſong of praiſe. 4 as
(72l _ " A n i IRREGULAR one GREAT King of ſaints! Thou mighty Monarch of the heavens and earth, Whoſe awful fiat gave creation birth ; Whoſe arm ſupports, whoſe eye ſurveys A univerſa, through all the maze Of ages paſt, oſ ages ſtill to be The future and the paſt, are Now to thee. Conception ſaints When viewing an omniſcient Deity. Ye ſons of light, Angels who bow before the throne, Tune your ſoft harps and make him known. In lofty ſtrains adore your GOD. And ſaints, the purchaſe of his blood, Ranſom'd finners join the theme; 1 'You delight to'ſing of him; 'We on earth, and you in heavln: We to whom his grace is giv'n, t i Enrneſl: of the glorious prize, 'You eujoy above the ſkies; ' ' ct-'Childrefi oſ one Father, join Him to laud, in ſongs divine; God of nature, Cor) of grace, We would give thee humble praiſe;
AN HYMN OF PRAISE. '73. Jesus, hall ! incarnate GOD, Thou haſt waſh'd us in thy blood. Prince of peace, we bow to thee, Father of eternity. Hail! the love tl at madev us thine, Love eternal, all divine : Hail thy Father-GOD and ours; Aid us', O ye heav'nly pow'rs; Strike your ſofteſt. ſweeteſt ſtring, While redeeming love we ſing ; V While we bleſs the Holy Dove, God of comfort. peace and leve, Three in One, and One in Three, Hail! myſterious Deity, i - Thou great UNSEARCHABLE, lWhom heav'n and earth, whom ſeas and ſkies adore, But finite underſtandings can't explore, l K Who dwell'ſt in brightneſs inacceſſable! " * Thy glories ſhine in beams ſo bright, Dazzling archangels ſight. My Father and my GOD ! _ How empires vaniſh atva ſight of thee: VVhat's all their pomp, but trifiing traſh to me? My wealth is boundleſs, my ſtupendous ſtore Beggars Peru, thought cannot graſp at more. . With thee my portion, I deſpiſe the things Men riches call, and look- with ſcorn on kings. My Father and my GOD ! Safe on thine arm I lean when ſtorms ariſe, And rolling tempeſts threat the frowning ſides, A And .
'74. AN HYMN OF PRAISE. And ſatan's fiery darts are hurl'd around With miſchievous intent, to kill or wound, Thou art my mighty SHIELD, I findin Thee A ſafe retreat, a certain victory. If ſlander liſts her forked tongue, Or envyjoins to do me wrong; Thine eye ſhall ſee, thine ear ſhall hear, Thy hand ſhall graſp the glitt'ring ſpear, Thy breath ſhall chace them, as when whirlwinds riſe The moths diſperſe, the ſcatter'd ſtubble flies. But I ſhall ſing Salvation to my Goo and King, While liſe endures, and then above I'll tune a nobler ſong to praiſe the GOD of love. '
(7s)' -. On the DEATH of The Reverend Doctor G I F F o R b. Who fell aſleep in Chriſt the loth oſJune, 1784., inthe 84th Year of his Age. WHEN the loud din oſ war, and claſh of arms Subſides, and all Bellona's fierce alarms Complete the labours of the long campaignd, And ſmiling Peace reſumes her gentle reign; The hero, crown'd with conqueſt, pleas'd, throws by The glitt'ring ſpear, and the bright panoply Of warlike arms, he quits the hoſtile lhore, His toils and dangers paſt, his battles o'er; He flies to greet once more his native land,* And from his royal maſter's gracious'hand Receive the laurels, which he won with pain, In the long ſiege, and on the well-fought plain; ' In ſylvan ſcenes to loſe each anxious care, * Forget his toils and breath the pureſt air . - ct Of
76 - ANELitGY." Oſ ſweet ſercnity. No more the ſound Of thund'ring cannon ſhakes the trembling ground; He Iiſtens to the lark and linnet's lay, ' Enjoys the calm, as much at eaſe as they; Bid-s ev'ry rude tumultuous paſſion ceaſe, And triumphs in the gentle arms of peace. So rev'rend GlFFoRD lays his arme-ar by, Qiits the low earth, and ſoars above the ſky. Long in the field the Chriſtian-ſoldier ſtood, _ And wreſtled, not with-foes of fleſh and blood, Hot pow'rs of darkneſs, rulers oſ the air, . Whoſe fiery darts ten thouſand horrors bear. . Of! in black ſtorms the barbed miſchief flies, Obfcures the ſun, and darkens all the ſkies. But GIFFoRD, great in arms, maintain'd the ſight, And, unappal'd, 'march'd on, through ſhades oſnight, Till brighter day aroſe, ſecure he ſtood, In all the gloricus panoply of God ; r And the laſt foe ſubdu'd, he quits the place, And more than conq'ror, thro' almighty gracea To brighter, fairer worlds he wings his way, Where perfect peace, and everlaſting day Sweetly unite ; there from IMMANUEL'S hand, The mighty Monarch of that happy land,Receives the glorious palm of victory, i Receives a gracious welcome to the ſky. He tunes his golden harp, and joins the throng Ofwhite-rob'd ſaints, who with melodious ſang Ineeſſant hymn the throne of God, and raiſe A Eternal anthems tolMMANUEL's praiſe. Thy name they ſing, O Lamb oſ God! for thou Haſt "waſh'd them in thy blood; to thee they bow,
AN ELEGY. 77 And tell to wond'ring ſeraphs what thy grace Hath done for ſinners'of the hunun race. Seraphs ſhall, pleas'd, attend, thenjoin thelay, And ſaints and angels ſhall thy love diſplay ': The glorious theme ſhall run ſrom choir to choir. Tune ev'ry tongue, and ev'ry harp inſpire. _ Thy name ſhall echo thro' the courts above, And all the wonders of redeemiug love. Come gentle Muſe, in ſoſteſt lays record How liv'd, how dy'd the ſervant of the, Lono; Tell how, baptiz'd with heav'n-ly fire, he ran To preach a GOD oſ love to fallen man: i To publiſh the good news oſ goſpel grass And free ſalvation, to a finſul race. Savſid by this grace himſelf, he long'd to tell The boundleſs glories of IMMANUEL. Truth from his lips like ſoſteſt muſic flow'd. And all his theme the righteouſneſs ofGod. Sweet-Conſolation 'ſat upon his tongue i For.mourning ſouls, by fin's ſad ſerpent ſtung A ſon of Thunder to awake the dead, 'While Sinai's light'nings flaſhes over head. Amidſt a world oſ error, faithful He, 'Zealous for Goſpel, holy liberty. Firm as a brazen pillar GIFFORD ſtood, And liv'd and wrote, and preach'd the truth of Gozo. At JEsU's feet he ſat, and on his breaſt, Like favor'd John, was oſt indulg'd to reſt. He ſound his bliſs and ſource oſwiſdom here, And caught his ſpirit while he ſat ſo near. Love:
-7a AN ELEGY. ,Love l heav'nly love, like a bright flame aroſe', Immortal love, that no extinction knows, Enlarg'd his gen'rous heart, and bid it flow With ſoſteſt ſympathy ſor Others woe. There mild Feneſicence ſat up her throne, And ſweet Complacence ſeal'd him for her UWn : The law oſkiudneſs from his lips diſtill'd, smil'd in his cheeks, and all his boſom fill'd; And nnw he proves, in the bright world above, r His heav'n oſ heavens ina Savior'sdove. Vaſt was his mind, for Contemplation made; Vaſt were the pow'rs his active mind diſplay'd. Thro' Nature's moſt ſtupendous works it run, Meaſur'd the ſtars and circumſcrib'd the ſun ; From link to link of the great chain deſcends, And only with Creation's ending, ends. Thro' fields of ſcience ſought the Deity, 'Led by thy hand, O fair Philoſop'ny! But chiefly thou, O Science all divine l To whom all others muſt the palm reſign; Creation proves a GOD; but how to know, To fear, and love, and to enjoy him too, Creation here is mute, and all the reſt, Can but by REVELA'HON be expreſt. laill then, O Spirit, who only can diſplay To ſinners hearts, the new and living way. GIFFORD, led on by thee, eXplor'd the road, And learn'd to know the hidden things of GOD.Hail! ſacred knowledge, ſcience all-divine, i Diſtinct from thee, Philoſophy can ſhine i i But
AN ELE'GY. 79 But with a glow-wqrm luſtre ;.the vaſt mind By arts and erudition vmoſt refin'd, So comprehenſive, as to graſp the ball, Untaught by thee, is ignorant of all. For Gon is all -and not that Gon to know, Is blindneſs, death, and 6v*erlaſting woe ; But Grt-"FoRD knew, and preach'd to ſinners round. The Savior and salvation he had ſound ; ' And riow from earth remov'd to yonder ſkies, How high his wonder ſwells, his joys ariſe; His large capacious ſoulſſamtz'd, can trace 'ſhe God oſ Nature, Providence, and Grace, In all his wond'rous works, by death ſEt free From the dark veil of dull mortality. Soſt was the hand, and gentle was the blow, That ſummon'd GIFFORD from this vale below; Death like an angel came, and b6ck'ning ſtood, His willing ſoul took wing, and ſoar'd to GOD; In realms of bliſs adores'his Savior's name, And bows and ſings ſalvation to the LAM'
(so'i' AN E L E G'Y OCCASIONED BY THE D E A T H or MRs. ELſſtzABETH DOWLAND. I COME heav'nly Muſe, and with thy own ſoft fire Warm my cold heart, aſacred ſong inſpire, Solemn as death, ſweet as the breath of morn ſi When Sol's bright beams, the eaſtern clouds adorn. Come, ſing Eliza, ſee the ſaint ariſe, X Burſt fleſhly bars, and ſoar above the ſkies, To that bright world where joys immortal grow, And life's unſathom'd waters ever flow : There, rob'd in white, ſhe joins the happy train, The ranſom'd throng ſor whom the LAMB was ſlain; She ſhares the glories of the choſen race, Andſibaſks and triumphs in the Gon of grace. l How chang'd the ſcene l when late in moral clay (Ere her Redeemer call'd her ſoul away) 'Midſt
AN ELEGYJ s: 'Midſt ills and enemies ſhe ſojourn'd here, Encompas'd with inſirmity and fear, As all her kindred of the duſt, who ſtand And wait a ſummons to the promis'd land 5 Then (highly favour'd) did Eliza prove The kind protection of the GOD of love. The ſilken bands oſ grace he gently threw Around her youthſul heart, and ſoftly drew Her young affections to the SAv10R's ſect, Ev'n ere the days of childhood were compleat. Oft has her liſt'ning mind attentive hung On the ſweet þmuſic oſ a Langſord's * tongue, When he the Goſpel's ſilver trumpet blew, She heard, and in increaſing knowledge grew. As when the riſing ſun his beams diſplay, Cheeks the dull ſhades, and bids the night give way ,. Gradual he uſhers in the roſeate day. Before his flaming car the vapours fly, Till gold and purple tinge the glowing ſky; Nor- ſtays his courſe, till, with bright glories crown'd, He dartshis full meridian ſplendors round. So the young ſaint aroſe from nature's night, And ſhone with every chriſtian virtue bright; In conſtant progreſs ran the heav'nly race, By wiſdom guided, and upheld by grace. p . G Vaſt 'Alluding to her being brought to a ſenſe and knowledge of divine things, under the miniſtry ofthe Rev. J. Langſord, when only eight years uſage, who is now a living witneſs of the pro greſs ſhe made therein, under the bleſſing oſ GOD; alſo ofhcr trials and triumphs in general, from that tinie till her death.
32 ANELEGY. Vaſt was her mind, and large her mental powr'r. - Improv'd by ſtudy, in her leiſure hours; - Devoted to her Gon, her mem'ry ſtor'd With the rich treaſures of the ſacred word; Deep read in things divine, ſhe ſhone in youth A living Concordance oſ heav'nly truth. Truth was her ſong, and all her conduct ſhew The more ſhe lov'd, as more of truth ſhe knew ; For ſhe adorn'd each character in life, The tender mother and the virtuous wiſe. But ah! theſe ſolemn ties no more can bind, Nor ſhall Eliza ldnger be confin'd In walls of Clay; commiſfion'd fromon high, Death, like a friendly viſitant, drew nigh ; His uſual harbingers, ſickneſs and pain, Had long oppreſs'd her, but oppreſs'd in vain -' To raiſe a murm'ring ſigh; reſign'd to all, ' At Jnsu's feet, ſee her ſubmiſſive fall. Satan in vain threw fiery darts around, For Jesus ſtill her ſtrength and ſhield ſhe found; In vain her fears aroſe, ſor JEsUs ſtands And ſhews his pierced ſide, his bleeding hands-i By faith divine ſhe views her SAVtOR-GOD, And triumphs in a pardon bought with blood: Lo ! death ſteps in-the ſolemn ſtroke is giv'n, She ſighs-ſhe falls aſleep-ſhe mounts to heav'n'P. Hail, '- Before her death ſhe choſe the text for her funeral ſirmon, and the hymns to be: ſung at her funeral, with pleaſure and Ictſiſſ-'rpoſum' Mr Langford, according to her Rcquert, preached smidcourſe on the occaſion, from Revelations, ch. vii. ver. 14 a ' , l Ratcliſilflevenlng' APm 39- 1733, at the Chapcl, in Roſe-lure,
ANELE'GY. 33" Hail, happy ſaint! immortal bliſs is thine, To ſee thy Goo, and the grand chorus join Of endleſs hallelujahs, endleſs praiſe To Jesus, SoN of MAN, and GOD oſ grace. Short was thy ſtay on earth, tranſient thy pain;Eternal life, and everlaſting gain r Thy glorious portion now,,exchange how good, From earth to heav'n, the paradiſe of GOD ; There thou may'ſt view and ſing the LAMB who dy'd, And by thy dear, thy much-lov'd parent's ſide (For thou haſt ſound her) thou may'ſt ſit and tell The wonders ofthe great lMMANUEL. Enraptur'd ſhall thy liſt'ning brother ſtand, And hail thee welcome to the promis'd land; While two bright cherubs ſwell thy joyful ſtrain, Thine heart muſt know thy ſmiling babes again, The dear, the darling inſant, lateſt giv'n, Who wing'd his way thy harbinger to heav'n; Theſe ſhall with thee eternal mercy prove, And ſing the GOD whoſe glorious name is love. How ſhall the muſe addreſs a weeping pair? The Muſe ſhall weep and in their ſorrows ſhare. Let ſtoic hearts diſdain to feel, but here Friendfhip ſhall drop a ſympathetic tear. A HUSBAND and a FATHER, tender names, Such ſacred ties a ſober ſorrow claims; Think not the riſing ſigh, tho' ſad, amiſs, Tears are well ſhed on ſuch a grave as this: But while we mourn, O let your thoughts ariſe Above the eagle's flight, to yon bright ſkies, G a' There
34 ANELEGY. * There your'Eliza lives, there jusns reigns, And ſaints are free from ſin, from cares and pains; Death cannot enter there, his pow'rſul dart Can ſtab no more, no more can wound the heart; For life, eternal life compleats the joy, And not one anxious thought ſhall e'er annoy : Lift up your eyes then to that happy place, Olook again and view the GOD of grace ; Look till your hearts, aſcending with your eyes, Learn all ſublunar objects to deſpiſe; [Reject the toys of time, and ſeek alone The pleaſures which ſurround your Father's throne, Which, like a boundleſs ocean, ſhall endure When death ſhall ceaſe, and time ſhall be no more. diſ
(85) ſi ) " OF THE MUCH - LAMENTED Mr. CHRISTOPHER SELDON SLOW. HAIL! happy ſaint, immortal ſplendors ſhine Around thy head, the gift of love divine; High thron'd in bliſs, above yon 'azure ſides, In ſweet enjoyment of the heav'nly prize ; Thy ranſom'd ſpirit ſtands divinely bright, Crown'd with SALVATION in the realms oflight. See SELDON in the morning of his days, Led by parental care in wiſdom's ways, By precept and example taught the road ſſ Which leads from earth to heav'n, ſroni ſin to GOD: A pious Father's fen-'ent pray'rs ariſe, Aſcends the clouds and Penetrates the ſkies ; G 3 ' Well l
86 AN ELEGY, Well pleas'd Jehovah hears, and grants the boon, His heart's beſt wiſhes for his darling SON, And bids all-potent grace erect her throne In bBLDoN's breaſt, and ſeal him all her own : Lo! winds and waves the favor'd youth convey i To Britain's iſle in an auſpicious day; When PILTIUS blew the goſpel trump, his voice Bid ſinners tremble, weeping ſaints rejoice; To thoſe a ſon ofthunder, but to theſe i The gentle meſſenger of heav'nly peace : He heard the faithful herald loud proclaim The great ſalvation ofthe ſlaugſihter'd LAMB ; He heard, and grace deſcended to impart This great ſalvation to young SELDott's heart; ' ' Now like the bounding roe, with eager pace He runs, he flies to that delightful place, Down Savoy's hill, where ſaints aſſembled join In worſhip pure, devotion all divine; And walks with GOD, while thrice theradiant ſun Meaſures ten ſummers, ere his work is done; With ever chearful heart and ſmiling face, Patient he marches on his heav'nly race; The widow's friend, the orphan's kind ſupport, Conſtant in all that bears a good report; Benevolcntly good, with all 'replete That forms the Chriſtian character complete. When death, withſtingleſs dart, call'd him away, And Gabriel bore him to the realms of day ; In vain your tears, ye faithful mourners riſe, Your' friend is ſafely lodg'd withinthe ſkies: Claſp'd in IMMAiNUEL's arms, he proves the bliſs Of a blood-bought eternal Paradiſe 3 * i i i A i Then
AſſN ELEG'Y; .; Then ceaſe your grief, ye ſaints, and onward preſs Tow'rds the brightprize, a crown ofrighteouſneſs: But hark l from yonder cloud a whiſper breaks, Be huſh'd, my ſoul, ſor 'tis Chriſtopher ſpeaks; . " Weep not for me, my dangers all are paſt, l've run the race, and reach'd the goal at laſt; The ſwelling tides of Jordan threat no more, * Ict'm ſafely landed on the wiſh'd for ſhore; With conqueſt crown'd, triumphant now I ſtand, In full poſſeffion oſ the promiszd land : Satan and ſin, no more my peace moleſt, f No more ſhall ſighs of ſorrow heave my breaſt, I'Ve left the cumb'rous load of fleſh behind, And found my Jnsus faithful as he's kind; Without a cloud my Father's face I ſee, And bleſs the great GOD-MAN who dy'd ſifor me. Before his throne l fall in raptures down, i i And at his feet I lay my glorious crown; Gladly I tune my harp and voice to ſingv . The matchleſs triumphs oſ my matchleſs King; Adore that ſov'reign love, and bleſs the grace That gaVe me robes of perfect righteouſneſs, That ſaw me late in nature's darkneſs lay. And gave me eyes to view his goſpel day ; He knew my ſorrows, pity'd all my woe, And ſaid to ſatan, " Leoſe and let him go." He ſpake, 'twas done, my fetter'd ſoul ſet free, To follow Jesus in true liberty; Guided by wiſdom and upheld by grace, He led me ſafely thro' the wilderneſs: When foil'd by ſees, he ran to give me aid, And on his boſom would repoſe my head; B e heath
as AN'ELEGY. Beneath meſiſpread his everlaſting arm, And heal'd my wounds with Gilead's precious balm; When fainting under Sol's meridian beams, Allay'd my thirſt with ever living ſtreams; And when I hunger'd, to my ſoul was giv'n The real manna, living bread from heav'n, Till Jordan's verge appear'd, replete with harms ; But Jzsus bore me over in his arms, And in his temple, on this happy ſhore, I live a pillar, to go out no more; But join cherubic ſongs to bleſs his name, And ſing ſalvation to the ſlaughter'd LAMB. Then weep no more for me, my friends, but riſe And follow Jesus to thoſe radiant ſkies, There we ſhall meet, from ſin and ſorrow free i And death be ſwallow'd up in victory. AN I?" AN
(' 89 )ſiſſ 'ſi AN E L E G Y ONTHB' D E A T H pFMY SISTER, MRs. EL'IZABETH BURROWS. I COME ſad Melpomene, andſiaid verſe, -. While I ELIZA's gentle name rehearſe? . A AK Tell how the ſaint inct prime of' life expir'd , And from a world of ſin'ſſ'and yvoe num To dwellwith Jesus in the realinsfof bliſs) Bought with' his blood,- and ſeal'd for ever his. Shall l repeat the ſ'orroWs of her ſo'ul? _ No,J1-:sus' precious blood has made them whole: Shall I thetrOubles of her life relate i' ' They were ſo varied, 'niim'rous and ſo 'great That none but their Appointer can declarex' " And thoſe who in the like affliction ſhare. Shall I my ſubjectmake thatxheavy rod r Which brought her ſpirit home t'o dwell With Gog i Shall I unfoldifire melancholy ſcene? ' " * 'ſi I would-but her command ſteps in between : She fleeps ; ſhe's ſafely lodg'd in JESUS' breaſt, Eternal ſilence dwell upon the reſt ; * L -\vx P Eternal
90 ANELEGY. Or iſ it muſt be nam'd, then let it be When SoLs bright beams are fied beyond the ſea, When ſilver CYNTHrA glimmer's o'er the plain, And awful ſilence, midnight horrows reign 5 ' Or, nature huſh'd, attentive audience pays To wakeful PHILOMEL'S itnpaffion'd lays : The BlRD would ceaſe, the Moon would turn more pale xTo hear me tell the ſad, the mournſul tale O did the world her tragic ſtory know, The world would melt in ſympathetic woe, No ſtubborn heart-ſo hard, that could forbear The tender tribute of a pitying tear. 'Tis paſt-the race is run, the ſtorm is o'er, , BLIZA's landed on the Peaceſul ſhore. Never ſhall I forget the ſolemn day, ſi i When hdr Riz'o'rmen kiſs'd heriſoul alway, 'ſo the pure'rfealmsolf everlaſting day. 1 Victorious death his'ſvlviſt approadtesmade, - She. met him unappalled, undiſmay'd ; i i Cry'd, T' Come my Lonn, my, precious Jesus hear, And in thy preſence let me ſoon appear." 'Twas donellza glorious ANBEL ſtood confeſt', And bore EFIZA to eternal. reſt. Hail! happy ſpirit,ldear' celeſtial ſhade, , l Wreaths of unſading ſplendors crown thy head: My FMEND als-rein thoſeſiſacred ties Can bind immortal 'ſpirits in the ſides. How ' A few moment: before ſhe expired, ſhe pronounced the word Angrl,with ſuch an emphaſis as left no room for her friend' to doubt but what ſhe really ſaw ſome glorious appearance.
ANELEGY. 91 How bleſt art thou, from ſin and ſorrow free, No more encompaſs'd with infirmity; Thy tribulation-days are now no more, And thou art landed on the peaceſul ſhore Where no loud ſtorms, no threat'ning thunders roar. Thou dwell'ſt ſecure in yon bright world above, Where all is' harmony, and joy, and love; While I on-eartlf remain a pilgrim ſtill, Confin'd in clay, but 'tis my FATHER's will; When he commands, my willing ſoul ſhall fly To meet ELlZA in th' etherial ſky: i ſi There with one voice, united praiſe we'll ſing To our almighty SAVIOR, and our KrNG, - And bleſs his boundleſs grace ſupremely free, Thro' the long ages of eternity, lVho when we both deſerv'd eternal ire, \ Snatch'd us as brands from ſin's devouringwfi're, Shew'd our poor hearts his conſolating face, And made us willing ſubjects ofhis grace; And to thy hand the glorious prize has giv'n, Tho' lateſt call'd on earth, the firſt to heav'n. Till that bleſs'd hour, that wiſh'd-for time arrive, Thy mem'ry in my heart ſhall long ſurvive. ' Swiſt let the moment come which ſhall unite Thy OWn MARlA to her FRIEND in light, ſſ Where in extatic bliſs our ſouls ſhall prove The heights and depths of rvanus'rmc Love. Aſ ill-es,
E L E G Y Occaſionecl by the DEATH of 'ſhe Reverend Doctor iW U D E, Pafiot of theCchinj/i Church, in theSavoy. GO happy Wovnz, clapthy bright wings, and ſoar To the bright realms of everlaſting day, The happy ſeat ofreſt, the peaceful ſhore, VVhcrc ſaints and angels tune the choral lay, Go take thy harp, and join the rapturons ſong That echols'thm' the bleſt etherial plains, Swell the glad anthems of the ranſom'd throng, In the' fair world where Lowh immortal reigns. The Goſpel's ſilver trump long haſt thou blown, And pointed ſinuers to the living way ; With warning voice their guilt and danger lhewn, . And preach'd the blood that takes their guilt away, Long
A'N ELEGY." 93 '..i. Long haſt thou fought the battles of the Louu, _ Now all-Victorious, lo, thou hear'ſt the PALM, Supported by the Spiru'r and the Would: And leaning on the mighty SAVrou's arm. Stedfafl: thou ſtood'ſt, tho' ſtorms 'tumultuous roſe, But ſtormsltumultuous can no more moleſt, More than triumphant over hoſts of foes, Now all is calm compoſurc me breaſt. A Hail, happy Woman! thro' many rolling years, The ſaint by love inſpir'd walk'd with his GOD, Now joyful in his preſence he appears Welcome to all the glories of his LORD. Here he beholds the LAMB for ſinners lla'in, And crown'd with bleſſedneſs extreme ſhall live, Long as the great INCARNATE Gon ſhall reign, And prove the choiceſt bleſſings Gon can give. Then ceaſe to weep, ye follow'rs of the LAMB, Who mourn your paſtor, lately call'd to heavha, If ye revere, and love his honour'd name, Rejoice that to his hand the prize is giv'n ln vain the boafting TYRANT of the GRAVE, Erects a trophy o'er his ſleeping clay, JESUS the GOD, omnipotent to ſave, Shall call it forth at the great riſing day. Then
94 AN ELEGY. Then ſhall the monſter DEATH a victor own, And LIFE, immortal LIFE for ever reign : Triumphant ſaints ſhall their REDEEMER crown, And joy and wonder fill th' heav'nly train. Then check your ſorrows, and with ſteady eye, Behold the track your faithful paſtor trod, Purſue the heav'nly road that leads on high, And ſtrong in FAt'm and PATLBNCE, WALK with Gon. Then when the king of terrors comes in view, He ſhall put on a ſmooth and ſmiling face; He bears no terrors when he comes to you, But comes the meſſenger of ſov'reign grace. To call you from a w0rld of ſm and Woe. To the bright realms of everlaſting day, Where trees of life and endleſs pleaſures grow, Without deception, and without decay. 'I' AN
YE ANcELs, who ſtand round the throne, And ſee my IMMANUEL'S face, In rapturous ſongs make him known, Tune, tune your ſoft harps to his praiſe : He form'd you the SPIRITs you are, So noble, ſo happy, ſo good, While others ſunk down in deſpair, Confirm'd by his power, you ſtood. . Ye SAINTS, who ſtand nearer than they, Aſind caſt your bright crowns at his feet, His GRACE and his GLORY diſplay, O tell of his love as is meet; He ſav'd you from HELL, and the GRAVE, i He ranſom'd from DEATH and DESPAIR, For you he was MIGHTY to SAVE, Almighty to bring you ſafe there. O when will the period appear When I ſhall unite in your ſong! I'm weary of lingering here, X And I to your ÞAVIOUR belong! ct l'm.
96 ANHYMN I'm fetter'd, and chain'd up in Clay, I ſtruggle and pant to be free, I long to be ſoaring away, My GOD and my SAVIOUR to ſee. I want to put bn my attire, Waſh'd white in the 3 LOOD of the LAMB, I want to be one ofyour choir, And tune my ſweet ha{p to his name: I want-O l want to be there, (Where SORROW and sm bid adieu,) Your JOY and your FRIENDSHIP to ſhare, To wonder and worſhip with you. AN
i973) An H Y\_M ,N.'a THOU ſoft flowing KEDRQN, by thy ſilver ſtreami Our SAVIOR at midnight, when Cyntb'ia': pale beam Shone bright on thy waters, would frequently ſtray, And loſe in thy murmurs; the toils of the 'daYf How damp were the vapours that fell on his head; How hard was his pillow, how humble his bed; _ The ANGELS aſtoniſh'd, 'grew ſad at the light, And follow'd 'their MASTER with ſolemn delight. O garden of OLtſivizT, dear honourid ſpotl Thy nanſe and' thy wonders ſhall ne'er be forgot; The theme moſt tranſporting to ſeraphs above, _The triumph of SORROW! the triumph of Love. 'Twas here he' engitg'd with the Lion of hell; Beneath his ſtrong arm all our enemies fell: ' 'Twas here he encounter'd with lNFINlTE WRATl-l'z And conquer'd by LoVE that was ſtronger than Dear/i. Come'ſa'mts, and adore him, co'me bow. at his feet; O give him the glory and praiſe that is meet: Let joyful hoſannahs uttſiceaſing ariſe, And join the grand cho'rus ſhat gladdens the ſides. - H - A N
98') AN P. I TO AN ABSENT FR'IEND. THE 5 a. E'N'QVU'ctſirl R Y, Sl'T L E 1' nt hddreſſed to Miranda's Guardian Angel. GENTLE ſpirit, tell me'whcre My Miranda loves to ſtray I _ Is ſhe not thy watchful care Thro' the night, and all thedayim _ ._ Does ſhe wander through 'the grove, Liſt'ning to the Linnet's lay, i Muſing _on diviner love _ Than creation can diſplay. ſſ ' Is ſhe rovin'g o'er the field, Bleſt with friendſhip'r pleaſing voice ?_ Friendſh'ip' that can'v pleaſure yield, Crowning all her other.joys. Is the raging main in view, While he throws his billows'h'igh? This, all this is known to you," _ VVing'c-l deſcendant' from the ſky: t v
_ 'X AN EPISTLE. 99 Gentle ſpirit, fly, O fly, And to my-'MWR LNDA-bear <* * '-' 'A I) ſi'On' thy (lowny wings, a ſigh; - Soſtly whiſper in her ear, v Say, MARIA 'longs to meet', Longs to ſeeher FRIEND again; Joys of meetihg muſt be ſWcet, If to part be ſuch a pain. ' ' * Fly, ye n'mments, haſte the time, - When to yon bright world above, We with joyfulfeet ſhall climb; , Clad with glory, fill'd with love = Then united, ſide by ſide, Never, never more to part, Endleſs years ſhall not divide My MXRANnA-ſioiri my heart. Thro' the golden ſtreets we'll ſhay, View our FATHER's ſmiling face, In the realms of heav'nly day, Sing the wonders of his grace; Sin and ſorrow leſt behind,' Peace and joy ſhall ſweetly flow In out happy, happy minds, Come, A] lRANDAL let us go. -<_/* ANMLNAſi: *_**'\ _ . -->\LV_,_ . *
(too-Tv .ſſ To MIRA-NDA. INVITATION i - l AN . ' t To L O N D O N," IN SEPTEMBER; COME, mY'MlRANnA, come awayz' The ſhmme'r'r' o'er, no longer ſtay 3 The mi/ir ariſe,-the rain: deſcend, Come 'to the wiſhes of thy FRlEND The radiant ſun in feeble rays, A ſhort-liv'd ſplendbr now diſplays: From the bleak north, the winds ariſe, And bluſter through the gloomy ſkies; The fallen leaves beſtrewv the ground ; No more the ſweet, the chearful ſound Of woodlark's ſoothing ſong I hear, No more the flox'v'ry train appear, But winter ſpreads his dreary ſway ; Come: my Miranda, come away. ' ii w._;__.-4-.7\\_\ N/flſſzſſj J-w it A
AN INVITATIO-N. _ m, -"T_is FRIENDSHI'P calls, ſhe waits for thee, And longs her abſent FRIEND to ſee: For thee the MUsa has ſtrung her lyre, And glows with ſoft poetic fire, fiA ſacred flame, that ſtill 'ſhall riſe, For lo, 'twas kindled in the ſkies.) To meet Nlirandarwith a ſong, Forjoy to friendſhip muſt belong. F Tho' ſad, the dull dedining year, A w Does in her wintry'dreſs appear, '® May you enjoy a mental SPR me, And hear the heav'nly 'Frm-rit: ſing; Bright may the Sun of Righteouſnelſs,w Shine in his glorious beams of grace, i Diſpellingevery cloud away, And fill your ſoul with GosPEL-day; While from on high, celeſtial dews, And gentle ſhow'rs their aid diffuſe To make' the Fra. and MYRTLE blOO'm? And all the vintage breath perſume; rThat my M'RANDA may appear X In robes aſſummer all ſvhe year. May roſy Health with chearſul eye, X Sent from the Monarch of the ſky, Attend to crown your future days, And all your happy lit? be praiſe; Praiſe to the Goo of 'boundleſs love, Who keeps for you a ſeat above, i Whoſe gracious providentiall eye' Shall ſtill your ev'ry want ſupply, es,
roz AN INVITATION. Till yordan's ſwelling ſtreams are paſt, And ſafely you arrive at laſt iIn the'bright world of heav'nly day, Where ſin and ſorrow fled away, I ſhall my dear MIRANDA meet 5 Then, at our kind RBDEEMER'S feet, We'll caſt our crownS, and love, and ſing SALVATLON to our GOD and King; And in his temple, on that ſhore, i Be PrLLARs, to go out no more. AN
( 103. ) A N r EVENING THOUGHT, ADDRESSED TO A FRIENTD. STlLL isþthe hour, the lamp of day, In other ſkies his beams diſplay; The ſilver moon with ſober light And gentle influence crowns the night: H'uſh'd be the paffions of my ſoul, There let no jarring tempeſt roll, No gloomy clouds portentouslour, But all be placid, as this hour, Calm as the wave where'HALCYoNs play, When SOL unfolds his brighteſtiray. Well may ſweet PEACE-delight to dwell With ſoulsl redeem'd from death and hell. 'Tho'_winds mayq'iſe and tempeſts blowſſ,t And hell engage to work them woe; jnsfrs JEI-iOVAl-I reigns on high, He views them with a father's eye, t t '3. His a
394 AN EVENING THOUGHT His hand ſupports and guides them thro', I\n ſpite oſ all that hell can do. He ſmiles, and all their ſorrows ceaſe; He ſpeaks the tempeſt into peace; * Peace, like a river, flows within, From a ſweet ſenſe of pardoned ſin: Releas'd from iguilt, releas'd from fear, They find their great Deliverer near; They bleſs his name, they ſing his love, And long to ſee his ſace above : i To you, my friend, I need not ſay, _ This is the SAvroR's gracious way, I By ſweet experience taught, you know His dealings with his ſaints below; Thrice happy thou indulg'd to ſtt With MARY at the MAs'raR's feet; Nor think my MUSE preſumes to bring To thee inſtruction on her wing, i She would but gratulate thy bliſs, And liſp his praiſes whoſe ſhe is. But ahl ſhe faints, unequal quite To ſuch a talk, the ſons oflight, Who bow beſore JEHOVAH'S face, ' Can beſt proclaim his matchleſs grace; Yet I would fain attempt to ſing 'ſi In humble lays the heav'nly King, And tune my tongue, and ſtrike my lyre, In echo to th' angelic choir. I ct Ye ling'ring hours, O ſpeed away 1 Time, mend thy pace, and bring the day When freed from fleſh, and freed from ſit), iſ ſhall the heav'nly ſong begin; ' ctct ſ i A ' ' ' ' ' i l And
I AN EVENING THOUGHT And tell the ſhining hoſts above The wonders of redeeming love z With them adore IMMANUEL'sct name," And ſing SALVATIoN to the LAMB, Methinks, my ſriend , I hear you ſay, 9' With patience wait the coming day; 'Tis near, 'tis haſt'ning on apace, vAs faſt as time can run his race:v Soon ſhall the ſhadows flee away, i And yield to bright eternal day l The ſim, and moon, andſtar'r ſhall fall, And one wide rum ſwallow; all The works of nature, then the bleſt, Shall enter into ſacred reſt: Then ſhall we tune our harps and ſing, The triumphs of the heav'nly King; Prove the rich depths. of boundleſs grace, Adore his love, and ſee his face :v Till then, letfair/2 and patience wait, Conſtant attendants at his gate, i ct Submiffive bow beneath his rod, While fleſh Ico'nfines us from our Gonfſ to;
.. '.'.(76 y ,:_ , Mr. and Mrs, D E F L E U R Y, Junrc MARR'IED, NovzMBBR zgth, 1773. THIS þP O E'M Is INSCRLBED BY THEJR AFFECTIONATE SISTER, M/IRM DE FLEURr, Wiſhing them Grace, Mercy and Peace, from GOD the FATHER; and from Jesus CHRlsT our LORD. I HAPPY the lpair, who're fitly join'd, In heart, in temper and in mind, , Made one in HYMZN'S filken bands; lUnited hearts, united hands, Both children of eternal grace, \ſſ Both journeying to the heav'nly place, U Both taught in the REDIEMER'S ſchool, They make his will, his Mrd their rule. * Helpmeets indeed, they kindly bear And ſoften each the other's care.. Celeſtial FRlENDSHIP ſmiles aroun d, And all their hours with PEACE are crOWn'd: They
_ A r 0 a M. They mount towards the realms of day, And find a heav'n all the-way; SQ-JESUS l-ovss his ranſom'd bride, For whom he groan'd, and bled, and dy'd, e Who'life receives from his pierc'd ſide; * * So Zion hangs on Jesus' name, And calls him LoRb, with tenth-eſt claim 1 Her BROTHER, SAVIOR, Bamacaooivt, A LL 3 And on his love depends lfor A L'L. ſi No harſh commands the SA VlOR lays, No ſorc'd obedience Zion pays 3 A loving ſceptre JESUS wields. A free obedience Zian yields : To do his will is her employ, Becauſe his will'sſſ herchicſeſt joy -; She has' her will, when his i-s done, They will the ſame, for they are one. Ye marry'd, would ye happy prove, Remember all the charm isiove. KX ſ i' .
(r08) AN EPITHALAMIUM. ADDRESS-EDTO Mr. and Mrs. M-++n. , on THEIR ſſ MARRIAGE. w Gentle MUsE, awake and ſee Sacred FRIBNDSHIP waits for thee; Tune the harp, and ſtrike the lyre, FRIENDsHrP ſhall the themeinſpire'z Joyful founds, and ſacred ſong, Do to winnen LOVE belong. -_-._._4\_K HAIL! wedded pair, in HYMEN'S hands, Since heav'n has kindly join'd your hands, May that Pow'r, who reigns above, Gon of grace and Gon of love, From his radiant throne beſtow All can make you bleſt below; Smiling on your union ſhed, i Choiceſt bleſſings on your head; ' ' ' COnſtant [44
APOEML my Conſtant as the riſing ſun; Haſtes his daily courſe to 'run 5 Num'rous as diſtilling dews, ' O'er the meads their drops diffuſe, Bleflings of the upper ſprings, Grace to make you prieſts and kings." 'Mongſt Iehovah's royal train, 1 Saints who with the LA-MB ſhall reign," Mutual love to keep your life Free from'j'arring, free from ſtrife *, Mutual love year heart's-to bleſs ſ . With domeſtic happineſs = While his' providential eye ' Ev'ry want ſhall well ſuppiy. So ye favor'd' pair ſhall prove' Happy here, and bleſs'd above. _ A Art-35? TO
ana Mrs. D_--. 1 " ,0N THEKK M A R RXLA GJE; (Roll ' -' H-AIL! happy pair; whoſo hearts and hands United in the ſtrongeſt ba_nds Thax HEAV'N can form, hr Love compoſe? To ſooth the weight of human woes ; ' For you, ſhallroſy HYMEN twine i þ A wreath of amaranriþh divine, And ſmiling on your-unkm-ſhcſſdfl His choiceſt influence on your head ', ſiFor you bright Sun, enthr'on'd on high, Shalt dart his glorics thru' the ſky, Diſperſe the giooms, to grace the day, Aqd chaſe the wim'ry clouds away; For you, the gay,_ the new-born year Shall in her vcrual robes appear,_ The bkovming beauties of the ſpring And Paxunsm'p teach the Muſe to ſing. * \
* l Say, what can ſooththe brow of care, ' And life's rude breaches bell iepair ?_ 't Say, what its brighteſt joysireiine; And HAPPINESS wiihſivtikfldrlock joi'ni', "J ſi. 'Tis not the pompotlsigla'reſiof ſi" _' No, bliſs is oft for.mdirtmoniſoldſi;"'ſſ_H U The ſordid mind ad ev'ryiſtatef '- '- ' Is poor, ('tis ſo vdecreed'hyI ſa'tti'yU 'I _ 'Tis mutual Faisnnsnir;*tnutual Love,A ſacred ſpark'droppffl fromiab'ove, i A pure, etherial, 'gen'rolus flame, i A much diſhonour'd, injur'd name,_ Prophan'd too oft-yet'wihere 'tis found," ſit" Peace and content are ſmiling round. r , May this be yours, and as your days . Increaſe, and time runs on his race, Still may it deeper ſtrike its root, 7 And then 'twill bcar you precious fruit; 'Twill ſooth and ſoften ev'ry woe, When in a painful path yougo, Refine your bliſs, each joy exalt And kindly cover every fault; 'Twill baniſh diſcord far away, And make each morn your wedding day. But Oh l reflect, ſublſſunar bliſs, The higheſt earthly happineſs, The ſummit gain'd, muſt ſoon decay, Muſt ſade, and droop, and die away; Death at oneſtroke, will lay it low, And__bid thoſe joys no longer flow, * L .t' . . u 1;-x..l, ::. . bl
I ſ r 12 Then ſeek thoſe pleaſures Which endure' I"or eVer vaſt, for ever ſure ; Immortal ſouls ſhould pant for joys At GoD's right hand in paradiſe ; Where interruption cannot come, But life and bliſs for ever bloom : There may you meet, in that great day; When heav'n and earth ſhall paſs away, Array'd in white, the bridal dreſs Of Jesus' perfect righteouſneſs, And at the MARRIAGE SUPPER prove The wonders of redeeming love. l TO
(I'3) TO t ' Mr. and Mrs. COLLIER, A CONGRATULATORY ODE AND AC'ROSTIC \ - ON TREIR MARRIAGE. W here, gentle Mvsx-z, doſt thou abide? I f On Parnaſſus' verdant, ſide, L caſ crown'd, or in the flow'ry dell, L owly recluſe, thou lov'ſt to dwell: I nſpir'd by FRlENDSHlP, come away A nd chearſul gratulations pay, _ M elodious as the warbling lark, or ſofter linnet's_ lay. N ew from the eye of roſy MORN' A s daw-drops ſparkling o'er the lawn, o D iſtils with each ſucceEding dawn ; }
villa) A s PHOEBUS keeps a conſtant pace, N or tires amidſt his glorious race, N or ſtOps till in his noontide hour, E arth glows beneath the genial polw'r. C ome thus, ye heav'nly ſhow'rs, ye dews r O fgrace and mercy, and diffuſe L ove, andjoy, and ſſpeace around, L et the pair by HYMEN crown'd; I n the beſt of gifts divine E Ver proſper, ever ſhine, R ich in the gracious ſmiles oſheav'n benign. _ Hail! gentle pair, Made one in Hymen's ſacred bands,United hearts, united hands: A Long may you ſhare i Domeſtic happineſs, and prove The ſweetneſs of connubial love, Founded on its ſtrongeſt baſe, Deeply cemented by grace, 'I his will ſoften ev'ry woe, If in painſul paths you go, Calm each ſtorm, for ſtorms oſt riſe, Pilgrims know, below the ſkies :_ May your Father's cye 'Ever watchful, guard you round ; May his liberal hand Plenteous bleſſings on you pour, Bleſiings Of.=tlle upper ſky ; Bleſ - ,
tus) Bleffings of the fruitful vale, Till with truth and mercy crown'd : Ev'ry ſtormand tempeſt o'er, Soft and gentle be the gale, Wafts you to the happy land, Where the ranſom'd ofthe LoRD, Tune their harps, and ſing his praiſe. Worthy he to be ador'd, GOD of love, and GOD oſ grace. 12 i TO
( 'its ) TO i o', Mr. and Mrs. D R E w; ON THEIR MARRZAGE. AS o'er yon weſtern hills the ſetting ſun Gilds the gay horizon with orient gold, And darts reſplendent luſtre thro' the blue Expanſe of heav'n, drinking the new fall'n ſhow'r That lately gliſten'd on the graſſy mead, Like the kind drops the eye of morn diſtills, i When firſt ſhe riſes from her ſoft repofe. The blaze of noon is o'er, nature reſreſh'd, Welcomes the gentle ev'ning, whoſe gay robe, Shining with gold and purple, bids expect A day more bright, more welcome than the laſt. So may your eve of life, my friends, glide on In gentle peace, crown'd with the ſhining beams - Of
(1*7) Oſ that bright SUN, that glorious FouNT of LICHT, From whom refulgent Sol. his rays receives, ſſ And worlds unnumber'd, drink their glories in: _ Chear'd by his preſence, may the painful thought i Oſ paſt afflictions, vaniſhctſrom your mind, ſſ And all your future happy hours be bleſt With 'ſweet enjoyment oſ the GOD of love, And the pure pleaſures which muſt ever flow From FRIENDSHIP undiſguis'd: FRIENDSHIP ſincere, Solid, like yours, on firmcſt baſis built, ' Matur'd by time, and ripen'd by the breath Of ſmiling Hymen, (Hymen here ſhall ſmile, With rational delight) he oft runs mad With giddy youth, whoſe wild romantic flame, Too unſubſtantial to endure-a flaſh Expiring with the torch that-bade it glow. Not ſo ſhall yours, the lambent flame ſhall riſe, And ſtill increaſing as your daysincreaſe, Shall warm your hearts with ſocial happineſs: Sweet ſoft'ner of liſffs rude anxieties, Mutual ſupport ſhall well ſuſtain the load Time's heavy hand lays on declining years, Alleviate pain; and tenderſympat/Iy Shall make each other's care beſt half its own. So may your days paſs on, ſerenely calm, ' Unruffled by a ſtorm, and preſent peace, A kind preludium prove to futurejoys ; That when the ſun's bright beams are ſet in night, And time ſhall throw his ſcythe away, and yield The imperial ſceptre to eternity, Ye then may meet amongithe ranſom'd throng, 1 3 And
(118) And at the marriage ſupper of the Lamb, Set and partake the bounties oſ the feaſt, And (hare the bridegroom'sjoy, in that bright world Where ſorrow enters not, but love and peace Reign in' full meaſure, and triumphant ſongs, Proclaim the wonders of REDEEMlNG Love, Thro' ſpace unlimited-the concave rings With " Worthy is the Lamb. of praiſe and pow'r." There may ye walk array'd in robes oſlight, And talk oſJEsU's dying love to tnen, May quaff immortal pleaſures-from the tree Of life eternal, pluck ambroſial fruit, While everlaſting ages roll along, Crown'd with SALVATION as the SONS of GOD. assi AN
EPITH-ALAMIUM; o R, WEDDING SONG, ADDRESSED TO Mr. and Mrs. A----y. GENTLE M-USE, awake and ſing, Hither bring thy ſofteſt lay, Touch the viol's ſweeteſt ſtring, To record the happy day: Riſe, O SUN, divinely bright, All thy radiant beams diſplay, Let thy faireſt, pureſt light, Crown the honours of the day. Happy pair! in ſilken bands, s Smiling HYMEN, WEDDED Love, Union bleſt of hearts and hands, Be your union feal'd above; I 4 From
( rzo ) From the bounteous hand of heav'n, , May abundant ſhaw'rs deſcend, Law, and jay, and peace be giv'n, And your future hours attend. As the circling years roll on, May your happineſs increaſe, þ ' - May the bliſs this day begun, Never ſaulter, never ceaſe; - ' Hand in hand in wiſdom's ways, May your path thro' life be trod, Guided by the hand ofgrace, Favour'd with the ſmiles of GOD. Should a thorny path appear, Gloomy clouds o'erhang th'e ſky, Fear not, there'sſal-vatim near, Lo, a SAVIOR's ever nigh; On before you he will go, ANCEL of the Cov'NAN-r ſtill, Strong to conquer ev'ry foe, Strong to guard from ev'ry ill. l Mutual low, ſweet ſympathy, Kindly ſoothing ev'ry care, ,Keep your liſe from diſcord ſree, A; Each the other's burden bear; l NVhile your Father's gracious eye, And his providential hand, l Ev'ry i ll l
1 um54" l * ' ' , ( 12: ) Ev'ry want ſhall _well ſupply, Till you in his preſence ſtand. Then around his glorious throne, Hand in hand to ſing his praiſe, On his Mad to ſet the crown, -Bleſs him thro' eternal days : I O may this your portion be; Happy pair. ye then ſhall prove Genuine, rich felicity A Here and in the realms above. A
(rzz) MEDITATION REDEMPTION, WISDOM divine, O aid me while I ſing The boundleſs wonders oſREDEEMING LOYEl A theme ſo grand, what mortal thought cart trace, Or unaffiſted, ſound the mighty deep, ' Where length, and depth,and breadth, are ſwallow'd up In ocean fathomleſs i thou mighty Love, Surpaffing knowledge, ANGELS know thee not In full dimenſion, tho' celeſtial beings : How then ſhall I, a child of duſt', a worm, A creature ofa day, explore thy wonders? WIsDOM divine, O aid my ventrous ſong; To thee, I call, nor other muſe invoke; Thou only art ſufficient to inſtruct, To purge the darkſome films that cloud the ſight, And chacd my native ignorance away. Come heav'nly Light, thou SUN of righteouſneſs, With
ON REDEMPTION. rag With thy delightful love-inſpiringbeams, Ariſe and ſhine in beautics all thine own Upon my raviſh'd heart, that at thy feet, In' humble, awful,wonder and delight, i * My ſoul may lowly bow, and worſhip there, z The myſtic ſelf exiſtent Deity. Shine on my mind, good sPIRIT from on high, , And letthe meditations of my heart Be influenc'd by thee; guide thou my pen, While l record IMMANUEL's precious name, And ſing of all his dying love to man. Thou mighty SAvIoR, where ſhall I begin To trace thy wonders lcan eternity Spread a deep Veil upon thy boundleſs love ? No! through eternity I look, and view i s My name engrav'd upon IMMANUEL's breaſt. 1 ſee thee thron'd in majeſty ſublime, The 'SELF-EXXSTENT jAH! and lo, thine heart Glows with an ardent flame of love to me, When thy great ſiat bade a world ariſe, With wond'rous beauty crown'd, and from the (luſt A noble creature form'd, and call'd him MAN, And on his ſoul ſtamp'd IMMORTALITY: How burſt thy glories forth, and all the Goo Shone in creatiou's mighty work: but lo! A greater'workl ſing, and wond'ring ſee _ REDEMFTION riſe. 'l hou Monarch of the ſkies, 'I hy greateſt, nobleſt work, when ſin had marr'd 'Iſſhy fair creation, ſpoil'd thy creature man, I ſee thee from thy lofty throne deſcend, Where
m 'A MEDITATlON' Where burning ſeraphs hymn thy glorious name, And MAN l FEST rN FLESH on earth appear: Angelic vnices ſung the SAVIoR's birth, And hail'd MEsszAH,lconſecrateþd King! Thou in my place, my room, and ſtead, appear'd To bear my ſin's accumulated load Of guilt and ſhame, of agony and death, In thy own body, on the curſed tree. See, O my ſoul, thy bleeding SAVIOR ſee, In ſad GETHSEMANE, bending beneath The weight of ſin and ſorrow not his own; See from the garden to'thejudgment-hall Of throned Herod, where his back endures The ſtripes, the chaſtiſement, the heavy ſcourge> Due to thy great rebellion: ſee him ſtand The meek and lowly Lamb; nor only ſo, But heaven's Almighty, everlaſting KlNG, Bound to a pillar, ſmarting under ſtrokes By creatures hands inflicted ; trace him thence, In ſad progreſſion on to GoLGOTHA; There view him hanging on the uplifted CRoss, Th' imperial ENsrCN of the Chriſtian world! Behold his veins out poura crimſon flood: Behold him ſigh in anguiſh infinite: r Behold the floodgates of Almighty wrath Set open wide, and all their treaſur'd ſtores, Pour'd like a deluge on the Savron's head, In ſuch a ſea, ſo long, ſo broad, ſo deep, That ſinite knowledge ne'er can fathom it, But O thou bleeding LQRD, thou ſlaughter-'d LaMB, Thro' thy rich grace, I know 'twas all for me l The ſun aſham'd to ſee his Maker die, ' Hung
ON REDEMPTION._ us Hung his bright hend in black, untimely night, Appall'd the ſons of men with ſtrange diſmay. There hung my SAVlOR, 'and my 'SACR'IFrCE, A whole burnt-offering offered up to GOD, A righteous -SAV{0R, ſuch an offering, That in the noſtrils, of the great I AM, Smellsinfinitely ſwee't. Behold in him, JEHOVAH is well pleas'd: no anger now Dwells in his boſom, to the happy ſouls Redeem*d byblood. Thus ſav'd by boundleſs grace, Lift up your eyes, ye follow'rs of the LAMB: And thou, my ſoul, behold thy riſen LORD, Your righteous ADVOCA'TE, your great SALVATtoN. -When ſunk in fears, and doubts, and grieſs, O think He lives to plead your cauſe before the throne. Remember GOD hath ſworn, as on the earth s A No more deſtroymg waters ſhall prevail, So hath he ſworn, that on the ſons Of grace, No ſtorms ofwrath ſhall fall, at his right hand: The RAINBOW oſ the better covenant, - Jaws, the SURETY ſtands; he ſpreads his hands, His pierced hands; he points to Calvary, And ſays, " Remember, Father, how I died," And ſhed my 'blood for ſinners." Pleas'd he hears And liſtens to the Weſt-belqved's voice, For righteouſneſs and peace are ſweetly join'd, And truth and mercy reconcil'd in him. i O may we ſo remember him, and view, When riſing ſtorms affright us, that dear pledge, That faithful witneſs ; ſ- by ſait a behold, That through the ſtorms of life, the vale oſdcath, - We
'26 A MEDITATION We may hold faſt our confidence Ofhope, And as we journey through this wilderneſs, Find him our guide and pilot all the' way. Till Jordan paſt, to that good land-we come, A Which flows with milk and honey, food divine. The pilgrim's reſt is there, his final reſt ; i There blooms the tree of life, life without death, Joy without ſorrow, pleaſure without pain, Saints without ſin, and Chriſt without a croſs. There the redeem'd, the ranſom'd of the LOR D, , Shall freely baſk in pleaſures all divine: There they ſhall prove the heights and depths of grace, K What Jesus purchas'd, and what GOD can give, Through countleſs days, through years ofyoung delight: Unnumber'd ages, vaſt eternity.---' But ſtop, my ſoul, 'let thy attentive mind, Return and dwell upon that wond'rous VVoRD, All-gracious and divine, which from the lips' Of thine expiring LoRD, broke ſweetly forth : There's muſic in it, melody more ſoft, Than dwells on angels tongues, when fir'd with love' They tune their ſongs, to praiſe the great I AM : O 'tis a word can chear the drooping heart, Diſpel the gloom of black deſpair, and lay The loudeſt ſtorm, to calmeſt, ſweeteſt peace, And turn the darkeſt night, to brighteſt, fa reſt day. " 'Tis FrNtsH'n," ſaith thy dying Lonn, O hark! And let ſweet echo catch the gentle ſound, And
ON REDEA-JPTION." '27 And waft, 'tis Fl'N mu'o! back upon thine ear. Here, then BELIEVER,0n this tree of life i Grows all thine happineſs, celeſtial fruit; By JesU's death, the righteous law no more. Denounces curſes on thy ranſom'd head; He died a curſe, to take thy curſe' away. Cancel thy ſins, blot out thy treſpaſſes; And by the merit of his ſacred blood, Atonement ample, ſatisfaction full, Yea more than adequate for all thy crimes, To JUSTICE infinite bring in and pay. Thy debt is finiſh'd then, GOD at his hands, Hath payment full receiv'd, and aſks uoſſ more, But gives-thee full acquittance, ſree diſcharge. \ Rejoice, ye HEAv'Ns, and let the EARTH'be glad! , While ſacred TRUTH declares the joyful ſound \ Of juſtice SATISFY'D, of WRATH APÞEAS'D, ſ \ ſſ And srN FORGIVEN through a SAvron's blood.v Nor only ſo, but RIGHTEOUSNESS divine, Eternally complete is now brought in; Thy Surety's ſpotleſs nature, holy life. Gave ſuch obedience to the righteous law, As magniſy'd and rais'd its honours high, Beyond addition bright: this glorious robe, He to thy ſoul imputcs, and lo, well pleas'd, The FATHER views thee in his beſt lov'd SoN, And ſees thee all complete: he gracious ſmiles, And in his hand holds out a ſtarry crown, To grace thy temples; that celeſtial bliſs. The righteouſneſs of GOD, demands for thee, Who in this fine white linen art array'd. ſſ What
128 A MEDITATION I . - What bold accuſer now dares bring a charge Ofcondemnznion? who ſhall dare condemn Whom GOD acquits? 'tis'G'oo that juſtifies. 'Tis the ANOlNTED SAv'OR, who 1edeem'd,__ _ a- And bought his people with ſo dcara price, 'Tis he abſolves their guilt, and ſmiles again, In mild complaiſance, reconcilement ſweet. No more can ſatan urge his cancell'd claim ; His-claim from ſin aroſe, that put away, - The awful debt diſcharg'd, the jailer's pow'r " Ceaſes of courſe. the reſcu'd priſoner, The ranſom'd debtor may of right demand Deliverance from his pow'r, from chains and woe, Sav'd from the horrorsofhis priſon-houſe, By grace unfathom'd, mercy all divine And here, believer, may thy ſoul rejoice, t JEsUs hath bruis'd the ſerpent's head, hath cruſh'd And ſpoil'd him of his pow'r, hath ſnatch'd the prey, The lawful captive from his dreadfuljaws i; To crown with full ſalvation, boundleſs ſtores Of grace on earth. and glory in the ſkies; For by thy Surety's death, the gates of heav'n Are wide expanded to receive thy ſoul. No more cherubic fires wave awful round, To guard the bliſsful paradiſe ofGoD, * And thine approach forbid; for lo, a new, _A living wond'rous way'is open wide, t Through a. Redeemer's ſide, to all the bliſs Which crowns our better Lſiden, where the tree, Of life immortal grows, whoſe ſacred fruit \We may pluck off unchid, and eat, and live ' ſſ L£_U
ON_ REDEMPTIONQ 129 A life divine, among the ſons of GoD, Bleſs'd with our Father'S'preſenCC, joys ſublime, And ſweet communion with the GOD of love; Nor fear a ſecond fall. Thou matchleſs FRrEND, Thou great IMMORTAL LOVER of my ſoul, Say, with what ſongs ſhall I approach thy throne, ' Or how adore thee in triumphant praiſe? O THOU who DIEDin agony extreme, O THOU who ROSE victoripus over hell; My SAVIOR and my Goofiteach me to ſing \ Thy boundleſs glories in immortal ſtrains. Let heav'n and earth a joyful anthem raiſe, Let ſeraphs hymn thee, and thy ſaints adore : ' In ſongs of grateful praiſe, let echo catch, And waft thejoyſul ſound from pole to pole. Bear it, ye winds, in your loud roar to heav'n, And gentle zephyrs on your ſilken wings. Let univerſal nature ſhout aloud In one grand chorus to exalt thy name, And ſpread REDEMFTroN's mighty wonders far, From eaſt, to weſt, from north to ſouth, till time Expires, then everlaſting years Shall ſwell the triumphs of redeeming love. ' K ſſ
MEDITATIoNs ON PART OF THE o SONG OF SOLOMON. LET him kiſs me withthe kiſſes oſ his mouth,"v. r. Thou' who art the eternal Jehovah, who art GOD over all, bleſſed for ever, whoſe throne is in the heaven of heavens, and who yet condeſcendeſt to dwell with the children of men, even in the hearts of thy ranſomed ones: thou SON of MAN, who art the ſhepherd of Iſrael, and the keeper there-oſ, who having made peace with the blood of thy croſs, art exalted to be the prince of peace: thy name is WONDERFUL; thou art become IMMANUEL, GOD with us, and in thee dwelleth all the fullneſs of the Godhead bodily: viſit me with thy ſalvation, O thou, who art the the SAVlOR of finners; thou who haſt loved mea and given thyſelf for me; ' K 3 i thou
134. MEDITATIONS, &c. thou art my heavenly bridegroom; thou haſt purchaſed me, at the infinite price of thy blood, and betrothed me to thyſelf in everlaſting loving-kindneſs, in righte ouſneſs, faithfulneſs, and truth :, but I dwell in a howl ing wilderneſs, ſurrounded with dangers, and many diſcomforts: O lift up the light of thy countenance on me, and bleſs me with the conſolations of thy ſpirit, for thy love is better than wine: becauſe of the ſavour of thy good ointments, thy name is as ointment poured forth, thou art the repairer of the breach, thou art the ſavior of our ſouls; thy blood is the precious balm of Gilead, that alone is able to cure all the feſtering ſores ofſin: thy righteouſneſs is the robe, in which, being clad, we are found complete; thy ſpirit is the oil of gladneſs, with which thou anointeſt us; from thee, thou fountain of all bleſſedneſs, flows all the ſweet ſlreams of pardon, and peace, reconciliation, juſtifica tion, ſanctification, preſervation, and glorification; therefore is thy name as ointment poured forth, and be cauſe oſthis, dothe virgins love thee; thoſe who ſee they are complete in thee, rejoice in thee as their ſalvation, they triumph in a SAVltm's name: O how ſweet-is the name of JESUS, when pronounced by his SPtRl'r to' the ſoul; then we cry out, U Whom have I in heaven but thee, and there is _none upon earth that l deſire in compariſon of thee." But when that bleſſed SPlRlT withdraws his divine influence, when jzsus turns away his face, we cannot ſee him, we no longer delight in his-name, nor rejoice in his love; our affections freeze, winter ſpreads his cold dominion over 'our hearts, and we find, without him, we can do nothing : draw me, therefore, O thou almighty EAVioR, wiihthe cords of thy o
MEDlTATIONS, &c. 135 thy love, and my ſoul ſhall run after thee: let thy quickening ſpirit continually breathe the'life of GOD \ into my heart, and I ſhall live to thee. N I am black, but comely, O ye daughters OfJERUsA LEM,a's the tents of KEDAR, as the CURTAINS ofSoLo MoN." What is man, that he ſhould be clean, and he that is born of a Woman, that he ſhould be righteous? I am'vile, born in ſin, and conceived in iniquity; I have been drinking up iniquity like water, and am altogether black as hell : my father was an Amdrzſite, and my mo ther an Hittite, and therefore had no right to the hea venly Canaan : I was a poor babe caſt out, not waſhed from my guilt and filth, naked and ſtripped of all; and not only ſo, but wounded, having fallen among thieves: they had leſt me more than halfdead, in this condi tion, this lamentable condition: (and yet alas, no eye pitied me) but when Jnsus paſſed by, he ſaw me, \he took compaſſion on me, and when I was in my guilt, in thy ſin, and pollution, he bid me LIVE. Be aſtoniſhed, O my ſo'ul, at this wonder of grace, the eternal Three entered into a covenant-engagement to deliver my ſoul, and in Conſequence of this, Jesus thoroughly purgedaway my guilt with his own blood; he covered my nakedneſs with his own robe; anointed me with the oil of his ſpirit, and ſhod me with the pre paration of' the goſpel of peace ; he 'hath fed me with the bread which came d0\Vn from heaven, and with honey out oſ the living rock, and he hath pro nounced me perfect, through Ille comelineſs which he hath put upon me: he who knew no ſin, was made * , K 4. r ſin
'36 MEDITATIONS, &e. fin for me, that I who knew no righteouſneſs, might be made the righteouſneſs of GOD in him. "I am the roſe oſ Sharon," ſays Jesus, " and the lily of the vallies; thou haſt redemption through my blood, the forgiveneſs of thy ſins: I am the expreſs image of the inviſible GOD, for l and my Fatherare one: by me were all things created in heaven and in earth, viſible and inviſible, whether they be thrones or domi nions, principalities, or powers, all things were created by me, and for me: l am beſore all things, and by me all things conſiſt; and it pleaſeth the Father, that in me ſhould all fulneſs dwell I have made thy peace with the blood of my croſs; I have loved thee, and laid down my life for thee; as the lily among thorns,- ſo is my beloved among the daughters: I have waſhed thecrand made thee white, I have made thee partaker of my na ture, thou art a lily among thorns : all who have not received my grace, are thorns by nature : thou wert ſo once, but Ihave changed thy ſtate, and changed thy nature; thou art Compleat in me, and I have adorned thee with the graces oſ my ſpirit; thou art all fair, I will ſee no ſpot in thee." to his eſpouſed. And what ſhall I ſay unto thee, O my King and my GoD, as the APPLE-TREE among the trees of the wood, ſo is my bia-ved among thev ſons: This is the Savior's 'mguage thou art ſuperlatiVely excellent, my beloved is white and ruddy, the- chielſieſt among ten thouſand: thou art King of kings, and Lord o'ſ lords, infinite in holineſs, glory, and majeſty : yea,thou art altogether lovely, every thing elſe is void oſ goodneſs, bur thou'art like a green
MEDI-TATIONS, &c. 137 green fir-tree, from-thee my fruit is found. This is my beIOVed, and this is my friend, O ye daughters of Jeruſalem; I ſat down under his ſhadow with great delight, and his 'fruit was ſweet to my taſte : We ſpeak the things we do know, what our eyes have ſeen, and our hands handled of the word of life. " The voice of my BELovED," JEsus ſpeaks, liſten, O my ſoul, to the kind words he pronounces. "I have blotted out as a thick cloud, thy tranſgreſiions, and as a Clol d thy ſins; return unto me for I have redeemed thee, '1 will hen thy backſiIdings, I will love thee freely, for mine anger is turned away from thee; I will be as the dew unto Iſrael, he ſhall grow as the lily, and caſt forth his roots as Lebanon; his branches ſhall ſpread, and his beauty ſhall bc as the olive-tree, and his ſmell as Lebanon. I give unto my ſheep eternal life, and they ſhall never periſh, neither ſhall any pluck them out of my hand." This isthe voice of mybeloved, his ſheep know it, they follow himzſi they know not the voice of ſtrangers, therefore they flee from them. The Voice of my beloved, behold he coineth," leapingupon the mountains, ſhipping upon the hills over all the mountains of unbelief, over all the hills of corruption, and difficulties : JESUS flies to tl.y relief, he will not tarry for ever; behold he cometh, he com eth to delivert'nee from ſin and ſorrow: he cometh to give thee a crovvn of righteouſneſs; he is gone to pre pare thee a manſion above, and will come to receive thee in the arms of his love, to wipe away allſſtears from thy face; to conduct thee to the happy realms of
138 MEDITATIONS, &e. of light and love, and to preſent thee to his Father, and thy Father, to his GOD, and thy GOD, without ſpot or wrinkle, or any ſuch thing: then the day, the perfect day will break: then the ſhadows ſhall be all fled away; thou now ſeeſt through a glaſs darkly, but then thou ſhalt behold him face to face : now thou art called to walk by faith, then thou ſhalt live by ſight for ever: now thou knoweſt but .in part, but then thou lſhalt know, even as thou art known; the veil ſhall be entirely taken from thine eyes, and thou ſhalt behold the King in his beauty: thou ſhalt no more know affliction, temptation, nor deſertion, for there ſhall be no night there, the Lamb ſhall be thy everlaſt ing light; thou ſhalt behold his face without a cloud, and enjoy the brightneſs of eternal day. He which teſtiſieth theſe things, ſaith, 4' Surely, I come quickly," Amen, even ſo, come LORD JEsus. Tell me, O thou King of ſaints, thou Lord of life and glory, thou good shepherd of Iſrael, who haſt laid down thy life for thy ſheep, thou whom my ſoul loveth, O tell me where thou feedeſt, wherepthou feaſteſt thy children with divine manna, even with the bread which cometh down from heaven, which whoſoever eateth ſhall never die-where are the green paſtures to which thou leadeſt them by the ſtill waters, the rivers of life, which fiow at thy right hand for evermore tell me, O thou whom my ſoul loveth, lead me into the way of peace, lead me into the ſame paſtures; feed my ſoul with that bread of life, leſt the journey 'be too great for me, and I faint by the way-therefore tell me, O thou whom my ſoul loVeth, Where thou feedeſt,
MEDITATIONS, &e. 139 \ feedeſt, where thou makeſt thy flock to reſt at noon, when the ſun of temptation, perſecution, and fiery trials, with unremitting fervor, beats on their weak de fencelefs heads, oppreſſed and fainting beneath the heat of his unfriendly ſcorching rays, in the midſt of an howling wilderneſs, whoſe burning ſands afford no ſhade, no friendly ſhelter to ſcreen and defend from the heat of the day, and refreſh them with its cooling influence, when bowed down by the burthen of ſin, and the heavy load of ſevere affliction-Where, O where doſt thou make them to reſt,-tell me, O thou compaſſionate friend of ſinners, for why ſhould l be as one that turneth aſide, why ſhould I' wander from the good way ? " If thou know not, O thou faireſt among women, go thy way forth by the footſtcps of the flockfand feed thy kids, beſide the ſhepherd's tent: Stand ye in the way, and ſee, and aſk for the old parhs, where is the. good way, and walk therein, and ye ſhall find reſt fo'r\ your ſouls."-Thus ſpeaketh the good Shepherd, the great Prophet oflIfrael: he ſays, " I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me: ſeek not from created things, that peace and protection which they cannot afford; miſerable_ comforters are they all ! but look unto me, and be ye ſaved. Come unto me, all ye that are weary and hea Vy laden, and I will give you reſt. Art thou groaning under the burden of ſin? look unto me, I have made peace with the blood of my croſs : I have made an end of ſin, by giving myſelfa ſacrifice for it; I have brought in
14., MEDITATIONS,&c. in an everlaſting righteouſneſs, whereby GOD can be' juſt, and yet the juſtifier of ſuch an ungodly ſinner as thou art. Look then unto me, behold a Savior lifted up on the pole of the everlaſting goſpelct: fall at the feet ofmy croſs, and thy burden ſhall fall from thy back, and thou ſhalt find reſt for thy ſoul ; I give thee that peace, which the world can neither give nor take away. Art thou fainting beneath the weight of ſevere afflic tions, heavy oppreffions, and fiery trials P O look un to me, my beloved, thou faireſt among women :7 thou art following me, bearing my croſs; thou art indeed climbing up a ſteep mountain of difficulties, where thou canſt find no refreſhment, nothing to ſupport or chear thy droopingi ſpirit 3 but underneath thee are my ever laſting arms: look unto me, who am the God of all conſolation ; all thy ſprings are in me, and out of my fulneſs, thou ſhalt receive grace for grace: as thou art ſuffering with me, thou ſhalt alſo reign with me: they that bear my croſs, ſhall wear my crown: behold the tender affection of my heart towards thee; behold the ſufficiency of my power to help thee 5 remember the great and precious promiſes I have given thee.-I am the faithful witneſs, I live to fulfil them to thee: as the laſting hills ſurround Jrruſalem,'_ſo all the attributes - of thy covenant GOD, arZ engaged to ſupport and deli ver thy ſoul.-Thefe are ſome of' the green paſtures where I feed my ſheep with heavenly manna; where they renew their ſtrength, and grow up as the calves of the ſtall.-Eat and drink, O my friend, abundantly, \ and let your ſoul delight itſelf in fatneſs: I am that - GoD, who is thine eternal refuge-I am that MAN, ſi who
MEDITATIONS,&C. 14.' who is an hiding-place from the wind, and a covetr from the tempeſt; as rivers of waters in a dry place, and as a, ſhadow of a great rock in aweary land. Come then, unto me, 0 thou poor fainting diſciple, and put thy truſt under the ſhadow of my wings ; I will refreſh thee with the new wine of my kingdom : I have ſpread a table, even in this deſert place, this barren wilderneſs, where l will feed thee with immortal food; meet thee, and bleſs thee with the bleſſings of my love." This is the voice of eternal truth, of him like unto whom, never' man ſpake. When he takes me into his banqueting houſe, when he lifts up the light of his countenance on me, and raiſes his banner of love over . my ſoul, then the graces of his Spirit, flow into my heart; are ſtrengthened, and en'creaſed by the ſmiles of his face : my foes diſappear, my ſins vaniſh away, and nothing, nothing appears to my view, but Jesus the SAVloR, the FRIIND and BELOVED of my ſoul, my heart diſſolves with unutterable delight, and I' faint in the embraces of my crutiſied GOD. Thou art fairer than the children of men, O thou ſpouſe of my ſoul; grace is poured into thy lips 3 all thy garments ſmell of myrrh, aloes, and caffia.-I charge you, O ye daughters of Jeruſalem, by the Roas, and by the HINDS of the field, that ye ſtir not up, nor awake my Love, till he pleaſe. Jesus hath taken up his abode in my heart: he' liVes and loves, and delights to dwell there. I charge you, O ye ſinful inclinations, ye tempeſtuous corruptions of my nature, be ye ſtill, be ye huſh'd, if poſſible, into eternal ſilence: diſturb not, ye hateful intru
142 MEDIT_ATIONS,&C. intruders, the repoſe of my LoRD ; grieve not his Spi rit, nor awake him, tili he pleaſe. " My Beloved is like aRoe, or a young Hart: behold he ſtandeth behind our wall;" it is am' iniquitics, thoſe curſed things, which only can ſeparate between us and our GOD. Jesus hath waſh'd them away from my ſoul, in that precious blood which cleanſeth from all ſin; yet alas, poor ſilly ſheep that I am, my heart is apt to wander from the good Shepherd, run away from his ſacred' fold, and continually raiſing walls of ſeparation, which hides from me the comfort of his preſence, the compaſſion of his heart, and robs me of the joy of his ſalvation: but kind and faithful as he is, he remembers his covenant, he hates putting away: he will not give up his darl 'ing to the power of the dog, but tenderly bears with all my ingratitude, with all the various unkind affronts I am continually putting upon him; and though he,is aGOD that hideth himſelf from the houſe of Iſrael, yet he will not go far away : behold, he ſtandeth be hind our wall ; be not caſt down then, O my ſoul, as though thy Jesus, thy faithful SAvmR, had forgotten or forſaken thee; he is not gone for ever, he is but be hind the wall : he looketh forth at the windows,-ſhew i-ng himſelf through the lattice: wait then upon him in his appointed ways, his goſpel ordinances; they are but', narrow lights, it is true, but Jesus the ſun of righ teouſneſs, ſhews himſelf through them: he will meet thee, and bleſs thee in them; and if thou getteſt but a glimpſe of his glorious perſon, if thou ſeeſt but the ſkirt ofhim whom thy ſoul loveth, it will ſweeten the hours appointed for thy pilgrimage here; and when they'are elaps'd,
MEDITATIONS, &e. '43 elaps'd, when the tedious glaſs of life is:run, and the laſt ſand ſpent, thy heavenly bridegroom will receive thee in the arms ofhis love, where ſin and ſorrow ſhall diſturb thee no more, forever: but thou ſhalt more fully comprehend that infinite love whichdwells in the heart of him, whoſe nature and name is LOVE. " O my Dove," ſays the SAVioR," that art in the clefts of the ROCK, in the ſecret places of the STAIRS, I call thee a dove, for have waſhed theſie whiter than ſnow, though thou haſt laid among the pots; I have given thee wings of gold, and adorneil the with the meek graces of my ſpirit-thou art hid in the cleft: of the rock, even in the wounds of thy.compaffionate Savior, ſo that no tempeſtuous wrath, no threatening evil, ſhall ever cnme nigh thee; thou art hid in the ſecret places of the ſtairs; Iam that glorious ſtupendous ladder. which reach eth from earth to heaven, uniting GOD and man in my own perſon: I have hid thee in the hollow of my hand, and will keep thee as the apple of my eye; let me ſee thy countenance, let me hear thy voice, for ſweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely; look unto me, by the faith of the operation of my ſpiritt call upon me in the time of thy trouble, I ſiwill deliver thee, and thou ſhalt glorify me : I delight to hear thy voice, though feebly liſping out the deſires of thy ſoul, or en deaVOuring to anticipate that which ſhall be thine eter nal employment, even praiſe and thankſgiving to him who hath loved thee. " Take us the foxes, the little forces that ſpoil the vines, for our vines have tehder grapes;" watch over thine own heart, O my beloved, take
'144. MEDITATIONS, &e. take heed oſ thoſe foes, thoſe ſubtle enemies, who are continually endeavouring to turn thee aſide from the narrow way, the way which leadeth unto liſe; to ſlop thee in thy race Zionwards, to quench the tender flame oſ my love which I have kindled in thy ſoul; to nip the ſweet graCes of my ſpirit, which l have planted in thy heart, which ſhall bud and bloſſom, and bring forth fruit to my glory: beware of 'theſe foxes, theſe treacherous dealers; take heed oſ their wiles, leſt thou fall into their ſnares : I will ſtrengthen thee,.I will uphold thee, yea, Iwill keep thee by the right hand of my righteouſneſs: all thoſe thine enemies, who will not have me to reign over them, l will bring them out, and ſlay them for mine own name's ſake." \ This is thy promiſe, O my King, and my GOD! help me to believe, and rely upon it: keep me under the ſhadow of thy Wings, keep me as the apple of thine eye; I am a worm, and in me there is no might, but in the Lord Jehovah, I have righteouſneſs and ſtrength; yea, thou art the ſtrength oſ my heart, and my portion for ever; my beloved is mine, and I am his, he feedeth among the lilies; he is m'ine in the bonds of an everlaſting covenant; my Huſband, my Prophet, my Prieſt, and my King; his name is called upon me, all that he has is mine,-his righteouſ neſs, his Wiſdom, his power and grace, his kingdom and glory, the bleſſings of the upper and the nether ſprings; he is all my own, andl am his, his by creation, his by his own eternal choice; he hath 'bought me with a price, and l am not my own, but'the property ' of
MEDITATIONS, &c- 145 of him, who hath redeemed me with ſo vaſt a ſum, that, Gabriel himſelf, muſt fail in computing it, throughout the countleſs ages of eternity, and with aſtoniſhment own it is indeed infinite.-l am his, by another tie, I have ſurrendered myſelfinto his hand, l have committed my all to my Beloved, knowing he will keep it againſt that day.-Being bought with a price, I lay myſelf at his feet, deſiring all that I*am, and have, to be devoted to that Savior and Friend ofmy ſoul, who hath loved me with; an everlaſting love, who will love me to the "end, and be my Gon,-and my guide and ſalvation, for ever. The LoRD's portion is hispeople, Jacob is the lot of his inheritence. He ſays to his ſaints, "l am thine , inheritance, and portion for ever." He feedeth among the li'lies, his throne is in the heaven of heavenF; there he walketh among the white robed ſaints, who are perfectly delivered from the foul ſtains of ſin and corruption; that leproſy ſhall 'no more break out in them, the polluted houſe is broken down ; they have Weathered the ſtorm, and arrived ſafe at the haven of eternal reſt, and left every care, and every ſorrow be hind forever; they are continually in the preſence of him, who is their all in all, enjoying the uninterrupted (light of his bleſſed Countenance, without a cloud be tween; they are eternally tuning their harps to his praiſe ; caſting their crowns at his feet, filled with all that extatic bleſſedneſs which beatified ſpirits are ca pable of, in thoſe happy realms of light and love, and aſcribing ſalvation to GOD and the Lamb, for ever. But this condeſcending-lasus, this Belovedof my _ ſoul, not only diſplays the bright beams of his glory, L to
146 _MED'ITATIO'NS, &e. to thoſe who have already taken poſſeſſion of their heavenly inheritance, but he alſo walks in the midſt of the ſeven golden candleſticks, his-church', which is yet paffing through the wilderneſs; he feedeth among the lilies; he watches over and keeps her from the jaws of her enemies 5 he refreſhes her, and comforts her drooping' ſpirits when ſhe is weary and faint, becauſe' of the way; he ſometimes viſits her with a ſweet fore taſte of thoſe inexPreſfible, inconceivable bleſſings he has prepared for her future, her everlaſting conſola tion, and every moment his eye is upon her for good. ſſ " Until the day break, and the ſhadows flee away, tum my BELOVED, and be thou like a young hart, upon the mountains of Bether"-untilthe day break, that eternal glorious day. which ſhall never ſet in night; that day, when King Jews ſhall appear in his glory, not as heap peared at BETHLEHEM a meek and lowly babe; not as he appeared in GETHSEMANB,01' on the mount of Cap CIFIXXON, a MAN of sonRows, and acquainted with grief, but as the eternal JEHOVAH, the ElVERLASTING GOD, in all his eſſential Majeſty and nati'Ve ſplendour; a jealous GOD, taking vengeance on all that obey not his g oſpel, and lovenot his uame. But rejoice,,O my ſoul, he will appear as thy SAV toR, 'thy ſacrifice, and friend; he will ſhine forth in all his mediatorial glory, as the LORD our righteouſneſs :-Then ſhall the hea Vens and the earth flee aWayſſ; I ſhall meet my BELovED, my asrousen. in the air, and be for ever with the LORD: until this day break, and the ſhadows of time flee away, turn, my BELOVED, and lift up the light of thy countenance on me ; liſten to the ceaſeleſs moan ings of thy plaintive turtle cloſe; come over the rock and
MED-ITAT'IONS, &a. [47 and riſing grounds of all my unworthineſs, and all my enemies, and be-'thou like a young hart, upon the Mountains of Bether. My beloved ſpake, and ſaid unto me, " Riſe up, my love, my fair one, and come away: riſe up from the death oſ ſin, to the liſe of faith and righteouſneſs ; for I have loved thee', I have made thee fair in the come lineſs that I have put upon thee. Come away, come * away, from ſin and ſatan ; come away, come away from the world and its deluſive vanities; let thine aſ fections ſoar up to thy SAVIOR, who hath given him ſelf 'for thee: for lo, the winter is paſt, the rain is over and gone, all the-ſtorm was poured out on thy ſurety's head; his lock's were wet with the dews of the night, that thouimight be bleſſed with the ſmiles of the sun of righteouſneſs. The winter is paſt, the Vernal ſeaſon appears, the flowers ſpring, the fruits ripen, and the voice of the turtle, charms the liſtening ear; ariſe, my love, ariſe my redeemed fair one, and come away". " By night on my bed, l ſoughtmM whom my ſoul loveth, 1 ſoughthim, butI found him not 3" the Sun of righteouſneſs, who was wont to ſhine upon my ſoul, and gild my happy hours with the bleſſings of peace, withdrew his divine 'and comfortable influ'enceg-that precious JESUS, in whoſe favour is life; whoſe pre ſence filled my ſoul with heavenly day: In order to teach me that divine leſſon, reſignation to his will ; in order to bring me to his feet, as lie did Abraham of old. he turned away the ſweet ſhinings of his face from his L 2 ibeloved
'48 MEDITATXONS, &c. beloved, and ſuffered me to walk in the ſhadows of the night, without the directing light, without the reviring warmth of his bleſſed Spirit; he drew a veil, a cloud of thick darkneſs over his creation in my'heart, and having loſt the quickening influence of him, who only can keep my ſoul awake, velvet ſhod MoRPHEUs ſhook his poppies over me, and fot getful of my SAVton, forgetful of myſelf, I inſenfibly ſunk into the arms of ſpirital ſlumber; but JESUS ſtood by, he beheld-me ſtretched out on the bed ofſecurity, and kindly awaked me from that ſinful fieep, that le_ thargic condition in which my ſoul' wap plunged. On: my bed I ſought him, him whom my ſoul loveth, for Jesus was ſtill the delight of my heart; having drank of his_ſpirit: having taſted of his love, nothing but the ſſprefence of my eternal, nnchangablc immortal lover, can fatisfy the 'vaſt deſires of' my ſoul, which aſpires after the bliſsful enjoyment of GOD, even my GOD, for ever: I ſought him, butl found him not; I looked for dhim,butI could not ſee him; I ſearched my heart, but he was' not there; he had withdrawn from that temple where he delighted to dwell: and who ſhall ſhew me any good? lift thou up the light of- thy countenance on me; I have ſlumbered and ſlept by the way, and my ' beloved is gone; where ſhall I find him? where ſhall' I ſeek him? 1 will riſe from this fatal, drowſy ſtate, which has grieved my Beloved, and cauſed my LORD to turn away in diſpleaſure. I will ariſe now, I cannot, I muſt not delay, but while it is called to day, will ſeek after him, in whoſe favour is life, and at whoſe right hand there are pleaſures for evermore; I will ariſe now. \ and
MlEDITATltONSL'zzc'. 149 andgo about the city; in the'ſtreets, and in the broad ways,j I will ſeek him whom my ſoul loveth: I ſought bim,but l found him not. Jesus the only wiſe! Go_D\ 'ournsnvtom uttereth his voicet in-the vſtreets,_he 'crieth in the chief places of concourſe, in the opening of the gates in the city he uttereth his words; thither] make my reſort, hoping to-fincl my BELOV-ED, to hear his well known voice ; to behold his augu'ſtvadorable per ſon, as coming vfrom Bozrah with his garments dyed jn blood, travelling in the greatneſs Ofhis'ſtrength; him that ſpeaketh intrighteouſneſs, mighty to'ſave : J; ſought him, but I found'him not; his ways and or dinances, though ſome times delightful, are now dry breaſts, and barren wombs, becauſeI cannot find my Savron in them. By the rivers oſ Babylon, now' I ſit down, I hang my harp upon the willows, and cry out in my haſte, " My LoRD hath forſaken me, my GOD- hath forgotten to be gracious." The watch men that go about the city found me; to whom I ſaid, " Saw ye HIM, whom my ſoul loveth?" JLEsus hath appointed watchmen, who go about his Zion, telling thelbulwarks thereof, who inſtant in ſeaſon, and out of ſeaſon, proclaiin to the citizens o'f Jeruſalem, " Thy GOD reigneth :" they ſaw my diſtreſs, they beheld the anxiety of my heart, Ienquired of- them, " Have ye ſeen my LORDPI ſaw ye him whom my' ſoul loveth? know ye which way he went, or where he takes up his abode P Tell me, O ye favoured embſſaſſadors, ye meſſen-v gers of peace, that I may fly on the wings of the wind, and fall at his ipflagain ; it was but a little that I paſſed from them, but 'I ſound. him whom my ſoul loveth." ' L 3 - When
150 MEDl'TſiÞATJONS,-&c; When Jnstrs, by the ſecret influence of hisſpirit, convinced me that his ſervants were notable to help me, could not bring me to him after whom'ſſI was ſeeking, nor afford me that conſolation I vainly expected from them, but gave me to look to the everlaſting hills,lſrom . whence cometh ſalvation, and from heart-felt experi ence to ſay, " My expectation is from thee, O LORD, I found him whom my ſoul loveth." Jasusl the SA vrotzv and Ftuem) of my ſoul, again whiſpered peace to his diſconſolate bride z again he returned to his throne in my heart, diſperſing my fears, ſubduing my ſoes,andgiving me to exult in the favour of HIM, who is the joy of angels, the glory of ſaints, in whom dwell eth all the fulneſs of the Godhead bodily: I held him and would not let him go, taſting again the ſweet ſenſe of his love, I-clung to his arms by the power'oſ faith; THOU art my ſupreme and only' good; () bind me, my BELOVED, by the ſweet bands of thy love, to the horns of the altar, the precious wounds of my SAvroR; that I may never depart from thy feet, never loſe fight of that dear IMMANUEL, who is exalted as a PRINCE and SAvrOR, to bleſs me with the bleſſings of an ever laſting covenant; in whom all my happineſs centers, in whom alllmy treaſures are eternally laid up : thou art zny uneven, and thou art =my FRIEND; whom have I in heaven but THEE, there iis none upon earth would deſire in compariſon of thee. I charge you, i O ye DAUGHTmts of JEBUSALEM, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye ſtir not up, nor awake thy LOVE, till he pleaſe: let nothing diſturb the repoſe my LoRn, he reſts in my arms, the abides in my. 'ſſ ' heart. ,_
MEDlTAſſTiONS, &c. 15: heart. I charge you, O ye indwellers there ; I charge you that are round about me, that ye offend not my SA VInR, that ye grieveinot his ſpirit, nor cauſe him again , to depart in diſpleaſure. \ ** Who is this that cometh out 0f_the wilclerneſs. like pillars of ſmoak, perfumed with myrrh and frankin cenſe, with all powders of the merchant?" Who is this' that having been long impriſoned in the dreary confines of an howliug wilderneſs, now abideth no longer in the, tents of Kedar, but travelleth towards Zion, the city ofthe living GOD, like pillars of ſmoak perfumed with -myrrh? ſhe is black, ſhe is polluted with ſin, a ſmoaking brand, plucked out ofthe fire, yet ſhe is adorned out of the treaſures of heaven, with fine linen, white and clean; yea,,4her garment is of wrought gold; her ſmell is as the ſmell of a field, well watered by the sPIRrT from above. iJESUs enquires, " Doth he not know?" yes, he declares, ſhe is hie ſpouſe, his -well-beloved, the very delight of his ſoul :* he ſays of her, - " Behold thou art fair, my love, behold thou art fair, thou haſt dove's eyes: Ihave waſhed thee, I have claatbed thee, I have ſanctiſird thee; " thou haſt dove's eyes within thy locks; thy hair is as a flock of goats, that appear from Mount Gilead ; thy teeth are like a flock ſi of ſheep that are even ſhorn, which came. up from the waſhing, whereof every one bear twins, and none is barren among them: thy lips are like a thread of ſcarlet, and thy ſpeech is comely, thy tem ples are like a piece of a pomgranate within thy locks; thy neck is like the tower of David, built for an armory, l 4, whereon
152 MEDLTATIONsj'ac. whereon there hang a thouſand bucklers, all ſhields of mighty men-thy breaſts are like two young roes that are twins, which feedeth among the lilies: until the day break, and the ſhadows flee away, I will get me to the mountain of myi'rh; and to the hill of frankincenſe: I will come unto thee, my BELOVED, and abide in thine heart for ever; I will viſit thee With the ſweet viſitations of my grace and faVOur, till the bright day of eternity break; till every dark intervening cloud diſ appear, and the ſhadows of night are diſperſed for ever; for thou art fairer and ſweeter in thy SAWoR's eſteem, than whole mountains of ſpices, or groves of myrrh; yea, thou art all fair, my love, there is no ſpot in thee. Come with me from Lebanon, my ſpouſe, with me, from Lebanon: look from the top of Amana, from the top of Shcnir, and Hermon, from the lion's den, from the mountains of the leopards. Come my BELOVED, with thy SAVlOR and KtNo, who hath loved thee, and betrothed thee to himſelf, in an everlaſting cove nant; O come with me, my beloved, from Lebanon, look from the things which are ſeen, and are temporal, to the things which though unſeen, are: of eternal dur ation, and infinite : look from the deceitful pleaſures and deluding vanities of time, to the heavenly Jeruſa lem, the habitation of my holineſs, the place where my honour dwelleth ; where flows the water of life, and where that tree whoſe leaves are for the healing of the nations, blooms for ever ; look from the lions dens, the mountains of the lcopards: thy ſpiritual ene-' mies are numerous and various,lthey rage and roar, threatening tov devour thee; but lbok not to their power, their ſtrength, or their. might, leſt thou faint under
MEDlTATIONS, &c- 153 under a ſenſe of thy own weakneſs, and forget thy al mighty Savior, who is engaged to deliver thee, whoſe everlaſting arms are underneath thee, who goeth be ſore thee, and is thy rereward, and as a wall of fire round about thee :\ thine enemies ſhall fight againſt thee, but they ſhall not prevail, for I am with thee'v to ſave thee, and m deliver thee, ſaith the Loaþ, and I will .deliver thee out of the hand of vthe wicked, and I will redeem thee outſi of the hand of the terrible, thou ſhalt not be aſhamed, nor confounded world without end." " A garden incloſed is my ſiſter, my ſpouſe; thy plants are an orchard of pomegranates:"-I am the careful huſbandman, Iam the watchful gardener; I water thee with the waterings of my ſpirit, the gen tle ſhowers of my reviving grace, the ſoft and ſweet dew of my bleſſing ; I have planted my graces in thy iheart, and will cauſe them to grow, to budl, bloſſom, and bring forth fruit, to the praiſe of the glory of my free grace; I will root up the weeds, and prune thy branches, and cut oil' whatever is not of my right hand planting, and make thee to proſper as the garden of the Lord, even as Eden, my antient delight: thou art incloſed in the arms of my LOVE, Ihave ſenced thee about with walls of SALVATION, this is a hedge no robber can break through, no beaſt of prey demo liſh, no ſubtle enemy undermineg it is built on a ſure i FOUNDATION, a TRiED STONE, a PRECIOUS COR__ NER STONE, it is firm as the rock of everlaſting ages,and ſhall endure to the days of eternity;" i l t . " Awake
m' 3 MEDITATIONs, &c.. " Awake, O n'orth wind, and' come thou ſouth, blow upon my garden, that the ſpices thereof may ſlow out.--Fragrant ' and ſweet as thou art my BE LOVED, in the graces and precious , things with which 1 have adorned thee, unleſs thou art continually wa tered by the ſhowers from above, every moment re ſreſhed by the quickening power of my ſpirit, thou wouldſt ſade as the leaf, and wither as the roſe, and ſink into the cold 'benumbing arms of ſpiritual death, forgetful of thy SAVlOUR, thyſelf, 'and thy home. Come then, my eternal, co-equal, co-eſſential SPlklT, breathe on my garden, that the ſpices thereof may flow out, breathe on my beloved with all thy chearing in fluence, quicken her faith, confirm her hope, inflame her ſoul with my pure, my holy love, increaſe in her ſoul, that deep humiliation and ſelf-abhorreuce, which ſhall lay her in the duſt at my feet ; ſhed thy divineſt rays on the beloved of my ſoul, and as I have cloathed her in wrought gold, and given her raiment of fine needle-work, do thou take of that grace which is trea ſured up in my fulneſs, adorn her, and make. her all gloriousMithiafl "Awake, O north wind, and come thou ſouth, blow upon my garden, that the ſpices thereof may flow out. -Let my beloved come into his ſſgarden and eat his pleaſant fruits;" Iam thine, O thou SAVIOUR of ſinners; my bleſſed and adorable JEHOVAH JESUS, thine in the ſweet bonds of an ever laſting covenant: thou haſt b0ughtſſme'with a price, and \
MEutfTATION-s, &c. i'55 'and I am ſtill thy'own, I am thy new creation, thy garden of delights: let my BELoveb come into his garden, and eat his pleaſant fruits : ceme into my ſoul O my King and my God, ſet up thy throne in my heart. there reign with the golden ſceptre oſ loveſſ, LOrd oſ my ſoul without a rival: , thoſſu,haſt adorned ctmenwith the graces of thy ſpirit, the peaceable fruits 'of thy righteouſneſs; Lord, I lay them all at thy feet, 'thine they are and not my own 3 take the glory, take the everlaſting praiſe, 'as all the work is thine, be thine the honour, for thou workeſt all our. good works in us. O Lord, take up thine abode in my heart; O my BELOVED, and create-it anewby thy power, that I gnay know. thee, and the power of thy reſurrection, " I am come into my garden, my ſiſter, my ſpouſe, I have gathered my myrrh with my ſpice, I have eaten my honey-comb with. my honey, I have drank my wine with my milk; eat O friends, drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved :" I have taken up my abode in thy heart, O thou faireſt among women, lhave made _ it the palace where I delight to dwell, even an habita tion of GOD, through the ſpirit, having waſhed thee in my blood, and made thee white in the fountain I have opened for ſin and uncleanneſs; having accepted thee in the righteouſneſs I have wrought out for thee; I have ſmelled the ſweet ſavour of thoſe precious graces, with which I have perfumed thy ſoul: they are plea ſant to my eye, and ſweet in my noſtrils, I have feaſted .ctwith thee, my beloved, in the ſecret chambers ; I have delighted in thee, from the days of eternity; I am that 7 bread
'56 MEDITATYIONS, &e. bread of liſc, that heavenly mannazwhich came down from above, for the life of thyſoul : ſeed-on me, O my ſiſter, my ſpouſe; drink of the water of life, I freely beſtow: whoſoever' drinketh of thoſe living ſtreams, ſhall never thirſt again, they ſhall ſpring up in thy heart, as a well of water, unto eternal liſe. Eat O my friend, drink, yea, drink abundantly: O beloved, receive out of my fulneſs, grace upon grace; be not content with a little, juſt to keep thee from ſtarving, but abundantly receive from my infinite treaſure, that grace which, ſhall make thee ſtrong in the Loalj, and .in the power of his might, that' thou mayeſt mou-nt heavenwards, as on eagles wingsl run with divine alacrity, thy heavenly race, be more than conqueror over all thy foes, and be filled with*all 'the fulneſs of GOD: plenteous grace is laid up in thy SAVIOR, I give it freely to them that need.--() come unto' me, my FRlEND, my BELOVED, look unto me by an-eye of faith, and I- will pour into thy empty veſſel, the bleſſings of peace, 'he ſweet treaſures of my love, and all the good things which were given thee in that covenant of peace, which is ſtedſaſt as the throne of GOD, ſettled in all things, and ſure: I came into the world not for my own ſake, but thine, O believer, that thou mighteſt have iliſe, and that more abund antly." ' I' ſleep, but my heart waketh, it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, ſaying, "Open to me, my ſiſter, my love, my dove, my undefiled; for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night."
_-_M e, 1) xIIT "A" T TO N s, &e. 157 'I ſleep, alas', ſinful-flumber hath taken hold of my ſoul, v my drowſy powersfitclaxxa heavy weight hangs upon my eyes, ſo that] cannot behold the ſun of righteouſ. neſs ; preſſesme down to the cold regions of earth, ſo that I grOVel as a worm thereof: 'my chariot wheels are taken off which uſed tobedas the chariots o'f Amminadab, ſo that I go flowly, heav'rly, mournfully on : I lag, and faint, and tire amid. the. heavenly road, and freeze in the benumbing chains of, cold and barren winter.v 'I ſleep,but my heart-waketh; ſtill, O my bleſſed and ador ableJESUs, there is ſomewhat in my ſoul, which panteth after thee; that living, inward principle, which thou haſt imparted, a bleſſed ſpark of thine eternal flame, though covered with' aſhes, though ſurrounded with death, ſtill it remains, ſtill it lives and glows, though with faint and feeble deſires, after a Savior, after Him whom'my ſoul loveth-I ſleep, but my heart waketh : who is this that diſturbs my fiumbers with repeated knockings? 'tis the voice of my Beloved, 'tis the voice ofmy Friend, of that ever faithful compaffionateJEsus, who hath betrothed me-to himſelfi-n everlaſting loving kindneſs, in the bonds of a covenant which cannot be - broken, although I have ungratefully ſtrayed. from his boſom, where only peace and reſt is to be found-tho' I have forſaken him, the fountain of living waters, and hewn out to myſelf ciſterns, broken ciſterns that can hold none of the water of life, yet behold he ſtandeth at the door and knocketh : he dealeth-not with me as with one who hath broken wedlock, and ſhed blood : He cometh not in thunders to alarm my ſoul, but gently knocketh at the door of my heart ſaying, " Open to me,
153 -MEDITA'TIONS,&Z:. me, my ſiſter, my lOve, my dove, undeſiled ; though, thou haſt wandered from me, yet thou art ſtill my own; I have loved thee with an everlaſting' lOVe : thou art ſtill my Beloved and the delight dſ 'my ſoul: thou art my, undefiled one, though thou haſt' again and againv made thy garments filthy, and been weary of me thine eternal Lover; thou haſt not brought me the ſmall cattle of of thy burnt-offerings, neither haſt thou honoured me with thy ſacrifices. I have not cauſed thee to- ſerve with an offering, nor wearied thee' with incenſe: thou haſt brought me no ſweet cane'ſ for money, neither haſt thou filled me with the fat of thy-ſacrifices, but thou 'haſt made me to ſerve with thy ſins, thou haſt wearied me with thine 'iniquities; yet I, evan I, am he, that blottcth out thy tranſgreffions for mine own ſake, and will not remember thy fins.-O Iſrael, thou ihalt not be forgotten of me, I have blotted out as a thick cloud thy tranſgreffions, and as a cloud thy ſins : ' return unto me for I have redeemed thee.--" " Open to me, O my ſiſter, my love, my dove, my un defiled, for my head is filled with dew, my locks with' the drops of the night :-behold ME; who have laid the foundations of the earth, and ſt'retched the line upon it, who bringeth ſorth Mazfiroth in his ſeaſon, and guideſt ' Arcturus with his ſons-behold me, bowed beneath the heavy load of thy iniquities, in the melancholy groves of ſhady Gethſemane, amid all the damp vapours of the night; and (be amazed at the thought) vindictiwjuſtin pouring floods of tempeſtuous, ſtormy wrath upon my head :-7JUSTICR ſtood forth and cried, Wh'erc's the ſinncr?
ME Dſi-ITATIO"N'S,'&c. 159 ſinner? where's the rebel, lwho hath broken my laws, and brought diſhonour on the name oſinfinite Deity Z ' and I, thy ran-ma, thy sURETY, thy SAVIOR 'inter poſed-I who knew no ſin, was made ſin for thee; I was 'wounded for thy tranſgreffions, I was bruiſcd for thine iniquities, the chaſtiſement of thy peace was upon me, and with my ſtripes thou art healed. I am the man that hath ſeen affliction by 'the rod of GOD's wrath : he hath bent his bow, and ſet me as the mark for the arrow ; he hath cauſed the arrow'of his quiver to enter into my reins; I was poured outmlike water, and all my bones were out ofjoi'nt; my heart was like wax, my ſtrength was dried up like a potſherd; my tongue clave to my mouth, and he brought me into the duſt oſ death: is it 'nothing to you, all yev that paſs by? behold and ſee if there be any ſorrows like unto my ſorrow, wherewith the LORD hath afflicted me, in the day of his fierce anger;my ſoul hath it ſtill in remembrance : with this great ſacrifice of my ſelf, I reconciled GOD to thee: with the blood of my croſs, I made thy everlaſting, peace; wrath hath forſook the throne, and grace, love, and mercy, reign for ever, mercy and truthhave,met together, righteouſ neſs and*peace have kiſſed each other : therefore open to me, my ſiſter, my love, my dove, my undefiled, for my. head is filled with dew, and my locks with the _ drops of the night." " My BELOVED put in his hand, by thehole of the door, and my bowels were moved for him:" jesus ac companied his word-to my heart, by the power ofct ſſ his -
160 .MED"ITATIONS, &e. his'SPiRi-r, and my affections ran out, after the Loan of my ſoul. " I opened to my BsLovan, but my BE LOVED had withdrawn himſelf, and was gone, my ſoul failed when he ſpake: I ſought him but I couldſſ not find him, I called him, but he gave me no anſwer." 'The BELOVED, the delight oſ my ſoul was retired from my view; alas, Icould not behold 'the- light oſ his countenance, the joy of his ſalvationſl ſought him, but I found him not: I called him, but he gave me no anſwer.'*. Where art thou, my BELOVED, my SAVIOR, my SPOUSE P haſt thou caſt me off for ever? wilt thod no more be gracious? O LoRD GOD of my ſalvation, I cry day and night before thee, for my ſoul is full of trouble, and my life draWeth nigh unto the grave; thou haſt laid me in the loweſt pit, in darkneſs, in the deeps: mine eye mourneth by reaſon of affliction. LORD, Icall daily unto thee I ſtretch out my hands unto thee; why caſteth thou off my ſoul? why hideſt thou thy face from me? O GOD, my ſoul is caſt down within me; deepcalleth unto deep, at the noiſe of thy waterſpouts 3 all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me, I am troubled, I am bowed down greatly : I go mourning all the day long, for my loins are filled with a loathſome diſeaſe, and there is no ſoundneſs in my fleſh : I am feeble and ſore broken; I' have roared, becauſe ofthe diſquietneſs in my heart. LoRD, all my deſires are before thee, and my groaning is not hid from thee; my heart panteth, my ſtrength failethme; as for the light of mine eye, it alſo is gone from me; Zion ſpreadeth forth her hands, and there is none to comfort her, yet the Long) is righteous', ſo' l have rebelled againſt his commandments ; behold O
MEDITATIONS, ac; 16; O LoRD, for I am in diſtreſs, my bowels are troubled, my heart is turned within me, for I have grievouſly -rebelled. ,- , ,. "" . " I called, but he gave me no anſwer, the Watch men that go about the city found me, they ſmote' me, they wounded me." The miniſters of JESUS beheld my'diſtreſs, but they afforded me no cOnſolation :'tcthey applied no healing balſom to ſoften the 'corroding A anguiſh, and alleviate the 'ſorrow of my ſoul, but treated me with harſh and ſevere reproaches, and bitter words, which like ſo many daggers, pierced my heart, i en'creaſed my diſtraction, and almoſt ſtink me into the black gulph of deſpair: To whom ſhall I look? I have grieved my Lo-RD, and he hath turned away in diſplea ſure; he ſh'utteth his ears againſt my prayers ; where ſhall I go to find my BELOVED, the CoNsoLATroN of Iſ --rael, and DESIRE Oſnations. "I charge you, O'DAUGI-r' TERS of JERUSALEM (ye who like me, are ſeeking a SAVlOR) iſJEsUS favours you with the light of his countenance," if he takes you into the arms of his love, i O remember, remember me, think upon me his ſor lorn bride; tell him,-O tell him I am ſick oſlo've; 'll him the deſire of my heart is towards him; tell him I faint becauſe he is abſent, and let him not reſt till he return and bleſs me." I T" What is thy Beloved, more than another beloved, Othbu faireſt among women? what is thy Beloved vmere than' another beloved, that thou doſtſo charge M ' _ us?"
'62 MEDITATIONS, &e. us?" " My BELOVED is white and ruddy; the chiefeſt among ten thouſand;" he is the eternal and almighty GOD, whoſe goings forth have been from everlaſting: the Lent), the LoRD GOD, merciful and gracious, long-ſuffering, 'and abundant. in goodneſs and truth: before his throne, the bright armies oſ heaven veil their faces, and ceaſe not day and night ſaying', " Holy, holy, holy Lonn Gon Almighty, "-fountain of light, of life, and love, poſſeffing the eſſential perfection of every good. He is the MAN, the eXalted MAN, whom ſaints unſeen adore: he cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Boſrah, glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatneſs of his ſtrength: he goeth from conquering to con'quer, mounted on his white horſe, and in his chariots ofſalvation: he is FAITHFUL and TRUE, and in righteouſneſs he doth judge, and make War; his eyes are a flame of fire, and on his head, are many crowns; he' is cloathed with a veſture dipped in blood, and his name is called the WORD OF Gon: the armies of heaven follow him, and out Of his mouth goeth a ſharp ſword, that with it, he ſhould ſmite the nations, and he ſhall rule them with a rod Of irou; he t'readeth the wine-preſs of the -fierceneſs of the wrath of Almighty GOD 5 he hath on his veſture, and oſin his thigh a name written, KlNG _ OF Kmcs, and Loan or Loans, he is the LION of the tribe of JUDAH, which has prevailed: from the prey he is gone up ? He ſtooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion, who ſhall rouſe him up? He is not only thus awful in majeſty, glorious in holineſs, but he is alſo that meek and lowly LAMB, which _Gon hath ap- _ K \--*_.ne A __ ' i * - > 'u_ __,)\_ ._. _ _4.i ..._...._
MEDITATIONS, &e. 163 appointed for a burnt-offering, a great and ſufficient ſacrifice for the ſins of his people ; he offered up him ſelf o'n that great altar, which ſanctifieth the gift, and now he appears in the midſt of the throne as a lamb newly ſlain; he is a great High-prieſt, for ever, after the order of Mucnrsenrc, ſuch an High-prieſt as be cometh us, who is holy, harmleſs, undefiled, ſeparate from ſinners, and made higher than the heai/ens; who not by the blood Of goats, or calves, but by his own blood, he once entered intoxthe holy place, having ob tained eternal redemption for us, and by one offering, for ever perfected them that are ſanctified; he is theme" diator of the new teſtament, the great peace-maker be tween GDD and man: that bleſſed days-man who layeth his hand upon both parties, and hath found out a way by which GOD can bejuſt, and yet juſtify ſinners believ ing in Jssus. He is the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LlFE; the way by which GOD can receive into his favour rebels who have ſinned and tranſgreſſed againſt him ;-the way by which ſinners can come into-the preſence of JEHOVAH, as to their reconciled, forgiving covenant GOD; and by the power of his Spirit, in the language of faith, call him, Abba, Father-the Way by which they receive every covenant ble'ſling in time, and by which they have abUndant entrance adminiſ tered to them, into the kingdom of their Beloved, the heavenly Canaan, the new Jeruſalem, the city of the living GOD, whoſe gates ſhall not be ſhut atv all by day, and there is no night there, but the glory of Goo doth 'lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof- He is the TRUTH, that is his name; he is the faithful witneſs, GOD that cannot lie; the fountain of un, the 'author M a 'and
164. MEDITATIO'Nis, &r. and giver of eternalv life to his people: becauſe he liveth, they ſhall livejalſo; he is their A'DVQCATE' in' the court of heaven; he is one with the ath-er, and he ever lives to' plead their cauſe; he throughly under ſtands the law ;, he 'well knows all their malicious accuſers, and is capable to anſwer all their allegations, and triumphantly bring off that poor finner, who com mits his cauſe, though a bad one,into his hands. Satan , ſays, That ſoul Hath ſinned, ſhall it live? thou haſt ſaid, the ſoul that ſinneth it ſhall die; canſt thou be juſt, O GOD, and, not execute this ſentence? but JasUs, out: - adorable advocate is by;v he ſays,u lt is true, that ſoul hath' ſinned , but I have died. Father, behold my hands,my feet,v my ſide: Why wasI crowned with thorns on Calvaryiſ Why was I- cruſhed beneath the weight of thy wrath F was it not for that ſoul- that it might not periſh? all its iniquities thou haſt laid upon me; I have made my ſoul an offering for it's ſins; thy juſtice is ſatisfied, I have paid his debt - thy law is magnified, I have made it honour-able, thou art a juſt GOD, therefom' pardon and juſtiſy that ſinner; I have'bought him at? the price oſ my blood; I have taken 'away his filthy garments, andcloathed him with change of raiment. Father I will that he whom thou haſt given me, be with me where I am,/ that he may behold my glory z. the LORD rebuke thee ſatan, even the LoRD that has chcſen. Jeruſalem, rebuke thee: is not this a braud -, plucked out of the fire?" Thus ſatan is diſappointed, thus the ſinner is ſayed, and GOD for eVer gloriſied in the ſon oſ his love, whoſe name is called VVONDERFULy COUNCELLoR, the EVERLASTINC FATHER, and the -PR1Nca of PEACE. .He is JEsUs, a SAVtoR! no name ſoſwcet to the ears of a ſeulible ſinner; a- name which cuta
MEDITATIONS,&c. 165 can bring peace to the diſtreſſed conſcience, and lay every ſtorm of guilt in the delightſnl repoſe of calm ſerenity: though we are continually wandering from xhy fold like loſt ſheep, ſlill thy name is called Jesus; thou art an everlaſtingSAvtoR: this is my BELOVED, and this is my FRIEND: O ye daughters' of Jeruſalem, is he not the ALTOGETHER LOVELY? " Whither is thy Beloved gone, O thou faireſt among women? whither is thy beloved turned aſide, that we may ſeek him with thee?" ſince he is this all-glorious SAVIOR, this adorable ſuperlatively excellent perſon, tell us, thou his beloved and bride, whither he is turned aſide? where he takes up his abodePthat we may ſeek him with thee, that we may inquire after the knowledge of him, whom to know is liſe eternal; that we may partake of his ſaving þenefits, receiveout of his abundant fulneſs, and ſhare thoſe rich bleſſings he ſo freely beſtows. , " My BELOVED is gone down into his garden to the beds of ſpices, to ſeed in the gardens, and to gather lilies ; GOD is gone up with a ſhoot, the LORD with>the ſound ofa trumpet; he is aſcended into the heaven ofheavens, leading captivity captive, having received gifts for finners, even for the rebellious 3 he is entered into the holy place, and ſat down on the right hand of the Majeſty on high : there he reigneth, there he walketh among his ſaints in light. Thoſe trees of righteouſ neſs, who are like green olives, and full of ſap, of his own right hand planting, whoſe pleaſant fruits are ſweeter than camphire, 'with trees of_ franltincenſe, myrrh, and aloes, with all the chief ſpices: there he M 3 un
166 MEDITATIONS,&C. unfolds the bright beams of his glory, and diſplays the ſweet ſmiles of his face ; yet he bows his ears to the cry Of his Buoven, who hath not yet arrived at that glorious haven oſ eternal reſt, but is ſtill like a ſhip in the midſt of the ſea, toſſed with waves, and contrary winds ;_ he is the pilot: he ſetteth at the helm, and will ſteer her ſafe to the good port, the heavenly har - bour where ſhe would be. O that men would praiſe the LOR D for his goodneſs, and for his wonderful works to the children of men : my naLovaD is MINE, and I AM Hls, he feedeth among thelilies. " Who is ſhe that looketh forth as the MORNlNG, fair as the MOON, clear as the SUN, and terrible as an ARMY with bannere?" who but the BELOVED, the SPOUSE, ofJr-zsus, in whoſe heart the ſun of righteouſneſs is beginning to riſe; her light, her.excellency and Beauty ſhineth not forth at once, but when the day-ſpring from on high hath viſited her ſoul, ſhe ſhineth brighter and brighter, to the perfect day, going from ſtrength,to ſtrength, and from glory to glory, till ſhe appear before the Goo of gods in Zion: ſhe is fair as the moon, for as that receives all its ſplendour from the ſun, ſo Zion ſſ the perfection of beauty, receives all her lovelineſs from the fulneſs of JESUS; and being filled with his grace, ſhines with bright celeſtial luſtre, in the midſt of a dark benighted World: but tho' ſhe is bright, adorned with ſilver rays, ſhe is' not altogether 'a' fair orb of light; many, too many dark ſpots of ſin abide in her heart, and appear in her Converſation, yet though fair as the MOON, ſhe is clear'as the sun, J * ' ' . - - . r . Wlt ho ut
MEDITATIOiNS, &e. 167 without ſpot or blemiſh, or any ſuch thing, being complete in Jesus, made white in the blood of her Beloved, and cloathed in the ſpotleſs robe of his ever laſting, glorious righteouſneſs; ſhe is as blameleſs, as ſinleſs, as perfectly righteous, as the great GOD-MAN, IMMANUEL, the beloved of GOD, in whom his ſoul delightethy and in whom he is eternally well pleaſed, who hath declared that ſatan had no part in him. This her glory is for ever the ſame, it neither waxeth nor waineth, nor is ſubject to change, but endures to the days of cternity, unſullied, undiminiſhed, brighter than the angels of light, thoſe fair ſons of the morning; ſhe is terrible as an army with banners, ſtanding with her loins girt about with truth, and havingon the breaſt plate of righteouſneſs; her ſeet ſhod with the prepara tion of the goſpel of peace, and having above all, the ſhield of faith, which is able to quench all the fiery darts of the devil : on her head, the helmet of ſalva* tion ; in her'hand, the ſword of the Spirit, which is the word of GOD, praying always, with all prayer and ſup plication. Thus armed and prepared ſor the battle, ſhe follows the great Captain of ſalvation, to a ſure and certain victory; ſhe wreſtles not only againſt fleſh and blood, but againſt principalities and powers, 'the rulers oſ the darkneſs of this world, againſt ſpiritual wicked' neſs in liigh places,but looking to JESUS her ſtrong de liverer, having on the whole armour of Gon, ſhe ſights the good fight of faith, and is more than conqueror, through him who hath loved her; ſhe is terrible as an army with banners; her enemies fall before herI for he that is the mighty GOD of Jacob, hath promiſed M 4
its MEDITATI'O'NSHBCe'. no weapon formed againſt thee ſhall proſper;v he ſaith, U Fcar not, for I am with thee, be not diſmayed, vfor I am thy GOD. I will ſtrengthen thee, yea, I will help thee, yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteouſneſs ; behold all they that were incenſed againſt thee ſhall be aſhamed and confounded, they ſhall be as nothing, and they that ſtrive with thee ſhall periſh; thou ſhalt ſeek them, and ſhall lhot find them, even them that contended with thee; they that war againſt thee ſhall be as nothing. and ascta thing of nought; for I the LORD thy GoD, will hold thy right hand, ſaying unto thee, " Fear not, I will help thee, fear not, thou worm Jacob," ſaith the LORD, "and thy Redeemer, the holy one of Iſrael: behold I will make 1 thee'ct'a new ſharp threſhing inſtrument, having teeth ; thou ſhalt threſh the mountains, and beat them ſmall, and ſhall make the hills as chaff; thou ſhalt ſan them, and the wind ſhall carry them away, and the whirl wind ſhall ſcatter them, for all things are poſſible to him that believeth; and thou ſhalt rjoicc in the LORD, and ſhalt glory in the holy one of Iſrael," " How beautiful are thy ſcet with ſhoes; O prince's daughter," thou haſt dipped thy foot in oil : thy ſhoes are iron and braſs; yea, I have ſhod\tl:ee with the prel paration oſ the goſpel of peace. r Says JESUS, the SA- . VIOR and FRIMD oſ his church, " It Was impoſſible for 'thee to walk witht me in a ſtate of'nature, becauſe it is enrnity againſt me: can two walk together, unleſs they are agreed E but I have not only ſlain that enmity by
MEDtTA'TION-s, &a. 16'9 by the blood of my croſs, butihave ſubdued the povVer of it in thy heart, bringing home to thy ſoul, that goſ pel of peace t which publiſheth ſalvation, which de clares I am reconciled unto thee, by the ſacrifice of myſelf; having communicated to thy heart my goſpel grace, thou art not only able to walk, but run in the Ways of my commandments; the dreary waſte, through which thou art travelling, 'ab0unds with burning ſands, rough and uneven places, rugged ways, ſufficient to turn thy naked feet out of the way, and to thruſt thee down into the bottomleſs pit of inexpreſſible perdition; but I have given thee for ſhoes, the goſpel of peace, in' which thou ſhalt tread on the necks of thine ene mies; before it, the rough places ſhall all become ' ſmooth, and CYCI'yK mountain become a plain;'ſafely may'ſt thou 'travel through an enemy's land, till thou , arriveſt on I-MMANUEL'S ground; it is an everlaſting SALVATION, ſhoes that will never wear outt" " 'Who is this that cometh up from thel wilderneſs, leaning upon her Beloved? I raiſed thee up under the apple tree, there thy mother brOught thee forth, there 'ſhe brought thee forth that bare thee.'J-O my beloved, thou that artjourneying from time to eternity, that art flying from Babylon the city of deſtruction, to that good land overflowing with wine and oil, even the heavenly i Jeruſalem, the Mount Sion, the city of the living GOD: . thou art not come to Mount Sina, that burned with fire, and unto blackneſs and darkneſs and tempeſt, but thou art come to the general aſſembly and church of the firſt born, whoſe names are written in heaven ; to the ſpirits ' " of
'no ) .MEDITATIONS, &e. of juſt men made perfect, and to Jesus the mediator of the new and better covenant, to the blood of ſprink ling, which ſpeakflth better things than that of Abel, that cried from the earth for vengeance; this ſpeak eth peace to the diſtreſſed conſcience burdened with guilt, afflicted with a ſenſe of ſin. Thou art coming up from a deſert place, barren oſ every good thing; a waſte howling wilderneſs, full of evils, ſurrounded with enemies : thou art weak and void of ſtrength, in thee is no might at all, but thou learieſt on thy earovsn, on him that is mighty to ſave : fear not then, thou worm Jacob, but ſtill repoſe on thy SAvron's boſom 5 caſt all thy fears, thy cares and burdens upon me: repoſe thy confidence in my faithfulneſs, willingneſs and ability to ſave: depend on my word which endureth for ever; remember my covenant which is ordered in all things and ſure, ſtandeth eternally faſt.--Look unto me, and be ye ſaved, O thou BELOVED of my ſoul, for I am the mighty GOD of Jacob, thy' ſtrong Deliverer, thy Almighty Friend: I raiſed thee up from that ſtate of i ſpiritual death in which thou wert by nature immerſ ed; I ſaw thee in thatiniquity whereinthou wert born; that ſtate of darkneſs, blindneſs and total depravity ; a ſlave to thy own deceitful heart, led captive by the prince of the power of the air, the ſpirit that now wo-rkeſh in the children of diſobedience.-I ſaw thee, I beheld thee in this forlorn, deteſtable, wretched con dition: I ſet my love upon thee from the days of eter niry; I looked and there was none to help, and I won dered there was none to uphold ; therefore mine own arm brought ſalvation unto me z the angel oſ my pre ſence - A __.._,M._
MEDITATIONS, &e. '71 ſence ſaved thee; in my love and in my pity, I redeemo ed thee and raiſed thee up in my own appointed time, from the death of ſin to 'a life Of righteouſneſs: with a 'mighty hand, and a ſtretched out arm, exalting my throne in thine heart, my purghaſed poſſeſtion-ſet me as a ſeal upon thine heart, as a ſeal upon thine arm: thou art graven upon fay/heart, and upon the palms of my 'hands : O ſet me as a ſeal upon thine, for love is ſtrong as death ; yea, my love to thy ſoul is ſtronger than death, it hath combated with and overcome that tyrant; it has drawn his ſting, and broke his dart: My love is higher than heaven, and deeper than hell, it is from everlaſting and to everlaſting; it hath looked OVer all difficulties, and eſteemed them light, that it might redeem thee from the hand of thine enemies, of thoſe that hated and were ſworn to deſtroy thee, for the joy that was ſet before me, even oſ ſaving thy ſoul from death, of reſcuing thee out of the jaws of hell, I deſpiſ ed the ſhame and endured the croſs, and am now ſet down in my heavenly kingdom, expecting to ſee of the travail of my ſoul, to divide the ſpoil with the ſtrong, and be abundantly ſatisfied with the reward of my la bour : My love then 'is ſtronger than death, my jea louſy is cruel as the grave; the coals thereof are coals of fire which hath a moſt vehement flame." I am a jealous GOD. I will not endure a rive] in thy heart; I will not divide and give my glory to another: I will not be ſatisfied with a divided heart: I muſt have all or none. Behold
ry: 'MEDITAT IONS, &e. Behold, my BELOVED, what I have done; behold my BELOVED, how I have loved thee; how l have ſuf fered and bled for thy ſins: I have betrothed thee to myſelf in everlaſting loving-kindneſs, in righteouſneſs, faithfulneſs and truth. Canſt thou, O canſt thou for get thy Savior; him who hath been a Huſband unto thee, and place thine affections on ' any thing elſe ?. I know thou canſt, thy heart is fickle, light and incon ſtant as the waves of the ſea; 'but I will not have it ſo: I am a jealous GOD, I will hide the light of my _ countenance from thce ; I will hedge up thy way with thorns, and make a wall that thou ſhalt not find thy paths :' Though thou go after many lovers, thou ſhalt * not oveitake them, for they Would lead thee to the pit of deſtruction : though thou doſt run away from me, thy Fricnd and Savior, yet my goodneſs and mercy (hall follow thee all the days ofthy life, and bring thee back i to my feet, though with broken bones and an aching heart; for thou ſhalt find it a bitter thing to depart from ' the LORt) thy GOD ; yet 'I will allure thee and bring thee into the wilderneſs, and ſpeak comfortably unto thee ; forlhow ſhall I give thee up Ephraim, how ſhall ſſI deliver thee, Iſrael? how ſhall I make thee as' Ad mah? how ſhall l ſet thee as Zeboim? my heart is turned within me; thy-repentings are'kindle-d toge ther : I will not execute the fierceneſs of mine anger, I will not return to deſtroy Ephraim, for I am GOD and not man, the Holy One of Iſrael in the midſt of thee. ' Many
" . MEDITATIONS, &e. 173 " Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it;" ſo vaſt, ſo ſtrong,ſi ſo immenſe is my love to thee, ulngrateſul, Iunkind, and prone to back ſlide as thou art, that neither earth nor hell can cle creaſe or quench it; not all the affronts thy fooliſh heart is continually putting upon it, can prevent its inſolding thee ſtill in its everlaſting arms: not all the floods of thine iniquities, which wave after wave are continually ariſing, can puta (lamp on that bright eternal flame, which burns,,'and ſhall' burn for ever 3 it ſhall never go' out, it ſhall never decay, but uninterruptcd'xy continues the ſame: in thy joy, in thy ſorrow, in thy liſe and deathſduring the utmoſt period oſ time, and through out the inſinite ſpace of an ever advancing, never ending' eternity; when thou ſhalt be ſwallowed up in that vaſt: ocean of love divine which-knows no bounds, which knows no ſhare, and ſhall be able to comprehend what is the breadth and length, t'he depth and height of that love OfCHRIST which'paſſeth knowledge ; being filled' lwith all the fulneſs of GOD; for I am love, my nature' and my name is Love."--_ q . "Thou that dwelleſt in the gar-dens, the companions'hearken to thy voice :A cauſe me to hear it," thou King' of ſaints, and Lord ofliſe and glory ; thou good Shep herd of Iſrael, the Kceper thereof', who never ſlumbers, never ſleeps; whoſe watchful eyes are continually upon me ſor good-Thou that dwelleſt in the gardens, thoſe bliſsful feats oſ everlaſting peace, where ſpotleſs purity and perfect love ſor- cvcr reigns: thoſe upper chambers, thoſe
m MEDITATiONS,&6. thoſe heavenly manſions, where the cherubic legions bow before thee, and all the dazzling choirs of ſera phims unite to chaunt thine e'Verlaſting praiſe-where all the white robed ſaints, my elder brethren, receive that crown, that palm of victory which thou haſt pur ehaſed, which t-hou haſt promiſed in that copy of the heavenly records which thou haſt handed down to earth: they liſten to thy voice with delight ; it fills their ſoul' with extatic tranſport, for the heaven of 'heavens is communion with thee; thou dwelleſt alſo in thy gar den "below, even in the hearts of thy ranſomed ones: there thou walkeſt, there thou takeſt up thine abode. O cauſe me to hear thy voice, unſtop my deaf ears, that I may hear the voice ofJESUS my Beloved, ſpeaking in his word, ſpeaking to my ſoul by the ſecret influence of his eternal sPlRlT, ſaying " I have loved thee, i have laid down my life for thee i I am given for the . covenant of the people. This is the way walk ye in _ it." Incline my ears, incline my heart, O thou GOD of grace, to liſten with the moſt divine attention to the * ſoft gentle whiſper of my smon's voice, that I ma)r fall at thy feet in the obedience of faith, filled with wonder, love and praiſe, till time ſhall be exchanged for eternity, earth for heaven, and all the anxieties of this valley of tears, for the full fruition of eternal bleſ ſedneſs 5 when I ſhall put off this polluted garment of mortality, and be conveyed on the wings oſ miniſtering ſpirits to the boſom of my GOD, leaving my ſins, ſor XOWS and fears, behind for even O then make haſte, my BELOVED, and be thou like to aroe, or to a young hart upon the mountains of ſi ' ſpices:
'MſſE D'I'TATION S, &e. 17; ſpices' : why are thy chariot wheels ſo long a coming? make no long tarrying, Q my GoD, but quickly bow thine heavens and come down; ſpeed away the mo. ments on their ſwifteſt wings, and haſten that bleſſed. that delightful period, when the greatangel of the-cove nant, who ſtandeth on the earth and on' the ſea, 'ſhall \ lift up his hand to heaven, and ſwear by him that liar. eth for ever and ever, that time ſhall be no longer. How long wilt thou delay, O thou SAVlOR of ſinners? how long ſhall thy for-lorn bride mourn in the wilder neſs? Riſe, O thou bright eternal Sun of Righteo-uſ neſs; diſperſe the dark ſhadows of night, and haſten the dawnin'g (if that eternal day, when the heavens ſhall be rolled up as a ſcroll, the earth depart for ever, when thy redeemed ſhall liſt up their heads with joy, know ing their complete redemption draweth nigh ; all that have thy new name engraved on their foreheads, ſhall _ meet thee in the air with ſongs of triumph, ſaying, '5 This is our GOD, we have' waited for him ; this is our Bzmvnn, our Renznxmaa and FRIEND ; then ſhall the ranſomed of the LORD return and come to Zion with 'ſongs and everlaſting joy upon their heads : then ſhall they obtain joy and gladneſs; and ſorrow and ſighing ſhall flee away for ever. O quickly let thy chariot wheels appear, Darting bright beams of glory thro' the air; Bid the Archangel ſound, bid worlds draw nigh, To meet the awful Judge enthron'd on high: And
176 MEDITATIONS, &e. And while confuſion, wrath and woe are hurl'd Withdr eadful uproar, on a guilty world, Thou wilt unfold the glories of thy face, In full meridian on thy choſen race; They ſhall with joy behold, with joy confeſs Their SAVIOR-GOD, the LORD their RlGHTEOUSNESSl And full of THEB, for ever ſhall remain, Live in thy life, and in thy glory reign: 1 With loving heart and grateful voice ſhall raiſe A tuneful chorus of ſeraphic lays, Eternal anthems of eternal praiſe. Thro' the wide arches of the courts above, While all their theme, and-all their bliſs is Lovns ._,-ſi' (_X\
*' ,. o D___ E, \ .,v.. l WRITTEN AT THE REQUEST or A FRIENDL LET univerſal nature bring, An humble tribute to her King, '._ Jesus, the GOD, who bade the earth Exiſt, and gave creation birth. v _ High on his glorious throne he reigns, _ And all the bright etherial plains ' - Reſound 'the triumphs of his name, 1 I Lo! glad archangels ſhout his fame: With harpe oſ gold, the ranſom'd throng Exulting, ſwell the 'choral ſong ; Still higher let your notes ariſe: Ye winged armies o£the ſkies, Adore him through eternal days, With growing ardour, boundleſs praiſe. Praiſe him, bright Sol, refulgent king of day, When thy firſt riſing beam diſpels the night, When from thy flaming car, the noontide ray, Yours on the univerſe a flood oſ light. The moon and ſtars ſhall catch the gloriolis theme z Heat it, ye planets, as ye roll along 1 In boundleſs ſpace; delighted, hear of him, And join to praiſe him in a noble ſong. _ \ N Ye.
178 &big-10 ÞE, Ye little warblers oſ the grove, Ye his care and kindneſs-ſiprſihve As ye fly from ſpray to ſpp-y 4) Join the 'univerſal lay. \ ſſ' ' ct Ye who rove the foreſt thro'p r _ A lilirslkii'idihand'ſſpi'ovides i, I ' 'Tis by his almighty power ſi Lambkins blear, and lions roctarj Earth; and ſeas, and air, unite, _ . , * . -';*- . _.i::nle.l'--m.'1 - 3-_}_ Gloomy darkneſs, orient light: l , r _ _ Roſy ſummer, chearful ſpring', N'ſſ " ſict'ffl- " "ſi i: Sheav-crown'd autumn too ſhall 3, i '2 'JUJ'H' ' 1 n- 1 Winter with his ſtormy face. ſ 'A ſi A, , . H Shall adore the-Coll; graceſ! whan-'13 '7 my in) E - .>t'.,.111;,t.: on' 1.; i.'1_ very ſeaſon, every thing, ſ i. . ' L a Bleſs the great immo'rtal King'ſt'l' Ilifll '_. . - 3' i: \ Low at the feet of Jews, they ſhall ſalt; ' *' ' ſſ ſi' Alld own him Goſin; and 'ſovereighllflotthoſſf alli- ' I t; ct.'it..i..):'i '_' U," , -' > -- -. . _ . a . a Saints redeemed byhis blood, * t' nu- u Sing your great redeeming Gom _ . i" ſi Come, Philander, join the lay, 1 * * ' Help his glories to diſplay : \ ' ' ' Let 95 Saiuſe our Nqices higher-'4 ., i Than the grea! WffihffiChOiU-Z 0 ' t 7.- : *. They adqre'thelxM-QEFRYGQW ' . ._ ' But we bleſs him-forms blood, _ _ Hek *h.eirs,arrd he. iszouxs, ._=-z 1 w , r;" Praiſe him Wiſh thy pQblefi Rope-ley;" . . 4
ALL I'N'A'L'L: A V l WHITHER ſhall Igo, but unto thee, Lqnn? thou haſt the words of eternal life, thou art life, and in fithee it is I live and m0ve, and have my being; I am a poor-ſtranger in this world, and a traveller, as all my fathers were, journeying from time to eternity, from "this vale of tears,v this region of ſin and ſorrow,ſi to the' heavenly Jeruſalem, the mo'unt Zion, the city of the living GOD, whither my great Forerunnet is already entered, even Jesus, to preparea place for me: 'that is my reſt, there my treaſures are'laid up, there Iſhall behold my Father's face without a cloud: there all tears ſhall be wiped from my eyes ; I ſhall no more hanſſg my harp on the willowsſſ, but for ever join the harmo nic chorus of uninctterrupted hallelujahs, ſinging the \ ſongs of Moſes and the Lamb, with all thoſe who N 2 have
180 CHRIST ALL IN ALL. have waſhed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb, and therefore are before the throne for ever. But I a'm not yet called home to my Father's houſe: I am a poor exile, paſſing through a wilde: nefs,iin my way to glory; I muſt be tried in the ſur nace of affliction, before I come out bright gold, but when] walk through the fire, Ihave the word of an unchangeable GOD, that he will be with me, and when I paſs through the waters, he hath promiſed they ſhall not overflow me, therefore I may boldly preſs on, ſo' though hoſts of-foes will riſe againſt me; by the ſtrength of my GOD, I ſhall leap over them all: for thoughſtorms may roar, and tempeſts blow, yet RJESUS, my GOD, is mightier far than they, when he ſays, " Place deſir'd," they ſhallall be huſhed into a Caim. While l am in the world, I am beſet with enemies, enemies >on all ſides, within and withoute within, a heart deceitful above all things, and deſperately wicked; a heart in league with hell, to ſtop me in my heavenly race ; prone to wander from the GOD of love; a heart which is by nature the ſink of ſin, ready every moment to betray me into the hands of my ſpiritual enemies, this is my neareſt and greateſt foe; and when I ſhould ſoar on the wings offaith and love, far above the things which are ſeen, and are temporal to thoſe which are unſeen, and eternal, this Weighs me down, this 'keeps me grovellingin the doſt, and . (will do ſo, more or leſs, an the chain is broke, the bond diſſolved, and my fettered ſoul ſet at liberty ;then I ſhall fly away ttpborne on angels wings to my heavenly home,
CHRIST ALL IN ALL. 181 home, and leave ſin and morta'lity behind ſor ever: but that time is not yet come, I am yet in the body waiting for the hour when JESUs ſhall ſay, "Come up hither :" till then, I remain in an howliug wilder JlCſS, full of burning ſand, beaſts oſprey, and fiery flying ſerpents. -The world is a ſubtle enchantreſs, ſhe lays her ſnares on every ſide to catch the unwary travellers feet, and we not only fight with fleſh and blood, ſ but with principalities, and powers, the rulers of the darkneſs of this world, with ſpiritual wickedneſs in high places. O who ſhall deliver my ſoul from all this hoſt of ſoes E I am but a worm, I have no might, thy ſtrength is perfect weakneſs, but the LORD-ruleth on high; jasus reigns, he is the King oflſrael, and the SAVXOR thereof. Rejoice then, ye citizens of Zion, * 'm the recollection o-f this truth, Jesus is KiNG of KING-s, and LoRD OſLORDS, all power is in his hand, he reigns in and over our hearts, by the golden ſceptre Of his graee; he ruleth over the world by his provi dential empire, and he reigneth over the devils with a rod of Iron ; he hath aſcended up on high, leading captivity captive, and he ſhall reign till all things are put underneath his feet. But l am not only ſurrounded with enemies, while paſſing through this valley ofthe ſhadow of death, but I am altogether an unclean thing, and all my righte ouſneſſes are as filthy rags; born in ſin, and by nature corrupted, all Ido is' defiled with ſm; Loan, I am a leper, unclean throughout, and GoD is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity 5 he hath declared, he will'by N 3 _ r no
182 CH_RIST IN ALL. no means clear the guilty; to whom ſhould I turn ? to whom ſhould I go? Loan, thou haſt the words of eter-ſi nal liſe; JESUS is a PRIEST upon his throne, a great HlGH-PRIEST, who is entered into the holy place, not' mad: with hands; who himſelf bare our fins in his own body on the tree, and by that oblation of himſelf once offered, hath for ever perfected them that are' ſanctlfied, being himſelf at once the ſacrifice and ſacri ficer, and the offended Jehovah, to whom he made the' atonement: ſor GOD was in CHRIsT, reconciling the world hnto himſelf-theſe are myſteries the world re ceiveth not. ' " To thee then I come, O my compaffionate High-i Prieſt, to 'be waſhed in 'that foun'tain which thou haſt OPCſ-Ctl forſm, and for alluucleanneſs; from thy heart, thy hands, and feet it flowed, blood - and water, to' cleanſe and to redeem: waſh me in that precious flood, O thou SAVIOR of finners, and I 'ſhall be clean.v Come hither, ye wounded ſouls, ye that are pricked to the heart, that are crying out your wounds are in curable; behold your prieſt: behold your ſacrifice: be hold the Lamb of GoD that takes your ſins away, he hath given his life a ranſom for many, and there is balm in Gilead,there is a kind Pliyſician there : behold him by 'faithLheiſpreads his pierced hands] to receive r you, your-names are engraven. on the palms of_his' hands, and he will bid you go in peace. * He now ap pears before the throne, as, a lamb newly ſlain, and' he ever lives to make interceſiion for us. , i Sin,
camsr' "ALLTIN'T'A'LL, - 133 , flinzhath blinded our eyes, hath ſtopped our ears, and ſhunup our hearts,_in,51_nore (than Egyptian darkneſs; Leg-o, I am as a brute beaſt before thee, I know not the ways of Goohnor theway in which] ſhould walle; I am by nature intinelgy immerſed in blindneſs and ig. norance, to what teacher ſhould I; go, but to thee, thou great PnoP-He-rlofthy church; thou art the wis, DOM of GOD; thou art made unto us wiſdom, ' andit is thy office to open the eyes of the blind, toflunſtopzthe deaf ears, to teach thy people by ſiSſipirity all truth, and' to make fools wiſe unto ſalvation.-, Liſten then, my ſoul, to thy heavenly teacher, hear him in' his word, directing-thyfeetintothe wayof peace.v Bear him ſay, "This the' way, walklyein it, go Fnot after thine. own will, but follow the-LAMY. wither-ſo. ever he goeth, and he 'willlead thefeztovthe good land, the heavenlyv Canaan, 'where thou 'ſhaltbe ſatisfied with the bleſſings of his kingdom, and though the way may lay through many a dark path, JESUS will be thy light, and- defence, thy SUN, and thy SHIELD ; the sun of righteouſneſs will riſe upon thee, with healing un derneath his bleſſed wings, will ſhed his divineſt in fluence upon thee, direct thee by hisſiwiſdom, guide .thee by his eye, lay his everlaſting arms underneath thee, and be thy GOD, and thy SAVIOR in time and eternity. When thou, poor ſilly ſheep, wandereth from the fold, the GOOD SHEPHE'RD will keep his eye upon thee, he will not ſuffer the wolf to devour thee, but by the chaſtiſement of his rod, 'will bring thee back, when thou art weary and faint in thy mind, thy all ſkilful Phyſician will make thee whole :_ he will heal ſſ N 4; ctſitall
184. CHRlST ALL IN ALL. all thy backflidings, and love thee freely, for with hint there is no variableneſs, neither ſhadova of changing. Rejoice then, O my ſoul, and ye ſaints of GOD, rejoice in that Jehovah JESUS, who is the _ALPHA and Ome GA: ifhe is our KING, none can hurt us; if he is our PRlEST, he will ſave us; iſ he is our PROPHET, he will guide us right, for he is called Wonoanrua, Courtssuoit. We indeed are poor and blind, naked and miſerable in ourſelves, but Jasus is made unto us of GOD, wiſdom, righteouſneſs, ſanctiſication, and redemption: if we are nothing, he is all. Now to him who hath loved us, and waſhed us front our ſins in his own blood, and made us kings and prieſts unto God, be honour and glory, thankſgiving and praiſe, from all the inhabitants of heaven, and rededm 'ed ſaints upon earth, henceforth, and forever. Ameri,and Amenz A i
-*5U*MMERſſDAY's EXCURSIONZ il" FAREWELL ye horrors of wtN'raR, ye have fled to your hleak habitation in the north, and ſieven gentle sPRINo with all her " vernal airs," have taken flight summer, roſy sung/ran, triumphs in her turn, and fpreads verdure, health, and feſtivity, through the ve getative, animal and rational worlds. Come, my MlRANDA, friend Oſ my heart, let us walk forth with the early dawn, let us contemplate the dew drops that ſhine upon the graſs, thoſe bright dia monds of the morning; let us admire the riſing ſun, while he permits us to behold his glories ; ere long his rays will he too powerful, and his ſplendors to refulgent for ps to bear: but now the air is balmy, cool, and delight. ful, we may lift up oureyes and behold the wonders of ſſ i i ct th'
186 A SUMMER DAYÞs EXCURSION. the heavens-See the eaſtern clouds glow with moſt magnificent colours, azure, purple' and gold: Phoebus has' juſt mounted his flaming carr, AURORA flies be-, fore him, and the HOURS in dance, follow in his train; and are they ſilent? is the bright progreſs of the impe rial king of day uncelebrated with celeſtial ſong? No, methinks I hear the muſic of the ſpheres-Liſten, my MlRANDA, liſten O my ſoul, for MEDH'A'I'XON has an ear can ſicatch the moſt diſtant ſound; ſoftly waſted on gentle echo's wing it comes. Fly, ſhadowsi'fiyl bright Sonappſſears, Obtruſive darkneſs, haſte away 3 . v His flowing robe oflight he wears, And pours around a flood of day. ' ', i Rejoice,ye grove-crown'd hills rejoiceg' *ſſ-" ' - *Ye humbler vallies laugh and ſing, ' ' - - "" " fflLet univerſal nature's Voice ' ct "ſſ -' r 'Raiſe the-loud triumphs of her King, ' * ' GOD of the SUN, hisibrighteſt "rays" ſi 1 ' il i 'i Sink into night, compar'd with thine, -I_n hisrefulgent noontide blaze The glimm'rings ofth'y gloriesſhinea' - 5(.A . Yes, O 'SUN, bright and glorious as thou art,4how infinitely brighter, how inconCeivably more glorious muſt HE be, who called thee into being by his word, created and 'upholds thee by his power, and' from ſiwholf! . '
A SUMMER DAY's EXCURSION. '187 \ whom as 'the great fountain of light, thou receiveſt all thy ſplendours. And who is this infinite Being, this' glorious Gon, but the Loan Jesus CHRIsT? Col. i. ib. -For by him were all things created that are in heaven" and that are in earth,viſible and inviſible, whether they be thrones or dominions, or principalities or powers, all' things were created by him and for him : Yes,.O myi _ ſoul, he that created the heavens and formed the earth, is no. other than the great Gon thy SAVIOR! how ſweet, how delightful a reflection ; the Creator and Preſerver of all the grand and noble objects around me, became a babe at Bethlehem, a man of ſorrows and' acquainted With grief for me-lived for me, died for me! O how grand, how noble, how ſufficient and i infinite muſt that atonement, that righteouſneſs and in terceſlion be which is the work of no leſs a perſon than the author of univerſal nature : Is his work of creation perfect ? ſo is his grand work of redemption. Yes, my ſoul, his works are all perfect, all complete, and' i thou art complete in him, Col. ii. 10. How chearful, my dear MlRANDA. appears the face" oſ nature; a little while ago it was covered with the ſhades- of night; all was ſilent and ſolemn; but now tſſhe riſing ſun has' diffipated the gloom, the fields look gay, the flowers 'open to drink in the dew and the firſtv gales of the morning, while the little feathered warblers of the grove, are ſending up 'a ſweet ſong totheir- great Creator and Benefactor, without whoſe permiſiion, a ſparrow cannot fall to the ground. And O how chear ful'is the-believer in Jrsus, when after a long night of ' * ' ' * i A ſorrow, /
'88 ' A SUMMER DAY's EXCURSION. ſorrow, the Sun of Righteouſneſs ariſes upon him (with healing in his wings, heals his ſorrows, ſpeaks peace to his foul, diſcovcrs ſome of the glories of his perſon and oſlices, and gives the ſoul to ſee and enjoy a little of the Wonders of redeeming grace and dying love : How ſweet, how inexpreſſibly ſweet is ſuch a tranſition I then the believer eXperiences the truth of the Pſalmiſt's aſſertion, " ſorrow may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.". ſſ a Now blooms the raſh, now the noble lily rears its ſtately head; the garden puts on its moſt lovely appear ance and emits its moſt fragrant perfumes; while the fields look gay, though clad with more artleſs attire: 'there the yellow butterfla-wrr, the humble daiſy, the [weet ſmelling violet and ſpiral ſat-ral, mingling with the tender graſs, form a delicate carpet of the moſt va riegated colours ;-.-and the ſoftly breathing zep/Jyrr, carriez on his gentle wings far and wide, the healthful and pleaſing efluvia of the new made hay. How de lightful and wide extended is the proſpect around us! _ the meadows are covered with flocks; vhere are ſheep feeding in green paſtures, while the playful lambs are' friſking hither and thither, and the cpntentedſſſhepherd ſitting under yon lofty oak, diverts himſelf with his pipe, enjoys the beapteous ſcene, unenvious of the pomp i and magnificence of the great. On the other hand, ſee that vaſt. ridge of hills that riſe as it were, half way to, heaven, and forbid our light to penetrate any further: How ſublimely majeſtic they appear. O! my Miran fig, who would not leave the confinement and confu, ſion
A SUMMER DAY's EXCURSION. 1'89 fion ofLona'an, for the calm delights of ſo ſweet a retire ment, and to contemplate the beauties of ſuch a proſ pect as this ; and yet how far more noble a proſpect, how infinitely mcre grand a ſcene does the believer in JESUS behold, when he is enabled to view by faith, ' IMMANUEL'S land, the kingdom of grace and glory, where his inheritance is. " All things are yours, whe ther Paul, oſir Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things preſent or things to come, all are yours, and ye are CHRIST's, and CHRIST is Goffis," r Cor. iii. 21-23. ' Here are heights and depths of ſit/vation; lengths and breadths of aſtoniſhing grate .* and all this our own; yes, my friend, it was for us, and all the heirs of glory, that the heavens and the earth were created: it is for us they are ſtill continued ;.for us the ſun ſhines, the rains deſcend, the dews diſtil; for us the earth is crowned with fruitſulneſs and fragrance: the wicked parta'ke of the bounties of providence, but they are not the proprietors of them. This world is a grand ſchool erected by the omnipotent GOD, in which he chuſes to educate his children, and when their education is com plete, he will preſent them to himſelfa glorious church without ſpot or wrinkle, or any ſuch thing; and then he will pull down the ſchool as a uſeleſs place: then ſun, moon and ſtars, ſhall be ſwept away, and all the Wonders of the firſt creation ſink into nothing to make room for the ſuperior glories of theſecond; that brighter better world, vehere the ſun of righteouſneſs ſhall ſhine in his meridian ſplendour, and to which, the ranſomed t _ of
190 A SUMMER DAY's EXCURSION. II''Al-'Nine-1."1iw l \ ' . of the LORD ſhall return, and come with ſinging, and everlaſting joy upon their heads. Upon what ſwift pinions doth time fly! already hath the ſun entered the zenith: all nature ſeems to faint under his ſcorching beams; the flowers droop, the cſſattle take refuge under the wide ſpread ſhadow of the oak, the elm, or the walnut tree. Come, my MIRANDA', let us retire to yonder rural bower, it is compoſed of laurel and bay, it is ornamented with jeffamine and ho neyſuckles; O how ſweet, how delightful a retire ment. The robin has come hither before us; ſee, he ſits on yonder bough and whiſtles forth his joy. Here let us fit down and recollect for a moment, that iſ this retreat from the ſultry beams of noon is ſo welcome, ſo deſirable, ſo refreſhing to our wearied bodies and ſati gued ſpirits, how precious, how inexpreſlibly precious muſt: he LoRD Jesus CHRIST be to that ſoul, who when fainting under the fiery temptations of ſatan, the ſcorching heat of perſecution and overwhelming afflic-ſſ tions, is brought to ſit down under his ſhadow; for one of the glorious characters he ſuſtains, is that of a SHAL now from the heat, Iſa. xxv. 4. " The ſhadow oftt-v ſigreat rock in a' weary land." i i i .. The LoRD Jesus may be compared to a rock, bie cauſe of his immutability, and everlaſting ſtrength; and to a great rock, becauſe he is the great Gon. " Teli a-rne,"_l ſays the ſpouſe in the Canticles,_" tell me, thou whom my ſoulloveth, where thou feedeſt? where ' . thou '
ASUMMER DAY's EXCURSION. 19, thou makeſt thy flock to reſt at noon?" the coon SHEPHERD leads his flock to green paſtures; he feeds them under' his own ſhadow, and upon the fineſt of , the wheat ; his everlaſting love, ' his. exceeding greatland precious promiſes, his unchangeable veracity, his all-ſufficient pbwer, the ric-hes of his grace, the infinite 'meritof his life and death, his covenant and oath. O. iny dear friend,"areſi not theſe ſome of the branches of that 'glorious apple-tree, under whoſe ſhadow you and I have 'oft-times ſat down' with great delight? are no; theſe ſome of the rich fruit upon which we have ſed, when the king has taken us into his banqueting houſe, and made his banner over us to be love? 'Theſe are ſoft reſting plaCes, quiet and ſecure reſting places; the apoſtle Paul found them ſo, and therefore could ſay, " I know whom I have believed, and I' am perſuaded that: he is able to keep that which I have committed vntb'him againſt that day," 2 Tim._i. 12. It wasa ſultry noon of perſecution with Paul when he wrote thoſe words, but notwithſtanding, he could' ſweetly reſt in peace, 'under the ſhadow oſ an- ALMlGl-ITY SAVIOR. " What gradual advances doth PHOEBUS make in his diurnaljburney? he' doth not burſt upon us with aflood of light and heat, out oſ the womb ofirmidnight. ' darkneſs, but ariſes upon our world by gentle degrees, till at length he arrives at his Zenith, then he blazesi forth in hisſſ'full' refulgence, and not only the corn is ripened, the ſifruit matured, but his piercing rays pene ' ſſ ct irate
192 A SUMMER DAY's Exſſcuastom 'rate to the deepeſt receſſes of the earth, and ſhed. theik inſtuences upon the moſt ſolid rock, to form the dia mond, to bid the ruby glow, and to adorn the emerald, the amythiſt, and the pearl, with all their varied beau ties. Thus gradual, thus progreſiive, were the diſ coveries of the LORD Jesus CHRIST, and his great ſalvation, made to a loſt fallen world; the ſun of righteouſneſs did not ariſe at once, his firſt riſing beams ſhone but faintly, the great deſigns of Jehovah were revealed at firſt in datl: ſayings, myſtical Cerem04 nies, types ſo enveloped with clouds, that nothing but the eye of faith could penetrate them: then brighter, and ſtill brighter diſplays of ſovereign grace and mercy in the perſon of CHRrsT, were given by the di 'inely inſpired lips of the prophets; and in 'the ' ap ipointed time, the ſun of righteouſneſs ſhone forth in his meridian ſplendor, " Gon was MANIFEST IN THE 'Ltsrnjuſtiſied in the ſpirit, ſeen of angels, preached unto the gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory," t Tim. iii. 16. In this gradual man' ner alſo, does the LORD Jesus carry on his work in the hearts ofhis people; the HOLY SPlRlT ſheds a little of his divine light on their dark underſtandings, and the night of nature is in a meaſure ,diſiipated, but they perceive ſpiritual objects in a very imperfect manner, vlike the man whoſe eyes when once tohched by the hand of CHRIST, ſaw men as trees walking; but the' ſun of righteouſneſs ſhines with brighter and brighter' beams, and they ſee more and more of his beauty and excellence; their ſaith is ſtrengthened, their hepe is confirmed, their hearts glow with the ſtronger beam:ct of
A suMNſERvDAYfs EXCURSION. 1393 of divine love;;they become more andvmore acquainted with their own vileneſs, wretchedneſs, and l't'el-pleſſneſs; and thus they go from one-'degree of grace to another, from ſtrength to ſtrength, 'till they appear before the LoiiD, in Zion._ *' lhe path ofthe juſt is like, the ſhininglight which ſhineth more and more unto the perfect'day," A A t. __Z ct ' What little dependence is to be placed on the wea ther; how very uncertain is all created good; ſee, my MIR'ANDA, _the ſun has hid his radiant head;r the clouds -g-ather,.they appear dark and gloomy, and threaten a ſhOWer. Well, it will be a welcome re freſhment, to the gardens, the fields will ſmell'more aromaticyſee! it comes already, in what gentle drops it falls, there are no thu'n'ders to alarm, no vivid light ningsuzto, terrifylus, i-t is not attended with a ſtorm, it does not deſcend in _a rapid torrent: no, it is a mild pagiftc-ſhower, the clouds drop ſatneſs, it _will revive and invigorate all nature: ſo when the clouds of af fliction gather around the chriſtian, there is no real cauſe-'for him to be terriſied and affrighted, there is no ſtorm of divine wrath to overwhelm him, no thunders of Sinai. no curſes of a fiery law to conſume- him, they are quenched in the precious blood of JEsUs: thy darkeſtcloud, O believer, will produce nothing but the gentle chaſtiſementlpf a father's hand, it will drop fatnefs on thy paths, humble thy ſpirit, ſoften thy hard heart, and in due time, bring forth the peaceable fruits ofrighteOUſneſs: then ſhall thy ſun again ſhine forth, and till he does, wait patiently for him, and remem * ber
194 A SUMMER' DAY's EXCURSIONſſ. 5 ber that he 'abideth faithful; he is the fame yeſterday, to day, and-for every The'rain is over', the clouds break off, the blue hea vens again appear in their etherial beauty and elegance ;; again the ſun ſends forth his golden beams to drink up the reſidue oſ the late fallen ſhower, but he ſhines in milder beams, abated ſplendor ; in the vcalm hour of morn he crowned the eaſt'ern clouds with gold and: purple, but now he illuminates the Weſtern hemiſphere with his glories, and inſtead of the ſultry blaze OF noon, preſents us with the cool delights, the refreſhing' breezes of the ſober evening; Welcome, " ſweet hour of prime," thou art ſacred to meditatiowdevotion. and the muſes: thus peacet'ul, thus ſerenely calm isthe conſcience ſprinkled with the blood'of JESUS: but hark, a my MrRANnA, friend of my. heart, did I not hear the cuckow's chearful note Z. yes, yonder he ſitsrſiperched on that tall fir, and repeats, and again repeats his pleaſing. tale: wherever he is, he has but'ene theme to record, and though' he' conſtantly pays us aviſit with-every returning May, yet his ſtory is always theſſfamect,-his fong never varies. Will not this remind us, my dear MrRANDA, that the joyful ſound of the glorious Gos PEL, in all agesr in all climates, is conſtantly, unalter ably, invariably the ſame. The Lettn Jaws Cmtt-s'r is its grand' theme, he is the illuſtrious obj'ectit' inceſ' ſ'antly diſplays. Gon the FATHER preſents him to our view, and ſays, ,"This is my beloved S'oN, 'in whom I am well pleaſed, hear ye him 5" Matt. xvi-i. 5. The HOLY SPHUT leads the repenting finner* to none' but Jesus, thev great author-andzfiniſher of ſalvation ;.ſi - ceſ-La 3.
A SUMMER DAY's EXCURSION. 195 " He ſhall glorify me," ſays the Savior, " for he ſhall receive of mine, and ſhall ſhew it unto you," john xvi. 14' "He ſhall teſtify of me," ſſihidxv. 26. the LoRn Jesus is the grand ſubject of the ſcriptures, both of the old and new teſtament. 5' Search the ſcrip tures, for inthem yectthink ye have eternal life, and they are they that teſtiſy of me," John v. 39. " To, him give all the prophets witneſs." Act, x. 43. and thel 'apoſtle of the Lamb had nothing elſe to þreach 'or 'writ of, but the ſovereign lcyv.re.ctlſreelv grace, and rich 'abundant mercy oſ trinne Jehoi'ah, as maniſeſted in the perſon of the ZORD Jesus CHRIST, the prophet, the prieſt, the king', the wiſdom, righteouſneſs, ſancti fication, and redemption of his people. O, my Mr RANDA, if this joyful ſound has reached our ears, has penetrated our hearts, has filled our ſoulswith triumph; this will be, yes, and this is our language, GOD forbid that we ſhould glory, ſaVe in the croſs of our LoRD JESUS CHRlsT, I am determined to know nething among you, O ye ſons and daughters of this world, but Jesus CHRIST and him canon-'1515. The ſhadows of evening are lengthcning apace, and warn us of the approach of night, the MOON is riſing in cloudleſs majeſty. Come, my dear friend, let us return to om- habitation, how ſhort is the longeſt day: thus when in the evening oſ liſe the night of death approaches, may it find my dear MtRANDA and 'her friend, thus fearleſs, thus calm and peaceſul: yes, O thou gloomy tyrant of the grave, we ſhall tri' _ umph over thee, JESUS our all-ſſconquering GOD and 0 2 Sat
196 A SUMMER DAY's EXCURSlON. SAVlOR hath taken aWay thy fling, and he is gone as,our great Forer-unner to prepare us an habitation _amo_ng the bleſſed',he hath given us an inheritance among the ſaints in light, there our ſun ſhall no more go down; neither ſhall our moon withdraw itſelf; there the LORD ſhall be unto Us an everlaſting light, and our GOD our glory; there we ſhall enjoy an eternal sUM MER, and employ our golden harps through endleſs ages, in c'elebrating the Gon of our ſalvation, to whom 'we would join with angels and archangels, and all. the ranſomed throng in aſcribing glory end praiſe, for ever. A men. ſi > 1 N ' ', Þ * ___.z' AME
MEDITAT'ION' FOR ſſTHB - LORD'sctSUPP'E'Rffl r'ſ SEE,O'my ſoul,thy'condeſcending Savior has ſpread a table ſor thee in the midſt of this howling wilder- _ i ueſs-thy great MELCHXSBDEC brings forth. bread and wine to regale thee, and this is'the language oſhis. /heart, " Ear, O my friend, drink, yea drink abundantly, O beloved, and as often as thou doeſt this, do it in remembrance of ME." My SAVXOR, my LoRD, and my GOD, I would'fainxobey thy gracious command, It would fain'remember thee, but ahl thou knoweſt the ſtppidity of my heart, how apt it is to forget thee; LoRD, it is dead, Oh breathe upon it the breath of O 3 - life:
'98 A MEDITATION life: it is i'nſenſible, Oh l quicken it by the almighty agency of thy good Spirit; lead me to Gethſemane, lead me to Calvary, there open to my view, the heights and depths, the lengths and breadths of thine inexPreſ fible, inconceivable love 5 there let me fit at thy feet, O thou whom my ſoul loveth, and remember with unutterable joy, with heart-felt delight, with the, deep eſt contrition and humiliation, let me remember that l have redemption in the blood oſ JEsus, the forgiveneſs of my ſins. "Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah E" LoRD, I remember thee, thou art the mighty GOD, the eVerlaſting Father, the Prince ofpeace; thou art the ſelf-exiſtent Jehovah, the Gon whom angels and archangels adore; they bow at thy footſtool, they fly at thy bidding; univerſal nature depends upon thee, thou art the Creator and Preſerver of all things; thou art my Goo, I fall ſiat thy feet, and remember with aſtoniſhment that thou haſt ſo loved me, as to become for my ſake a MAN, a man of ſorrows,land acquainted with grief! I ſee thee born in a ſtable, laid in a manger, growing up to a mature age in poverty and obſcurity, under the deep diſguiſe of a carpenter's ſon. O ye angels of GOD, ye bright etherial ſons of the morning, how did your ſeraphic _boſoms ſwell with aſtoniſhment, for ye beheld him-e you acknowledged him For your Sovereign, though the World knew him not. I ſee
ON THE LOR'D's SUPPER. 199 I ſee thee, O Immanuel, my King and my GOD, proſh'ate in Gethſemane; there I remember thy ſoul was ſorrowful,-ſ0rrowful even unto death : I ſee thee "ſilent at Pilate'sbar, and groaning out thy ſpirit upon' CALvARY's Cnoss.,-and I remember that in all this, 'thou ſtoodeſt forth as my faithful Surety and Bonds ' man, bound by thy own ſolemn engagement to pay to divine juſtice, the-infinite de'bt l had contracted; and now L ſee thee inviolably faithful to thy covenant, dearing off my long arrears, with cRoANs, with BLOOD, with AGONY, and DEATH. LOR-D, I remember thy dying love, and bluſh 'that l have ever forgot it ;-be aſhamed, O my ſoul, that thou art ſo little mindful of thy Savior; be aſhamed that thou canſt think of any thing elſe 'out him. v O thou bleeding LOVER of my foul, I am amazed and confounded, I am covered with ſelf-abaſement, at the vilcneſs, the baſe ingratitude, and flupidity of my heart, which after all thou haſt done, after all thou haſt ſuffered is ſo awfully prone to wander from, and forget thee, the fountain of all bleſſedneſs. Thou haſt ſet me as a ſeal upon thy hea;t; thou, haſt graven me upon the palms of'thine hands, and though thou art exalted upon a throne of glory, yet thou wilt not for a moment forget me, thy watch ful eye is continually upon me for good; thine ear is continually open to my prayer, and thine hand is eVery vmoment ſtretched out to blel's me; thy hear-t is now glowing with the ſame ineffable, unbounded love to me, which conſtrained thee to die for my ſake; all the waters of my ingratitude, all the fioods of my for getfulneſs of thee has not been able to quench that in finite flame. O my GQD, here is my happineſs, thou O 4. wilt
no: A MEDiTATLON wilt, thou doſt love me ſtill : ſurely then thou deſerveſt all the affections of my ſoul. Thou ſayeſt, '4 My ſon, my daughter, give me thine heart." O take it, by the omnipotcnt power of thy Holy Spirit ; ſet thyſelf asa ſeal upon my heart, I would offer it as a thank-offering unto thee, do thou bind the ſacrifice to the horns of the altar; by the ſweet filken cords of love divine, ' ſtamp thy own holy image upon this ungrateful, for getful heart; and as thou doſt pardon its vileneſs and baſeneſs, O hold it ſo faſt in thine Almighty hand, that it may never wander from, never forget thee more, thou GOD of my ſalvation. Midſt the ſolemn ſhadcs ofnight, Let my ſoul remember thee, _ Midſt the noontide blaze oflight, _ Thou, my ſun, ſhine bright on me: Ivcrprcſeut be thy grace, ' Be' thy power ever nigh, 'I'ill l ſee thy ſmiling face. In the realms above the ſkyz Ase:
t201) l 9 W_ALK AT ENFIELD. HE clock's ſtruck three, and lolPhilander comes True (as the needle to the northern pale) . To his appointed h0ur, by friendſhip led, To guide MiRANDA and her friend, in paths Of ſmiling verdure, where, before their feet Had never trod : he for awhile lays by Sublimer ſtudies, to enjoy the ſweets Gayſummer. hangs on every buſh and ſpray, To view great nature in her rich attire, And in Converſe agreeable, beguile A cheerful hour, ſtol'n from the ſciences. Calrnzis the day, unruſHed by a ſtorm, Th' ethorial heavens wear their azure robe, Phoebus at times puts forth his golden beams And ſmiles in orient glories on the earth, . Then, leſt.the weary travellcr ſhould ſaint t - Beneath his ſultry ray, kindly withdraws, And leaves a cool reſreſhing ſhade around, . \ Hark how the little warblers of the grove v Attune their ſofteſt ſongs to charm theear And ſooth the heart with ſweeteſt melody, -- 1 As thr07 green allies,0'er the flow'ry lawn
no: AWALkATENFIELD. \ We rove, delighted with the beauteous ſcene, Or up the gently riſing hill aſcend, ' Or climb the fieeper heights with labouring ſteps 3 Sweet, labour," where ſatigue is overpaid By ſuch a proſpect, ſuch delights as theſe, ' Peace, hezivenly peace triumphant in the ſoul, And the dear voice of friendſhip in my ear; The laughing vallies, and the grove crown'd hills, t And univerſal nature ſmiling round, ' All gay, all happy-ſhow the diſtant town Sinks from our view; low in a vale it lies, Half hid in woods; hail lovely ſhades, the ſeat Oſ contemplation and retirement ſweet, But for atylfile farewell, We bid adieu . Till the faii ſtar of evening call us home To the lov'd ſpot where Gop and Paulus dwell, And ſcience and religion call their own. The wide ſpread heath, the waving ſoreſt crowns The diſtant proſpect ; hill o'er hill aſcends Sublimely grand, and ltiſs the bending ſides, Mlhile the clear river draws its humid train, In ſoft mectanders thro' the verdant meads, ZDiffufing'health and fruitfulneſs around. Here might we dwell, and with aſtoniſh'd eyes -. Behold creation in her faireſt dreſs : Here might we dwell, and with admiring hearts Adore the GOD whoſe boundleſs glories ſhine Above, beneath, around : But objects new Invite tis-then adieu ye grove-crown'd hills, The wide ſpread heath, the river's humid train, Qmd hutnþlc Enfield, dwelling in the vale-g Lo!
AWALKAT ENFI_ELD. 203v Lo! as we tum, freſh wonders riſe in view, Enamell'd meadows ſpangled o'er with gold, Or green with corn juſt riſing in the ear, While gentle Zephyr on his filken wings Bears the rich tragrance oſ the new mown hay. And ſee, in yonder field, a rural train With ſprightly vigour, active diligence, ' Purſue their wholeſome toil r they toſs and turn The tender graſs that ripens as it lies i In the bright ſplendours of the lamp of day : Placid and chearſul as a ſummer's eve, And leſt their ſpirits fail before the hour Of eVe proclaim their pleaſant labours o'er, They chat, they ſmile, and with united voice, They ſpeed the lagging moments with a ſong. But ſay, Philander, who is that appears Lord of the paſtures, on a goodly ſteed He ſits, but with a melancholy air Surveys unmov'd the beauties ofthe ſcene, And clad in fable colour'd weeds of woe? 'Tis Cuo, late the happy, late the bleſt, . Iſ aught below the ſkies can bear the name Of bliſs or happineſs; but ahl 'twas frail, A fleetingjoy, death with an envious ſrown High rear'd a fatal dart, and lodg'd it deep In his LucrNDA's boſom; in her tomb Lies CLio's bliſs : in vain the charming ſpring Androſe-crown'd ſummer ſmile, in va'm for him Ten thouſand ſweets ariſe, his ſaddcn'd heart ſi Chear
204. A WALK AT ENFIELD. Chearleſs remains, ſo Jacob 'mourn'd his'ſon, And the ſweet Pſalmiſt-his lov'd Jonathan. ' See down the hill's ſl0pe ſide, a traveller paſs, A Weak'old man, infirm with age and care, Tott'ring and ſlow,. his aſpect ſpare and mean Awakestthe tend*reſt pow'rs of ſympathy. Ah feeble age! and muſt thou groan beneath Th' Oppreffive wallet, and penurious want? 2 But ſoft-methinks upon a nearer view, 'Tis GRASPALL's little ſoul inſpires that frame, So lank and meagre; let compaffion wipe Her tearful eye, and indignation riſe, Gen'rous diſpleaſure, 'gainſt the meancſt ſin, The meaneſt paffion, ſordid love of gold. GRASPALL counts o'er his bags, but not enjoys 'The treaſures they contain, forbid to uſe Liſeſis cordial ſweets,'by avarice forbid, He counts his THOUSANDS, and he yet is poor. See how the ſprightly boy with nimble feet, Trips lightly on, ſtill ſinging as he goes; 'lis heart is blith, content ſits ſmiling there, While ruddy health, with bright vivacity Glows in his cheek, and ſparkles in his eye.' . Now: to the ſummit of the hill arriv'd, How fair a proſpect opens to our view! The flow'ry ſivale beneath, the gurgling brook 'VVhoſe gentle murmurs ſooth the liſtl'ning ear: On either hand the chequer'd meads that riſe, , Or ſall, in hill or dell, as beſt diſpos'd l
A,WAL'K AT ENFlELD. 29; By the great-Maker's hand, in that bleſt day _ When angel-s ſung-_croa-tion's mighty work i To harps of'gold.-See.thro' the diſtant wdods i A glaſſy lake appear; 'how ſmooth, how- calm, Unruffied by a breeze-zs the, vale invites; > Let us deſcend and taſte its humble charme. i ' Soft be our ſteps, and watchful be our eyes, i . e Leſt with a thoughtleſemind, and heedleſs feet ' We cruſh the buſy? tribes that ſwarm around, And bury millions inja foot of. ſand. " Go to theant thou ſluggard," ſaith the wiſe,*. " And in her ſchool learn prudence:"'how' they toil, Pleas'dfwith the proſpect of a ſunny day, They quit their cities, and to-labour throng ſi In num'rous armies, wiſe to gather food, The bounties which the GOD of providence . U 1 i From his all-gracious hand ſcattersatoundg ,_. _ z, 'Amply to fill their winter's magazines, ,7'. . That when the low'ringſkies and driving ſtorms 'a Confine them to their little earthly Cells, The free community may feel no wan't, But live 'in plenty, tho' without the ſun. _ w, . _ , . o ,- a, _ Here let us ſit,-beneath'this aged oak, - Whoſe wide ſpread branches ſhade the gentle ſtream, Whoſe waters ſoftly flowing, ſcarce forbid The trav'ller's foot to reach the diſtant ſide. Hark how the nightingale and robin pour Their ſofteſt notes, their ſweeteſt muſic for-th To entertain its, from the neighb'ring grove. The
206 AWALKAT'ENFIELD. The CU'ckow too his conſtant them repeats; Ah Welcome ſtrengerl my 'enraptufid ear, Shall liſten to thy voice with more delight Than all the feather'd choriſters beſide. But while the airy ſerenade proceeds, Come gentle friends, and let us join' the lay a Let hill and valley ſing, and all the race Of creatures join in one harmonious ſong To hail the glorious GOD, whoſe fiat call'd Creation forth from the chaotic womb Of night and darkneſs to illuſtrious birth,l- And bade it ſhine a noble uniVerfe Worthy the mighty builder. Raiſe we' am' * A higher note, a more tritimphactnt ſtrain, JESUS the mighty builder of the ſides, Who calls the earth the footſtool of his throne, Bow'd his majeſſlc head on calvary, ct And cry'd, *' Tis finiſh'd :" ct REDEMFTION all triumphant,*all divine, Let his redeem'd exulr, with boundleſs joy Sing the CREATOR, the REDEEMER GOD. High let their ſongs ariſe and pierce the clouds, And join the hallelujahs Of the ſkies, i thenſſ RBDEMPTION roſe, Where our IMMANUEL reigns enthron'd in light, The GOD of glory ſſand the GOD of grace. o Farewell ſweet fields, thou gurgling brookedieu; And all ye airy warblers of the grove : ' ' The ſetting ſun _ad0rns the weſtem clouds With gay magnificence, and the cool eve, With her fair riſing ſtar calls us 'away
'A VVALK AT ENFIELD. '401 TO'other ſcenesſſffill' pleaſing, ſtill ſcrene ; For beanteous is the ſpot whereþPaulus dwells, And humble Enfield" dwelling in the vale, Partakes the ticunties of_ her 'Maker-"s hand In rich profuſion. See her ſpires ariſe, Half hid in verdant groves, how bright they glowv ' ln Sol's departing rays ;ct Yon antient' pile ' ſſ Whoſe venerableþtow'ſirsfrom-age to age, Sacred to'heaveri, has brav'dzthe ſhocks of time. There heroes ſleep ; no more the 'slang ofwar - Dilturbs their numbers ; may their duſt repoſe ' In peaceful' ſilence, 'till theitru'mp oſſf God i Awake the world and bid it ſleep no more. Behold Yon penſive trav'ller ſilent ſtandſi, Leaning like Jacob', on his oaken ſiaff; He bends beneath the Weight of num'rons years, And muſes o'er a thouſand by-pnſt' ſcenes, Which faithful memory revives to view, And ev'ry thought is folſow'd-bya ſigh. So when our fainting ſpirits tire and lag, As on we journey up the heaVenly road, May the firm promiſe of a' faithful GOD Support our ſteps' ; there may we ſafely leatf By ſtedfaſt faith, and reſt our weary ſouls, Look backward on the wonders of his hand, Look forward to' the crown beyond the veil, And ev'ry riſing thought be wing'd with j'oy, O'erflowing gratitude, and humble love 5 Till. from the ſkiea his winged meſſengers . Deſce'nd,
-208 A WALK AT ENFIELD. Deſcend, to bear us' to our Father-Cor) ;3"_ ., - 3 To Walk the golden .ſtrſſeets, to gather, fruitſ: . _ r From life's immortal tree,'and provevthebliſs r, That bloſſoms in the paradiſe. offiga; 1 7. . ., A brighter paradiſe than Adamfloſt, An Eden purchas'd by a Saviorſsblood. _ ' There ſhall we ſing his' boundieſſs namectzid m _. Before his throne in extacies divine_*,',:-_ , Qr . No more to ſigh, to ſin and part- no nicate;v 'i U ſ But in immortal triumphs to exult ._ "m . A,With the bright ſons of morn, as bright asithey, A While everlaſting ages roll along, Bill; A: - 7 Je A
MED'I TA'T' I oN oh Rev. xii. 6. 'i And the vyoman iled into the wilderneſs, where ſhe hath a placeprepared of Gofi, that they ſhould ſeed her there, a thouſand two hundred and three ſcore days." . THE thurch of Ci-IRlST, his 'myſtical body, thoſe whom he' loved in eternity, redeemed in time, calls by his ſpirit to the knowledge of themſelves, and oſ him whom to know is life eternal, and finally brings to his kingdom and glory.--This elect church of GOD, we _find in the ſcriptures of truth, deſcribed under various characters, typified by various things, but all ſignificative either of what it is in itſelf, or of what it is in its glorious head; thus it is ſometimes called a Worm, a Vine, an helpleſs Infant, deſcriptive P oſ ,.
are A MEDITATION, &c. of its weakneſs, imbecelity and want of ſupport; for what is more deſpicable and weak than a worm-"what ſiandsin more need of ſupport than a vine? and what is more incapable'of helping itſelf than a new born in fantP-we know it is totally void ofthe powenof de fence, and of every means of pr0tiding for its own fub'ſiſtcnce: and ſo in a ſpiritual ſenſe, is the church of GOD, totally weak, Void-ofpower, and without ſtrength, and utterly unable to provide for itſelf, ſtand againſt any of its numerous enemies, or extricate itſelf out of the many dangerous and diſagreeable ſituations it is of ten, very often broughtinto. On the other hand, " I have compared thee, O my love," ſays the LoRD, by 1 the mouth of an inſpired penman, "' to a company of horſes in 'Pharaoh's chariots." - Now we know that horſes are creatures poſſeſſed of a very large portion of flrength, and were they' capable of knowing their own ſtrength, there remains a doubt whether or no they would be ſubject to man: but the church is weak, and; in itſelf without ſtrength; therefore this character of horſes can only relate to them as they are conſidered in JESUS', for in the Lord jehovah, they have not only,v righteouſneſs, but alſo ſtrength, ſtrength to conquer lin, ſtrength to conquer devils, and ſtrength to cſſcnquet' death, their laſt enemy; forv all the ſtrength and power of a triune GoD, an oirtnipotent Jehovah, is engaged on their ſide, to fight their battles for them, to tread their' ſpiritual enemies under their fect, to give them the victo ry', and make them finally more than conqtterors over all'- that riſe againſl them; and were they but more ſenſible of
A MEDITATION, &c. 21 r ' of tis, could they but, when feeling their own in. ſufficiency, behold and rely on that Almighty arm, that infinite ſtrength, and everlaſting power, which is en-' gaged by covenant, by promiſe and oath to be exerciſed for them ;-had they but full views of this, they would never be ſubject to ſinking fears, and evil queſ- , tioning, dark ſurmiſes, and unbelicving doubts, which often ariſes in their hearts, and ſometimes hold their troubled ſpirits in bondage, under the gloomy appre henſion of being finally overcome by their enemies, and ſnatched from the arms, and torn from the boſom of him who hath ſworn never to let them go: no, they would rather cry out with the pſalmifl', " The LORD is the ſtrength of my' life, of whom ſhall I be afraid? when the wicked, even my enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my fleſh, they ſtumbled and ſell ; though an hoſt ſhould encamp againſt me, my heart ſhall not fear, though war ſhould riſe againſt me, in this will I be confident, the LORD is with us, the GoD of Jacob is our refugez" and add with the apoſtle, ** if GOD be for us, who Can beagainſt us? who ſhall ſeperate us from the love of CHRXST ?- ſhall tribulation, or diſ \treſs, or perſecution, or famine, or nakedneſs, or peril, or ſword? nay, in all theſe things We are more than Conquerors, through him that loVed us; for I am per ſuaded that neither death-nor liſe, nor angels, nor prin-\ cipalities, nor powsrs, nor things preſent, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature ſhall be able to ſeperate us from the love of GOD, which is in CHRIST Jaws our LORD." P 2 Thus
21: A 'MEDITATION, &e. - A Thus we find that the church in ſcripture is deſcriBv , ed under various figures, and perhaps out of many more inſtances that might be brought, none are more ſtrik ingly beautiful, more pictureſque or fuller of divine conſolation to the church in general, and every indi vidual member in particular, than the text I wouldv deſire, under the divine influences of the LORD the Spirit, now to contemplate; for as he is-the author of theſe lively oracles, he muſt be alſo the revealer of them to our hearts, or we ſhall ſee no beauty in them, and conſequently receive no divine conſolation, no heavenly bleſſing from them. Come then, O thou divine Paraclete, and with thy light illuminate my darkneſs, with thy fire warm my cold heart, with thine unerring hand direct my, pen into the paths of ſa cred truth, becauſe thou haſt engaged to be an inſtructor to the ignorant,a teacher of babes,.---" And. the WOMAN fled into the wrlderneſshwhere hath a. place pre pared of Goo, that they. ſhouldifeed her there, a thou ſand, two hundred,.and threcſcore days." If we attend to the origin of women, we find that ſhe received her life and being from the ſide of man', U the LORD Goo cauſed a deep ſleep to fall upon Adam, and he ſlept, and he took out one of his ribs, and cloſed up the fleſh inſteadthereof, and. the rib which the Loan GOD had. taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her to the man ; and Adam ſaid, this is now 'bone 0£ my. bones, and fleſh- of my fleſh, ſhe ſhall be called woman, becauſe ſhe was taken out of man," Gen. ii. "at, 22, 23.' Analogus to this, the churchi may 'L
, a A MEDITATION, &a. 213 may very properly be called a woman; for as Eve re ceived life from thectfide of Adam, ſo the church receives her ſpiritual, divinen eternal life ſrom the fide oſ her dying CHRlST, the ſecond Adam, the LORD from heaven. The LORD GOD put Adam into a 'deep ſleep, while he took from him the rib oſ which he created him a wiſt', and Jnsus was faſt locked in the arms of death, when his ſide was pierced, from whence flowed Khat precious fountain oſatoning blood, which purchaſed him a bride, and fireams oſ water, fignificative oſ that HOLY sPlRIT which ſhould convey to his church that life and thoſe bleffings he had pin-chaſed ſoriher. When Fne was Creatcd, Adam awaſiked ſrom his pro- t foundſlumber; and ſo when the great workoſredemption was compleated, when the juſtice oſ GOD was fully ſatisfied, his law gloriouſly magnified, ſin made an end oſ. tranſgreſſion finiſhed, and everlaſting righteouſneſs brought in fer the church, the Lamb's wiſe. then the Almighty conoyrmon, the victorious SAYiOR, burſt the bars of death, ſnapt anmdcr the power of the grave, and roſe triumphant to reap the fruits bfhis pains, to receive the reward of hisſſ labour, and ſee of the travail oſ his ſoul, and be abundantly ſatisfied. . a' The LORD GOD having made the woman, brought her unto the man : ſhe did not come to him of herſelf, and being brought unto him by God, Adam received her joyſully, with all the marks of the moſt tender affection, acknowledging her to be bone of his bones, and fleſh of his fleſh, and called her women, becauſe 3 ſhe i "LA,
2r4. A MEDITATION, &e. ſhe was taken out of man; ſo the church of CHRIsT, the purchaſe of his blood, though ſhe has coſt him dear, and ſtands under infinite obligations to him, comes not- . to him of her own accord,'but isbrought unto him by GOD. " No man cometh unto me," ſays the SAVIOR, " ex ceptthe FATHER draw him." We don't read that Eve had any objections to coming to Adam, but the church have numberleſs objections to coming to CHRIST ; her underſtanding is darkened, .ſhe don't. ſee her need of him, her will is depraved, ſhe is poſitively determined never to come to him, and her affections are ſo alienated from him. that ſhe hates him, deſires not his preſence, feeks'not his love, but every thing that is contrary to him, that ſhe loVCs, that ſhe ſeeks, and purſues with delight and greedineſs ; ſhe is, in no concern about his diſpleaſure, ſhe fears not his wrath, but ſhe wraps herſelf up in a falſe ſecurity, and vvainly iſimagines that ſhe has made a covenant with death, and with hell is fat agreement: ſhe thinhs herſelf ſafe, though her refuge is a refuge of lies; and ſays in the pride and deceit of' her heart, "When the overflowing ſcourge ſhall paſs throu'gh, it ſhall not come nigh me ; Iſit a queen, and ſhall never ſee evil." 'Iſihzs is her miſerable ſitu ation by natuie, and while it is ſo, alas, there is little appearances of her coming to CHRIST: but what is to be done in this caſe? why the promiſe is, " All that the FATHER giveth me, SHALL come unto me." The' FATHER therefore draws her to the SON, that ſhe may be betrothed unto him in righteouſneſs, faithfulneſs, and truth, and that for ever: he ſees the pride of her heart, and the iron ſmew thatis in her neck, and has ' de
A MEDITATION', &ſic. * 215 determined that it ſhall be no prevention to his bringing about, and fully accompliſhing his gracious deſigns' to wards her. He therefore declares, U' Becauſe ye have ſaid, We have made a covenant with death', and with hell are'we at agreement,*when the overflowing ſcourge ſhall paſs' through, it ſhallinot come unto-its, for ' weſſ have rnade lies our refuge, and under ſaiſhood have vie' hid 'ourſelves : Therefore' thirs ſaith' the 'Lozm Gan, Behoid lay in Zion for a foundation, a ſtone, a tried ſtone, a precious corner vſ'tone, a ſure foundation; judgment 'alſo wili'I lay to the line', and righteouſneſs to the pluminet, and the hail ſhall ſWeep away the refuge of lies', and the waters ſhall overfiow the hiding place, and your covenant with death ſhall be diſannlled, and your agreement with hell ſhall not Hand; when the overflowingnſcourge ſhall paſs through ye than be trodden down byit, from the time that it goeth ſorth it ſhall take you; for morning by morning ſhall it paſs oVer by day and by night. and it ſhall be'a vex'ation only toſſunderſtand the report, for the bed is (hotter t'nan that a man can ſtretch himſelf on it, and the covering narrovyer than that he can wrap himſelf in it, for th'ENLoRctlct) (hail riſe up as in Mount Ferazim *, he ſhall bewrath as in the valldy of Gib'eon, that he may do his "work, his ſtrange Work, and bring to paſs his act, his ſtrange lſa'. xxviii. tear This is the izvay GOD the FATHER brings the church to CHRIST; ſhe is proud and ſtout lfearted, and fur tified with all the armour that ſatan can put upon her, but the LORD GoD knows how to humbie er pride, P'q. . - to
216 A MEDITATION, &ef to break her ſtout heart, and to take away all the falſe props in which ſhe truſted ;-he has laid a ſure ſounda tion for her everlaſting happineſs, and he will place her upon it, in ſpite oſ all that hell and ſhe can do againſt it; to this end he arreſts her by his Spirit, ap prehends her by his powerful grace, and convinces her of ſin, brings her conſcience to the bar of his juſtice, and obliges her to plead guilty; and though ſhe may perhaps endeavour to hide herſelf under the lying re fuge oſ a righteouſneſs oſ her own, yet he will hunt her out of this falſe covert, the hail, the ſtorm. ſhall ſweep it away; he will lay judgment to the line, and righteouſneſs to the plummet, and convince her that ſhe is not only a ſinner by actual tranſgreſſion, but that the fountain is corrupt, that her heart is depraved, that her 'nature is not only dead, but Oppoſite to GOD, and that Gon's holy righteous law has paſſed the ſenz tence of condemnation upon her: he will lay judg ment to the line and righteouſneſs to the plummet; he Vt ill convince her of the ſpiritual nature of the law; how holy, how perfect, how righteous it is: ſhe will find it not only condemns her nature, and evil practice. but when ſhe brings her beſt things unto it, her refuge of lies, in which ſh'e truſted, and which ſhe called righteouſneſs; when ſhe ſees this weighed in the awe ſul balance of the ſanctuary, and finds it' ſound want ing: finds it lighter than air', and altogether vanity; a ſhadow without any ſubſtance, a phantaſm without any reality; finds it is ſin, altogether ifin, and that as ſuch the law of GoD condemns it: as ſuch it ſtinks in the noſtrils oſ the infinitely holy Jehovah, who _caſts itſſ A 'A from;
A MEDITATION, &e. 217 'from his preſence as a polluted garment, and eſteems it but filthy rags. When ſhe ſees and feels this, ſhe is ready to cry out, in the anguiſh of her heart, " Woe is me, for I am undone;" and why ſo? even becauſe the hail hath ſwept away her refuge of lies, and the overflowing ſtorm deſtroyed her hidingoplace; ſhe finds that the wrath of GOD is revealed from heaven, againſt 'all unrighteouſneſs-and ungodlineſs of men; and alas, ſhe feels that ſhe is nothing but an unrighteous ſinner; and this humbles her haughty heart, this bows her ſtubborn will, and makes her glad to come weary and heavy laden to JEſſsus CHRrsT, for life and ſal vation. Thus the Loud-accompliſhes his ſtrange work, his wonderful work, his omnipotent work, the con verſion of a ſinner, the bringing a ruined ſoul, a mined church, to a crucified SAV10R; and never did Adam receive his new created Eve with thatjoy, that heart felt delight and complacency that Jesus CHRXST re ceives the poor ill and hell deſerving ſinner, that comes . to him by faith, being drawn by the Father unto him, he acknowledges him for his own. He ſays, *' Thou art the purchaſe of my blood, l loved thee in eternity; I laid down my life for thy ranſom; for thee I laboured thirty-three years, bearing the con tradiction of ſinners: l ſtood in thy place, and fulfilled all righteouſneſs'for thee, in order that'I might wipe the tears of ſorrow from thine eyes; I ſweated blood; my ſoul was ſorrowful, ſorrowful even unto death, and I never leſt off toiling, and ſuffering for thee, till i I bowed my head on the croſs,'and had finiſhed thy ſalvation. Behold then, howl loved thee! come and ' look
218 A- - MEDITATION, &ſic. l look into my heart that was' pierced ſorthee, and be hold thy name engraven there in characters never to' be erazed; yea, thy name is engraven upon the palms of my hands, and thy walls are continually before me." Titus the church may very properly be compared to a woman, becauſe the analogy there is betwixt i-t and the firſt woman, the mother of all living; and as Eve 'was the beloVed ſpouſe of Adam, ſois the Church of CHRIST : he has declared he is " married unto her," Jzr. iii. 14. And ſays in another place, " Thy Maker is thine huſband, the 'LoItD oſv Hoſts is his name," Iſa. liv. 5. " And, (ſays the apoſtle,) we are members of his body, of his fleſh, and oſ his bones," Epb. v. 30. but the Huſband is in heaven. and the Wife upon earth; _ the Bridegroom is in a palace, and the Bride in a wil derncſs : " For," ſaith the text, " the woman fled into is remarkable for two things -, ſirſl, there is nothing in it that is pro fitable or delightſul ; but everything that is frightſul, the wilderneſs." Nowa 'wilderneſs dangerous, and diſlreffing: there is no overſhadowing 'branches to ſcreen the fainting traveller from the ſcorch ing heat oſ the meridian ſun, no cooling ſtreams to al lay his thirſt, and afford him ſome kind refreſhment; no beds of roſes, nov vernal bowers to reſt his Weary limbs; when ſatigued with his journey; no delicious fare to abate his hunger, recruit his ſpirits, or increaſe his ſtrength z-nothing but burning ſands, and fiery ſer-, pents, howling winds and barren' wilds, or only fruit ful in producing briers and thorns, which prick his ſect and retard his pace, and make him cry out, " O that I had
A MEDITATION, &c- 219 t had wings like a dove, that I might flee away from the noiſy wind and tempeſt 2" Or, in the language of an inſpired apoſtle, " O wretched man that I am l"- Such a wilderneſsi is this world, though it is full of beauty, croWn'd with vetdure, and adorn'd by the hand of its infinite Creator with every thing that can,accom imodatc and ſupply our bodies, yet it is void of every thing which is ſpiritually profitable; there is nothing in it which can ſatisfy the vaſt deſires of an immortal ſoul; nothing which can comfort, ſupport or conſole the mind of the pilgrim who is journeying through it, from time to eternity, from earth to heaven: no, he finds it a barren deſert, void of every thing that is ſub-v ſtantially and abidingly good ; but it is filledwith every thing that can hurt and annoy him 5 ſnares, and nets, and gins are continually laid for his feet; briers and thorns are often beſetting him round, and hedging up his way that he cannot go forward: beſides, 'it is infeſt ed with beaſts of prey; the roaring lion of hell Wanders up and dovvn it, ſeeking whom he may devour: and happy, happy, yea, thrice happy is he who eſcapes his ravenousjaws: burning ſands of fierce temptation,bluſ tering windsand ruſhing ſtorms, oft-times ſurpriſe him; ſo that ſometimes his day is turned into night, his joy into ſorrow, and his very heart thrills with fear leſt he ſhould loſe his way, periſh ili the wilderneſs, and never reach the good land, the heavenly Canaan he is ſeeking. This is the wilderneſs up and down in which the ' church of Gon are ſcattered; but bleſſed be GOD, tho' ſhe is in a wilderneſs, ſhe is not alone, that were a diſ ct ſi mal
no 3' A MEDITATION, &e. , mal ſituation truly, for were ſhe alone in the wilder dreſs, ſhe muſt periſh, ſhe would ſoon be overwhelmed by the whirlwinds, or carried' away by the ſtorm : but though her LORD is in heaven, and ſhe upon earth ; though, if conſidered as man, the heavens have receiv ed and muſt contain him till the great day of reſtitu tion comes; yet as Jehovah, GoD over all bleſſed for ever, he fills all ſpace, and crowns immenſtty with his preſence; and he hath ſaid to his ſpouſe, his purchafed, inheritance, " I will never leave thee nor forſake thee." His eye is inceſſantly upon her, his everlaſting arms are innderneath her : when ſhe paſſes through fire and 'through water, he is nigh,'and is as a wall of fire round about her. p Jlisus is with her in the wilderneſs as a guide, ſhe often takes wrong ſteps, and is frequently at the pointof loſing her way, but then ſhe hears his friend ly Voice behind her, ſaying, " This is the way, walk thou therein. '7-He is not Only with her as a guide, but he is with her as a guard, to protect her from her ene *_mies: when the lion roars, ſhe trembles, when her foes, ſtrong and mighty approach, ſhe ſtands aghaſt, but the LORD her smup, advances, ſpreads over her the ſha. dow of his wing, and taking the battle into his own hand, girds his ſword upon his thigh, and rides on con quering and to conquer, for they are all to him as the dry ſtubble is to the burning flame; by the breath of his mouth he ſcatters them as the ſmall duſt is diſperſ: ed abroad by the force of the irreſiſtable whirlwind, and they are obliged to fall before him as Dagon fell before the ark, or as a worm would be cruſhed under the foot of one of the mighty ſons of Auak. ſi ' > He
A MEDlTATION, &e. Mr _ Heis not only with her as her guide and protector, burialſo to' ſupply all her wants, a'nd comfort her under all her oppreffionsz-She is often caſt down and af flicted ; often grieved and diſtrcſſed; but when this is the caſe, Jesus draws nigh, and ſays to her ſoul, " Peace be unto thee ; in the world ye ſhall have tribulation, butin me ye ſhall have peace." When ſhe hungers, he feeds her with the bread of heaven ; and when ſhe thirſts, he leadeth her to the wells of ſalvation, and gives her to drink of the rivers oflife, thoſe rivers of pleaſure which ſlow at his right hand for evermore z when ſhe is fainting, he ſtrengthens her; when falling, raiſcs her ; and when ſhe is wounded by the beaſts of prey, ſtung by the poiſonous nettles, with which this world, this wilderneſs abounds, he makes her whole, and reſtores her to health by applying to her wound the ' _ healing balſom of his atoning blood, the chearing unc tion,of his holy Spirit; for ſhe is not to be deſtroyed in the wilderneſs, it is a place prepared of GOD, he built it on purpoſe for her reception; there ſhe is exerciſed, tried, purified and made capable of enjoying that bet ter portion reſerved in heaven for her- U the woman fled into the wilderneſs, where ſhe hath a place prepared of GOD, that they ſhould FEED her therezf' indeed ſhe hath a right to be fed, for ſhe is nota widow, her huſ. band is living, and lives for evermore: and it is the privilege of every wife to be maintained by her huſband if he has it in his power to maintain her, at leaſt ſhe has a certain right to expect ctit; and iſ he neglects or refuſes to do it, when able, every one will allow he is a bad huſband, and deſerves no better. a character than that
222 A MEDITATION, &c. that of a villain; but JESUS is a faithful huſband, a ten der affectionate huſband z he loves his bride, he pur chaſed her with an infinite price, and has it well in his power to provide for all herv wants : the treaſures of his love are paſt finding out; the riches of his grace are unſearchable, and the earth is the LoRD's and the ful neſs thereof; therefore ſhe hath a right upon the beſt and ſureſt ſoundation, and it is her privilege to look up to him, not ſor a ſcanty allowance, but a full and ample ſupply of all ſhe ſtands in need of; for as ſhe poſſeſſes his hand and his heart, all that he has is hers ; u'ſor, ſaith the apoſtle, and he knew his Maſter's mind, " all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world, dr. liſe, or' death, or things preſent, or things to come, all are yours, and ye are CHRIsr's and CHRIST is Gon's," 1 Cor. iii. 21-_23. This is a large grant, a very valuable poſſeffion, if we had_ but eyes to behold the extent of it ; but our ſight' is now weak, and there fore we can view but a little, very little part of it; however, ſince this is the caſe, the church is in no dan ger of ſtarving; GOD hath determined ſhe ſhall be fed: he will ſeed her ſoul with his word and ſpirit, and ſeed her body by a thouſand providences ; and though her ſpiritual and temporal enemies, wicked men and wick ed devils, are ſtriving continually to cut off her ſupplies, and to cauſe her to periſh by famine from off the face of the earth, yet, bleſſed be God, they are ſtriving in vain, for infinite wiſdom knows how to counter-work all their deſigns, and can, and often does out of the ſtrongeſt temptation, out of the bittereſt affliction, bring forth ſome ſweet and ſavory meat to ſeed the ſouls and bodies of his children. Job's afflictions were calculated ' ' to 14!
, A MEDlTATION, &c. X 223 to ſeed his, foul with heavenly manna, to bring him off' from feeding upon that which is not bread, even upori the mouldy huſks of his own righte0uſnefs, that he might be fed withimmortalfood, the all-ſufficient righ teouſneſs of GoD hisSavior. i While Jacob's trouble was evidEntly deſigned for the temporal preſervation of himſelf and his houſe, at a time when famine and ſcar; city overſpread the earth ; thus U the woman fled into the wilderneſs where ſhe hath a place prepared of GOD, that they ſhould feed her there a thouſand two hundred" and threeſcore days." þ ' Bleſſed be GOD,though the church is in awild'er-neſs at prefent,'ſhe is not vto abide there for ever, ſhe ſhalll not be always beſet with dangers, ſurrounded by ene mies, and filled with affliction and ſorrow glnt), her beef loved has not only prepared a place for her in this tu multuous ſea of fire and glaſs, where ſhe iſſs to be fed and-preſerved, but he is alſo gone as her great fore runner, to prepare a place in his palace, a manſion in his heaven for her; and at the ſet time, the appointed ' time, the expiration of that thouſand two hundred and p threeſcore days, he will come himſelf and fetch her to partakc of his glory, to ſhare in his kingdom, and ſit down ori his throne to enjoy the utmoſt that a covenant GOD can beſtow on the beloved of his ſoul -O_am< NAL LlFEl who can deſcribe THEE? What can' we fay of THEE ? Alas, we can but ſay this, we kn'ow not fully what thou art, for eye hath not ſeen, nor ear heard, neither hath it or can it enter into the heart to conceive what it is to be with GOD for CVer. He that hath enjoyed_m0ſt of the light of hisv countenance, moſt . . of
224, A MEDlTATroNſi ac; oſ the joy of his ſaivation, moſt-ſenſible communion" with a condeſcending SAVlOR, has but as it were ſipt' of the cup, catch'dþa drop from. the infinite ocean; juſt taſted the fruits of the good land z-but when the ſi time, the appOinted period arrives, that wiſhed-for pe A riod which the ſaints of GOD long for, when the' Lolm' JEsU the MIGHTY, yea Almighty GOD, ſhall appear; then ſhall we appear with him in glory, and be lilte him; for we, his church, the pnrchaſe of his blood, ſhall ſee him as he is,_hut O with what eyes ſhall we behold him l with what hearts ſhall vſive love him! and with what,triumphant ſongs ſhallwe proclaim his ho nours, when we enter into that kingdom which was prepared 'for us- before the foundation of the world : then, and not till then, ſhall we be able clearly to expae tiate on that infinite privilege of the heliever in Jesus.ſi Eternal life I \ Great day ofvGOD, O when wilt thoii appear' To uſher in the grand ſabbatic year, _ When Jesus' ſaints ſhall enter' into reſt, And ſoul and body be completely bleſt; When in full choir they ſhall their King adore, And hear the rude alarms of war no more; When lMMORTALlTY ſhall crown the juſt, And all their *enemies ſhall lick thev duſt; l O'erwhelm'd in awful wrath's indignant ſhow'r, And death and hell confeſs a victor's pow'r. " Great day! where art thou? angels cannot tell," Tho' nigh the throne their ſhining orders dwell ; _ 'Tis hid from angels ken. but known tothee, Great THREE in one, eternal one in THREE; ,Thy great decree has fixt the period ſure, When ſin ſhall t'lx, and ſaints ſhall weep no more. LETTERS.
'LſiETTE R'S," LETTERI. To Mr. and Mrs. M---N: If ye continue in my word. then are ye my diſciple; indeed, John viii. 31. DEAR FRIENDS, < AGREEABLE to my promiſe, I nowſiiit down to write to you, and according to your requeſt have taken. - for a motto the text I mentioned to you when at out' houſe: it affords me,rl aſſure you, no little pleaſure to ſee you both ſetting out in the good ways of GOD; you may remember I told you lhoped to uteet you not only at-but alſo in the kingdom of heaven. This is a pleaſing hope, may it be fully accompliſhed in due In the firſt place, give me leave to aſi'ure you, Q that time. I
226 LETTERS. that I did not mention this text with any view to diſ courage you; perhaps you are already troubled upon this ſubject, and afraid leſt you ſhould not continue I know young converts are very apt to be caſt down upon this account, but would not wiſh you at preſent to be troubled about-this, but your principal concern ſhould be to ſee that yon-ſet out aright, for all de pends upon than-Many ſet out in the profeſſion of religion who do not continue, but are preſently blown away by the wind of temptation and trial ; but the rea ſon is, they did not begin aright, they were not diſci plcs indeed. " If," ſays CHRIST, " ye continue in my word, then are ye my diſciples indeed." This is aconſolatory text, for it' proves that they who are real diſciples, or diſciples indeed, do continue; i the great thing then is to become difciples' indeed: they who are ſuch, are kept by the powm' of GOD, through _faith unto, ſalvation, t Peter i. 5. A diſciple indeed, is that in heart,- which others are in ſhew: he has not only the leaves of profeſſion, but he has alſo the root of grace, without that root the leaves will preſently wither, and the faireſt bloſoms ſade: but where that root is, though it may ſometimes ex Perience a ſpiritual winter, yet it ſhall nmwithſtand ing, bud and. bloſſom, and bring forth fruit even unto Old ase- Mere profeſſots are verylwell contented with their profeſſion, and however others may fear and tremble for them, they ſeldom fear and tremble for themſelves; but thoſe who are difciples indeed, eſpeci any When firſt called by divine grace, are deeply con " cerned'
1. E 'IT' T E 'R S'. an? v&fet-ned to know whether they are right ; they are-ſubc' ject to many fears and doubts about this matter, and are frequently much troubled and diſtreſſed with the apprehenſions of being deceiVed, or miſtaken; and are in the general. much more perplexed with doubts "about the reality of the work of grace in their hearts, than of either the power or willingneſs of CHRIST to ſave them: you perhaps may feel ſomething ofthist Now there is none but the HoLY GHoST himſelf that can put this matter entirely out of doubt, but it has pleaſed him to lay down in his word ſome character iſtics of thoſe who are diſciples indeed, and it is out duty to examine whether thoſe characteriſtics belong to us; if they do, it becomes our privilege to draw the moſt obvious concluſion from them, viz, thatk Gon hath n'ot appointed us to wiath, but to obtain SALVA 'T10N, by our LORD JESUS CHRisr. The firſt chan' racteriſiic I ſhall mention is this, (and Imention this becauſe twmty-one 'years ago, I myſelf eitperiencerl the ſweetneſs and conſolation of it,) " whoſoevu ſhall call upon the name of the LORD ſhall be ſaved," Actd 21. Yaelii. 32. This is an abfolute promiſe to, as Well as a deſcription of, the people of GOD. Here is one great difference between the diſciple indeed, and the mere profeſſor, the one prays, the other appears to pray; could you look into the heart of a mere profeſ ſor of religion, you would not find one grain of the ſpirit of grace and ſupplication in it, though perhaps he may be abie to ſay much by way of prayer, even in the great congregation; but the diſc lple indeed, though he may not be able to ſay much in public, yet could you take a peep into his heart, you would find Q,2 , him t
228 LETTERSJ him a wreſtling JaCOb. Some of Goo's people have much of the gift of prayer, but they all have the' grace of prayer; the experience of God's people are ' various in ſome things, ſome are led by the deep 'wa ters of conviction, and much ſorrow upon the account 'of ſin; others are gently led forth out oſ a ſtate of na ture into a ſtate of grace, by the ſtill waters, and drawn by the cords of love; but which ever of theſe is the caſe, they unite in this, viz. being wreſtling Jacobs belore they become prevailing lſraels; and the reaſon of this is evident, every diſciple indeed feels the importance of everlaſting things, feels the neceſſity of ſalvation, of being born again, of being waſhed in the blood of the lamb, and cloathed in his righteouſneſs, for he finds he has none of his own, and according to the degree of the ſenſe he has of theſe wants, he becomes a wreſtler with Gon for a ſupply of them; he- cannot be eaſy; he cannot be contented; he cannot be happy, in time or eternity, without theſe bleffings; he finds in his fleſh dwelleth no good thing, but he ſees that in CHRrsT all ſulneſs dwells; and he hears him ſay, " Aſk, and ye ſhallhave;ſeek, and ye ſhall find3knock, and it ſhall be opened unto you: whatſoever ye ſhall aſk in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son." John xiv. Io. This encourage: his h0pc, the deſires of his ſoul aſpire after heaven, and heavenly things; and the earneſt, the conſtant language of his heart and lips are, " l will not let thee go until thou bleſs mea" He now loſes all reliſh for the pleaſures ofthe world; he deſpiſes them as trifiing traſh, un WOrthy of a ſoul that is born for eternity; the things which he formerly loved, he now bates, and the things 3 - _ which
LETTE'RS. '229 which before were diſguſtful and diſagreeable to him, now become objects of his delight; he now finds wiſ dom's ways to be ways of pleaſintneſs, and all her paths pea/re -this is the diſciple indeed. The mere pro feſſor, though he may attend to all the outward forms of religion, yet remains deſtitute of the power of it; 7 his heart feels no want, and conſequently he ſeeks no ſup-ply; but when GOD ſays to the ſeed'of Jacob, 5' eek ye my face " Their hearts reply, " Thy face, Loar , will I ſeek." And then ſays the promiſe, ." V\ hoſoever ſhall call on the name of the LoRp, ſhall . be ſaved; your heart ſhall live thatfſeek Gov,"'PſaIm lxix. 32. Now, my dear friends, I hope and believe that in the above little deſcription of a'diſciple-indeed, you lwill find ſomething of your own picture Do you ' fed the importance of everlaſting things? do you feel the neceſſity of being born again of GOD, of being waſhed in the blood, and cloathed in the righteouſ neſsooſ Jehovah JEsUS', and ſo intereſted in his com plete ſalvation? do you ſo ſeel'the neCeſſity of theſe things as earneſtly to deſire them? and do theſe de .ſires load you to call upon Goo for them, in the name ofJE-sus i are the ſecret breathings of your ſoul aſpiring to him, 'when no eye but his, is upon you! if ſo,remember the promiſe -All who call upon the name of the LoRD, ſhall be ſaved; for none but diſ ciples INDEEB, ſo call upon him-Have the pleaſures ofthe world loſt their' reliſh in your eſteem? can you, will you chpoſe affliction with the people of GOD, before the pleaſures of ſin for a ſeaſon? this muſt be QsZ p done
230 LETTERS. done, but none can do it but thoſe who are diſciple: indeed; iſ it is the choice of your heart, happy are you: the family oſ GOD, both in heaven and earth will give you the right hand oſ fellowſhip. ls it the fincere wiſh, the unſeigned deſire oſ your inmoſt ſouls to be devoted to GOD, that he may purify your hearts by ſaith, 'nd make 'you holy as well as happy? and do you find his ways delightſul to you? is a day in his houſe ſweeter to you than a thouſand ſpent elſewhere 9 and do you deſire to continue in his ways? do you dread going back? and is it the ardent wiſh of your heart, that you may be kept by his power through' faith unto ſal vation? If. you can go with me thus ſar, I have no doubt but you will go with me a ſtep further, that is, to heaven, for the LORD who gives grace, gives glory alſo; none but the diſciple; indeed, can go thus far, mere proſeſiors know nothing of theſe things. In the next place, how is it that diſciples indeed con tinue in the word Of CHRXST, and by ſo perſevering, give evidence oſ what they are? even becauſe they are Iike the houſe that is ſounded upon a rock, the fioods ariſe, and the winds blow, and the rain deſcends, but the houſe ſtands ſafe, becauſe it is ſounded upon a rock; lſo the believer is built upon CHRIST, he is a ſure ſoundation; and another' reaſon is, becauſe GOD the Holy Ghoſt has promiſed that he will 'abide with the chriſtian for ever, John xiv. '6. None but l-e who firſt made thechriſtian, can keep him when made 3 it was GOD the Spirit firſtvquickened you; had it not been for his Almighty and gracious, influence, you might have
L'ETTERS. 23' have ſet under the goſpel amillion of years, and re mained dead in treſpaſſes and ſins; and I would wiſh you to remember, and never forget, that even now, you are not ſufficient to think a good thought of yourſelves; you cannot keep yourſelves-a moment from ſin; you cannot overcome the world, or the devil, but by the mighty power of the HoLY GHUST; if he has wrought divine ſaith in your hearts, remember you cannot ex erciſe that faith, but vwhile under his influence, nor any other grace :'you can have no ſpiritual ſtrength, no in creaſe of grace, no divine conſolation, but from him; therefore prize him highly, for he has promiſed to abide with you for ever: it is only he can make his word powerful and profitable to you ; therefore pray much for his preſence, and influence, and teaching; ſeek him in all his ways, for we can do nothing ſpiritual with out him; love the means of grace: uſe them diligently : he has promiſed to give his HOLY SPIRIT to them that aſk him, Luke xi. 13. " And," ſays the LORD, " I am come thatthey might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly :* never be ſatisfied with pre ſentattainments, but ſeek after more._ The promiſe lS, "They that wait upon the LOKD ſhall renew their ſtrength," [ſaiab xl. 31. Search the ſcriptures, and carefully avoid all erroneous preachers, and books; let the bible be your Chief ſtudy ;. viſit other good au thors ſometimes, but dwell with the word of GOD. You will find many ſpiritual enemies to encounter , with; there is much contained under theſe three heads a the world, the fleſh, and the devil ; but-remember, this is the VI_CTORY, even our rArTH, r John. v, 4.. There. Q-i -is
232.LETTERS. is nothing can conquer ſin and ſatan, but faith and prayer: but ſaith and prayer aſſuredly will conquer, be cauſe jasus CHRIST, who is the object of ſaith, is Almighty to ſave, and has promiſed to ſave; he is always faithful to his engagements, and when faith lays hold of his power and faithfulneſs, and calls upon, him to fulfil his word, this brings the Very omnipo. 'tence of Jehovah to the believer's aid, and then ſin and ſatan flies before him, and the Chriſtian experienccs the truth of that word, "to him that believeth all things are poſſible," but yet remember, the power is,G01)'s, and not the chriſtian's.-We do not always' cenquer. be cauſe we are ſlow of heart to belieVe the promiſes Of GoD, and his poſver and faithfulneſs to fulfil them; for want of this, the Chriſtian is often worſted by his ſpiritual enemies, but notwithſtanding this, he that is adiſciple indeed ſhall OVercome at the laſt; he ſhall endure to the end, becauſe he is kept by the mighty power of Gov, through faith unto ſalvation. GOD is _ glorified by the perſeVerance of his ſaints in holineſs, ' and by ſo continuing in the good ways of GOD, they prove to the angels, and to devils, to good men, and bad menl that they are diſciples indeed, and alſo get a good evidence to their own ſouls, that they are amongſt the number of thoſe of'whom CHRIS r ſays, I'l give unto them eternal life, and they ſhall never periſh, neither ſhall any pluck them out of my hand," John x. 8. i could ſay a good deal more upon this ſub ject, but having already exeeeded the moderate bounds ,' of a letter, ſhall poſtpone any further remarks till ano ther opportunity, and ſhall concludewlth obſerving that
LETTERS. 23; 'QW--<M\M> &a. .- he w _- - _._ I that they who know moſt of divine things in this world, know but little, they who are 'no/I kept by the power of GOD, have moſt reaſon to be thankfu] ; by faith we ſtand. but let him that thi' keth he ſtandeth, take heed leſt he fall . we are never ſafe but when we are no'hing in our own eyes; When we are weak, then we are ſtrong ; when we are moſt ſend-ble of our own weak neſs, then the power of CHRlST reſts upon us- i May you and I then. n y dear friends, be very humble, very thankiul; may we preſs towards the mark for the prize of the high cal-'ing of GOD in CHRis-'r Jaws; may we' be enabled to glorify him on earth, and may we meet in his kingdom to praiſe his name, and to aſcribe ſalvation to GOD'and the Lamb, throubhout the coumleſs ages of eternity. I am, my dear friends, Yours moſt ſincerely in the beſt bonds. - ' MARIA DE FLEURY.
234. LETTERS. LETTERII. My dear Madam, T is with the greateſt pleaſure imaginable that I ſi! down to fulfil my promiſe of writing to you the firſt opportunity, indeed thoſe whoſe hearts are united in the ſacred bonds of friendſhip, find it a moſt agreeable pri vilege to b'e able to converſe together when diſtance of p place puts a ſeperation between them. I hope you are better in health and ſpirits than when I ſaw you laſt. Ah, my dear friend, why do you give yourſelf up to ſorrow and anxiety ; is it becauſe you have rio reaſon to rejoice? that muſt be impoſſible: indeed, immode rate grief is both unreaſonable and unprofitable, and therefore l cannot but blame you for indulging it; yet do not be angry with me, for though l blame you, it is 'I aſſure you with a heart which ſincerely ſympathiſes with your affliction : I am not a ſtranger to trouble, I am not a ſtranger to grief ; and I know, when car ried to exceſs, it is diſhonouring to GOD and unpro fitable to us.-" Let not your hearts be troubled," ſaid the compaffionate Redeemer to his diſconſolate diſci* ples, when they were ſinking under dreadful apprehenu fions of loſing the preſence of their beſt Friend: but alas, ' how
LETTERSQ 23; how apt are our hearts to be troubled upon much fligh ter occaſions i indeed it is our ſollv. and we have rea ſon to be humbled in the duſt upon the aCCount of it; not that l ſuppoſe there is anything deſirable in the unfeeling diſpoſition of a ſtoic: no, ſuch a temper isby no means the fruit of the- Spirit ; theiſoul who is * really' goſpeliſed, is taught to weep with thoſe who ween ; and ifit is a goſpel precept to ſympathiſe with ' the affiictions of others, it is ſurely allowablc to feel for one's own Jesns wept over his dear deceaſed Lam rus, and tenderly ſhared in the ſorrows of two amiable ſiſters, who were lamenting the loſs of a brother, who was perhaps dearer to them than their lives. We do not find that he chid their ſorrow. but he did chide their unbelief. Afflictions, my dear Madam, you are ſenſi-p ble, ſpring not out of the ground ; they do not happen to us by chance, but arc- a valuable part of the ſaint's inheritance : but though they are valuable-and profita ble, yet they are ſo exceedingly diſ-agreeable to nature, ſo irkſome and painful, that V\C are apt to ſtart back, and would fain, if poſſible. betexeuſed from accepting this part of our portion. Alas, we are fooliſh children, but itis our mercy that we have a wiſe Father, who will not ſtudy our humours, but will give us that which is moſt for our good. Remember that you receive your afflictions by weight and meaſure ;. there has nothing happened to you but what your heavenly Father ap pointed for you when he wrote your name in the Lamb's bOOk of life; and then infinite wiſdom and infinitelove, ſat as it were in council to contrive. what ſhould be moſt for your advantage in time and in eternity: O ' thou I M.-=M*__-£ Wu- du' - _ _____- s . - 1 _ >.*v\_./Vſi
236 LETTERS. then dry up your tears, and be no more ſad, but rejoice, for you have abundant reaſon; look away from the top of Amana, from the top of Shenir and Hermon, from the lions dens, from the mountains of the lepards," Coat. iv. 8. \ O my friend, turn your eyes from your t'roubles,yorir difficulties and enemies, eſpecially from thoſe which are paſt, for they are gone for ever. and with the future you have 'nothing to do: And uhat ſhall you behold? indeed zhere is a glorious proſpect before you, O that you might be enabled to view it through the telcſcope of faith, and 'hen l am ſure it.will cheer your ſpirits, be they funk ever ſo low : what ſays the apoſtle, " Our light afflictions which are but for a moment, work out for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glo ry," LCar. iv. 17. There is light affliction for you here, but a weight of glory in reverſion: have but a little patience, and ſin and ſorrow will be no more. Could you borrow the wings of a ſcraph, and aſcend to the new Jeruſalem, and there inquire of the white robed inhabitants, the ſpirits of juſt men made perfect, whether they or any of them arrived at thoſe manſions of bleſſedncſs any other way than by the way of the croſs, they would unanimouſiy tell you, it was through much tribulation that they entered the kingdom ofGOD. Why then ſhould you be diſcouraged, who have the ſame JEHOVAH Jasus to be your guide through the wilderneſs that they had; the ſame exceeding great and precious promiſes, and the ſame inexhauſtable riches of grace to ſupport, to comfort and make you more than a
LETTERS. 237 a conqueror through him who hath lovedyou? " Fear not," ſays our divine Maſter, " thou worm Jacob, I will help thee, yea, I will ſtrengthen thee; yea, I will 'uphold thee with the right hand of my righteouſneſs." O how ſafe and ſecure muſt you be then who have the right hand 'of omnipotence exerted in your defence! ſurely you may ſay with thefſalmiſ't, " though the hills be removed and the mountains carried into the ſea, yet will I not be afraid :" indeed you have no reaſon to Year, for the eternal GoD is yo/ur refuge, and underneath you ate his everlaſting arms, Deut. xxxiii. 27. May theſe tonſiderations, my dear Madam, in the hand of him whoſe office it is to comfort thoſe who are caſt down, afford you ſtrong conſolation, may the ſun of righteouſneſs ariſe and ſhine upon you, and with his delig'mſul joy-inſpiring beams drſperſe the glooms which hang upon your mind, and fill] you with peace and joy- , in believing unſpeakablc and full of glory. _- I beg your pardon for being ſo prolix, 'it is my uſual fault, when l begin to ſcribble I ſeldom know when to leave off; I wonder ſometimes that my friends have patience with me; however, friendſhip can pardon the faults ofa friend. My father and brother unite with me in beſt wiſhes to you, Madam, and Mr- we hope he got ſafe home on Tueſday night, and it will give us the greateſt plea. ſure in the World to ſee you both in town as ſoon as you pleaſe. * I am, my dear Madam, with the greateſt reſpect, Your moſt ſincere friend and ſervant, MARIA DE FLEURY. \
238 LETTERKS, LETTER-IIL, To Mrss JssttttY. Dear Miſs, IT being at the requeſt of your hOnoured father, that the firſt poem in this book was written, and indeed the whole publiſhed, I hope it will not be deemed an imi propriety if, before I conclude it, l beg leave to addreſs a few lines to yern-You are young, my dear Miſs, but you are not too young to be happy, you are not too young to die z you are a young IMMORTAL. May you be ſo deeply impreſſed with a ſenſe of your true dignity, that all the gay, inchanting, deceitſul pleaſures of ſin may appear'v in. your vicw,lwhat they really are in themſelves, unworthy your purſuit 3 while the pleaſures of true RELIGION, the ſublimc enjoyments which a ſaving aequaintance with GOD in CHRISTJESUS, brings home to the ſoul, may riſe high in your eſtimation, be your early choice, your firſt and laſt purſuit. Your dear parents, I am perſuaded, canx tell you from their own experience, what are the advantages of true, heart-felt religion, being made partakers of its bleſſings themd
LETTERS. 239 themſelves; they can, and I doubt not but they do recommend it to you as the one thing needſul, and their prayers for you inceſſantly are, that the ſame diſtin guiſhing grace which has bt0ught ſalvation to their hearts, may be alſo beſtowed upon you; they wiſh you\a better portion than they can give you, even that IMMANUEL, the great GOD, our SAVIOR may give himſelf to you as your everlaſting portion, and when they ſhall ſee you enabled to devote yourſelf, your youth, your ſoul and body, your all, as your reaſonable ſervice to him, they will know that this is the caſe: this is their wiſh for you, and this is my wiſh for you a may the great hearer oſ prayer put his amen to out wiſhes, and ſay, So be it.- ſi When you read the firſt poem this book contains, you will remember that I wrote it at the requeſt of your fa ther, and l am perſuaded that love to the divine RE. DEEMER, and zeal for his truth, were the motives of that requeſt: may your father's GoD be your GOD; may the great. and glorious trut'hs which this poem con tains, be ſo revealed to your ſoul by the Spirit of Truth, that IMMANUEL'S name may become preciotis to you, be the moſt charming ſound to your ears, and himſelf, altogether lovely in your view ; and iſ ever this is the caſe, which I hope and pray it may, you will poſſeſs greater riches and ſublimer happineſs than the riches of Peru, or the empire of the world could give you.-May the divine Spirit enable you, my dear Miſs, to ſeek for theſe durable riches, and this ſublime happineſs: iſ you -ſeek them with your whole heart, you ſhall have them; the Lonn Jesus gives them freely to every one who 3 15
240 LETTERS. is really and truly deſirous to have them; and it is his peculiar delight to give them to thoſe who ſeek them in the early part of life: He ſayc, ** l love them that love me, and they that ſeek me early, SHALLfind me," > P'w. viii. 17. The Loko JEsUs, when he was upon earth was the moſt gentle, kind and compaffionate man in the world; he was eaſy to be intreated, he healed all that came to him to be healed of their diſeaſes, and cVen died for ſin ners ; and now, though he is exalted at GOD's right hand-nay, though he is himſelf the eternal Gop, yet he is as kind and gracious as_ ever. May his Holy Spi rit convince you of your need of his ſalvation, and cauſe you earneſtly and diligently to ſeek it, then ſhall you find him the kindcſt FATHER, the moſt gracious SA won, and the moſt faithful and affectionate Fkizno,all your ſutureliſe, he will be your GOD and your guide i unto death, and your glori0us portion to eternity. That this may be your happy experience, is the ſin' ccrc wiſh, and ſhall be the hearty prayer of, dear Miſs, Your affectionate friend _ MARIA DE FLEURY. Julr 23, 1791, . A SOLI
Ink) A SOLILOQUYJ IN yonder heav'nly courts, thoſe realms of light, Where love, and oy, and peace for ever reign, The ſons'of morn, 'the great ſeraphic choirs, Tunetheir ſoft harps, and raiſe their loftieſt notes, To hyinn the great I' AM.;-Melodius anthems Sound thro' the arches of th' etherial ſky, And all the theme is, HoLY, HOLY, HOLY LoRo Gon OMNIPOTENT !-Before his throne, The white rob'd ſaints, the ranſom'd of the LORD, The trophies of his grace, enraptur'd bow, And lowly reverent, before his footſtool, Adoring caſt their amaranthine crowns, And jpin th' angelic ſong, " To him (they cry) Who lov'd uſſs, bought us, waſh'd us in his blood, Andlmade us KINGS, and holy PRIEsTs to Gon, To him be glory, honour, power and praiſe, Eternally aſcrib'd".--And doth his praiſe Alone employ the throng beatific? Is earth indeed ſo far remov'd from heav'n, R . i That '
m A SOLILOLQUY. That from her altars no bright flames can riſe, Of ſacred love, and voices gratulant? O no! he has a company below Of royal prieſts, who offer daily incenſe Of praiſe before his throne; a thankful ſong From ev'ry corner of the peopled earth, Riſes, ſonorous__in Jehovah's ears, n For they aſcribe ſalvation to his name, And ſing the glories of the bleeding Lamb. Nor does Jehovah's praiſe alone aſpire From creatures, born to IMMORTALITY; The leſſer works of his Almighty hand, With ſilent worſhip pay their homage due, In ſwift obedience to his potent word. _ ' Majeſtic Son, bright emperor oſday, ' i Shines forth hisþglory inhis ſplendid beams; . A The radiant MOON, walking i'n brightneſs, waits To riſe and ſet at his ſupreme 'command ;, At his great word. nor ſun nor moon aroſe For three diurnal ſtages, on the land r , Of cloudedEgypt, but reſign'd their ſway To night impenetrable, emblem ſad ' Of that black veil, that more than midnight gloom Which overſpread their minds, eſtrang*d from Gon, By his authority, theſe ſhining orbs Forſook their courſe and to the voice of man Liſten'd attentive, when the mighty chief Dlivinely miffion'd, led Old'Jacob's ſons To honourable-war; the ſun ſtood ſtill, And ſilver Cynthia, in the flow'ry vale Of pleaſant Ajalon,-ſo the bright train, i , A Which - __,,*r
ASOLILOQUY. 243 Which ſpangle o'er yon azure firmament In ſwift obedience to jehovah's will, Pour'd all their baleful influence on the head _ Of death devoted SISERA, the foe Of GOD, and of his people.-Heav'n. and earth, Fire, hail, and ſnow, and all created things, Pay ready homage to the ſov'reign word Of their Almighty King, and in full choir, Tho' wanting voice, echo the grateful ſound Of univerſal hallelujah.- Liſt, O my ſoul, the empirean heav'ns, With ſongs of triumph,voices jubilant Sounds thro' unbounded ſpace.-Angelic choirs And thy redeemed brethrenjoin the theme, And wilt thou ſilent ſtandi-O catch the flame, The holy flame of love and gratitude, - To the Almighty Monarch of the ſkies, Thy FATHER, and thy FRIEND. What names are theſe? How big with bleſſings-ſhall'a worm oſ earth ' Thus honour'd, dare refuſe to join the ſong Of " Worthyis the Lamb P" Awake, my ſoul. 1 And all my powers awake, to celebrate The GOD of glory, and the GOD'oſ grace, Who form'd the heav'ns-and bled on Calvary, i Who burſt the iron barriers of the grave, And ſpoil'd the monſter death, and broke his dart, And captive led captivity along, ' Chain'd to his chariot wheels- O love divine!Still will I iſing of thee, in riſing morn, i When Phoebus mounts his burning carr, and gilds * R 2 , 'The
i. 'alo- ' A' s'o-L'I L o Q'Tf Y;"- '. The eaſtern clouds rays gf Qfignt Aught 2, . 'When in meridian'glory thron'dphq wines', r i . m. And daſtsiprqli'ficglories round thveþworld; WVhen ſober evening's mildſirefre'ſhing air Revives creation,'and bright Heſper leadsThe ſtarry train, that uſhers in' the night: 3 i * Tlhen ſhallmy ſong ariſe-'Oifor'pa'ſong . i it Divine, lilie that' which flows from Gabriel's ' But all l'I faint unequal to the theme. -_ 'N' _ " Fly ſwift ye moments, Time, increaſe'thy ſpeed, i To bring the peiioþdivvvlien my ſoul ſhall ſhake i Her fetters offiſiſltall throw her cliaiiis aſide, And freed ſroni fleſh, ſhall mount and ſohr aloft .On_angelsſſ wings, to her Redeemer's throne; - Then ſhallhis mighty love-be all her) theme', ſi it *' ' And everlaſting praiſe her ſweet employ. -
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