FROM THE LIBRARY OF REV. LOUIS FITZGERALD BENSON, D. D. BEQUEATHED BY HIM TO THE LIBRARY OF PRINCETON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY \ ^ Divine Mifc&lanies OR, SAC R>E D P O E ^' ML IN TWO PARTS. Part I. Sacred to Chriftian Devotion and Piety, CONSISTING OF Hymns and Divine Meditations, Upon various Subjects and Occasions Chiefly from the AUTHOR's own Experience. Pa RT II. Sacred to practical Virtue and Holinefr, Containing three Epistles. I. A pra&ical Paraphrase on the Ten Commandments. Humbly addrefs'd to the Church of" England, upon their excellent Order or* Reading them, II. The C.h ristian Warfare; Or, a ferious Exhortation to Virtue and Piety : Humblj addrefs'd to the Proteftant DiflTenters. III. The Divine Original and primitive Beauty of Christianity. Set forth in the Birth, Life, Sufferings, Death, Refurrcftion and Afcenfion of'our LORD and SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST-, And the Life and Conduct r of his Apostles ; Humbly addrefs'd to all Profeflbrs of Chriftianity, for their Iioiv Imitation. Written in plain and eafy Language, For the Delight and Improvement of all Lovers of D i v i n E v/ p o e t r y $ By JAMES M AXWELL COLL. iri. 1 6.-— Teaching and admonishing one another in Pfalms and Hymns, and fpiritual Songs, finding with Grace in your Hearts to the Lord, Birmingham: Printed for the Author, by T. Warren, jun. MDCCLV1. A s T 1 O F T H E Subfcribers Names* ^M0 HE Rev - Mr - Wfliikm Adam, M ( ^ Bedwortb. w ^ w Dr * Thorrias A f prey, Olney. ^wwwS Mr. Thomas iEton, ditto. ««»«« Ur j ohn Andrews? LmerZVOrthi Mr. John Andrews, Market-IIarburough. Mr. Jofeph Auftin, Kidderminflcr z Books. Mrs. Mary Avarill, Broadway. Mr. Simon Anfel, Ditto. Mr. Thomas Afhwin, Compton-Scorpion. B The Rev. Mr. Mofes Browne, Vicar of Olntp Bucks z Books. The Rev. Mr. Brabant, Blochfom. The Rev. Mr. Brown, Kettering. Mr. John Barnfly, Ckeriugivortb* Mifs Barnfly. A z Mr. SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. Mr. Nathaniel Barber, WalfaL Mr. Thomas Barnet, Nottingham. Mr. Thomas Baldwin, SarcheJlo?u Mr. William Baylifs, Gutting. Mrs. Elizabeth Baylifs. Mr. Robert Baylis, Farmcott. Mr. Richard Bailey, Stow. Mr. Robert Baskervile, Warwick. Mr. Richard Beal, Hooknorton. Mr. Samuel Becket, Greet. Mr. Michael Billings, Hinkley, 2 Books. Mr, John Bezely, Stratford-upon-Avon. Mr. William Brooks, Straton. Mr. John Bracey, Ditchford. Mr. George Boyce, Halford. Mr. John Brown, Birmingham, Mr. Bridge, Tewkesbury. Mr. Benjamin Busby, Morton-in-marjb. c The Right Honourable Lady Clinton, z Books, Mrs. Chapman, Market-Harbor ough. Mr. John Claridge, jun. Toddenham Mr. Benjamin Claridge, Whichford. Mr Jofeph Clark, Dudley. Mr. John Clark, Longborough. Mr. Jofeph Cotterell, fen. Walfal. Mr. Jofeph Cotrerell, jun. Mrs. Collins, Warwick. Mr. Thomas Cornmel, Tasford. Mr. Thomas Collett, toddenham. hit. John ColUtr, Longborough SUBSCRIBERS NAMES Mr. Thomas Cox, Adderbury. Mr. Jofeph Cooper, Evejham. D Henry Dowler, Efq. The Rev. Mr. Davis, Fairford, Mr. George Davis, Birmingham. Mr. Thomas Dawfon, Cirencejler. Mr. William Douglas, Worcefter, 14 Books. Mr. John Dobfon. Mr. Benjamin Drantot, Northampton Mr. James Dixon, z Books Mrs. Hannah Hill, Lutterworth Mr. Thomas Hill, Kidderminller Mr. Juraii* Hid f on, Birmingham SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. Mrs. Edith Hiron, Cafcomb Mr. Charles Hook, Fairford Mr. James Horton, Birmingham Mr. James Horfeman, Sto-zv Mr. William Holloway Mr. Abel Hamphreys v Birmingham Mr. William Huckell, Blcckfom Mr. Samuel Huckvale, Ovemorton Mr. Jonathan Hulls, Camphn Mr. William Hull, Olney J. The Rev. Mr. Johnfon, Circncefler The Rev. Mr. Jenkins, Bromjgrove The Rev. Mr. David Jones, iValfal' Mr. Johnjackfon, Lcndon Mrs. Johnfon, KitUermififler Mr. Stephen Jarret, Cheritigton Mr. Samuel Johnfon, Cirencefler^ 6 Books K The Rev. Mr. King, JVelford Mr. John Kenady, Kiddermitifter Mr. Thomas Kendal, Birmingham Mr. Edward Kettley, Ditto Mrs. Elizabeth Kettle, Sbipfion Mr. Jofeph King, Attleburough Mr. John Kilpack, Skipftcn. L Mr. Michael Lakins, Birmingham Mr. John Latham, "Ditto Mr. Benjamin Lane, Ditto Mrs. Ann Lea, Wimfion A 3 SUBSCRIBERS NAMES- Mr. Jofeph Lomas, London Mr. Samuel Lomas, Nottingham Mr. William Lowe, Ditto Mr. William Logan, 7 Books M The Honourable Mrs. 12 Books Mr. Abraham Madock, 2 Books Mr. John Mallabor.e, Attlcborough Mr. John Maxwell, 'Birmingham Mr. Samuel Maxwell Mr. William Miller, "Birmingham .Mr. Job Margret, Warwick Mr. Thomas Miles, Afton-ma^na Mr. Robert Mofely, Birmingham Mr. Thomas Mofely, Walfal Mr. Thomas Mofely, Shcklie N Mr. Skiner Newham, Nottingham Mr. Jonathan Newham, ditto Mr. Jacob Norn's, Walfal o Mr, James Orr p The Rev. Mr. Jofhua Parry, Cirencejicr The Rev. Mr. Porter, Nottingham Mr. Thomas Parks, Wefibromwicb Mr. John Patton, Slocklie Mr. Nicholas Penn, Kidderminfter 7 Books Mr. Jofeph Peyton, %hcklie> Mr. John Perry, Olney Mr. Thomas Pearce, Birmingham SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. Mr. Richard Pearfon, Opperncrton Mr. James Peart, Wcrcefier Mr. Richard Piercy, Bedworth z Books Mr. Thomas Piercy, ditto Mr. William Pike Stourbridge Mr. Robert Purfer, Hitcott R The Rev. Mr. Radford, Nottingham, 2 Books The Rev. Mr. Ryland, Mafic r of a Boarding- School Warwick The Rev. Mr. Romaine Mr. Thomas Radway, Cirencefier Mr. Daniel Rhaben, Olncy Mr. John Richardfon, Kidderminfter, 7 Books Mrs. Roberts, 2 Books Mr. Robert Robins, jifton-magra Mr. Edward Robinfon, Shipfton Mi. Edward Robbin-s, Birmingham Mrs. Ann Record, Wejlbromwich Mr. Samuel Rudgard, Nottingham Mr. Thomas Rooker, Birmingham s The Rev. Mr. Selwyn, Blocklie Mr. Richard Saman, Wii^ginton Mr. Samuel Sanders, Bed r xorth Mr. John Scott, Birmingham Mrs. Ann Sharman, Sfamvay Mr. William Slingsby, AttUborcugij Mr. John Smith r Warwick Mr. Thomas Smith, Birmingham Mr. Ambrofe Southern, Bedirorth Mr. Thomas Sisnons,. Barington Mr. Jofiah Stockall, Kildermtnfier A 5 SUBSCRIBERS NAMES; Mrs. Ann Stroud, Treftbury T Robert Tracy Efq. The Honourable Mrs. Tracy The Rev. Mr. Taylor, Qyenton The Rev. Mr. Tolley Northampton The Rev. Mr. Turner, "Birmingham Mr. Robert Taylor, "Banbury Mr. William Terbet Mr. Jofeph Thornton, Harburough Mr. William Timmes, Chcrington Mr. Edward Tolley, Sto~verbridg? Mr. George Tutin, Nottingham Mr, Richard Tutin, Ditto Mr. William Tutin, Birmingham u Mr. George Underhill, ElmingtO'i Mrs. Venor, {en.TFarzvick Mr. Venor jun. ditto Perfons unknown 6 Books w The Rev. Mr. Wetherell, Univerfity College > Oxen 2 Bocks The Rev. Mr. Wild, Birmingham The Rev. Mr. Williams, "Trowbridge The Rev. Mr. Williams, Ccrfcam The Rev. Mr. W hitmore, HookncrtOK Mr. Benjamin W r atfon, Bromfgrove Mr. John Watfon, Kiddcrminjier Mr. Thomas Walton, Birmingham Mrs. Mary Walker S UBSCRTBERS NAMES Mrs. Lydia Wefton, Bromjgrove Mr. Thomas Whatcott, Slocklie Mr. John Wheatcroft, Ditcbford Mr. Jofeph Williams, Kidderminjier Mrs. Williams, ditto Mr. James White, Jftonmagna Mr. William Whitford jun. Evejbam Mr. Anthony Whitehead, Longburough Mrs. Mary Whitehead, Warwick Mrs. Elizabeth Wilks, Slocklie Mr. Charles Wilfon, ^Dudley Mr. Jofeph Wood, Nottingham^ 7. Books** Mr. William Wood, "Barton Mrs. Jane Wood, ditto. T H F To the Subscribers* Gentlemen, Ladies and Others, who have, by your generous Subfcriptions, encouraged the Publication of this Work : TB E G leave to return you my hum- ble and hearty Thanks for this Favour : But I am very forry that I have tried your Patience fo long, tho' it was what I could in no wife help; and I have alfo macie fome Additions to the Book as a grateful Acknowledgment of my Obliga- tion to you : Therefore I hope that it will now with the Bleffing of God, make you an ample Amends for generoufly encouraging this mean, tho' well defign'd Performance : And that you may be well rewarded for this and every other pious and generous A£t, not only in this Life, but that which is to come, is the fervent . Prayer of your fincere Wellwifher in Chriji, And mojl obliged humble Servant, THE PREFACE T is a Thing not only cuftoma- ry, but alfo neceflary to fill fome Pages at the Beginning of a Book, with an E p i s t i. e to the Reader, commonly call, ed, the Prefac e, wherein the Author gives (or ought to give) his Rea- der fome Account of his Performance. And therefore I fhall (with the Bleffing of God) follow this common, and commendable Rule ; hoping that all my candid Readers will take the Pains to perufe it with an unprejudic'd. Mind 3 for 1 am fenfible that it is a Thing too common among Readers to overlook the Preface, and go en to read the other Parts of the Book in an irregular Manner, without carefully obfer- ving the Author's Meaning, 'till they ccme to Something ambiguous or difagreeable to their Tafte j and then with a prejudie'd Mind they throw afide the Book refolving never to look in it more, without it is with a Defign to cavil : And The PREFACE. And then they defame the Book with Loads of Reproach to every one they meet, wh.ch hinders their own and others profiting by it : Whereas if they had with an impartial and unprejudiced Mind, open to Convi&ion, carefully read the Preface and the Reft of the Book in a regular Manner, they might have found it both edifying and entertaining 5 and both they and their friends might have received great Benefit by it. Now let fuch confider what Injury they do themfelves and others hereby. This have 1 faid, not only becaufe I am afraid of their doing fo by this mean Performance of mine, but alfo to convince People of this gene- ral Error : And if they do fo by other eminent Authors, 1 may well expeft that they will do fo by me 5 for I have been already inform'd that ma- ny are prejudic'd againft my Underftanding be- fore they fee my Performance becaufe of the Defpicablenefs of the Author. Many (I am told) are ready to fay, "How can fuch a one do any 44 Thing that is worth our Notice? a poor illiterate 4 4 Mechanic ! Ah ! tis meer Nonfenfe ! I would i 4 not pretend to encourage fuch a one." But ftay, my Friends, be not too hafly in your Cen- fures, but let me prevail with you to lay afide all Prejudice, and to judge with Candour and that not only for my fake but for your own and others ? for I am certain that many have deprived them- felves and others of the Benefit they might other- Ways fk& PREFACE. ways have received from many an exceleat Dif- ceurfe thro' Bigotry and a prejudiced Spirit. I fhall only mention two remarkable Inft&nces of this in Scripture, i The Greeks they counted the Preaching of the Crofs of Christ Foolifhnefs, becaufe it was not adorn'd with Human Wit and Learning, i Cor. i 22 23. 2 The Jews, How they were prejudiced a- gainft our Lord Jesus Christ, becaufe of his mean Apearance, Birth, and Parentage, and want of Human Learning? tho' hemanifefted his Divine Authority, Wifdom, Power and Goodnefs, by fur- prizing Miracles, fuch as was never wrought be- fore, and whfch was effectual for convincing 0- thers 5 yet when he came into his own Country and taught in their Synagogues, in fo much that they were aftoniihed at him, yet they faid with Con- tempt, Whence hath this Man this Wifdom, ant thefe mighty works? Is not this the Carpenter y s Son ? Is not his Mother called Mary ? And his 'Brethren James, and Jofes, and Simon, and Ju- das ? and his Sifters are they not all with us ? Whence then hath this Man all thefe Things ? And they were offended at him, And J E SU S faid unto them, A' my Judgment ortho- dox, both pra&ical and evangelical 5 my Verfe fmooth and agreeable, and moftly in Pfalm Mea. fures j tho' they were never defign'd for public Worfhip $ yet they will go in the common Pfalm Tunes, of long, and fhort, and common Metres, and may be fung or read, as the Reader pleafes. This Part you will find moftly experimental, as is faid in the Title Page: And this (1 hope) will render it the more acceptable to all expe- rienced Chriftians. The fecond Part, which confifts chiefly of practical Exhortations, and Admonitions, 1 hope that Tie PREFACE, that this (with the Blefling of God) may be made ufeful for awakening, convincing, and converting Sinners, and for building up Belie- vers in their moft: holy Faith. And that it may anfwer this good End, I have (as much as poffi- ble) avoided all needlefs Controversy $ fo that 1 am perfuaded that 1 have given no juft Offence to any fincere Chriftians cf any Denomination 5 for I have made the Word of God my Rule thro 1 the Whole. And therefore 1 hope that no feri- ous Chriftians will defpife the Work becaufe of the meanefs or Unworthinefs of the Author 5 for it is God that worketh in us, both to will and to do of his own good Pleafure. Phil. ii. 13. And you know that he often makes ufe of the meaneft Inftruments to do his greateft Works. Witnefs the Apoftles, who were moft of them but mean I ifhermen, yet did he make ufe of them to publifh his Gofpel, and to reform a rude ftubborn and rebellious World, and eftablilh a new Religion in it 5 and that, in Oppofition to all the potent Rulers, learned Rabbies, and Philofophers. And did he not make the Chil- dren in the Temple fing Hofannahs to Christ while the learned Priefts and Scribes blafphem'd his Name?" And had 1 look'd back into the old Teftament 1 might have brought numerous Proofs of this. To inftance a few, I fhall refer my Readers to God's wonderful Dealings with Jofeph, Mofe$i Gidion^ Z)avid } and Jjnos. Thefe fe . are The P R E F A C E. are fufficient Proofs of Gob's making ufe of mean Inftruments, for effe&ing his wonderful Works, and celebrating his Praifes. And thus is made manifeft what was fpoken by the great Apoftle "Paul, i Cor. i. 27. GOT) hath cho- fen the foolijh "Things of this World, to confound the wife h and the iveak Things of the -world, tc confound the Things which are mighty. There- fore, my Friends, defpife the Author how you will, but defpife not this Work 'till you have carefully perus'd it with an unprejudiced Mind : And if you find any Thing in it inconfiftant with the divine Oracles, rejeft it $ but if it be nowife inconfiftant therewith, you ought not to defpife it tho* it be nor polifh'd with the Ruks of Art. And if you find any Thing here that by the Grace of God is made ufeful to you, give unto him the Glory, who hath made ufe of fo poor an Inftrument for your Good : And I think you will have the greater Reafon to adore his infinite Power and Goodnefs, who hath manifefted his Grace in fo Angular a manner $ for if God hath made an lnftrument cf me to manifeft the Power of his Grace, I think he never made ufe of a weaker Inftrument. But let none therefore def- pife his Work upon this Account 5 for when a great Operation is perform'd with poor Instru- ments, the greater Praife is due to the Operator. And you may remember what the great Apoftle Taul faid. I. Cor. i. 17. —CHRIST fint me to ^^ preach? 7he PREFACE. ■preach the Go/pel : Not with Wifdom of Words, led the Crcfi of CHRIST ffoould be made of none Effect. And in another Place he compares the Miniiters of the Gofpel to earthen Veffels. II. Cor. iv. 7. 'But we have this Treafure in earthen Veffels, that the Excellency of the Tower may be of GOD, and not of us. But let none think here that I glory in my own Weaknefs, and defpife human Learning ; No, my Friends, far be it from me, 1 only aim to magnify the Grace of God 5 for I have Nothing but what I have received- But here it may probably be expefted that I ihould give fome Account how I came by this Talent: And this I ihall do with as much gen- uine Brevity as I can. viz. Ever fince I came to Years of Underftanding, and could read, 1 took great Delight in Poetry* and as 1 advane'd in Years, my Inclination was. drawn chiefly to delight in divine Poetry, and about the twenty-firft or twenty-fecond Year of itoy Age I became acquainted with Dr. Watts's Imitation of the Tfalms cf David, and his Hymns-* and divine Songs for Children, his Lyric Teems* and Mifcellantous Thoughts 5 and Mr. Srowu's Hymns, and Mr. Erskine's Gofpel Sonnets, and fome others which Providence hath call in my "Way, both before and after this Date, which tended greatly to enliven my Affe&ions for di- vine Poetry : And tho* my Education was but mean, my worldly Circumftances very low, my Time $be PREFACE. Time much taken up to get Bread for my Family, and my Imagination but dull} yet notwithftand- ing all thefe 1 had a great Delight in divine Poetry. And I am almoft afhamed to tell the World of another Difadvantage that lay in my Way, viz. that I unadvifedly enter'd myfelf into the State of Matrimony before I was twenty-one Years of Age, and before. I had acquir'd any Art or Calling to get a Living ; and finding my own Error (when too late) I fet myfelf Apprentice to a Weaver 5 which Art (thro* the Blefling of God) 1 acquir'd almoft to a Miracle : And all this be- fore I had made any Progrefs in the Art of Poe- try : Yet for all thefe, and more Difadvantages than is fit to acquaint the World with, I took to ftudyitig Poetry 5 and tho' 1 had no Advantages, or Qualifications for it but a keen Appetite, yet I purfu'd it with great Delight \ and tho' my firft Eflay was very mean (as I acknowledge my beft will appear in the Eyes of the Polite) yet as I purfu'd this delightful Study, I found it as an inexhauftible Fountain, and the more I drew the more free it came : And having /hewn fome of my weak Performances to fome of my Ac- quaintance, they met with a very kind Recep- tion, and 1 was perfuaded ftill to go on 5 'till at laft it grew to the Bulk that it now is. And now I venture to let it go abroad in the World, notwithftanding the meanefs of its Drefs : Know- ing that if it pleafe the Almighty and alwife Difpof I The PREFACE. Difpofer of all Things to make it inftrumental to his Glory and the Good of Souls he is able. And if he do I am fatisfied, however I may be defpi- fed by Critics, for the Meanefs of this weak Per- formance, I know it is not adorn'd with lefty Airs of Lan- guage, nor grand Images of Thought $ nor is the Rules of Poetry fo exadtly obferved, as to render it amiable in the Eyes of the polite snd critical Part of the World 5 yet it hath already obtain'd the Approbation of many learned and judicious Chriftians, as well as the honeft illite- rate Ones 3 and therefore I fhall venture th e Cenfures of the Reft. And now, my friendly Chriftian Readers, excufe my Plainefs 3 and read without Prejudice, and beg of God a Blef- iing on what you read $ and then if this weak Performance be made any wife ufeful to you, I hope you will not forget to give unto God the Glory, who hath made ufe of fo mean an Inftru- ment for your Edification. And for my Part, 1 ihall count my Labour doubly recompenced, even in this World j for 1 have had fo much Pleafure in the Compofure of thefe Verfes, as hath fully fatisfied me for all my Trouble 5 and what an additional Pleafure it will be to me to hear of their being made in- ftrumental for the Good of others, (jjpoD only knoweth. Nov/ Me PREFACE. Now to conclude, It may not be amifs to inform my friendly Readers that the chief of all this was compos'd at my Work, and by the Bleffingof God I was carried on with fo much Pleafure that it was fcarce any Hinderance to my worldly Cal- ling, but often both of thefe afilfted each other. But if any fhould here charge me with Pride and Arrogance in this Attempt, and this Account of it, I /hail not pretend to juftify myfelf, but I rejoice to think that this fhall be impartially de- cided one Day by him who feeth the Secrets of all Hearts. To him therefore I commit this Performance, begging his Bleffing upon ir, that it may be made inftrumental for his Glory, and the Good of Souls: And hoping for his divine Blefling, on this my honeft (tho* weak Attempt) I venture to fend it abroad in the World, wiiliinor Grace, Mercy and Peace on all them into whofe Hands it lhall come 5 yea, Peace be on all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in Sincerity, Amtn* THE THE CONTENTS. THE Invocation * Page i I. T'he divine Original of Toe try ajjerted and proved^ the abufe of it lamented, and the Innocency of it defended, by way of Intro- duction ' 3 II. Attempting to praife God, and imploring his AJfiftanee — — 5 III. drawing near to the throne of Grace, by a Mediator. An Hymn. — — — — 7 IV. A Morning Hymn . — — 9 V. An Evening Hymn. * 10 VI. An Ejaculation on a Zord'sDay Morning. 12 VII. On the Cammomile. A Similitude of the ' Church. — — 13 VIII. Profeffors excited to Piety, and Sinners to Repentance : Fromfeveral Scriptures. 20 IX. ThediftiuguiftingZoveofGoD$ or, Angels punifb'd and Menfaved. 23 X. The fame j or, the Jujlic-e and Goodnefs of God. XI. Mechanical Exercife applied to devotion and Piety j or the Weaver's Meditations. Med. I; On the Uncertainty of Life. 27 Med. II. Bewailing my own Unconftancy. 29 Med. III. Exciting to Diligence in Duty. 31 Med. IV. Contentment. 33 XII CONTENTS. XII. A Song cf Praife to God for his innumera- ble Mercies to Soul and Body. — — 34 XIII. The Stragglings ofFlefi and Spirit. 38 XIV. Hypocrify common to al\\ or, the Weak- nefs of Faith lament -ed, — 42 XV. The Happinefs of Go/pel Enjoyments ; or the firfi Fruits of Heaven, Written in the Toft- fir ipt of a Letter to a Friend. — 46 XVI. The Believer** Triumph, over the Troubles of this Life. Written in the Poftfcript of a Letter, to my honoured Barents in Scotland, about the "Beginning of that unnatural Re- bellion, 1745, — 49 XVII. Another Poftfcript of a Letter, to my honoured 'Parent s and Friends in Scotland, 1746, before the Rebellion was quelVd. 50 XVIII. The Pleafure ofPublick Worfbip. From Pfalms Ixxxiv. 1, 2, 10, 7, 12. 51 XIX. A Song of Praife and Thanksgiving to God, for the Victory obtained over the Re- bels at Culloden-Moor, April the 16th i 74 6. 52 XX; A Serious Thought onMzy the gth. 1747. 54 XXI. The Benefit ofPublick Worfbip ; or a Song of Praife for the Lord's T)ay Morning. 55 XX1L Self Examination, on a Lord's Evening. 57 XXIII. The Goodnefs of God recorded -^or, a Song of Praife for Rain after a parching Tirought* written on that Occafion in May 1743. 58 XXIV CONTENTS, XXIV. The unequal W A R. ■ Go XXV. ASongofTraife toGod . 63 XXVI. Advice to Youth ; Or, Serious Exhortati- ons to my. own Children. 67 I. To my Son Willi am, Aged ii Tears, ^754. tfo II. To my Son James, Aged 9 Tears, 1754. 71 III. To my Son John, Aged 7 Tears, J 754. 74 IV. To my Son Lazarus, Aged 5 Tears. 1754 77 XXVI I. A general Exhortation to my 4 6b/? j. 79 XXVIII. The ToutVs Grayer for JVifdom, or the li'ord of God the befi Guide : from c Pfalfrt cxix. 9. 84 XXIX. A Serious Reflexion, on May the zotb N. S. 1753. — " 86 XXX. Chrifl a "Light to the Gentiles 3 or, a Song cf l Praife jor the Gojpeh Ifaiah, xlii. 6, 7. ^L 87 XXXI. Grayer for the Enlargement of Chrifl' s Kingdom upon Earth, Mat. vi. 10. Thy Kingdom come gg XXXII. A Song cf praije to God for National ^ProteBion. — g XXXIII. The fir ait way to Heaven: from fever at Scriptures. — — - or XXXIV. Lhe Tower of Sovereign Grace. 95 XXXV. An Elegy on the "Death of a Chriftian Friend. —~ , ^ Her Epitaph. — — - 07 XXXVI. The ZleffiKgcf the Lord is inthe Houfe cf the Righteous. Prov. iii. 33. fa XXXVII. The gccdnefs of God recorded, or a Son- cf Traife to God for a plentiful Crop and a fine Harvefi, after a very long and frofty Spring, and wet Summer. 1754. IOI XXXVIII. The convinced Sinners 'Refiefiion and * Refolutioiu CONTENTS. Refolution. I0 ^ XXXl X. Tie Fall and Recovery of Man. ic6 Remarks. — " m jy^ JCL. On the Four I aft 'Things. 1 j6 I. Heath. — — ib, to fight under ChrijVs "Banner : With CONTENTS. Tilth the "Benefits accruing to them who accept and the T)anger they are in who refufe the Gofpel Call. - — 23 r Special Addrejfes to four Sorts, viz. I. To Touth. — Z$t II. To the Middle- Aged. 238 III. To the Agei. 242 IV. To T)eferters, or Sackfiders. — 249 Sett. V. A more particular Addrefs to the Diflent- ers, on federal ferious Confide rat ions : Sy ivay of Application. 252 Epiflle III. The divine Original and primitive Beauty 0/ Chriftianity &c. 261 Sea. I. The Birth of Chrift, ib. Sea. II. The Life of Chrift. 265 Sett. III. Loft Sufferings and Death of 'Chrift. 269 Sett. IV. The Refurrettion cfChiik. — 277 Sett. V. Chrift Appearing to his Difciples, and giving them Commiffion to preach his Gofpel : ana a fending up into Heaven. 278 Sect. VI. The giving of the Holy-ghofi. — 282 Sett. VII. The primitive "Beauty oj Chriftianity, Jet forth in the holy condutt of the Apoftles. 286 Sett. VIII. The primitive "Beauty ef Chriftianity, farther jet forth in the glorious Order of the Gofpel Miniftry. — — gen Sett. IX. Objettions againfi Chriftianity. 309 Objettion 1. — n % Anfwer. _ gII ' Objettion II. 310 Anfver. _ 320 Sett. X. A ferious Refiettion upon the Whole, 322 E R« ERRATA Page 14. Line 8. for vindicatate, read vindicate* P. 21. L. 11. for alpiercing, read All-piercing. P. 24. L. 17 for Emanuel, read Immanuel. P. 43. L. 2 read All-feeing. P. 44. L. q read rev'rence. ib. L. 11 read All-piercing. P. 62. L. 7 for you, read ye. P. 85. L. 15. foreue, read due. P. 110. 20. read hearken'd. P. 114. 1. If. for beft, read Reft. P. 116. juft under the runing Title inftead ofXXXiV. read XL. There are feveral Overficrhts in the Pointing which 1 hope the Reader will correal for himfelf.- If more Miftakes my Readers find, Let them correal with candid Mind, And this will prove them Men of Senfe, While Carpers /hew their Ignorance : For fome illnatur'd Critics try How many Faults they can defcry, And then for Wits to get a Name, Againft the Author they exclaim. But let them, who fo quick can 'fpy Each M^te that's in their Brother's Eye, Mind (whilft cenforioufly they frown) To call the Beams out of their own. THE I ^4 t 4^4^4 e 4 e 4 e 4^4*4 h 4^^ THE INVOCATI ON I. $&£$&£ tern A L King, who reign'ft on high ^( -v )$( Supreme o'er all Authority : ^ ?k 'Tis Condefcenfion infinite Ws&%fc?R j n thee, to ftoop to Worlds of Light," To fee what's done above the Sky, Where mighty Angels proftrate lie Before thy Face, while they adore Infinite Wifdom, boundlefs Pow'r. II. They count it too, a Pleafure fweer, To caft their Crowns beneath thy Feet, While they the mighty Theme renew Of Praife to thee their Maker due: Yet all the higheft Notes they raife, Can ne'er advance thy boundlefs Praife, More than it was ere Time began, Or Duft was faihion'd into Man. III. But, Lord, what Condecenfion then Is this in thee, to ftoop to Men, And to accept of humble Praife, From fuch unworthy Worms as thefe ! B This 2 tfke INVOCATION. This ftrikes my Soul with fweet Surprize, And fuffers Faith and Hope to rife Toward thy Throne, with humble Lays, And weak Attempts to fpeak thy Praife. IV. Yea, Lord, thou alfo doft bellow Celeftial Gifts on Men below 5 Therefore to Thee mine Eyes I lifr, From whom proceeds each perfect Gift : Endue me, Lord, with heav'nly Skill Rightly to guide my flender Quill $ Infpire my Heart, enforce my Lays, To celebrate thy wond'rous Praife. V. I ask none of the feigned Nine> To make my Mufe with Luftre fhine 5 Thofe heathen Fi&ions I abhor, But thy celeftial Aid implore : To thee I look with humble Face ; O! fill me with thy heav'nly Grace, Till I'm prepar'd to dwell on high, And praife thy Name more perfeftly. VI. Then fhall I with unfainting Tongue Praife Thee with fweet celeftial Song, Amongft thy bright redeemed Choir Eternally, and never tire : My He?r Shall ftill employ the Mufe, While each redeemed Soul above, This matchlefs Scene reviews J- X. Angels /hall join their grateful Strains, To celebrate thy Praife, Who wondering faw thy bleeding Veins, With Horror and Amaze ! XL And thus through all Eternity The Heaven-born Mufe fhall fing, Raptures of fweeteft Harmony, To God, th' eternal King. XII. The Wonders of redeeming Love, Shall be her choiceft Theme : This all the ranfom'd Souls above : Shall joyfully proclaim. IL Attempting to praife God, anct imploring his Jjjiftar.ce.. I. T^Otheemy God, I'd humbly rai'fe,. A facred Song of folemn Praife 5. But, ah, how vain is this Defign, Without thy Influence divine ! B 3 A 6 Divine Miscellanies, [Part I, II. A Tree fprung from degen'rate Root, Can bear no good, no wholfome Fruit, Till took from the wild Olive Wood, And new ingrafted in the Good. Ill Juft fuch am I by nat'ral Courfe, By Nature wild, by Praftice wcrfe, Till took from the wild Olive Tree , And new ingrafted. Lord, in thee ! IV. I fprung from Nature's Wildernefs, And, Lord, without renewing Grace, Can neither think nor fpeak one Word, Nor do one Aft to pleafe my Lord ! V. But, Lord, 1 totally refign Myfelf to Influence divine ! O let thy Spirit on me blow, And make the Seeds of Grace to grow I VI. Infpire my Mufe$ inftrufl: my Tongue J, Affift my weak ad-vent'rous Song $ And let thofe faint and humble Lays Prove inftrumental to thy Praife. VII. Then let my Soul on Wings of Love Rife near thy glorious Throne above, And all my Pow'rs /hall join to raife, An everlafting Song of Praife. rn Sacred to Chriftian Devotion and Piety. 7 VIII. I'll fing the Wonders thou haft done: Thy Love in Chrijt, thy darling Soa : The Wonders of renewing Grace That fitted Worms for thine Embrace. IX. Yea, with thy brighteft Saints I'll vie, To praife the boundlefs Myftery, That God fhould manifefted be In Flejh) to fet the Rebels free. 111. Drawing near to the T'hrone of Grace, by a Mediator. An HYMN. I. vrr I T H holy Fear and humble Awe, ** Lord, I approach thy Throne of Grace, And all my humble Hopes I draw ( From Jesu's perfeft Righteoufnefs. II. Without his Righteoufnefs array'd, Who dares approach thine aweful Throne ? Tremble, my Soul, and be afraid, If thou haft not this Raiment on. III. Fierce Thunderbolts at thy Command, Would dafh me, Lord, to endlefs Fire, Should 1 before thy Juftice ftand Without this rich, divine Attire. But S Divine Miscellas i e s, [Part U IV. But thanks to thy forgiving Grace, Thro* Jesu's rich atoning Blood, I may by Faith approach thy Face, Nor dread the Fury of thy Rod. V. Come then, O fweet celeftial Dove, And clothe me with this Robe divine \ Do thou my filthy Rags remove : Self-Righteoufnefs I now refign. VI. Inborrow'd Strength and Righteoufnefs, 1 would before my God appear 5 For in mine own (I mufb confefs} I hope for no Acceptance there. VII. O then, my Soul, adore the Grace, And Goodnefs of thy dying Lord, That friffer'd in the Sinner's Place, And Heav'nly Hopes again reftor'd ! VIII. O! praife the great eternal Three, Who join'd, the Captives to reftore ! Come, all ye humble Souls, with me This matchlefs Scene of Love adore. IX. Let's boldly now approach the Throne^. To plead the Merits of that Blood, That does for all our Guilt atone, And gives us free Accefs to God. IV. A Sacred to Chriftian Devotion and Piety. 9 IV. A Morning HYMN. h AW A KE, my Soul, with thankful Voice, In fweet celeftial Lays : Let all thy inward Pow'rs rejoice, To fing thy Maker's Praife. II. My Soul, adore that watchful Eye, And that Almighty Hand, That turn'd the num'rous Dangers by, That did around thee Hand ! III. This Night what Judgments might have fell Upon my guilty Head ! My Soul might have been fent to Hell ! My Flefh among the Dead! IV. Or raging Flames, or dreadful Storms, Have laid my Duelling wafte : Or Midnight Fears in various Forms, Might have difturb'd my Reft. V. But I fecurely laid me down, And did in Safety fleep : My gracious God! thy Hand alone My feeble Frame did keep! ^Yhat io Divine Miscellanies, [Part I. VI. What /hall I render, Lord, to thee For Favours fo divine? 1 here devote myfelf to be, Dear Lord ! for ever thine. VII. My Soul and Body I commit Into thy faithful Hand : For what thy Vvifdom feeth fit, I ftill prepared Hand. VIII. Conduft and guide me all my Days, Until my laft Remove '-, Then take me tip to finsf thy Praife, In thy bleft Courts above. V. An Evening HTM N. I. POME now, my Soul, and meditate The Favours of the Day 5 And at thy great Creator's Feet Thy thankful Homage pay. III. Think, O my Soul, what thou doll owe To thy Creator's Love r That did another Day allow. Before thy laft Remove. But ■Sacred to Chriftian Devotion and Piety, ti III. But think, if this fhould be the laft That thou on Earth mufl have, Ere thy frail Body muft be call Into the gloomy Grave. IV. Think, O my Soul, where thou muft dwell, When thou haft dropt thy Clay 5 Down in the dreadful Lake of Hell, Or mount to endlefs Day! V. *Tis Time this great Concern to know Before thou fhut thy Eyes, And to what Region thou muft go, When this frail Body dies ! VI. O! then in hafte for Refuge fly To Jesu's wounded Side, And by true Faith thereon rely, Thy num'rous Crimes to hide ! VII. Thence Blood and Water both did flow, To cleanfe and juftify : Thy Spirit, Lord, on me beftow, This Balfam to apply. VIII. Then fprinkl'd with atoning Blood, I'll give mine Eyes to Sleep $ And truft thy Providence, my God, My ileeping Dull to keep. VI. Jn iz Divine Miscellanies, [Part I. VI ^Ejaculation ona Lord's Day Morning. IT O W would my Heart rejoice, ■■""*• To hear my Neighbours fay, cc Come, let us hear our Maker's Voice " With chearful Hearts to Day ! II. " Let's all with one Accord iC Approach his facred Place, M To meet our condefcending Lord, vill pierce their Hearts like flaming Swords With Horror and Defpair* X. c< Depart from me ! depart ! " le Hypocrites, and dwell M With Devils (this is your Defert) " Down in loweft Hell- " XI. O Sinners, Warning take f O Saints, be drawn by Love ! Sinners, behold the fiery Lake! Saints, view the Crowns above! XII. O! may this kind Advice Be on your Hearts impreft, By him who makes the Simple wife 9 And gives the Weary Reft! XIII Come, O celeftial Dove, Thy Influence impart/ 'Tis thou muft make the Wheels to move* And quicken ev'ry Heart. XIV Sacred to Chriftian Devotion and Piety. 23 XIV. Abundantly impart Thy kind enliv'ning Grace/ Then /hall we run with chearful Heart, Nor tire, nor lofe the Race. IX. The diftinguifhing love of God 5 or, An- gels puntfb'd and Men faved. I. T\ OWN from their native Skies J - / Th' apojtate Angels fell 5 And Thunder-Bolts of largeft Size Perfu'd them down to Hell / II. There do the Traytors lie, Bound with immortal Chains / And muft thro 5 all Eternity, Where boundlefs Horror reigns. III. jfuftice did on them feize With fierce revengful Breath : No Ranfom's offer'd to appeafe For them it's dreadful Wrath. IV. But, Oh! the matchlefs Grace Of God the fov'reign Lord, That pity'd Man's rebellious Race z Who difobey'd his Word/ 54 Divine Miscellanies, [Part I. V. For Men he freely fent His dear beloved Son, To bear their dreadful Puniihment, And for their Guilt atene. VI. Oh/ the amazing Love That filPd the Saviour's Heart! That made him leave his Throne above, To die for Man's Defert. VII. For poor unworthy Worms Of Adam's fallen Race, What Wonders his rich Love performs/ His rich abundant Grace. VIII. The Law would not abate One Mite^ but all muft die, Except a Ranfom infinite Would Jufiice fatisfy. IX. Then, lo, Emanuel comes With Piry in his Eyes, And Man's frail Nature he affumes, And in their Head he dies. X. Now fee him rife again, At God's Kight-Hand he ftands, And pleads the Merits o( hh Pain, And their Releafe demands. xr. Sacred to Christian Devotion and Piety. 25 XI. O ! Love beyond Degree ! Be Heav'n and Earth amaz'd, To fee him bleeding on the Tree, For finful Worm$ abas'd / XII. Thus did the Father give His Darling, to redeem All (Penitents that do believe Unfeinedly on Him. XIII. But, O celeftial Dove, Thy quick'ning Pow'rs impart! And with true Faith, and heav'nly Love, Fill my degen'rate Heart. XIV. Elfe all this Love's in vain To poor unworthy me, Unlefs I'm truly born again, And fanckified by thee. XV. .My bafe corrupted Willy And all it's Powers controul $ And with thy heav'nly Gr&c&s fill My vile polluted Soul. XVI. Then with thy new born Race Of Worjhippers on high, I'll join to praife Redeeming Grace Thro' all Eternity. D X. The 26 Divine Miscellanies, [Parti. X. The fame ; or y the Juftice and Good- nefs of God* I. T\OWN from the Top of heay'nly Blifs . Th' apoftate Angels fell 5 And Juftice rioom'd the trayt'rous Race Down to the loweft Hell. II. So on the Top of earthly Blifs, Lo, our firfi 'Parents ftood 5 But foon they loft their ^Paradife, By Sin agaipft their God. III. So Juftice alfo doom'd our Race To Hell's infernal Pit, Except a Saviour in our Place Would pay the utmoft Mite. IV. But, Oh ! for ever be ador'd The Riches of his Grace, Who fent a Saviour and reftor'd Our guilty fallen Race ! V. Jesus the everlafting God, Whom vlngel- Minds adore, Affum'd our Flejh> and ihed his Shod) Our Ruin to reftore ! VI- Sacred to Chriftian Devotion and Piety. 27 VI. jfujiice did lay it's dreadful Stroke Upon his guiltlefs Head ! He bore the Curfe, the legal Toke In finful Mortal's Head! VII. For this, ye Saints for ever raife Your thankful Voices high; And ling your great Redeemer's Praife, , Thro' all Eternity. XI. MECHANIC AL EXERCISE Applied to Devotion and Piety > OR, TH E Weaver's Meditations. MEDITATION 1. On the Uncertainty of LIFE. I. YJTT Hilst here I hang 'twixt Earth andSkies, A Monitor before mine Eyes, Urges his Way with earneft Halle, To ihew how fall my Moments wafte* II. Yet is this Monitor too flow, The Swiftnefs of my Time to fhow ; For oft he intermits his Courfe, But my Days run with conftant Force.* D 2 III. Mv * J O B. vii. 6. aS Divine Misceuanies, [Part I. III. My Soul! what Leffon fhould'ft thou learn From this fo awful a Concern? Thou know'ft not if one Moment more Is now allotted to thy Score ! IV. Then with what Diligence and Care Should'ft thou for thy great Change prepare ? Redeem the Time that yet remains, Keglefi no Means, and fpare no Pains! V. Lift up, my Soul, thy fluggifti Eyes, And view by Faith the glorious Prize Laid up in Heav'n, for only them, That faithful follow Christ the Lamb. VI. Hark what the Lord thy Saviour faith, 11 If thou art faithful to the Tieath^ il A Crown of Life Til give to thee % 11 And thou flail live, yea reign with me."* VII. Lord, I would run at thy Command To reach this Crown at thy Right-Hand, But, ah! dear Lord, I daily find The Fetters of a carnal Mind ! VIII. Affift me, Lord, elfe all is vain ; Do thou my wand 'ring Feet reftrain: O wafli me in atoning Blood, And fit me for thy bleft Abode ! IX. 1 * Rev. ii. I©; Sacred to Chriftian Devotion and Piety. 29 IX. I then in fweet celeftial Lays, "With grateful Heart /hall fing thy Praife 5 Yea, with thy brighteft Saints above, I'll vie to praife Redeeming Love. MEDITATION II. Bewailing my own UNCONSTANCY. I. TI/'Hilst here I hang 'twixt Earth and Skies, Fain would my Spirit upward life, And with my Contemplation rove Thro' all the Realms' of Blifs above. II. Fain would I view the glorious Place, Where Jesus fhews his fmiling Face 5 And all his happy Saints above, How they rejoice, and praife, and love/ III. Fain would I learn of them to praife My God in fweet celeftial Lays, Before I quit this heavy Clay, And mount to Realms of tn&Ufs Z)av. IV. When to thefe Things 1 lift mine Eyes* All earthly Glories I defpife 5 And count the brighteft Scenes below All but a vain and empty Show. V. Tte* D 3 30 Divine Miscellanies, [Part I. V. Then do I dream the Monfter Sin Is dead (that lurk'd fo long within,) .Each vain Delight 1 lov'd before, With all my Heart I then abhor. VI. Then am I fill'd with Extafies, But, ah, how foon the Rapture dies/ How f ion this heav'nly Frame departs, When Sin begins to try its Arts, VII. Sometimes by Frowns, fometimes by Smiles, This World my fickle Mind beguiles 3 While Satan (by malicious Arts) Doth often throw his poifon'd Darts. VIII. But ftill, alafs, above the Pveft, The Traitor dwells within my Breaft / This wicked Heart, alafs, I find Is more deceitful than the Wind. IX. Then like the Sow that hath been wafti'd, Into the Mire again I'm dafh'd / My tow 'ring Hopes are funk again, And 1 am drown'd in Sin and Pain. X. And muft it, Lord, be always fo, Whiift I'm a Sojourner below ? O/ fpeak but one Sin conqu'ring Word, And ev'ry Lull fhall be abhord. XI. Come, Sacred to Chriftian Devotion and Piety. 31 XI. Come, holy Spirit, and remain With me, not like wayfaring Men That tarry only for a Night, And thence depart by Morning-Light. XII. In me, Lord, chtife thy fixt Abode % Make me a Temple for my God : Ereft thy Throne within my Heart, And never, never! more depart. ^^^^^¥^^^^^^^^^^^(^^^ MEDITATION III. Exciting to Diligence in Duty. I. T> E T W I X T the Earth and Skies I hang, My Feet upon the yielding Poles 5 Whilft the fwift MefTenger I fling Reminds me how each Moment rolls. II. Then, O my Soul, with equal Halle Improve thy Moments as they fly 5 For this frail Life will foon be pall, And then comes on Eternity ! III. And think, my Soul, how much is gone Of this fhort Life, in youthful Toys ! And think how little thou haft done To fit thee for eternal Joys ! IV- Let 32 Divine Miscellanies, [ Part I. iv. L t this excite thy Dilic To fir thee for thy i And dnrt no no r e, But walk by Faith iur n me; V. But, Loed, if thou doft not rei i*in My wand'ring Feet, I am un one: Let Jesu's Blood wafh every Stain, And for my num/rous Sins atone. VI. Then fhall I run with chearful Feet In thy Commands, O God of Grace! When filPd with all thy Graces fweet, And clothed with Jesu's Righteoufnefs. VIL But, Lord, I totally depend On thee for Righteoufnefs and Strength, To bring me to my Journey's End, Thro' this dark Wildernefs at length. VIII. Then when 1 meet thy Saints on high, Who now my dear Companions are, We'll fpend a whole Eternity, Thy matchlefs Goodnefs to declare I XI. With what unfpeakable Delight, Jesus, fhall we thy Name adore, Who brought us to the Realms of Light, , Redeem'd from Sin and Satan's Pow'r! MED. IT> Sacred to Chriftian Devotion and Piety. 33 MEDITATION IV. CONTENTMENT. 1. O, here I fit, or rather hang, •*- J And whilft the Shuttle fwiftly flies, With chearful Heart I work and fing, And envy none beneath the Skies, II. When I on Contemplation's Wings, Thro' heav'nly Obje&s fweetly rove, Thrones, Sceptres, Crowns of earthly Kings, I count unworthy of my Love ! III. Could I but fee my Jesus Smile, And hear him whifper, " Thou art mine/' This World with all its Pomp and Spoil, Moft gladly could I then refign! IV. Let others feek for Com and Wine y And Earth with all it's mighty Store ; Let Jesus fay but, " I am thine." I'll anfwer, Lord, I ask no more! V. If thou art mine I'm fafe and bleft, I charge my Heart no more to rove : Here fix, my Soul, thy fettl'd Reft, And never feek another Love. VI. Lord? 54 Divine Miscellanies, [Part I. VI. Lord, if I'm thine, and thou art mine, What can my Soul defire befiie ! All other Things I now refign, If thou confent I'm fatisfy'd. VII. But, Lord, my Truft is in thy Name} I dare not truft my own falfe Heart, To keep in this celeftial Frame, If thou, my God, my All, depart. vnr. lmprifon me in thine Embrace, Nor let my Faith e'er lofe thy Sight, 'Till I fhall fee thee Face to Face, In Realms of everlafting Light. XIL A S O N G of Praife toGoD for his innumerable Mercies to Soul and "Body. I. T O R D, the rich Favours of thy Hand Should 1 attempt to number o'er, I might as eafy count the Sand That crouds upon the ebbing Shore. If. 'Twas thou, my God, my Being gave, And ftamp'd thine Image on my Frame : And ev'ry Gift that I receive, Thou art the Giver of the fame. III. While Sacred to Chriftian Devotion and Piety. 35 ml While in the Secret Womb I lay, Thy Hand did form each fev'ral Part: My Subftance thou didft then furvey, And finifh'd with unerring Art. IV. My tender Lik thou then didft fpare, Before I to the Light did come 5 And I was cafl upon thy Care, Ev'n from my tender Mother^ Womb. V.; My num'rous Wants on ev'ry Side, Before I could the fame exprefs, My God v thy gracious Hand fupply'd, And fuccc'ur'd me in all Diftrefs. VI. Thus thro* my tender Infant Age, Thy Hand hath been my Guard and Guide 5 And ftill thro' Life's advancing Stage, Thy Mercies have been multiply'd. v;r. And what innumerable Snares, Seen, and unfeen have I efcapt, Thro' ihefe my few revolving Years, Becaufe thy Hand me fafely kept. VIII. For thefe thy temp'ral Favours, Lord, I owe eternal Thanks to thee $ But when I read thy holy Word, I Still greater Miracles 1 fee, IX. Here 36 Divine Miscellanies, [Part I. IX. Here I'm inform'd how Adam fell, And did thy holy Law tranfgrefs 5 And thereby was condem'd to Hell, Both he, and all his future Race. X. And here I'm told how thou haft fent Thy Son to fuffer in the Place Of all who truly do repent, Believe, and truft the Plan of Grace. XL By thefe thy glorious Myft'ries, Lord, Which thus thou haft reveal'd to me, My finking Hopes thou haft reftor'd, That I thy Face in Peace might fee. XII. Again I would adore thy Grace, That did reftrain my wand'ring Feet, When 1 the Paths of Sin did trace, So dangerous, and yet fo fweet ! XIII. Oft haft thou made my Confcience fpeak, And check my bafe corrupt Defires, When I thy holy Laws did break With vile licentious youthful Fires ! XIV. But ah, how often have I broke Thy holy Laws, my folemn Vows ! And from my Neck fhook oft' thy Yoke, And did the Road to Ruin chufe. XV. Lord, Sacred to Chriftian Devotion and Piety. 37 XV. Lord, hadft thou left me thus to run In the broad Path I lov'd fo well, I might have long ere now been gone Down to the dark Abyfs of Hell ! XVI. Lord, I adore thy matchlefs Love, That check'd my vicious Pow'rs fo ftrong 5 But when I join thy Saints above, My Soul fliall raife a fweeter Song. XVII. But, Lord, thou know'ft my Strength is frail My wand'ring Feet are prone to ftray 5 Corruptions oftentimes prevail, And drag me ftill the downward Way. XVIII. O let thy Spirit guide me ftill In Paths of Truth, in Paths of Grace, 'Till I upon thy holy Hill Shall ft and compleat in Right eoufneji. XIX. Then fliall I join thy glorious Throng Of Saints upon the heav'nly Shore, And with unfainting Heart and Tongue, Thy matchlefs Love in Christ adore. XX. Oh / could I then devife a Song Proportionable to thy Love> It would furpafs each heav'nly Tongue^ And ev'ry golden Harp above. E XIII. The 38 Divine Miscellanies, [Part I # XIII. The STRUGGL ING S of Flejb and Sprit. I. ALAS, Lord, how my feeble Soul Doth totter to and fro 5 Unliable as the Waters roll, When ftormy Tempefts blow ! II. Sometimes I think the Monfter Sin Shall lord it here no more : And then I joyfully begin On Wings of Faith to foar.^ III. My chearful Soul does then rejoice To wing its heav'nly Way : The Lord is then its only Choice, My joyful Heart can fay. IV. Thus, Lord, when thou doft on me fhine, With Beams of heav'nly Grace ; All other Loves I can refign, And thee alone embrace. V. Then fill'd with Joys divinely fweet, I hope I never more Shall yield to Sin, whofe bafe Deceit Intangled me before. VI. But, Sacred to Chriftian Devotion and Piety. 39 VI. But, ah 9 haw foon I grow fecure, And think all Danger's o'er : I think my Standing is fo fare, That I ihall fall no more. VII. But, ah, how foon my rifing Flight Is dafhed down again ! My Day is turned into Night, My Pleafure into Pain. VIII. Into the Gulph of Sin again, I'm plunged Head and Ears! And then there's nothing doth remain, But gloomy Doubts and Fears. IX. When e'er I think myfelf mod fafe, Then is my Danger moll: Straight comes an overwhelming Wave, And all my Strength is loft. X. Then am I fill'd with Fear and Grief: Sad State thu I am in ! While Doubts and Fears and Unbelief, Still aggravates my Sin. XI. But, O, the Goodncfs of the Lord! How wond'rous great to me, He fpeaks a kind reviving Word^ And fets the Captive free. E z XII. Thus 40 Divine Miscellanies, [ Part I. XII. Thus quicken'd by his gracious Word, My Soul revives again : Forever bieffed be the Lord, Who thus removes my Pain. XIII. Then I my bafe Ingratitude, With hearty Grief deplore / Becaufe I've finM againft my God, Myfelf I do abhor. XIV. Then Sin in it's own native Hue, Appears before mine Eyes 5 And I with humble Grief review My pail Iniquities. XV. Then I refolve with all my Heart, Never to ftray again: Never from thee, my God, to part, But conftant Watch mainrain. XVI. The Thought of finning any more, Seems worfe than 'Death to me : This Traytor «S?tf, Lord, I abbor That hath offended thee. XVII. Then lo, I think the Serpent\ Head I've got beneath my Feet/ My vicious Lulls are now all dead : The Vicl'ry is compleat! XVIII. But Sacred to Chriflian Devotion and Piety. 41 XVIII. But ah, how quickly I forget My folemn Vows and Ties, When Sin does me again befet With all its Subtleties. XIX. My ftrongeft Efforts then I find Too weak to Hand its Wiles: It fteals upon my fickle Mind, And all my Pow'rs beguiles. XX. Thus am I daily brought to fee How feeble, Lord, I am, My Strength depends alone on thee, My Hope is in thy Name. XXI. Look down, Lord, with a gracious Eye, And Pity on me take : Pafs all my Black Offences by, For my dear Jesits Sake. XXII, And let thy Spirit guide my Feet In Paths of Right eoufnefs> Till I lhall reach the golden Street^ And Stand before thy Face. XXIII Then ihall I with unwav'ring Heart Thy Praifes, Lord, proclaim, With Saints and Aigels bear a Part, To magnify thy Name. E 3 Oh 4% Divine Miscellanies, [Part 1. XXIV. Oh, with what Tranfports fhall I tell Thy wond'rous Works above $ My Soul redeem'd from Sin and Hell, By Wfdom, Our Suit to offer to his Ear, For fome important Tfrmg : X. Then 44 Bivine Miscellanies, [Part I. X. Then with what Diffidence and Fear, Should we approach his Throne ! And with what low Submiflion there, Make our Petition known. XI. Thus partially we rev'rance more Our fellow Worms of Clay, Than ev'n the Lord, whofe fov'reign Pow'r The Univerfe doth fway. XII. But ; ah, what bafe Hypocrify, Is this before the Lord ! Before whofe quick alpiercing Eye^. All Falfhood is abhor'd. XIII. Alas! alas! what faithkfs Worms, Are all our fallen Race, How we th' old ^Serpent's Will perform, And well deferve his Place ! XIV. Remove our ftupid Madnefs, Lord, And bafe ingratitude 3 Then fhall we love thy Holy Word More than our daily Food. XV. O! were our Faith ftrong as our Senfe, How chearful fhould we run In thy Commands! nor flee from thence ; Thy Will, Lord, fhould be done. XVI. Objefls Sacred to Chriilian Devotion and Piety. 45 XVI Objefls of Senfe attract our Eyes, With fair deceitful Toys 5 And Things unfeen we then defpife, Ev'n everlafting Joys. XVIL Nay, Lord, thy Threat'nings too are vain, To make our Spirits move 5 While dead and faithlefs we remain, We neither fear nor love. XVIII. Quicken our droufy Faith, O Lord ! Make all the Wheels to move 5 Then fhall we run with one Accord, And work with filial Love. XIX. O! fend thy fweet celeftial Dove, Our Spirits to enflame 5 Then fhall we no more faithlefs prove, But love and fear thy Name, XX. 'Till Faith fhall be exchang'd for Sights LTpon the heav'nly Shore 5 Then fhall we gaze with fweet Delight, Our Hearts prove falfe no more. XXI. Then perfe£t Love fhall fill the Place That Faith was in below : Our Souls fhall praife thy matchlefs Grace, And no Mifgivings fhow. XV. The 46 Divine Miscellanies, [Part I. XV. TheHappinefs ^Gofpel Enjoyments; Or, thefirfi Fruits ^Heaven. Written in the 'PoJlfcriptoizLETTERtoa Friend. I. r\ Happy People, where the Lord Unveils his fmiling Face ! Where he reveals his faving Word, And fheds abroad his Grace. II. This is the higheft Scene of Blifs, We Mortals can enjoy: The Dawn of heav'nly Mirth, it is Where Pleafures never cloy. ur. Then let us thankfully improve His Grace fo richly fhed 5 And never more prefume to rove From Christ our living Head* IV. : O let us never reft at Eafe Upon this earthly Clod, But ftill prefs on from Grace to Grace, 'Till we approach our Goi>. V. 'Till we fhall fee him Face to Face y With all his Glories on, And dwell in that delightful Place Before his glorious Throne. VI. There Sacred to Chriftian Devotion and Piety. 47 VI. There /hall we range th' tftherial Tlains^ Thofe glorious Realms above ! There /hall we breath celeftial Strains, And ev'ry Thought be Love, VII. There with the Jngels we /hall fing, And with the Saints /hall praife, Jesus, our Trophety Triefi and King* In everlafting Lays. VIII. Nor /hall the fweet Employment tire, Or e'er give Caufe of Pain $ But at the Height of fweet Defire We ever /hall remain. IX, O happy Time ! when /hall it be! When /hall our Soul afpire To that delightful Company, And help to fill the Choir. X. O, may thefe Thoughts cheer up our Minds, And bear our Souls above Thefe high and rough tempeft'ous Winds, That would disburb our Love, XL O! who would not defpife the Toys, And Vanities on Earth, To be partakers of thefe Joys, Ev'n eveilafting Mirth. XII. Who 4 Divie Miscellanies, [Part I. XiL Who would not fuffef any Pains, And bear a Q cfs with Joy, That 'ees the Reft which there remains Laid up for Saints on high ? XHL Nay, who would not for Jesu's Sake (Were no Heward in View) Lay down their Lives ev'n at the Stake, Their faithful Love to fhew ! XIV. Small wer^ this Love compar'd with his Ten Thoufand Lives to give, Who for his bitter Enemies Did die that thfcy might live. XV. O, wond'rous Love beyond compare, Let ev'ry Srul admire, And thofe that hope therein to fliare Still imitate it nigher. XVI. Now may the God oiz J)ivine Miscellanies, [Part I. VIII. Legions of Angels round him ftand, All ready arm'd at his Command, His A£ts of Juftice to perform ! Swifter than Lightning from the Skies, Deftru&ion darting from their Eyes, To blaft the bold, the Rebel Worm ! IX. Then tremble, O you mortal Worms/ And now lay down your hoftile Arms At your Creator's ajvful Feet. This is much brighter Wifdom far, Than thus t' attempt th' unequal War, Againft a Being infinite / X. Come then, and bow before the Lord, Before he draws his glittering Sword, For if his Fury once arife, Ten thoufand Worlds will in his Hand Be as a fingle Grain of Sand, That on proud Neptune's Margin lies ! XL Amazing Pow'r 5 yet richer Grace Shines in our great Creator's Face, When he in Christ is reconciPd ! When a poor Penitent doth come By Faith in Christ, he takes him Home, And makes him his adopted Child ! XII. Such Sacred to Chriftian Devotion and Piety. 63 XII. Such is his Power, and fuch his Love, The Eagle temper'd with the Dove, A God of Power, a God of Grace/ Come then, my Soul, with holy Awe, Let this thy beft Affections draw, And humbly bow before his Face. XXV. A SONG of PRAISE to God ^ R E AT God, eternal, and fupreme, Who can thy boundlefs Praife exprefs? Thy brighteft Angels for this The\tte Their lnfufficiency confefs. II. But ah, what then are Worms of Clay To /hew the Glory of thy Name, When Angels in their bright Array Can never grafp the mighty Theme ! III. Juftice might pour devouring Flam.e On us, in everlafting Showers, Should we prefume to take thy Name In fuch polluted Lips as ours. IV. But, Lord, fince tliou doft condefcend T' accept of Praife from Adam's Race > My Soul in fweet Amazement ftands At this {urpriz/ing Stoop of Grace / G 2 V. I 64 Divine Miscellanies, [Part I V. I too would ti v to fpeak thy Praife* ThouJvlAKER of my humble Frame ; But ah, what Honours can I raife To thy eternal glorious Name ? VI. For all the bright celeftial Choir (So far furpafling mortal Man; Can ne'er advance thy Glory higher Than 'twas ere ttme itfelf began/ VII. My Soul's in A< ation loft, "When 1 thy Greatn. fs think upon : The Grandeur of th' Angelic Hoft, And order of thy Heav'nly Throne / VIII. There thou the great Jehovah reign?, Maker of all created Things / Immenfity alone contains The Lord of Lords, and King of Kings/ IX. Thou art from all Eternity, And to Eternity the fame / All Things are naked to thine Eye, And fubjeft to thy Pow'r fupreme. X. Eternally thy Schemes were laid, According to thy holy Will, Before the Heav'ns or Earth was made : A II Things thy Purpofes fulfill. XI. There's Sacrtctto ChrifHan "Devotion and Piety. 65 XL There's not an InfeB % Worm, or Flie % %ird y Seafi, or Man unknown to thee I At thy Command they live and die, According to thy great Decree ! XII. Thy Wifdom, Pow'r, and Holinefs, Juftice, and Truth, and Goodnefs fhine, With Beams fo bright, none can exprefs Which Attribute is moil divine! XIII. Who can by fearchinsr find out Thee, The great Infinite and Unknown? In Effence One, in Perfons Three,. Known only to thyfelf alone ! XIV. The Univerfe at thy Command Rofe out of Nothing at thy Word ! And ftill the fpacious Fabrick ftands, To Ihew the Glory of its Lord, XV. Each of thy Works proclaim thy Praife> According to their various Kinds : How wond'rous are thy Works and Ways? In all infinite Wifdom fhines ! XVI. In Nature's Book I fee thy Face With mofttranfcendant Luftre jfhine 5 But when I read thy Book of Grace, I fee thy Glories mere divine. XVII. When. 66 Divine Miscellanies, [Part I, XVII. When Faith beholds thy matchlefs Grace Sending thy clear beloved Son, To die for Adam's guilty Race, Who had themfelves by Sin undone. XVIII. Lo, here thy Wifdom, Pow'r and Love, Seem each to vie which /hall out fhine $ While Juftice does the Scheme approve, And Truth Confirms the Aft divine ! XIX. Here Angels wonder and adore This matchlefs Stoop of Love divine $ Yet can they not the Depth explore 7 5 Tis deep and high beyond their Line ! XX Tet ftill they gaze and wonder on, And praife thy Name with fweet Delight y And own the Infinite Unknown Is far above created Si^ht ! XXI. Lord, I would alfo lift mine Eyes To fee the Wonders thou haft done : T* adore thofe glorious Mifteries, Reveal'd to me by Christ thy Son* XXII, O ! draw me by the Cords of Love, And teach me daily to afpire 5 'Till Pm prepar'd to dwell above, And join the bright Angelic-Choir. XXVI. Ad- Sacred to Chriftian Devotion and Fiery; 67 XXVI. Advice to Youth; Or, Serious EXHORTATIONS To my own Children. L To my Son W I L L I A M y Aged 11 Years, 1754. I. JlflLLlAM my firft-born Son, attend Upon the Counfels of my Mouth: Remember now thy latter End, And thy Creator in thy Youth. II. Think now how much of Life is fpent In Vanity, and childifh Toys 5 And think how foon thou wilt be fent To endlefs Woes, or endlefs Joys. III. Think alfo how unfit thou art For fuch a vaft and dreadful Change 5 And how thy Soul from Fle/h muft part, To trace a Road fo dark and ftrange ! IV. Then 68 Divine Miscellanies, [Part L IV. Then if it's not prepar'd to dwell With Christ, in everlafting Light 5 Down to the dreadful Lake of Hell, With trembling it muft take its Flight ! V. Then think how Flefh and Soul muft meet, And muft united be again 5 And ftand before Chrirt's Judgment Seat, And thence be doom'd to endlefs Pain ! VI. Then down to the infernal Lake United they muft trembling fly, And there their dreadful Portion take, And that through all Eternity ! VII. And there in Torments Night and Day They muft endure an endlefs Storm $ For on the Vitals there will prey The quenchlefs Fire, and deathlefs Worm ! VIII. Then think how dreadful 'tis to die Unfan&ify'd, and thus prepar'd To launch into Eternity, In Hell to have thy laft Reward ! IX. O dreadful Thought ! forevermore In Hell's infernal Chains to lie ! In endlefs Burnings there to roar, And long for Death, yet never die ! X. This Sacred to Christian Devotion and Piety, 69 X, This is the Portion of all thofe Who do againftthe Lord rebell 5 And do not with his Go/pel clofe, Their Part muft be the Lake of Hell. XI. Then, O my Son, I pray be wife, And with my Counfel now comply 5 So /halt thou gain the glorious Prize, Laid up with Christ above the Sky. XII. The Go/pel is the Field wherein The