■ 
 
 FROM THE LIBRARY OF 
 REV. LOUIS FITZGERALD BENSON, D. D. 
 
 BEQUEATHED BY HIM TO 
 
 THE LIBRARY OF 
 
 PRINCETON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY 
 
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MISCELLANIES, 
 
 MORAL and INSTRUCTIVE,' 
 
 I N 
 
 PROSE and VERSE; 
 
 COLLECTED FROM 
 
 Various Authors, 
 
 FOR THE 
 
 USE of SCHOOLS, 
 
 AND 
 
 IMPROVEMENT 
 
 O F 
 
 YOUNG PERSONS of BOTH SEXES, 
 
 c{ 'Tis Education forms the common Mind ; 
 
 " Juil as the Twig is bent, the Tree's incliri'd.* 1 ' Pope, 
 
 PHILADELPHIA: 
 
 Primed by JOSEPH JAMES, in Chemut-StrecU 
 
 between Front and Second- Streets, 
 
 k.^cc.lxxx.vii, 
 
( Hi ) 
 
 H..v^«^S^S><S>V"V->" 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 X HE right education of youth, being a point of great im- 
 portance to the prefent and fucceeding generations, it is to be 
 regretted, that the want of proper books for the ufe of fchools, 
 fhould have been fo general a fubject of complaint ; and that 
 very few attempts have been mace to fupply this deficiency, 
 by introducing fomething on fuch a plan, as might, befidcs 
 improving the understandings and morals, initructively amufe 
 the vacant hours of young people, and have a tendency to ren- 
 der the talk of teaching a more agreeable employment. 
 
 With a view to thefe objects, the following Mifcellaneons 
 Compilation is now offered to the public. Moft of the extracts 
 which ccmpofe it, were collected fome years ago, from a va- 
 riety of authors, by a perfcn who had no other intention, at 
 the time, but that of preferring them for her own perufal and 
 amufement ; and who, from motives wholly difintereiled, has 
 lately, at the requeft of her friends, confented to their publica- 
 tion, with a hope, that if they are favourably received, it may 
 prove an incitement to fome perfon of greater abilities, to pur- 
 fue this or a better plan, whereby our fchools may be furnifhed 
 with a book more deferving their acceptance. 
 
 It gives fome concern to the compiler, that me neglected 
 to diftinguim the different parts, with the names of their 
 authors, at the time they were felected^ as it is not now in her 
 power to fupply the omi/iion. 
 
 The 
 
Th e editor has thought it neceflary to remark, that a few 
 verbal alterations have been made in fome of the extracts, the 
 better to adapt them to the ufe of the prefent deiign ; but as 
 the fentiments and tenor of the original pieces are not thereby 
 materially changed, it is hoped this freedom will be excufed 
 by their refpeclive authors, to whom not the leaH injury or o£- 
 fence has been intended. 
 
 The EDITOR. 
 
 ONE of the moft approved judges of books amongft n?, 
 after perufmg fome parts of the manufcript, has expreffed hi* 
 approbation thereof as follows ; 
 
 " I have read, with much pleafure, the manufcript fpe- 
 •• cimen communicated to me of the Mifcellanies in Profe and 
 M Verfe. I am glad to hear they are now ordered for the 
 «* prefs. 
 
 " A H0OK, containing fo many well chofen fentiments 
 " and excellent inftruclions, put into the hands of our children, 
 *' cannot but be highly ufeful to the rifing generation. 
 
 B. FRANKLIN." 
 
 A MORNING 
 
{ 5 ) 
 A MORNING HYMN, 
 
 T. 
 
 O thee, let my firft offerings rife, 
 
 Whofe fun creates the day, 
 Swift as his glad'ning influence flies, 
 
 And fpotlefs as his ray. 
 What numbers with heart-piercing fighs 
 
 Have paft this tedious night ! 
 What numbers too have clos'd their eyes, 
 
 No more to fee the light ! 
 Sound was my fleep, my dreams were gay> 
 
 How fhort fuch time reviewed! 
 My night ftole unperceiv'd away ; 
 
 I'm like the day renew'd. 
 This day thy fav'ring hand be nigh, 
 
 So oft vouchfaf 'd before ; 
 Still may it lead, protect, fupply, 
 
 And I that hand adore. 
 If blifs thy Providence impart, 
 
 For which refign'd I pray, 
 Give me to feel the grateful heart, 
 
 And without guilt be gay. 
 Affliction, mould thy love intend, 
 
 As vice or folly's cure, 
 Patient to gain that gracious end, 
 
 May I the means endure. 
 Thus from my fix'd or varying fate, 
 
 Some virtue let me gain, 
 That Heaven, nor high, nor low eftate, 
 
 When fent, may fend in vain. 
 Be this, and ev'ry future day 
 
 Still wifer than the pail, 
 That life's improvement to furvey 
 
 May well fuftaia my laft. 
 
 ¥HE 
 
 
( 6 ) 
 
 THE duties of religion, fincerely and regularly performed, 
 will always be fufficient to exalt the meaneft, and to exercife the 
 higheft understanding. That mind will never be vacant, which 
 is frequently recalled by ftated duties to meditations on eter- 
 nal 'interefts ; nor can any hour be long, which is fpent in 
 obtaining fome new qualification for celeftial happinefs. 
 
 TO love an enemy, is the diftinguifhing characleriftic of a 
 religion, which is not of man but of God. It could be de- 
 livered as a precept, only by him who lived and died to efta- 
 blifh it by his example. 
 
 I F thou doll good to man, as an evidence of thy love to God, 
 thy virtue will be exalted from moral to divine ; and that hap- 
 pinefs, which is the foretafle of paradife, will be thy reward 
 upon earth. 
 
 RECREATION after bufinefs is allowable ; but he that 
 follows his pleafure inftead of his bufinefs, fhali in a little time 
 have no bufinefs to follow. 
 
 RESIGNATION. 
 
 THOU Pow'r Supreme, by whofe command I live, 
 The grateful tribute of my praife receive; 
 To thy indulgence, I my being owe, 
 And all the joys which from that being flow. 
 Scarce eighteen funs have form'd the rolling year, 
 And run their deflin'd courfes round the fphere, 
 Since thou my undiitinguiuYd form furvey'd, 
 Among the lifelefs heaps of matter laid ; 
 Thy fkill my elemental clay refin'd, 
 The flraggling parts in beauteous order join'd; 
 With perfect fymmetry compos 'd the whole, 
 Ana ftampt thy facred image on my foul ; 
 A foul, fufceptible of endlefs joy ! 
 Wliofe frame, nor force, nor time, can e'er defiroy, 
 But fhall fubfift, when nature claims my breath, 
 And bid defiance to the power of death, The 
 
( 7 ) 
 
 To realms of bill's, with active freedom foar, 
 
 And live when earth and hell (hall be no more. 
 
 Indulgent God, in vain my tongue afTays, 
 
 For this immortal gift, to fpeak thy praife. 
 
 How fhall my heart, its grateful fenfe reveal, 
 
 When all the energy of words mull fail ? 
 
 Oh ! may its influence in my life appear, 
 
 And every action, prove my thanks fincere. 
 
 Grant me, great God ! a heart to thee inclin'd, 
 
 Increafe my faith, and rectify my mind ; 
 
 Teach me betimes to tread thy facred ways, 
 
 And to thy fervice confecrate my days ; 
 
 Still as thro' life's uncertain maze I ftray, 
 
 Be thou the guiding-ftar to mark my way ; 
 
 Conduct the iteps of my unguarded youth, 
 
 And point their motions to the paths of truth ; 
 
 Protect me by thy providential care, 
 
 And teach my foul t' avoid the tempter's fhare ; 
 
 Thro' all the various fcenes of human life, 
 
 In calms of eafe, or bluftering florins of ftrife, 
 
 Thro* every turn of this inconitant flate, 
 
 Preferve my temper, equal and fedate ; 
 
 Give me a mind that bravely does defpife, 
 
 The low defigns of artifice and lies ; 
 
 Be my religion, fuch as taught by thee, 
 
 Alike from pride and fuperflition free ; 
 
 Inform my judgment, rectify my will, 
 
 Confirm my reafon, and my paflions ftill ; 
 
 To gain thy favour be my only end, 
 
 And to that fcope may every action tend ; 
 
 Amidfl the pleafures of a profp'rous flate, 
 
 Whofe flatt'ring charms too oft the mind elate, 
 
 Still may I think to whom thefe joys I owe, 
 
 And blefs the bounteous hand from whence they flow ; 
 
 Or if an adverfe fortune be my fhare, 
 
 Let not its terrors tempt me to defpair, 
 
 But bravely arm'd, a fteady faith maintain, 
 
 And own ail befl which thy decrees ordain ; 
 
 On thy Almighty Providence depend, 
 
 The bell protestor and the fureft friend : 
 
 Thus 
 
f 8 ) 
 
 Thus on life's ftage may I my part maintain* 
 And at my exit thy applaufes gain ; 
 When thy pale herald fummons me away, 
 Support me in that great cataftrophe ; 
 In that laft conflict guard me from alarms, 
 And take my foul, expiring, to thy arms. 
 
 "BLESSED are the poor in fpirit, for their's is the king- 
 rc dom of Heaven." — I'hus our bkjQcd Saviour opened his fer- 
 raon on the mount ; and from his example we may be affured, 
 that humility is the richer! garment that the foul can wear. By 
 this word is to be underftood, not an abjecl poornefs of fpirit, 
 that would (loop to do a mean thing ; but fuch an humble fenfe 
 of hbrn? n nature, as fets the heart and affections right towards 
 God, and gives us every temper that is tender and affectionate 
 towards our .fellow creatures. This is the foil of all virtues, 
 re every thing that is good and lovely grows. 
 
 DESPISE not labour ; if you do not want it for food, you 
 may for phyfic j It flrengthens the body, invigorates the mindj 
 and prevents the ill confequences of idlenefs. 
 
 OBSERVE the ant, for fne inftrucls the man* 
 And preaches labour, gath'ring all fhecan, 
 Then brings it to increafe her heap at home, 
 Againit the winter which fne knows will come ; 
 And when thai comes fhe creeps abroad no more, 
 But lies at home and feafts upon her flore. 
 
 AN EVENING REFLECTION. 
 
 WHILE night, in folemn made, invefts the pole, 
 And calm reflection fooths the penfive foul; 
 While reafon, undiflurb'd, aflerts her (way, 
 And life's deceitful colours fade away — 
 
 To 
 
( 9 ) 
 
 To thee, all-confcious Prefence ! I devote 
 This peaceful interval of fober thought. 
 Here all my better faculties confine, 
 And be this hour of facred filence thine. 
 If by the day's illufive fcenes milled, 
 My erring foul from virtue's path has ftray'd, 
 Snar'd by example or by paftion warm'd, 
 Some falfe delight my giddy {enfe has charm 'd ; 
 My calmer thoughts the wretched choice reprove, 
 And my beft hopes are center 'd in thy love. 
 Deprived of this, can life one joy afford ! 
 Its utmoft boaft, a vain, unmeaning word. 
 
 But, ah ! how oft my lawlefs paihons rove, 
 And break thofe awful precepts I approve ! 
 Purfue the fatal impulfe I abhor, 
 And violate the virtue I adore ! 
 Oft when thy better Spirit's guardian care, 
 Warn'd my fond foul to mun the tempting fnare, 
 My ftubborn w r i 11 his gentle aid repreft, 
 And check 'd the rifmg goodnefs in my breaft; 
 Mad with vain hopes, or urg'd by falfe defires, 
 Stili'd his foft voice and quench 'd his facred fires. 
 With grief oppreft, and proftrate in the dull, 
 Should 'ft thou condemn, I own the fentence juft. 
 But, oh ! thy fofter titles let me claim, 
 And plead my caufe by mercy's gentle name — 
 Mercy, that wipes the penitential tear, 
 And dilTipates the horror of defpair ; 
 From rig'rous juftice fteals the vengeful hour, 
 Softens the dreadful attribute of pow'r, 
 Difarms the wrath of an offended God, 
 And feals my pardon in a Saviour's blood. 
 All-pow'rful grace, exert thy gentle fway, 
 And teach mv rebel paiTions to obey, 
 Left lurking folly, with infidious art, 
 Regain my volatile, inconftant heart : 
 Shall every high refolve devotion frames, 
 Be only lifelefs founds and fpeeious names ? 
 Oh t rather while thy hopes and fears controul, 
 In this ftill hour, each motion of my foul, 
 
 B 2 Secure 
 
f io ) 
 
 Secure its fafety by a fudden doom, 
 And be the foft retreat of Deep my tomb ; 
 Calm let me (lumber in that dark repofe, 
 'Till the lafl morn its orient beam difclofe ; 
 Then when the great archangel's potent found 
 Shall echo thro' creation's ample round, 
 Wak'd from the ileep of death, with joy furvey 
 The op'ning fpiend'ors of eternal day. 
 
 PRIDE hides a man's, faults from himfelf, and magnifies 
 them to others. 
 
 " THERE is nothing (fays Plato) fo delightful, as the hear- 
 tf ing or the fpeaking of truth.'' For this reafon, there is no con- 
 Terfation fo agreeable, as that of the man of integrity, wha 
 hears without any intention to betray, and fpeaks without anjr 
 intention to deceive. 
 
 Truth is always confident with itfelf, and needs nothing 
 to help it out ; it is always near at hand, and fits upon our lips, 
 and is ready to drop out before we are aware : Whereas a lie 
 is troublefome, and fets a man's invention on the rack, and one 
 trick needs a great many more of the fame kind to make it good* 
 
 MORAL virtues themfelves, without religion, are but 
 cold, lifelefs and infipid : It is religion only which opens the 
 mind to great conceptions, fills it with the mod fublime ideas, 
 and warms the foul more than fenfual pieafures. 
 
 B Y reading we enjoy the dead, by converfation, the living, 
 and by contemplation, ourfelves. Reading enriches the me- 
 mory, converfation poliihes the wit, and contemplation im- 
 proves the judgment. 
 
 THE commands of Heaven (in the obfervance of which re- 
 ligion principally confifts) are very plain and obvious to the 
 meaneft understanding, and are nothing elfe but exhortations to 
 love and directions for focial happineft* 
 
 GREAT 
 
( ir ) 
 
 GREAT is the fteadinefs of foul and though?, 
 By reafon bred, and by religion taught : 
 Which like a rock amidil the ftormv waves, 
 Unmov'd remains, and all affliction braves. 
 
 WISDOM's an evennefs of mind and foul, 
 A Heady temper which no cares controul ; 
 No pafiions ruffle, no defires inflame ; 
 Still conflant to itfelf, and ftill the fame. 
 
 ACCOMPLISHMENTS by Heaven were firft defign'd, 
 Lefs to adorn, than to amend the mind ; 
 Each mould contribute to this gen'ral end, 
 And all to virtue as their centre tend ; 
 Th* acquirements which our bell: efteem invite, 
 Should not project, but foften, mix, unite, 
 In glaring light not ftrongly be difplay'd, 
 But fweetly loft, and melted into made. 
 
 A S the gay flowers which nature yields 
 So various on the vernal fields, 
 Delight the fancy more than thole 
 The garden gives to view in equal rows ; 
 As the pure ftream, whofe mazy train, 
 The prattling pebbles check in vain, 
 Gives native pleafure, while it leads 
 Its random waters fwiftly thro' the meads 3 
 As birds on boughs, in early fpring, 
 Their wood-notes-wild near rivers ling, 
 Grateful their warbling llrains repeats 
 And foothe the ear irregularly f.veet ; 
 So fimple drefs and native grace, 
 Will bell become the lovely face ; 
 For the judicious man fufpecfs 
 In artful ornaments conceaFd defects. 
 
 MOST of the miferies of life, undoubtedly remit from 
 gur ftraying from the path which leads to content. 
 
 FRIEND,- 
 
{ * ) 
 
 FRIENDSHIP delights in equal fellowfhip, 
 Where purity of rank, and mutual offices, 
 Engage both fides alike, and keep the balance ev'n. 
 'Tis irkfome to a gen'rous, grateful heart, 
 To be opprefs'd beneath a load of favours, 
 Still to receive and run in debt with friendship, 
 Without the power of paying fomething back. 
 
 NEVER fay any thing dire&ly tending to your own 
 praife ; nor when you have done or faid any thing that deferves 
 it, receive it from others with indifference. Be neither too co- 
 vetous of it, nor appear difpleafed or confufed at receiving it ; 
 but when you have done any thing worthy of praife, fuffer 
 yourfelf to be told of it, without rebuffing thofe who are doing 
 you juftice. In your private thoughts cliveil yourfelf of it, 
 and return it to God, as the giver of the gift, and thebleffer of 
 the action. Give him unfeigned thanks, for making you an 
 inftrument of his glory for the benefit of others, 
 
 THE advice of Pythagoras is, that as the bodv is no 
 more than the fervant of tie foul, it mould only be nourifhed 
 fo as it may belt perform an humble and obedient fervice to it. 
 
 THE duties that are owing to friends, are integrity, 
 iove, counfel and aififtance. It is not intimacy and frequencv 
 of converfarion, that makes a friend, but a diiintereited ob- 
 fervance of thefe duties. 
 
 T H E R E is no manner of life fo ftrait, or miferable, 
 that hath not fome folaee and confolation. Jonah had leifure 
 to make his prayer unto God, even in the belly of the h 
 and was heard. 
 
 I T is fome fhort refrefnment to friends and relations, to fee 
 and hear from one another, but it paiieth away ; and we have 
 here no continuing city, no abiding delights in this world : our 
 nain> elfewhere. Thofe we have, lofe much of their 
 fweetnefs, from the thoughts of parting with them, even 
 we enjoy them j but the happinefc to come is eternal. 
 
( '3 ) 
 
 B E very careful in your promifes, and juft in your perform- 
 ances, and remember it is better to do, and not prornife, than 
 to prornife, and not perform, 
 
 NEVER do any thing for your friends, that is not con- 
 fonant to your honour and your confcience ; you ought always 
 to prefer thofe to your friends. 
 
 -WITH dealing foot, 
 
 Time follows mortals ; overtakes the fwift ; 
 Stops the career of youth, and clogs the wheels 
 Of trembling age ; and to one common doom 
 Brings kings andpeafants, conquerors and flares. 
 
 RELIGION'S force divine is belt difplay'd 
 In deep defertion of all human aid : 
 To fuccour in extremes is her delight, 
 And chear the heart, when terror itrikes the fight ; 
 We, difbeiieving our own fenfes, gaze, 
 And wonder what a mortal's heart can raife, 
 To triumph o'er misfortunes, fmile in grief, 
 And comfort thofe, who come to bring relief : 
 We gaze, and as we gaze, wealth, fame decay, 
 And all the world's vain glories fade away, 
 
 W E need not travel, feeking ways to blifs, 
 He that defires contentment cannot mifs ; 
 
 No garden-walls this precious flow'r embrace, 
 It common grows in ev'ry defart place. 
 
 THE varying feafons ev'ry virtuous foul 
 With various pJeafurcs, in their changes blefs ; 
 
 Raife chearful hopes, and anxious fears controul, 
 * And form a paradife of inward peace. 
 
 WHEN conftant faith, and holy hope ftiall die, 
 One loft in certainty, and one in joy; 
 
 n thou, more happy pow'r. fair cfe titv, 
 Triumphant filler, greateft of the three, 
 
 B Tny 
 
I H ) 
 
 Thy office and thy nature ftill the. fame, 
 Lailing thy lamp, and unconfum'd thy flame, 
 Shalt itill furvive — 
 
 Shalt ftand before the throne of Heaven confert, 
 Forever bleflmg, and forever bleft. 
 
 DEATH feems to enter a cottage only as a gentle de- 
 liverer from the miferies of human life ; but into courts and the 
 feats of grandeur, with infult and terror. To languifh under 
 a gilded canopy, to expire on foft and dovvnv pillows, and 
 give up the ghod in ftate, has a more gloomy afpecl, than at 
 the call of nature, to expire on a graffy turf, and refign the 
 breathlefs clay, back to its proper element. What does a crowd 
 cf friends or flatterers fignify in that important hour, to the 
 moft glorious mortal ? Which of his numerous attendants 
 would fcand the arrefi of death, defcend into the filent prifon 
 cf the grave for him, or anfwer the fummons of the fupreme 
 tribunal ? 
 
 BEAUTY is a fliort-lived flower, which is eafily withered : 
 A cultivated mind is a treafure, which encreafes every moment ; 
 it is a rich foil, which brings forth an hundred fold. 
 
 A PERSON never appears fo ridiculous by the quali- 
 ties he has, as by thofe he affeds to have. He gains more by 
 being contented to be feen as he is, than by attempting to 
 appear what he is not. • 
 
 TRUE greatnefs of foul pays itfelf, as it were, with its own 
 hands, by the fatisfaction of doing good. 
 
 PEOPLE may talk like good Chriftians at their eafe ; but 
 pretty fentences, and formal fpeeches, are very trifling reme- 
 dies to a real and unaffected forrow. 
 
 THAT little incendiary, called the tongue, is more 
 venomous than a poifoned arrow ; snd more killing than a 
 two-edged fword, 
 
 HOW 
 
( '5 ) 
 
 HOW few there are, that can be freely kind, 
 Or know to fix their favours on the mind ; 
 Hence fome, whene'er they would oblige, offend, 
 And while they make the fortune, lofe the friend. 
 
 KNOW that wherever love and virtue guide, 
 They lead us to the ftate of Heav'nly bliis, 
 
 Where joys unknown to guilt and fhame prefide, 
 And pleafures, unallay'd, each hour encreafe. 
 
 THE princely pine, on hills exalted, 
 Whofe lofty branches cleave the fky, 
 
 By winds long-brav'd at lad aftaulted, 
 Is head-long whirl'd in duft to lie ; 
 
 Whilft the mild rofe, more fafely growing 
 Low in its unafpiring vale, 
 
 Amidft retirement's fhelter blowing, 
 Exchanges fweets with every gale. 
 
 Imitation of the 126th PSALM, 
 
 1 
 WHEN God reveal'd his gracious name, 
 
 And chang'd my mournful ftate, 
 My rapture feem'd a pleafing dream, 
 
 The grace appear'd fo great. 
 
 2 
 The world beheld the glorious change, 
 
 And did thine hand confefs ; 
 My tongue broke out in unknown ftrains, 
 
 And fung furprizing grace. 
 
 Great is the work, my neighbours cry'd, 
 
 And own'd the pow r divine ; 
 Great is the work, my heart reply 'd, 
 
 And be the glory thinz I 
 
 The 
 
( i6 ) 
 
 4 
 
 The Lord can change the darkeft Ikies, 
 Can give us day for night ; 
 
 Make floods of &cred forrow rife 
 To rivers of delight. 
 
 Let thofe that fow in fadnefs wait, 
 'Till the fair harveit come ; 
 
 They fhall confefs their lheaves are great, 
 And fliout the bleffmgs home. 
 
 A MIND formed upon the principles of the gofpel, may 
 look down with contempt upon the luftre of a throne, and yet 
 know the value, and feel a fenfe of gratitude, in the poffefhon 
 of a crumb. The moil exalted fituation in the prefent life is 
 expofcd ; yea, probably mod expofed, to the fafcinating al- 
 lurements of temptation ; and whofoever fhall look needfully 
 upon thofe who are eminent for their riches, will not think 
 their condition fuch as that he mould hazard his quiet, and 
 much lefs his virtue, to obtain it. The rich and the poor have 
 their hours of forrow, and their intervals of joy ; neither poverty 
 no. wealth exempt them from feeling the common calamities of 
 life, nor confer that happinefs we fo eagerly purfue, but which 
 we muft not experience, till our race is rimmed, and our work 
 done. 
 
 WHAT in this life, which fcon muft end, 
 Can all our vain defigns intend ? 
 From (bore to lhore why mould we run, 
 "Where none his tirefome felf can fhun ? 
 For baneful care will frill prevail, 
 And overtake us under fail : 
 'Twill dodge the great man's train behind, 
 Outrun the doe, outfly the wind. 
 
 INDUSTRY 
 
( '7 ) 
 
 INDUSTRY is needful in every condition of life; we 
 cannot, without it, acl in any ftate to the benefit or fatisfa&ion 
 of others, or to our own advantage and comfort ; it is requifite 
 for procuring eafe and fatisfaction to the mind ; and if attended 
 with a good confcience, fweetens our enjoyments, and feafons 
 our attainments ; and is a guard to innocence, and a bar to 
 temptation. 
 
 A PERSON under the influence and temper of the gofpel, 
 will fay with gratitude and joy, " I have learned, in whatfoever 
 ftate I am, therewith to be con tent." In the moil trying 
 circumftances, I have a fure and certain promife, that my bread 
 (hall be given, and my water fhall be fure ; and if I am not 
 favoured with all the elegancies of life, yet I am confident that 
 the God whom I ferve, will afford me fuch temporary fupplies, 
 as fhall be moil conducive to my own happinefs and his glory. 
 
 TRUE religion will fhew its influence in every part of 
 our conduct ; it is like the fap of a living tree, which pene- 
 trates to the mofi diflant boughs. 
 
 ACTION keeps the foul in conftant health, but idlenefs 
 corrupts and rufts the mind ; for a man of great abilities may 
 by negligence and idlenefs become fo ufelefs as to be an in- 
 cumbrance to fociety and a burthen to himfelf. 
 
 HE is the mod worthy of poflefling riches, who knows 
 beft how to do without them. 
 
 KEEP no company with a man who is given to detrac- 
 tion ; to hear him patiently, is to partake of his guilt, and 
 prompt him to a continuance in that vice which all good men 
 ihun him for. 
 
 THOU malt not curfe the deaf, Lev. xix. 14. Thofe 
 that are abfent are deaf; they cannot right themfelves, and 
 therefore fay no ill of them. 
 
 HAPPY are thofe who can fee the beauty of virtue ! — Is it 
 • to fee her, without loving her ? Is it pofiible to love her, 
 bout being happy ? B 2 Seeking 
 
( x8 ) 
 
 Seeking for Happiness. 
 
 NOT all that parent earth can give, 
 Can make her children ever live ; 
 Nor yet afford them happinefs — 
 For creatures ne'er can truly blefs. 
 
 If what we drink, and what we eat. 
 Can never make our blifs complete — 
 To rich variety of food, 
 And gay attire, and ev'ry good, 
 Give honour, titles, pomp and fame, 
 With ev'ry bleffing we can name ; 
 Give pleafure, profit, knowledge, eafe, 
 Whatever can inftrucl: or pleafe ; 
 Authority — a vail eftate, 
 With all that maketh rich and great ; 
 Yet thefe could never constitute 
 A man much happier than a brute : 
 For while our wretched paflions reign, 
 Felicity is fought in vain. 
 
 Where then mall happinefs be found ? 
 That lovely, pleafing, joyous found. 
 Great fource of blifs ! vouchfafe to (hew, 
 How I this pearl of price may know. 
 
 If grateful fouls — if fouls refign'd 
 To thy bleft will, this treafure find, 
 To me, great God ! do thou impart, 
 A thankful and contented heart ; 
 Drive far away all diffidence, 
 And give me, Lord ! true confidence, J- 
 In thy unerring Providence. J 
 
 Let all my vices be fubdu'd, 
 Replace them, Lord, with gratitude ! 
 My every want do thou redrefs, 
 Give me, oh give me, happinefs ! 
 
 RELIGION, the balm of life, the anchor of hope, the 
 difpeller of fears, the haven of reft, will carry us into the arms 
 cf him, who is mighty to fave from every trouble ; defended 
 
 by 
 
( i9 ) 
 
 by his fhield, tho* afflictions fpring not out of the duft, they fhall 
 not hurt us ; fupported by his power, tho' the mighty rage, 
 they fhall not prevail againft us ; guided by his wifdom, tho' 
 fnares and evils encompafs our paths, we fhall efcape them all. 
 In vain may be our toil for riches to fecure us ; but our trull in 
 him will never be in vain. The arrows of affliction may reach 
 the very pinnacle of greatnefs, and cares and terrors climb up to 
 us, how ever high we may place ourfelves ; but he is a tower of 
 defence, a place of fafety, a rock of falvation. O then ! 
 amidft all the ftorms, and tumults of the world, give ear to that 
 voice which fpeaketh peace, and fays, " Come unto me, all 
 " ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you reft ; 
 " take my yoke upon you, and ye fhall find reft to your fouls ; 
 " for my yoke is eafy, and my burthen is light." 
 
 
 VIRTUE has fecret charms which all men love; 
 And thofe that do not choofe her, yet approve. 
 
 TRUE happinefs — man's gen'ral aim and end, 
 The point of reft to which our wifhes tend, 
 To no externals ever was affign'd, 
 But fixt the portion of a fteady mind ; 
 A fteady mind, that no de fires inflame, 
 Still conftant to itfelf, and ftill the fame ; 
 The fame w^hen fortune blows an adverfe gale ; 
 The fame when on a throne or in a jail : 
 A mind that can each mad excefs controul, 
 Subdue the paffions, and direct the foul ; 
 That, fummon'd, chearfully refigns her breath, 
 Nor trembles, anxious at th' approach of death* 
 
 Epitaph upon Epicletus, the Stoic Philofopher. 
 
 (( EPICTETUS, who lies here, was a flave and a crip- 
 cc pie ; poor as the beggar in the proverb, and the favourite of 
 "Heaven." 
 
 In 
 
( 20 ) 
 
 In this diftich is comprized the nobleft panegyric, and the 
 mod important inftruftion. We may learn from it, that virtue 
 is impracticable in no condition, fince Epi&etus could recom- 
 mend himfelf to the regard of Heaven, amidft the temptations 
 of poverty and flavery. Slavery has been found fo deftru&ive 
 to virtue, that, in fome languages, a flave and a thief are ex- 
 prefled by the fame word. And we may be admonifhed by it, 
 not to lay any ftrefs on a man's outward circumftances, in 
 making an eftimate of his real virtue, fince Epi&etus the beg- 
 gar, the cripple, and the flave, was the favourite of Heaven. 
 
 Occafioned by a Recovery from a tedious Illnefs. 
 
 FATHER Divine, Eternal One ! 
 
 While Heav'n pure homage pays, 
 From this dark point, beneath the fun, 
 
 Accept a mortal's praife. 
 Yet what's the praife my breath can give ; 
 
 What's all that I can fay, 
 But that the God in whom I live 
 
 Has giv'n me health to-day ? 
 The theme my voice in vain allays, 
 
 Then let my life purfue ; 
 Let what I am record thy praife, 
 
 Exprefs'd in what I do. 
 Thee more than all — and as myfelf, 
 
 Oh teach me man to love : 
 Be this my fame, my glory, wealth, 
 
 My blifs below — above ! 
 Nor let my love to man be vain, 
 
 My love to God be blind ; 
 Of thee fome knowledge let me gain, 
 
 Some bleffing give mankind. 
 Thro' ev'ry change my life may know, 
 
 My ebbing, flowing tides, 
 Firm be my faith, that all below, 
 
 Love, join'd with wifdom, guidest 
 That e'en thy juftice tends to blefs, 
 
 Tho' 
 
( 21 } 
 
 Tho' little underftood ; 
 That partial evils love exprefs, 
 
 And work the gen'ral good. 
 Put frail, alas ! this mortal clay, 
 
 This reafoning mind how frail I 
 Let ftrength be equal to my day, 
 
 Nor height nor depth prevail. 
 When o'er my roof affiiclion low'*rs, 
 
 Suftain my finking heart ; 
 In all my gay, unguarded hours, 
 
 Oh keep my better part ! 
 And when this tott'ring fabric falls, 
 
 Affift my foul to foar, 
 Where full pofleflion never palls, 
 
 To know and love thee more. 
 
 THE ufe of learning is not to procure pppular applaufe, 
 or excite vain admiration, but to make the poiTeflbr more vir- 
 tuous and ufeful to fociety, and his virtue a more confpicuous 
 example to thofe that are illiterate. 
 
 WHAT exalted mortal, in the Iaft hour of life, would not 
 refign all the advantages of greatnefs and power, for a few mo- 
 ments of leifure and obfcurity. 
 
 I F there is any happinefs below the ftars, it confifts in a 
 freedom from the hurry and cenfure of the world, where the 
 mind may devote all its bright and ferene intervals to Heaven. 
 
 THE courfe of human things is all decreed, 
 With each minuteft circumftance, above : 
 No fickle chance ; no blind contingencies ; 
 No unforefeen events arife, to crofs 
 The purpofcs divine, — 
 
 Hope 
 
( 22 ) 
 
 Hope travels through. — Pope. 
 
 THE fweet deceiver, hope, deiiroys, 
 By airy vifions, real joys ; 
 Each future fcene, by her array 'd 
 In brightnefs, makes the prefent fade ; 
 All the long day we wifh for night, 
 Then figh for the return of light ; 
 Thro' gloomy winter's reign we mourn, 
 'Till pleafure-pinion'd fpring's return ; 
 But here, with joy lefs feet, we tread 
 The verdant lawn, or painted mead, 
 'Till fummer comes — yet e'en from this 
 Enjoyment's fled — the promised blifs 
 Js now poftpon'd, 'till autumn fhews 
 Her golden fields and loaded boughs ; 
 Hither we prefs — but vain the chace ! 
 The phantom flies with equal pace. 
 Now winter charms — again it comes, 
 And her {till taflelefs reign refumes ; 
 The trav'ler thus thick milts enclofe, 
 But feem to fly where e'er he goes. 
 
 HE is no fool, who parts with that which he cannot keep, 
 when he is fure to be recompenced with that which he can- 
 not lofe. 
 
 THE purfuit of glory and happinefs in another life, by 
 every means of improving and exalting our own minds, be- 
 comes more and more intereiiing to us 3 the nearer we draw to 
 the end of all fublunary enjoyments. 
 
 AS that God, whom we all adore, is a God of peace and 
 concord, there ought to be a facred harmony between all that 
 profefs and believe in the fame Saviour. 
 
 THEY mud certainly be perfons of narrow and mean 
 conceptions, who (tho' under the malk of fuperficial greatnefs 
 of fpirit) cannot raife their little ideas above pleafures familiar 
 to their fenfes. BUT 
 
( 23 ) 
 
 BUT the main firefs of all our cares mull lie, 
 To watch ourfelves with ftrict and conftant eye : 
 To mark the working mind when paffion's courfe 
 Begins to fwell, and reafon ftill has force ; 
 Or if fhe's conquer *d by the ftronger tide, 
 Obferve the moments when they firft fubfide ; 
 For he who hopes a victory to win 
 O'er other men, muft with himfelf begin, 
 Elfe like a town, by mutiny opprefs'd, 
 He's ruin'd by the foe within his breafl. 
 
 ARISE my foul, furvey the morn, 
 And purple beauties of the dawn, 
 
 In order as they fhine ; 
 The herbs that with the dew-drops glow, 
 Thegrafs,the fhrubs, the flow'rets mew 
 
 Their Maker all divine ! 
 Hark how the warbling feather'd throng 
 Now tune their foft melodious fong, 
 
 From ev'ry leafy fpray ; 
 The black-bird here with mellow throat 
 And there the thrufh with fofter note, 
 
 In concert pour the lay. 
 Do thou my foul refponfive join, 
 Ambitious of a theme divine, 
 
 And fing thy Maker's praife : 
 Unnumber'd objects he fupplies, 
 For contemplation's wandering eyes. 
 
 And all the Mufes lays. 
 
 FRIENDSHIP'sa pure, a Heav'n defcended Came, 
 Worthy the happy region whence it came ; 
 The facred tye, that virtuous fpirits binds, 
 The golden chain that links immortal minds. 
 
 ,.^>.....0-<S><3e>^SxS>^B><S>-"<>"-0" 
 
 W E mould never be over eager for any thing, either in our 
 purfuits or our prayers, left what we endeavour, or afk too 
 violently for our interefl, fliould be granted us bv Providence 
 only in order to our ruin. Concluding 
 
( 2 4 ) 
 
 Concluding Stanzas of an Elegy on the Death of a Sifter. 
 
 BUT lo ! to give the unhappy mourners eafe, 
 
 From pale affliction's eye to wipe the tear ; 
 To bid the plaintive voice of forrow ceafe, 
 
 Behold religion's Heavenly form appear. 
 " Attend (fhe cries) poor mortal ! grieve no more, 
 
 " No more lament thy dear departed friends ; 
 " Their fouls are wafted to a happier more, 
 
 €€ Where every forrow, every trouble ends. 
 " Follow my fteps, and foon you'll meet again, 
 
 " Will meet in yonder blifsful realms above ; 
 " Forever there to join the feraph's ft rain, 
 
 ** And fing the wonders of redeeming love." 
 i 
 
 Nonebut the Almighty author of our beings, who knows our 
 inmoft thoughts and defires, and from whom no fecrets ^re hid, 
 can fee into Futurity : And he only knows what is beft and 
 mcft proper for us ; if we cheerfully rely on his all-wife Provi- 
 dence, and confidently truft in his powerful protection, we may 
 reft ourfelves allured, that he, who is our trueft friend, will 
 guard and fecure us from the many evils and dangers, \ 
 every where furrouna us. He will guide and direct the future 
 events of our lives mjuch a manner, as will prove, by happy 
 experience, to be the moil conducive to our own good, and the 
 moft confident with the fcheme of our own happinefs, both 
 here and hereafter. 
 
 A S fome fair vi'let, lovelieft of the glade, 
 Sheds its mild fragrance on the lonely (hade, 
 Withdraws its modeft head from public fight, 
 Nor courts the fun, nor feeks the glare of light ; 
 Should fome rude hand prophanely dare .intrude, 
 And bear its beauties from its native wood, 
 Expos'd abroad its languid colours fly, 
 Its form decays, and ail its odours die. 
 
 So 
 
( *s ) 
 
 So woman born to dignify retreat, 
 Unknown to flourifti, and unfeen, be great ; 
 To give domeftic life its fweeteft charm, 
 Witn foftnefs polifh, and with virtue warm ; 
 Fearful of fame, unwilling to be known, 
 Shofeld feek but Heaven's applaufes and her own ; 
 No cenfures dread but thcfe which crimes impart, 
 The cenfures of a felf- condemning heart. 
 With angel kindnefs ihould behold diilrefs, 
 And meekly pity, where fhe can't redrefs. 
 Like beaming mercy wipe afflictton's tear, 
 But to herfelf, not juftice fo fevere. 
 Her palfions all corre&ed or fubdu'd 
 But one — the virtuous thirir. of doing good. 
 This great ambition ftill fhe calls her own, 
 This bed ambition makes her bread its throne* 
 
 HAIL Power Eternal, infinite, immenfe, 
 Creator and Redeemer, Lord of life, 
 All good, all wife, all perftd, aJI divine! 
 Increafe my ardour, elevate my foul, 
 And draw me from this idle, ufelef* world, 
 To better thoughts — the thoughts of that to come ! 
 Let me not beg of bleTTmgs from thy hand, 
 But for increafe of virtue : Gracious pour 
 Thy Holy Spirit on my foal : fo make 
 Thy fervant perfect, fit for Heav n and thee : 
 And thou art good ! Oh guide me with thy hand, 
 Cure all the fond, vain evils of my heart, 
 And ftifle every growing icily there ! 
 
 Oh ! my Redeemer, kindly condescend 
 To hear my prayer and grant— yet wherefore fpeak! 
 If it feems good, beitow the boon I wifh ; 
 ( Fhou knoweft my thoughts) if net, thy will be done! 
 
 A N humble man leans not to his own underftandmg, he is 
 feniible of the deficiency of his own power and wifdom, and 
 truth not in it; he is aifo fenfible of the all -fufEcient power, 
 frifdom and goodnefs of Almighty God, and commit; him* 
 feJfto him for counfel, guidance, direction and Rreng th. 
 
 C VIRTUE 
 
I 26 ) 
 
 VIRTUE is the higheft exercife and improvement of 
 reafon, the integrity, the harmony and jufl balance of affecti- 
 on, the health, ftrength and beauty of the mind. 
 
 WITH the talents of an angel a man may be a fool, if he 
 judges amifs in the fupreme point ; judging aright in all elfe 
 but aggravates his folly, as it (hews him wrong, though bleft 
 with the belt capacity of being right. 
 
 WHAT a great deal of time and eafe that man gain?, who is 
 not troubled with the fpirit of curiouty, who lets his neigh- 
 bours thoughts and behaviour alone, confines his infpecuons to 
 himfelf, and takes care of the point of honefty and confcience. 
 
 A MAN of true piety, that has no defigns to carry on, 
 like one of an eftablifhed fortune, always makes the leaft noife. 
 One never pulls out his money, the other never talks of religi- 
 on, but when there is occafion for it. 
 
 ADVERSITY does not make merit lofe its name, it 
 ferves only as a foil to virtue. 
 
 RETIREMENT. 
 
 HOW happy he who crowns, in fhades like thefe, 
 A youth of labour, with an age of eafe ; 
 Who quits a world where ftrong temptations try, 
 And fince 'tis hard to combat, leajrns to fly ! 
 For him no wretches born, to work and weep, 
 Explore the mine, or tempt the dang'rous deep : 
 No furly porter ftands, in guilty ftate, 
 To fpurn imploring famine from the gate ; 
 But on he moves to meet his latter end, 
 Angels around befriending virtue's friend ; 
 Bends to the grave with unperceiv'd decay, 
 While refignation gently Hopes the way, 
 And all his profpects, brightening to the laft, 
 His Heav'n commences e'er the world be paft ! 
 
 HYMN 
 
( 2 7 ) 
 HYMN to the E V E N I N G, 
 
 E'ER the fun's declining ray 
 
 Has left yon' di ft ant fky 3 
 And the parting ftreak of day 
 
 Has fhut upon the eve — 
 Come, rnodeft ev'ning, kindly fpread 
 
 Thy dufk-enfabled veil, 
 And teach reflective thought to fpread 
 
 Devotion on the brealt. 
 Oh ! lift the mind to blefs the pow'r, 
 
 Whofe mem 'ry (till (hall laft, 
 And bid him fcrve the prefent hour, 
 
 Whofe madnefs loft the pair. 
 Inftruttive, tell the pomp of Mate, 
 
 The pride of mighty blood, 
 That none are ever truly great, 
 
 That are not truly good. 
 To all one admonition give, 
 
 Unfearful of reply, 
 That he alone deferves to live, 
 
 Who belt, prepares to die. 
 
 WHEN modeft merit feems to fhun that praife 
 Th' admiring world to merit ever pays, 
 It takes, unknowingly, the road to fame, 
 And, by declining, gains a furer name. 
 
 B E mine to live in private blifs, 
 Safe and obfcure in fome recefs, 
 Since faction and high-minded ftrife 
 But make the peaceful lake of life ; 
 And better is the little home, 
 Where confcious fafety cheers the dome. 
 
 A Prayer of Prince EUGENE. 
 
 I BELIEVE in thee, oh my God! do thou ftrengthen 
 my faith \ I hope in thee, confirm my hope ; I love thee, in- 
 flame 
 
{ 28 ) 
 
 Baffle my love more and more: I repent cf all my fins, but do 
 thou increafe my repentance. As my firft beginning, I wor- 
 fliip thee ; as my laft end, I long for thee ; as my eternal be- 
 nefactor, I praife thee ; and as my fupreme protector, I pray 
 imto thee, that it may pleafe thee, O Lord ! to guide and lead 
 me by thy providence ; to keep me in obedience to thy juijice ; 
 to comfort me by thy mercy ; and to protect me by thy almigh- 
 ty power. I fubrnit unto thee all my thoughts, words and 
 deeds, as well as my afflictions, pains and fufFerings ; and I 
 ciefire to have thee always in my mind, to do all my works in 
 thy name, and for thy fake to bear all adverfity with patience. 
 I will nothing, but what thou willeft, O God ! becaufe it is 
 agreeable unto thee. O give me grace, that I may be atten- 
 tive in my prayer, temperate in my diet, vigilant in my con- 
 duct, and immoveable in all good purpofes. Grant, incit mer- 
 ciful Lord ! that I may be true and faithful to thofe who have 
 entrufted me with their fecrets ; that I may be courteous and 
 kind towards all men ; and that both in my words and acti- 
 ons I may (hew unto them a good example. Difpofe my heart 
 to praife and admire thy goodnefs ; to hate all errors and evil 
 works ; to love my neighbour ; and to defpife the world. Af- 
 fift me, good God ! in fubduing lull by mortification ; covet- 
 oufnefs by liberality ; anger by mildnefs ; and lukewarmnefa 
 by zeal and fervency, finable me to ccnduci myfelf with pru- 
 , dence in all tranfactiens ; and to fhew courage in danger : pa- 
 tience in adverfity ; and in profperity an humble mind. Let 
 thy grace illuminate mv undemanding ; direct, my will ; fane- 
 tify my body ; and blefs my foul. Make me diligent in curb* 
 ing all irregular affections ; zealous in imploring thy grace ; 
 careful in keeping thy commandments ; and conftant in work- 
 ing out my own falvation. Finally, O God! make me fen- 
 fible, how little is the world ; how great thy Heavens : how 
 fhort time : and how long will be the olefied eternity. O ! that 
 I may well prepare myfelf for death ; that I may dread thy 
 judgments ; that I may avoid the torments of hell ; and ob- 
 tain of thee, O God ! eternal life, thro 5 the merits of Jefas Chrifl 
 our Lord. Amen. 
 
 THERE is one fure way of pleaiing in company, which is 
 in everv one's power to pr^cufe^ viz, Slewing a difpofiticn to 
 :itid> IT 
 
( *9 ) 
 
 I T often happens, that thofe are moil defirous of go- 
 verning others, who are leaft able to govern themfelves. 
 
 I T is indeed a ferious thing to die ; but virtue difarms the^ 
 gloomy king of all his terrors, and brightens the profpect of 
 futurity. 
 
 SENECA fays, there is no difference betwixt poffefUng 
 a thing and not defiring it. 
 
 VAIN are all forms prefcrib'd by art, 
 All outward modes of worihip vain ; 
 
 An honeft, gen'rous, pious heart, 
 Can only true acceptance gain. 
 
 FAREWELL, ye vain, I hate your ways, 
 
 Ye grov'ling fons of pride, adieu ; 
 Poor av'rice, how thy hope decays ! 
 
 Thy fteps I tremble to purfue. 
 To Sion's hill I lift my eye, 
 
 To Sion's hill direct my feet ; 
 From all things learn to live and die, 
 
 From all the vile and vain retreat. 
 
 The character of the Lady of one of the antient Earls of Weft* 
 moreland, written by her hufband, and infcribed in the 
 chimney-wall of a large room, at Buditone Place, in Kent, 
 once the feat of that noble family. 
 
 SHE feared God, and knew how to ferve him ; the at 
 figned times for her devotion, and kept them : fhe was a perfect 
 wife, and a true friend ; fhe joyed moll to oblige thofe neareit 
 and deareft to me ; fhe was Hill the fame, ever kind and never 
 troublefome ; often preventing my deli res ; difputing none; 
 providently managing all that was mine ; living in appearance 
 above mine eftate, while (he advanced it ; fhe was of a great 
 
 C z fpirit \ 
 
( 3° ) 
 
 Ipirit ; f weedy tempered ; of a fharp wit; without offence ; 
 of excellent fpeech ; blefl with filence ; of a chearful temper ; 
 mildly governed ; of a brave fafhion to win refpecl, and to 
 daunt boldnefs ; pleaiing to all of her fex ; intimate with few ; 
 delighting in the beft ; ever avoiding all perfons and places in 
 their honour blemifhed; and was as free from doing ill as 
 giving the occafion. She died as fhe lived, well ; and bleft in the 
 greateft extremity ; moil patiently fending forth her pure foul 
 with many zealous prayers and hymns to her Maker ; pour- 
 ing out her affectionate heart in paffionate ftreams to her Sa- 
 
 N. B. The beginning and ending of this infeription being 
 defaced by time, the date is uncertain. 
 
 MAN may, in fcenes of ev'ry kind, 
 Fit iefibns of inftrutticn find : 
 The bird, for injury and wrong, 
 Repays th' oppreffor with a fong ; 
 
 ! blufh to think, that, Heav'n infpir'd, 
 Thy breafl mould be with malice fir'd ! 
 Learn hence thy pamon to reflrain, 
 And ilill that god-like rule maintain, 
 To feek no vengeance on a foe, 
 £ut blcfs the hand that gives the blow. 
 
 I F you defire to live in peace and honour, in favour with. 
 God and man, and to die in the glorious hope of rifing from 
 the grave to a life of endlefs happinefs — if thefe things appear 
 Worthy your ambition, you mull fet out in earneft in the pur- 
 fuit of thenv Virtue and happinefs are not attainable by 
 chance, nor by a cold and languid approbation ; they mull be 
 fought with ardour, attended to with diligence, and every af- 
 fiilance muft be eagerly embraced that may enable you to ob- 
 tain them. 
 
 TO 
 
( 3i ) 
 
 T O take fincere pleafure in the bleflings and excellencies 
 c*f others, is a much furer mark of benevolence than to pity 
 their calamities. 
 
 E QJU ALLY vain and abfurd is every fcheme of life that 
 is not fubfervient to, and does not terminate in that great end 
 of our being, the attainment of real excellence, and of the fa- 
 vour of God. Whenever this becomes fincerely our object, 
 then will pride and vanity, envy, ambition, covetoufnefs, 
 and every evil paflion, lofe their power over us ; and we (hall, 
 in the language of fcripture, " walk humbly with our God," 
 
 Extract from a Poem called antient and modern Rome. 
 
 REFLECTION hath its joy, a penfive calm 
 That fhrouds the foul, and bears it on the wings 
 Of vagrant thought, to memory's wide domain ! 
 Now let's indulge it, while w v e here remark 
 The mad career of fortune, and behold 
 Imperial Rome, 'midft all her triumphs, fall'n ! 
 So clofes ev'ry fcene, and thus decay 
 The works of man — allow'd a little fpace 
 To fhine, attract, then fade, and be forgot ! 
 For fee the paths that lead to pow'r, and fame, 
 And thofe which feel the peafant's filent ftep, 
 End in one point ; obferve ambition's flight, 
 And laugh at all the wild fantaflic dreams 
 Of human folly. Seeking then thy arms, 
 Oh, virtue ! let us court thee as our good ; 
 Our only treafure, and our only hope ; 
 Our fhield, to guard us 'gainft a faithlefs world, 
 And all its poifon'd arrows : Thou unhurt, 
 Sprung from immortal truth, ferenely bright, 
 Suftain'ft. the general wreck ; and like the fun 
 Shalt Hill appear with undiminifh'd light, 
 When all the boafted monuments of pride 
 Shall fink, and mingle with the dull they hid ! 
 
 HABITUAL 
 
{ S« ) 
 
 HABITUAL evils are not quickly chang'd ; 
 But many days mufl pafs, and many forrows, 
 Confcious remorfe, and anguilh muft be felt, 
 To curb defire, to break the flubborn will, 
 And work a fecond nature in the foul, 
 'Ere virtue can refume the place fhe loft : 
 'Tis elfe dhTimulation. 
 
 I N the works of man, perfection is aimed at, but it can only 
 be found in thofe of the Creator. 
 
 C O N S C I E N C E is the law of the all- wife author of na- 
 ture, written on our hearts, or properly the application of this 
 law, as it regards the judgments we fhould form of particular 
 actions. — It is like a cenfor noting and obferving our actions, 
 and therefore it has not undefervedly been called by fome a por- 
 tion of the virgin foul, as not admitting the leaft blemifh of 
 prevarication. Hence good actions beget fecuritv in the con- 
 science, but bad caufe anguifh and vexation, which is better 
 known by experience than explained by words : For, if it is 
 painful to us to abide by the judgments of thofe we live with, 
 and to put up with their reprehenfions, it will be more fo to 
 be condemned by our own reafon, and to carry about us fo fe- 
 vere a judge of our actions. And thus it is, that confcience 
 performs the function both of a witnefs and judge, when it re- 
 primands us for having done amifs, as Juvenal fays 
 
 Not fharp revenge, nor hell itfelf can find 
 A fiercer torment than a guilty mind ; 
 Which day and night does dreadfully accufe, 
 Condemns the wretch, and Hill the charge renews, 
 
 RICHES, alas ! are tranfient things, 
 
 And titles but an airy dream ; 
 Our pleasures flow from nobler fprings, 
 
 And give more lafting peace than them. 
 Leufordid mortals hope for wealth, 
 
 This never fhall my pray'r employ ; 
 Give me but competence and health, 
 
 I envy not their fhort-liv'd joy. PRIDE 
 
( 33 ) 
 PRIDE and HUMILITY. 
 
 MARK how the ftately tree difdainfiil rears 
 His tow 'ring head, and mingles with the clouds! 
 Bat by his fatal height the more expos'd 
 To all the fury of the raging ftorm ; 
 His honours fly, the fyon of angry winds, 
 'Till the ioud'blait, with direful itroke, defcends : 
 Torn from his bafis, lew on earth he lies, 
 And the hills echo to the founding fall. 
 So pride with haughty port, defies in vain 
 The force of rough adverfity, which rends, 
 With double violence, the'itubborn heart. 
 
 But like a tender plant humility 
 Bends low before the threat ning blafl:, unhurt 
 Eludes its rage, and lives through all the ftorrrt 
 
 Pride is the liv'ry of the prince of darknefs, 
 Worn by his (laves, who glory in their fhame ; 
 A gaudy drefs, but tarninYd, rent, and foul, 
 And loathfome to the holy eye of Heav'n. 
 
 But fweet humility, a mining robe, 
 Beftow'd by Heav'n upon its fav rite fons ; 
 The robe which God approves, and angels wear ; 
 Fair 'femblance of the glorious prince of light, 
 Who ftoop'd to dwell (divine humility !) 
 With finfu! worms, and poverty, and fcorn. 
 Pride is the fource of difcord, ftrife and war, 
 And all the endlefs train of heavy woes 
 Which wait on wretched man ! the direful fling 
 Of envy, and the dreaded frowns of fcorn, 
 And gloomy difcontent, and black defpair. 
 
 But fweet humility, the fource of peace, 
 Of amity and love, content and joy ; 
 Where fhe ref.des a thoufand bleffings wait 
 To gild our lives, and form a Heav'n below. 
 
 Pride leads her wretched vot'ries to contempt* 
 To certain ruin, infamy and death. 
 
 But fweet humility points out the way 
 To happinefs, and life, and lading honours. 
 
 Humility 
 
( 3+ ) 
 
 Humility, how glorious ! how divine ! 
 Thus cloath'd and thus enrich'd, O may I mine ; 
 Be mine this treafure, this cdeitial robe, 
 And let the fons of pride poiTefs the globe. 
 
 WHAT walls can bound, or what compelling rein 
 Th* ungovernM luft of avarice reitrain ? 
 Wealth he has none, who mourns his (canty (lore, 
 And 'midit of plenty ftarves, and thinks he's poor. 
 
 WHEN UlyrTes entrufted the education of his fon to the 
 nobles of Ithaca, **■ O my friends," faid he, " if ever you 
 " loved his father, fhew it in your care towards him ; but 
 *• above all, do not omit to form him juft, fincere, and faith- 
 " ful in keeping a fecret." 
 
 THE fureft way to purchafe happinefs, rauft be, to let as 
 little of our time as poliible flip away unobferved and unim- 
 proved. 
 
 V A R I O U S are the innocent diverfions of life, by which 
 we may lengthen time in general, and prevent any part of it to 
 be ufelefs, or tedious. 
 
 BEFORE you make an abfolute promife, weigh all the 
 confequences of keeping it : but, when once you have made 
 it, let the circumftances be important, or ever fo trifling, hold 
 it as facred ; and never be influenced to break it, unlefs the 
 making it good prove injurious to virtue. 
 
 THE table of a good ceconomift, is always attended with 
 neatnefs, plenty and chearfulnefs. When we have provided 
 enough to maintain us, in the order fuitable to our charac- 
 ter, we ought to be proportionably hofpitable ; but the more 
 we live within decent bounds, the more of our fortune may 
 be converted to noble ufes* 
 
 HE 
 
( 35 ) 
 
 H E that keeps not open a conftant intercourfe with Hea- 
 ven, bv frequent fervors of rational devotion, knows not the 
 fublimeft joy. 
 
 THERE are attractions in modeft diffidence, above the 
 force of words. A filent addrefs is the genuine eloquence of 
 finceritr. 
 
 W H O look on difappointments, toils and ftrife, 
 And all the confequential ills of life, 
 Not as feverities, or caufelefs woes, 
 But eafy terms indulgent Heav'n allows 
 To man, by fhort probation to obtain 
 Immortal recompence for tranfient pain ; 
 The intent of Heav'n, thus rightly underilood, 
 From ev'ry evil we extract a good ; 
 This truth divine, implanted in the heart, 
 Supports each drudging mortal thro 5 his part ; 
 Gives a delightful profpect to the blind, 
 The friendlefs thence a conftant fuccour find ; 
 The wretch, by fraud betray 'd, by power opprefs'd, 
 With thib reftorative, (till fooths his bread ; 
 This fuffering virtue chears, this pain beguiles, 
 And decks calamity herfelf in fmiles. 
 
 WHEREVER a great deal of gratitude is found in a 
 poor man, it may be taken for granted there would be as 
 much generofity, if he were a rich man. 
 
 ADDISON, after a long and manly, but vain ftruggle 
 with his diftemper, difmilfed his phylicians, and with them all 
 hopes of life ; but with his hopes of life, hedifmiiTed not his con- 
 cern for the living, but fent for a youth nearly related and 
 finely accomplifhed, but not above being die better for good 
 impreffions from a dying friend ; he came, but life now glim- 
 mering in the focket, the dying friend was filent ; after a de- 
 cent 
 
( 3<S > 
 
 cent and proper paufe, the youth faid, <c dear fir! you fent 
 4i for me I believe, and I hope that you have feme commands; 
 ie if you have, I fhall hold them moil facred." May diftant 
 ages not only hear but feel the reply ! — Forcibly grafping 
 the youth's hand, he foftly faid, " fee in what peace a Chrif- 
 ie tian can die." He fpoke with difficulty, and foon expired. 
 Thro' grace divine, how great is man ! thro' divine mer- 
 cy howftinglefs death! who would not thus expire ? 
 
 B L E S T folitude ! how fweet thy peaceful fcenes ! 
 
 Where contemplation's vot'ries love to ftray ; 
 Where in her fapient drefs, religion reigns, 
 
 And mines more fplendid than the noontide ray, 
 
 LET angry zealots quarrel for a name, 
 The good, the juft, the virtuous are the fame ; 
 Virtue and grace are not to fects confin'd, 
 They blend with all, and fpread amongft mankind. 
 And the pure flame that warms the pious bread, 
 Thofe cannot merit who condemn the reft. 
 
 THE terms of charity are never hard, 
 Love and companion are their own reward ; 
 A foul that fuecours virtue when diftreft, 
 Can with reflection make a noble feaft, 
 Which nourifhes the mind, and overpays 
 A gen'rous deed with felf-approving praife. 
 
 WHAT can the man fear, who takes care in all his ac- 
 tions to pleafe a Being that is omnipotent r — A Being who is 
 able to crum all his adversaries ? — Ageing that can divert any 
 misfortune from befalling him, or turn any fuch misfortune 
 to his advantage r The perfon who lives with this conftant 
 and habitual regard to the great fuperintendant of the world, 
 is indeed fure that no real evil can come into his lot. Blef- 
 fm£3 may appear under the ftiape of pains, loiTes ?-.rA disap- 
 pointments ; but let him have patience, and he will fee them 
 
 in 
 
( 37 ) 
 
 in their proper figures. Dangers may threaten him, but he 
 may reft fatisfied, that they will either not reach him, or 
 that if they do, they will be the inftruments of good to him. 
 In fhort, he may look upon all erofles and accidents, fufrer- 
 ings and afflictions, as means which are made ufe of to bring 
 him to happinefs. 
 
 ALL the ways of growing rich, are equal to perfons gree- 
 dy of gain. Riches, in their efteem, obtain the place of equity, 
 reputation, their friends, relations, and frequently their God* 
 
 THE WISH. 
 
 I ASK not fortune's partial fmile, 
 
 Exhauftlefs fource of care; 
 Not all her fancied gay delights 
 
 Can claim a ferious prayer. 
 Nor pleafure's foft alluring form, 
 
 With ardent wifh I feek ; 
 Far Jefs the captivating bloom 
 
 That glows on beauty's cheek* 
 I afk not, that in calm repofe 
 
 My even days may flow, 
 Unruffled by adverfity, 
 
 Exempt from human woe. 
 Enough that no reflections keen, 
 
 No crimes my foul opprefs, 
 To rob me of the flattering hope 
 
 Of future happinefs. 
 But grant me that bleft frame of mind, 
 
 Where no vain thoughts intrude ; 
 That blefr ferenity which fprings 
 
 From confeious re&itude. 
 
 THE love of pleafure has fo blinded the eyes of the prefent 
 age, that they cannot fee clearlv the fatisfaftioa -of a pure and 
 rational life, 'JD WHEN 
 
( 38 } 
 
 WHEN you fee the choler of a friend begin to kindle, if 
 you would do good, throw water thereon to cool, not wood 
 to inflame it. 
 
 NO fimple cuflom is more blamable, than that of lying 
 fhut up in the arms of floth and darknefs, when the cheerful 
 return of day invites the whole creation to joy and bufinefs. 
 Sleep, any further than as it is a neceffary refrefhment, is the 
 poorefl, dulleft ftate of exiftence we can be in ; and it is fo far 
 from being a real enjoyment, that it bears the neareft refem- 
 blance of death, and carries all the horrors of oblivion in it. 
 We are forced to receive it, either in a Hate of infenfibility, or 
 in the delufive folly of dreams. Sleep, when too much hu- 
 moured, gives a foftnefs^and idlenefs to all our tempers ; and no 
 iluggifh perfon can be qualified, or difpofed, to enter into the 
 true fpirit of prayer, or the exercife of any active virtue. 
 
 I T is not when misfortunes come upon us, the time to fet 
 about the philofophy. of bearing, or the refignation of fub- 
 mitting to them ; it is in health we mould prepare ourfelves 
 againft ficknefs. 
 
 I F affectation could be entirely banifhed, how few, in com- 
 parifon with the prefent ftate of things, would be the number 
 of prepofterous miftakes. 
 
 THE niceft rule in ceconomy, is to make our being one 
 uniform and confident fcene of innocent pleafures, and mode- 
 rate cares ; and not to be tranfported with joy on occafions of 
 good fortune, or too much dejected, in circumftances of dif- 
 trefs. 
 
 VAGRANT defires, and impertinent mirth, will be too 
 apt to engage our minds, unlefs we can poffefs ourfelves in 
 that fobriety of heart, which is above all tranfient pleafures, 
 and which will fix our affections on things above. 
 
 B E H O L D, fond man ! 
 
 See here thy piclur'd life : Pafs fome few years ; 
 
 Thy flow 'ring fpring, thy fummer'; ardent ftrength, Thy 
 
( 39 ) 
 
 Thy fober autumn fading into age, 
 
 And pale-concluding winter comes at lad 
 
 And fhuts the fcene. — Ah ! whither now are fled, 
 
 Thofe dreams of greatnefs ? thofe unfolid hopes 
 
 Of happinefe ? thofe longings after fame ? 
 
 Thofe reftlefs cares ? thofe bufy buftFing days ? 
 
 Thofe gay-fpent feflive nights ? thofe varying thoughts 
 
 Loft between good and ill, that fhar'd thy life ? 
 
 All now are fled ! Religion fole remains 
 
 Immortal, never-failing friend of man, 
 
 His guide to happinefs on high. 
 
 I F people took as much pains to be good, as they do to 
 appear fo, they would, through grace, bring about their purpofe, 
 
 GOD the Lord and Father of all, has given no one of his 
 children fuch a property in his peculiar portion of the things 
 of this world, but that he has given his needy brother a right 
 in the furplufage of his goods ; fo that it cannot juilly be de- 
 nied him, when his prefhng wants call for it, 
 
 WHO i* wife ? He that learns from every one. Who is 
 powerful ? He that governs his paflions. Who is rich ? He 
 that is content. 
 
 FI X ' D in the fhade of this imperfect ftate, 
 J Tis ours, fubmiflive, better fcenes to wait, 
 And plaintive mufing on each various pain, 
 Or o ; er the pebbly brook or on the plain ; 
 In love with nature, let us, while we flay, 
 To nature's parent true devotion pay ; 
 By him foon fummon'd, ihall we take our flight, 
 Far to the realms of uncreated light. 
 
 TRANSPORTING period ! when wilt thou appear ? 
 Thou blifsful dawn of that immortal day, 
 
 That 
 
( 40 ) 
 
 That ne'er (hall fee a dutky ev'ning fpread 
 
 To veil its light; which ne'er lhali need the fun, 
 
 Nor ftars, nor glimm'ring moon, to cheer its made. 
 
 Ye fair inhabitants of blifsful feats, 
 Unfold your golden gates, and call me hence ; 
 Sick of this mortal ftate, this round of error, 
 Of darknefs and rniflake, I long for reft. 
 
 THY force alone, religion, death difarms, 
 Breaks all his darts, and every viper charms. 
 Soften'd by thee, the grifly form appears 
 No more the horrid object of our fears. 
 We, undifmay'd, this awful pow'r obey, 
 That guides us thro' the fafe, tho' gloomy way, 
 Which leads to life. 
 
 THE advantages of frequent thoughts of death are certain- 
 ly unfpeakable ; and molt erroneous is the notion, that gloomi- 
 nefs mult be the confequence of fuch meditation. 
 
 I T mod certainly becomes us, as we are rational and mor- 
 tal, to consider the high things expected of us as rationals ; and 
 the haite we ought to make in accomplilhing them as we are 
 mortal ; and it would befpeak us wife, as we ourfelves would 
 receive the benefit, if we, with great ferioufnefs and attention, 
 pondered over and meditated upon that, which rruft, 'ere long, 
 be our lot ; that hour, which high and low, rich and poor, 
 mull all arrive at ; and by which the beggar and the prince 
 will be levelled with the duft. 
 
 LET prudence always attend your pleafures ; it is the way 
 to enjoy the fweets of them, and not to be afraid of the confe- 
 quences. 
 
 COMPANY and cheerfulnefs are neceflary, and of ufe ; 
 but a conftant courfe of mirth betrays fuch a levity of mind, 
 that your prefence will never be defired, but to divert others, 
 whofe regard ceafes the inftant the laughter is over; and Ihould 
 your wit offend, you may be allured of aa enemy. 
 
( 41 ) 
 
 I F you have any good quality, do not make eulogiums your- 
 felf upon it, as it will not be credited upon your word only. 
 
 WE have to do with one whofe power is unbounded, whofe 
 knowledge is infinite, aud whofe juftice is perfect ; therefore 
 from him we can hide no guilt ; we can fly to no place of de- 
 fence, nor can we expect acceptance, but in the paths of reafon 
 and religion ; in them we mail rind the higheft plcafure, and join 
 to the cheerful enjoyment of the things of this world, the prof- 
 peel: of a continuance and encreafe of pleafures when this world 
 has no more to give. 
 
 SHORT is the date and narrow is the fpan, 
 Which bounds the little life of foolifh man. 
 Gay fcenes of blifs the ravilh'd foul furprize, 
 Raife his vain hopes, and glitter in his eyes ; 
 Of fwelling titles he fupinelv dreams, 
 Vail are his projects, and refin'd his fchemes ; 
 But when his morning views of joy are pair, 
 The melancholy ev'ning comes at laft ; 
 The tyrant, death, a haily furnmons fends, 
 And all his momentary glory ends. 
 
 SINCE then old time fteals all away. 
 Take heed the funfhine of your day 
 
 Nought but true joys may find : 
 To proper ufe apply what's fent ; 
 For know no beauty's permanent, 
 
 But beauty of the mind. 
 
 THE life of man is compared to the herbage of the field, 
 but a fhadow is a more linking emblem ; and the Hux of time, 
 rreafured by a fhadow, is a leffon that teaches us the necefTity 
 of preparing ourfelves for a more permanent ftate. 
 
 A S too long a retirement weakens the mind, fo too much 
 company diffipates it. It is good fome times to recoiled one's 
 D 2 felf 5 
 
( 42 ) 
 
 felf ; nay, it is even neceflary to give an exaft account of one's 
 words and thoughts to one's felf ; and of the progrefs we have 
 made in wifdom. A man that would reap the fruits of reading 
 and converfation, and improve by what he has feen, muft be 
 no flranger to filence, repofe and meditation. 
 
 A S arrogance and conceitednefs of our own abilities are 
 Yery diiguitful to men of fenfe and virtue we may be lure they 
 are highly difpleafmg to that being who delights in an humble 
 mind. 
 
 THE reproofs of a relation may be thought to proceed 
 from an affectation of fupericrity ; of an enemy, from a fpiric 
 of malice ; and of an indifferent perfon, from pride or imper- 
 tinence,- and fo be flighted : But when they come from one 
 who loves us, and come armed with all the tender concern that 
 an unfeigned affection is known to dictate, they ought of courie 
 to take effect, and become irrefiftible. 
 
 I T is pofTible to be happy in the abfence of all that peo- 
 ple call amufement and diverfion. When the mind is in a 
 iituation fuperior to the changing fcenes below the fun, in pur- 
 foit of boundlefs and immortal blifs, the foul, with a noble free- 
 dom, afcends the cekftial heights, in fearch of its great ori- 
 ginal, the fountain of its exiftence, and centre of all its hopes. 
 
 -o • «xs^ <s><s 
 
 ON CONTENTMENT. 
 
 O THOU! whofe pow'r can fnarpeft grief affuage, 
 •Or ft op the torrent of impetuous rage ; 
 Contentment, hear; Oh liflen to my ftrain! 
 Nor let the mufe implore thy aid in vain ; 
 Teach me thro' life's advent'rous paths to go, 
 T* enjoy the good,. and calmly bear the woe ; 
 To view unmov'd the mifer's hoarded ftore, 
 Without a figh, or greedy wifh for more ; 
 To fcorn the pomp, and pageantry of ftate, 
 The empty {hew, and tides of the- great, 
 
 Grant 
 
( 43 ) 
 
 Grant me to live a peaceful, rural life, 
 Remote from envy and tumultuous ftrife ; 
 1 here may 1 pafs each hour by virtue's rules, 
 Nor vainly feek th' applauding breath of fools. 
 
 GLIDE on fee u rely, wifely tread, 
 The paths where truth and virtue lead. 
 It matters not how great the man, 
 If all's conhn'd to life's fhort fpan ; 
 It matters not how rich or poor, 
 Peace is no gift in human pow'r ; 
 They find her who contented dwell 
 In the cool grot or moify cell. 
 
 T O keep the pafTions of others fubmin^ive, there is a necef- 
 fity of triumphing over one's own ; to oblige them to be vir- 
 tuous, one muft fet the example and be the model : There is 
 not a better leffon than that, which a fuperior makes it his duty 
 to pradife. 
 
 THERE is fo great a grace and authority in virtue, that 
 it never fails to attract the efteem even of thofe that are moil 
 abandoned to vice and immorality ; fo that religion, by its 
 own authority, and the reafonable force of it, is furncent to 
 eftablifh its empire in the mind of any thinking perfon. 
 
 LET your expectations be higher than any dignity or en- 
 joyment this world can boaft. Let a celefiial crown iire your 
 ambition ; and in the purfuit of infinite happinefs, grafpat no- 
 thing below the glories of immortality. With what a divine 
 ambition does the profpecl of Heavenly joys infpire the foul. 
 If you are reckoned by any of the gay and giddy world the lefs 
 polite for entertaining fuch exalted thoughts of pleafure, be 
 content in being unfafhionably good, iince thereby you can 
 keep your peace ; be fearlefs and open to the infpeclion of 
 Heaven ; juftify yourfelf to your own confeience, and fecure 
 the divine inter? it. Be always arTured, that no character is 
 more amiable, than that of a female, who in the gayeft bloom 
 
 of 
 
( 44 ) 
 
 of youth, and triumph of beauty, praclifes the rules of purity 
 and virtue ; and that in the exercife of thofe qualities the fineit 
 breeding confifts. 
 
 I N all things preferve integrity ; the confcioufnefs of thy 
 own uprightnefs will alleviate the toil of bufmefs, and foften 
 the harfhnefs of ill fuccefs and difappointments, and give thee 
 an humble confidence before God, when the ingratitude of man, 
 or the iniquity of the times, may rob thee of other due reward. 
 
 THE time of ficknefs or affliction is like the cool of the 
 day was to Adam, a feafon of peculiar propriety for the voice of 
 God to be heard ; and may be improved into a very advanta- 
 geous opportunity of begetting or encreafing fpiritual life in 
 the foul. 
 
 LIFE is SHORT. 
 
 Man's life, like any weavers' fhuttle flies, 
 Or like a tender flowret fades and dies ; 
 Or like a race it ends without delay, 
 Or like a vapour vammes away ; 
 Or like a candle which each moment waftes, 
 Or like a vefTel under fail it haftes ; 
 Or like a poic it gallops very fail, 
 Or like the fnadow of a cloud 'tis paft. 
 Our caflle is but weak, and ftrong the foe, 
 Our breath is ihort, our death is certain too ; 
 Eut as his coming is a fecret ftill, 
 Let us be ready, come death when he will. 
 
 Concluding Stanzas of a Piece wrote on Recovery from 
 
 Sicknefs. 
 
 FATHER of life ! whofe arm with equal power, 
 And equal goodnefs, can deprefs or raife ; 
 
 Complete the bleiiings thou halt deign'd to ihow r, 
 And grant encrcaiing worth to length of days. 
 
 Oh ! 
 
( 4; J 
 
 Oh ! grant me ftill to truft thy tender care, 
 In humble praife to ufe this added breath, 
 
 In health, the innocence of ficknefs wear, 
 
 And keep, thro' life, the fober thoughts of death* 
 
 A WISE Heathen, with great ju ft ice, compares profperity 
 to the indulgence of a fond mother to her child, which often 
 proves his ruin ; but the affeclion of the Divine Being to that 
 of a wife father, who would have his fons exercifed with labour, 
 difappointment and pains, that they may gather ftrength and 
 improve their fortitude. Sometimes too, a misfortune may 
 happen to a good man, to preferve him from a much greater 
 one. Thus ficknefs may be a very great mercy to him, if it 
 keeps him from embarking in a veilel which will be loft in 
 its palTage. Thus poverty may fcreen him from a great many 
 evils which would be brought upon him by riches, and the 
 like. We are fo fhort-fighted, that we know not how to dif- 
 tinguifh, and often take the greateft bleilmgs for misfortunes, 
 and the heavieft curfes for bleffings. We are like mariners, 
 who by fair winds might run into the way of pirates ; but by 
 thofe contrary to their wifnes, reach their port in fafety. 
 
 Extempore Exclamation on the Profpeft of Winter. 
 
 O H ! may our follies, like the falling trees, 
 
 Be ftript of ev'ry leaf by autumn's wind ; 
 May ev'ry branch of vice embrace the breeze, 
 
 And nothing leave but virtue's fruit behind. 
 Then when old age, life's winter, fhall appear, 
 
 In ccnfcious hope, all future ills we'll brave, 
 With fortitude our dilfciution bear, 
 
 And fink, forgotten, in the filent grave, 
 
 THE man within t\\Q golden mean. 
 Who can his boldeft wiih contain, 
 Securely views the ruin'd cell, 
 Where fordid want and forrow dwell, 
 And in himfelf, ferenely great, 
 Reclines an envied room of ftate, IT 
 
( 46 ) 
 
 I T is a melancholy confide rati on, that our comforts often 
 produce our greatefl anxieties ; and that an encreafe of our 
 pofleflions is but an inlet to new difquietudes. 
 
 WEAK and feeble minds are moft prone to anger, and 
 by their exceeding fiercenefs, generally difappoint their own 
 purpofe; but the greatelt and braveit of men, are always calm 
 and fedate ; they are above being difturbed with little injuries, 
 and can generoufly pardon the greatefl ; taking more delight in 
 mercy and forgivenefs, than in profecuting revenge when it 
 is in their power. 
 
 OTHER vices are confined within certain bounds, and 
 have a particular object, but afFedation diifufes itfelf over the 
 whole man, and infects the good qualities both of body and 
 mind. 
 
 SHUN the lead appearance of evil, that you may not be 
 fufpected ; and if you cannot avoid both, choofe rather to be 
 fufpe&ed, when you do not deferve it, than to do evil, with- 
 out being fufpecled. 
 
 B E very cautious of fpeaking or believing any ill of your 
 neighbours ; but be much more cautious of making baity re* 
 ports of them to their difadvantage. 
 
 LET virtue and innocence accompany your recreations ; for 
 unlawful pleafures, tho' agreeable for a moment, are too often 
 attended with bad confequences ; and inftead of relaxing the 
 mind, plunge us into an abyfs of trouble and affliction. 
 
 FILIAL, fubmiifive to the fov 'reign will, 
 Glad of the good — and patient of the ill, 
 I'll work, in narrow fphere, what Heav'n approves, 
 Abating hatreds, and encreafing loves ; 
 My friendfhips, ftudies, pleafures all my own, 
 Alike to envy and to fame unknown ; 
 Such in fome bleft afylum let me lie, 
 Take off my fill of life, and wait, not wifti to die. 
 
 WHEN 
 
( 47 ) 
 
 WHEN beauty's charms decay, as foon they muft, 
 And all its glories humbled in the duft, 
 The virtuous mind, beyond the rage of time, 
 Shall ever bloffom in a happier clime, 
 Whofe never-fading joys no tongue can tell, 
 Where ever 1 aft ing youth and beauty dwell ; 
 Where pain and forrow never more (hall move, 
 But all is pleafure, harmony and love. 
 
 SEARCHING after HAPPINESS, 
 
 OH! happinefs, thou pleafing dream, 
 
 Where is thy fubftance found ? 
 Sought through the varying fcenes in vain, 
 
 Of earth's capacious round. 
 The charms of grandeur, pomp and fhew, 
 
 Are nought but gilded fnares ; 
 Ambition's painful fteep afcent, 
 
 Thick fet with thorny cares. 
 The bufy town, the crowded ftreet, 
 
 Where noife and difcord reign, 
 We gladly leave, and tir'd, retreat, 
 
 To breath and thinke again. 
 Yet, if retirement's pleafing charms 
 
 Detain the captive mind, 
 The foft enchantment foon dilTolves, 
 
 'Tis empty all as wind. 
 Religion's facred lamp alone, 
 
 Unerring points the way, 
 Where happinefs forever fhines, 
 
 With unpolluted ray ; 
 To regions of eternal peace, 
 
 Beyond the ftarry ikies, 
 Where pure, fublime, and perfect joys, 
 
 In endlefs profpect rife. 
 
 O H would'ft thou, man ! but now and then defcend 
 Into the dark receffes of thy bread, 
 
 Before 
 
( 4 8 ) 
 
 Before the feeds of baleful vice have fprung, 
 And tak/n pofieflion of thy eafy heart ; 
 Then might'ft thou think on other worlds to ccrrue, 
 And live in folitude without a fear. 
 
 HAPPY the man ! whofe tranquil mind, 
 Sees nature in her changes kind, 
 
 And pleased the whcle furveys ; 
 For him the morn benignly fmiles, 
 And evening fhades reward the toils, 
 
 That meafure out his days. 
 The varying year may fhift the fcene, 
 The founding tempefts lafh the main, 
 
 And Heaven's own thunders roll ; 
 Calmly he lees the buriting ftorm, 
 Tempefts nor thunder can deform 
 
 The morning of his foul. 
 
 THE induftrious ant, by nature taught. 
 With more than common prudence fraught, 
 Lays up fecure an annual ftore, 
 (It's little date, perhaps no more :) 
 Would man (who Lord of ail prefides, 
 Alone w r hom reafon's influence guides, 
 Whom Heav'n, in mercy unconfin'd, 
 For nobler purpofes defign'd) 
 Thus hoard againft that common (late 
 We all mult prove, or foon or late ; 
 How calm might he reflgn his breath, 
 And fmiling, meet the arm of death ! 
 With joy his foul to Heav'n commend, 
 And fearlefs, wait his latter end. 
 
 NOT all the gifts of wealth, the pomp of ftate, 
 The gilded palace, or the envied throne, 
 Deferve the real tribute 'of applaufe. 
 Praife rather thofe who ileadily purfue 
 The precepts of humility, who hear 
 The voice of cooler reafon, nor defire 
 Mo*e than their flocks, and herds, the tufted cell, 
 
 Or 
 
( 49 ) 
 
 Or mofs-grown cottage, the abode of peace : 
 They fteer fecurely down life's placid ftream, 
 Rich in themfelves, and crown'd with length of days. 
 
 TEMPORAL things more ravifh in the expectation, 
 than in fruition ; but things eternal, more in the fruition than 
 expectation* 
 
 VIRTUE is the greater! ornament ; it is to the young 
 neceflary, to the aged comfortable, to the poor ferviceable, to 
 the rich an ornament, to the fortunate an honour, to the un- 
 fortunate a fupport. She ennobles the Have, and exalts nobi- 
 lity itfelf. In fhort, let it be remembered, that none can be 
 difciples of the graces but in the fchool of virtue ; and that 
 thofe who wifh to be lovely, muft learn to be good. 
 
 THE folid joys of human kind, 
 Are thofe that flow from peace of mind, 
 For who the fweets of life can tafte, 
 With vice and tim'rous guilt oppreft ? 
 'Tis virtue foftens all our toils, 
 
 With peace our confeience crowns ; 
 Gives pleafure when our fortune fmiles, 
 
 And courage when it frowns ; 
 "Calms ev'ry trouble, makes the foul ferene, 
 Smooths the contracted brow, and cheers the heart within* 
 
 O H virtue, how lovely are thy charms ! not half fo fair the 
 beauteous blufhes of the morn, the fiowery meads, or all the 
 cheering verdure of the groves. 
 
 THE man who has fo little knowledge of human nature, as 
 to feek happinels by changing any thing, but his own difpoli- 
 tions, will wade his life in fruitlefs efforts, and multiply the 
 griefs which he purpofes to remove. 
 
 E THERE 
 
( *o ) 
 
 T HE R E can be no true and fincere pleasure in any finful 
 and vicious courfe, the' it be attended with all the pomp and 
 fplendour of outward happinefs and profperity ; for wherever 
 fin or vice is, there mult be guilt ; and wherever guilt is, the 
 mind will be reftlefs and unquiet. 
 
 PURE are the joys above the Ikies, 
 
 And all the regions peace ; 
 No wanton lips nor envious eyes, 
 
 Can fee or tafte the blifs. 
 Thefe holy gates forever bar 
 
 Pollution, fin and fhame ; 
 None fhall obtain admittance there, 
 
 But followers of the Lamb. 
 
 O THOU, fupremely wife, fupremely good ! 
 Whofe ways are like th' unfathomable flood, 
 Grant me to celebrate thy glorious name, 
 ''Till death diflblves this late preferred frame ; 
 And when this earth fhall haften to decav, 
 Vv T hen feas mall burn, and mountains melt away ; 
 When funs and {tars, in wild confufion hurl'd, 
 Now crufh each other, now deftroy a world, 
 May I refume the facred theme above, 
 Forever praife thee, and forever love. 
 
 HAIL, moderation ! virtue, Heav'nly bright, 
 Thou mining path, thou ever glorious light! 
 Steerd and conducted by thy certain thread, 
 The lab'rinth of life we fafely tread ; 
 And with a fure unerring eye furvey, 
 The various perils of our painful way ; 
 From thee alone the mighty bleflings flow, 
 To double pleafure and to leflen woe ; 
 In every cafe t' apply the healing balm, 
 And footh out flormy paffions to a calm, 
 
 OF 
 
( 5' ) 
 
 O F all the calamities to which the condition of mortality 
 expofes mankind, the lofs of reafon appears, to thofe who have 
 the lead fpark of humanity, by far the moft dreadful ; and 
 they behold that lad ftage of human wretchednefs with deeper 
 commiferation than any other. 
 
 THE forgiving of injuries, is a virtue which not only 
 Chriflianity, but morality enforces. The Heathens pradiied 
 it to admiration ; the primitive Chriftians exceeded them t But 
 what a glorious example have we in the Lord and Mailer of 
 our falvation, who prayed for his cruciiiers — f * Father, forgive 
 them," &c. Luke xxiii. 34. 
 
 A Wife man will deflre no more, than what he may get juft- 
 ly, ufe foberly, diflribute cheerfully, and leave contentedly. 
 
 EXPENSIVE drefs is not a crime, becaufe there is 
 any harm in good apparel ; but becaufe it fhews a depravity 
 "of mind, which turns the necefiary ufe of clothes into extrava- 
 gance, pride and folly. 
 
 O 'T I S a Heav'nly virtue, when the heart 
 Can feel the forrows of another's bofom ! 
 It^ dignifies the man. The ftupid wretch, 
 Who knows not this fenfation, is an image, 
 And wants the feeling to make up a life. 
 
 SHORT is the date of our exiflence here, 
 As the light rain-bow in thelucid fphere ; 
 Tho' facred fcience all her ftores expand, 
 Tho' wealth and honour flow from fortune's hand ; 
 Tho' every virtue in progreffion rife, 
 To make us learn'd, benevolent and wife ; 
 Tho' great in title, and renown'd in birth, 
 Our laft retreat's to the oblivious earth. 
 
 T H O U Pow'r Supreme ! whofe influence benign, 
 O'er all creation'* infinite extent 
 Shines forth ineffable, infpire my heart With 
 
( 5* ) 
 
 With kindnefs univerfal ; let not pride, 
 
 Envy malignant, fordid luffc of gain, 
 
 Or any kindred difcord-brooding vice, 
 
 Difturb my tranquil breaft, but let me pafs 
 
 Thro' all the varied fcenes which life unfolds, 
 
 In focial harmony with all around, 
 
 Serene and calm as glides die lucid ftream. 
 
 REPUTATIONS are of a fubtile, infinuating nature- 
 like water, derived from the cleared fpring, when it chances 
 to mix with a foul current, it runs undiftinguifned in one 
 muddy dream ; and they both partake of the fame colour and 
 condition. If we keep bad company, however little we may 
 be criminal in reality, we nmft expect the fame cenfure that 
 is due to the worft of our afibciates. 
 
 HUMILITY is a virtue, which highly adorns the 
 character in which it reiides, and fets off every other virtue ; 
 it is an admirable ingredient of a contented mind, and an ex- 
 cellent fecurity againit many of thofe ills in life, which are 
 rocft fenfibly felt by people of a delicate nature. 
 
 THAT man is rnoft bleffed, who receives his daily bread with 
 gratitude and thankfulness from the hand of God ; and he who 
 does, experiences a pleafure that exceeds defcription. It is this 
 that gives a relifh to every repaft ; it is this that makes the 
 coarfeft morfel delicious to the tafte ; and it is the want of this 
 that makes affluence a burthen, inftead of a bleffrng to the rich. 
 
 THE fieep of the labouring man is fweet ; and if he toil 
 hard for the bread that perifheth, he has, in the midft of every 
 want, if a follower of Chrift, bread to eat that the worl<" 
 knows nothing of. It is not faid, happy are they who pof- 
 fefs abundance ; but happy is the man who findeth wifdom, 
 which is Chrift, the pearl of great price. In him are hid thofe 
 durable riches and nghteoufnefs, the merchandize of which is 
 better than that of filver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. 
 
 TO 
 
 r 
 
( 55 ) 
 
 T O complain that life has no joys, while there is a iingle 
 creature whom we can relieve by our bounty, affift by our 
 counfels, or enliven by our prefence, is to lament the lofs of 
 that which we poffefs ; and is juft as rational as to die of 
 third with the cup in our hands. 
 
 ENOUGH has Heav'n indulg'd of joy below, 
 To tempt our tarriance in this lov'd retreat ; 
 
 Enough has Heav'n ordain'd of ufeful woe, 
 To make us languiih for a happier feat. 
 
 Y E prou'd, ye felfifh, ye fevere, 
 
 How vain your malk of (late ! 
 The good alone have joy fincere ; 
 
 The good alone are great. 
 
 LIFE's road let me cautioufly view, 
 
 And no longer difdain to be wife, 
 Forbearing fuch paths to purfue, 
 
 As my reafon mould hate or defpife. 
 To crown both my age and my youth, 
 
 Let me mark where religion has trod, 
 Since nothing but virtue and truth 
 
 Can reach to the throne of my God. 
 
 O DAYS, long loft to man in each degree* 
 The golden days of hofpitality ! 
 When liberal fortunes vi'd with liberal ftrife, 
 To fill the nobleft offices of life ; 
 The poor, at hand their natural patrons faw, 
 And law-givers were fupplements of law ! 
 
 NEVER treat common beggars with contempt or aver- 
 fion, though their appearance be ever fo offenfive ; but remem- 
 ber the kindnefs of our Saviour and his apoftles towards them, 
 Confider, that even they have an equal right with you, to th* 
 E 2 protection 
 

 ( 54 ) 
 
 protection of Heaven : be thankful that you are not afflicted 
 with their diforders, their fores, or their poverty, but always 
 treat them as your fellow-creatures ; for, as they are fuch, it 
 is your duty to wifh them peace of mind in this world, and 
 eternal happinefs in the next ; which it is impoflible you can 
 iincerely do, and yet not have the heart to give them a fmall 
 relief. 
 
 THE poor man is, from his fituation, cut off from a thou- 
 fand temptations to vice ; and that levity and diffipation of 
 thought which are the common attendants of eafe and affluence, 
 are obliged to give way to the Heady exercife of reafon and 
 cool reflection, which are as clofely connected with wifdom, 
 as vice is with folly. 
 
 THE cheft of the mifer might as well contain brafs as gold, 
 unlefs benevolence mould pour it into the lap of diilrefs, or 
 generofity place it in the hands of merit. 
 
 THE accidents of life are numerous ; it is impoflible to 
 guard againft them all ; he that meets with the feweft, has a 
 double tie of gratitude to that Being who is about his bed and 
 his paths ; he that meets with molt, may convert them into 
 blelfings, by ufing them as means to exalt and improve his vir- 
 tues. On both fides there is a ftrong call for the exercife of 
 patience and companion ; and he that exercifes them moil, 
 bears the ftrongeft refemblance to him whofe mercy endureth 
 forever. 
 
 W E often overlook the bleflmgs which are in our poffeflion, 
 to hunt after thofe which are out of our reach. 
 
 TRUE greatnefs of foul ought to be conformable to the 
 rules of equity ; its object ought to be the doing of all the good 
 it is capable of, without requiring any retribution fcr the fa- 
 vours granted, or the treafures diftributed. 
 
 TEACH me, oh thou ! that teacher art 
 
 Of every duty here below ; The 
 
( H ) 
 
 The number of my days impart ; 
 
 Be thou my guide where e'er I go. 
 I afk no gold nor length of days, 
 
 I meet thy will, thy will be done ; 
 I know that time itfelf decays, 
 
 And gold but fparkles in the fun. 
 When chaften'd, let me kifs the rod ; 
 
 I wiih no tranfient joy to claim ; 
 Be thou my portion, oh, my God ! 
 
 Thro' Heaven's eternal year the fame. 
 
 Extract from an Ode to Senfibility. 
 
 NE'ER let my foul, with haughty fcorn, 
 The prayer of injur'd virtue fpurn ; 
 Ne'er let my heart, with four neglect, 
 Treat modeft worth with difrefpect ; 
 But let my bread, like wax receive, 
 Each fair impreflion thou canft give ; 
 Tafte all thy pleafures, all thy pain, 
 And pity the unfeeling train ! 
 
 POOR were the expectations of the ftudious, the brave, 
 the modeft and the good, if the reward of their labours and 
 ; virtues was to be determined by this life. 
 
 THAT friendfhip, which makes the leaft noife, is often 
 > the moll ufeful ; and a prudent friend, is generally of more 
 fervice than a zealous one. 
 
 T HE fureft means we can ufe, to arrive at a true eftimate 
 of ourfelves; __ and to find out the fecret faults and vices that 
 lurk within us, is to examine ourfelves by the rules which are 
 laid down for our direction in facred hiltory, and to compare 
 our lives with the life of him who lived up to the perfection of 
 human nature, and is the Handing example, as well as the 
 great guide and inftructor, of thofe that receive his doctrines. 
 
 NO 
 
( s& ) 
 
 N O perfoa is infenfible to the injury of contempt ; nor 
 is there any talent fo invidious, or fo certain to create ill will, 
 as that of ridicule. The natural effects of years, which all 
 hope to attain, and the infirmities of the body, which none can 
 prevent, are furely of all others the moft improper objeds of 
 mirth. 
 
 TO receive advice, reproof and inftruc"tion, properly, is 
 the fureft fign of a fincere and humble heart, and fhews a great- 
 nefs of mind, which commands our refpeet and reverence, while 
 it appears fo willingly to yield to us the fuperiority. 
 
 AVOID the folly of flighting thofe excellencies in others 
 which you have not acquired. Rather endeavour, with a well 
 tempered emulation, to imitate them. 
 
 NEVER add confufion to the inquietudes of thofe who 
 have failed of fuccefs in any attempt ; nor exprefs a malicious 
 joy at their difappointment. 
 
 WHEN E'E R you would an erring friend reprove, 
 Let gentle cautions mew the motive's love ; 
 Do not begin with rafhnefs to exclaim, 
 But rather hint the fault, before you blame ; 
 'Tis not enough your admonition's juft, 
 Prudence mult guide it, or the labour's loft ; 
 Friends mould allure, and charm us into fenfe, 
 Harm counfels lefs reform, than give offence. 
 
 A Thought on firfl waking. 
 
 T O God, who guards me all the night, 
 
 Be honour, love, and praife ; 
 To God, who fheds the morning light, 
 
 And gives me length of days. 
 His pow'r firft call'd us forth from nought, 
 
 Infpir'd the vital flame, 
 And with amazing wifdom wrought, 
 
The whole material frame. 
 He gave the foul its Heav'nly births 
 
 He by his word divine 
 Prepar'd the fit enclofing earth, 
 
 And bade them both combine. 
 Strange, that a pure, immortal mind*, 
 
 A bright celeftial ray, 
 Should be with fraileTi nature join'd, 
 
 And mixt with common clay. 
 C ! wond'rous union, fo compof'd, 
 
 That none can underiland, 
 'Tis fuch as evidently mews 
 
 Th* Almighty Maker's hand. 
 
 GREAT inconveniencies attend running into arry extremes. 
 Much of our happinefs depends upon an evennefs of temper, in 
 not fuffering the fcale of our reafon to mount us too high, in 
 the feafon of profperity ; nor to fink us too low, with the 
 weight of adverfity. 
 
 A S whatever worldly fubftance you enjoy, is the gift of 
 Providence, make it, in all cafes, ferve the wife and reafcna- 
 ble ends of a benincent, hofpitable life. 
 
 W E travel through time, as through a defart of wild and 
 empty waftes, which we would fain hurry over, to get at the 
 imaginary points of reft and pleafure. 
 
 I T is a melancholy truth, that though among the talents of 
 our flewardfhip, Time is the moft valuable, vet in general, we 
 are more profufe and regardlefs of it than of any other. 
 
 HAPPY, thrice happy, he whofe confcious heart, 
 Enquires his purpofe and difcems his part ; 
 Who runs, with heed, tV involuntary race, 
 Nor lets his hours reproach him as they pa&> 
 
 Weighs 
 
( 58 ) 
 
 Weighs how they ileal away, how fure, how faft, 
 And as he weighs them, apprehends the laft ; 
 Or vacant, or engag'd, our minutes flv, 
 We may be negligent, but we mull die. 
 
 THE lab'ring bee, by God inftrufted, knows, 
 Where op'ning flowers their balmy fweets difclofe ; 
 The riling fun, her daily talk renews, 
 Wide, o'er the plains, fhe fips the pearly dews ; 
 From mead to mead, fhe venders through the Ikies, 
 And yellow thyme diftends her loaded thighs. 
 Each rifTd flow'r rewards her painful toil, 
 And her full hive receives the golden fpoil; 
 On flagging wings each load fhe thither bears, 
 And while the fummer fmiles, for winter's wants prepares. 
 
 The Ants and the Grafshopper. 
 
 THE ants, a prudent, painful train, 
 Brought forth and dri'd their heaps of grain, 
 A grafshopper half flarv'd went by, 
 Who bow'd and beg'd their charity : 
 To whom a hoary ant reply'd, 
 In harveft how's your time employ M? 
 I firig (the infect faid) and play, 
 To make the lab 'ring peafants gay ; 
 Ah ! cry'd the ant, how juil the chance — 
 As then you fung, you now may dance ; 
 In vain you here for food apply, 
 I'll feed no idle folks, not L 
 
 The Fall of the Leaf. 
 
 S E E the leaves around ye falling, 
 
 Dry and wither 'd to the ground, 
 Thus to thoughtlefs mortals calling, 
 
 In a fad and folemn found. 
 (( Sons of Adam, once in Eden, 
 
 When like us he blighted fell, 
 Hear the lecture we are reading, 
 
 'Tis, 
 
( 59 ) 
 
 'Tis, alas ! the truth we tell. 
 Virgins much, too much prefuming, 
 
 On your boafted white arid red, 
 View us, late in beauty blooming, 
 
 Number 'd now among the dead. 
 Griping mifers, nightly waking, 
 
 See the end of all your care, 
 Fled on wings of our own making, 
 
 We have left our owners bare. 
 Sons of honour, fed on praifes, 
 
 Fluttering high in fancied worth, 
 Lo, the fickle air that raifes, 
 
 Brings us down to parent earth. 
 Learned fires, in fyftem jaded, 
 
 Who for new ones daily call, 
 Ceafe, at length, by us perfuaded, 
 
 Every leaf mull have a fall. 
 Youth, tho' yet no loiTes grieve you, 
 
 Gay in health and many a grace, 
 Let not cloudlefs fkies deceive you, 
 
 Summer gives to autumn place." 
 On the tree of life eternal, 
 
 Man, let all thy hopes be ftay'd, 
 Which alone, forever vernal, 
 
 Bears the leaves that never fade. 
 
 A MAN who entertains an high opinion of himfelf, is natu- 
 rally ungrateful. Ke has too great an efteem of his own merit, 
 to be thankful for any favours received. 
 
 WHEN tired and fick of all mortal vanities, the religious 
 mind repofes itfelf in the firm expectation of drinking at 
 the fountain of life, and of bathing in rivers of immortal plea- 
 fure ; even death (which to the guilty is the gloomy period 
 of all their joys, and the entrance to a gulph of undying 
 wretchednefs) brightens into a fmile, and, in an angel's form, 
 invites the religious foul to endlefs reft from labour, and to end- 
 lefs fcenes of joy, 
 
 THOU 
 
( 6o ) 
 
 THOU great, ador'd J thou excellence divine ! 
 Beauty is thine in all its conq'ring pow'rs — 
 What is there lovely in the fpacious earth, 
 Or in th' etherial round, compar'd to thee ? 
 In thee we trace up pleafure to its fource ! 
 Thou art the great original of joy, 
 Th , eternal fpring of life, the fource of lore 
 Divine — beyond fimilitude fupreme ; 
 With whofe immensity we're all furrounded I 
 
 ACTIVE in indolence, abroad we roam, 
 la queft of happinefs, which dwells at home ; 
 With vain purfuits fatigu'd, at length we find, 
 No place excludes it from an equal mind* 
 
 O H what a fcene of blifs the foul employs, 
 Wrapt in the profpecl: of eternal joys ! 
 Where all immortal Hallelujahs ring, 
 Andpraife the world's Redeemer, Heaven's King; 
 Where hymns of glory, every voice employ ; 
 Where all is love, and harmony and joy. 
 
 ,.«y.<s>^><s: 
 
 A COURSE of virtue, innocence and piety, is fuperior to 
 all the luxury and grandeur, by which the greateft libertines 
 ever propofed to gratify their defires ; for then the foul is ftill 
 enlarged, by grafping at the enjoyments of eternal blifs. The 
 mind, by retiring calmly into itfelf, finds there capacities form- 
 ed for infinite objects and defires, that ftretch themfelves beyond 
 the limits of this creation, in fearch of the great original of 
 life and pleafure. 
 
 SUCH is the uncertainty of human affairs, that we 
 cannot afiure ourfelves of the conftant poflefiion of any objects 
 that gratify any one pleafure or defire, except that of vir- 
 tue ; which, as it does not depend on external objects, we may 
 promife ourfelves always to enjoy. 
 
 WHEN you are lawfully engaged in the bufinefs of life, 
 take keci that your heart and a&Ctions cleave not to the duft. 
 
 IT 
 
( 61 ) 
 
 I T is not without good reafon that we are exhorted to pafi 
 the time of our fojourning in fear; an attachment to riches, 
 to worldly greatnefs, or its cares, has a natural tendency to di- 
 vert the mind from better obje&s, to draw off its attention 
 from the one tiling needful, and to impede its progrefs in the 
 purfuit of that happinefs, winch is only worth purfuing. 
 
 OWHILE we breathe this fleeting air, 
 May we for endlefs life prepare ; 
 To love divine, continue chafie, 
 All its fweet effluences tafte ; 
 'Till at the fource, when going hence, 
 We drink our fill of joy immenfe I 
 
 PROVIDENCE is commonly indulgent to the honeft 
 endeavours of induibrious perfons, that the more laborious they 
 are in their employments, the more they thrive and are blerled 
 in them. 
 
 KNOWLEDGE, foftened with complacency and good 
 breeding, will make a perfon beloved and admired : but being 
 joined with a fevere and oaorofe temper, it makes him rather 
 feared than refpected. 
 
 WHEN once the foul, by contemplation, is raifed to any- 
 right apprehenfion of the divine perfections, and the foretaftes of 
 celeftial blifs, how will this world, and all that is in it, vanifh 
 and difappear before his eyes ! With what holy difdain will he 
 look down upon things, which are the higheft objects of other 
 men's ambitious delires ! All the fplendour of courts, all the 
 pageantry of greatnefs, will no more dazzle his eves, than the 
 faint luftre of a glow-worm will trouble the eagle after it hath 
 been beholding the fun. 
 
 WERE there but a fingle mercy apportioned to each mi- 
 nute of our lives, the fum would rife very high ; but how is 
 our arithmetic confounded, when every minute has mere than 
 we can diftinclly number ! 
 
 F Reflections 
 
{ 62 } 
 
 Refleclions on the Ciofe of the Year. 
 
 THE year expires, and this its lateft hour — 
 
 Ah think, my foul, how fvvi ft the moment flies, 
 Nor idly wafte it while it's in thy pow'r ; 
 
 Attend time's awful call, and be thou wife. 
 Twelve months ago, what numbers, blithe and gay, 
 
 Thoughtful, plan'd fchemes for the fucceeding year ; 
 How vain were all their hopes, to death a prey, 
 
 Nor wealth they afk, nor poverty they fear. 
 I've follow 'd worth and merit to the grave, 
 
 The lail fad duties to their afhes paid ; 
 How foon may I the fame kind office crave, 
 
 The pitying tear, fad figh and friendly aid ? 
 Almighty Lord ! be pleafed to extend 
 
 Thy wonted kindnefs ; ftill thy bleflings pour- 
 On ! may thy grace into my breaft defcend, 
 
 Teach me to work thy will, and thee adore. 
 
 O F all the caufes which confpire to blind 
 Man's erring judgment, and mifguide the mind — 
 What the weak head, with ftrongeft bias rules, 
 Id Fit id e, the never failing vice of fools. 
 
 A R I C H man is no way happier than another man, but 
 that he hath more opportunities miniftered unto him of doing 
 more good than his neighbour. 
 
 HUMILITY is the grand virtue that leads to content- 
 ment ; it cuts off the envy and malice of inferiors and equals, 
 and makes us patiently bear the infults of fuperiors. 
 
 POVERTY has not always the nature of an affliction or 
 judgment, but is rather merely a Hate of life appointed by 
 providence for the proper trial and exercife of the virtues of 
 contentment, patience and refignation : And for one man to 
 murmur againrt God becaufe he poffefles not thofe riches he fees 
 given to another, M is the wrath that killeth the foolilh man, 
 " and the envy that flayeth the filly one." SURELY 
 
( 63 } 
 
 SURELY if we did not lofe our remembrance, or at 
 leaft our fallibility, that view would always predominate in 
 our lives, which alone can aiFord us comfort when we die. 
 
 A Serious and contemplative mind fees God in every thing. 
 Every objecl we behold, the food by which we are fuftained, 
 the raiment wherewith we are cloathed, fuggeft thoughts of 
 piety and gratitude ; and if we attend to the filent voice of 
 meditation, we mall 
 
 U Find tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, 
 M Sermons in ftones, and good in every thing.'' 
 
 OU R principles only become pleafing and delightful, when 
 by the influence of them we learn to calm and govern cur 
 paffions ; and are formed by them into fuch a temper, as renders 
 us capable of cheerfully enjoying the bleftings of the prefent 
 world, and the higher happinefs of a better. 
 
 THE moft momentous concern of man, is the ftate he fhall 
 enter upon, after this fnort and tranfitory life is ended : And 
 in proportion as eternity is of greater importance than time, 
 fo ought men to be folicitous upon what grounds their ex- 
 pectations, with regard to that durable ftate, are built ; ana 
 upon what aiTurances their hopes or their fears ftand. 
 
 W E mould take all the care imaginable, how we create 
 enemies, it being one of the hardeft things in the Chriftiaa 
 religion, to behave ourfelves as we ought to do towards them,. 
 
 THE.HA.PPY MA N. 
 
 HAPPY the man, who free from noify fpcrts, 
 And all the pomp and pageantry of courts, 
 Far from the venal world can live fecure, 
 Be moral, honed, virtuous — tho' poor ; 
 Who walking ftill by equity's juft rules, 
 Detefting fordid knaves, and fiatt 'ring focls ; 
 Regarding neither fortur.^ pow'r nor ftate, 
 
 Nor 
 
( 64 } 
 
 Nor ever wifhing to be vainly great ; 
 
 Without malevolence and fpleen can live, 
 
 And what his neighbour wants, with joy would give ; 
 
 A foe to pride, no pafiion's guilty friend, 
 
 Obeying nature, faithful to her end ; 
 
 Severe in manners, as in truth fevere, 
 
 Tuft to himfelf, and to his friends iincere ; 
 
 His temper even, and his fteady mind 
 
 Refin'd by friendihip, and by books refin'd : 
 
 Some low-roof 'd cottage holds the happy fwain, 
 
 Unknown to lux'ry, or her fervile train ; 
 
 He, ftudying nature, grows ferenely wife, 
 
 Socrates he lives, or like him dies. 
 He afks no glory, gain'd by hoftile arms, 
 Nor fighs for grandeur with her painted charms ; 
 With calm indifFrence views the fhifting fcene, 
 Thro' all magnanimous, relign'd, ferene : 
 On hope fuilain'd, he treads life's devious road, 
 And knows no fear, except the fear of God ; 
 Would Heav'n, indulgent, grant my fond defire, 
 Thus would I live, and thus mould life expire. 
 
 THE middle (late of life is befl, 
 Exalted ftations find no reft ; 
 Storms make th' afpiring pine and tow 'r, 
 And mountains feel .the thunder's pow'r. 
 The mind, prepaid for each event, 
 In every ftate maintains content ; 
 She hopes the beft when dorms prevail, 
 Nor trufts too far the profpVous gale ; 
 Should time returning winters bring, 
 Returning winter yields to fpring ; 
 Should darknefs fhroud the prefent ikies, 
 Hereafter brighter funs mall rife. 
 
 A WISE Heathen was of opinion, that if mankind, in ge- 
 neral, had the power given them to change their ilation in life, 
 and at the fame time were made acquainted with the inconve- 
 
 niencies 
 
( 6j ) 
 
 niences attending every other ftate, as well as their own, they 
 would unanimoufly choofe to continue in the fituation they 
 were at firft placed in by Providence. 
 
 THE firft ingredient in converfation is truth; the next 
 good fenfe ; the third good humour ,* the laft wit. 
 
 DISCREET people generally have a referve of neeefla- 
 ries before-hand, that when the time comes for ufing them, 
 there may be no hurry and confufion. 
 
 CIVILIT Y overacled, is always fufpicious. A blaft of 
 thorns begins in a blaze, and foon ends in a fmoke ; but afire 
 made of proper materials, defigned to be ufeful and lafting, at 
 its firft kindling breaks out from a cloud of fmoke, and grows 
 clearer and brighter as it burns. 
 
 P L U T A R C H (in his book of friendfhip) directs us, to 
 " make a trial of our friends, as of our money, and to be 
 equally cautious of choofing both." Tacitus tells us, that (C the 
 longer a friendfhip is contracted, fo much the furer and more 
 firm it is." From this we may colled, that an old friend is 
 always to be moll valued, the bell to be loved, and the firft to 
 be trufted. 
 
 THE duties that are owing to friends, are integrity, love, 
 counfel and afliftance. It is not intimacy, and frequency of 
 converfation, that makes a friend, but a difinterefted obfervance 
 of thefe duties. 
 
 NEVER admit (fays the philofopher Seneca) vain glory 
 into your heart ; for human glory is at beft no more than hu- 
 man folly. 
 
 THE pleafing gales that gentle fummer yields, 
 
 Amid the gay profufion of his (lore ; 
 The fmiles of nature, and of verdant fields, 
 
 Are all, alas ! but bleflings of an hour. 
 
 F 2 How- 
 
( 66 ) 
 
 How vart the beauties they around difplay r * 
 
 Till dreary winter reafiumes his reign, 
 And fternly bids them vanifh and decay, 
 
 And leave no traces on the penfive plain, 
 The golden cowflip on th' enamell'd mead, 
 
 Displays his youthful glories to the view, 
 But foon he droops his folitary head, 
 
 And yields Ins virtue to the evening's dew, 
 Alas ! how tranfient is the dream of life, 
 
 And every heart-felt comfort we enjoy ; 
 And fraught with care, folicitude and ftrife, 
 
 Each hour attempts our blcfilngs to deflroy. 
 All human fcenes are fubjeft to decay, 
 
 And time aiTerts an all-prevailing pow'r ; 
 Expanding beauties to the morning's ray, 
 
 We bloom to wither, as the tender flow'r. 
 Not fo the fowl — its views fublime and pure, 
 
 Where faith, and hope, and charity unite, 
 Shall rife, and dwell eternally fecure, 
 
 In Heaven's unfading manfions of delight. 
 
 M ERE bafhfulnefs, without merit, is awkward : and 
 merit, without medefty, infolent : But modeft merit has a dou- 
 ble claim to acceptance, and generally meets with as many pa- 
 trons as beholders. 
 
 X E N O P H O N in his Cyrus, which he defigned for the 
 perfect idea of a good prince, reprefents him in the laft minutes 
 of his life, addrerlmg himfelf to God to this purpofe : " Thou 
 " knoweft that I have been a lover of mankind ; and now tha£ 
 <( I am leaving this world, I hope to find that mercy from 
 " thee which I have (hewn to others.'"' 
 
 THE man who keeps the golden mean 
 Wbefre raging florms are feldcm feen, 
 Avoids t -vi cang'reus recks and pools, 
 That fright the wife, and f wallow fools, THE 
 
( 6 7 ) 
 
 THE limits of our life, how like a made— 
 A pafTing cloud — our vain exiftence flies ! 
 Yet all our boundlefs hopes, our future views, 
 For endlefs ages, on this narrow fpan, 
 This little rivulet of time, depend. 
 And Oh ! how fall the gliding current flows ! 
 Nothing retards its everlafting courfe ; 
 Ev'n now our hafty moments pafs away, 
 Forever, O forever are they gone ! 
 
 We die with every breath ; no calling back 
 The niceft point of all our vain duration ; 
 
 *Tis part beyond retrieve ! but Oh ! there reft 
 
 Eternal things on this important point : 
 
 This fpan of life, this fhort allotted fpan, 
 
 Is all we have to manage for the flake 
 
 Of an immortal foul ; the glorious weight 
 
 Of Heav'nlv crowns and kingdoms are fufpended, 
 
 And Oh ! — if loft, can never be recall'd ! 
 
 WHAT impreflion can treafure and great porTeflions make 
 upon the mind that is contemplating, ferioufly, on the king- 
 dom of Heaven, and a crown of glory that never fades away ? 
 What are the pomp and majefty of an earthly court ; the mag- 
 nificence of palaces and crouded theatres, to one who has in 
 view the glories of Heaven ; the triumphs of tile faints ; and 
 the ineffable fplendour of the angelic order ? What are fealls, 
 fports, plays, and all the varieties of fenfual pleafures and de- 
 lights, to him who fledfaftly fixes his eye on celeftial blifs, and 
 everlafling tranfports of joy ? 
 
 H E that would pafs the latter part of life with honour and 
 decency, muft, when he is young, confider that he fhall one 
 day be old, and lay up knowledge for his fupport, when his 
 powers of acting fhall forfake him ; and remember when he is 
 eld, that he has once been young, and forbear to animadvert, 
 with unneceffary rigour, on faults which experience only can 
 correct, 
 
 Written 
 
( 68 ) 
 Written in the Holy Bible. 
 
 YE facred tomes, be my unerring guide, 
 Dove-hearted faints, and prophets eagle-ey'd I 
 I fcorn the moral fop and ethic fage, 
 But drink in truth from your illumin'd page : 
 Like Mofes' bum, each leaf's divinely bright, 
 Where God inverts himfelf in milder light ; 
 Taught by your doctrines we devoutly rife, 
 Faith points the way, and hope unbars the fkies. 
 You tune our paffions, teach them how to roll, 
 And fink the body but to raife the foul ; 
 To raife it, bear it to myilerious day, 
 Nor want an angel to direct the way ! 
 
 TO THE MOTHER. 
 
 SAY, while you prefs, with growing love, 
 
 The darling to your brealt, 
 And all a mother's pleafures prove, 
 
 Are you entirely bleft ? 
 Ah ! no ; a thoufand tender cares, 
 
 By turns your thoughts employ ; 
 Now riling hopes, now anxious fears, 
 
 And grief fucceeds to joy. 
 Dear innocent, her lovely fmiles, 
 
 With what delight you view ! 
 But ev'ry pain the infant feels, 
 
 The mother feels it too. 
 Then whifpers bufy, cruel fear,. 
 
 " The child, alas, may die!" 
 And nature prompts the ready tear, 
 
 And heaves the riiing figh. 
 Say, does not Heav'n our comforts mix 
 
 With more than equal pain, 
 To teach us, if our hearts we fix 
 
 On earth we fix in vain ? 
 Then be our earthly joys refign'd, 
 
 Since here we cannot reft ; 
 For earthly joys were ne'er deiign'd 
 
 To make us fully bleft. PATIENCE 
 
( G 9 ) 
 
 PATIENCE confifts in a well pleafed fubmiiTion to the 
 divine will, and a quiet yielding to whatever it pleafes the 
 Deity to afRift us with. If we are poffefled with a fiacere re- 
 verence and efteem of God, humility will fortify us with pa- 
 tience to furFer, and not murmur, at his difpenfations. 
 
 IN every affair of life, defpair ihould give way to hope, 
 and impatience to content ; for the hand of Providence is al- 
 ways neareft to affifl us, when perils are moll evident. 
 
 AFFLICTIONS, if we make a difcreet ufe of them, are 
 meffengers of love from Heaven to invite us thither* 
 
 A S O U L immortal, fpending all her fires, 
 Wafting her ftrength in flrenuous idlenefs, 
 Thrown into tumult, raptur'd or alarm 'd, 
 At aught this (bene can threaten or indulge, 
 Refembles ocean into tempeft wrought, 
 To waft a feather, or to drown a Rv. 
 
 The Knowledge of God natural to Man. 
 
 THAT gracious Pow'r, who, from his kindred clay> 
 Bids man arife to tread the realms of day, 
 Implants a guide, that tells what will fulfil 
 His word, or what's repugnant to his will ; 
 The author of our being marks fo clear, 
 That none, but thofe who will be blind, can err ; 
 Or wherefoe er we turn th J attentive eyes, 
 Proofs of a God on ev'ry fide arife ; 
 Nature, a faithful mirror, ftands to fhew 
 God, in his works, difclos'd to human view ; 
 Whate'er exifts beneath the chryftal floods, 
 Or cuts the liquid air, or haunts the woods : 
 The various flow'rs, that fpread th' enamell'd mead, 
 Each plant, each herb, or ev'n the grafs we tread, 
 Difplays Omnipotence : None elfe could form 
 The vileft weed, or animate a worm, 
 
 Ox 
 
 f 
 
( 7° J 
 
 Or view the livid wonders of the fky, 
 
 What hand fufpends thofe pond'rous orbs on high ? 
 
 The cornets flight, the planets my ftic dance! 
 
 Are thefe the works of Providence or chance ? 
 
 Themfelves declare that univerfal caufe 
 
 Who fram'd the fyftem, and impos'd their laws. 
 
 CHRISTIANITY is not a fpeculative fcience, but a 
 practical obligation. 
 
 PIETY and pride can no more thrive together, than 
 health and Scknefs, light and darknefs. 
 
 THO' our nature is iniperfecl and corrupt, yet it is fo far 
 improvable, by the grace of God upon our own good endea- 
 vours, that we all may, tho' not equally, be initruments of 
 his glory, ornaments and bleifings to this world, and capable 
 of eternal happinefs. 
 
 THERE is a certain candour in true virtue, which none 
 can counterfeit. 
 
 I N the moderate ufe cf lawful things, there can be no 
 crime ; but in ail extremes there is. 
 
 "WE cannot (fays AmaSs in his epiille to Polycartes) ex- 
 " peel: in this world an unmixt happinefs, without being fre- 
 " quently tempered with troubles and difafters." 
 
 THE family is the proper province for private women to 
 mine in. 
 
 TEMPERANCE is a regimen into which all perfons 
 may put themfelves. 
 
 GOD hath promifed pardon to him that repenteth ; but he 
 hath not promifed repentance to him that finneth. 
 
 HEAV'N's 
 
{ 7i ) 
 
 HEAV'N's favours here are trials, not rewards ; 
 A call to duty, not difcharge from care, 
 And mould alarm us full as much as woes ; 
 Awake us to their caufe and confequence, 
 O'er our fcan'd conduct give a jealous eye, 
 And make us tremble, weigh'd with our defert. 
 
 T O man's falfe optics (from his folly falfe) 
 Time, in advance, behind him hides his wings, 
 And feems to creep, decrepid with his age ; 
 Eehold him when pafs'd by ! what then is feen 
 But his broad pinions fwifter than the winds ? 
 And all mankind, in contradiction ftrong, 
 Rueful, aghaft ! cry out at his career. 
 
 A DREAM, 
 
 TORTUR'D with pain, as late I ileeplefs lay, 
 Opprefs'd with care, impatient for the day, 
 Juft at the dawn, a gentle /lumber came, 
 And to my wand'ring fancy brought this dream. 
 
 Methought my pains were hunVd, and I was laid 
 In earth's cold lap, among the filent dead ; 
 Prop'd on my arm, I view'd, with vaft furprize, 
 This laft retreat of all the great and wife ; 
 Where fool, with knave, in friendly confort lies. 
 Whilft thus I gaz'd, behold a wretch appear'd, 
 In beggar's garb, with loathfome filth hefmear'd, 
 His carcafe, Lazar like, was crafted o'er 
 With odious leprofy, one horrid fore ; 
 This wretch approach ? d, and laid him by my fide, 
 Good Heaven ! — how great a (hock to mortal pride ; 
 Enrag'd I cry'd — " friend, keep the diftance due 
 " To us of rank, from beggars fuch as you ; 
 " Cbferve feme manners, and do me the grace, 
 " To move far off, and quit your betters place." 
 
 " And what art thou ? audacious (he reply 'd !) 
 " That thus dorr, mew fuch reliques of thy pride ? 
 " What tho' in life the harder lot was mine, 
 " Of eafe and plenty every bldEng thine, 
 
 n Yet 
 
( 7* ) 
 
 ff Yet here, diitinaions ceafe : a beggars dufl: 
 
 " Shall rife with kings — more happy if more juft ; 
 
 M Till then we both one common mafs mall join, 
 
 " And fpite of fcorn, my afhes mix with thine. " 
 
 O N W R I T I N G. 
 
 B L E S S ' D be the man, his memon- at leait, 
 That found the art, thus to unfold his breaft, 
 And taught fucceeding times an eafy way, 
 Their fecret thoughts by letters to convey ; 
 To baffle abfence, and 'fecure delight, 
 "Which, till that time, was limited to fight ; 
 The parting farewell fpoke the laft adieu, 
 The lefs'ning diflance pari, then lofs of view : 
 The friend was gene, which fome kind moments gave, 
 And abfence feparated like the grave. 
 
 Y\ hen for a wife the youthful Patriarch fent, 
 The camels, jewels, and a fervant went, 
 And wealthy equipage, tho' grave and flow, 
 But not a line that might the lover (hew. 
 The rings and bracelets woo'd her hands and arms ; 
 But had me known of melting words the charms, 
 That under fecret feals in ambufh lie, 
 To catch the foul when drawn into the eve, 
 
 Mr AlTvrian had not : ; lide, 
 
 Nor her feft heart in chains of hair been ti'd. 
 
 W E Pv E it lawful and becoming in man to choofe his cir- 
 cumstances in life, a mediocrity would be the moil 
 irfeful, and the freeft from temptation ; though notwithstand- 
 ing thefe advantages, fome might think it not the moi: 
 able. Opulence may tempt us to diffipation, indolence, few 
 fuality, and total forgetfuinefs of God: yc eirm 
 falfnood, diihonefly'and perjury. Let us, therefore, fay with 
 Agur, " Give me neith 
 Ki food convenient for me; led? I be full 
 (< {:.y t who is the Lord? or be p teal, and take the 
 
 " name 
 
( 13 ) 
 
 rc name of my God in vain." But even thofe Chriftians, who 
 move in this middle fphere, have their forrows and their joys ; 
 they feel fome degree of pain, fome proportionable meafure 
 of anxiety and care ; they tafte a bitter mixed with every fweet, 
 and they find a faithful monitor within, who tells them that 
 the earth is not their portion, was not given as their reft, nor 
 intended as their home. 
 
 M Y God, the fteps of pious men 
 
 Are ordered by thy w T ill ; 
 Tho' they mould fall, they rife again, 
 
 Thy hand fupports them ftill. 
 I choofe the path of Heav'nly truth, 
 
 And glory in my choice ; 
 Not all the riches of the earth 
 
 Could make me fo rejoice. 
 
 To Mira, on removing into the Country, 
 
 M I R A, while on earth we (lay, 
 Change our relidence we may ; 
 Change it often, and yet ftill 
 May be happy if we will. 
 Virtue ftill mall be our care, 
 The Deity is every where ; 
 Every where to blefs the good, 
 Seen, tho' little underftood. 
 Seen his wifdom, goodnefs, pow'r* 
 When we cultivate the flow'r ; 
 Wifdom all its hues difclofe, 
 Its perfume with goodnefs glows ; 
 Finite pow'rs in Heav'n or earth 
 Cou'd not give the charmer birth. 
 
 God mall fend our board to fpread 
 Healthful herbage from the bed ; 
 Cooling fruit from every bough, 
 Milk and butter from the cow ; 
 From the hive the comb replete, 
 Such was Ifrael's Canaan treat ; 
 
 G Cliick$ 
 
( 74 ) 
 
 Chicks that once before our door 
 
 Pick'd the crumbs and afk ? d for more ; 
 
 Pigs that grunted in our Ry, 
 
 Lambs that flup'd when vve were by ; 
 
 This is goodnefs in excefs, 
 
 Oh ! how Heav'n delights to blefs. 
 
 From the vine the generous juice, 
 
 Not for luxury butufe, 
 
 Pour'd for Mira, pour'd for me — 
 
 If content, how happy we. 
 
 \\ aerefoe^er we turn our eyes, 
 Ho v. ing profpedls rife ! 
 
 Feitiii? by fun and rain, 
 Eart u th'd with grafs and grain ; 
 
 Gro aficfe fill our ears, 
 
 the God! appears ; 
 He i hill and dale 
 
 Bad . ' . -1 avail ; 
 
 Gave the linnet's note renVd, 
 With its joys to charm mankind. 
 Mint, what fo clear as this, 
 Joy in others gives us bills ? 
 With our fuperflooos flore 
 Let us clothe and feed the poor. 
 Worth that from the public flies, 
 Let us feek and patronize ; 
 Worth that hopes for no difplay, 
 'Till that all difclofing day ; 
 Ivlira ! then may you and I, 
 Claim a manfion in the fkv. 
 
 
 FORTITUDE has its extremes, as well as the reft of 
 the virtues ; and ought, like them, to be always attended by 
 prudence. 
 
 THE end of learning is, to know God, and out of that 
 knowledge, to love him, and to imitate him, as we may the 
 neareft, by pofTefling our fouls of true virtue. 
 
 CICERO 
 
J 75 I 
 
 CICERO fays, " Vicious habits are fo great a Rain to 
 *' human nature, and fo odious in themfelves, that every perfcn 
 " actuated by right reafon, would avoid them, though lie was 
 <c fure they would be alwav s concealed both from God and 
 •• man, and had no future punimment entailed upon them." 
 
 AS to be perfectly juft, is an atribute of the divine nature; 
 to be fo to the utmoft of our abilities, is the glory of a man. 
 
 A VIRTUOUS habit of mind is fo abfolutely neceffary to 
 influence the whole life, and beautify every particular action ; 
 to overbalance or repel all the gilded charms of avarice, pride, 
 and felf-intereit, that a man defervedly procures the lading epi- 
 thets of good or bad, as he appears either fwayed by, or re- 
 gardlefs of it. 
 
 AMAN of virtue is an honour to his country, a glory to 
 humanity, a fatisfaction to himfeif, and a benefactor to the 
 world. He is ri^l^without opprefiion or difhonefty, charita- 
 ble without oftentation, courteous without deceit, and brave 
 without vice. 
 
 ANGER may glance into the bread of a wife man, but 
 refts only in the boiom of fools. 
 
 WHEN the laft hour feems to be approaching, all terref- 
 trial advantages are viewed with indifference ; and the value 
 that we once fet upon them, is difregarded or forgotten. And 
 if the fame thought was always predominant, we fhould then 
 find the abfurdity of ftretching out our arms inceiTantly to 
 grafp that which we cannot keep; and wearing out ourfelves 
 in endeavours to add new turrets to the fabric of ambition, 
 when the foundation itfeif is making, and the ground on which 
 it Hands is mouldering away. 
 
 T O him who is animated with a view of obtaining appro- 
 bation from the Sovereign of the univerfe, no difficulty mould 
 feem infurmountable. 
 
 ^ W E have feen thofe virtues which have, while living, re- 
 tired from the public eye, generally tranfmitted to pofterity, as 
 the trueft objecls of admiration and praife. A 
 
I 7* ) 
 
 A Hymn.— Pfalm VIIMi. 
 
 LORD! how illuflrious is thy name, 
 Whofe pow'r both Heav'n and earth proclaim ! 
 When I the Heav'ns, thy fabric, fee, 
 The moon and liars, difpos'd by thee ; 
 
 ! what is man, or his frail race, 
 That thou ftiould'ft fuch a Ihadow grace ? 
 Next to thy angels moft renown'd, 
 With majefty and glory crown'd ! 
 
 All that on dales and mountains feed, 
 
 All that the woods and defarts breed, 
 
 V* hate'er thro' airy regions flees, 
 
 Or fwims in deep and Sonny feas, 
 
 Thou all beneath his feet hail laid, 
 
 King of thy whole creation made ; 
 
 Lord ! how illuflrious is thy name, 
 
 Whole pow'r both Heav'n and earth proclaim ! 
 
 1 ENVY no one's birth or fame, 
 
 Their title, train or drefs ; 
 Nor has my pride e'er ilretch'd its aim, 
 
 Beyond what I poffefs. 
 I afk not, wifh not, to appear, 
 
 More beauteous, rich or gay ; 
 Lord make me wifer every year, 
 
 And better every day. 
 
 A W I S E and virtuous man can never be proud ; nor can 
 he be exalted in his thoughts at any advantages he has above 
 others, becaufe he is confcious of his own weaknefs and inabili- 
 ty to become either wife or virtuous, by any thing he finds in 
 his own power ; and his fenfe of the gcodnefs of the tountifi ' 
 God in bellowing upon him more abundantly, what he has 
 been plea fed more fparingly to vouchfafe to others, will in- 
 fpire his foul with humility, thankfulnefs and adoration. 
 
 MEN 
 
( 77 ) 
 
 MEN generally love to have their praifes proclaimed, not 
 whifpered. There are not many who can have the patience 
 to itay till the day of judgment, to receive the approbation 
 and applaufe of their good aclions. 
 
 Verfes written on the Severity of Winter* 
 
 WHILE the fierce winter rages all around, 
 And the hard earth's with frofty fetters bound ; 
 
 le clothes its furface a thin garb of fnow* 
 And rapid rivers now no longer Row : 
 Tho' keen the piercing cold, the vital flood, 
 The rich can warm with raiment, fire and food ; 
 But whence the poor enable to fuftain 
 Oppreffive want, and hunger's urgent pain ? 
 How is it, naked, hungry — they can bear, 
 In their defencelefs ftate, the piercing air ? 
 Whence mail their wants the juft fupply receive ? 
 Ought man refufe, when God empow'rs to give ? 
 None can — but thofe in whom companion fails ; 
 In whom nor love of God nor man prevails ; 
 In whom all ferious fenfe of duty's loft, 
 Colder their hearts than fnow, and harder than the frofL 
 
 ALL have their frailties. W T hoever looks for a friend 
 without imperfections, will never find what he feeks ; we love 
 ourfelves with all our faults, and we ought to lqyq our friend 
 in like manner. 
 
 THERE is nothing Co engaging as a benevolent dHpofi- 
 ticn. i his temper makes a man's behaviour inoffenfive, :^~ 
 ble and obliging ; it multiplies friends, and difarms the ma- 
 lice of an enemy. 
 
 A M A N without complaifance, ought to have a great 
 deal, of merit in the room of it. 
 
 G 2 Hrd 
 
( 7S J 
 
 H E whofe honeft freedom makes it his virtue to 
 what he thinks, makes it his necefiity to think what is 
 
 Hymn for the Mor ning. 
 
 O N thee, each morning, O my God! 
 
 My waking thoughts attend, 
 In whom are founded all my hopes, 
 
 And all my wifhes end. 
 My foul, in pleafmg wonder loft, 
 
 Thy boundlefs love furveys, 
 And, hYd with grateful zeal, prepares, 
 
 Her facrifice of praife. 
 Thou lead'ft me thro* the maze of Heep, 
 
 And bring'ft me fafe to light, 
 Amd with the fame paternal care, 
 
 ConducTft my ileps till night. 
 When ev'ning ft umbers prefs mine eyes, 
 
 With thy protection bleft, 
 In peace and fafety I commit 
 
 My wearied limbs to reft. 
 My fpirit, in thy hand fecure, 
 
 Fears no approaching ill ; 
 For, whether waking or afleep, 
 
 Thou, Lord ! art with me ftill. 
 What fit return can I, weak flem, 
 
 Make to Almighty Pow'r ! 
 For fo much goodnefs, fo much love I 
 
 Such mercies every hour ! 
 I'll daily, to th' aftonifh'd world, 
 
 His wond'rous acts proclaim, 
 Whilft all with me mail praifes fmg, 
 
 With me fh all blefs his name. 
 At morn, at noon, at night, I'll ftill, 
 
 The growing work purfue ; 
 And him alone will praife, to whom 
 
 Alone all praife is due, 
 
( 79 ) 
 
 I T is a fign of great prudence, to be willing to receive in- 
 flruftion u the moil intelligent perfon, fometimes, (lands in need 
 of it. 
 
 THERE is nothing more difagreeable, than continual 
 jefling. By endeavouring to purchafe the reputation of be- 
 ing pleafant, a man lofes the advantage of being thought wife. 
 
 I T is ungenerous to give a perfon occailon to blufh at his 
 own ignorance in any one thing, who perhaps may excel us in 
 many. 
 
 THE greateft wifdom of fpeech, is to know when, and what, 
 and where to fpeak ; the time, matter and manner. The next 
 to it, is filence. 
 
 A S we mould never conilrue that in earned, which is fpo- 
 ken in jell, fo we mould not fpeak that in jeft, which may be 
 conflrued in earnefl. 
 
 THE talent of turning men into ridicule, and exposing 
 thofe we converfe with, is the qualification of little, ungenerous 
 tempers. What an abfurd thing it is to pafs over all the va- 
 luable parts of a man, and fix our attention on his infirmities ; 
 to obferve his imperfections more than his virtues ! 
 
 A S, amongfl wife men, he is the wifefl who thinks he 
 knows ieafl, fo, amongfl fools, he is the greateft who thinks 
 he knows moll. 
 
 THERE is far more fatisfa6tion in doing, than receiving 
 good. To relieve the oppreffed, is the mofl glorious aft a 
 man is capable of; it is in fome meafure doing the bufmefs of 
 God and Providence ; and is attended with a Heavenlv plea- 
 fare, unknown but to thofe that are beneficent and liberal. 
 
 LET worldly minds the world purfue, 
 It has no charms for me 3 
 
 **^ Once 
 
( So ) 
 
 Once I admir'd its trifles too, 
 
 But grace has fet me free. 
 Its pleafures now no longer pleafe, 
 
 No more content afford, 
 Far from my heart be joys like thefe, 
 
 Now I have known the Lord, 
 As by the light of opening day, 
 
 The liars are all concealed ; 
 So earthly pleafures fade away, 
 
 When Jefus is reveal'd. 
 Now, Lord ! I would be thine alone, 
 
 And wholly live to thee ; 
 But may I hope that thou wilt own 
 
 A wcrthlefs worm like me ? 
 Yes — tho' of finners I'm the worft, 
 
 I cannot doubt thy will ; 
 For if thou had'ft not lov'd me firft 
 
 I had refused thee ftill. 
 
 ALPHONSUS, king of Sicily, being afked what he 
 would referve for himfelf, who gave fo much away ? Even 
 thofe things, faid he, that I do give, for the reft I efteern as 
 nothing. 
 
 N O character is more attractive of univerfal refpecl:, than 
 that of helping thofe who are in no condition of helping them- 
 felves. 
 
 THE temperate man's pleafures are durable, becaufe they 
 are regular ; and all his life is calm and ferene, becaufe it is 
 innocent. 
 
 SOCRATES faid, « all the treafures of the earth 
 '• were not to be compared to the leafl virtue of the foul." 
 
 THE gifts of the mind are able to cover the defects of the 
 body ; but the perfections of the body cannot hide the imper- 
 fections of the mind, 
 
 THOUGH 
 
( 8i ) 
 
 THOUGH prudence may oblige a man to fecure a 
 competencv, yet never was any one by right reafon induced to 
 feek fuperfluities. 
 
 RICHNESS of drefs contributes nothing to a man of 
 fenfe, but rather makes his fenfe enquired into. The more the 
 body is fet off, the mind appears the lefs. 
 
 THE greater!: pleafure wealth can afford us, is that of do- 
 ing good. 
 
 F all the things this world affords us, the poffeffion and 
 enjoyment of wifdom alone is immortal. A itriel: adherence 
 to virtue, and a well regulated life, renders our pleafures more 
 folid and lafting. 
 
 1 F we apply ourfelves ferioufly to wifdom, we mail never 
 live without true pleafure, but learn to be pleafed with every 
 thing. We fhall be pleafed fo far with wealth, as it makes 
 us beneficial to others ; with poverty, for not having much to 
 care for ; and with ubfeurity, for being unenvied. 
 
 The Angler and the Philofopher. 
 
 BESIDE a gentle murm'ring brook, 
 
 An angler took his patient itand ; 
 He ey'd the ftream with anxious look, 
 
 And wav'd his rod with cautious hand. 
 The bait with nicer!: art was dreft, 
 
 The fifties left their fafe retreat, 
 And one more eager than the reft, 
 
 Look'd, long'd, and fwallow'd the deceit. 
 Too late (he felt the poignant fmart, 
 
 Her pitying friends her fate deplore, 
 The angler, with well-practic'd art, 
 
 Hook'd, play'd, and drew her to the fhore. 
 Lur'd by the beauty of the day, 
 
 The fun now finking in the iky, 
 
( 82 ) 
 
 A fage purfu'd his walk that way, 
 
 And faw the bleeding victim lie* 
 Far in the vale of years declined, 
 
 He watch'd the courfe of nature's law 3 
 And thus with philosophic mind, 
 
 He moraliz'"d en what he faw. 
 Indulge, a while, the penfive vein, 
 
 Aud fix this image in your mind, 
 You've hook/d a fifh — obferve its pain, 
 And view the ftate of human kind* 
 Fate gives us line, we fhift the fcene, 
 And jocund, traverfe to and fro, 
 Pain, ficknefs, ftili will intervene, 
 
 We feel the hook where e'er we go, 
 If proudly, we our fchemes extend, 
 
 And look beyond the pre fen t hour, 
 We find our ftraiten'd profpefts end, 
 
 And own an over-ruling pow'r. 
 Awhile we fport, awhile lament, 
 
 Fate checks the line and we are gone ; 
 Draeg'd from our wonted element 
 To diftant climes, untry'd, unknown. 
 
 I T is no common blefling to meet with a faithful, fenfible, 
 and difcreet friend ; faithful to conceal nothing from us ; fen- 
 fible to remark cur faults ; and difcreet to reprehend us for 
 them. But to be able to believe and follow his advice, is 
 indeed a real happinefs. It frequently happens, that we take 
 a pride in following our own conceits; like thofe travellers 
 that lofe their way for want of taking a guide, or enquiring 
 after the road. 
 
 SLANDER is the revenge of a coward, and diflim-ula- 
 tion his defence. 
 
 BEWARE what earth calls happinefs , beware 
 All joys, but joys that never can expire ; Wkg 
 
( S3 ) 
 
 Who builds on lefs than an immortal bafe, 
 Fond as he feems, condemns his joys to death. 
 
 Infcription over the Door of a Gentleman's Retreat : 
 
 BENEATH this mofs- grown roof, within this cell, 
 Truth, liberty, content and virtue dwell ; 
 Say you who dare, this happy place difdain, 
 What fplendid palace boafcs fo fair a train ? 
 
 VIRTUE'S the friend of life, the foul of health, 
 The poor man's comfort, and the rich man's wealth. 
 
 I T is not fufficient, that the Chriftian avoid only the com- 
 miflion of known actual fins ; for more is certainly required 
 of him who is commanded to abftain from all appearance of 
 evil ; who is to fpeak the truth to his neighbour, and fo to 
 walk that he may be pronounced blamelefs and without re- 
 buke in the midft of this crooked and perverfe generation. 
 Circumfpection in the ordering of our fpeech, is, in fome re- 
 fpects, perhaps, as neceffary for the ornament of religion, as the 
 outward deportment of our conduct in the world ; or, at leaft, 
 as neceffary for the approbation of him, who, as one expreffes, 
 *■ Views effects in their caufes, and actions in their motives ;" 
 or, to ufe words ftill more awful, who hath declared, that 
 " Every idle word which men (hall fpeak, they mall give an 
 " account thereof in the day of judgment." 
 
 m 
 
 DISCRETION does not only mew itfelf in words, but 
 in all the circumftances of action, and is like an under agent 
 of Providence, to guide and direct us in the ordinary concerns 
 of life. 
 
 IMPRINT this maxim deeply in your mind, that there is 
 nothing certain in this human and mortal ftate ; by which 
 means you wiU avoid being tranfported with prosperity, and 
 being dejected in adverfity. 
 
( 84 ) 
 
 O ! BORN for nobler ends ! dare to be wife ; 
 'Tis not e'en now too late, aflert thy claim ; 
 Rugged the path conducting to the ikies, 
 But the fair prize is an immortal fame. 
 
 HOUSHOLD affairs ought infenfibly to Aide along, 
 and reprefent a ft ill current without noife or wares. 
 
 CLEARNESS is the rule of fpeaking, as fincerity is the rule 
 of thinking. Too bright fallLes of wit, like flames of lightning, 
 rather dazzle than illuminate. 
 
 LESSONS and precepts ought to be gilded and fweetened 
 as we do pills and potions, fo as to take off the difguft of the 
 remedy ; for it holds both in virtue and in health, that we love 
 to be initrucled, as well as phyfick'd with pleafure. 
 
 Verfes fent to a young Woman, with a Carnation growing in 
 a Flower- Pot. 
 
 W HILE this gay flower attracls thy eager fight, 
 And gives to every feeling fenfe delight, 
 Let its belt ufe thy better thoughts employ, 
 And yield thee profit, while it gives thee joy. 
 Like "thee in beauty's faireft noon it blows, 
 Flames as the fun, and as the ruby glows ; 
 But time, that fixes every mortal's fate, 
 Marks its fhort exit, and uncertain date. 
 Thus the bright charms of youth and love decay, 
 As the fine flower that fcents a fummer's day ; 
 Soon will the fpoils of time thy mind engage, 
 And e'en thy beauty wither into age ; 
 Amid the frolics of engaging youth, 
 Be thine the care to hoard the charms of truth ; 
 To mark the moment fancy's pow'rs decay 
 And place thy blifs beyond the fleeting day. 
 
( 8j ) 
 
 A T REE that is every year tranfplanted, will never bear 
 fruit ; and a mind that is always hurried from its proper ilatlon, 
 will fcarce ever do good in any. 
 
 SUPPOSING men were to live forever in this world, 
 it would be hardly polTible for them to do more towards their 
 eftabliihment here, than they now do. 
 
 LIBERALITY mould have fuch a mixture of pru- 
 dence, as not to exceed the ability of the giver. 
 
 WITH a falfe companion, it is hard to retain innocence ; 
 be, therefore, very cautious in choofing your company. 
 
 RESOLVE to fpeak and ac"t. well in company, in oppo- 
 fition to thofe that do ill ; whofe vice fet againit thy \irtue, 
 will render it the more confpicuous and excellent. 
 
 An Elegy written when the Bells were tolling for the Inter- 
 ment of a Corpfe. 
 
 HARK! now the folemn peal begins, 
 
 And founds the fad alarm ; 
 Forfake, it cries, forfake your fins, 
 
 And fhun impending harm. 
 Behold ! the corpfe approaching near, 
 
 View there your transient fiate ; 
 Beftow at leafi one pious tear, 
 
 And with fubmifiion wait. 
 'Ere long this melancholy fcene, 
 
 Shall on yourhearfe attend ; 
 With hafte employ the fpace between, 
 
 To make of God your friend. 
 Then mall your mind feel fweet repofe, 
 
 Nor care difrurb your reft, 
 Virtue alone this peace beftows, 
 
 And thus rewards the bleft. 
 
 H SLIGHT 
 
( 86 ) 
 
 SLIGHT not thofe joys Heaven's bounty doth beftow, 
 rurfuing what was never found below ; 
 So many ills in ftormy life abound, 
 " In Heaven alone true happinefs is found." 
 
 The Clofe of the Year. 
 A S rapid rolls the year away, 
 
 Down the fwift current of the times, 
 A moment let the reader ftav, 
 
 And mark the moral of my rhymes. 
 As rivers glide towards the fea, 
 
 And link and lofe them in the main, 
 So man declines — and what is he ? 
 
 His hope, his wifh, alas, how vain J 
 Fall gees the year , but ftill renew'd, 
 
 1 he ball of time knows no decay ; 
 Sure fignal of that greateft good, 
 
 We hope in God's eternal day. 
 
 YOUR wit may make clear things doubtful ; but it is 
 your prudence to make doubtful things clear. 
 
 I N converfation, a man of good fenfe will feem to be lefs 
 knowing, to be more obliging, and choofe to be on a level 
 with others, rather than opprefs with the fuperiority of his 
 genius. 
 
 I T is according to nature, to be merciful ; for no man that 
 hath not divefled himfelf of humanity, can be hard-hearted to 
 others, without feeling a pain in himfelf. 
 
 TRUE honour, as defined by Cicero, is the concurrent 
 approbation of good men ; fuch only being fit to give true 
 praife, who are themfelves praife- worthy. 
 
 N O B I L I T Y is to be confidered only as an imaginary 
 diftinction, unlefs accompanied with the practice of thofe gene- 
 rous virtues by which it ought to be obtained. Titles of honour, 
 conferred upon fuch as have no perfonal merit to deferve them, 
 are at bed but the royal ftamp fet upon bafe metal, TO 
 
{ s 7 > 
 
 TO PEACE. 
 
 COME, lovely, gentle, pence of mind, 
 
 With all thy fmiling nymphs around, 
 Content and innocence combin'd, 
 
 With wreath of facred olive crown'd. 
 Come, thou that lov'ft the walk at eve, 
 
 The banks of murm'ring ft reams along, 
 That lov'ft the crowded court to leave, 
 
 And hear the milk-maid's fimple fong ; 
 That lov'ft, with contemplation's eye, 
 
 The head-long cataracl to view, 
 That foams and thunders from on high,. 
 
 While echoes oft the found renew ; 
 That lov'ft the dark fequefter'd wood, 
 
 Where filence fpreads her brooding wings, 
 Nor lefs the lake's tranflucent flood, 
 
 The moiTy grots and bubbling fprings. 
 With thee, the lamp of wifdom burns, 
 
 The guiding light to realms above ; 
 With thee, the raptur'd mortal learns 
 
 The wonders of celeftial love. 
 "With thee, the poor have endlefs wealth, 
 
 And facred freedom glads the Have ; 
 With thee, the fick rejoice in health, 
 
 The weak are ftrong, the fearful brave. 
 O lovely, gentle peace of mind, 
 
 ' Be thou on earth my conftant gueft ; 
 With thee, whate'er in life I find, 
 
 This pledge of Heav'n fhall make me bleft. 
 
 AS no man lives fo happy, but to fome his life would feem 
 unpleafant ; fo we find none fo miferable, but one fhall hear 
 of another that would change calamities with him. 
 
 H E that is afhamed to be feen in a mean condition, would 
 probably be proud of a fplendid one. 
 
 iMPRr 
 
( 88 ) 
 
 ^ IMPRINT this maxim deeply in your mind, that there 
 !s nothing certain in this human and mortal ftate ; by vvhicr 
 means you will avoid being transported with profperity, anc 
 being dejecled in adverfity. 
 
 ENDEAVOUR to make peace among thy neighbours. 
 It is a worthy and reputable aftion, and will bring greater and 
 jufter commendations to thee, and more benefit to thofe with 
 whom thou converted, than wit or learning, or any of thofe fo 
 
 much admired accomplifnrnents. 
 
 PREFER folid fenfe to wit ; never itudy to be diverting, 
 without being ufeful ; let no jed intrude upon good manners, 
 nor fay any thing that may offend modeity. 
 
 B E flow in chooilng a friend, and flower to change him ; 
 courteous to all ; intimate with few. Slight no man for 
 his meannefs, nor eiieem any for their wealth and greatnefs 
 alone. 
 
 AN idle body is a kind of monfter in the creation. All na- 
 tt&fc is bufy about him. How wretched is it to hear people 
 complain, that the day hangs heavy upon them ; that they do 
 not know what to do with themfelves. How abfurd are 
 fuch exprerlions among creatures, who can apply themfelves to 
 the duties of religion and meditation ; to the reading of ufeful 
 books ; who may exercife themfelves in^the purfuits of know- 
 ledge and virtue, and every hour of their lives make themfelves 
 wifer and better than they were before. 
 
 A Contemplation on Night. 
 
 WHETHER amid the gloom of night I ftray, 
 Or ray glad eyes enjoy revolving day, 
 Still nature's various face informs my fenfe 
 Cf an all- wife, all-powerful Providence. 
 
 When the gay fun firft breaks the (hades of night, 
 And ftrikes the diftant hills with eaftern light, 
 
 Colour 
 
( s 9 } 
 
 Colour returns, the plains their livery wear, 
 And a bright verdure clothes the fmiling year ; 
 The blooming flower? with opening beauties glow, 
 And grazing flocks their milky fleeces fhew. 
 The barren cliffs, with chalky fronts, arife, 
 And a pure azure arches o'er the Ikies. 
 But when the gloomy reign of night returns, 
 Stript of her fading' pride, all nature mourns ; 
 The trees no more their wonted verdure boaft, 
 Eut weep, in dewy tears, their beauty loft. 
 No diftant landfkips draw our curious eyes. 
 Wrapt in night's robe the whole creation lies. 
 Yet itill ev'n now, while darknefs clothes the land, 
 We view the traces of th' Almighty hand ; 
 Millions of ftars in Heaven's wide vault appear, 
 And with new glories hang the bouudlefs fphere. 
 The filver moon her weftern couch forfakes, 
 And o'er the Ikies her nightly circle makes \ 
 Ker folid globe beats back the funny rays, 
 And to the world her borrow'd light repays. 
 
 Whether thofe ftars that twinkling luftre fend 
 Are funs, and rolling worlds thofe funs attend, 
 Man may conjecture, and new fehemes declare, 
 Yet all his fviiems but conjectures are. 
 But this we know, that Heaven's eternal king, 
 Who bid this uniyerfe from nothing fpring, 
 Can at his word bid num'rous worlds appear, 
 And riling worlds rh' all-powerful word mail hear, 
 
 When to the weftern main the fun defcends, 
 To other lands a rifmg day he lends ; 
 The fpreading dawn another fhepherd fpies, 
 The wakeful flocks from their warm folds arife. 
 Pvefrefh'd, the peafant feeks his early toil, . 
 And bids the plow correct, the fallow foil ; 
 While we, in fleep's embraces, wafte the night, 
 The climes oppos'd enjoy meridian light. 
 And when thofe lands the bufy fun forfakes, 
 With us again the xofy morning wakes ; 
 In lazy fleep the night rolls fwift away, 
 And neither clime laments his abfent ray. 
 
 H 2 When 
 
( 90 ) 
 
 When the pure foul is from the body flown, 
 No more fhall night's alternate reign be known; 
 The fun no more (hall rolling light beftow, 
 But from th' Almighty ftreams of glory Mow. 
 Oh ! may fome nobler thought my foul employ, 
 Than empty, tranfient, fublunary joy ! 
 The liars (hall drop, the fun mail lofe his flame, 
 Eut thou, O God ! forever fhine the fame. 
 
 A S riches are in general the means of procuring fome of 
 the comforts, and almoit all the conveniences of life, we moil 
 commonly think that happinefs is annexed to the polfeffion of 
 them. We, therefore, toil and labour for abundance ; and 
 when abundance is obtained, we find as many wants, as many 
 cares, and as many forrows, as when humble poverty was our 
 only burthen ; w r hen induitry procured the neceiTaries of life ; 
 or when mediocrity of circumflances placed us beyond the 
 reach of want. 
 
 I T is our bufinefs to follow the leadings of Divine Provi- 
 dence, as the bell and wifeil rule for our conduct in everv flage 
 and circumilance of life. If worldly affluence is to be the 
 portion of the labouring man, the hand of God will point out 
 the way, and he will furmount the greatefl difficulties. 
 
 L EX us be particularly careful to fhun all occafion of 
 fuperfluous difcourfe, and watch over our words, that we utter 
 nothing but what may tend to the glory of God, or the good 
 of our neighbour. 
 
 H E that does good for virtue's fake, feeks neither praife nor 
 reward, though fure of both at lafl. 
 
 THIS fib'rous frame, by nature's kindly law, 
 Which gives each joy to keen fenfation here, 
 
 G'er purer fcenes of Bms the veil may draw, 
 
 And cloud reflection's more exalted fphere. YvT.en 
 
( 9* J 
 
 When death's cold hand, with all-diffolving pow'r. 
 Shall the clofe tie with friendly ftroke unbind, 
 
 Alike our mortal as our natal hour 
 
 May to new being wake the riling mind ; 
 
 On death's new genial day the foul mav rife, 
 
 Born to fome higher life, and hail fome brighter Ikies. 
 
 THIS is the Mate of man ; to-day he puts forth 
 The tender leaves of hope, to-morrow bloflbms, 
 And bears his blufhing honours thick upon him ; 
 The third day comes a froft, a killing froft, 
 And — nips his root. 
 
 S O fond of liberty is man, that to reftrain him from any 
 thing, however indifferent, is fufficient to make that thing an 
 object of deli re. 
 
 NO man ever did a defigned injury to another, without 
 doing a greater to himfelf. 
 
 M A N's chief good is an upright mind, which no earthly 
 power can bellow, nor take from him. 
 
 TAKE no advantage of the ignorance, necelfity or pro- 
 digality of any man, for that gain can never be bleft. 
 
 UPON whatfoever foundation happinefs is built, when that 
 foundation fails, happinefs mult be deitroyed ; for which rea- 
 fon, it is wifdom to choofe fuch a foundation for it, as is not 
 liable to deftructive accidents. 
 
 I F happinefs be founded upon riches, it lies at the mercy of 
 theft, deceit, opprelfion, war and tyranny ; if upon fine houfes, 
 and coftly furniture, one fpark of fire is able to confume it ; if 
 Upon wife, children, friends, health or life, a thoufand difeaf- 
 es, and ten thoufand accidents, have power to deftroy it ; but, 
 if it oe founded upon the infinite bounty and goodnefs of God, 
 and upon thofe virtues that entitle to his favour, its foundation 
 is immoveable, ajud its duration eternal. Pha- 
 
( 9* ) 
 Pharaoh's Daughter. 
 
 F A S T by the margin of her native flood, 
 
 Whofe fertile waters are well known to fame, 
 Fair as the bord'ring flow'rs the princefs ilood, 
 
 And rich in bounty as the gen'rous ftream. 
 When, lo ! a tender cry afflicts her ear, 
 
 The tender cry declares an infant's grief ; 
 Soon die, who melted at each mortal's care, 
 
 With tend'reit. pity fought the babe's relief. 
 The babe, adorn'd in beauty's early bloom, 
 
 But to the laft diftrefs expos'd, appears, 
 His infant foftnefs pleads a milder doom, 
 
 And fpeaks with all the eloquence of tears. 
 The kind Egyptian gaz'd upon his charms, 
 
 And with companion view'd the weeping child ; 
 She fnatch'd the little Hebrew to her arms, 
 
 And kifs'd the infant — the iweec infant fmii'd. 
 Again (he clafps him with a fond embrace, 
 
 Yet more fhe pities the young Granger's woe ; 
 She wip'd the tears that hong upon his face, 
 
 Her own the while in pious plenty flow. 
 Now, cruel father, thy harm law I fee, 
 
 .And feel that rigour wliich the Hebrews mourn ; 
 O ! that I could reverfe the dire decree, 
 
 Which dooms t^e babe a wretch as foon as born ! 
 But that, alas ! exceeds my lender pow'r — 
 
 And muit this tender innocent be flain ? 
 Poor harmlefs babe ! born in a lucklefs hour, 
 
 Yet fweet as ever footh'd a mother's pain. 
 Muft thou, poor undeferving infant, die ? 
 
 No ! in my bofom ev'ry danger fhun ; 
 A princefs fhall thy parents lofs fupply, 
 
 And thou art worthy to be call'd her fon. 
 
 SENECA himfelf allows, that in conferring be/iehts, the 
 prefent mould always be fuited to the dignity of the receiver. 
 Thus the rich receive large prefents^ and ar ^ thanked for ac- 
 cepting 
 
( 93 ) 
 
 cepting them. Men of middling Nations are obliged to be con- 
 tent with prefents fomething lefs, while the poor beggar, who 
 may be truly faid to want indeed, is thought to be well paid if 
 a fingle farthing rewards his warmeit felicitations. 
 
 SELF-DENIAL is the moft exalted pleafu re ; and the 
 conqueft of evil habits is the moft glorious triumph, 
 
 THE true way to advance another's virtue, is to follow it ; 
 and the bell means to cry down another's vice, is to decline it. 
 
 H O W ought every teftimony of God's goodnefs to excite 
 our love, our gratitude and praife ! The fmalleft temporal ad- 
 vantage is a bleiling, to which we have no title ; if we have 
 food and raiment, they are more than wc deferve. 
 
 W H Y are we commanded to pray, u Give us this day 
 our daily bread, " if not to teach us among other things, our 
 daily dependence upon God as the difpenfer of all our temporal 
 bleffings ? Our various wants return with the morning ; and 
 to whom mould we look, but to him who is able to fupply 
 them ? Wc need his direction through the perplexities and dif- 
 ficulties of even/ day : and without his blefling and fupport, 
 we can effect nothing to any valuable purpofe. In the even- 
 ing, we feek reft in vain, unlefs he give (lumber to the eye-lids, 
 and deep to the eyes : And as there are wants common to every 
 family, and what all its members conftantly experience, they 
 ought certainly to unite in fupplicating the fame divine good- 
 nefs, and alfo in returning thanks for the mercies of which 
 they have ail been joint partakers. 
 
 THE neglect of any fpiritual duty, arifes from a dcchnfion 
 of religion in the foul. Were we to live mere under the fen- 
 fible enjoyment of divine love, we fhouki be more aclive, vi- 
 gorous, and fteady in the performance of every divine precept 
 or command. The ways of God would not then appear either 
 burthenfome or grievous, but as they truly are " Ways of 
 pleafantnefs, and paths of peace." 
 
 THE difcontents of the poor are much eaiier allayed, than 
 thofe of the rich, O N 
 
I 94 ) 
 ON GO D. 
 
 W HAT tho' no objecl ftrike upon the fight, 
 Thy facred prefence is an inward light. 
 What tho' no found (hall penetrate the ear, 
 To liiVning faith the voice of truth is clear. 
 Sincere devotion wants no outward fhrine, 
 The centre of an humble foul is thine. 
 There may I worfhip, and there may 'ft thou raife 
 Thy feat of glory, and thy throne of grace ; 
 Yea, fix (if Chriil my advocate appear) 
 The ftrhft tribunal of thy jufiice there. 
 Let each vain thought, and each impure defire, 
 Meet in thy wrath with a confuming fire. 
 Thou too canit raife (the' puni mine for fin) 
 The joys of peaceful penitence witnin ; 
 Thy juilice and thy mercy both are fweet ; 
 Thou rnak'ft our fuiferings and falvation meet. 
 Eefal me then, whatever God fnall pleafe, 
 His wounds are healing and his griefs give eafe ; 
 He is the true phyfician of the foul, 
 Applies the med'cine that can make it whole. 
 I'll do, I'll fuffer, whatfoe'er he wills ; 
 I fee his aim thro' all thefe tranfient ills : 
 'Tis to enfure a falutary grief, 
 To fit the mind to abfolute relief ; 
 Till purg'd from ev'ry falfe and finite love, 
 Dead to the world, alive to things above ; 
 The foul renew'd, as in its firft form'd youth, 
 Shall worfhip God in fpirit and in trudi. 
 
 NONE ihould be fo implacable, as to refufe an humble 
 fubmiilion : he whofe very beft actions muft be feen with favcur- 
 able allowance, cannot be too mild, moderate and forgiving. 
 
 A PASSIONATE temper renders a man unfit for ad- 
 vice j deprives him of his reafon : robs him of all that is great 
 or noble in his nature ; it makes him unfit for conversation ; 
 
 deftroj 
 
( 9? ) 
 
 deftroys friendfhip ; changes juflice into cruelty ; and turns all 
 order into confufion. 
 
 THERE is no greater fign of a mean and fordid fpirit, 
 favs Cicero, than to doat upon riches ; nor is any thing more 
 magnificent, than to lay them out freely in ads of bounty and 
 liberality. 
 
 A F I R M truft in the affiflance of an Almighty being, na- 
 turally produces patience, hope, cheerfulnefs, and all other dif- 
 pofitions of mind, that alleviate thofe calamities which we 
 are not able to remove. 
 
 DIVINE Providence always places the remedy near the 
 evil. There is not any duty, to which Providence has net an- 
 nexed a blefling ; nor any affliction, for which he has not pro- 
 vided a remedy. 
 
 A G O O D confeience, and a contented mind, will make 
 : a man happy in ail conditions, 
 
 H E that overcomes his paflions, conquers his greatell ene- 
 j mies. 
 
 THE defire of being thought wife, is often an hinderance to 
 •being fo ; for fuch a one is more folicitous to let the world fee 
 what knowledge he hath, than to learn that which he wants. 
 
 A WISE man endeavours to fhine in himfelf ; a foci to 
 outfhine others. The firft is humbled by the fenfe of his own 
 infirmities ; the laft is lifted up by the difcovery of thofe which 
 he obferves in others. The wife man confiders what he wants ; 
 and the fool, what he abounds in. The wife man is happy 
 when he gains his own approbation ; and the fool, when he re- 
 commends himfelf to the applaufe of thofe about him. 
 
 N O knowledge, which terminates in curiofity and fpecula- 
 tion, is comparable to that which is of ufe ; and of all ufeful 
 knowledge, that is moll fo which confifh in a due care and juft 
 notion of ourfelves. 
 
 OF 
 
( 96 ) 
 
 OF all parts of wifdom, the practice is the belt. Socrates 
 was cfleemed the wifeft man of his time, becaufe he turned his 
 acquired knowledge into morality, and aimed at goodnefs more 
 than greatnefs. 
 
 THO' it be an argument of a great wit, to give ingenious 
 reafons for many wonderful appearances in nature ; vet, it is an 
 evidence of fmall judgment, to be pofitive in any thing but the 
 knowledge of our own ignorance. 
 
 THE higheft learning is, to be wife ; and the greatest wif- 
 dom 15, to be good. 
 
 8 T E A D of labouring in nice learning and intricate 
 fciences ; inftead of trifling away precious time upon the fecrets 
 of nature, or myfteries of ilite, it were better to feek that only 
 which is really and fubitantially good. 
 
 TRUE philofophy, fays Plato, confifts more in fidelity, 
 conrlancy, jiutice, fmcerity, and in the love of our duty, than 
 in a great capacity. 
 
 THE bcft people need afflictions for trial of their virtue. 
 How can we exercife the grace of contentment, if all things 
 fucceed well ? Or that of forgivenefs, if we have no enemies ? 
 
 THE moft excellent of all moral virtues, is to have a low 
 efteem of ourielves, which has this particular advantage, that 
 it attracts not the Qnvy of others. 
 
 IF a man mould forfake a kingdom, ?~i\d all the world, if he 
 cannot renounce himfelf, he has hardly done any tiling. 
 
 WHATSOEVER convenience may be thought to be 
 in falfnood and diffimulation, it is foon over ; but the incon- 
 venience of it is perpetual, becaufe it brings a man u\ 
 continual jealoufy and fufpicion ; fo that lie is not believed 
 when he (peaks truth, nor trufted, wL 
 honeflly. 
 
 Refle* 
 
( 97 J 
 
 Reflection by a Perfon in his Sixtieth Year. 
 
 PLAC'D on the world's diftracled ftage, 
 
 And forc'd to ad a joylefs part, 
 Whv lhould I fhrink at creeping age, 
 
 Which warns me friendly to depart ? 
 Why do I rather not rejoice, 
 
 That I my haplefs courfc have ran ? 
 And ruFd by wifdom's Heavenly voice, 
 
 Make my lad exit like a man. 
 Fierce, tho' affliction's billows roll, 
 
 And deep diftrefs deforms the fcene ; 
 If innocence fecure the foul, 
 
 Vain is their rage, the tumult vain* 
 Serene (he fmiles, yet fmiling (ighs, 
 
 To quit this darkfome, dull abode, 
 Wifhing to win her native (kies, 
 
 And find a lading reft in God, 
 Weari'd, then let me quit the ftrife, 
 
 Kind Heaven aftent and {^t me free ! 
 For why mould I be fond of life, 
 
 When life itfelf is tird of me J 
 
 ORDER is Heaven's firft law, and this confeft, 
 Some are, and muft be, greater than the reft; 
 More rich, more wife — but who infers from hence, 
 That fuch are happier, (hocks ail common fenfe. 
 
 B E careful not to endeavour to imitate other men's ways, 
 -except it be in their efTential virtues. 
 
 THE diftributicn of all our temporal mercies is wifely re- 
 gulated by the hand of God. Some men are favoured with a 
 
 ,j j ,__ — v ^.» wviuv liiv^n «.1V itt\umtU Willi tX 
 
 large (hare of worldly blenmgs ; feme with things juft necef- 
 fary and convenient ; while feme, equally deferring, have fcarce- 
 ly whereon to lay their heads. The difpofal of thefe things 
 is the work of God: He maketh poor and maketh rich; he 
 bringeth low and lifteth up, and none have a right to fay to 
 him, what dceft thou ? I EVERY 
 
( 98 ) 
 
 EVERY ferious perfon muft trace the marks of an invifi- 
 ble hand in all the variegated paths of life. Ke muft acknow- 
 ledge, that it is not in man who walketh, to direci his fteps ; 
 yea, he will rejoice to find they are ordered by the Lord, who de- 
 lighteth in his way. And were we more obfervant of the hand of 
 Providence, many of our enquiries would be needlefs ; we 
 fhould fee the path marked out before us, and if at any time 
 through miftake we mould turn either to the right hand or to 
 the left, we fhould hear a frill fmall voice whifpering behind, 
 M this is the way, walk in it." 
 
 The contented Swain, 
 
 I SE E K not India's pearly fhore, 
 Nor weftern climes will I explore ; 
 Nor midfl the world's tumultuous ftrife, 
 Will wafle what now remains of life. 
 I feek not aught that me may lead, 
 From tufted grove or flow'ry mead; 
 Or from my native fwains among, 
 Who liften to my artlefs fong. 
 For nought Golconda's gems avail, 
 In this fequefter'd humble dale ; 
 Nor joys can crowded cities yield, 
 Like thofe of hill or daifi'd field. 
 Calm as the fummer ev'ning's fun, 
 May here my glafs of life be run ! 
 And bright as is his parting ray, 
 My profpect of a future day ! 
 Mean while, the lab'ring hind to chear. 
 To wipe the widow's falling tear, 
 Such tranquil pleafures will beftow, 
 As riot's fons can never know. 
 This, this be mine ! the fpeaking eye 
 Shall then the fculptur'd ftone fupply ; 
 As o'er my turf the ruftics bend, 
 The poor fiiall fay, " here lies our friend." 
 
 TLE 
 
( 99 ) 
 
 LET your promifesbe fincere, and fo prudently considered, 
 as not to exceed the reach of your ability ; he who promifes 
 more than he is able to perforin, difgraces^ himfelf ; and he 
 who does not perform what he has promifed, is falfe to his 
 friend. 
 
 THE immortal mind, perhaps, will quit a cottage with 
 lefs regret than it would leave the fplendour of a palace ; and 
 the breathlefs duft fleep as quietly beneath the-grafly turf, as 
 under the parade of a coftly monument. Thefe are infignifi- 
 cant circumftances, to a fpirit doomed to an endlefs duration of 
 mifery or blifs. 
 
 AS the belief of a God is the foundation of all religion, 
 there can be no religion without faith ; but as true religion in- 
 cludes virtue, religion can not be perfect without works. 
 
 A M A Z ' D, the wonders of thy God behold ! 
 And meditate his mercies manifold. 
 Oh ! happy time, when making oft this clay, 
 The "human foul at liberty mail (tray 
 Thro' all the works of nature ! mall defcry 
 Thofe objects which evade the mortal eye ; 
 No diftance, then, (hall ftretch beyond its flight, 
 No fmallnefs Tcape its penetrating fight ; 
 But, in their real effence, fhali be (hewn 
 Worlds unexplor'd, creations yet unknown. 
 
 REFLECTIONS. 
 
 WHAT, oh ! my heart, overflowing with happinefs ! are 
 the fentiments that ought to fpring up in thee, when admit- 
 ted, either in the folemnities of public worfhip, or the retired- 
 nefs of private devotion, into the more immediate prefence of 
 thy Maker — who does not govern, but to blefs ! whofe divine 
 commands are fent to fuccour human reafon in fearch of hap- 
 pinefs ! 
 
( ioo ) 
 
 plnefs! Let thy law, Almighty ! be the rule, and thy glory 
 the conftant end, of all I do. Let me not build virtue on any 
 notions of honour, but of honour to thy name. Let me not 
 fink piety in the boaft of benevolence ; my love of God in the 
 love of my fellow -creatures. Can good be of human growth ! 
 No — it is thy gift, Almighty, and All-good ! Let not thy 
 bounties remove the donor from my thought ; nor the love of 
 pleafures make me forfake the fountain from which they flow. 
 When joys entice, let me alii their title to my heart : When 
 evils threaten, let me fee thy mercy mining through the 
 cloud, and difcern the great hazard of having all to my wifh. 
 In an age of fuch licentioufncfs, let me not take comfort 
 from the number of thofe who do amifs ; an omen rather 
 of public rmn, than of private fafety. Let the joys of the 
 multitude lefs allure than alarm me ; and their danger, not 
 example, determine my choice. In this dav of domineering 
 pleafures, (o lower my taite as to make me relifh the comforts 
 of life. And in this day of diiTipation, O give me thought 
 iufHcient to preferve me from being fo defperate, as in this per- 
 petual flux of things, and as perpetual fwarm of accidents, to 
 depend on to-morrow ; a dependence that is the ruin of to- 
 day, as that is . of eternity. Let my whole exillence be ever 
 before me, nor let the terrors of the grave turn back my fur- 
 vev. When temptations arife, and virtue fiaggers, let imagi- 
 nation found the final trumpet, and judgment lay hold on eter- 
 nal life. In what is well begun, grant me to perfevere, 
 and to know, that none are wife, but they who determine 
 to be wife frill. And fmce, O Lord! the fear of thee 
 is the beginning of wifdom, and, in its progrefs, its fecret 
 fhield, turn the world entirely out cf my heart, and place 
 that guardian angel, thy bldled fear, in its ftead. Turn cut 
 a fooiiih world, which gives its money for what is not b 
 which hews out broken citlerns, that hold no water ; a world, 
 in which even they, whole hands are mighty, have found no- 
 thing. There is "nothing, Lord God Almighty ! in Heaven, 
 in earth, but thee — I will feek thy face ; bids thy name ; fing 
 
 •aifes ; love thy law ; do thy will; enjoy t 
 hope thy giorv, till my final hour ! Thus (hall I grafp all that 
 can be graiped by man. This will heighten good, and (ofien 
 evil, in the prefent life ; and when death fummens, I mall 
 
 jQeep 
 
( ioi ) 
 
 deep fweetly in the dull, till his mighty conqueror bids the 
 trumpet found, and then fhall I, through his merits, awake to 
 eternal glory. 
 
 ALL pleafures are imperfect here below ; 
 Cur fweeteit joys are mix'd with bitter woe : 
 The draught of blifs, when in our goblet call, 
 Is dafh'd with grief, or ipiit before we tafte. 
 
 CONTENTED poverty's no difirnl thing, 
 Free from the cares unwieldy riches bring ; 
 At diitance, both alike deceive cur view ; 
 Nearer approached, they take another hue. 
 The poor man's labour relifhes his meat ; 
 His model's pleafant, and his reft is {wqcZ : 
 Not fo the rich, who find their weari'd talte 
 Pall ; d with the profpeel ib'rous feaft ; 
 
 For what they have more than they can enjoy, 
 Inftead of fatisfying, does but cloy. 
 
 The Divine Pretence. 
 
 THE high and mighty King of Kings, 
 <fe praife the whole creation fings, 
 Hath nVd, in love to human kind, 
 His I lage in our mind. — 
 
 The lines are ftrong, the piclure fair, 
 No need of anxious fearch and care ; 
 Look but within, and ilrait appears, 
 The iignature all nature wears ! 
 
 V^ here'er I am, howe'er Oppreft, 
 This Heav'nly portrait in my oread 
 Inspires, with conscience divine, 
 And comfort flows from ev'ry line ! 
 Thro' dangers numberlefs I go, 
 Yet weather ail the ftorms that blow — 
 To lead me to the peaceful fhore, 
 My God and guide is ilili before I 
 
 I 2 
 
f **» } 
 
 At night, before I clofe my eyes, 
 And in the morning, when I rife, 
 I pray for fafety, health and grace, 
 And ftill the Lord before me place f 
 He fheds his odours round my head, 
 And makes me fleep fecure in bed ; 
 In all the labours of the day 
 He goes before and points the way I 
 
 Soon as my pailions wild prevail, 
 And faith and reafon both affail ; 
 When ftrong temptations fpread their net,. 
 ."Before me ftill the Lord I fet ; 
 His prefence can the palTions lay, 
 And teach them reafon to obey ; 
 Temptation's charms foon difappear, 
 And truth fucceeds when God is near I 
 
 When forrows upon forrows roll, 
 And iharpeft arrows pierce my foul ; 
 When deepeft funk in black defpair, 
 I lift my eyes and heart in pray'r I 
 Juft when all human help had fail'd, 
 And friend and neighbour nought avail'd, 
 This belt of friends, in conftant view, 
 Shews what himfelf alone can do ! 
 
 Thro' all the future ills of life, 
 Amidft contempt, reproach and ftrife, 
 I'll fet the Lord before me ftill, 
 And live obedient to his will ! 
 80 when thro' death's dark vale I move, 
 He will a light before me prove ; 
 Conduct me fafe to endlefs joy, 
 And mark me out fome bleft employ. 
 
 W T HEN the oil of grace actuates the foul, the wheels of 
 obedience move with celerity ; but when this is wanting, every 
 duty, if not neglected, will be indifferently performed. 
 
 TRUE 
 
 i 
 
( 103 ) 
 
 TRUE happinefs is of a retired nature, and an enemy to 
 pomp and noife ; it arifes, in the firft place, from the enjoy- 
 ment of one's felf ; and, in the next, from the friendfhip and 
 converfation of a few felecl: companions. It loves fhade and 
 folitude, and naturally haunts groves and fountains, fields and 
 meadows : In fhort, it feels every thing it wants within itfelf, 
 and receives no addition from multitudes of witnefles and fpec- 
 tators. On the contrary, falfe happinefs loves to be in a crowd, 
 and to draw the eyes of the world upon her. She does not re- 
 ceive any fatisfadUon from the applaufes which fhe gives her- 
 felf, but from the admiration which fhe raifes in others. She 
 flou rimes in courts and palaces, theatres and afTemblies ; and 
 has no exiflence, but when fhe is looked upon. 
 
 I F good we plant not, vice will fill the mind, 
 And weeds defpoil the fpace for flow'rs defign'd, 
 The human heart ne'er knows a ftate of reft, 
 Bad tends to worfe, and better leads to beft ; 
 We either gain or lofe, we fmk or rife, * 
 Nor refts our ftruggling nature 'till fhe dies ; 
 Thofe very paflions that our peace invade, 
 If rightly pointed, bleffings maybe made; 
 Then rife, my friend, above terreftrial aims, 
 Direct the ardour which your breafl inflames 
 To that pure region of eternal joys, 
 Where fear difturbs not, nor poffeflion cloys ; 
 Beyond what fancy forms of rofy bow'rs 
 Or blooming chaplets of unfading flow'rs ; 
 Fairer than e'er imagination drew, 
 Or poets warmefl viiions ever knew ; 
 Prefs eager onward to thofe blifsful plains, 
 Where one unbounded fpring forever reigns. 
 
 LEARN to purfue virtue from the man that is blind, who 
 
 md wil 
 
 SET 
 
 never makes a ftep, without firft examining the ground with 
 hisftaff. 
 
( io4 ) 
 
 SET bounds to your zeal by difcretion ; to error by truth ; 
 to paffion by reafon ; and to divifion by charity. 
 
 THE path of virtue is the path of peace ; in that only we 
 can travel with fafety, or rationally hope to enjoy permanent 
 pleafures. 
 
 LET ufelefs riches ne'er engrofs my care, 
 The bane of piety, the mifer's pray'r ; 
 Yet let my purfe the moderate (tore contain, 
 To fatisfy my wants, and eafe my pain ; 
 And when the needy at my threshold ftand, 
 To foothe their cares, and fill the craving hand. 
 
 CONTENT. 
 
 HAPPY the man (but oh ! how few we find) 
 Who feels the pleafures of a tranquil mind ! 
 Who meets all bleiTings in content alone, 
 Nor knows a ftation happier than his own ! 
 No anxious cares difturb his peaceful breaft, 
 W T ith life content, and with contentment bieft ; 
 No pangs he feels to break his calm repofe ; 
 No envy fears, for he no envy knows. 
 To man ftill faithful, and to God reiign'd, 
 His body fubjecl to its lord, the mind. 
 He muft be good — for furely Heav'n ne'er meant, 
 Without ft rid virtue, to beftow content. 
 *Tis not the glory falfe ambition brings, 
 The wealth of mifers, or the pow'r of kings ; 
 Nor all the fleeting joys by man poflefs'd, 
 Can give this earthly frame that Heav'nly gueft ; 
 Whate'er the mufe of love or glory fings, 
 Virtue alone the facred ftranger brings. 
 
 CONSCIENCE diftafteful truths may tell, 
 But mark her facred leffons well ! 
 WTioever lives with her at ftrife, 
 Lofes his better friend for life* 
 
 THE 
 
( ic 5 ) 
 
 THE line of human imderftanding, is undoubtedly too 
 frort to fathom the depths of the divine difpenfations ; and the 
 moll enlarged capacity too narrow, to comprehend the ways of 
 infinite wifdom. 
 
 I T is deferable, for the inward peace 2nd eafe of men's own 
 minds within themfelves, that they mould not be under the 
 power of fretful pa/Tions, and the lailing refentments of a re- 
 vengeful fpirit ; but that they be meek and gentle, peaceable, 
 and eafy to be reconciled ; which fweetnefs of difpoinion, im- 
 proved upon religious principles into a habit of meeknefs, is a 
 virtue, reflecting upon itfelf that cairn and fedate fatisfa&ion, 
 which is in a peculiar manner a reward to itfelf ; nor is. it lefs 
 beneficial to the public, as being the great prefervative againft 
 that beginning of flrife, which Solomon elegantly compares to 
 the letting out of water ; that is, the opening of a breach, 
 which no man can be fure to flop, before it proceeds to the 
 moil calamitous events. 
 
 THERE is no terreflrial good, that can yield that fub- 
 flantial happinefs, which is fuited to the nature and defires of 
 the human mind; and he who thinks to find it in any thing be- 
 neath the fun, is purfuing a phantom, that will elude his 
 chafe; and if it feem to loiter for his approach, it will only 
 be to convince him of his follv, to ihew him a miflake that he 
 never faw, and of which thoufands never thought, till their 
 race terminated in that country, from whence none ever yet 
 returned to own their error, or confefs their fhame. 
 
 W OULD you the bloom of youth mould lail, 
 'Tis virtue that mufl bind it fail ; 
 An eafv carriage wholly free 
 From four referve or levity ; 
 Good-natur'd mirth, an open heart, 
 And looks unikiil'"d in any art ; 
 Thefe are the charms that ne'er decay, 
 Tho' youth and beauty fade away ; 
 And time, which all things elfe removes, 
 Still heightens virtue and improves. BOAST 
 
( io6 ) 
 
 BOAST not of health or beauty, or the days of youth. 
 Delay not the care of the foul, in hopes that you will live to 
 old age, or that you can do all that is required of youth, 
 with refpecl to religion, on a bed of affliction. Strive, by 
 the grace cf God, ever to be in readinefs. to go brace and 
 be with our Saviour, which is infinitely better than all that 
 this world can afford ; and then you may meet the king of 
 terrors with a phcid countenance, and a heart that rejoiceth 
 in hope. 
 
 THEY enjoy life beit, who are beft prepared for death ; 
 who look not for more happinefs from this world, than it is 
 capable of giving ; who live righteoufiy, foberly and piouily ; 
 who pray to God for the bleflings they need, and receive 
 thankfully all good things as his gifts — and who can rejoice 
 in the animating hope of falvation, thro' a Redeemer, 
 
 W HEN you a wilder 'd trav'ler meet, 
 Guide to the road his erring feet ; 
 Or to your roof, if late, invite, 
 And fhield him from the damps of night. 
 To ftill the voice cf anguilh, try 
 To wipe the tear from farrow's eye ; 
 And every good you can, impart 
 With ready hand, and glowing heart ; 
 So lhail ye pafs, from manhood's ftage, 
 Smoothly along the Hope of age ; 
 Then from the pleafing journey reft, 
 In peaceful fleep, belov'd and bleft. 
 
 CONTENTMENT. 
 
 FORGET not that thy flation on earth is appointed by 
 thewifdom of the eternal ; who knoweth thy heart, who feeth 
 the vanity of all thy wilhes, and who in mercy often denieth 
 thy requefts ; yet for all reafonable defires, for all honeft en- 
 deavours, 
 
{ io7 ) 
 
 cleavours, his benevolence hath appointed, in the nature of 
 things, a probability of fuccefs. The uneafmefs thou feeleft, 
 the misfortunes thou bewaileft, behold the root from whence 
 they fpring, even thine own folly, thine own pride, thine own 
 diltempered fancy ; murmur not therefore at the difpenfations 
 of God, but correct thine own heart ; neither fay within thy- 
 felf, if 1 had wealth or power, .or leifure, I ihould be happy ; 
 for know, they all of them bring to their feveral poffelfors their 
 peculiar inconveniencies. 
 
 THE poor man feethnot the vexations and anxieties of the 
 rich ; he feeleth not the difficulties and perplexities of power, 
 neither the vrearifomenefs of leifure, and therefore it is that he 
 repineth at his own lot. But envy not the appearance of hap- 
 pinefs in any man, for thcu knoweft not his griefs. To be 
 fatisfied with a little, is the greateft wifdom ; and he that en- 
 creafeth his riches, encreafeth his cares ; but a contented mind 
 is a hidden treafure, and trouble findeth it not. Yet if thou 
 fuffereft not the allurements of fortune to rob thee of juftice or 
 temperance, or charity or modefly, even riches themfelves mail 
 not make thee unhappy ; but hence (halt thou learn, that the 
 cup of felicity, pure and unmixed, is by no means a draught for 
 mortal man. 
 
 Virtue is the race which God hath appointed him to 
 run, and happinefs the goal which none can arrive at, till he 
 hath iinifhed his courfe, and received his crown in the manfions 
 of eternity. 
 
 An Hymn to Contentment, 
 
 LOVELY, lafting peace of mind, 
 Sweet delight of human kind, 
 Heav'nly born and bred on high 
 To crown the fa v' rites of the Iky, 
 With more of happinefs below 
 Than victors in a triumph know. 
 Whither, oh ! whither, art thou fled, 
 To lay thy meek contented head ? 
 
 What 
 
( io8 ) 
 
 What happy region doft thou pleafe 
 To make the feat of charms and eafe ? 
 
 Ambition fearches all its fphere 
 Of pomp and ftate to meet thee there ; 
 Encreafing avarice would find 
 Thy prefence in its gold enfhrin'd ; 
 The bold advent'rer ploughs his way 
 7 hro' rocks, amidft the foaming fea, 
 To gain thy love, and then perceives 
 Thou wert not in the rocks and waves. 
 
 The filent heart w r hich grief aiTails, 
 Treads foft and lonefome o'er the vales ; 
 Sees daifies open, rivers run, 
 And feeks, as I have vainly done, 
 Amufing thought ; but learns to know 
 That folitude's the nurfe of woe. 
 No real happinefs is found 
 In trailing purple on the ground ; 
 Or in a foul, exalted high, 
 To range the circuit of the fky ; 
 Converfe with ftars above, and know 
 All nature in its forms below ; 
 The reft it feeks — in feeking dies, 
 And doubts at laft for knowledge rife. 
 *Twas thus, as under fhade I flood, 
 I fung my wifhes to the wood ; 
 And, loft in thought, no more perceiv'd 
 The branches whifper'd as they wav'd ; 
 It feem'd as all the quiet place 
 Confefs'd the prefence of the grace, 
 When thus fhe fpoke — go rule thy will, 
 Bid thy wild paftions all be Rill ; 
 Know God, and bring thy heart to knovr 
 The joys which from religion flow. 
 Then ev'ry grace mall prove its gueft, 
 And I'll be there to crown the reft. 
 Oh ! by yonder mofy feat, 
 In my hours of fweet retreat, 
 Might I thus my foul employ, 
 With fenfe of gratitude and joy. 
 
 Rais'd 
 
( iog ) 
 
 Rais'd, as antient prophets were, 
 
 In Heav'nly vinon, praife, and pray'r ; 
 
 Pleafing all men, hurting none, 
 
 Pleas'd and blefs'd with God alone. 
 
 Then while the gardens take my fight, 
 
 With all the colours of delight, 
 
 While filver waters glide along, 
 
 To pleafe my ear and court my fong, 
 
 I'll lift my voice, and tune my firing, 
 
 And thee, great Source of Nature, fing ! 
 
 The fun, that walks his airy way, 
 
 To light the world and give the day ; 
 
 The moon, that mines with borrow 'd light, 
 
 The ftars, that glad the gloomy night, 
 
 The feas, that roll unnumber'd waves, 
 
 The wood, that fpreads its fhady leaves, 
 
 The field, whofe ears conceal the grain^ 
 
 The yellow treafure.of the plain ; 
 
 All of thefe, and all I fee 
 
 Shou'd be fung, and fung by me ; 
 
 They fpeak their Maker as they can, 
 
 But want, and afk, the tongue of man. 
 
 Go fearch among your idle dreams, 
 
 Your bufy or your vain extremes, 
 
 And find a life of equal blifs, 
 
 Or own the next begun in this. 
 
 ..<-«s><s><s><s><s><® ••♦- 
 
 GRATITUDE. 
 
 THERE is not a more pleaiing exercife of the mind, 
 than gratitude. It is accompanied with fuch an inward fatii- 
 faclion, that the duty is fufficiently rewarded by the perform 
 mance. It is not like the practice of many other virtues, dif- 
 ficult and painful, but attended with fo much pleafure, that 
 were there no pofitive command which enjoined it, nor any re- 
 compence laid up for it hereafter, a generous mind would in- 
 dulge in it for the natural gratification that accompanies it. If 
 gratitude is due from man to man, how much more from man 
 
 K to 
 
( »o ) 
 
 to his Maker. The Supreme Being does not only confer up- 
 on us thofe bounties, which proceed more immediately from 
 his hand, but even thofe benefits which are conveyed to us by 
 others. Every bleffing we enjoy, by what means foever it may 
 be derived upon us, is the gift of him who is the great Author 
 of Good, and Father of Mercies. 
 
 W HEN thou haft done a kindnefs, or good office to any, 
 be fure thou boaft not of it. It is the employment of a great 
 foul, rather tc do things worthy to be admired, than to admire 
 ■what himfelf hath done. 
 
 NOTHING but virtue is capable of making us happy ; 
 if other advantages contribute thereto in fome meafure, it is 
 only in as much as virtue bears them company. 
 
 SUPINENESS and effeminacy have ruined more con- 
 flitutions, than were ever deilroyed by excelfive labours ; mo- 
 derate exercife, far from prejudicing, ftrengthens and confoli- 
 dates the body. 
 
 W E ought never to think too lightly of other people's com- 
 plaints ; but to regard the forrovvs of our fellow-creatures with 
 ientiments of humanity and companion. 
 
 MAN mould weigh well the .nature of himfelf, 
 The varying frailneis of this flattering world, 
 And the true excellence of Heav'Vs high Lord ; 
 Then would he this deipife, and truft in him. 
 The world deceives us all. In God is truth. 
 Let not thy riches or thy power prevail " 
 To fwell thy bofom with conceits of pride ; 
 Look back, remember thofe thou hail feen high, 
 And mark, if thou hail never feen them fink ; 
 Let this teach thee. One end awaits us all I 
 And when inevitable death commands, 
 That we mould follow to his dreary realm, 
 Matters it much, if from a royal couch, 
 Or from a mattrefs, thrown upon the ground, 
 We rife to take our journey. The 
 
( III ) 
 
 The Hufbandman's Meditation in the Field. 
 
 WITH toilfome fteps when I purfue, 
 
 O'er breaking clods, the plough -{hare's way, 
 Lord ! teach my mortal eye to view 
 
 My native diffoluble clay. 
 And when with feed I ftrew the earth, 
 
 To thee all praifes let me give, 
 Whofe hand prepar'd me for the birth, 
 
 Whole breath inform'd and bade me live. 
 Pleas'd, I behold the {lately ftem 
 
 Support its bearded honour's load ; 
 Thus, Lord ! fuftain'd by thee, I came 
 
 To manhood, thro' youth's dang'rous road. 
 Purging from noxious herbs the grain, 
 
 Oh ! may I learn to purge my mind 
 From fin, rank weed of deeper! {tain, 
 
 Nor leave one baleful root behind. 
 When blafts deftroy the op'nmg ear, 
 
 Life, thus replete with various woe„ 
 Warns me to fhun, with itudious care, 
 
 Pride, my moft deadly latent foe. 
 When harvefl comes, the yellow crop 
 
 Prone to the reaper's fickle yields ; 
 And I beneath death's fey the muft drop, 
 
 And foon or late forfake thefe fields. 
 When future crops, in filent hoards, 
 
 Sleep, for a while to fervice dead ; 
 Thy emblem this, oh grave ! affords, 
 
 The path of life which all muft tread. 
 
 EVENING HYMN. 
 
 INDULGENT God, whofe bounteous care 
 
 O'er all thy works is fhewn, 
 Oh ! let my grateful praife and pray'r 
 
 Afcend before thy throne. 
 What mercies has this day beftow'd, 
 
 How largely haft thou Weft, 
 My cup with plenty overflowed, 
 
 And 
 

 t *** } 
 
 And with content my breaft. 
 Safe, 'midft a thousand latent fnares, 
 
 Thy careful hand has led, 
 And now, exempt from anxious cares 
 
 I pTefs the downy bed. 
 I fall this night into thy arms, 
 
 Which I have prov'd fo kind ; 
 Oh ! keep my body from all harms, 
 
 And from all fins my mind. 
 Let balmy (lumbers clofe my eyes, 
 
 From pain and ficknefs free ; 
 And let my waking fancy rife, 
 
 To meditate on thee. 
 So blefs each future day and night 
 
 'Till life's fond fcene is o'er, 
 And then, to realms of endlefs light, 
 
 Oh ! aid my foul to foar. 
 
 A little Ode to a little Maid, on her firft going out after 
 her Birth. 
 
 LITTLE zephyrs, loves and graces, 
 
 Bid each chilling wind be laid, 
 Shelter'd in your warm embraces, 
 
 See where comes my little maid. 
 With your guardian wings protect her, 
 
 Every motion hover o'er ; 
 Thro' her little path direft her, 
 
 She ne'er ventur'd out before. 
 Forth me comes, a new born creature, 
 
 How her little blue eyes range ! 
 Wonder fits on every feature, 
 
 All around is gay and ftrange. 
 Couldlt thou, little maid, but paint me, 
 
 What thy little fancy warms, 
 Or thy little tongue acquaint me 
 
 Midit this glitter what moil charms. 
 To a ftranger all's inviting, 
 
 All a morning beauty wears ; 
 Be the world, as now, delighting, 
 
 Tafte 
 
( H3 ) 
 
 Tafte its joys, but not its cares ! 
 Pity, gentleft child of Heav'n, 
 
 Little maid will thee attend ; 
 Innocence is alio given 
 
 As thy guardian, as thy friend. 
 She fhall wake thy heart to pleamres, 
 
 Such as virtue can difclofe ; 
 Give thee love and friendfhip's treafures> 
 
 Strew thy path with many a rofe. 
 As in years, in wifdom growing, 
 
 Never from her fide depart ; 
 Thro' thy future life ftill mewing 
 
 She had form'd thy youthful heart. 
 Let the falfe world ne'er confound thee, 
 
 From its vices turn thine ear ; 
 Shun the bad examples round thee, 
 
 Give them but a figh ! — a tear ! 
 Thus felf-guarded, thus defended, 
 
 Thy experience fhall confefs, 
 Spite of what's by fools pretended. 
 
 Virtue is true happinefs ! 
 Such a blamelefs traft purfuing, 
 
 Thy perfection's fenfe fhall tell ; 
 Oft this little ode reviewing, 
 
 Little maid, I wilh thee well. 
 
 THE CHURCH-YARD. 
 
 THINK, oh my foul, that while friends or (hangers are 
 engaged on this fpot, and reading the date of my departure 
 hence, thou wilt be fixed under a deciiive and unchangeable 
 fentence, rejoicing in the rewards of time well improved, or 
 fuifering the forrows which fhall attend the abu/e of it, in an 
 unknown world of happinefs or miferv, 
 
 ^ MODESTY feldom refides in a breaft, that is not en- 
 riched with nobler virtues, 
 
 Kt MODESTY 
 
( 114. ) 
 
 MODESTY is always, and juftry, fuppofed to be a con- 
 comitant of merit ; and every appearance of it is winning and 
 
 prepoiTefTing. 
 
 PRAISE beftow'd on living merit, is often found to in- 
 jure the goodnefs it applauds. 
 
 THE ingratitude of the world, can never deprive us of the 
 confcious happinefs of having acled with humanity ourfelves. 
 
 T O thee, oh God ! thy fuppliant lifts his eyes, 
 
 To thee Supreme, Omnipotent and Juft ; 
 On thee alone for fuccour he relies, 
 
 And in thy goodnefs places all his truit. 
 Teach me, with patience, meekly to fubmit 
 
 To whatfoe'er thy wifdom judges befl ; 
 To fay, with humble job — the Lord thinks fit, 
 
 M Giving or taking ht his name be bleft." 
 
 SURE 'tis a ferious thing to die ! My foul, 
 What a ftrange moment muft it be, when near 
 Thy journey's end, thou hall the gulph in view ! 
 That awful gulph, no mortal e'er repafs'd, 
 To tell what's doing on the other fide. 
 
 THE wretch, condemn'd with life to part, 
 
 Still, ftill on hope relies ; 
 And ev'ry pang that rends the heart, 
 
 Bids expectation rife. 
 Hope, like the glim'ring taper's light, 
 
 Adorns and cheers the way ; 
 And itill, as darker grows the night, 
 
 Emits a brighter ray. 
 
 MODESTY is not only an ornament, but alfo a guard 
 to yirtue, It is a kind of quick and deilcate feeling in the 
 
 foul, 
 
( *H ) 
 
 foul, which makes her ihrink and withdraw herfelf from every 
 thing that has danger in it. It is fuch an exquifite fenfibity, 
 as warns her to fhun the firft appearance of every thing which 
 is hurtful. 
 
 RICHES, in the hand of a beneficent man, are a blefling 
 to the public. Such an one is a fteward to Providence, and 
 the noble means of correcting the inequalities of fortune, of 
 relieving the miferable, and fpreading happinefs to all that are 
 within die reach of his acquaintance. 
 
 The Wife's Confolation to her Hufband under Affliftion. 
 
 N O more, lov'd partner of my foul, 
 
 At difappointment grieve, 
 Can flowing tears our fate controul, 
 
 Or fighs our woes relieve ? 
 Adverfity is virtue's fchool, 
 
 To thofe who right difcern ; 
 Let us obferve each painful rale, 
 
 And each hard leifon learn. 
 When wintry clouds obfeure the fky, 
 
 And Heav'n and earth deform, 
 If fix'd the itrong foundations lie, 
 
 The caftle braves the ftorm. 
 Thus, fix'd on faith's unfailing rock, 
 
 Let us endure awhile 
 Misfortune's rude impetuous fhock, 
 
 And glory in our toil. 
 Ill fortune cannot always laft ; 
 
 Or, tho' it mould remain, 
 Yet we each painful moment hafte, 
 
 A better world to gain — 
 Where calumny no more fhall wound, 
 
 Nor faithlefs friends deftroy ; 
 Where innocence and truth are crown'd 
 
 With never-fading joy, 
 
 GOOD 
 
( n6 ) 
 
 GOOD difcourfe is but the reflection or fhadow of wif- 
 dom ; the pure and folid fubftance, is good actions. 
 
 THERE can be no true and iincere pleafure in any finful 
 and vicious courfe, tho' it be attended with all the pomp and 
 fplendour of outward happinefs and profperity ; for wherever 
 fin and vice is, there muft be guilt ; and wherever guilt is, the 
 mind will be refllefs and unquiet. 
 
 INDUSTRIOUS wifdom often prevents what lazy folly 
 thinks inevitable. Induftry argues an ingenious, great and 
 generous difpofition of foul, by unweariedly purfuing things 
 in the faireft light, and difdaining to enjoy the fruit of other 
 men's labours, without deferring it. 
 
 CONCEITEDNESS and ignorance are a moft un- 
 happy composition ; for none are fo invincible as the half- 
 witted, who know juft enough to excite their pride, but not fo 
 much as to cure their ignorance. 
 
 ENDEAVOUR to be religious without fuperftition ; 
 juft without rigour ; merciful without partiality ; cautious 
 without fear ; valiant without ralhnefs ; and great without 
 pride. 
 
 T O endeavour not to pleafe, is ill nature ; altogether to ne- 
 gleft it, folly ; and to overftrain for it, vanity and dciign. 
 
 WHEN winds the mountain-oak afTail, 
 
 And lay its glories wafte, 
 Content may flumber in the vale 
 
 Unconfcious of the blaft. 
 
 SWEET are the jefs'min's breathing flow'rs, 
 Sweet the foft falling vernal fhow'rs, 
 Sweet is the gloom the grove affords, 
 And fweet the notes of warb'ling birds ; 
 But not the groves, nor rains nor flow'rs, 
 
 * Nor 
 
( "7 ) 
 
 Nor all the feather 'd fongfters pow'rs, 
 
 Can ever fweet or pleafing be 
 
 O ! lovely freedom, without thee. 
 
 TEACH me between the two extremes to glide, 
 Not brave, the ftream, nor fwim with ev'ry tide, 
 But more with charity, than zeal pofieit, 
 Keep my own faith, yet not condemn the reft. 
 
 RELIGION better qualifies all forts of men, and makes 
 them in public affairs the more ferviceable ; governors apter 
 to rule with confcience; and inferiors, for confcience fake, more 
 willing to obey. 
 
 LIBERALITY is never fo beautiful or engaging, as 
 when the hand is concealed which beftows the gift. 
 
 OECONOMY is no difgrace, it is better living on 3 
 little, than outliving a great deal. 
 
 HOLY-DAYS. 
 
 SOME Chriftians to the Lord obferve a day, 
 
 While others to the Lord obferve it not ; 
 And tho' thefe feem to choofe a difFrent way, 
 
 Yet both at lafl to the fame point are brought* 
 Who for the obfervance pleads, may reafon thus— 
 
 <f As on this day our Saviour and our king 
 Perform'd fome glorious ad of love for us, 
 
 We keep the time in mem-ry of the thing." 
 Hence he to Jefus points his good intent, 
 
 With pray'rs and praifes celebrates his name ; 
 A.nd as to Chriit alone his love is meant, 
 
 The Lord accepts it — and who dares to blame ? 
 For tho' the fhell indeed is not the meat, 
 
 'Tis not rejected when the meat's within ; 
 Tho* fuperftition is a vain conceit, 
 
 Commemo* 
 
( m ) 
 
 Commemoration furely is no fin. 
 He likewife, that to days has no regard, 
 
 The fhadow only for the fubflance quits ; 
 Towards his Saviour's prefence preffes hard, 
 
 And that preferring outward things omits ; 
 For thus within he ferioufly refieds, 
 
 " My Lord alone I count my only good ; 
 All empty forms for him my foul rejects, 
 
 And only feck the riches of his blood. 
 All days, in jefus, is my foul delight, 
 
 The rinl and worthier! object of my care ; 
 For whcfe dear fake all outward lhews I flight, 
 
 Left aught but him mould my devotion mare/* 
 Let not the obferver therefore entertain, 
 
 Againft his brother any fecret grudge ; 
 And let the n on -obferver too refrain 
 
 From cenfuring others whom he mould not judge. 
 Thus both their motives bringing to the teft, 
 
 Our condeicending Lore may both approve, 
 While each purfues the way he deems the bed, 
 
 For none can walk amifs who walk in love. 
 
 ..«>.. ..o..<3S><^5>^5^i5><5^><S5>..o.. ••<>" 
 
 I F at any time you are preffed to do any thing haftily, be 
 careful : Fraud and deceit are always in hafte ; but diffidence 
 is the right eye of prudence. 
 
 I T is of little confequence to read eternal truths, if we pray 
 not to obtain the gift of underitanding them aright. 
 
 MEN take a great deal more pains for this world, than 
 Heaven would ceil them ; and when they have it, do not live 
 long to enjoy it. 
 
 THE time of life is the only time wherein we can pre- 
 pare for another world; and oh! how fhort and uncertain is 
 this time ! How frail and uncertain is the life of man ! What 
 multitudes does death furprize in an hour, when they think 
 nothing of it ! How filently and infenfibly does time flide 
 
 away ; 
 
( U9 ) 
 
 pray ; with what a winged fwiftnefs does it fly, and we can- 
 not ftay its progrefs, flop its courfe, or retard its hafty motion. 
 
 I N the morning fay to thyfelf, what fhall I do this day, 
 which God has given ;ne ? How fhall I employ it to his glory ? 
 In the evening confidei within thyfelf, and recoiled, what have 
 I done this day, and how have I fpent it ? 
 
 T O prevent (peaking evil of your neighbour, think no evil 
 of him ; and if you hear any, live in hopes that it is a miftake. 
 
 I F you defire to depend upon God, let it appear in every 
 inftance of his Providence towards you : Be content with the 
 want of thofe outward comforts which he thinks fit to deny 
 you. 
 
 'T I S commonly obferved, that the firft flep to wickednefs, 
 is idlenefs ; and indeed there is little hopes of any one being a 
 good man, or a good Clinician, who takes no care of his time. 
 
 OUR wants are daily, and the temptations which draw 
 our hearts from God, to the things of this world, are alfo daily ; 
 and upon both thefe accounts, ought our prayers to be daily 
 alfo. 
 
 LET it never enter into your head, that you are a man of 
 merit. Be the only perfon, who neither knows or fpeaks of 
 your own worth. 
 
 THE well- taught philofophic mind, 
 
 To all compaifion gives ; 
 Carts round the world an equal eye, 
 
 And feels for each that lives. 
 
 I F friendlefs, in a vale of tears I ftray, 
 Where briers wound, and thorns perplex my way, 
 Lord let my fteady foul thy gocdnefs fee, 
 And with itrong confidence lay hold on thee ; 
 
 With 
 
( '20 ; 
 
 With equal eye my various lot receive, 
 Refign'd to die, or refolute to live; 
 Prepar'd to kifs the fceptre or the rod, 
 While God is feen in all, and all in God. 
 
 WE muft never undervalue any perfon. The workman loves 
 not that his work fnould be defpifed in his prefence. Now 
 God is prefent every where, and every perfon is his work. 
 
 TO live contented, in a moderate eftate, we muft never con- 
 fider thofe that have more, but thofe that have lefs than our- 
 felves. 
 
 THE BEECHEN SHADE. 
 
 T O this lone (hade, where peace delights to dwell, 
 
 Oft let my unambitious mufe retire, 
 Here bid the vain tumultous world farewell, 
 
 And praife my Maker with the wood-land choir. 
 How mall I joy the dew-bright morn to view ! 
 
 With pleafure bluming o'er the fair domain ; 
 The lowing herds and bleating flocks purfue, 
 
 Thick ftraggling o'er the verdant flow'ry plain. 
 To fee fair nature, with parental love, 
 
 Give life and beauty to the rural fcene, 
 While tuneful birds, in cv'iy vocal grove, 
 
 In fweet affemblage all around are feen. 
 To walk, by turns, the grove, the plain, the glade ; 
 
 To trace the riv'let in its winding way, 
 At eve's approach, to hail my beechen made, 
 
 And eye, with f.lent joy, the dancing fpray. 
 While thro' my veins a pleafing rev'rence thrills, 
 
 How ihould I joy to fee the parting day, ' 
 Glide from the plains, the forefts and the hills, 
 
 While Philomel begins her ev'ning lay. 
 Then with bold wings ftill upwards might I foar, 
 
 And range, at will, the planetary field ; 
 
 The 
 
( 121 ) 
 
 The hand that guides the glowing worlds adore, 
 
 And praife, in filent admiration, yield. 
 Hail, blifsful filence ! ftill this made attend, 
 
 Be thou my conilant, never- failing gueft ; 
 Be thou my guide, my counfellor, my friend, 
 
 Unrivall'd regent of my glowing breafh 
 Let not the vain parade of wealth, or (hew, 
 
 One wifh of envy in my breavt excite ; 
 Ah ! teach my heart this right'ous truth to know, 
 
 That all the works of Providence are right. 
 
 SERENITY and gladnefs of heart, will attend a de- 
 vout mind, when it maintains an intercourfe with the great 
 Author of its Being. When we are in company with our God, 
 with our Redeemer, with our deareft and beft of friends, our 
 hearts will burn with love, exult with gratitude, fwell with hope, 
 and triumph in the confeioufnefs of that prefence, which 
 every where furrounds us ; or elfe we pour cut our fears, our 
 troubles, or our dangers, to the great Supporter of our exigence. 
 
 THE happinefs of a life religioufly fpent, plainly appears, 
 from the poor and trifling enjoyments, that all thofe are forced 
 to take up with, who live according to their own humour. 
 
 RELIGION is a fecure refuge, in feafons of deepeft diC 
 trefs ; it fmooths the chagrin of life, makes us eaiy in all cir- 
 cumftances, and fills our fouls with the greater!: peace that our 
 natures are capable of. The contemplation of the life and fuf- 
 ferings of our Divine Leader, mure adrainifter comfort in the fe- 
 vereft affliction ; while the fenfe of his power and omnipotence, 
 gives us humiliation in profperky. 
 
 ON RETIREMENT. 
 
 WHILE here fequefter'd from the bu fy throng. 
 Let calm rerle&ion animate my foog ; 
 
 L May 
 
( 122 ) 
 
 May fweet retirement, with its foothing pow'rs 
 Compofe each thought, and gild the paiiing hours ; 
 And meek-ey'd peace, in whitefl robes be feen, 
 To cheer the heart and make the mind ferene ; 
 Then while the world in bufy fcenes engage, 
 I'll lhun the follies of a vicious age ; 
 Freed from the dull impertinence of ftrife, 
 Serenely pafs in folitude my life : 
 And when aurora ulhers in the dawn, 
 And tuneful fongfters hail the rifing morn, 
 With grateful heart perform the ardent pray'r, 
 And thank kind Heav'n for its protecting care. 
 Then while the fun in radient fplendour reigns, 
 And with its luftre decks the hills and plains, 
 Oft let me wander o'er the dewy vale, 
 And breathe fweet fragrance from the paffing gale ; 
 Or, led by fancy, frequent let me rove, 
 To fome thick foreft or fome fnady grove, 
 Where peaceful filenQC reigns throughout the fcene, 
 And painted daifies deck the lovely green ; 
 While gentle zephyrs, with their filken wings, 
 Difplay their beauties o'er the chryftal fprings, 
 Or on the margin of a purling ftream, 
 (Indulge my mind on friendmip's pleafing theme) 
 Whofe gentle murmurs calm the troubled breaft, 
 And foothe each forrow when the mind's diftrefs'd. 
 Then when the fun, obedient to command, 
 Shall take his flight, and vifit foreign land ; 
 May pale-ey'd Cynthia, emprefs of the night, 
 .Vith mildeft luftre, (bed her folemn light; 
 While twinkling ftars difpenfe a friendly ray, 
 And gently guide the trav'ler on his way : 
 At this lone hour when folemn filence reigns, 
 And mournful Philomel renews her drains, 
 May no fad thought my peaceful mind moleft, 
 Each murmur reified, and each figh fupprefs'd, 
 Save when companion at another's woe 
 Shall caafe the tears of tendernefs to flow ; 
 Freelv I'll bear a fympathetic part, 
 And Ihare the forrows of the drooping heart ; 
 
 With 
 
( t*| ) 
 
 With fervent pray'rs implore kind Heav'n to blefs, 
 And fondly ft rive to make their for rows lefs. 
 
 Thus may my time in rural {hades be fpent, 
 Far from the world, enrich 'd with calm content, 
 'Till death's cold hand (hall clofe thefe languid eyes, 
 And hope conducl me to yon blifsful Ikies. 
 
 O GLORIOUS day ! O day of peace, arise, 
 And with thy fpleiklours glad my longing eyes. 
 O time ! which oft fo quickly glid'il away, 
 Methinks thou ling'reft and defer 'ft the day ; 
 Juft like an arrow from a bow half ftrung, 
 Thy flagging pinions flowly ikim along. 
 Oh ! with new vigour, urge thy flying courfe, 
 And flretch each tendon with redoubled force ; 
 That peace ma}' flow like ocean's fwelling tide, 
 (s And feas but join the regions they divide." 
 
 I T is the peculiar excellence of a good name, that it is out 
 of the reach of death, and is not buried in the grave, but rather 
 grows up from it. Solomon hath joined this good name, which 
 pr better than precious ointment, with the day of one's death, 
 which is better than the clay of one's birth, as it completes the 
 character of thofe that finifh their courfe well, and are faithful 
 unto death ; whereas a great name, like the names of the great 
 ones of the earth, is often withered and blemifhed by death. 
 
 WHAT is the blooming tincture of a fkin, 
 To peace of mind, to harmony within ? 
 What the bright fparkling of the fined eye, 
 To the foft foothing of a calm reply ? 
 Can comelinefs of form, or fhape, or air, 
 With comelinefs of words or deeds compare ? 
 No — thofe at fird th' unwary heart may gain, 
 But thefe, thefe only, can that heart retain. 
 
 RELIGION 
 
. ( i>4 J 
 
 RELIGION naturally tends to all that is great, worthy, 
 friendly, generous and noble ; and the true fpirit of it, not on'iy 
 coflqpofes, but cheers the foul. Though it banifhes all levity 
 of behaviour, all vicious and dilTolute mirth — yet in exchange, 
 I with a perpetual ferenity, and uninterrupted 
 pleafure.^ The contemplation of divine mercy and power, and 
 the exercife of virtue, arc in their own nature fo far from exclud- 
 ing all gladnefs of heart, that they are the principal and con- 
 ilant fources of it. 
 
 TE A C H me, what all believe, but few pofTefs, 
 
 1 ha: fcic nee is curfclves to know ; 
 
 The gs is to blefs, 
 
 An -'s woe : 
 
 Thus -eat, 
 
 : aHy pafs, 
 
 Each 
 
 And v ath my pe< 
 
 If e'er (i y name, 
 
 fhall never bhifh to : >;eat:-e a iigh, 
 And great ones envy fuch an me- 
 
 H E that can fay to himfelf, I do as rnu and am as I 
 
 ivours will allow me, what- \ 
 ever is bis Ration in the world, is as to himfelf poflefled 
 
 :-ii honour. If a is not thus turned, it is no other 
 
 than a continual fuceerLon of anxiety and vexation. But when 
 it has this call, it invigorates the mind ; and the con" 
 of its own worth is a rewar I it is not in the power of 
 
 envy, detraction, or reproach, to take from it. Thus the feat 
 offolid honour is in a man's own bofom ; and no one can want 
 
 3rt, who is in pofTeiiion of an honed confeience, but he 
 who would fuffer the reproaches of it for other greatnefs. 
 
 ERE are fome men, in whom a deficiency of fenfe or 
 wit gives no pain ; there are fome, in whom abundance of both 
 gives no pleafure. The 
 
( 12? ) 
 
 The following lines are taken from a defcription of Hawkftbne, 
 an elegant feat in Shropfhire. The author of that defcrip- 
 tion tells us, they were compofed by the owner of the above- 
 mentioned feat, when he was contemplating the aftonifhing 
 fcenes around him in his own park, where the verfes arc to 
 be feen in a natural cavern of a vail rock, from the top of 
 which you command a very diveriiiied and romantic profpect. 
 
 WHILST all thy glories, O my God ! 
 
 Thro* the creation fhine, 
 Whilft rocks and hills, and fertile vales, 
 
 Proclaim the hand divine — 
 O ! may I view, with humble heart, 
 
 The wonders of thy pow'r, 
 Difplay'd alike in wilder fcenes, 
 
 As in each blade and fiow'r. 
 But whilft I tafte thy bleffings, Lord ! 
 
 And fip the ftreams below, 
 O mav my foul be led to thee, 
 
 From whom all bleffings flow. 
 And, if fuch footfteps of thy love, 
 
 Thro' this loft world we trace, 
 How far tranfcendant are thy works 
 
 Throughout the world of grace ! 
 J lift as before yon noon- tide fun, 
 
 The brighten: ftars are fmall ; 
 So earthly comforts are but fnares, 
 
 'Till grace has crown'd them all. 
 
 Epitaph on a Country Clergyman. 
 
 STILL, like his Saviour, known by breaking bread, 
 The rich he entertain'd, the needy fed — 
 Of humour eafy, and of life unblam'd, 
 The friend delighted, while the prieft reelaim'd : 
 The friend, the father, and thebufband gone, 
 The prieft ftill lives in th' recording ftcne, 
 Where pious eyes may read his praifes o'er, 
 And learn each grace his pulpit taught before, 
 
 L z THE 
 
( "6 ) 
 
 THE bent and inclination of a virtuous man is towards 
 filence, as much as poiiible, becaufe the principal light and 
 knowledge of this life, confifts in being thoroughly acquaint- 
 ed with the depth and greatne£> of his own ignorance. So 
 that thole who make great progress in human fciences, for the 
 moil part become peremptory and decifive : Cn the contrary, 
 the proficients in the fcience of God become more refer ved, 
 more inclind to filence, lefs addicled to their own fenfe, and 
 lefs venturefome to judge of others, becaufe they difcover more 
 and more how uncertain and obfcure our knowledge is ; how 
 much we often deceive ourfelves in the things we think wc 
 know bell ; how many faults and errors we run into by haile 
 and precipitation in judging ; and what diforders are often 
 eaufed by rafn judgments and advices. 
 
 Infcription for an Hermitage. 
 
 FOND man. retire to this lone celU 
 And bid the bufy world farewell • 
 Ah ! quit the city's noify icene, 
 For pleafurcs tranquil and ferene ; 
 Seek in this calm, this fweet recefs, 
 The rofe-lip'd cherub- — haupinefs ; 
 That haunts the hermit's moffy floor, 
 And firaple peafant's rural door. 
 How pleafant is yon oak's brown made— 
 The fpreading beach, th' adjacent glade ; 
 The chryilal itreams, that fmcothly glide ; 
 The warbling thrufh. at even tide. 
 Fond man, here fweetly thou may 'ft fpend 
 Thy fleeting days, nor fear thy end j 
 Stealing thro' life, as thro' the plain, 
 Yon rill flows iilent to the main. 
 Flere (when in ruflet veil the morn 
 Walks o'er the mountain or the lawn) 
 Thy early orifons begin, 
 And live fecare from woe and fin ; 
 Here tco, at ev'nings fober hour, 
 
 Adore 
 
( 1*7 ) 
 
 Adore the great Almighty pow'r ; 
 The Sovereign Ruler of the Ikies, 
 Forever juft, and good, and wife. 
 
 PATIENCE will wipe away the dreaming tear, 
 And hope will paint the pallid cheek of fear : 
 Content will always happinefs fupply, 
 And virtue calls a blefling from on high. 
 
 WHEN any body's mifbehaviour difturbs you, difmifs 
 the image of the injury, and bethink yourfelf whether you have 
 not been guilty of the fame fault. Such reflection is the fhort~ 
 eft and moft certain way of becoming truly wife and truly pi- 
 ous. 
 
 N O trees bear fruit in autumn, unlefs they bloflbm in the 
 fpring. To the end that our age may be profitable, and laden 
 with ripe fruit, let all endeavour, that our youth may be ftudi- 
 ous, and flowered with the blolfoms of learning and obferva- 
 tion. 
 
 W E may judge of men by their converfation towards God^ 
 but never by Gods difpenfation towards them. 
 
 T O learn to accommodate our tafte to that portion of hap- 
 pinefs, which Providence has fet before us, is of all the leffons 
 of philofophy, furely the moft necefiary. High and exquiiite 
 gratifications are not confident with the appointed meafures of 
 humanity ; and perhaps if we would fully enjoy the relifh of 
 our being, we mould rather confider the miferies we efcape, 
 than too nicely examine the intrinfic worth of the happinefs we 
 poflefs. 
 
 W H E N a man is in company with his betters, it is as 
 much more advifable to hear, than to fpeak, as it is better to 
 reap, than to fow. 
 
 H E is the richeft man, who defires nofuperfluity,and wants 
 for no neceffary, RESTLESS 
 
( 123 ) 
 
 RESTLESS mortals toil for nought, 
 Blifs in vain from earth is fought ; 
 Blifs, a native of the fky, 
 Never wanders — mortals try ; 
 There you cannot feek in vain, 
 For to feek her is to gain. 
 
 COME gentle age ! to me thou doft appear 
 No cruel object of regret or fear ; 
 Thy ftealing ilep I unrelu&ant fee, 
 Nor would avoid, or wifh to fly from thee. 
 
 OTHER'S good turns to thee be fure to tell, 
 But nothing. fay, when thou thy felf dolt well. 
 
 SOME have pleafed theinfelves with the thought, Cf That 
 ^departed fpirits fupply the place of guardian angels to their 
 friends ; that they delight to follow them in their folitary 
 walks, and watch their nightly {lumbers, and make impreflions 
 on their fleeping fancy, to warn them of approaching dangers." 
 'Tis not unlikely, that the tempeits of human paiTions are fome- 
 timescompofedby the foft infpiring whifpers of thofe propitious 
 beings, while the feats of joy ha\e opened their glories in vi- 
 fionary fcenes to their fleeping imagination. 
 
 YOU may enjoy what you have, if you do not wifh for 
 more. Like a clear ftream, which glides fmoothly on, but by 
 endeavouring to encreafe the waters, it becomes a torrent. 
 
 O F greatnefs, and its pompous train, 
 What notions falfe we entertain ! 
 The glitt'ring drefs, the fplendid feaft, 
 Thofe fee king moft, who know them lea 
 Our time, anxiety, and coil, 
 In the vain acquisition's loft. 
 The man we envy oft as bleft, 
 In fecret pines with care opprefs'd. MANY 
 
( i29 ) 
 
 MANY fcripture parables and fimilitudes are taken from 
 the common actions of this life, that when our hands are em- 
 ployed about them, our hearts may the more eafily pafs thro' 
 them to divine and heavenly things. 
 
 EVERY thing is beautiful in its feafon ; and it is the 
 wifdom of the prudent, fo to order the duties of their general 
 callings as Chriftians, and thofe of their particular callings in 
 the world, as that they may not clafh or interfere. 
 
 IT is related of the pious Philip Henry, that if any aflted 
 his charity, whofe reprefentation of their cafe he did not like, 
 or who he thought did amifs to take that courfe, he would rirfl 
 give them an alms, and then mildly reprove them ; labouring 
 to convince them that they were out of the way of duty ; that 
 they could not exped God mould blefs them in it, and would 
 not chide, but reafon with them. He would fay, if he mould 
 tell them of their faults, and not give them an alms, the reproof 
 would look only like an excufe to deny his charity, and would 
 be rejected accordingly. 
 
 T O be over felicitous after praife, to be greedy of it, and 
 eager in purfuing it, and to feem in fome meafure to beg it, in- 
 ftead of being the character of a great foul, is the moft certain 
 fign of a vain and light difpoiiticn, which feeds upon the wind, 
 and takes the fnadow for the fubftance. 
 
 THE ANTS. 
 
 S O when the ants, a fmall induftrious train, 
 Embodied rob fome golden heap of grain, 
 Studious, ere ftormy winter frowns, to lay 
 Safe in their darkfome cells the treafur'd prey : 
 In one long track the duiky legions lead 
 Their prize in triumph, thro' the verdant mead ; 
 Here bending with the load, a panting throng, 
 With force conjoined, heave fome huge grain along; ' 
 Some lafh the ftragglers to the talk affign'd, 
 Some to their ranks the bands that lag behind 3 
 
 1 hey 
 
( ijo ) 
 
 They croud the peopled path in thick array, 
 Glow at the work, and darken all the way. 
 
 HOW blefs'd the man, who, like thefe infe&s, wife, 
 Exerts his powers to lav up Heav'nly food ; 
 
 Convinced, that nought like this beneath the fkies 
 Deferves his care, and ought to be purfu'd. 
 
 W OULD you in fafety plough th' inconitant tide, 
 The helm let prudence ever watchful guide. 
 She fhuns the deep, where mountain-billows roar, 
 And fhuns alike the mallows and the fhore. 
 
 The few, by precept or experience wife, 
 Who know the mean, the golden mean, to prize, 
 With equal fcom reject a fordid irate, 
 And the gilt forrows of the vainly great. 
 Kx'd in that point, where all the virtues reft, 
 Between th' extremes with peaceful pleafure bleft, 
 They know to curb irregular cefires, 
 When av'rice tempts them, or ambition fires. 
 
 POSTS of preferment, and the marks of refpecl: annexed 
 to them, may flatter the ambition and vanity of mankind, but 
 in themfelves include no real glory or folid greatnefs, as they 
 are foreign to them — as they are not always the proof and re- 
 ward of merit — as thev add nothing to the good qualities either 
 of body or mind — as they correct none of our faults, but often, 
 on the contrary, ferve only to multiply and make them more 
 remarkable, by making them confpicuous, and exhibiting them 
 in a ftronger light. 
 
 I T is virtue alone which fixes the price of every thing, and 
 is the fole fource of folid glory and real greatnefs. 
 
 WIT is commonly looked upon with a fufpicious eye, as 
 a two-edged fword, from which not even the facrednefs of 
 iriendlhip can fecure. It is more efpecially dreaded in women. 
 
 A 
 
( '31 ) 
 
 A MAN may be referred and modeft in the midft of riches 
 and honours, as he may be proud and avaricious in the obfcu- 
 rity of a poor and wretched life. 
 
 T I M E, always precious, can never be more fio, than in 
 our early years ; the rirfb ideas make the ftrongefl and moll hill- 
 ing impreifion. 
 
 NUMBERLESS are the branches of good nature ! — 
 Numberlefs a~e the benefits we ourfelves receive by it, and con- 
 fer on others ! 
 
 M ERE good humour, if abufed, will degenerate into its 
 reverfe ; but good nature is always the fame, and incapable of 
 changing; like the divine fource, of which it is an emanation, 
 it returns injuries with benefits ; it endeavours to work on the 
 bad heart that offers them, by foft perfuaiion, and pities what 
 it cannot mend. 
 
 WHAT tho' to-day opprefs'd with various woes ? 
 To-morrow's dawn may happier fcenes difclofe. 
 The bounteous pow'r that o'"er wide nature reigns, 
 Now bids flern winter blafl the freezing plains ; 
 And now recalls the fpring, the fpring returns, 
 Each face now fmiies, and ev'ry bofom burns ; 
 New beauty burfls upon the ravifh'd iight, 
 And all around is joy, and life, and light. 
 
 THRO' life let manly fortitude prevail, 
 Whatever the current and whate'er the gale; 
 Prefs forward flill, and ev'ry adverfe tide 
 Let thy flow, perfevering bark, divide. 
 But when too ftrong the fav'ring breeze you find, 
 Furl the broad fail, nor trufl the faithlefs wind. 
 
 To Mira, with a Watch. 
 
 M I R A, this machine, you'll find, 
 Suits a moralizing mind* 
 
 lias 
 
( <3i» ) 
 
 Has it motion ? 'Tis as dear 
 
 Aclion is man's proper fphere. 
 
 Equal mould its progrefs prove, 
 
 So thro' life let Mira move. 
 
 V* hen you forward urge its pace, 
 
 Think it may be Mira's cafe ; 
 
 In my paiTage to the iky, 
 
 Have I linger'd ? — let me fly ! 
 
 Backwards are the hands convey *d, 
 
 To the points from whence they ftray'd ? 
 
 Blufh not, Mira ! to untread 
 
 Steps that wifdom never led. 
 
 Jf it ftand, reflecting fay, 
 
 Time for no machine will flay : 
 
 Heav'n obferves, and, will it find 
 
 Mira with him, or behind ? 
 
 Mark its hands with thanks to Heav'n, 
 
 For each hour and minute giv'n ; 
 
 Giv'n as means to make us wife ; 
 
 Giv'n to form us for the flues. 
 
 Falfe if either hand be view'd, 
 
 Some internal fault conclude, 
 
 Thus if Mira's life mould fin, 
 
 Let her firft reform within. 
 
 When it itrikes the hour, admit 
 
 Silence is not always ft. 
 
 Ev'ry day its talk purfu'd, 
 
 Hints how thine muft be renew 'd. 
 
 Say, when winding up, alas ! 
 
 Human wheels, like thpie of 
 
 Soon their functions would forego, 
 
 Nought if foreign hand beftow. 
 
 If all day it acled right, 
 
 When fhe hangs it by at night, 
 
 Then let Mira aik her heart, 
 
 How have I performed my part ? 
 
 If it err'd, let Mira pray, 
 
 Heav'n forgive my faults to-day ! 
 
 For its ufe, my pre lent prize. 
 
 All befides neglecl — defpife. 
 
 Shine 
 
{ 153 ) 
 
 Shine its trinkets as they will, 
 Trinkets are but trifles frill. 
 Mira ! when at court array 'd 
 All in jewels, and brocade, 
 If at heart no merit dwell, 
 If no deeds that merit tell, 
 Tho' a lord mould fmile, or king, 
 Thou'rt a glit'ring, ufelefs thing. 
 If whate'er its prefent praife, 
 All its pow'r to ferve decays, 
 Means to mend it vainly try'd, 
 When you cad it from your fide ; 
 On a life of virtue pail, 
 Joyful retrofpe&ion caft ; 
 But let Mira think again, 
 Only virtue pail were vain ; 
 Perfeverance, 'till we die, 
 Wins the Chriitian's crown on high. 
 
 A W O M A N of true fenfe, will be always ambitious-— 
 not of gaining admiration, but of deferving it. 
 
 THERE is no being long, and fincerely happy, without 
 being good ; which, as common an obfervation as it has been, 
 yet wants to be made anew, by moft, even of thofe, whom 
 the world thinks both wife and happy. 
 
 GOOD humour fhuns not an opportunity of obliging ; but 
 good nature is induftrious, in feeking out as many as it can* 
 Good humour frequentlv promifes more than is in its power to 
 •perform ; but good nature does more than it gives yon reafon 
 !to expect. 
 
 THE want of thought creates many mifchiefs among man- 
 kind ; and this is the reafon that none ought to fpeak, 'till 
 they have firft reflected on every thing that may pofhbly be the 
 confequence of what they fpeak. 
 
 m it- 
 
( 134 ) 
 
 i T is indeed a dreadful thing, when people cannot refolve 
 to content themfslves with the fphere in which they are placed 
 by Heaven. It is this reftlefhefs of the mind, that occafions 
 half the mifchiefs that befal mankind ; and yet we are all, 
 more or lefs, apt to have fome mare of it. Every one wifhes 
 for fomething he has not, and that hinders him from enjoy- 
 ing, properly, what he is pollened of. We fancy we know 
 better than him that made us, what would befit us, and accufe 
 Providence of partiality, in the lot afligned to us. 
 
 LIFE is an uncertain ocean; numberlefs, namelefs dan- 
 gers, lurk b€0£ath the faireft furface. No one, at his firfc em- 
 barkation, can promife to himfelf that he ihall go through his 
 voyage, unruffled with the ftorms which from above, below, 
 and every where, furround. Who then would not be glad to 
 fecure fome friendly bark at hand, whofe kind ailiftanee, in 
 cafe of a wreck, might fave him. 
 
 THE feeds of thofe fpiritual joys and raptures, which are 
 to rife up and flourifh in the foul to all eternity, mull be plant- 
 ed in her, during her prefcnt ftate of probation. 
 
 BEWARE thy meddling hand in ought to try, 
 That does beyond thy reach of knowledge lie, 
 But feek to know, and bend thy ferious thought, 
 To fearch the profitable knowledge out ; 
 So joys, on joys, forever will encreafe, 
 Wifdom mail crown thy labours, and ihall blefs 
 Thy life with pleafure, and thy end with peace. 
 
 LET gratitude, in acls of goodnefs flow, 
 My love to God, in love to man below ; 
 Be this my joy, to calm the troubled breaft, 
 Support the weak, and fuccour the diilreft ; 
 Direct the wand'rer, dry the widow's tear, 
 The orphan guard, the finking fpirits chear. 
 Tho' fmall my pow'r to adt, tho' mean my (kill, 
 God fees the heart, he judges by the will. 
 
 AN 
 
( '35 ) 
 AN EVENING THOUGHT. 
 
 NOW down the fteep of Heav'n the fource of day 
 Purfues, unwearied, his diurnal way ; 
 Mild fhine his rays, his beams ferene defeend, 
 And o'er the earth a fweet effulgence fend. 
 The blufVring winds a pleafing filence keep, 
 And in their caves, with folded pinions, fleep. 
 No longer from the cloud defcends the rain, 
 But a clear azure fpreads th' etherial plain ; 
 A folemn, pleafing filence, hovers round, 
 And peace, with downy wing, o'erfpreads the ground. 
 While filver Cynthia fheds her milder light, 
 And ufhers in the awful reign of night. 
 
 So when the lamp of life fhall dimly burn, 
 And this frail frame to kindred dull return, 
 May the rude ilrife of earth-born paffions ceafe, 
 And life's fnort journey terminate in peace. 
 May then no cares terreftrial break my reft, 
 Or keen reflections difcompofe my bread. 
 May then no fears, no dread of ills to come, 
 Make me fhrink back with terror from the tomb ; 
 But when the awful mandate from on high 
 The fentence inall proclaim, that bids me die, 
 Refign'd and peaceful, let me bow my head, 
 And Heav'n enjoy, when number 'd with the dead. 
 
 T O be too inquifitive, into things in which we have no con- 
 cern^ and which, with the utmoft labour, affiited by thegreateft 
 learning, and ftrongeft capacity, we can never be able to pene- 
 trate, is doubtlefs both a fin and a folly. 
 
 A M IN D, eager to enquire into the minuteft works of 
 nature, will be infenfibly led to a contemplation on the greateft ; 
 and in all, we fhall find fufficient for our aftonifnment, and 
 the exciting in us fuch ideas of the great Author of Nature, as 
 cannot fail to fill us with the higheft fenfe of the infinity of 
 his goodnefs to all his creatures j and to us in particular, to 
 
 whom 
 
( i3« ) 
 
 whom alone, of all fublunary beings, he has given the power 
 of reafon and reflection. 
 
 THERE is nothing requires a greater delicacy of fenti- 
 ment and expreilion, than what we call raillery ; and a perfon 
 inuft be very polite indeed, who knows how to praclife it, fo 
 as not to give oifence. 
 
 T O be merry ourfelves, or make fport for others, on the 
 errors or miftakes of our friend or companion, is certainly very 
 unkind ; but if our jeft is on the defects or infirmities of his 
 perfon, it is really cruel. 
 
 The dying Chriftian to his SouL 
 
 VITAL fpark of Heavnly flame ! 
 Quit, oh quit ! this mortal frame — 
 Trembling, hoping, ling'ring, flying, 
 Oh ! the pain, the blifs of dying ! 
 Ceafe, fond nature, ceafe thy ftrife, 
 And let me languifh into life. 
 
 II. 
 Hark they whifper, angels fay, 
 Sifter fpirit come away ! 
 What is this abforbs me quite, 
 Steals my fenfes, fhuts my fight ; 
 Drowns my fpirits, draws my breath. 
 Tell me, my foul, can this be death r" 
 
 III. 
 The world recedes, it difappears ! 
 Heav'n opens on my eyes — my ears 
 
 With founds feraphic ring : 
 Lend, lend your wings ! I mount ! I fly! 
 Ch ! grave, where is thy victory ? 
 
 Oh ! death where is thy fling ? 
 
 THO' 
 
( '37 ) 
 
 T HO' plung'd in ills, and exercis'd in care, 
 Yet never let the noble mind defpair : 
 For blefiings always wait on virtuous deeds, 
 And tho' a late, a lure reward fucceeds. 
 
 THE brighteft hours of profperity, have their clouds ; and 
 the ftream of life, if it is not raffled by obftrudtions, will grow 
 putrid by flagnation. 
 
 WHATEVER bufies the mind, without corrupting it, 
 has at leaft this ufe, that it refcues the day from idlenefs ; and 
 he that is never idle, will not often be vicious. 
 
 KNOWLEDGE is praifed and delired by multitudes, 
 whom her charms could never roufe from the couch of fioth. 
 
 SINCE life itfelf is uncertain, nothing which has life for 
 its balis, can boaft much liability. 
 
 O F him that hopes to be forgiven, it is indifpenfably re- 
 quired, that he forgive. 
 
 F E W are placed in a liquation fo gloomy and diftrefsful, as 
 not to fee every day beings yet more forlorn and miferabie, 
 from whom they may learn to rejoice in their own lot. 
 
 A CONSTANT habit of unprofitable amufement, re- 
 laxes the tone of the mind, and renders it totally incapable of 
 application, ftudy, or virtue. 
 
 T O infult over the miferies of an unhappy creature, is in- 
 human ; not to companionate them, is unchriitian. 
 
 THE wickednefs of a woman changeth her face, and dark- 
 ened* her countenance like fack-cloth. 
 
 As the climbing of a fandy way is to the feet of the aged, 
 fo is a wife full of words to a quiet man. 
 
 A woman that will not comfort her hufband in dHlrefs, mak- 
 eth weak hands and feeble knees. Eccles. xxv, chap. 
 
 M 2 Extraft 
 
( ij« ) 
 
 Extract from Young's Refignatioru 
 
 W H A T cannot refignation do ? 
 
 It wonders can perform ; 
 That pow'rful charm, * ( thy will be done, 
 
 Can lay the loudeft ftorm. 
 Our hearts are faften'd to this world, 
 
 By flrong and tender ties ; 
 And tv iy forrow cuts a firing, 
 
 And urges us to rife. 
 When Heav'n would kindly fet us free, 
 
 And earth's enchant meats end, 
 It takes the moil effectual means, 
 
 And robs us of a friend. 
 Oh ! how diforder'd our machine, 
 
 When contradictions mix ; 
 When nature flrikes no lefs than twelve, 
 
 And folly points at fix. 
 They let unmark'd, and unemploy'd, 
 
 Life's idle moments run, 
 And, doing nothing for themfelves, 
 
 Imagine nothing done. 
 Dang'rous miilake — their fate goes on, 
 
 Their dread account proceeds — 
 And their not doing, is fet down, 
 
 Amongil their darker! deeds. 
 
 IT was the practice of Yefpafian,-the Roman emperor, to 
 call himfelf to an account every night, for the actions of the 
 pad day ;. and as often as he let flip one day without doing 
 fome good, he entered upon his diary this memorial — 
 « I have loft a day." 
 
 THE grace of a wife delighteth her hufband, and her dis- 
 cretion will fatten his bones. 
 
 A fiknt and loving woman is a gift of the Lord, and there 
 is nothing (o much worth, as a mind well initrucled. 
 
 As the fun when it arifeth in the high heaven — fo is the beau- 
 ty of a good wife in the ordering cf her houfe. Eccl. xxvi 
 
 TO 
 
( 139 ) 
 
 T O hint at a fault, does more mifchief, than fpeaking out ; 
 for whatever is left for the imagination to finifh, will not fail 
 to be overdone. 
 
 MEEKNESS is imperfect, if it be not both active and 
 paflive ; if it will not enable us to fubdue our own paffions and 
 refentments, as well as qualify us to bear, patiently, the palfi- 
 ons and refentments of others. 
 
 ALEXANDER (fays Seneca) had two friends, Clitus 
 and Lyfimachus ; the one he expofed to a lion, the other to 
 himfelf ; he who was turned loofe to the beaft, efcaped, but 
 Clitus was murdered, for he was turned loofe to an angry man. 
 
 COUNT that day loft, whofe low defcending fun 
 Views from thy hand no worthy action done. 
 
 LOVE the great God, with all thy might, 
 And know, whatever is, is right. 
 To his difpofal always yield, 
 Who clothes the liliies of the field, 
 And truft his ever- watchful care, 
 Which numbers every fingle hair. 
 Each day the facred pages view, 
 For thefe give pleafures ever new. 
 The truths that there confpicuous fhine, 
 Proclaim their author all divine — 
 See here thy great Redeemer's love, 
 Who left the radiant realms above — 
 To perfect all the gofpel plan, 
 Then dy'd, to fave degen'rate man. 
 To him prefer thy ardent pray'r, 
 For fuch things as expedient are ; 
 And if thy breaft a manfion be, 
 
 Fit to receive the Heav'nly three, ♦ 
 
 The comforter fhall foon be fent, 
 To fill the mind with fweet content ; 
 And tho' the world, as all confefs, 
 Can neither fatisfy or blefs, 
 Hence may 'ft thou draw that liquid (tore, 
 JVhich he that drinks of, thixlts no more, WITH 
 
f HO ) 
 
 W I T H Heaven's ennobling gifts 
 
 Benignly bleft, the blooming Lucia fhines : 
 Pleaiing her fpeech, by nature taught to flow, 
 Strong and perfualive fenfe, fincere and clear. 
 Her manners greatly p^lain ; a noble grace 
 Self-taught, beyond the reach of mimic art, 
 Adorns her : Her calm temper, winning, mild, 
 Nor pity fofter ; truth itfelf the fource : 
 Ccnftantin doing well, fhe neither feeks, 
 Nor ihuns applaufe. No bafhful merit fighs 
 Near her neglected : Sympathizing, fhe 
 Wipes oiFthe tear from forrow's clouded eye 
 With kindly hand, and bids her heart to finile. 
 
 MEEKNESS may be called the pioneer of all the other 
 virtues, which levels ever. w, and fmooths every dif- 
 
 ficulty, that might impede their entrance, or retard their pro- 
 
 grefs. 
 
 I F it were only for mere human reafons, it would turn to 
 a better account, to be patient ; nothing defeats the malice 
 of an enemy, like a fpirit of forbearance ; the return of rage 
 for rage cannot be fo effectually provoking. True gentleneis, 
 like an impenetrable armour, repels the molt pointed (hafts of 
 malice ; they cannot pierce thro' this invulnerable ihield, but 
 either fall hurtlefs to the ground, or return to wound the hand 
 that fhot them 
 
 A MEEK fpirit will not look out of itfelf for happinefs, 
 becaufe it finds a coniiant banquet at home ; yet by a fort of Di- 
 vine Alchymy, it will convert all external events to its own 
 profit, and be able to deduce fome good, even from the moft 
 unpromifing ; it wiH extract comfort and fatisfadtion from the 
 molt barren circumftances ; " it will fuck honey out of the 
 rock, and oil out of the flinty rock." 
 
 HONOURS and dignities are tranfient, beauty and 
 riches frail and fleeting, to a proverb. Would not the truly 
 
 wife, 
 
( H> ) 
 
 wife, therefore, wifh to have fome one pofTeffion, which they 
 might call their own in the fevered exigencies ? But this with 
 can only be accomplished, by acquiring, and maintaining, 
 that calm and abfolute felf-poffeffion, which as the world had 
 no hand in giving, fo it cannot, by the moil malicious exerti- 
 on of its power, take away. 
 
 A N amiable and wife woman will, always have fomething 
 better to value herfelf on than outward advantages, which, 
 however captivating, are (till but fubordinate parts of a truly 
 excellent character. 
 
 HOW cruel is it to extinguifh, by neglect or unkindnefs, 
 the precious fenfibility of an open temper, to chill the amiable 
 glow of an ingenious foul, and to quench the bright flame of a 
 noble and generous fpirit ! Thefe are of higher worth, than 
 all the documents of learning ; of dearer price, than all the ad- 
 vantages which can be derived from the raoft refined and artifi- 
 cial mode of education. 
 
 THE beft of men, and the bed of books, can do us good, 
 
 onl 
 com 
 
 alone. 
 
 T fo far as they turn us from themfelves, and every human 
 fort, to feek and receive every kind of good, from God 
 
 T O defire to communicate good to every creature, in the 
 degree' we can, and it is capable of receiving from us, is a oli- 
 vine temper ; for thus God Hands unchangeably difpofed to- 
 wards the whole creation. 
 
 I N vain thou hop'ft for blifs on this poor clod ; 
 Return, and feek thy Father and thy God. 
 Yet think not to regain thy native Ikv, 
 Borne on the wings of vain philofophy. 
 MyfTerious paffage ! hid from mortal eves ; 
 Soaring you'll fink, and finking you will rife. 
 Let humble thoughts thy wary footfteps guide ; 
 Regain by meeknefs, what thou loft by pride, 
 
 LET 
 
t 142 ) 
 
 LET thy flock clothe the naked, and thy table £<te<l the 
 hungry ; deliver the poor from oppreilion, and let thy conver- 
 sation be above. Thus (halt thou " rejoice in hope/' and look 
 forward to the end of life, as the consummation of thy felicity. 
 
 WHAT an example is Job, to fuch as have loft their fub- 
 ftance all at once, by unforefeen misfortunes :— ~ (< The Lord 
 gave — the Lord hath taken away. BleiTed be the name of the 
 Lord." 
 
 HUMANITY. 
 
 A H me ! how little knows the human heart, 
 
 The pleafing talk of foft'ning other's woe ; 
 Stranger to joys, that pity can impart, 
 
 And tears fweet Sympathy can teach to flow. 
 If e'er I've mourn'd my humble, lowly ftate ; 
 
 If e'er I've bow'd my knee at fortune's fhrine; 
 If e'er a wifh efcap'd me, to be great, 
 
 The fervent pray'r, humanity, was thine. 
 Pity the man, who hears the moving tale 
 
 Unmov'd, to whom the heart- felt glow's unknown ; 
 On whom the widow's plaints could ne'er prevail, 
 
 Nor made the injur 'd wretch's caufc his own. 
 How little knows he th' cxtatic joy, 
 
 The thrilling blifs of chearing wan defpair ; 
 How little knows the pleafing, warm employ, 
 
 That calls the grateful tribute of a tear. 
 The fplendid dome, the vaulted roof to rear, 
 
 The glare of pride and pomp, be grandeur thine ; 
 To wipe from mis'ry's eye the wailing tear, 
 
 And foothe th' oppreffed orphan's woes, be mine. 
 Be mine the blufh of modeft worth to fpare, 
 
 To change to fmiles affliction's riling figh ; 
 The kindred warmth of charity to fhare, 
 
 Till joy (hall fparkle from the tear-mTd eye. 
 Can the loud laugh, the mirth infpiring bowl, 
 
 The dance, or choral fong, or jocund ghc, 
 AfFedt the glowing, Sympathizing foul, 
 
 Or warm the breaft, humanitv, like thee ? 
 
 A C- 
 
! 
 
 ( 143 J 
 
 ACCEPTABLE SACRIFICE. 
 
 H E that keepeth the law, bringeth offerings enough : He 
 that taketh heed to the commandment, ofFereth a peace-offering : 
 He that requiteth a good turn ofFereth fine flour : And he that 
 giveth alms, facrificeth praife. To depart from wickednefs, is a 
 thing pleafing to the Lord ; and to forfake unrighteoufnefs, 
 is a propitiation. Thou (halt not appear empty before the 
 Lord ; for all thefe things are to be done, becaufe of the com- 
 mandment. The offering of the righteous maketh the altar 
 fat, and the fweet favour thereof is before the Moft High ! The 
 facrifice of a juft man is acceptable, and the memorial thereof 
 fhall never be forgotten. Eccles. xxxv. 
 
 W E fee almoft every day, the unexpected death of our friends 
 and our enemies ; we fee new graves often opened for men 
 older and younger than ourfelves ; for the cautious and the 
 carelefs, the diffolute and the temperate ; for men, who like 
 us, were providing to enjoy or improve hours now irreverfibly 
 cut off; we fee all this, and yet, inftead of living, let year 
 glide after year, in preparations to live. 
 
 A M A N that farteth for his fins, and goeth again and do- 
 eth the fame, who will hear his prayer ? or what doth his hum- 
 bling profit him. Eccles. xxxiv. 26. 
 
 THE mind is never fo fenfibly difpofed to pitv the fuffer- 
 ings of others, as when it is itfelf fubdued and foftened by ca- 
 lamity. Adverfity diffufes a kind of facred calm over the breaft, 
 that is the parent of thoughtfulnefs and meditation. 
 
 H E that looks upon the bufinefs and buttle of the world, 
 with the philofophy with which Socrates furveyed the fair at 
 Athens, will turn away at laft with his exclamation, M how 
 many things are here which I do not want." 
 
 WHILE affliction prepares us for felicity, we may con- 
 fole ourfelves under its preiTures, by remembering, that they 
 are no particular marks of divine difpleafure, fince all the dif- 
 treffes of perfecution have been fuffered by thofe, " of whom 
 the world was not worthy ;" and the P'edeemer of mankind 
 fiimfelf was M a man of forrows, and acquainted with grief." 
 
 IF 
 
( 14+ ) 
 
 I F thou haft gathered nothing in thy youth, how Canft thoa 
 find any thing in thine age ? 
 
 Much experience is the crown of old men, and the fear of 
 God is their glory. 
 
 Oh, how great is he that findeth wifdom ! Yet is there none 
 above him that feareth the Lord ! The fear of the Lord is the 
 beginning of his love ; and faith is the beginning of cleaving 
 unto him. 
 
 O F all the virtues, there are none ought more to be incul- 
 cated, into the mind of a young girl, than modefty and meek- 
 nefs. Vanity and pride are perpetually endeavouring to force 
 their way into the heart ; and too much care cannot be taken 
 to repulfe their efforts. 
 
 W E muft, in this world, gain a relifh of truth and virtue, 
 if we would be able to tafte that knowledge and perfection, 
 which are to make us happy in the next. 
 
 The Governess: A Simile. 
 
 A S when blithe lambs their vernal revels keep, 
 Bound from the turf, and o'er the hillocki leap ; 
 Now harmlefs try to butt, then run away; 
 Now wearied feed, and thus confume the day— 
 Th' indulgent (hepherdefs attentive lies, 
 Left from the woods fome fudden foe fhould rife, s 
 And as they play, her harmlefs flock furprize. J 
 So, the fage governefs, whofe conftant care 
 By wifdom's dictates, forms the tender fair ; 
 When her gay female throng, to fport inclin'd, 
 Sufpend the nobler pleafures of the mind, 
 With jealous eyes each motion does furvey, 
 Left they mould fwerve from virtue in their play. 
 
 CHILDREN, like tender oziers, take the bow, 
 And as they firft are falhion'd, always grow ; 
 Eor what we learn in youth, to that alone 
 In age we are by fecond nature prone. 
 
 Ex tract 
 
{ »4J > 
 
 Extract from Young's Night Thoughts. 
 
 THE chamber, where the good man meets his far?, 
 Is privileg'd bevcnd the common walk 
 Of virtuous life, quite in the verge of Heav'n. 
 Flv, ve profane ! if not draw near with awe, 
 Receive the ble-Iing, and adore the hand 
 That threw in this Bethfeda your difeafe. 
 If unreftor'd by this, defp-air your cure ; 
 For here, refiitlefs demonitration dwells — 
 A death-bed's a detector of the heart ; 
 Here tir'd diffimulation drops her malk, 
 Thro' life's grimace, that miftrefs of the fcene ! 
 Here real, and apparent, are the fame. 
 You fee the man, you fee his hold on Heav'n, 
 If found his virtue, as Philander's found, 
 Heav'n waits not the laft moment, owns her friends 
 On this fide death, and points them out to men — 
 A lefturefilent, but of fov 'reign pow'r ! 
 To vice, confufion — and to virtue*, peace. 
 
 I T is a certain fign of an ill heart, to be inclined to defa- 
 mation. They who are harmlefs and innocent, can ha\ e no 
 gratification that way ; but it ever arifes from a neglect of what 
 is laudable in a man's felf, and an impatience of feeing it in 
 another. 
 
 T O forbear replying to an unjuft reproach, and overlook 
 it, with a generous, or (ifpofflble) with an entire neglect of it, 
 is one of the moil heroic acts of a great mind. 
 
 EVERY appearance of amiable fimplicity, or of honeft 
 fhame, nature's hafty confcience, will be dear to fenfible hearts ; 
 they will carefully cherifh every fuch indication in a young fe- 
 male ; for they will perceive, that it is this temper, wifely culti- 
 vated, which will one day make her enamoured of the lovelinefs 
 of virtue and the beauty of holinefs; from which flie will ac- 
 quire a tafte for the doctrines of religion, and a fpirit to perform 
 the duties of it. 
 
 N THE 
 
( >46 ) 
 
 THE hvpocrify of aiTuming virtues, which are not inhe- 
 rent in the heart, prevents the growth and diiclcfurc of thofe 
 real ones, which it is the great end of education to cultivate. 
 
 GOOD difpofitions, of themfelves, will go but a very 
 little way, unlefs they are confirmed into good principles. And 
 this cannot be effected, but by a careful courfe of religious in- 
 ferucKon, and a patient and laborious cultivation of the moral 
 temper. 
 
 I N the great and univerfal concern of religion, both fexes, 
 and all ranks, are equally interefted. The truly catholic fpirit 
 of Chriftianity accommodates itfelf, with an aftoniihing con- 
 defcenfion, to the circumftances of the whole human race. 
 
 L E T no miftaken girl fancy me gives a proof of her wit, 
 by her want of piety ; or that a contempt of things ferious and 
 facred, will exalt her underflanding, or raife her character, 
 even in the opinion of the mofl avowed male infidels. 
 
 CICERO fpoke it as the higher!: commendation of Cato's 
 character, that he embraced philofophy, not for the fake of 
 difputing like a philofopher, but of living like one. The chief 
 purpofe of Chriilian knowledge, is to promote the great end 
 of a Chriilian life. 
 
 From the book of wifdom : — Hearken unto thy father — defpife 
 not thy mother when fhe is old. Extract : 
 
 'T I S wifdom fpeaks — her voice divine 
 Attend my fon, and life is thine. 
 Thine, taught to fnun the devious way, 
 W] .^re foil v leads the blind aitray : 
 Let virtue's lamp thy footfteps guide, 
 
 id fhun the dang'rous heights of pride ; 
 
 he peaceful vale, the golden mean, 
 T/.- . ath of life purfue ferene. 
 
 From infancv what iufFeiings fpring— « 
 While yet a naked helplefs thing, 
 
 • 7f\ 
 
( H7 ) 
 
 Who o'er thy limbs a gov 'ring caft, 
 To (hield thee from th' inclement blaft ? 
 Thy mother — honour her — her arms 
 Secur'd thee from a thoufand harms ; 
 When helplefs, hanging on her brealt, 
 She footh'd thy fobbing heart to reft ; 
 For thee her peace, her health deftroy 'd, 
 For thee, her ev'ry pow'r employ 'd : 
 Thoughtful of thee, before the day 
 Shot thro' the dark its rifing ray ; , 
 Thoughtful of thee, when fable night 
 Again had quench 'd the beams of light ; 
 To Heav'n, in ceafelefs pray'r for thee 
 She rais'd her head, and bent her knee. 
 Defpife her not, now feeble grown — 
 Oh ! make her wants and woes thy own ; 
 Let not thy lips rebel ; nor eyes, 
 Herweaknefs, frailty, years, defpife ; 
 From youthful infolence defend, 
 Be patron, hufband, guardian, friend. 
 Thus (halt thou foothe, in life's decline, 
 The mis'ries that may once be thine. 
 
 A N unwary moment may happen to the moft guarded and 
 referved ; and this reflection ought to fill us with charity for 
 others. 
 
 A PRUDENT man hath his eyes open, and his mouth 
 fhut; and as much deiires to inform himfelf, as to inftruct 
 others. 
 
 I N difcourfe, make not too great a profusion or expence of 
 your knowledge, left your treafure be foon exhaufted. 
 
 THE thought of immortality, the hope of endlefs happi- 
 nefs, is enough to animate the foul with the nobieft ambition, 
 and yet make it look, with the humbleft companion, upon that 
 part of the creation, that wants fo divine a hope. 
 
 The 
 
( hs ) 
 
 The latter Part of the 3d Chap, of Habbakuk imitated. 
 
 A L T H O' the blooming plants forget to fhootj 
 The rig- tree fade, and vines deny their fruit ; 
 No tafteful olives finim our repaft, 
 Nor op ning buds furvive the wintry bbft ; 
 The barren fields their wonted blades withhold, 
 And lambs no longer fill the fcanty fold; 
 Nor flocks, nor herds, around the vale be feen, 
 But one ftem famine fweep th' impov'rifh'd green- 
 Yet fhall the God of nature claim my praife, 
 Wake my firft fongs, and (bare mv latere lavs. 
 Each night and morn fhall firing the duteous lyre, 
 And all my nerves retouch with facred fire ; 
 Hills, vales, and groves, the founding anthem own, 
 And the fweet echoes reach th' unfhaken throne, 
 Where reigns forever, in unclouded day, 
 My guide, that leads at once and lights my way. 
 He from my paths will turn th/ oppoling wind, 
 And give my feet the fwiftnefs of the hind ; 
 Life's rugged tracts make like the pleafant plains, 
 On whofe fmooth ground the traveler fooths his pains. 
 
 *' IF thine enemy hunger, feed him ; if he thirft, give him 
 drink/' That is, if we behold our enemy labouring under any 
 extraordinarv diftrefs or calamity, which it is in our power to re- 
 move, or alleviate, as in the cafe of extreme poverty, ficknefs, 
 or misfortune, we ought then cheerfully to lend him our help 
 and afliiiance, to extricate him out of his difficulties or afflicti- 
 ons. An amiable example of which our Saviour affords us in 
 the parable of the good Samaritan, who had a much better rea- 
 fon for neglecting the diftrefled traveller, than either the prieil, 
 or the Levite, viz. Becaufe he was a Jew, and therefore his de- 
 clared enemy. But in him all party-animofities were overpow- 
 ered by the tender feelings of pity and companion. 
 
 SELFISHNESS may indifferently happen to be a mo- 
 tive to an action, that, in itfelf, is either good or evil, either 
 
 hurtful 
 
( H9 ) 
 
 hurtful or beneficent. But, as far as felfifhnefs, merely, is a 
 motive to any action, it never had, nor can have, any relation 
 to virtue. We muft fearch fomewhat deeper for the root of that 
 tree, which is productive of this divine fruit. 
 
 ALL who would pleafe the great, muft be flatterers ; but 
 the true province of friendship is, to put us in mind of our own 
 faults. 
 
 MEEKNESS makes any condition tolerable and eafy to 
 be endured. He that meekly bears any fuffering, takes oil the 
 edge of it, that it cannot wound him : whereas he that frets 
 and rages at it, whets it, and makes it much {harper than it 
 would other wife be. 
 
 I T is faid of our bleffed Saviour, that S( he was led as a 
 fheep to the (laughter ; that when he was reviled, reviled not 
 again ; when he futFered, threatened not." And if he, the Lord 
 of glory, fuffered thus meekly and unjuftly from his own crea- 
 tures, with what face can we ever complain of any injury dor\Q 
 to us ? 
 
 B E very watchful over thine heart, and never fufFer it to 
 feed on the fancy ot thy own worth : but whenever any fuch 
 thought arifes, beat it down immediately, with the remem- 
 brance of fome of thy follies or fins, and fo make this very mo- 
 tion of pride an occaiion of humility. 
 
 NEVER compare thyfelf with thofe thou thinkeit more 
 fooliih or mere wicked, that fo thou mayeft, like the Phari- 
 fee, extol thyfelf for being better ; but if thou wilt compare, 
 do it with the wife and godly ; and then thou wilt find thou 
 coined fo far fhort, as may help to pull down thy high efteem 
 of thyfelf. 
 
 POVERTY is apt to betray a man into envy, riches into 
 arrogance; poverty is too often attended with fraud, vicious 
 compliance^, repining, murmur and diicontent. Riches expofe 
 a man to pride and luxury, a foolifh elation of heart-, and too 
 great a fondnefs fcr the prefent world. In inort, the middle 
 condition is moil eligible. N 2 WINTER 
 
f *5° J 
 WINTER. 
 
 THE fields, difconfolate and fad, 
 
 \ > vegetation bring ; 
 No verdure makes the peafant glad, 
 
 Nor flicws the welcome fpring. 
 No more the trees, in lively green, 
 
 Their leafy honours Ihew ; 
 The boughs, where trembling leaves were feen, 
 
 Exhibit flakes of (now. 
 The plumy race of various dies, 
 
 Have loft their wonted lire ; 
 To thickets clofe, from low 'ring Ikies, 
 
 The feather 'd tribe retire. 
 The chryftal floods, in fetters bound, 
 
 No milling torrents feel ; 
 In vain, aufpicious gales are found, 
 
 To waft the glofTy keel. 
 In icy fetters they remain, 
 
 Depriv'd of liberty, 
 'Till gentle zephyrs loofe the chain, 
 
 And fet the captives free. 
 
 The truly Great. 
 
 THEY'RE only great, whom no bafe motivf is\\£%> 
 Who owe no glory to the breath of fools ; 
 Friends to true merit, to their country dear, 
 To others kind, but to themfelves fevere ; 
 Quiet in fuff'ring, with their lot content, 
 And caieful to improve the talent lent ; 
 Good without oride, tho' humble, yet not mean, 
 In danger fearlefs, and in death ferene. 
 
 I F every perfon would confider, that he is in this life 
 nothing more than a paflenger, and that he is not to fet up 
 Ills reft here, but to keep an attentive eye upon that fbte 
 of being to which he approaches Q\xxy moment, and which 
 
 will 
 
( tp ) 
 
 will be forever fixed and permanent ; this (ingle confi deration 
 would be fuflicient to extinguish the bitternefs of hatred, the 
 thirll of avarice, and the cruelty of ambition. 
 
 I T is a great prefumption, to afcribe our fuccefTes to our 
 own management, and not to efteem ourfelves upon any blef- 
 fing, rather as it is the bounty of Heaven, than the acquifition 
 of our own prudence. 
 
 Extract from " A Midnight Thought. 5 ' 
 
 WHILE active thought unfeals my eye, 
 And midnight darknefs (hades the Iky, 
 Ee hufh'd, my foul, ye moments flay, 
 While I rejudge the guilty day. 
 See confcience glares, more dreadful made 
 By filence and the awful made ! 
 She points her poignard to my breaft, 
 And bids my juftice fpeak the reft. 
 Then think, my foul, while Heav'n gives breathy 
 And antedate the ftroke of death! 
 Reflect how fwift the moments fly, 
 Nor linger, unprepar'd to die ! 
 Penfive revolve, 'ere yet too late, 
 The fcenes of an eternal ftate, 
 A feries of unnumber'd years 
 Or crown'd with joys, or loft in tears. 
 What awful hints thefe thoughts infpire, 
 They chill the blood, they pall defire ; 
 They teach the foul her Heav'nly birth, 
 And banifh all the pomps on earth. 
 Here, as in air, a bubble toft, 
 Her worth unknown, her genius loft ; 
 At pleafure's fancy has fhe drove, 
 Forgetful of her feat above ! 
 Oh ! what fuch folly can atone ? 
 Reafon dejedted from her throne ; 
 Let humble penitence reftore, 
 And bid my foul to err no more, 
 
 All 
 
( If* ) 
 
 All clement thou, oh God ! all jaft, 
 The good man's rock, the tinner's truft ; 
 Accept the blood my Saviour iried, 
 To lave from woe this guilty head. 
 Oh ! fend thy life-reftoring grace, 
 Effufe the liiitre cf thy face ; 
 From guilt and forrow fet me free, 
 And guide me, till I come to thee. 
 
 NOTHIN G will give a greater luftre to all your virtues, 
 than modefty. 
 
 HE that is his own appraifer, will be miflaken in the value. 
 
 A LITTLE efteem of one's lelf, hinders a great deal from 
 others ; boafting may gain applaufe from fools, but it puts a 
 wife man to the expence of a blufh. 
 
 SELF efteem, is commonly punifhed by univerfal contempt. 
 
 N O revenge is more heroic, than that which torments envy- 
 by doing good. 
 
 I T is in vain for him to pretend to love either God or man 
 who loves his money fo much better, that he will fee his poor 
 brother (who is a man, and bears the image of God) fuffer all 
 extremities, rather than part with any thing to relieve him. 
 
 " He that giveth to the poor, lendeth unto the Lord" — 
 and that too on folemn promife of repayment. " That which 
 he hath given, will he pay him again.'' It is, amongft men, 
 thought a great difparagement, when we refufe to truft them : 
 It fnews we either think them not fufficient, or not honeft. 
 How great an affront is it then to God, thus to diftruft him ? 
 
 Innumerable accidents there are, which may, in an inftant, 
 bring a rich man to beggary : And therefore, what courfe 
 fo prudent can we take for our wealth, as to put it out of 
 the reach of thofe accidents, by lending it to God, where 
 we may be fare to find it read; at cur grcateft need, and that 
 too with improvement and increale I 
 
 The 
 
{ III } 
 
 The contented Country Maid. 
 
 WHAT happinefs the rural maid attends, 
 
 In chearful labour vhile each day (he fpends ; 
 
 She gratefully receives what Heaven has fentj 
 
 And, rich in poverty, enjoys content. 
 
 She feldom feels the fpleen's imagin'd pains, 
 
 Nor melancholy ftagnates in her veins ; 
 
 She rarely lofes life in thoughtlefs eafe, 
 
 Nor on the velvet couch invites difeafe. 
 
 Her homefpun drefs in fimple neatnefs lies, 
 
 And for no glaring equipage (he fighs. 
 
 Her reputation, which is all her boait, 
 
 In a malicious vifit ne'er was loft. 
 
 No midnight mafquerade her beauty wears, 
 
 And health, not paint, the fading bloom repairs. 
 
 If love and quiet in her bofom reign, 
 
 And like enjoyment in her happy twain. 
 
 No homebred jars her quiet ftate controul, 
 
 Nor watchful jealoufy torments her foul. 
 
 With fecret joy (he fees her little race 
 
 Reft on her knee, and her fmali cottage grace ; 
 
 The fleecy ball their bufy fingers cull, 
 
 Or from the fpindle draw the lengthening wool ; 
 
 Thus flow her hours, with conftant peace of mind, 
 
 Till age the lateft thread of life unwind. 
 
 O F all thofe forrows that attend mankind, 
 With patience bear the lot to thee aflign'd, 
 Nor think it chance, nor murmur at the load, 
 For know what man calls fortune, is from God. 
 
 AMONG the antient Romans, it was not the houfe which 
 honoured the mafter, but the mafter the houfe. A cottage 
 with them became as auguft as a temple, when juftice, gene- 
 rofity, probity, fmcerity, and honour, were lodged in it ; and 
 how can a houfe be called finall, which contains fo many 
 and fuch great virtues ? 
 
 AN 
 
( *S4 ) 
 
 A N extraordinary merit may lie hid under a mean habit, as 
 a rich garment may cove* enormous vices, 
 
 THE nobility arifing from birth, is by far inferior to that 
 which proceeds from merit. 
 
 MARCUS Aurelius was averfe to every thing that had 
 the air of pomp and luxury. He lay upon the bare ground ; 
 at twelve years old he took the habit of a Philofopher ; he 
 forbore the ufe of guards, the imperial ornaments, and the en- 
 figns of honour, which were carried before the Casfars and 
 the Augufti. Nor was this conduct owing to hib ignorance of 
 what was grand and beautiful, but to the jufter and purer tafte 
 he had of both, and to an intimate perfuafion, that the greateft 
 glory, and principal duty of man, efpecially if in power, and 
 eminently confpicuous, is fo far to imitate' the Deity, as to 
 throw himfelf into a condition of wanting as little as may be 
 for himfelf, and doing all the good to others he is capable of. 
 
 I Fit fhews a greatnefs of foul to overlook our own nobility, 
 and not fufFer it to gain the afceiidant over our actions, we 
 may likewife obferve, that it is no lefs great in fuch as have 
 raifed themfelves by merit, not to forget the meannefs of their 
 extraction, nor be afhamed of it. 
 
 W E read in the fcriptures, that Boaz, in the midft of riches, 
 was laborious, diligent in husbandry, plain without luxury, 
 delicacy, floth or pride. How affable, how obliging and 
 kind to his fervants ! w The Lord be with you," fays he to 
 his reapers; and they anfwered him, " the Lord blefs thee." 
 This was the beautiful language of religious antiquity ; but 
 how little known in our days. 
 
 How commendable was his behaviour towards Ruth, when 
 he defires her not to go into any other field to glean, but to 
 abide faft by his maidens, to eat and drink with them, and the 
 charitable order he gives his reapers to let her glean even 
 among the (heaves, and to let fall fome of the handfuls on 
 purpofe for her that fhe might gather them up without being 
 afhamed ; teaching us by this wife conduct, to fave thofe we 
 oblige, the confufion of receiving, and ourfelves the tempta- 
 tion of vain-glory in giving, THE 
 
( *ii ) 
 
 THE Providence of God is univerfal ; it prefides over all 
 to the minuteft particular, and governs and direds all. 
 
 Part of the Book of Job verfified. 
 
 FOND man, the vifion of a moment made — > 
 Dream of a dream, and fhadow of a made ; 
 What worlds haft thou produc'd, what creatures fram'd ? 
 What infefts cherim'd, that thy God is blam'd ? 
 When pain'd with hunger, the wild raven's brood 
 Call upon God, importunate for food, 
 Wlio hears their cry ? Who grants their hoarfe requeft, 
 And (tills the clamour of the craving neft ? 
 Who taught the hawk to find, in feafons wife, 
 Perpetual fummers and a change of ikies ? 
 When clouds deform the year, (he mounts the wind, 
 Shoots to the fou th, nor fears the dorm behind. 
 The fun returning, (he returns again, 
 Lives in his beams, and leaves ill days to men. 
 Am I a debtor ? Haft thou ever heard 
 Whence come the gifts that are on me confer'd ? 
 My laviih fruit a thoufand vallies fills, 
 And mine the herds that graze a thoufand hills. 
 Earth, fea and air, all nature is my own, 
 And ftars and fun are duft beneath my throne, 
 And dar'ft thou, with the world's great father vie, 
 Thou who doft tremble at my creatures eye ? 
 
 Then the Chaldean eas'd his lab'ring bread, 
 With full conviction of his crime oppreft. 
 Thou canft accompiifh all things, Lord of might ! 
 And every thought is naked to thy (ight — 
 But oh ! thy ways are wonderful, and lie 
 Beyond the deepeft reach of mortal eye. 
 Oft have I heard of thine Almighty pow'r, 
 But never faw thee till this dreadful hour. 
 O'erwhelm'd with (hame, the Lord of life I fee, 
 Abhor myfelf, and give my foul to thee. 
 Nor (hall my weaknefs tempt thine anger more, 
 Man was not made to queftion, but adore. To 
 
( 156 ) 
 
 To a Child of a Month old. 
 
 B L E S S ' D babe, who ftranger to all worldly ftrife* 
 Art lately launched upon the fea of life ; 
 And midft thofe dangerous waves wilt foon be toft, 
 Where fome by pleafure, fome by pain, are loft — 
 Who yet not feels, nor fear 'ft to feel the rage 
 Of ftorms, that threaten man's maturer age ; 
 But view'ft, with carelefs and indiif 'rent eyes, 
 The clouds of folly that arround thee rife. 
 Accept, nor fear infection from my fong, 
 Few authors flatter at an age fo young. 
 Look round the habitable world and fee, 
 Who would not wiih to change their place with thee. 
 Would not the mif^r broach each fav'rite mine, 
 His heart as eafy, thoughts as free as thine ? 
 What would the hoary villain not endure, 
 His hands as innocent, his foul as pure. 
 Would not the fpendthrift beg his fquander'd ore, 
 To purchafe half the blifs thou haft in ftore ? 
 Ne'er was a maxim truer fure than this, 
 That want of innocence is want of blifs ; 
 'Tis this, 'tis innocence, thy bofom cheers, 
 This calms thy troubles, this difpels thy fears ; 
 This fpreads o'er all its beautifying rays, 
 Makes every objecl, every play-thing, pleafe. 
 This (whilft kfs things the guilty breait can awe) 
 Gives mufick to a key, and oeauty to a ft raw. 
 So thro' the prifm , tc philosophic eyes, 
 The barren lawns in pleafing profped rife. 
 Steep hills in azure tempt the diftant light, 
 Wafte wilds look lovely in a borrow'd light. 
 Deck'c by the glafs the cottage apes the throne, 
 And fhines in colours that were ne'er its own. 
 Long may this pleafmgcalm remain within, 
 Unknown to trouble, as unknown to ftn ; 
 When infant reafon ihall begin to rife, 
 Prate on thy lips, and wanton in thy eves, 
 Oh ! may this charm thy ev'ry care beguile, 
 AiTift thy prattle, and improve thy fmile. 
 
 When 
 
( '57 ) 
 
 When growing fenfe, to ripping judgment join'd, 
 Shall fix a doubtful empire in thy mind — 
 If heat of blood with wanton frenzy warm — 
 If eafe fhould tempt thee, or if pleafure charm, 
 Oh ! may this love of virtue, love of truth, 
 Lead thee dill fafe thro' all the paths of youth. 
 Next when thy part in life's dill varying plan 
 Shall call thee forward on the flage of man, 
 Oh ! may it keep thee honed, gen'rous, jud, 
 True to thy word, and cautious of thy truft ; 
 Light in thy foul devotion's facred flame, 
 Make virtue all thy wifh, and Heav'n thy aim. 
 And lad, when manhood's vigour (hall decay, 
 Time fhake thy head, and filver't o'er with grey, 
 Long may this fov'reign remedy remain, 
 To prop thy weaknefs, and affuage thy pain ; 
 3 Till the lad moment fhed its kindly ray, 
 And glad the evening of thy well-fpeni day. 
 But may ten thoufand pleafures rife between 
 Thy opening curtain, and this cloiing fcene ; 
 May health attend thee, beautiful and gay, 
 And fmooth, thro' life, thy Me too rugged way. 
 
 PROSPERITY quickens, and gives a fort of fake cou- 
 rage to men of low, degenerate minds, and drefies them up 
 in an outward grandeur, which impofes upon the majority of 
 mankind ; but adverfity is the touchdone of fouls truly great 
 and generous. 
 
 SILENCE is fometimes more Ggnificant and fublime, 
 than the mod noble and mod expreifive eloquence, and is, on 
 many occadons, the indication of a great mind. 
 
 But filence never mows itfelf to fo great an advantage, 
 as when it is made the reply to calumny and defamation, pro- 
 vided that we give no juft occafion for them. 
 
 HOW different is the view of pad life, in the man who is 
 grpwa old in knowledge and wifdoxfc, from that of him who 
 O U 
 
( «*8 ) 
 
 is grown old in ignorance and folly. The latter is like the 
 owner of a barren country, that fills his eye with the profpect 
 of naked hills and plains, which produce nothing either pro- 
 fitable or ornamental ; the other beholds a beautiful and fpaci- 
 ous landfcape, divided into delightful gardens, green meadows, 
 fruitful fields, and can fcarce caft his eye on a fingle fpct of 
 his poiTefllons, that is not covered with fome beautiful plant or 
 flower. 
 
 T O look upon the foul as going on from ftrength to ftrength, 
 to confider that (he is to mine forever with new accefnons of 
 glory, and brighten to all eternity.; that {lie will be ftill add- 
 ing virtue to virtue, and knowledge to knowledge, carries in 
 it fomething wonderfully agreeable to that ambition, which is 
 natural to the mind of man. Nay, it rauft be a profped plea- 
 fing to God himfelf, to fee his creation forever beautifying in 
 his eves, and drawing nearer to him, by greater degrees of re- 
 e mblance. 
 
 THAT we might not want inducements to engage us in 
 ■fuch an exercife of the body, as is proper for its welfare, it is 
 fo ordered, that nothing valuable can be procured without it. 
 Not to mention riches and honour, even food and raiment are 
 not to be come at without the toil of the hands, and fweat of 
 the brows. Providence furnifhes materials, but expects that 
 we mould work them up ourfelves. 
 
 As for thofe who are not obliged to labour, by the condi- 
 tion in which they are born, they are more miferable than the 
 reft of mankind, unlefs they indulge themfelves in that volun- 
 tary labour, which gees by the name of exercife. 
 
 Thoughts on the Grave of a Child.— By a Father. 
 
 HERE, here (he lies ! oh ! could I once more view 
 1 hofe dear remains ; take one more fond adieu ; 
 Weep o'er that face of innocence, or fave 
 One darling feature, from the noifome grave ! 
 Vain wifii ! — now low in earth that form of love 
 Decavs, unfeen , yet not forgot above. 
 
 In 
 
( 1*9 ) 
 
 In angel light array 'd, beyond the ftars, 
 Some more exalted form her fpirit wears. 
 The work of God, that beauteous clay, which here 
 In infant charms fo lovely could appear ; 
 As tho' in nature's niceft model call, 
 Exactly polifh'd, wrought too fine to laft — 
 By the fame pow'rful hand again fnall rife, 
 To bloom more gay, more lovely in the (kies. 
 No ficknefs there can the pure frame annoy, 
 Nor death prefume God's image to deftrov. 
 Thofe feats of pleafure, not a tear {hall ftain, 
 In them not ev'n a wifh fhall glow in vain. 
 
 That active mind, intent on trirles here, 
 Enlarges now to objects worth its care ; 
 Looks down with fcorn upon the toys below, 
 And burns, with tranfport, better worlds to know, 
 Where fcenes of glory open to her iight, 
 And new improvements furnifh new delight; 
 Where friendly angels, for her guidance giv'n, 
 Lead her, admiring, thro' the courts of Heavn. 
 
 No wonder then her courfe fo fwiftly run, 
 Like the young eaglet, tow'ring to the fun ; 
 Wing'd for eternal blifs, and pium'd for day, 
 Her foul, enraptur'd, made fuch hafte away, 
 Impatient to regain its native more, 
 Juftfrnil'd at folly, andlook'd back no more. 
 
 That winning nature, and obliging mien, 
 Pleas 'd to fee all, by all with pleafure feen. 
 Smiling and fweet as vernal fiow'rs new blown, 
 Affociates now with tempers like her own. 
 
 Her love to me (how artlefs and f ncere ! ) 
 Rifes from earth to Heav'n, and centers there. 
 So pure a flame, Heav'n's gracious Sire will own, 
 And with paternal love indulgent crown. 
 
 Ceafe, then, frail nature, to lament in vain, 
 Reafon forbids to wifh her back again ; 
 Rather congratulate her happier fate, 
 And new advancement to a better ftate ; 
 This bleffing quick recall'd, can Heav'n bellow, 
 No more in pity to a father's woe ? 
 
 Know 
 
( i&> > 
 
 Know the fame God, who gave, hath tak'n away, 
 He orders her to go, and thee to Hay. 
 Tho' in this vale of mifery, alone, "1 
 
 Deferted, weary, thou fhould'ft travel on, > 
 Still be refign'd, my foul ! his will be dene. J 
 
 Efcap'd from life, and all its train of ills, 
 Which, ah ! too fure, the hoary pilgrim feels. 
 To fhorter trial doom'd, and lighter toil, 
 Ere fin could tempt her, or the world defile* 
 She, favoured innocent, retires to reft, 
 Taftes but the cup of forrow, and is blefL 
 
 Such the mild Saviour to his arms receives, 
 And the full bleTmgs of his kingdom gives. 
 There angels wait, fubmiilive, round his throne, 
 To praife his goodnefs in thefe infants fhewn. 
 Arnidft that gentle throng, how Heav'nly bright, 
 Divlinguim'd Lucy fhines, fair itar of !:■ 
 Short, yet how pleafmg, was her vKkJiere, 
 She's now remov'd to grace a nobler Inhere ; 
 There, while thy much Ioy'd parents mourn below, 
 Thou, happy child, fnall not our forrows know. 
 Eternal joys be thine, full anthems raife, 
 And glad ail Keav'n with thy Creator's praife* 
 
 I F we are firmly refolved to live up to the diclates of rea- 
 fon, without any regard to wealth, reputation, or the like con- 
 fiderations, any more than as they fall irfwith our principal 
 defign, we may go through life with fteadinefs and pleasure ; 
 but if we acl: by feveral broken views, and v/ill not only be 
 virtuous, but wealthy, popular, and every thing that has a value 
 fet upon it by the world, we fhall live and die in mifery and 
 repentance. 
 
 E N QU I R IE S after happinefs, and rules for attaining it, 
 are not fo neceffary and ufefui to mankind, as the arts of con- 
 solation, and fupporting one's feif under affliclion. The utmoit. 
 we can hope for, in this world, is contentment ; if we aim at 
 any thing higher, we mall meet with nothing but grief and 
 
 difappoint- 
 
( 161 ) 
 
 difappointments. A man mould direcl all his ftudies and en- 
 deavours, at making himfelf eafy now, and happy hereafter* 
 
 I T is of the laft importance to feafon the pafTions of a child 
 with devotion, which feldom diet in a mind that has received 
 an early tincture of it. Tho' it may feem extinguished for a 
 while by the cares of the world, the heats cf youth, or the al- 
 lurements of vice, it generally breaks out, and difcovers itfelf 
 again as foon as difcretion, confideration, age, or misfortunes, 
 have brought the man to himfelf. The lire may he covered 
 and overlaid, but cannot be entirely quenched and fmothered. 
 
 PURE devotion opens the mind to great conceptions, and 
 fills it with more fublime ideas, than any that are to be met 
 with in the molt exalted feience ; and at the fame time warms 
 and agitates the foul more than fenfual pleafure. 
 
 I T is of unfpeakable advantage to porTefs our minds with 
 an habitual good intention, and to aim all our thoughts, 
 words and actions, at the fame laudable end, the glory of our 
 Maker, the good of mankind, and the benefit of our own fouls. 
 
 SOCRATES, on the day of his execution, a little be- 
 fore the draught of poifon was brought to him, entertaining 
 his friends with a difcourfe on the immortality of the foul, has 
 thefe words : " Whether or no God will approve of mv actions, 
 I know not ; but this I am fure of, that I have at all times 
 made it my endeavour to pleafe him ; and I have a good hope, 
 that this my endeavour .vill be accepted by him." 
 
 
 H Y M 
 
 WHEN fifing from the bed of death, 
 
 O'erv/helm'd with guilt and fear, 
 I fee my Maker, face to face, 
 
 O how (hall I appear ? 
 If yet, while pardon may be found, 
 
 And mercy may be fought, 
 
 O 2 My 
 
( 1 62 } 
 
 My heart with inward horror fhrinks, 
 
 And trembles at the thought. 
 When thou, O Lord ! malt Hand difclos'd, 
 
 In Majefty fevere, m 
 And fit in judgment on my foul, 
 
 Oh ! how mall I appear ? 
 But thou haft told the troubled mind, 
 
 Who does her fins lament, 
 The timely tribute of her tears, 
 
 Shall endlefs woe prevent. 
 Then fee the forrows of my heart, 
 
 Ere yet it be too late, 
 And hear my Saviour's dying groans, 
 
 To give thofe forrows weight. 
 For never fhall my foul defpair, 
 
 Her pardon to procure, 
 Who knows thine only Son has dy'd, 
 
 To make her pardon fure. 
 
 SELF-LOVE but ferves the virtuous mind to wake. 
 As the fmall pebble ftirs the peaceful lake, 
 The centre mov'd, a circle ftrait fucceeds, 
 Another ftill, and ftill another fpreads ; 
 Friend, parent, neighbour, firft it will embrace, 
 His country next, and next all human race. 
 Wide and more wide, th' o'erflowings of the mind 
 Take every creature in of every kind. 
 Earth fmiles around with boundlefs bounty bleft, 
 And Heav'a beholds its image in his breaft. 
 
 I T may be laid down as a pofition, which will feldom de- 
 rive, that when a man cannot bear his own company, there 
 is fomething wrong. He muft fly from himfelf, either be- 
 eaufe he feels a tedioufnefs in life from the equipoife of an 
 empty mind, which, having no tendency to one motion, more 
 than another, but as it is impelled by fome external power, 
 muft always have recourfe to foreign objecls ; or he muft be 
 afraid of the intrufion of fome unpleafing ideas, and is, per- 
 haps, 
 
( i6 3 ) 
 
 haps, ftruggling to efcape from the remembrance of a lofs, 
 the fear of a calamity, or fome other thought of greater horror. 
 
 C A N a mortal look clown, without giddinefs and ftupe- 
 faclion, into the vaft abyfs of eternal wifdom ? Can a mind, 
 that fees not infinitely, perfectly comprehend any thing among 
 an infinity of objects mutually relative ? Remember, that per- 
 fect happinefs cannot be conferred on a creature, for perfect 
 happinefs is an attribute as incommunicable, as perfect power 
 and eternity. 
 
 Extract from Cowper's Poem called the Taik. 
 
 -DETESTED fport! 
 
 That owes its pleafures to another's pains ; 
 
 That feeds upon the fobs and dying fhrieks 
 
 Of harmlefs nature ; dumb, but yet endued. 
 
 With eloquence, that agonies infpire, 
 
 Of filent tears and heart diftending fighs. 
 
 Vain tears, alas ! and fighs that feldom find 
 
 A correfponding tone in jovial fouls. 
 
 Well, one at leaft is fafe ; one (helter'd hare 
 
 Has never heard the fanguinary yell 
 
 Of cruel man exulting in her woes. 
 
 Innocent part'ner of my peaceful home, 
 
 Whom ten long year's experience of my care 
 
 Has made at laft familiar, (he has loft 
 
 Much of her vigilant, inftinctive dread, 
 
 Not needful here beneath a roof like mine. 
 
 Yes, thou may 'ft eat thy bread, and lick the hand 
 
 That feeds thee ; thou may 'ft frolic on the floor 
 
 At ev'ning, and at night retire fecure 
 
 To thy draw couch, and (lumber unalarm'd, 
 
 For I have gain'd thy confidence, and pledg'd 
 
 All that is human in me, to protect 
 
 Thine unfufpecting gratitude and love. 
 
 If I furvive thee, I will dig thy grave, 
 
 And when I place thee in it, fighing fay, 
 
 I knew at leaft one hare that had a friend. 
 
 CRUEL 
 
( 1 64 ) 
 
 CRUEL fports, were thought very high reflections on the 
 politenefs of the Romans. Are they not much greater on the 
 mercy and humanity of Chriftians ? 
 
 I T behoves us to accuftom ourfelves to a fober, modeft way 
 of fpeaking, and to avoid all thofe modes of fpeech, which 
 border upon, or naturally lead to falfhood. 
 
 B E careful to practife nothing which you are aihamed of ; 
 to do nothing for which you need be afraid of the eye or ear 
 of God, and the world, then will you be under no temptation 
 of lying, to conceal what you have done amifs. 
 
 I F we had true notions of God, and eternity, right notions 
 of ourfelves, and of the world, they could not fail to create in 
 us thoughts full of humility towards ourfelves, full of contempt 
 towards the vain world, full of the higheit. adoration towards 
 God, and full of earneftnefs to acquire a happy eternity. 
 
 PR A Y E R, unaccompanied with a fervent love of God, is 
 like a lamp unlighted ; the words of the one, without love, 
 being asmnprofitable as the oil and cotton of the other, with- 
 out flame. 
 
 H E alone is a great man, whofe heart is ftrongly difpofed 
 to acts of humanity and benevolence ; and who has fortitude 
 enough to do his duty in all circumftances of life ; who adts 
 for the good of mankind, as long as he is able, and then finifhes 
 his courfe in the caufe of virtue. 
 
 THE way to avoid prejudice, is to govern the pafiions with 
 a fteady hand ; to treat all things, in a calm and difinterefted 
 manner, not fuffering our deflres or averfions to be moved, but 
 by a juft connderation of real ufefulnefs. 
 
 ..«>.. ..«>"O><s><SxSxS><$5>-0- ..<►.. 
 
 TAKE but the humbleft lilly of the field, 
 And if our pride will to our reafon yield, 
 It muft by fure comparifon be fhewn, 
 That on the regal feat great David's fon, Array 'd 
 
( i6 S ) 
 
 Array 'd In all his robes and types of pow'r, 
 Shines with lefs glory, than that fimple flow'r. 
 
 ENOUGH I think my prefent ftore, 
 Nor do I afk of Heav'n for more, 
 But thank the kindnefs of my God, 
 For that Anall dock he has allow 'd. 
 Lo time dill wades, and wades away, 
 And moons arife but to decay ; 
 Then why, fond mortals, tell me why! 
 Ye raife your sodly domes fo high ? 
 Why build ye palaces fo great, 
 With all th* extravagance of date, 
 When ev'ry done mud fall away, 
 And crumble dill, and dill decay ? 
 Why drive ye to enrich ye more, 
 With ware from every foreign more, 
 When death dands knocking at your door ? 
 
 PRAYER. 
 
 THERE is fuch a thing as converfe with God in prayer* 
 and it is the life and pleafure of a pious foul ; without it we are 
 no Chridians, and he that practifcs it mod, is the bed follower 
 of Chrid ; for our Lord {pent much time in converfe with his 
 Heavenly Father. This is balm that eafes the mod raging 
 pains of the mind, when the wounded confcience comes to the> 
 mercv-feat, and fifids pardon and peace there. This is the cor- 
 dial that revives and exalts our natures, when the fpirit, bro- 
 ken with forrows, and almoft fainting to death, draws near 
 to the Almighty phydcian, and is healed and refremed. 
 
 THE mercy-feat in Heaven is our fured and fweeted refuge 
 in every hour of didrefs and darknefs upon earth ; this is our 
 daily fupport and relief, while w r e are palling through a world 
 of temptations and hardfhips, in the way to the promifed land* 
 M 1^ is good to draw near to God." 
 
 THE 
 
( 1 66 ) 
 
 THE Creator is to be firft loved for his own fake, for his 
 infinite goodnefs and perfection, and then the creature, as his 
 work, and in proportion to its refemblance to him. 
 
 H E that thinks twice before he fpeaks once, will fpeak 
 twice the better for it. 
 
 W HEN in thy i acred pre fence, Lord ! I bow, 
 Let true devotion in my bofom glow ; 
 There, with the {^nfe of thy great goodnefs fraught, 
 May I with care correct each wandering thought ; 
 Drink at my ears the preacher's Heav'nly lore, 
 And ftill the more I hear, improve the more ; 
 Make this fhort life an earner! of the next, 
 And all my acls a comment on thy text. 
 
 On the Vanity of Riches. 
 
 S E E S T thou, fond youth, yon precipice on high, 
 Rob'd by the clouds, and turban'd by the iky, 
 How lowering darkly o ; er the fhadow'd plains, 
 It itrikes wild terror thro' the gazing fwains r 
 Its craggv fides can boaft no fertile foil, 
 No promis'd harveft tempts a rural toil ; 
 No grazing cattle find their pafture there, 
 Nor fragrant flowers perfume the ambient air ; 
 No fweet-meand'ring current glides along, 
 Courting the meadows with its murm'ring fong ; 
 No fhadv bow'rs adorn its barren fides, 
 Nor fair enclofure its rough ground divides ; 
 No lofty fpires a wond 'ring glance invite, 
 Nor artful gardens tempt the diflant fight. 
 All rough and wild, it rears its rocky head, 
 And ftrikes the wond'ring eye with awful dread. 
 From its high top impetuous torrents flow, 
 Form'dhy diffolving tracls of native fnow ; 
 Sorrow fits brooding on its furrow 'd face, 
 And defolation triumphs o'er the place. 
 
 Seeft 
 
( i«7 ) 
 
 Seeft thou all this, fond mortal ? Think, if fo, 
 Thou feefb the blifs the vain ambitious know. 
 Such are the barren pleafures they enjoy, 
 For this alone whole ages they employ. 
 Thev move our pity, thV they tempt our fight, 
 High above all, but wretched by their height. 
 
 THE prince of peace — He firil reconciled God to man, 
 and then endeavoured to reconcile men to each other. When he 
 came into the world, he, by his angels, proclaimed peace ; and 
 when he left the world, he bequeathed the fame as his legacy : 
 " Peace I leave with you," &c. 
 
 THE merciful man will extend his hand of relief and com- 
 fort, as far as he may, to his fellow-creatures, whether they 
 labour under temporal or fpiritual diftrefs, whether they call 
 for his pity from their fins or from their forrows ; while, in 
 every relation of life, he will exercife this Heavenly temper : 
 As a magiftrate, gentle and humane, however compelled, in 
 certain cafes, to be ieverely juft : As a creditor, mild and for- 
 bearing, not riving nattily and vigoroufly to the utmoit ex- 
 tremity, much lets condemning the unhappy debtor to im- 
 prifonment, which may utterly incapacitate from all power and 
 hope of payment ; and in fhort, in every cafe exercifmg that 
 lenity, mildnefs, forgivenefs, and mercy, whereof the eternal 
 God hath fet us fo bright an example ; and all our expectation 
 of which from him, he hath made to depend on our (hewing 
 the fame to others : <( Bleffed are the merciful, for they fhaJI 
 obtain mercv." 
 
 -Y E good dittrefs'd, 
 
 Ye noble few ! — who here unbending ftand 
 
 Beneath life's prefture, yet bear up a while, 
 
 And what your bounded view, which only faw 
 
 A little part, deem'd evil, is no more ; 
 
 The ftorms of wintry time will quickly pafj, 
 
 And one unbounded fpring encircle all. On 
 
( 1 68 ) 
 
 Cn the Nativity of Chrift. 
 
 A WAKE from filence every voice, 
 
 Each chearful pipe and founding firing ; 
 Let ev'ry grateful heart rejoice, 
 
 And ev'ry tongue in rapture fmg. 
 On this diitinguilh'd day of grace 
 
 Tb/ eternal Prince of glory came, 
 To purge the guilt of human race, 
 
 And fave them by his pow'rful name. 
 Bow down your heads, ye lofty pines, 
 
 Ye mountains crown'd with cedars tall; 
 Be fill, ye rude, imperious winds, 
 
 Throughout the wide terreftrial ball. 
 Let nought but harmony and love 
 
 O'er all th' expanded furface reign, 
 And let the facred choir above 
 
 Approve, and join the Heav'nly ftrain. 
 Wheti we in bondage wereexil'd, 
 
 And rebels to th' eternal God, 
 Our fouls, with blackeft guilt defil'd, 
 
 Obnoxious to th' impending red ; 
 That from his feat of perfect Wife 
 
 The Son of glory ihou'd defcend, 
 To offer man the terms of peace, 
 
 And his unbounded grace extend. 
 Such goodnefs, fuch ftupendous grace ! 
 
 Nor men, nor angels can explore ; 
 Then let us, what we cannot trace, 
 
 With awful reverence adore. 
 Ye wing'd inhabitants of air, 
 
 AH ye that graze the verdant plain : 
 Ye herds, that to the wilds repair, 
 
 And ye that fkim the furging main, 
 Some figns of exultation mow, j 
 
 While grateful minds your voices raife, 
 'Tis all that mortals can below, 
 
 To hail the day in fongs of praife. 
 While fkilful hands the chorus join, 
 
 And tune tlie rapture- railing lyre, 
 
 While 
 
( 1 69 ) 
 
 While grateful {trains of love divine, 
 
 Serene, extatic joys infpire. 
 Thus facred be the happy day, 
 
 While fun, and moon, and ftars endure ; 
 Till nature feels her laft decay, 
 
 And time itfelf fhall be no more. 
 
 LET us entertain a general good opinion of all men, till 
 unquelHonable evidence fhall oblige us to give up that good 
 opinion ; yet, at the fame time, let us be cautious not to furrer 
 our good opinion to betray us into any improper compliances 
 or connexions. 
 
 SELL not your hopes of Heavenly treafures, nor any thing 
 that belongs to your eternal intereft, for any of the advantages 
 of the prefent life : " What fhall it profit a man, to gain the 
 whole world, and lofe his own foul I" 
 
 T O pietv join modefty and docility, reverence of your pa- 
 rents, and fubmiifion to thofe who are your fuperiors in know- 
 ledge, in ftation, and in years. Dependence and obedience 
 belong to youth. Modefty is one of its chief ornaments ; and 
 has ever been efteemed a prefage of riling merit. 
 
 PROVIDENCE never intended, that any irate here 
 mould be either completely happy, or entirely miferable. If 
 the feelings of pleafure are more numerous, and more lively, 
 in the higher departments of life, fuch alfo are thofe of pain. 
 If greatnefs flatters our vanity, it multiplies our dangers. If 
 opulence encreafes our gratifications, it encreafes, in the fame 
 proportion, our defires and demands, If the poor are confined 
 to a more narrow circle, yet, within that circle, lie moil 
 of thofe natural fatisfactions, which, after all the refinements 
 of art, are found to be the raoft genuine and true, 
 
 W E have feen, that inordinate paiTions are the great difturb- 
 ers of life ; and that, unlefs we polTefs a good conference, and 
 a well governed mind, difcontent will Haft every enjovrnent, 
 P ' 'and 
 
( i;o ) 
 
 and the higheft profperity will prove only difguifed miiery. 
 Fix then this concluiion in your mind, that the deftruftion of 
 your virtue, is the deitrnftion of your peace. (< For our re- 
 joicing is this, the teftimony of our confcience, that in fimpli- 
 city, and godly fmcerity, not with fleftily wifdom, but by the 
 grace of God, we have had our converfation in the world^ and 
 more abundantly to you-wards." 2 Cor. i. 12. 
 
 Caution againft Pride. 
 
 CONSIDER what you mall be. Your fiefh returns to 
 corruption and common earth again ; nor mall your dull be dis- 
 tinguished from the meaneft beggar or Have ; no, nor from the 
 dull of brutes and infe<fts, or the moll contemptible of crea- 
 tures ; and as for your fouls, they muii Hand before God, in 
 the world of fpirits, on a level with the reft of mankind, and di- 
 verged of all your haughty and flattering circumftances. None 
 of your vain diftinftions in this life, fhall attend you to the 
 judgment-feat. Keep this tribunal in view, and pride will 
 wither, and hang down its head. 
 
 MONEY, like manure, does no good, till it is fpread ; 
 there is no real ufe of riches, except in the diltribution ; the 
 reft is all conceit. 
 
 B Y love directed, and in mercy meant, 
 Are trials fufferd, and afflictions fent. 
 To ftem impetuous paiTion's furious tide ; 
 To curb the infolence of profp'rous pride ; 
 To wean from earth, and bid our wifhes foar 
 To that bleft clime, where pain mail be no more, 
 Where wearied virtue fhall for refuge fly, 
 And every tear be wip'd from ev'ry eye. 
 
 HAPPY are they who preferve their innocence unfullied 
 bv anv great or wilful crimes, and who have only the common 
 failings of humanity to repent of; thefe are fufficiently mor- 
 tifying to a heart deeply fmitten with the love of virtue, and 
 with the defire of perfection. _" W HAT- 
 
( i7< ) 
 
 "WHATSOEVER ye would that men mould do un- 
 to you, even fo do unto them." There is no occafion, great 
 or fmall, on which you may not fafely apply this rule for the 
 direction of your conduct ; and, w hi 1ft your heart honerlly ad- 
 heres to it, you can never be guilty of any fort of injuilice or 
 unkindnefs. 
 
 ENDEAVOUR to acquire a temper of univerfal can- 
 dour and benevolence ; and learn neither to defpife nor con- 
 demn any perfons on account of their particular modes of faith 
 and worihip ; remembering, alwavs, that goodnefs is confined 
 to no party — that there are wife and worthy men among all 
 the fedts of Chriitians — and that to his own mailer, every one 
 muft fland or fall. 
 
 VIRTUE is the foundation of honour and efteem, and 
 the fource of all beauty, order, and bappinefs, in nature. 
 
 BEAUTY and wit will die, learning will vanifh away, 
 and all the arts of life be foon forgot ; but virtue will remain 
 forever. ^ 
 
 A GOOD word is an eafy obligation ; but not to fpeak 
 ill, requires only our filence, which coils us nothing. 
 
 The Fire-Side. 
 
 I. 
 DEAR Chloe, while the bu fy crowd, 
 The vain, the wealthy, and the proud, 
 
 In folly's maze advance : 
 Tho' fingularity and pride 
 Be call'd our choice, we'll ftep afide, 
 
 Nor join the giddy dance. 
 
 IT. 
 From the gay world we'll oft retire, 
 To our own family and tire, 
 Where love cur hours employs: 
 
 No 
 
( *l z }■ 
 
 No noify neighbours enter here, 
 
 No intermeddling ftranger near, 
 
 To fpoil our heart- felt joys. 
 
 III. 
 If folic! happinefs we prize, 
 Within our breads this jewel lies ; 
 
 And they are fools who roam : 
 The world has nothing to beftow, 
 From our own felves our joys muil flow, 
 
 And that dear hut our home. 
 
 IV. 
 
 Cf red was Noah's dove bereft, 
 Wften, with impatient wing, fhe left 
 
 That fafe retreat, the ark : 
 Giving her vain excurfion o'er, 
 The difappointed bird once more 
 
 Explored the facred bark. 
 
 V. 
 Tho' fools fpurn Hymen's gentle pow'rs, 
 We who improve his golden hours, 
 
 By fweet experience know, 
 That marriage, rightly understood, 
 Gives to the tender, and the good, 
 
 A paradife below. 
 
 VI. 
 
 Cur babes fhall richer!: comforts bring ; 
 If tutor'd right, they'll prove afpring 
 
 Whence pleafures ever rife : 
 We'll form their minds with ftudious care, 
 To all that's manly, good and fair, 
 
 And train them for the fkies. 
 
 VII. 
 
 While they our wifeil hours engage, 
 They'll joy our youth, fupport our age, 
 
 And crown our hoary hairs : 
 They'll grow in virtue every day, 
 And thus our fondeft loves repay, 
 
 And recompence our cares. 
 
 No 
 
( *?3 ) 
 
 VIII. 
 No borrow *d joys, they're all our own, 
 While to the world we live unknown, 
 
 Or bv the world forgot ; 
 Monarchs ! we envr not your ftate ; 
 We look with pity on the great, 
 
 And blefs our humble lot. 
 
 IX. 
 
 Our portion is not large indeed, 
 But then how little do we need, 
 
 For nature's calls are few : 
 In this the art of living lies, 
 To want no more than may fuffice, 
 
 And make that little do. 
 
 X. 
 
 We'll, therefore, relifh with content, 
 Whate'er kind Providence has fent, 
 
 Xor aim beyond cur pow'r : 
 For if our ftock be very (mall* 
 'Tis prudence to enjoy it all, 
 
 Nor lofe the prefent hour. 
 
 XI. 
 
 To be refign'd when ills betide, 
 Patient when favours are deny'd, 
 
 And pleas'd with favours giv'n : 
 Dear Chloe, this is wifdom's part, 
 This is that incenfe of the heart, 
 
 Whofe fragrance fineHa to Heav n ! 
 
 XII. 
 We'll afk no long, protracted treat, 
 (Since winter-life is fekkm fweet) 
 
 But when our feaft is o'er, 
 Grateful from table we'll arife, 
 Nor grudge our fons, with envious eves, 
 
 The relics of our ft ore. 
 
 XIII. 
 
 Thus hand in hand, thro' life we'll go, 
 Its chequer'd paths of joy and woe 
 With cautious iteps we'll tread ; 
 
 P Z Qoil 
 
( m ) 
 
 Quit its vain fcenes without a tear, 
 Without a trouble, or a fear, 
 And mingle with the dead. 
 
 XIV. 
 
 While confcience, like a faithful friend, 
 Shall through the gloomy vale attend, 
 
 And cheer our dying breath : 
 Shall, when all other comforts ceafe, 
 Like a kind angel whifper peace, 
 
 And fmooth the bed of death ! 
 
 SINCERITY is firm and fubftantial, and there is no- 
 thing hollow or unfound in it ; and becaufe it is plain and open, 
 fears no difcovery ; of which the crafty man is always in dan- 
 ger. 
 
 PLUTARCH has written an efTay on the benefits which 
 a man may receive from his enemies ; and mentions this in 
 particular, " that, by the reproaches caft upon us, we fee the 
 word fide of ourfelves, and open our eyes to feveral blemifhes ' 
 and defecls in our lives and converfations, which we mould not 
 have obferved without the help of fuch ill-natured monitors. 5 ' 
 
 LET us " keep the heart with all diligence, feeing out of it 
 are the ifiues of life." Let us account our mind the moft im- 
 portant province which is committed to our care ; and as we 
 cannot rule events, fiudy at leait to rule ourfelves. 
 
 I T is too common with the young, even when they refolve 
 to tread the path of virtue and honour, to fetout with prefump- 
 tuous conlidence in themfeives. Trufting to their own abilities, 
 for carrying them fuccefsfully through life, they are carelefs of 
 appl}ing to God, or of deriving any aifiitance from what they 
 are apt to reckon the gloomy difcipline of religion. Alas ! 
 how little do they know the dangers which await them I" 
 
 Neither human wifdom, nor human virtue, unfupport- 
 ed by religion, are equal for the trying fituations which 
 
 often 
 
( '75 ) 
 
 often occur in life. By the fhock of temptation, how fre- 
 quently have the moft virtuous intentions been overthrown ! 
 Under the preffure of difafter, how often has the greateft con- 
 flancy funk ! Deftitute of the favour of God, you are in no bet- 
 ter fituation, with all your boafled abilities, than orphans left 
 to wander in a tracklefs defart, without any guide to conduct 
 them, or any fhelter to cover them from the gathering ftorm. 
 Correct, then, this ill-founded arrogance. Expect not that 
 your happinefs can be independent of him who made you. By 
 faith and repentance, apply to the Redeemer of the world. 
 By piety and prayer, feek the protection of the God of Hea- 
 ven. 
 
 THE cheerfulnefs of a well-regulated mind, fprings from 
 a good confcience, and the favour of Heaven, and is bounded 
 by temperance and reafon. It makes a man happy in himfelf, 
 and promotes the happinefs of all around him. It is the clear 
 and calm funfhine of a mind illuminated by piety and virtue. 
 It crowns all other good difpoiitions, and comprehends the ge- 
 neral effect which they ought to produce on the heart. 
 
 L E T no man rafhly determine, that his unwillingnefs to 
 be pleafed, is a proof of understanding, unlefs his fuperiority 
 appears from a lefs doubtful evidence; for though peevifhnefs 
 may fometimes boail its defcent from learning or from wit, 
 it is much oftener of bafe extraction, the child of vanity and 
 nurfiing of ignorance. 
 
 LET the virtuous remember, amidft all their fuiFerings, 
 that though the heart of the good man may bleed, even to 
 death, he will never feel a torment equal to the rendings of 
 remorfe. 
 
 PLATO being told, that he had many enemies who fpoke 
 ill of him, " It is no matter, faid he, I will live fo that none 
 Ihall believe them." Hearing, at another time, that an inti- 
 mate friend of his had fpoken detractingly of him, < ( I am fure 
 he would not do it, fays he, if he had net fome reafon for it." 
 This is the fureit, as well as the nobleft way, of drawing the 
 fang out of a reproach, and the true method of preparing a 
 
 man 
 
( '76 ) 
 
 man for that great and only relief againft the pains of calumny, 
 a good confcience. 
 
 JUDGE not of mankind in general from the conduct of 
 a few individuals. There are perfons capable of alleviating 
 all our cares by a friendly participation, and of heightening 
 every fatisfaction by fharing them. Cultivate an acquaintance 
 with the truly defer ving, and the painful remembrance of in- 
 gratitude will foon be loft in the reciprocal endearments of fin- 
 cere friendihip. 
 
 DOST thou afk a torch to difcover the brightnefs of the 
 morning ? Doit thou appeal to argument for proofs of divine 
 perfection ? Look down to the earth on which thou ftandeft, and 
 lift up thine eye to the worlds that roll above thee : Thou be- 
 holdeft fplendour, abundance and beauty ; is not he who pro- 
 duced them mighty ? Thou confidereft — is not he who formed 
 thy underftanding, wife ? Thou enjoyeft — is not he who gra- 
 tifies thy fenfes, good ? Can aught have limited his bounty, 
 but his wifdom ? or can any defects be therein difcovered by 
 thy fagacity ? 
 
 RELIGION prefcribes to every miferable man, the 
 means of bettering his coadition ; it (hews him, that the bear- 
 ing of his afflictions as he ought to do, will naturally end 
 in the removal of them ; it makes him eafy here, becaufe it can 
 make him happy hereafter. 
 
 A CONTENTED mind is the greateft blefiing a man 
 can enjoy in this world ; and if in the prefent life his happi- 
 nefs arifes from the fubduing of his defires, it will arife in the 
 next from the gratification of them. 
 
 EVERY wife man will confider this life only as it may 
 conduce to the happinefs of the other, and cheerfully facrifice 
 the pleafures of a few years to thofe of an eternity. 
 
 HOWEVER far fome men may have gone in the fcience 
 of impartiality, perhaps there is not one of them but would be 
 furprized, if he could be ihewn how much farther he might go. 
 
 THO' 
 
( '77 ) 
 
 THO' poor the pcafant's hut, his feafts tho' fmall, 
 He fees his little lot, the lot of all ; 
 Sees no contiguous palace rear its head, 
 To fhame the meannefs of his humble fried ; 
 No coftly lords the fumptuous banquet deal, 
 To make him loathe his vegetable meal — 
 But calm, and bred in ignorance and toil, 
 h contracting, fits him to the foil ; 
 Cheerful at morn he wakes from fhort repofe, 
 Breathes the keen air, and carrols as he goes ; 
 With patient angle trolls the finny dtQip, 
 Or drives his vent'rous plough-mare to the fteep ; 
 Or feeks the den, where fnow-tracks mark the way 
 And drags the itxuggling favage into day. 
 At night returning, every labour fped, 
 Ke fits him down, the monarch of a fhed ; 
 Smiles by his cheerful fire, and round furvevs 
 His childrens looks, that brighten at the blaze; 
 While his lov'd partner, boaftful of her hoard, 
 Difplays the cleanly platter on the board. 
 
 EVERY ftation of life has duties, which are proper to it. 
 Thofe who are determined, by choice, to any particular kind 
 of bufinefs, are indeed more happy than thofe who are deter- 
 mined by neceffity ; but both are under an equal obligation of 
 fixing on employments, which may be either ufeful to them- 
 felves, or beneficial to others. 
 
 N O one of the fons of Adam, ought to think himfelf ex- 
 empt from that labour and induitrv, which were denounced 
 upon our firft parent, and in him, to all hi> polterity. Thofe 
 to whom birth or affluence may feem to make fuch an appli- 
 cation unneceiTary, ought to find out fome calling or profef- 
 fion for themfelves, that they may not lie as a burden on the 
 fpecies, and be the only ufelefs parts of the creation. 
 
 IT fometimes happens, that too clofe an attention to minute 
 exactnefs, or a too rigorous examination of every thing, by 
 
 the 
 
( i?s ) 
 
 the ftandard of perfection, vitiates the temper, rather 
 improves the underftanding, and teaches the mind to difcern 
 faults with unhappy penetration. It is incident, likewife, to 
 men of vigorous imaginations, to pleafe themfelves too much 
 with futurities, and to fret, becaufe thofe expectations are dif- 
 appointed, which mould never have been formed. 
 
 KNOW LED GE and genius are often enemies to quiet, 
 by fuggefting ideas of excellence, to which men, and the per- 
 formances of men, cannot attain. 
 
 W E mould always act with great cautioufnefs and circum- 
 fpeclion, in points where it is net impouTble that we may be 
 deceived. 
 
 L E T no fond love of earth exact a flgh, 
 
 No doubt divert our Heady iteps afide, 
 Nor let us long to live, or dread to die, 
 
 Heav'n is our hope, and Providence our guide. 
 
 A Thought on waking. 
 
 SLEEP by night, and cares by day, 
 Bear my fleeting life away : 
 Lo ! in yonder eailem ikies, 
 Sol appears, and bids me rife : 
 Tells me, <f life is on the wing, 
 And has no returning fpring : 
 Death comes on with fteady pace 
 And life's the only day of grace." 
 Shining preacher ! happy morning ! 
 Let me take th' important warning ; 
 Roufe then all my active pow'rs, 
 Well improve the coming hours ; 
 Let no trifles kill the day, 
 (Trifles oft our hearts betray.) 
 Virtue, fcience, knowledge, truth, 
 Guide th' enquiries cf my youth. 
 Wifdom, and experience fage* 
 
 Then 
 
( i?9 ) 
 
 Then fhall foothe the cares of age ; 
 Thofe with time fhall never die, 
 Thofe will lead to joys on high ; 
 Thofe the path of life difplay, 
 Shining with celeilial day ; 
 Blifsful path ! with fafety trod, 
 As it leads the foul to God. 
 
 ON HAPPINESS. 
 
 LONG have I fought the wifh of all, 
 
 True happinefs to find, 
 Which fome will wealth, fome pleafure call, 
 
 And fome a virtuous mind. 
 Sufficient wealth, to keep away 
 
 Of want the doleful fcene, 
 And joy enough to gild the day, 
 
 And make life's courfe ferene. 
 Virtue enough to afk my heart, 
 
 Art thou fecure within ? 
 Haft thou perform'd an honeft part ? 
 
 Hail thou no private fin ? 
 This to perform, thefe things poffefs, 
 
 Muft raife a noble joy, 
 Mud conftitute that happinefs, 
 
 Which nothing can deftroy. 
 
 O! THOU, whofe pow'r o'er moving worlds prefides, 
 Whofe voice created, and whofe wifdom guides, 
 On darkling man, with fond effulgence fhme, 
 And cheer the clouded mind with light divine. 
 'Tis thine alone to calm the pious breafl, 
 With filent confidence and holy reft ; 
 From thee, great God ! w r e fpring, to thee we tend, 
 Path, motive, guide, original and end. 
 
 I T was a common faying among the Heathens, that the 
 wife man hates nobody, but only loves &e virtuous. The 
 Chriftian owe3 a more general love. 
 
 A 
 
( 1 8o ) 
 A Thought on Death. 
 
 DEATH, to a good man, is but palling through a dark 
 entry, out of one little duiky room of his father's houfe, into 
 another, that is fair and large, lightfome, glorious and di- 
 vinely entertaining. 
 
 THERE is nothing of greater importance to us, than to fift 
 our thoughts, and examine all the dark receffes of the mind, if 
 we would eflablifh our fouls in fuch a folid and fubftantial 
 virtue, as will turn to account in that great day, when it muft 
 Hand the teft of infinite wifdom and juitice. 
 
 ALL the real pleafures and conveniences of life, lie in a 
 narrow compafs ; but it is the humour of mankind, to be al- 
 wavs looking forward, and {training after thofe who have got 
 the itart of them in wealth and honour. 
 
 A Good confcience is to the foul, what health is to the body; 
 it preferves a conflant eafe and ferenity within us, and more 
 than countervails all the calamities and afflictions which can 
 [y befal us. I know nothing fo hard for a generous mind 
 to get over, as calumny and reproach ; and cannot find any 
 method of quieting the foul under them, befides this fingle one, 
 of our being confcious to ourielves, that we do not deferve 
 them. 
 
 >...>.. ..«>..< 
 
 The Rural Scene. 
 
 SWEET contemplation to purfue, 
 Behold a rural Fcene in view, 
 The bleating herds, the lowing kine, 
 The fp reading oak, the tow' ring pine ; 
 The air, from noxious vapours free, 
 Whilft fquirrels trip from tree to tree, 
 And the fweet fongiters hover round, 
 Fruit, herbs and fiow'rs, enrich the ground, 
 And each their various fruits produce, 
 Some for delight, and fome for ufe. 
 
 Behold, 
 
( I Si ) 
 
 Behold, O! youth, this fcene, and fee 
 What nature's God hath given to thee. 
 With wonder view his great cefigns, 
 In which fuperior wifdom fhines ; 
 Revere his name, admire his love, 
 And raife thy thoughts to worlds above. 
 
 To the Poor. 
 
 THE Providence of Almighty God, has placed you under 
 difficult circumftances of life, and daily reads you a leiTon in 
 a more particular manner to depend upon him. This you 
 may be allured of for your comfort, that you are under God's 
 conftant and immediate care : And one advantage you enjoy 
 above the rich, in your journey to Heaven, is, that you are not 
 clogged and hindered in your courfe thither, by thole manifold 
 incumbrances which lie on them ; of whom our Saviour hath 
 faid, " That it is very hard for them to enter into the king- 
 dom of Heaven.' 3 Their temptations are proportioned to their 
 abundance ; their cares are more and their difiraalons greater ; 
 fo that you have no reafon to envy them, nor repine at your 
 own condition : and thefe are . .dons, and 
 
 againft thefe you mud be more particularly watchful. Cer- 
 tainly, if you confider things aright, you will find that your 
 ftore-houie is the moil fare, your fupply moft certain ; for you 
 are immediately in the hands of God, of him who feedeth the 
 ravens, and cloatheth the grafs of the field ; fo that you 
 V>e much more allured that he will cloathe you. En 
 be humble, holy, Heavenly minded ; memberingj that 
 
 he is the pooreit man, who is poor in grace, Your Saviour 
 had not where to lay his head ; fet bis example ferve to recon- 
 cile your low condition to you ; and let your religious beha- 
 viour under it, be the means to fanctifv it. 
 
 Vn H E R E V E R we turn our eves, we find fome thing 
 ive our curioiity, and ttention. I 
 
 of the morning, we watch i e day 
 
 - , and op-n new profpe&s ki its gi 
 
( *82 ) 
 
 advance. After a few hours, we fee the fhades lengthen, and 
 the light decline, till the Iky is refigned to a multitude of fhin- 
 ing orbs, different from each other in magnitude and fplendour. 
 The earth varies its appearance, as we move upon it; the 
 woods offer their fhades, and the fields their harveils ; the hill 
 flatters with an extenfive view, and the valley invites with fhel- 
 ter, fragrance and flowers. 
 
 LET not the curious from your bofom ileal 
 Secrets, where prudence ought to fet her feal ; 
 Yet be fo frank and plain, that at one view, 
 In other things, each man may fee you thro*. 
 
 G O D of my foul ! without thy ftrength'ning grace, 
 How weak, how poor, how blind, is human race ! 
 To found thy praife, ten thoufand worlds agree, 
 And nature lifts the grateful fong to thee ; 
 To thee, with awe, the brute creation bends, 
 When thunder burfts, or ftormy rain defcends ; 
 Obedient to thy will, the roeks and trees 
 Now reft in fnow, now blefs the vernal breeze ; 
 Yet man, prefuming on his glimmering fenfe, 
 Rafh man alone difclaims thy Providence ; 
 The truths he dare not controvert, denies, 
 And 'gainft conviction fhuts his ears and eyes. 
 
 OUR follies, when difplay'd, ourfelves affright, 
 Few are fo bad, to bear the hideous fight ; 
 Mankind in herds, thro' force of cuftom ftray, 
 Miflead each other into error's way, 
 Purfue the road, forgetful of the end, 
 Sin by miftake, and without thought offend. 
 
 SHE who values not the virtue of modefty in her words and 
 drefs, will not be thought to fet much price upon it in her 
 actions, 
 
 I N 
 
( i8 3 ) 
 
 I N cafe of temptation, it is a prudent caution to avoid the 
 encounter, when we are confcious ofweaknefs, or unable to 
 withftand it. 
 
 MOST men are readv enough to reckon up the income of 
 their eftates, and compute how it will anfwer their feveral ex- 
 pences ; but few employ their arithmetic to calculate the value 
 and income of their life and time, or consider how they maybe 
 expended to the beft advantage. In thefe the beggar has as 
 large a revenue as the king, though they are juftly accounted 
 the more valuable treafurc. 
 
 THE foul, agitated with paflions, fares like a weak bird 
 in a ftormy day ; fhe is not able to make a ftraight flight, but is 
 tofled from the track fhe would purfue, being loft and carried 
 in the air at the pleafure of the winds. In this condition is the 
 foul, till, by a conitant meditation on God, and application to 
 him, it has obtained a ftrong and vigorous faith to hallaft and 
 ftrengthen it, and enable it to maintain the ftraight and fteady 
 courfe of virtue. 
 
 STILL as thro' life's meandring path I ftray, 
 Lord ! be the fweet companion of my way ; 
 A kind conductor to the bleft abode 
 Of light, of life, of happinefs and God. 
 
 RELIGION'S facred lamp alone 
 
 Unerring, points the way, 
 Where happinefs forever mines 
 
 With unpolluted ray. 
 
 Written on a Watch. 
 
 WERE but our minds, like this machine, 
 
 Unmov'd by pafTion, or by fpleen, 
 
 And, true to nature's guardian pow'r, 
 
 Could mark, with goodnefs, ev'ry hour, 
 
 Then health and joy would follow too, 
 
 As laws of thought and motion do ; 
 
 Sweet health to pafs the moments o'er, 
 
 And joy when time (hall be no more. . 'TIS 
 
( i«4 ) 
 
 ? TI S a contradiction to imagine, that reputation or praife is 
 a fu it able recompence for virtue ; fince it is a reward that no- 
 thing but vanity can make acceptable ; it declares a man both 
 foolifh and vicious, that can be pleafed and fatisfied with it ^ 
 and that his merit is only owing to his pride 
 
 TRUE virtue, as it has no other aims than the fervice and 
 honour cf God, fo the leaf! and only recompence it afpires to. 
 Is his approbation and favour. 
 
 M Y God ! my all-fufficient good ! 
 
 My portion and my choice ; 
 In thee are all my hopes renewed, 
 
 And all my powers rejoice . 
 
 G R A N T me to live, and if I live, to find 
 The dear lov'd portion of a peaceful mind ; 
 That health, that fweet content, that pleafing red 
 Which God alone can give, as fuits me bell. 
 
 CHARITY. 
 
 CHARITY, decent, modeft, eafy, kind, 
 Softens the high, and rears the abjecl: mind ; 
 Knows with juft reins, and gentle hand to guide. 
 Betwixt vile lhame, and arbitrary pride. 
 Not foon provok'd, fhe ealily forgives ; 
 And much (he fuffers, as fhe much believes ; 
 Soft peace fhe brings wherever fhe arrives, 
 She builds our quiet, as fhe forms our lives ; 
 Lays the rough paths of peevifh nature ev'n, 
 And opens in each heart a little Heav'n. 
 
 THERE is no prefervative from vice, equal to an habi- 
 tual and conftant intercourfe with God : Neither does any thing 
 equally alleviate diftrefs, or heighten profperity ; in diftrefs it 
 fuftains us with hope, and in profperity it adds to every other 
 enjoyment, the delight of gratitude. I N 
 
( rf* ) 
 
 I N true good nature, there is neither the acrimony of fpleen 
 nor the fullennefs of malice ; it is neither clamorous nor fret- 
 ful, neither eafy to be offended, nor impatient to revenge ; it 
 is a tender fenfibility, a participation of the pains and pleasures 
 of others, and is, therefore, a forcible and conltant motive, 
 to communicate happinefs, and alleviate mifcry. 
 
 I T mould be a general rule, never to utter any thing in 
 converfation, which would juftly difhonour us if it mould be 
 reported to the world, 
 
 TO a benevolent difpofition, every fate of life will afford 
 fome opportunities of contributing to the welfare cf man] 
 Opulence and fplendour are enabled to difpei the cloud of ad- 
 versity, to dry •: ti, and 
 to encreafe the felicity of all around them. '\ heir example will 
 animate virtue, and retard the progrefs of vice. And even 
 indigence and obfeurity, tho' without power to confer hap- 
 pinefs, may at lean: prevent miferVj and apprize thofe who are 
 : ;I by rheir paiilons, that they are on die brink of irre- 
 mediable calanTitv. 
 
 OREPUTATICX! dearer far than life. 
 Thou pree ; c. lovely fweet cf fi 
 
 hole cordial drops once fpilt by fom* id. 
 
 Not all : ] s care, nor g coil 
 
 Of • er can collect 
 
 To its firft parity and nati 
 
 Solomon's good Wii r.kd. Proverbs, 3 ift Chapter. 
 
 THE wife, fo whofe fort, faithf lis 
 
 ath of love . arne, 
 
 As much in w 
 
 As greateit r 
 On her the partner of hei 
 
 Can ev'n : cf war d::^:^, 
 
 Q^2 For 
 
( 156- ) 
 
 For good, not ill, from^ll her conduct flows* 
 The wool and flax employ her willing hands, 
 
 And tho' domeftic arts are%K)ft her care, 
 Yet, as the merchant-mip from diftant lands 
 
 Brings precious freight, (he brings her food from fax* 
 E'er light fhe forces fleep's foft bands to yield, 
 
 And to her houfhold gives refreshment due ; 
 With careful earnings purchafes a field, 
 
 And, ftill more wond'rous, plants a vineyard too* 
 By daily ufe her arms their ftrength encreafe — 
 
 Her merchandize is good, fhe gladly finds ; 
 And as by day her labours rarely ceafe, 
 
 By night her candle unextinguifh'd mines* 
 Her lib'ral hand extends to all the poor, 
 
 Bellowing alms as diff 'rent wants require ; 
 Nor fears her houfhold hardfhips may endure, 
 
 For they in fcarlet bo aft a rich attire. 
 To cloathe herfelf fhe weaves gay tapeftry, 
 
 Purple and filk the labour of her hand, 
 With which bedeck 'd, her huiband fits on high, 
 
 Diftinguifh'd 'midft the elders of the land. 
 Fine linen, alfo, by her art is made, 
 
 And girdles ofter'd to the merchant's choice* 
 While ihe in ftrength and honour well array 'd, 
 
 Thro' times to come fhall happily rejoice. 
 The law of kindnefs in her heart prefides, 
 
 The words of wifdom from her lips diltil, 
 A meek difcretion thro' her houfhold guides, 
 
 And duteous all their deftin'd talk fulfil. 
 Her children, rifmg up with grateful voice, 
 
 Pronounce her bleft, as love or prudence fways^ 
 Her hufband, confeious of his happy choice, 
 
 With pleafure joins their voluntary praife. 
 Tho' many wives, in this and ages paft, 
 
 Of virtuous conducl bright examples fhine, 
 Yet all to her, thefirft as well as laft, 
 
 The palm of female excellence refign. 
 True as when fpoke, remains the royal word, 
 
 ie That favour's tranfient, and all beauty vain ; M / 
 But fhe who keeps his law, and fears the Lord, , 
 
 Shall the juft tribute of applaufe obtain, WHEN 
 
( >8 7 ) 
 
 WHEN we confider the different allotments of Providence 
 to his creature man, in this ftate of exiitence, and compare the 
 wants and fufferings of fome, with the eafe and affluence of 
 others, we mould be almoft ready to conclude, that the pre- 
 ferving care of our Heavenly Father, was not equally exten- 
 ded to all ; though he has afTured us in fcripture, that he is no 
 refpecler of perfons; but we mutt be very cautious of making 
 fuch an inference ; for as our Great Creator fees not as we 
 fee, and has a view in all his difpenfations to the ultimate good 
 of his creatures, we ought rather to fuppofe, that the particular 
 condition of every man, fo far from being an impeachment 
 of divine impartiality, is alloted him in perfect wifdom, in 
 order to his happinefs at lafl. 
 
 THE neceffities of the poor may be intended as the moll 
 certain means of preferving their health, and keeping them mo- 
 ral, temperate and humble, which are great virtues. While 
 the fuperfluities of the rich, by fubjecling them to many vices, 
 may render the final account of their itewardfhip a matter of 
 the greater!: anxiety and diflrefs of mind, to which no temporal 
 fuffering can be equivalent. Hence, if we confider prefent lefs 
 grievous than future evil, it will appear, in this comparative 
 view of the higher and lower ranks of men, that the differ- 
 ence is rather in favour of the latter, under all the preffures 
 and mortifications of poverty. — Yet this is by no means to be 
 ufed as an argument by the opulent, for withholding affiftance 
 and fupport from their fellow-creatures, in real want of them ; 
 for humanity, and, the cardinal virtue, charity, call upon and 
 require all, who are able, to fuccour and relieve fuch objects— 
 to which may be added, that this is a duty particularly en- 
 joined by our bleffed Saviour, who has told us, as a forcible 
 incitement to the practice of it, that fuch as give to the poor, 
 lend to the Lord, which is telling us, in other words, that by 
 this means treafure is to be laid up in Heaven, 
 
 SIMPLICITY, the infeparable companion J ooth of ge- 
 nuine grace, and of real modefty, if it doth not always ftrike 
 at firfl (of which it feldom fails) is fure, however, when it does 
 ftrike, to produce the deepeft and moft permanent impreffions. 
 
 IN 
 
 i ! 
 
( i88 ) 
 
 I N folitude I'll fpend the day ; 
 The fultry hour I'll pafs away, 
 
 In calm retirement's feat ; 
 Enraptur'd, (hatch her peaceful joys, 
 While others court ambition's toys, 
 
 And ftudy to be great. 
 
 THE BEGGAR. 
 
 « pi^fY the forrows of a poor old man, 
 
 Whofe trembling limbs have led him to your door ; 
 Whofe days are dwindled to the ihorteft fpan, 
 
 Gh ! give relief, and Heav'n mail blefs your flore. 
 1 hefe tatter 'd rags my poverty befpeak, 
 
 Thefe hoary locks proclaim my length of years, 
 And many a furrow, in my grief- worn cheek, 
 
 Has been the channel to a flream of tears. 
 Yon houfe erected on the riling ground, 
 
 With tempting afpeft drew me from the road, 
 For plenty, there a refidence has found, 
 
 And grandeur, a magnificent abode. 
 Hard is the cafe of the infirm and poor, 
 
 There begging for a morfel of their bread, 
 A pamper'd menial thruft me from the door, 
 
 To feek a fhelter in an humbler fried. 
 Gh ! take me to your hofpitable dome, 
 
 Keen blows the wind, and piercing is the cold, 
 Short is my pafTage to the friendly tomb, 
 
 For I am miferably poor and old. 
 Heav'n fends afflictions — why mould we repine ? 
 
 Here happinefs we ne'er were born to fee, 
 Too focn, alas ! your lot may be like mine, 
 
 The child of forrow and of mifery. 
 Was I to teii the fource of every grief, 
 
 If fo ft companion ever touch'd your breaft, 
 Your hand could not withhold the kind relief, 
 
 And tears of pity could not be repreit. 
 A little farm was my paternal lot, 
 
 Then, like the lark, I fprightly hail'd the morn, 
 But ah ! oppreffion drove me from my cot, 
 
 My 
 
( i?9 ) 
 
 My cattle dy'd, and blighted was my corn. 
 My daughter, once the comfort of my age, 
 
 Lur'd by a villain, left her native home, 
 Is now abandon'd on the world's wide ftage, 
 
 And doom'd in fcanty poverty to roam. 
 My tender wife, fweet foother of my care, 
 
 With anguifh felt the fore calamity, 
 Fell, lingering fell, a victim to defpair, 
 
 And left the world, and wretchedness, to me. 
 Pity the forrows of a poor old man, 
 
 Whofe trembling limbs have led him to your door, 
 Whofe days are dwindled to the fhorteft fpan, 
 
 Oh! give relief*, and Heav'n will blefs your (lore." 
 
 EVERY thing, overdone, is liable to fufpicion. Inno- 
 cence, in women, wants not the aid of oilentation ; like inte- 
 grity in men, it refts in its own confcioufneis. 
 
 A S cheerfulnefs is the moft natural erTecl of real goodnefs, 
 it is alfo its moil powerful recommendation. Wifdoin is never 
 fo attractive, as when (he fmiies. 
 
 SHE that cannot " weep with them that weep," as well 
 as rejoice with them that rejoice, " is a Granger to one of the 
 fweetefl fources of enjoyment, no lefs than to one of the no- 
 blefl leffons of Chriftianity. Thofe are the happieft difpofiti- 
 ons, which are the beft. 
 
 THERE is not any thing more contemptible, or more to 
 be pitied, than that turn of mind, which, finding no entertain- 
 ment in itfeif, none at home, none in books, none in rational 
 converfation, nor in the intercourfes of real iriendfhip, nor in 
 ingenious works of any kind, is continually feeking to itirlle 
 reflection in a tumult of pleafures, and to divert wearinefs in a 
 crowd. 
 
 FEMALE modefty is often filent ; female decorum is 
 never bold. Both forbid a young woman to lead the conver- 
 fation ; 
 
f 190 ) 
 
 fation ; and true religion dreads every thing that might look 
 oftentatious. The mod prudent courfe you can purfue, is to 
 aflbciate, as much as poffible, with thofe that from real princi- 
 ple love the (hade. 
 
 I F thou wouldeft bear thy- neighbour's faults, caft thine eye 
 upon thine own. 
 
 THE truly humble man, fufFers quietly, and patientlv, in- 
 ternal troubles ; and he is the man that makes great way in a 
 little time, like one that fails before the wind. 
 
 PERFECTION does not confift in teaching the truth, 
 but in doing it, becaufe he is neither the greateft faint, nor the 
 wifeit man, that knows the truth moll, but he that praftifes it. 
 
 WHEN a young woman behaves to her parents in a man- 
 ner particularly tender and refpeclful, from principle as well as 
 nature, their is nothing good or gentle, that may not be ex- 
 pected from her, in whatever condition fhe is placed. 
 
 The unknown World — On hearing a Patting Bell. 
 
 HARK, my gay friend, that folemn toll 
 Speaks the departure of a foul. 
 'Tis gone — that's all we know, not where, 
 Or how th 5 unbody'd foul does fare. 
 
 In that myfterious world none knows, 
 But God alone to whom it goes ; 
 To whom departed fouls return 
 To take their doom, to fmile or mourn. 
 Oh ! by what glimm'ring light we view, 
 The unknown world we're hait'ning to. 
 Swift flies the foul — perhaps 'tis gone 
 A thoufand leagues beyond the fun ; 
 Or twice ten thoufand more thrice told, 
 Ere the forfaken clay is cold. 
 And yet who knows, if friends we lov'd, 
 
 The* 
 
( '9< ) 
 
 Tho* dead, may be fo far remov'd, 
 Only this vail of flelh between, 
 Perhaps they watch us, tho' unfeen. 
 iit we their lofs lamenting fay, 
 They're out of hearing far away, 
 Guardians to us, perhaps they're near, 
 Conceal 'd in vehicles of air, 
 And yet no notices they give, 
 Nor tell us how or where they live. 
 Tho* confcious, while with us below, 
 How much themfelves defir'd to know, 
 As if bound up by folemn fate, 
 To keep this fecret of their ftate ; 
 To tell their joys or pains to none, 
 That man might live by faith alone. 
 Well, let my Sovereign, if he pleafe, 
 Lock up his marvellous decrees ; 
 Why mould I wifh him to reveal 
 What he thinks proper to conceal ? 
 It is enough that I believe 
 HeavVs brighter than I can conceive ; 
 And he that makes it all his care 
 To ferve God here, mail fee him there. 
 But oh ! what worlds (hall I furvey, 
 The moment that I leave this clay : 
 How fudden the iurprize — how new — 
 Let it, my God ! be happy too ! 
 
 - 
 
 FROM the confederation cf God, as he is in himfelf pow- 
 er, wifdom, goodnefs, beauty and felicity itfeif, children n;uil 
 be often excited and ilirred up to the defire of efteeming 
 of praifine him, of honouring him as he deferves, and of plead- 
 ing him in eA'ery thing. They mull ! .>e made to under 
 that this is the principal end for which we are fent into the 
 world, namely, to eiteem, honour and praife God, without 
 ceafing, by the continual defires and elevations of our 
 to him ; and that, fince this is the employ ment of angels, by 
 being exercifed in it, we become their companions in this 
 
( *9 2 ) 
 
 world, and even fellow-citizens of Heaven with them, by imi- 
 tating thofe divine fpirits. 
 
 SI N C E both the imagination and the memory, are facul- 
 ties which have the molt firength, and mofl activity in chil- 
 dren, it would be well to cultivate them from the very be- 
 ginning, that we may communicate unto them as much know- 
 ledge of the things of their falvation, as is poflible, and as they 
 are capable of receiving. 
 
 SILENCE is neceiTary on many occafions, but you rnufr. 
 always be fincere and courteous : You ought to retain fome 
 thoughts, but difguife none. 
 
 AND, from the prayer of want, and plaint of woe, 
 
 O ! never, never, turn away thine ear ; 
 Forlorn, in this bleak wildernefs below, 
 
 Ah ! what were man, mould Heav'n refufe to hear ? 
 To others do (the law is not fevere) 
 
 What to thyfelf thou wifheft to be done ; 
 Forgive thy foes, and love thy parents dear, 
 
 And friends and native land ; nor thofe alone, 
 All human weal and woe learn thou to make thine own, 
 
 TRUE dignity is his, whofe tranquil mind 
 Virtue has rais'd above the things below, 
 
 Who ev'ry hope and fear to Heav'n refign'd, 
 
 Shrinks not, tho' adverfe winds may keenly blow. 
 
 WE mould be cautious and circumfpecl in all our ways, 
 and watchful over ourfelves, living in the fear of God all the 
 day long, that we fin not againffc him. 
 
 L E T us all endeavour to be fpiritually-minded, and fet 
 our afFedions on things above ; fubdue our pa/lions, be peacea- 
 ble and loving, meek, courteous, tnodeft, teachable and go- 
 vernable, not wife in our own conceit, not wilful or ftubhorn. 
 
 We 
 
( '93 ) 
 
 W E muft be contented with onrprefent condition, not mur- 
 muring or repining at it, or either arnbitioufly or covetoufiy 
 fceking one~more high or plentiful : neither fretting and vexing 
 our own fouls, nor envying others ; but leaving freely all things 
 to God's difpofal, and fubmitting cheerfully to his providence. 
 
 MA Y we wifely improve every talent that God has given 
 us ; doing as much good as we can with every thing, b 
 ourfelves and others. We muft fhun floth and idleness, vain 
 paftimes, and fuperrluous recreations, coftly vanities, unpro- 
 fitable ftudies and employments, 
 
 I N the evening reafon with thy felf and {zy, how have I 
 fpent this day r Am I better than I was yefterday ? Have I 
 overcome any vice ? and hath God's grace been efF;Ctaal in 
 me ? if it has, then let my foul rejoice exceedingly, and afcribe 
 to her Lord the glory of her good actions. 
 
 THE heart is the fountain, and our words are the dreams : 
 and if the fountain be muddy, the itreams proceeding from 
 k, cannot be clear. 
 
 B E my ambition only to excel 
 In the bleft art, " the art of living well ;" 
 Who this attains, bids fin and forrow ceafe, 
 With hope looks Heav'n-ward, and fnall die in peace, 
 
 O X A W A T C H. 
 
 W T H I L E this gay toy attracts thy fight, 
 
 Thy reafon let it warn ; 
 And fieze, my dear, that rapid time, 
 
 That never muft return. 
 If idly loft, no art or care ^ 
 
 The bieiiing can reftore ; 
 And Heav'n requires a flrlcc account 
 
 For ev'ry mifpent hour, 
 Short is our longed day of life, 
 
 A 
 
( J 94 ) 
 
 And foon its profped ends, , 
 Yet on that day's uncertain date 
 
 Eternity depends. 
 Yet equal to our being's aim 
 
 The fpace to virtue giv'n ; 
 And ev'ry minute, well improv'd, 
 
 Secures an age in Heav'n. 
 
 YIELDING to immoral pleafu res, corrupts the mind ; 
 living to animal and trifling ones, debaff:s it ; both, m their de- 
 gree, disqualify it for its genuine good, and coniign it over to 
 wretchectnefs. Whoever would be really happy, muit make 
 the diligent and regular exercife of his fupericr powers his chief 
 attention, adoring the perfections of his Maker, exprefling good 
 will to his fellow-creatures, and cultivating inward rectitude. 
 
 THE greateft honour you can pay to the author of your 
 being, is by fuch a cheerful behaviour, as difcovers a mind fa- 
 tisfied with his diipenfations. 
 
 THE fcripture fays, we are to forgive until feventy times 
 feven ; that is, perpetually, thofe who do repent ; and thofe 
 who do not repe nt, but perfift in injuring us, we are to pray 
 for, and be willing to do acls of charity and humanity to 
 them, when need requires ; and not to revenge, but much ra- 
 ther to defire their amendment, and by all reafonable means 
 promote reconciliation. 
 
 ONE part, one little part, we dimly fcan, 
 
 Thro' the dark rhedium of life's fev'rifh dream, 
 Yet dare arraign the whole ftupendous plan, 
 
 If but that little part incongruous feem. — 
 Nor is that part perhaps what mortals deem ; 
 
 Oft from apparent ill our bleffings rife ; 
 Oh ! then, renounce that impious, felf-efteem, 
 
 For thou art but of dull ; be humble, and be wife. 
 
 GOOD. 
 
( i95 ) 
 
 GOOD-NATURE is not of lefs importance to our- 
 felves than to others^ The morofe and petulant firft feel the 
 anguifh that they give : Reproach, revilings and inveclive, are 
 but the overflowings of their own infelicity, and are conitantljr 
 again forced back upon their fource. 
 
 The Ten Commandments. 
 
 R E N O U N C E all other Gods, but only me, 
 And to no image bow thy heart or knee. 
 Take not the awful name of God in vain, 
 Nor e'er his holy fabbath day prophane. 
 Honour thy parents, and thou long {halt live, 
 Commit not murder, but all wrongs forgive. 
 From filthy lufts, keep foul and body free, 
 Nor Heal, tho' prefs'd by dire neceility. 
 Againft thy neighbour, ne'er falfe witnefs bear, 
 Nor covet goods, in which thou haft no fhare. 
 
 From Pope's EfTay on Man. 
 
 L O, the poor Indian ! vvhofe untutored mind 
 Sees God in clouds, or hears him in the wind ; 
 His foul proud fcience never taught to ilray 
 Far as the folar walk, or milky way ; 
 Yet fimple nature to his hope has giv'n 
 Behind the cloud-top t hill, an humbler Heav'n ; 
 Some fafer world, in depth of woods embrac'd, 
 Some happier ifland in the watry wafte, 
 Where (laves once more their native land behold, 
 No fiends torment, no Chriftians thirft for gold. 
 To be content's his natural defire, 
 He afks no angel's wing, no feraph's fire, 
 But thinks, admitted to that equal fky, 
 His faithful dog fhall bear him company. 
 
 S O much have our common purfuits, which we plead as the 
 means of fupporting life, diverted men from the true ends for 
 which they were fent into the world, that the judicious and 
 
 pious 
 
 
( i S 6 ) 
 
 pious, in all ages, fince the time of Solomon, have readily 
 fubferibed to his opinion, that all of them are indeed " vanity 
 and vexation of fpirit." For we find there are fome who fpend 
 their whole time in grammar and rhetoric, or in learning to 
 fpeak well, without allowing themfelves any leifure to fludy 
 the more important concern of living well. 
 
 Others there are, who are fo bufy in finding out the 
 riddles of a logical fphinx, that they examine all the trifles and 
 impertinencies of reafon, to find out what reafon is, and in the 
 fearch thereof, oftentimes lofe themfelves and their reafon too. 
 
 There are many, who, by arithmetic, learn to divide 
 every thing into the molt minute fractions, and yet do not know 
 ) divide an halfpenny with a poor afflicted brother in the 
 f charitjh 
 
 Many there are, who, by the help of geometry, can fet li-* 
 mits to grounds, ai^d feparate them from one another ; can 
 meafure cities and countries, and yet cannot attain to any rule 
 whereby they are enabled to meafure themfelves. 
 
 The muiician can bring different voices and tones into one 
 harmenv, and yet all the while may have nothing that is har- 
 monious in his own mind; nothing, which, by reafon of its 
 perturbation, does not run counter to all mufical meafures. 
 
 The aftronomer, whilft with fixed eyes he looks up to Hea- 
 ven, and attentively views the motion of the ftars, very fre- 
 quently Rumbles into the next ditch ; and while he is fortelling 
 things to come, lofes thofe that are prefent ; for the' with fixed 
 eyes~he iooks up to Heaven, yet his mind is coo much darkened 
 and defiled with the mire of this world, to think of a better* 
 
 The philofopher difputes gravely and accurately, of the 
 nature of things, and yet, perhaps, is no wifer than a real 
 child, as to the nature of himfelf, and the things of Heaven. 
 
 The phyfician takes care of the health of others, but as to 
 the knowledge oi the difeafes of his own mind, may be as 
 blind as a beetle ; he diligently watches the variations of his 
 patient's pulfe, but how to cure the evil difpoiuions, and wrong 
 tempers, in himfelf, he knows and cares but little about them. 
 
 The hiftorian has the Theban and Trojan wars at his fingers 
 ends, but is almoit wholly ignorant of a much higher con- 
 eern,, the proper knowledge of himfelf. The 
 
t 197 ) 
 
 The lawyer, though he has fpent whole years in the con- 
 flruclion and expofition of human laws, for the government 
 of others, is too often but little acquainted with that divine 
 law which teaches and enjoins a ftricl government over his 
 own aclions. 
 
 The theologift, earneftly contends for, and difpu.tes about 
 faith, but too feldom thinks of charity ; he fpeaks much of 
 ■ God, but to help his neighbour in time of need, has too little 
 concern. 
 
 The merchant is very folicitous of gain from every port to 
 which he can extend his trade, or in which he can obtain cre- 
 dit — yet feldom troubles his head in eftabliihing a correipon- 
 dence with that happy country, which offers the richeil mer- 
 chandize — that neither moth can corrupt, or thieves have pow- 
 er to Heal. 
 
 The farmer, tho' daily exercifed with much toil and fatigue, 
 in breaking up and improving the moft ftubborn and rugged 
 foils, with a view to a beneficial crop, yet how does he neglect, 
 year after year, to break up and improve the barren foil of his 
 own heart, which, without equal care and cultivation, will ne- 
 ver produce that crop of good works, which makes truly rich, 
 and adds no forrow. 
 
 Arts and fciences do indeed wear}- the minds of men with 
 continual labour, but yield them no true felicity. 
 
 It is religion, only, can regulate the heart — it caafes it to 
 melt in iympathy with diflrefs, or to glow with pleafure at the 
 happinefs of another — it is that alone can harmonize die mind, 
 (( Attuning all its paflions into peace.'* 
 
 The aftronomer, if enlightened by it, mutt contemplate, 
 with wonder and admiration, thofe luminaries which his eve 
 fo often gazes on with pleafure. The philofopher too, wfcen 
 the wonders of nature are opened to his view, with what ado- 
 ration and gratitude mult he look to that great fource from 
 whence thev flow ! And in all profeiiions, how imperfect is 
 man unlefs illumined by the bright rays of religion, which, 
 like the glorious luminary, the fun, " will enlighten all our 
 paths. 
 
 * 
 
 R 3 H Y M N '' 
 
( i9« I 
 
 H Y M N. • 
 
 THE Lord my pafture (hall prepare,.. 
 And feed me with a fhepherd's care ; 
 His prefer] ce fhall my wants fupply, 
 And guard me with a watchful eye ; 
 My noon-day walks he fhall attend, 
 And all my midnight hours defend* 
 
 2. 
 
 When in the fultry glebe I faint, 
 Or on the thirlh mountain pant, 
 To fertile vales, and dewy meads, 
 
 wczry f wand'ring fteps he leads > 
 Where peaceful rivers, foft and flowv 
 Amid the verdant landikrp flow. 
 
 Tho' in the paths of death I tread 
 With gloomy horrors overfpread, 
 My ftedfaft heart fhall fear no ill, 
 For thou, O Lord ! art with me ftill ; 
 Thy friendly crook fhall give me aid* 
 And guide me thro' the dreadful made* 
 
 4- 
 Tho' in a bare and rugged way, 
 Thro ? devious, lonely wilds I ftrayv 
 Thy beauty (hall my "pain? beguile— 
 The barren wildernefs fhall fmile, 
 With fudden greens and herbage crown'd, 
 And -creams fhall murmur all around. 
 
 N O thought is beautiful, which is not juft ; and no thought 
 can be jull, which is not founded in truth. 
 
 W E are apt to fancy, that we fhall be happy and fatisfied, 
 if we poffefs ourfelves of foch and fuch particular enjoyments ; 
 but either by reafm of their emptinefs, or the natural inquietude 
 of the mind, we have no fooner gained one point, but we ex- 
 tend our hopes to another. We itill finu new inviting fcenes 
 jmd landfcares, lying behind thofe which at a difiance termi- 
 nated our view, IF 
 
( J 99 ) 
 
 I F we hope for what we are not likely to poffefs, we aft 
 and think in vain, and make life a greater dream and fhadow 
 than it really is. 
 
 An Autumnal Reflection. 
 
 e 
 
 In fading grandeur, lo ! the trees 
 
 Their tarnihYd honour flied ; 
 While every leaf-compelling breeze 
 
 Lays their dim verdure dead. 
 Ere' while they fhot a vig'rous length, 
 
 Of flow'rs, and fruit, and green ; 
 Now, (horn of beauty and of ftrength, 
 
 They ftand a ihatter'd fcene ! 
 Ere' long the genial breath of fpring 
 
 Shall all their charms renew ; 
 And flow'rs, and fruit, and foliage bring, 
 
 All pleafmg to the view ! 
 Thus round and round the feafons roll, 
 
 In one harmonious courfe, 
 And pour convictions on the foul 
 
 With unremitting force. 
 Not fuch is mans's appointed fate — 
 
 One fpring alone he knows ! 
 One fummer, one autumnal ftate, 
 
 One winter's dead repofe. 
 Yet, not the dreary fleep of death, 
 
 Shall e'er his pow'rs deftroy, 
 But man mall draw immortal breath 
 
 In endlefs pain or joy. 
 Important thought ! — oh mortal ! hear 
 
 On what thy peace depends ; 
 The voice of truth invites thine ear, 
 
 And this the voice fhe fends. 
 4C When virtue glows withyouthful charms^ 
 
 How bright the vernal ikies ! 
 When virtue like the fummer warms, 
 
 What golden harvefts rife !" 
 When vices fpring without controuJ^ 
 
 What 
 
( 200 ) 
 
 What bitter fruits appear ! 
 A wintry darknefs wraps the foul 
 
 And horrors clofe the year. 
 Let youth to virtue's fhrine repair. 
 
 And men their tribute bring, 
 Old age fhall lofe its load of care, 
 
 And death (hall lofe its fting. 
 Borne upwards on feraphic wing, 
 
 Their happy fouls fhall foar, 
 And there enjoy eternal fpring, 
 
 Nor fear a winter more. 
 
 THERE is nothing in nature unworthy of a wife man's 
 regard, becaufe the moft inferior of all her productions, may, 
 in fome light or another, be made inftrumental to his improve- 
 ment. 
 
 C^r* THERE is fuch a clofe affinity betwen a proper cul- 
 tivation 01 a flower garden, and a right difcipline of the mind, 
 that it appears difficult for a rightly thoughtful perfon, that has 
 made any proficiency in the one, to avoid paying a due atten- 
 tion to the other. That induftry and care which are fo requi- 
 fite to cloanfe a garden from all forts of weeds, will naturally 
 fugg.°ft to him how much -nore expedient it would be to exert 
 the fame diligence in eradicating all forts of prejudices, follies 
 and vices, from the mind, where they will be as fure to pre- 
 vail, without a great deal of care and correction, as common 
 weeds in a neglected piece of ground. And as it requires 
 more pains to extirpate fome weeds than ethers, according 
 as they are more firmly rixt, more numerous, or more naturalized 
 to the foil ; fo thofe faults will be found the moft difficult to 
 be fupprefled, which have been of the longeft growth, and 
 taken the deeper! root ; which are more predominate in num- 
 ber, and moft congenial to the confiitution. 
 
 I F our common life is not a common courfe of humility, 
 felf-denial, renunciation of the world, poverty of fpirit, and 
 Heavenly affection, we do not live the lives of Chriftians. 
 
 W E A K 
 
( 201 ) 
 
 WEAK and imperfect men, mall, notwithstanding their 
 frailties and defect, be received, as having pleafed God, if 
 they have done their utmoft to pleafe him. 
 
 THE rewards of charity, piety and humility, will -be given 
 to thofe whofe lives have been a careful labour to exercife thefe 
 virtues in as high a degree as they could. 
 
 VALUE no man but for his probity, and living up to the 
 rules of piety and juftice. If integrity does not make you 
 profperous, it will at lead keep you from being miferable ; 
 for no man can be truly religious, that is not likewife confci- 
 entiouily juil and honed. 
 
 A SOUND faith is the belt, divinity ; a good confcience 
 the belt law ; and temperance the bed phytic. 
 
 A Soliloquy on Death. 
 
 TO die, is but to take a lad farewel 
 Of life, and all its tranfitory cares ; 
 To clofe our eyes and (hut out clay forever. 
 Thus much we know : And that this frail exidence 
 Shall to its filler earth again return, 
 To pulverize, and be diiiblv'd to nought. 
 To die (however awful feems the found) 
 Is but to lay us peaceful down to red, 
 Sink into ileep, and waken in eternity. 
 
 Whence then proceeds this coward fear of death, 
 Thefe confcience- working pangs, that plague us all, 
 And make us fink, e ? en to the grave itfelf, 
 At the bare mention ? Has not that Great Caufe, 
 The Eternal One, whofe wifdom cannot err, 
 From the beginning of the earlied time, 
 Declar'd, that man and all his race, fhould die ? 
 
 'Tis the effential pailport that mud bring 
 (No matter when, or how, or foon, or late) 
 All nature to that never-ending date, 
 Which immortality alone can give. The ■ 
 
 i 
 
( 202 ) 
 
 The foul, then, as intruded from above, 
 Scon as it quits its lifelefs, clay-cold corfe, 
 Mounts on the borrowed filver plumes of Heav'n, 
 Thro' chequ'ring clouds, and foars above the ftars. 
 
 But, oh ! who dare enquire its fate decreed ? 
 For Heav'n that knowledge interdicts to man, 
 And ftupifies the bu fy, wand'rjng fenfe, 
 That may attempt this fecret to explore. 
 
 GRANT Imay ever, at the morning ray, 
 Open with pray'r the confecrated day ; 
 Tune thy great praife, and bid my foul arife, 
 And with the mounting fun afcend the fkies ; 
 As that advances, let my zeal improve, 
 And glow with ardour of confummate love ; 
 Kcr ceafe at eve, but with the fetting fun 
 My endlefs worfhip mall be ftill begun. 
 
 Extract from young's laft Day. 
 
 HAVE aag^H ffnn'd, and mall not man beware I 
 
 How mall a fon of earth decline the fnare ? 
 
 Not folded arms, and flacknefs of the mind, 
 
 Can promife for the fafety of mankind : 
 
 None are fupinely good : Thro* care and pain, 
 
 -And various toils, the fteep afcent we gain. 
 
 This is the fcene of combat, not of reft, 
 
 Man's is laborious happinefs at beft ; 
 
 On this fide death his dangers never ceafe, 
 
 His joys are joys of conqueft, crown'd with peace. 
 
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 SCRIPTURE TRUTHS 
 
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