X. tv Q Q Z >• a. en < z u. z I u H UI >■ at < m Q j s I >- u. >■ (0 < < ■ < 5 J Id I Ul Q Ul X B m j 3 u 2 P < Ul u i I Of u. D a H Z u. in D J Ul ■ ul u z S a. > 111 a, 3cB «•. mo a \ \ LA / GOSPEL SONNETS; O K, SPIRITUAL ymm INSTX PARTS. • I. The Believer's Espousals, II. The Believer's Jointure, III. The Believer's Riddle. IV,. The Believer's Lodging. V. The Believer's Soliloquy, WL The Believer's Principles, C O NCER N I N G Creatiqn and Redemption, Law and Gospel, Justification and Sam If vuefay that j. \ S. Cbrijl the believer's enriching treafure, 87 Sea'. 9. Chrijl the believe! 's adorning garment, 83 .-.' 10. Qbriji the believer's fv/eet nouriih- mcat, 89 Cba* The T A B L E. xv Chap. II. Containing marks and charac- ters of believers in Chrttt\ together with forne farther privileges and grounds of comfort to the faints, 9 1 Sec?. 1. Doubting believers called to examine themfelves by marks drawn from their love to him and his prefence, their view of his glory, and their • being emptied of felfrighteoufnefs, csV. ih. Set?. 2. Believers defcribed from their faith ac- ting fey divine aid, and fleeing quite out of them- felves to Jcfus Chrift, 94. Sec?.. 3. Believers characterized by the objects and purity of their defire, delight, joy, hatred, and. love, difcovering they have the Spirit of Chrift, 97 Sec?. 4. Believers in Chriji affect his couniel, word, ordinances, appearance, full enjoyment in hea-uen, and fweet prefence here, 99 Sec?. 5. The true believer's humility, depen- dence, zeal, growth, admiration, of free grace, and knowledge of Chrifi\ tfoice, 1 o 1 Sec?. 6. True believers are willing to be tried and examined. Aifo comforts ariiing to them from Chrift\ ready fupply, real fympathy, and relieving names fuiting their needs, 104 Seel. 7. The believers experience of Cbrifiz comfortable prefence, or of former comforts, to be improved for his encouragement and fupport under darknefs and hidings, 107 Sec?. 8. Comfort to believers from the liability of the promife, notwithftanding heavy chaftife- ments for fin, no. Sec?. 9. Comfort to believers from Cbriji's rela- tions, his dying love, his glory in heaven, to which he will lead them through death, and fupply them with all necelTaries by the way, 1 \ 2 Sec?. 10. Comfort to believers from the text, 7 hy maker is thy Hujhand, inverted thus, Thy huf- barid is thy maker; and the conclufion of this fub- jeet, 114: b 2 - PART xv£ The T A B I E. PART in. The Believers Riddle; or, The My fie- ry of Faith. The preface, fbewing the ufe and defign 0/ the riddle ; and ho 3*5 Sect. 3. The harmony between the law and the gofpe!, 319 Sect, The T A B L E. xix. Sect.. 4.. The proper place and Ration of the law and the gofpel, in four paragraphs, 323 Paragraph 1. The place and Ration of law and goipel in general, ibid* Parag. 2. The place and Ration of law and go- Jpel in particular, 324 Parag. , 3 . , The. .gofpel no new law ; but a joyful ■ found of grace' and mercy, 333 Parag. 4. The gofpel further defcribed, as a bundle of good news and gracious promifes, 332 Chap. III. Concerning justification and fantlification, their difference and har- Sect. r. The .difference oetween jufhncation and ianclification, or righteoufnesfs im.puted and grace imparted, "in upwards of thirty particulars, i^ Sect. 2. The harmony between juftification and faneliikation, 34 j Chap. IV. Concerning/tf//i? and fenfe, 344. Sect.. 1, Faith and fenfe natural compared and diftinguilhed, . /£ Sect. 2. Faith and £en{e fpiritual compared and diRinguifhed, 3*5 Sect. 3. The,harmony and difcord between faith and fenfe, # ^49 Sect. 4. The valour and victories of faith, 3.-0 Sect. 5, The heights and depths of fenfe, 3^ Sect. 6. Faith and frames compared, or faith building upon fenfe difcovered, j^ Chap. V. Concerning heaven and earth, ozy Sect. 1 . The work and contention of heaven, ib. Sect. 2, Earth defp-kable, heaven defirable, 360 Th? The following POEM, the fecond part of whick was wrote by Mr. Erskinf, is here inferted, as a pro« per fubje ct of meditation 10 /makers of tobacco. SMOAKING Spiritualized. IN.TV/O PARTS. The firft Part being an old Meditation up- on fmoaking Tobacco-, the fecond a new Addition to it, or Improvement of it. T PARTI. HIS Indian weed now witherM quite, Though green at noon, cut down at nighty Shows thy decay ; All flefh is hay. Thus think, and fmoke tobacco, The pipe (o lily -like and weak, Does thus thy mortal nate befpeak. Thou art ev'n fuch, Gone with a touch. Thus think, and irncke tobacco. And when the fmoak rfcer.s^ on hi^h '-^hen thou beholc'il the vanity Of worldly fluff, Gone with a puff. Thus think, and fmoke tobacco. And Smoaking Spiritualized. ti And when the pipe grows foul within, Think on thy foul defil'd with fin ; For then th«? fire It does require. Thus think, and fmoke tobacco. And feefl the afhes carl away ; Then to thyfelf thou may eft fay, That to the dull Return thou muft. Thus think, and fmoke tobacc*. PART II. Was this fmall plant for thee cut down ? So was the Plant of great renown ; Which mercy fends For nobler ends. Thus think, and fmoke tobacco. Doth juice medicinal proceed From fuch a. naughty foreign weed? Then what's the povv'r Of7# ? sflow'r? Thus 'think, and fmoke tobacco.^ The promife, like the pipe, inlays, And by the mouth of faith conveys What virtue flows ■ From Sharon's rofe. Thus think, and fmoke tobacco. . In vain th' unlighted pipe you blow; Your pains in outward means are fo, Till heav'nly fire Your heart infpire. Thus think, and fmoke tobacco. Tke L Smoaci.ng Spiritualize The fmoak, like burning incenfe tovv'rs ; So fhoirld a praying heart of yours With ardent cries Surmount the fkies. Thus think, and f moke tobacco GOSPEL SONNETS; SONGS. ls: Thy Gospel S o r K K E "That human t6ngue& inayhtujh their names to t To wit, the Prince of Heav'n, the heir of hell ! But, onfo vajl afubjea, who can find Words fniting the conceptions of his mind? Or, if our language with cur thought could vie, What mortal thought can raife itjclffo high ? When.svjords and thoughts both fail, may faith and frafr Jfcend by climbing up thefcripture-fiair: From facred writ thefe firange efpoufals may Be explicated in the following way. CHAP, I, A general account of man's fall in Adam, and the remedy provided in Ckrist • and a particular account of Man's being natu- rally wedded to the law, as a covenant of works. SECT. I. The Fall of A D AM. /ALD Adam once a heav'n of pleafure found, \^f While he with perfect innocence was crown'd : His wing'd affections to his God could move In raptures of defire, and ftrains of love. Man Handing fpotlefs, pure and innocent, Could well the law of works with works content ; Tho' then, (nor fince), it could demand no lefs Than perfonal and perfect righteoufnefs : Thefe unto finlefs man were eafy terms, Tho' now beyond the reach of wither'd arms. The legal cov'nant then upon the field, . Perfection fought, man could perfection yield. Rich had he, and his progeny remain'd, ;Had he primeval innocence maintain'd; His Part I. The Believer** Efpoufah. 3 His life had been a reft without annoy ,- A fcene of biifs, a paradife of joy. But fubtile Satan, in the ferpent hid, Prcpofing fair the fruit that God forbid, Man foon .feduc'd by hell's alluring ait, Did, difobedient, from the rule depart, Devour'd the bait, and by his bold offence Fell from his blifsful ftate of innocence. Proftrate, he loft his God, his life, his crown^ From all his glory tumbled head-long down, Plung'd in a deep abyfs of fin and woe, Where, void of heart to will, or hand to do ; For's own relief he can't command a thought,. The total funvof what he can is nought. He's able only new t'inereafe his thrall, He can deilroy himfelf, and this is all. B ut can. the helliih brat HeavVs law fulfil ? Whofe precepts high furmount his firength and {kill* : Can filthy drofs produce a golden beam ? Or poifon'd fprings a falutiProus flream ? Can carnal minds, fierce enmity's wide maw, Be duly fubjeeVto the divine law ? Nay, now its direful threatnings mull take place ' On all the difobedient human race, -Who do by guilt Omnipotence provoke, Obnoxious Hand to his uplifted ftroke. They mufl: ingulf themfelves in endlefs vvocs^- Who to the living God are deadly foes j Who natively his holy will gainfay, Muft to his awful juftice fall a prey. In vain do mankind now expect, in vain ' By legal deeds immortal life to gain : Nay, death is threatned, threats mafl have their du^r - Or fouls {hat fin muft die, as God is true. S E C T. II.- Redemption through Christ. THE iecond Adam, fov'reign Lord of all, L Did, by his Father's authorizing call, A 2 From 4 Gospel S o k- n e ,t 8 From bofom of eternal love defcend, To fave the guilty race- that him offend,; To treat an e verilizing peace with thofe, Who were, and ever would have been his foes. His errand, never ending life to give To them, whofe malice would not let him live ; To make a match with rebels, andefpoufe The brat which at his love her fpite avows. Himfelf he humbled to deprefs her pride, And make his mortal foe his loving bride. But, ere the marriage can be folemniz'd, All lets muft be. remov'd, all parties pleas'd. Law-righteoufnefs required, muft be procur'd, Law-vengeance tbreatned, mult be full endur'd, ,. Stern juftice muft have credit by the match, Sweet mercy by the heart the bride muft catch. . Poor bankrupt ! all her debt muft firft be paid, Her former hufband in the grave be laid : Her prefent lover muft be at the colt, To fave and ranfom to the u-ttermoit. If all thefc things this fuitor kind can do, Then he may win her, and her blefling too. Hard terms indeed ! wJiile death's the firft demand i : But love is ftrong as death, and will not ftand To carry on the fuit, and make it good, Tho' at the deareft rate of wounds and blood. The burden's heavy, but the back is broad, The glorious lover is the mighty God. Kind bowels yearning in th r eternal Son, He left his- Father's court, his heav'nly throne .; Afide he threw his moft divine aray, And wrapt his Godhead in a vail of clay. Angelic armies, who in glory crown'd, With joyful harps his awful throne furround, Down to the cryftal frontier of the fky^ To fee the Saviour born, did eager fly ; And ever fince behold with wonder frefh Their Sov'reign and our Saviour wrapt in flefh. Who in this garb did mighty love difplay, Rq/ioring v/hat he -never -took awty. Fa rt I. Tbe Btliever*? Efponfals. To God his glory, to the law its due, To heav'n its honour, to the earth its hue; To man a righteoufnefs divine, compleat, A royal robe to fuit the nuptial rite. He in her favours, whom he lov'd fo well, At once did purchafe heav'n, and vsnquifh helL Oh unexampled love ! fo vaft, fo ftro ng, So great, fo high, fo deep, fo broad, folong! Can finite thought this ocean huge explore, Unconfcious of a bottom or a more ? His love admits no parallel ; for why, At one great draught of love he drank hell dry* No drop of wrathful gall he left -behind, No dreg to witnefs that he was unkind. The fVord of awful juftice pierc'd his fide, That mercy thence might gum. upon the bride. The meritorious labours of his life, And glorious conquers of his dying ftrife, Her debt of doing, fuff'ring, both cancell'd, And broke the bars his lawful captive held. Down to the ground- the heliiih hoiis he threw, Then mounting high, the trump of triumph blew^ Attended with a bright feraphic band, Sat down erithron'd fubl-ime on God's right hand; Where glorious choirs their various harps employ To found his praifes with confed'rate joy. There he, the bride's ftrong interceffor fits-, And thence the bleffings of his blood tranfmks,. Sprinkling all o'er the flaming throne of God, Pleads for her pardon his atoning blood ; ■ Sends down his holy co-eternal dove, To mew the wonders of incarnate love, To woo and win the bride's reluctant hearfy And pierce it with his- kindly killing daa; By gofpel-light to manifest that now She has no farther with the law to do ; That her new Lord has loos'd the fed'ral tye, That once hard bound her or to do or die ;- That precepts, threats, no Jingle mite can crave, rhus for. her former fpoufe he digg'd a grave ; A 3 The G & P £ L SON.N The law faft to his crofs did nail and pin, Y Then bury'd the defun&his tomb within, > That he the lonely widow to himfelf might win J S E C T, III. Man** legal diftcjition. BUT, after all, the bride's fo malecontent, 1; No argument, fave pow'r, is prevalent £ To bow her will, and gain her heart's confent. J? The glorious Prince's fuit me difapproves, The law her old primordial hufband loves ; Hopeful in its embraces life to have, Tho 5 dead and bury'd in her fuitor's grave j Unable to give life, as once before ; Unfit to be a hulband any more. Yet proudly fhe the new addrefs difdainsy And all the hhii Redeemer's love and pains ; Tho' now his head, that cruel thorns did wour.d^. Js with immortal glory circled round ; Archangels at his awful footftool bow, Afid drawing love fits finiling on his brow. Tho' down he fends in gofpel-tidings good jBpiities of his love, fign'd with his blood : ; Yet lordly me the royal fuit rejects,. Eternal life by.legal works affects; In vain the living feeks among the dead, Sues quickning comforts in a. killing head; Her dead and hury'd hulband has her heart, Which can nor death remove, nor. life impart. , Thus all revolting Jdamh blinded race In their nrft fpoufe their hope and comfort place, . They natively expeft, if guilt them prefs, Salvation by a home-bred righteoufnefs : They look for favour in Jebcvab's eyes, . . By careful doing all that in them lies. : Tis Mill their primary attempt to draw Thejr life and comfort from th? ve:Van law ; • The Part T, The Be!ie-v£r r sEfpoujah< 7- They flee not to the hope the gofpel gives; y To truft a promife hare, their minds aggrieves, L Which judge the man that does, the man that lives, y As native as they, draw their vital breathy Their fond reccurfe is to the legal path.. Why, fays old nature in iaw-wedded man,. *< Won't Heav'n be. pleas 'd, it. I do all I eanr. " If I conform my walk to nature's light,. M And ftrive, intent to practife what is right? " Thus, won't I by the God oi heav'n. be blefs'd,. " And win his favour, if I do my belt? *' Good God! (he cries) when preis'd with, debt ancf. thrall^ ** Have patience with me, and Fit pay thee all *' 1 " Upon their all, their befi, they're fondly mad, Tho' yet their all is naught, their beji is bad. Proud man his can-does mightily exalts, . Yet are his brighteil works butfplendid faults ». A finner may have fhews of good, but ftill The belt he can, ev'n at his belt, is ill. . Can heav'n or. divine favour.e'er be win By thofe that are a mafs of hell and fin ? The righteous law does nuin'rous woes - denounce- Againft the wretched foul that fails but once : What heaps of curfes on their heads it rears, That have, amafs'd the guilt. of num'rous years ! S,E C T. IV. Man's Jlrift attachment to legal terms, cr to the law as a condition of life, SAY, on what terms then Heav'n appeas'd vviii be>: Why, fure, perfeaion is the leaf* degree . Yea, more, WXj'aiisfaftion muft be giv'a For trefpafs done againft the laws of Heav'n. Thefe are the terms; what mortal back fo broad, B.ut mud for ever fink beneath the load?. A % Mavh> xviu, i6j. -8 Gospel Sonnets, A ranfom mud be found, or die they muft, Sure, even as juftice infinite is juft. But, fays the legal, proud, felf-righteous heart, Which cannot vviih her ancient cohfort part, << What! won't the goodnefs of the God of heav'rv *•' Admit of fmalls when greater can't be giv'n ? " Heknovys our fall diminifh'd all our funds, " Won't he accept of pennies now for pounds ? " Sincere endeavours for perfection take, i " Or terms more poiiible for mankind make ?" Ah! poor divinity, and jargon loofe, Such hay and ftraw will never build the houfe. Miftake not here, proud mortal, don't miftake^ God changes not, nor other terms will make. Will divine faithfulnefs itfelf deny, Which fwore folemnly, Man fhall do, or die? Will God mo/I true extend to us, forfooth, His goodnefs to the damage of his truth? Will fpotlefs holinefs be baffled thus? Or awful juftice-be unjuil for us ? Shall faithfulnefs be faithlefs for our fake, And he his threats, as we his precepts break £ Will our great Creditor deny himfelf ? And for full payment take our filthy pelf? Difpenfe with juftice, to let mercy vent ? And ftain his royal crown with minifh'd rent ? Unworthy thought ! O let no mortal clod Hold fach bafe notions of a glorious God. . Heav'n's holy covenant, made for human race, Coniifls, or whole of works, or whole of grace. If works will take the held, then works mult be For ever perfecl to the laft degree : Will God difpenfe with lefs ? Nay £ure, he won't With ragged toll his royal law affront. Can rags, that Sinai flames will foon difpatch, E'er prove the fiery laws adequate match ? Vain man muil be divorc'd, and chufe to take Another hufband, or a burning lake. We find the divine volume no-where teach New legal terms within our mortal reach, Some Fart L *The Believer's Efpouf&h^. 9 Some make, though in the facred page unknown,.. Sincerity affume perfection's throne : But who will boall this bafe ufurper's fway, V Save miniflers of darknefs, that difplay v. Invented night to ftifie fcripture-day ? Jh The nat'raiiits nncerity is naught, That of the gracious is divinely taught, Which teaching keeps their graces, if fmcere, Within the limits of the gofpel-fphere,. Where vaunting, none created graces fing, Nor boafl: of iireams, but of the Lord the /bring* . Sincerity's the foul of ev'ry grace, The qualify of all theranfom'd race. Of promis'd favour 'tis a fruit, a claufe ; But no procuring term, no moving caufe. How unadvis'd the legal mind confounds The marks of divine favour with the grounds, . And qualities of covenanted friends, With the condition of the cov'nant blends?. Thus holding g ofpel-truths with legal arms, . Miftakes new cov'nant fruits for federal terms. .. The joyful found -no change of terms allows,. But change of perfons, or another fpoufe. The nature fame that finn'd muft do and die\ ■ No milder terms in gafpel- offers lie. For grace no other law-abatement Ihewa, But how law-debtors may reflore its dues ; Reilore, yea, through a furety in their place,. With double int'reft and a better grace* Here we of no new terms of life are told,.. But of a huiband to fulfil the old; With him alone by faith we're call'd to wed, And let no rival * fa-uik the marriage-bed. S EC T. V. ?', Mens 'vain attempt to fees, life by Christ's rtghie- oufnefs, joined nviib their o ects. J * I Part I. :Thc \Belie-vsri Efpcufal:. And vainly would, drefs'd up in legal trim, Divide falvation 'tween themfelves and him. But know, vain man, that to his mare, mud fall The glory of the whole, or none at all. In him all wifdom's hidden treafures ly, And all the fulnefs of the Deity. This ftore alone, immenfe, and-never fperit 9 Might poor infolvent debtors well content ; But to hell-prifon juftly Heav'n will doom Proud fools that on their petty Hock prefume. The foftefl couch that gilded nature knows Can give the waken'd confcience no repofe. When God arraigns, what mortal pow'r can Hand Beneath the terror of his lifted hand ? Our fafety lies beyond the nat'ral line, Beneath a purple covert all divine. Yet how is precious Chrifl, the way,- defpis'd, And high the way of life by doing priz'd ? But can its vot'ries all its levy mow ? They prize it moll, who leafl its burden know i Who by the law in part would fave his foul, Becomes a * debtor to fulfil the whole. Its pris'ner he remains, and without bail, 'Tillev'ry mite be paid; and if he fail, {As jure he mult, fmce, by -our fmful breach, Perfe&ion far furmounts all mortal reach), Then curil for ever mull his foul remain ; And all the folk ofGodmuftfay Amen ||. Why, feeking that the law mould help afford ; In honouring the law, he flights its-Lord, Who gives his law-fulfilling righteoufnefs To be the naked Aimer's perfect drefs, In which he might with fpotlefs beauty fhine Before the face of majefly divine : Yet lo ! the firmer works with mighty pains A garment of his own to hide his flams"; Ungrateful, overlooks the gift of God, The robe wrought by his hand, . dy'd in his bloo"3. * Gal. v. 3. |j Dcut. xxvii. 26, *2 ^ Gospel Sonnets. In vain the Son of God this web did weave. Could cur vile rags fufficient fhelter give. In vain he ev'ry thread of it did draw, Could iinners be o'ermantled by the law. Can mens faivation on their works be built, Whofe faireit. attions nothing are but guilt ? Or can the law fupprefs th' avenging flame, When now its only office is to damn? Did life come by the law in part or whole, Bleit Jefus dy'd in vain to fave a foul. Thofe then who life by legal means expeft* To them is Chriji become of no effecl ; Becaufe their legal mixtures do in fa£t Wifdom's grand project plainly counteract. How clofe proud carnal reafonings combine* To fruftrate fov'reign grace's great defign ? Man's heart by nature weds the law alone, Nor will another paramour enthrone. True, many feem by coune of life profane, No favour for die law to entertain; But break the bands, and call the cords away, That would their raging lufts and paifions Hay : Yet ev'n this reigning madnefs may declare, How flri&ly wedded to the law they are ; For now (however rich they feem'd befcre) Hopelefs to pay law- debt, they give it o ? er, Like defp'rate debtors mad, ftill run themfejves in more. Defpairof fuccefs mews their flrong deiires, 'Till legal hopes are parch'd in luitiul fires. " Let's give (fay they) our lawlefs will free fcope, " And live at random, for there is no hope f." The law, that can't 'em help, tliey ftab with hate, Yet fcorn to beg, or court another mate. Here, lulls moft oppofite their hearts divide, Their beaitly pamon, and their bankrupt pride. In paiSon they their native mate deface, In pride difdain to be oblig'd to grace. Hence f jfer. xviii. 12. 1 1 Part. I. The Bt&evtPs Efponfah. t.% Hence plainly, as a rule 'gainfl law they live,. Yet clofely to it as a cov'nant cleave. Thus legal pride lies hid beneath the patch, -And ftrong averiion to the gofpel-match. C H A P. IT. The manner of a finners divorce from the law in a work ci humiliation, and cf his marriage to the Lord Jesus Christ, or the way ho *v a (inner comes to be a believer, S E C T. I. a lanv- Elfe ne'er had courted one of Adam\ race, 3 Which all as children of corruption be, Heirs rightful of immortal mifery. Yet here the bride employs herfoolifli wit, For this bright match her ugly form to fit ; To daub her features o'er with legal paint, ^That with a grace fhe may herieif preient. Hopeful Part. I. The Believer's Efpcufah. Hopeful the Prince with credit might her wed, If once fame comely qualities ihe had. In humble pride, her haughty fpirit Hags; She cannot think of coming all in rags. Were Ihe a humble, faithful penitent, She. dreams he'd then contract with full content* Bafe varlet ! thinks fhe'd be a match for him, Did Ihe but deck herfelf in handfom trim. Ah fooliih thoughts ! in legal deeps that plod, Ah forry notions of a fov'reign God! Will God expofehis great, his glorious Son, For our vile baggage to be ford ana won ? Should finful modeity the match decline, Until its garb be briik and fuperfine ; Alas ! when ihould we fee the marriage-day ?' The happy bargain mufi nee up for ay. Prefumplucus fouls,- in furly modefly, Half favicurs of themfelves would fondly be. Then hopeful th' other half their due will fall, Difdain to be in Jefas' debt for all. Vainly they firfl would wafh themfelves, and theri Addrefs the fountain to be wafh'd more clean ; Firft heal themfelves, and then expect the balm : Ah ! many nightly cure their fudden qualm. They heal their confcience with a tear orpray'r; And feek no other Chrijh, but perifh there. O fiuner, fearch the houfe, and fee th< That (polls tliy Saviour's crown, th} The hid, but heinous fin of unbelh Who can pcffefs a quality that's good, 'Till firfi he come to Jefus' cleanfing bloGd ? The povv'r that draws the bride, will alfo fhew' Unto her by the way her hellifh hue, As void of ev'ry virtue to commend, And full of ev'ry vice that will offend. 'Till fov'reign grace the fullen bride fhall catch, ' She'll never hi herfelf for fuch a match. Moft qualify'd they are in heav'n to dwell, Who fee themfelves moft qualify'd for hell ; B z And iin mere. e the thief J :hy foul's relief, V. Lief. 3,- i# G'o s p b l Son >: e t s. And, ere thre bride can drink falvation's cup, Kind Heav'n muft, reach to hell and lift her up : For no decorum e'er about her found, Is me belov'd; but on a nobler ground. Jehovah's love is like his nature free, Nor mull his creature challenge his decree; But low at fov'reign grace's footflcol creep, Whofe ways are fearchlefs, and his judgment deep.. Yet grace's fait meets with refiftance rude From haughty fouls; .for lack of innate good To recommend them. Thus the backward bride Affronts her fuitor with her modeil pride. Black hatred for his offer'd love repays, Pride under mafk of modefly difplays : In part wou'd fave herfelf ; hence, faucy foul ! Rejects the matchlefs mate would fave in whole. SECT. II. Conviction of fin and nurath, carried en mere deeply and effectually on the heart. C O proudly forward is the bride, and now y^ Stern Heav'n begins to Hare with cloudier brow;. Law-curfes come with more condemning pow'r, To fearch her confeience with a fiery fhow'r, And more refulgent flaihes darted in ; For by the law the knowledge is of Jin f. Black Sinai, thund'ring louder than before, Does awful in her lofty bofom rore. Heav'n's furious florins now rife from every % ahlh, In ways more terrible to Jhake the earth [j , 5 'Till haughtinefs of men bkfunk thereby, 7 hat Chriil alone -may he excited hi .ruble earth feems from her centre toil, lofty mountains in the ocean loft. rocks of flint* and haughty hills of pride, Are torn in pieces by the rearing tide. Each: f Rom, ill. co. % Wind. |i If. ii. 17. 19- Part I. Tif&&lie-vsr > s Efpmfah* if Each flafh of new coni&ion's lucid'rays Heart- errors, undifcern'd 'till now, difplays ; Wrath's maify cloud upon the confcience breaks,- And thus menacing Heav'n, in thunder fpeaks; " Black wretch, thou madly under-foot haft trod, " Th' authority of a commanding God; " Thou, like thy kindred that in Adam fell, ~) 'J Art but a law-reverfing lump of hell, }>■ " And there by law and juitice doom'd to dwell." J Now, now, the daunted bride her irate bewails, And downward furls her felf- exalting fails; With pungent fear, and piercing terror brought To mortify hir lofty legal thought. Why, the commandment corns s, fin is rei;i c v , d, That lay fo hid, while to the law ihe iiv'd ; Infinite majeftyifa God is feen, And infinite malignity in fin : That to its expiation mult amount - A facrifice ofinfinite account, Juitice its dire feverity dli^lcys, The law its vail dimensions open lays. She fees for this broad ftandara nothing meet, Save an obedience finlefs and cornpleat. Hercob-webrigfiteoufnefs, cnce in renown, - Is with a happy vengeance now fwcpt down? Shewn/) of daily faults could once but prate, Sees bow her fmful, miferable Hate. Her heart, where cnce me thought forne good to dwell, . The devil's cab'net fiii'dwith tram of hell. Her boafied features nov/^unmalked bare, Her vaunted hopes are plung'd in deep defpair. Her haunted fheher-houfe in bypaft years, Comes tumbling down about her frighted ears. Her former rotten faith, love, penitence, She fees a bowing wall, a toit' ring fence. Ex-iellcncies of thought, and word, and deed,- - All f.virnming, drowning in a fca of dread; Her beauty now deformity fhe deems, Her heart much blacker than the devil feen; , With With ready lips fne can herfelf declare The vileil ever breath'd in vital air. Her former hopes, as refuges of lyes, Are fvvept away, and all her boafhng dies. She once im-dgin'd Heav'n would be unjuily To damnfo many lumps of human duft. Form'd by kimfelf ; but now me owns it true, Damnation furely is the fmner's due ; Yea, now applauds the law's juil doom fo well, That juftry me condemns herfelf to hell; Does herein divine equity acquit, Herfelf adjudging to the lowefl pit, Her language, " Oh! If God condemn, I mull ft From bottom of my fcul declare himjuft. " But if his great falvation me embrace, P How loudly will I iing furprifmg grace? " If from the pit he to the throne me raife, •■* I'll rival angels in his endlefs praife, *' If hell-deferving me to heav'n he bring, M No heart fo glad, no tongue fo loud mail fir»£ v ** If wifdom has not laid thefaving plan, " I nothing have to claim, I nothing can. " My works but fin, my merit death. I fee; " Oh! mercy, mercy, mercy! pity me." Thus all felf-j unifying pleas are dropp'd, Moil guilty me becomes, her mouth is ftopp'd. Pungent remorfe does her pail con duel blame, And fiufn her confeious cheeks with fpreading mame* Her felf-conceited heart is felf-convict, With barbed arrows of compunction prick'd : Wcncers,, how juftice fpares her vital breath, How patient Heav'n adjourns the day of wrath; How pliant earth dee: not with open jaws Devour her, Kora'j-like, for equal caufe ; How yawning hell, that gapes for fuch a prey, Is fr nitrate with a further hour's delay. She that could once her mighty works exalt, And boaft devotion fram'd without a fault, Extol her natral pow'rs, is now brought down, Hw former rnadnefs, not her pow'rs, to own. Het Part I. The Believer's Efpoufah. \§ Her prefent beggar'd ftate, moft void of grace ? Unable ev'n to wail her wofui cafe, Quite pow'rlefs to believe, repent, or pray; Thus pride of duties flies and dies away. She, like a harden'd wretch, a ftupid ftonc, Lies in the dull, and cries, Undone, Undone* SECT. Ill, f he deeply humbled foul relieved i And not a ftar by night appears to her : But fhe, while to the brim her troubles flow, Stands trembling on the utmoit brink of wo. Ah weary cafe ! Bu-t lo ! in this fad plight. The fun arifes with furprifmg light. The darkefl midnight is his ufual time Gf rifing and appearing in his prime. " To Ihew the hills from whence falvation fprihgs, And chafe the gloomy mades with golden wings, The glorious hufband now unvails his face, Aad&ews his glory full of truth and grace; Prefenls z& Gospel Son-nets, Prefents unto the bride, in that dark hour, Himfelf a Saviour, both by price and pow'r: A mighty Helper to redeem the loft, Relieve andranfom to the uttermoit; To feek the vagrant meep to deferts driv'n, And favc from lowefbhell to higheft heav'n. Ker dokful cafe he fees, his bowels move, And make her time of" need his time of love. He mews, to prove er mighty ftiield, Mis name is J £ S U S, by his Father feal'd; A m atf ibutes engrav'd within, To favc fin. And t cl ail of ; . 'it to ioofe 5 &an£lification to fubdue its f > >ly\ happy too. } SECT ; Fart I. The Believer's Efpoufals, zi SECT. IV. The 'workings cf the Spirit of faith in fparating the heart from all J elf- right eon fiefs, and drawing out its confent to, and dsfire after Christ alone and ^wholly, . ■■ THE bride at Sinai little understood, How thefe law-humblings were dzfign good, T' enhance the value of her tiufband's blood The tow'r of tott'ring pride thus batter'd down, Makes way for Chrifi alone to wear the crown. Conviction's arrows pierc'd her heart, that fo The blood from his pierc'd heart to hers might flow* The law's fharp plough tears up the fallow-ground, Where nGt a grain of grace was to be found, Till ilraight perhaps behind the plough is fown The hidden feed of faith, as yet unknown. Hence now the once reluclan^bride's inclin'd To give the gofpel an a/jenting mind, Difpos'd to take, would grace the pow'r impart, Heav'n's offer with a free contenting heart. His Spirit in the gofpel-chariot rides, "p. And mews his loving heart to draw the bride's ; %'■ Tho' oft in .clouds his drawing pow'r he hides, j| His love in gracious ofFers to her bears, In kindly anfwers to her doubts and fears, Refolving all objections more or lefs, From former fins, or prefent worthlefnefs, Perfwades her mind c-Ps conjugal confent, And then impow'rs her heart to fay, Content + Content to be divorced from the law, No more the yoke of legal terms to draw, Content that he diifolve the former match,: And to himfelf alone her heart attach, Content to join with Chrifi at any rate, And wed him as her eveiiafcing mate, Content that he mould ever wear the bays, And cf her whole falvation have the praife. Contest 22 Gospel Sonnets. Content that he ftiould rife, tho' me fhould fall, And to be nothing, that he may be all. Content that he, becaufe me nought can do, Do for her all her work, and in her too. Here ilie a peremptory mind difplays, That he do all the work, get all the praife, And now fhe is, which ne'er till now took place 3 Content entirely to be fav'd by grace. She owns that her damnation juit would be, And therefore her falvation muff be free : That nothing being hers but {in and thrall, She muft be debtor unto grace for all. Hence comes me to him in her naked cafe, • To be invefted with his righteoumefs., Sheccmes, as guilty, to a pardon free; As vile and j;hhy y to a cleanfing fca : As poor and empty, to the richefr, flock ; As weak and feeble, to x)i^ flrongefl rock: As perifhing, unto a fhield from thrall ; As worfe than nothing, to an all in all. She, as a blinded mole, an ign'rant fool, Comes for inftru&ion to the Prophet's fchool. She, with a hell-deferving confeious br*rafl, Flees for atonement to the worthy Prieft. She, as a Have to fin and Satan, wings Her flight for help unto the King of kings, She all her maladies and plagues brings forth To this phyfician of eternal worth. She fp reads before his throne her filthy fore, And lays her broken bones down at his door. No mite fhe has to buy a crumb of blifs And therefore comes impov'rim'd as me is. By fin and Satan of ail good bereft, Comes e'en as bare as they her foul have left. To fenfe, as free of holinefs within, As Chnj}, the fpotleis lamb, wa: free of fin . She comes by faith, true; but it me v/s her want, And brings her as a firmer, not a faint, A wretched finner flying for- her good Tjo j uflifying, fm&ifying blood. ' Strong Paf.t I. f 'he Believers Efpou/u':, 2 3 Strong faith no ftrength nor pow'r of acling vaunts, But a&s in fenfe of weaknefs and of wants. Drained now of ev'ry thing that men may call > Terms and conditions of relief from thrall; 5- Except this one, that Jefus be her all. -i Wnen to the bride he gives efpoufmg faith, It finds her under fin, and guilt, and wrath. And makes her as a plagued wretch to fall At Jefus' footftool for the cure of all. Her whole falvation now in him me feeks, And muling thus perhaps in fecret fpeaks : " Lo ! all my burdens may in him be eas'd | " The juftice I offended he has pleas 'd; " Theblifs that I have forfeit he procur'd; » " The curfe that I deferved he endur'd; * ; The law that I have broken he obey'd; Mi The debt that I contracted he has paid! iC And though a match unfit for him I be, « 4 I find him ev'ry way moil fit for me. " Sweet Lord, I. think, wculdft thou thyfelf impart, I'd welcome thee with open hand and heart. But thou that fav'ft by price,- muft fave by pow'r; O fend thy Spirit in a fiery fliow'r, This cold and frozen heart of mine to thaw, That naught, fave cords of burning love, can draw. draw me, Lord, then will I run to thee, And glad into thy glowing bofom flee. 1 own myfelf a mafs of fin and hell, A brat that can do nothing but rebel : Bat didji thou not, as facred pages fhew *, (When rifing up to fpoil the hellifh crew, That had by thomands, finners captive made, And hadfc in conqu'ring chains them captive led) }*. Get donatives, not for thy proper gain, But royal bounties for rebellious mm, Gifts, graces, and the Spirit without bounds, For God's m--w houfs n and fruition mall iuifice.- And thus in holy beauty Jefus' bride Shines far beyond the painted fons of .pride. Vain merit-vouchers, and their fubtile apes, . In all their moft remi'd, delufive fhapes, No lawful child is ere the marriage born ; * Tho' therefore virtues feign'd their life adorn, The fruit they bear is but a fpurious brood, Before this happy mairiage be made good. And 'tis not ftrange, for from a corrupt tree - No- fruit divinely, good produc' d can be* - But lo, the bride, graft in the living ?oot> Brings forth moft precious aromatic fruit. When her new heart and her new Huiband meet, Her fruitful womb is like a heap of wheat, Befet with fragrant lilies round about f, ") All divine graces, in a comely rout, V Burning within, and mining bright without. J . And thus the bride, as facred fcripture faith. When dead unto the law through J ejus' death \, C3 - < Atid * 2 Cor, liu 18. f; Cant. vii. 2. t.Rffm. vii. 4, 30 €j OS PEL SO'MNtTS. And matched with him y bears to hir God and Lord' Accepted fruity with incenf poor decor* d* Freed from law -debt,, and bleit with gofpel-ea^ Her work is now her deareft Lord to pieaie, By living on him as her ample flock,. And leaning to him as her potent rock. The fruit, that each law-wedded mortal brings,. To felf accrefces, as from felf it fprings. So bafe a rife muft have a bafe recourfe, The flream can mount no higher than its fource. But Jejus can his bride's fweet frvat commend. As brought from him the root, to him the end. She does by fuch an offspring him avow To be her ALPHA andOMEGA too. The work and warfare he begins, he crowns, Tho' maugre various conflicts, ups and downs. Thus through the darkfome vale fhe makes her way,. Until the morning-dawn of glory's day. i SECT. III. Tfue facing faith magnifying the lanx', both as a co~ venaiity and a rule, falfe faith unfruitful and ruin-*- ing. PRoud nature may reject this goipel-theme, And curfe it as an Antinoman fcheme. Let flander bark, let envy grin and fight, The curfe that is fo caufelefs mall not light. If they that fain would make by holy force 'Twixt finners and the law a.clean divorce, And court the Lamb a virgin chaile to wife, Be charg'd as foes to holinefs of life, Well may they fuffer gladly on this fcore, Apoftles great were fo malign'd before. Do "ive make void the law through faith ? nay, why, We do if more fulfil and magnify Than fiery feraphs can with holieft flafh ; Avant, vain legalifts, unworthy train. Whea Fart I;. The Believer's EJpoufals., 31 When as ar^i'W^ltern the law commands, Faith puts her Lamb's obedience in its hands : And when its threats guih out a fiery flood, Faith flops the current with her victim's blood. The law can crave no more, yet craves no lefs, Than a&ive, paflive, perfect righteoumefs. Yet here is all, yea more than its demands All render'd to it by a divine hand. Mankind is bound law-fervice Hill to pay 3 , Yea, . angel-kind is alio bound t' obey. It may by human and angelic blaze Have honour, but infinite partial ways. Thefe natures have its luflre once defac'd, ? Twill be by part of both for ay difgrac'd. Yet, had they all obfequi©us flood and true, They'd given the law no more than homage due. But faith giv's honour yet more great, more odd 9 _ The high, the humble fervice of its God. Again to view the holy law's command, As lodged in a Mediator's hand ; Faith gives it honour, as a rule of life, And makes the bride the Lamb's obedient wife. Due homage to the law thofe never did, To whom th* obedience pure of faith is hid. Faith works by love, ana purifies the heart y And truth advances in the inward part; On carnal hearts impreffes divine flamps, And fully'd lives inverts to mining lamps. From Abramh feed, that are moll ftrong in faith,. The law moft honour, God moft glory hath. But due refpedVto neither can be found, Where unbelief ne'er got a mortal wound, To Hill the virtue-vaunter's empty found. Good works he boafts, a path he never trod, Who is not yet the the brave, The mighty Gen'ral, her victorious Head, Who broke the double chain to free the bride. Hence, Part I. The Beue-jcr's Efpoufah. Kence, prompted now with gratitude and love, Her cheerful feet in fwift obedience move. More ftrong the cords of love to duty draw, Than hell and all the curfes of the law. When with feraphic love the breaiVs infpir'd, •By that are all the other graces nr'd ; Thefe kindling round, the burning heart and frame •In life and walk fend forth a holy flame. C H A P. IV. A caution to all agalnfl a legal fpirit- Qfpe- daily to thole that have aprofeiiion with- out power, and learning without grace. WHy, fays the haughty heart of legaljfis, Bound to the law of works by natural twills, ** Why fueh ado about a law-divorce ? 4 " Mens lives are bad, and would you have 'em vvorfe? " Such Antinomian fluff with labour'd toil ** Would human beauty's native luflre fpoil. *' What wickednefs beneath the cov'ring lurks, *' That lewdly would divorce us all from works ? " Why fuch a fHr about the law and grace ? *< We know that merit cannot now take place, " And what needs more? " Well, toletflander drop, Be merit for a little here the fcope. Ah ! many learn to lifp in gofp el- terms, Who yet embrace the law with legal arms. By wholefom education fome are taught To own that human merit now is naught ; Who faintly but renounce proud merit's name^ And cleave refln'dly to the Popifh fcheme. For graceful works expedting divine blifs, And, when they /ail, truft Chrifl for what's ami&. Thus to his righteoufnefs profefs to flee, Yet by it itill would their own faviours be. D They 3 -8 v_r o s p e l Sonnets. They feemto works of merit bloody foes, Yet feek falvation as it --were || by thofe. Blind Gentiles found, who did nor feek nor know But IfraH loft it whole, who fought it fo. Let all that love to wear the legal drefs, Know that as fin, fo daftard righteoufnefs, Has flain its thoufands, who in tow'ring pride The righteoufnefs of Jefus Chriji deride ; A robe divinely wrought, divinely won, Yet call by men for rags that are their own. But fome to legal* works feem whole deny'd, Yet would by gofpel-works bejuflify'd, By faith, repentance, love, and other fueh :") TheCe dreamers being righteous over much, ^ Like Uzza give the ark a wrongful touch. J By legal deeds however gofpeliz^,* Can e'er tremendous juftice be appeas'd ? Or fmners juitify'd before that God, Whofe law is perfect and exceeding broad r Nay, faith itfelf, that leading gofpel-grace, Holds as a work no juitifying place, jail Heav'n to man for righteoufnefs imputes Not faith itfelf, or in its acts or fruits ; But Jefus 1 meritorious life and death, Faith's proper object, all the honour hath. From this doth faith derive its glorious fame, Its great renown and juftifying name; Receiving all things, but deferving nought ; By faith all's begg'd and taken, nothing bought. Its higheit. name is from the wedding- vote, So initrumental in the marriage-knot. Jebcuo.b lends the bride, in that bleft hour, Tb\ exceeding greainefs of bis mighty po-zv'r ; Which fweetly does her heart-confent command To reach the wealthy Prince her naked hand. For clofe to his embrace fhe'd .never flir, If firft his loving arms embrae'd not her: But this he does by kindly gradual chafe, Ofroufmg, railing, teaching, drawing-grace. (j Rom. ix. 32, He Part I. The Bclie-vcSs Efpottfah. 59 He mews her, in his fweetefl love-addrefs, His glory as the fun of righteoufnefs ; At which all dying glories earth adorn Shrink like the lick moon at the wholefom morn. This glorious San arifing with a grace. Dark fhades of creature-righteoufnefs to chafe* Faith now difclaims itfelf. and all the train "] ' Of virtues formerly accounted gain ; )» And counts them dung, with holy, meek difdain. J~ Fornow appears the height, the depth immenfe Of divine bounty and benevolence; Amazing mercy ! ignorant of bounds ! Which moil enlarged faculties confounds. How vain, how void now feem the vulgar charm?, The monarch's pomp of courts, and pride of arms I The boafted beauties of the human kind, The pow'rs of body, and the gifts of mind ? I'o! in the grandeur of 'ImmanuMs train, All's fwallowed up as rivers in the main. He's feen, when gofpel-light and fight is giv'n, Encompafs'd round with all the pomp of heav'n. The foul now, taught of God, {ees human fchoole- Make Chriftiefs Rabbi's only lit'-rate fools ; And that, 'till divine teaching pow'rful draw, No learning will divorce them from the law. Mere argument may clear the head, and fores * A verbal, not a cordial clean divorce. Hence many, taught the wholefome terms of art, Have gofpel-heads, but ftiil a legal heart. 'Till fov'reign grace and pow'r the firmer catch, He takes not Jefus for his only match. Nay, works compete ! ah ! true, however odd, - Dead works are rivals with the living God. 5 Till Heav'n's preventing mercy clear the fighlv Confound the pride with fupernat'ral light; No haughty foul of human kind is brought To mortify her felf-exalting thought. Yet holierl creatures in clay-tents that lodge, Be but their lives fcann'd by the dreadful Judge ; : D-2 How 4« Gostel Sonnet How mall they e'er his awful fearch endure, Before whofe purefi eyes heav'n is not pure ? How mull their black indi&ment be enlaig'd, "When by him angels are with folly charg'd ? What human worth fhall Hand, when he fhall fcan t may his glory ftain the pride of man. How wondrous are the tracts of divine grace, How fearchlefs are his ways, how vail th' abyfs ? Let haughty reafcn Hop, and fear to leap ; Angelic plummets cannot found the deep. With fcorn he turns his eyes from haughty kings, With pleafure looks on low and worthlefs things; ]}eep are his judgments, fov'reign is his will, Let ev'ry mortal worm be dumb, be ftfll, In vain proud reafon fwells beyond its bound ; *"| God and his counfels are a gulf profound, }» An ocean wlierein all pur thoughts are drown'd. J CHAP. V. Arguments and encouragements to gofpel- minifters to avoid a legal (train of doc- trine, and endeavour the finner's match with Christ by gofpel-means. S EC T. I. A legal fpirit the root of 'damnable' error Jr YE heralds great, that blow in name of God The filver trump of gofpel-gr?.ce abroad ; And found, v by warrant f'orn the great I AM, The nuptial treaty with the worthy Lamb : Might ye but ftoop' th' unpoliuYd mufe to brook, Arid from a fnrub an wholefom berry pluck ; Ye'd take encouragement from what is faid, 1 fi>el-means to make the marriage bed, And so \ our glorious. Loid a virgin chaite to wed. i The Part I, The BtlzeverU Efppufah. 4.1 The more proud nature bears a legal {way, The more mould preachers bend the gofpel-way : Oft in- the church arife deftru&ive fchifms From anti-evangelic aphorifms ; A legal fpirit may be . juftly nam'd The fertile womb of ev'ry error damn'd. Hence Pop'ry, fo connat'ral fmce the fall, • Makes legal works like fav 7 iours merit all; Yea, more than merit on their moulder loads, To fupererogate like demi-gods. Hence proud. Socinians feat their reafon high, > ? Bove every precious golpei-myilery, Its divine author ilab, and without fear The purple covert of his chariot tear. With- thefe run Arian monfters in a line, < All gofpel-truthatcnce to undermine : To darken and delete, like hellilh foes, The brighteH colour of the Sharon Rofe. ■ At beft its human red they but decry, That blot the divine nvfa'te, the native dye* Hence dare Arntbiiam too, with brazen face, . Give man's free-will the throne of God's free-grace f ; Whofe felf-exalting tenets clearly mew Great ignorance of law andgofpel too. Hence Neonomians fpring, as fundry call - The new law-makers, toredrefs our fall.' Tlfe law of works into repentance, faith, , Is chang'd, as their Baxurian bible faith. ' \ Shaping thegofpel toaneafyiaw, They build their tott'ring houfe with hay andflraw^ : Yet hide, like Racket's idols in the fluff, Their legal hands within a gofpel-muff. Yea, hence fprings Antinomian vile refufe,, Whofe grofs abettors gofpel-grace abufe ; Unfldll'd how grace's filken latchet binds Her captives to the law with willing minds.- - B* SEC& t 3 - G-OSP'EL S'OK'KETt, sect. ir. A h gal ft rain, of do Brine dif covered and difcarded, NO wonder Paul the legal fpirit curfe,. Of fatal errors fuch a feeding nurie. He, in Jehovahh great tremendous name, Condemns perverters of the gofpel-fcheme. He damn'd the fophift rude, the babling prieii: Would venture to corrupt it in the leail ; Yea, curit the heav'nly angel down to hell, That daring would another gofpel tell *. Which crime is charg'd on thefe that dare difpenfe: The felf-fame gofpel in another fenfe. Chrift is not preach'd in truth, but in difguife. If his bright glory half abfconded lies. When gofpel-ibidiers, that divide the word, Scarce brandifn any but the legal fword. While Chrift the author of the law they preft, More than t:«e end of it for righteoufnefs ; Chrift as zfeeker of our fervice trace, More than a.gi. Mq/es, evangelizing in a made, . By types the news of light approaching fpread j . But from the law of works by him proclaim'd, No ray of gofpel-grace or mercy gleam'd. By nature's light the law to all is known, Butlightfome news.of g:( r cl -grace to none. The doing cov'nant nov,-, in part or whole, , Is ftrong to damn, but weak to fave a foul. . It hurts, and cannot help, but as it tends Through mercy. to fubferve fome gofpel-ends. . Law-thunder roughly to the gofpel tames, The gofpel mildly to the law reclaims. The fiery law, as. 'tis a covenant, Schools men to fee the gofpel-aid they want j Then gofpel-aid does fweetly them incline Back to the law as 'tis a rule divine. HeavVs healing work is oftcommene'd with wounds,.- Tcrmr begins what loving -kind nefs crowns. Preachers may therefore prefs the fiery law, To frrike theCliriftJefs man with dreadful awe. Law-threats which for his fins to hell deprefs, Yea, damn him for his rotten righteoufnefs ; That, while he views the law exceeding broad, . He fain may wed. the righteoufnefs of God. But ah ! to prefs law-works as terms of life, , Was ne'er the way to court the Lamb a wife. To urge conditions in the legal frame, Is to renew the vain old cov'nant game. The la~v is good ~jcben la-va/uHy 'tis us' d, .. But molt deftruclive when it is abus'd. They fet not duties' in the proper fphere, . Who duly law and gofpel don't fevere; But under maffy chains let finners lie, As tributaries, or to DO or DIE, Nor make the law a fquaring rule of life, . But in the gofoel-throat a bloody knife. SECT./ Part I.' The Believer's Efpoufals. 4; S E C T. IV. Damnable pride and felf -right eoufnefs y .fo natural to all nien> has little need to he encouraged by legal preaching* THe legal path proud nature lores fo well, (Tho' yet 'tis but the eleaneft road to hell.) That, lo! e'en thefe that take the fouleft ways,. Whofe lewdnefs no controulino; bridle ftavs , If but their drowfy confcience raife its \ 7 0ice, 'Twill fpeak the law of works their native choice^. And echo to the routing found, " Ah true I " I cannot hope to live, unlefs I DO." No confeious breaft of mortal kind can trace The myft'ry deep of being fav'd by graee. Of this nor is the nat'ral. confcience fkill'd;; Nor will admit it, when it is reveal'd; But pufhes at the gofpel like a ram, As proxy for the law, againil the Lamb". The proud felf-righteous Pharifaic ftrain Is, ** Bleft be God I'm. not like other men ; " I read and pray, give alms, I mourn and fait, Si And therefore hope I'll get to heav'n at laft : 'that never did coniinueto do all,'** To-fcorch their confeience with the flaming air, And iink their haughty hopes in deep deipairj Denouncing Ebal\ black revenging doom, To blaft their expectation in the bloom ; 'Till once vain hope of life by works give place v.Unto a folid hope of life by grace. The vig'-rous ufe of means is fafely urg'd, ' When preffing cails from legal dregs are p urg'd; But moil unfafely in a fed'ral drefs, Confounding terms of life with means of grace. Oh dang'rous is th' attempt proud flefh to pleaie, Or fend a iinner to the law for eafe ; Who rather needs to feel its piercing dart, ^Till dreadful pangs invade his trembling heart 3 And thither mould be only fent for flames Of fire to burn his rotten hopes and claims ; That thus difarm'd, he gladly may embrace, And grafp with eager nefs the news of grace, SEC T, V. , The go/pel of divine grace the only means of convert* ing finnersy and Jhould be preached therefore raofi clearly, fully, a?id freely. ''IT* Hey ought, who royal grace's heralds be, J To trumpet loud falvation full and free ; Nor fafely can, to humour mortal pride, In filence evangelic myfl'ries hide. What Heav'n is pleas'd to give, dare we refufe, Or under ground conceal, left men abufe ? Supprefs the gofpel-flow'r, upon pretence That fome vile fpiders may facie poifoa thence ) Ci»-iji * Gal, ui, jo\ 4o VjOSPEL sonnets. Chrijl is a Humbling- block ; mall we neglect To preach him, left the blind mould break their neck'r That high lie's for the fall of many fet As well as for the rife, mull prove no letT No grain of precious truth muft be fuppreft, Though reprobates mould to their ruin wreft. Shall Heav'n's corrufcant lamp be dimm'd, that p?ys Its daily tribute down in golden rays? Becaufe fome, blinded with the blazing gleams, Share not the pleafure of the lightning beams. Let thofe be hardned, petrify 'd and harm'd, The reii are mollify'd and kindly warm'd. A various favour f, flowers in grace's field, Of life to fome, of death to others yield. Muft then the rofe be vaiPd, the lily hid, The fragrant favour ftified? God forbid. The revelation of the gofpel-flovv'r, Is ftili the organ fam'd of iaving pow'r; Moftjuftiy then are legal minds condemn'd, That of the glorious gofpel are afham'd : For this the divine arm, and only this, The po-iv'r of God unto fahj at ion is £. For therein is reveal'd, to fcreen from wrath. The righteoufnejs of God from faith to faith. The happy change in guilty finners cafe ~~* They owe to free difplays of fov'reign grace; Whofe joyful tidings of amazing love, The r.iiniji ration of the Spirit pro-ve. The glorious vent the gofpel news exprefs, Of God's free grace, thro' Chrift's full righteoufnefs, Is Heav'n's gay chariot where the Spirit bides, And in his conqu'ring pow'r triumphant rides. The gofpel-field is ftill the Spirit's foil, The golden pipe that bears the holy oil ; The orb wheie he outfhines the radiant fun, The iilver channel where his graces run. Within the gofpel-banks his flowing tide Of lightning, quickning motions fweetly glide. ~ Removed f 2 Cor. ii. 1 6. J Rom, i. 16. 17c Fart I. The Believer's Efpoufals. 4^ Received ye the Spirit, fcripture faith jj, By legal -ivorks. or by the ivord of faith? If by the gofpel only, then let none Dare to be wifer than the wifeft one. We mull, who freely get, as freely give The vital word that makes the dead to live. For ev'n to tinners dead within our reach We in his living name may moil fuccefsful preach. The Spirit and the fcripture both agree Jointly (fays Chrift) to tefifyofme. The preacher then will from his text decline, That fcorns to harmonize with this de£gn. Prefs moral duties to the lair, degree ; Why not ? but mind, left we fuccefslefs be, No light, no hope, no ftrength for duties faring, Where Jefus is not Prophet, Prieft, and King. No light to fee the way unlefs he teach, No joyful hope fave in his blood we reach, No ftrength unlefs his royal arm he ftretch. Then from our leading fcope hew grofs we fall, If, like his name, in ev'ry gofpel-call, C We make not him the Firjl, the Laf, the All! } Our office is to bear the radiant torch Of gofpel-light into the darkned porch Of human underftandings, and difplay The joyful dawn of everlafting day ; To draw the golden chariot of free grace, The darkned mades with mining rays to chafe, "Till Heav'n's bright lamp on circling wheels be hurl'd, With fparkling grandeur round the dufky world ; And. thus to bring, in dying mortals iight, New life and immortality to light. We're charg'd to preach the gofpel, unconfin'd, To enj'ry creature of the human kind; To call, with tenders of falvation free, All corners of the earth to come and fee: And ev'ry finner moft excufelefs make, By urging rich and pe*ar to corns and iakt, E W, H Gal. iii. 2. 5? Gospel S-ohkitj, Ho, ev'ry one that thirfts \, is grace's call Direct to needy finners great arid fmall ; Not meaning thofe alone, whofe holy thirft Denominates their fouls already bleft. If only thofe were call'd, then none but faints; Nor would the gofpel fuit the finner's wants. But here the call does iignally import Sinners and thirfty fouls of ev'ry fort; And mainly to their door the meilage brings, Who yet are thirfling after empty things ; Who fpend their means no living bread f buy, And pains for that that they may fee their need of Christ's righteoufnefs. IF never yet thou didft fair Jefus wed, Nor yield thy heart to be his marriage-bed ; But hitherto art wedded to the law, Which never could thy chain'd affections draw From brutifh lulls and fordid lovers charms ; Lo ! thou art yet in Satan's folded arms. Hell's pow'rinvifible thy foul retains His captive flave, lock'd up in mafTy chains. finnerthen, as thou regard'ft thy life, ~) Seek, feek with ardent care and earneft ftrife ^ To be the glorious Lamb's betrothed wife. J For bafe corrivals never let him lofe Thy heart, his bed of conjugal, repofb. Wed Chriji alone, and with fevere remorfe J. From other mates purfue a clean divorce j > For they thy ruin feek by fraud or force. b As lurking ferpents in the mady bow'rs Conceal their malice under fpreading flow'rs y. So thy deceitful lulls with cruel fpite Hide ghailly danger under gay delight. Art thou a legal zealot, foft or rude, Renounce thy nat'ral and acquired good. As bafe deceitful lufts may work thy final*,, So may deceitful frames upon thy heart. Seeming good motions may in fome be found,.. Much joy iri hearing, like the ftony ground; Much fcrrow too inpraying, as appears Jn E/au's careful fuit with rueful tears. Touching the lanv* they biamelefs may appear ', From fpurious views moft fpecious viitues bear.. Nor merely be devout in mens elleem, But prove to be fmcerely what they feem, 1 fiends to the holy law in heart and life, Suers of heav'n with, utmoft legal ftrife ; ?ar.t. I. The Believer's Efpou/ah. 53 Yet ftiil with innate pride fo rankly fpidd, Converted but to duties, not to Chriji-^ That Publicans and harlots heanfn obtain Before a crew fo righteous and fo vain. Sooner will thofe ihake off their vicious drefs, Than thefe blind zealots will their righteoufnefs, Who judge they have (which fortifies their pride) The law of Goditfelf upon their fide. Old nature, new-brufh'd up with legal pains, • Such ftricl: attachment to the law retains, No means, no motives can to J ejus draw Vain fouls, fo doubly wedded to the law. But wouldil the glorious Prince in marriage have;, ■*> Know that thy nat'ral huiband cannot fave. Thy belt effays to pay the legal rent Can never irv the leaft the law content, - Didft thou in pray'rs employ the morning--!ight, In tears and grones the watches of the night, - Pafs thy whfc^ life in elofe devotion o'er ; ; Tis nothing to the law Hill craving more. There's no proportion 'twix'c its high commands'] i And puny works from thy polluted hands ; )> ■ Perfection is the leafl that it demands. J » Wouldjl enter into life, then keep the law, But keep it perfectly without a flaw. It wo'nt have lefs, nor will abate at laib A drop of vengeance for the fin that's palL - Tell, iinful mortal, is thy flock fo large- As duly can defray this double charge ? - " Why thefe are. mere impofiibles." (fayil thou.) • Yea, truly fo they are ; and therefore now, That down thy legal confidence may fall, The law's black doom home to thy bofom call. " Lo! I (the divine law) demand no lefs " Than perfect, everlafting righteoufnefs ; « But thou haft faii'd, andloit thy ftrength to BOY - " Therefore I doom thee to eternal wo; " In prifon clofe to be fhut up for ay, " Ere X be babied with thy partial pay, E 3 . « Thoti 54 : toSML S"ONN«-T3. " Thou always did ft and doll my precepts break, . " I therefore curie thee to the burning lake. *' In God the great lawgiver's glorious name, „ * I judge thy foul to everlafting fhame." Noflejh can by the law bejvfiified, Yet darefl thou thy legal* duties plead ? As P«Wappeal'd to Cefar, wilt thou (o\ Unto the law ? then to it fhalt thou go, )- And find it doom thee to eternal wo. J What, would ye have us plung'd in deep defbair? ? Amen, yea, God himfelf would have you there. His will it is that you defpair of life, And fafety by the law or legal ftrife ; That cleanly thence divorc'd at any rate His faireft Son may have a faithful mate. 'Till this law-fenteiice pafs within your breaft, You'll never wed the lavy-difcharging Prieft, You prife not heav'n till he through hell you draWj Nor love the goipel till you know the law. Know then, the divine law moil perfect cares For none of thy imperfecl legal wares ; Dooms thee to vengeance for thy finful fcate, As well as finful aclions fmall or great. If any fin can be accounted fmall, To hell it dooms thy foul for one and all. For fins cf nature, practice, heart, and way Damnation-rent it fummons thee to pay. v Yea, not for fin alone which is thy ihame, But forthy boafled fervice too, fo lame, The law adjudges thee and hell to meet, Becaufe thy rigliteoufnefs is uncompleat. As tow'ring flames burn up the wither'd fteg5 ; So will the fiefy law thy filthy rags. . SECT. II. . THrcahn given with reference to the right life cf ih& means, that we r£Jl net-on thsfe infitad o/* Christ tht glorious Hi ufi and, in whom our help lies. ADAM, where art thou ? Soul, where art thou now I Oh, art thou faying, Sir, what Jh all I do? Fart L The Believers Efpouftals, 55 T dare not ufe that proud felf-raifing llrain^ . Go help your/elf, and Gcd will help you then. Nay, rather know, O IfraH, that thou haft Deftroy'dtbyfe'lf, andcanft not in the leaft From fin nor- wrath thyfelf the captive free, . Thy help (fays Jefus) only lies in me. HeavVs oracles direct to him alone, , Full help is laid upon this mighty One. In him, in him compleat falvation dwells 5 • He's God the helper, and there is none elfe. . Fig-leaves won't hide thee, from- the nery fhow'r*, '.-. 'Tis he alone that faves by price and pow'r. Muftwe do nothing then (will mockers fay) But reft in floth till Keav'n the help convey ? Pray, Hop a little, iinner, don't abufe God's awful word, that charges thee to ufe. Means, ordinances, which he's pleas'd to place, , As precious channels of his pow'rful grace. Refrlefs improve all thefe, until from Heav'n . The whole falvation needful thus be giv'n. Wait in this path, according to his call, . On him whofe power alone effecleth all. Wouldfl thou him wed, in duties wait I fay, , Bat marry not thy duties by the way. Thou'lt wofully come ihort of faving grace ? . Ji duties only be thy reiling-place. Nay, go a little further through them all, To him whofe office is to ihve from thrall. . Thus in a gofpel-manner hopeful wait, Striving to enter by the narrow gate ; So ftrait and narrow, that it won't admit The bunch upon thy back to enter it. Not only bulky lulls may ceafe to prefs, But ev'n the bunch of boafted righteoufnefs„ Many, as in the facred page we fee, Shall ftri We from the glory of the King defalk, Who in the galleries is wont to walk ; We move not regular in duties road, Butbafe,. invert them to an idol-god. Seek then, if gofpel-means you would efiay^. Through grace to ufe them in a gofpel-way : Not deeming that your duties are the price Of divine 'favour, or of paradife ; Nor that your beft efforts employ'd in thefe Are fit exploits your awful Judge to pleafe*. Why, thus you bafely idolize your tram, And make it with the blood of J ejus clafh. You'd buy the bleffing with your vile refufe, And fo his precious righteoufnefs abufe. What ! buy his gifts with filthy lumber ? nay, "| Whoever offers this, muft hear him fay, y Thy money perijh with thy foul for ay. J Duties are means, which to the marriage-bed Should chaftly lead us like a chamber maid ; But if with her inftead of Chrift we match, We not our fafety., but our ruin hatch. To Cefar what is Cefar's mould be giv'n, But Cefar muft not have what's due to Heav'n : - So duties mould have duty's room, 'tis true, But nothing of the glorious Huiband's due. While 58 Gospel San-nits. While means the debt of clofe attendance cravf* Our whole dependence God alone muft have. If duties, tears, our confcience pacify, They with the blood of Chriji prefume to vie. Means are his vafiais ; Ihall we without grudge Difcard the matter, and elpoufe the drudge ? The hypocrite, the legalift does fin,. To live on duties, not on Chriji therein.. He only feeds on empty dimes, plates, Who dotes on means, but at the manna frets.. Let never means content thy foul at all, Without the Huiband, who is all in all. Cry daily for the happy marriage-hour ; To thee belongs the mean, to him the pow'r. SECT. in. jl cat! to believe in Jesus Christ nuith fome hint at the acl and objed of faith* pRiend, is the queftion on thy heart engrav'd* \j What Jhall I do to be for ever fav'd? Lo ! here's a living rock to build upen; Believe in J ejus \ and on him alone For righteoufnefs and ftrength thine anchor drop, Renouncing all thy former legal hope. ** Believe (fay you) I can no more believe, " Than keep rf the law of works, the DO and LIVE." True, and it were thy mercy, didir, thou fee Thine utter want of all ability. New cov'nant graces he alone can grant,. Whom God has giv^n to be the Covenant ; E'en fefus, whom the facred letters call. Faith's obje&, author, finifher, and all; In him alone, not in thy ad of faith, Thy foul. believing full falvation hath. In this new cov'nant judge not faith to hold The room of perfect doing in the old. Faith is not giv'n to be the fed'ral price Of other bleinngs, or of paradife : Bat Part £ the Believtr's Efpoufsls. - 5$ But Heav'n, by giving this, ftrikes out a door ' • At which is earry'd in Hill more and more* No finner muft upon his faith lay ftrefs, As if it were a perfect righteoufnefs. God ne'er affign'd unto it fuch a place, 'Tis but at beft a bankrupt begging grace. Its object makes its fame to fly abroad, So clofe it grips the righteoufnefs of God ; Which righteoufnefs receiv'd, is (without ftrife) The true condition of eternal life. But fldll (fay you) pow'r to believe I mifs. You may; but know you what believing is-? Faith lies not in your building up a tow'r Of fome great action by your proper pow'r. For Heav'n well knows, that by the killing fall, No power, no will remains in man at all For acts divinely good ; 'till fov'reign grace By pow'rful drawing virtue turn the chafe. Hence none believe in Jefus, as they ought, 'Till once they firft ^believe they can do nought Nor are fujjicieni e'en to form a thought. They're confcious, in the right believing hour, Of human weaknefs, and of divine pow'f. Faith acts not in the fenfe of itrength and might, But in the fenfe of wtaknefs acts outright. It is (no bcafting arm of pow'r or length) But Gospel Sonnbts. It makes the creature down to nothing fall, Content that Chriji alone be all in all. The plan of grace is faith's delightful view, With which it clofes both as good and true. Unto the truth the mind's ajfent is full, Unto the^fWa free conjenting vcill. The holy Spirit here, the agent chief, Creates this faith, and dailies unbelief.. That very God who calls us to believe, The very faith he feeks, mull alfo give. Why calls he then? (fay you.) Pray, man, be wite; Why did he call dead Lazarus to rife ? Becaufe the orders in their bofom bear Almighty pow'r to make the carcafe hear. But Heav'n may not this mighty pow'r difplay. Moll true ; yet frill thou art obtig'd t' obey, But God is not at all oblig'd to ftretch Kis laving arm to fuch a finful wretch. All who within falvation-rolls have place Are fav'd by a prerogative of grace : But velfels all that mall with wrath be cramm'd - Are by an a& of holy juftice damn'd. Take then, dear foul, as from a friendly heart, The counfel which the following lines impart. SECT. IV. Jin advice to Jlnners to apply to the fovereign mercy of God, as it is dif covered through Christ, to the highefl honour of juftice and other divine attri- butes, in order to further their faith in him unt* falvaiion, GO, friend, and at Jehovah's footflool bow ; Thou know'ft not what a fov'reign God may do, Confefs, if he commiferate thy cafe, 'Twill be an aft of pow'rful fov'reign grace. Sequeftrate carefully fome folemn hours, ' To fue thy grand concern in fecret bow'rs. Thea Fart I. The Believer's Efpcufals. 6l Then in th' enfuing ftrain to God impart And pour into his bofom all thy heart. m O glorious, gracious, pow'rful, fov'reignTord, *< Thy help unto a finf ul worm afford ; " Who from my wretched birth to this fad hour, fj Have ftill been deftitute of will and pow'r tf To clofe with glorious Chrift-, yea, filFd with fpite " At thy fair darling, and thy faints delight, " Refilling all his grace with all my might. " Come, Lord, and fap my enmity's ftrong tow'r ; iC O hafle the marriage-day, the day of pow'r; " That iweetly, " by refiftlefs grace inclin'd, tl My once reluctant be a willing mind. " Tlnou fpak'ft to being ev'ry thing we fee, " When thy almighty will faid, Let it be, " This glorious Hufband be for ever mine. J *' On this ftrong argument fo fweet, fo bleft, <* With thy allowance, Lord, I mull injift. " Great Part I. The Believer' s Efpouj ah. 63 " Great God, ilnce thou allow'ft unworthy me " To make thy, glorious name my humble plea ; " No glory worthy of it wilt thou gain «' By calling me into the burning main. •* My feeble back can never fuit the load, ** That fpeaks thy name a fin-revenging God. " Scarce would that name feem a confumingfire r Upon a worm unworthy of thine ire. " But fee the worthy Lamb, thy chofen Prieft, *' With jufticei burning-glafs againlt. his breaft, "•' Contracting all the beams of 'venging wrath, " As in their centre, 'till he burnt to death. " Vengeance can never be fo much proclaim'd " By fcatter'd beams among the millions damn'd. ■ " Then Lord, in him me to the utmoft fave, " And thou malt glory to the higheil: have : " Glory to nuifdom that contriv'd fo well ! f* Glory .to pbvfr tnat bore and bury'd helfif * 6 r Glory to holinefs which fin defac'd, " With fmlefs fervice now divinely grac'd ! fi Glory to juftice 9 fvvord that flaming flood, " Now drunk to pleafure with atoning blood!" ' * Glory to truth that now in fcarlet clad, "' Has feal'dboth threats ahdpromifes with red J " Glory to mercy now in purple ftreams, " So fweetly gliding thro' the divine flames "Of other once offended, now exalted names ! " Each attribute confpires with joint embrace, " To mew its fparkling rays in Jefus 9 face; £ "And thus to deck the crown of matchlefs grace. ^ s " But to thy name in hell ne'er can acrue " The thoufandth part of this great revenue. " O ravifning contrivance! light that blinds - " Cherubic gazers, andferaphic minds. " Thy pry into the deep, and love to -leant * I* What yet mould vaftly more be my concern. e Lord, once my hope mofl reafonlefs could dream I Of heav'n, without regard to thy great name : " But here is laid, my lafting hope to -found, ** A highly rational, a divine grounds F-2 '< 'Tis ^4 Gospil Sonnets. '« 'Tis reafonable, I expeft thou'lt take " The way thatmoft will for thine honour make. . " Is this the plan ? Lord, let me build my claim " To life, on this high glory of thy name. u Nor let my faithlefs heart or think, or fav, " That all this glory mall be thrown away' " In my perdition ; which will never raife *' To thy great name fo vafl a rent of praife. " O then a rebel into favour take; :t Lord, fhield and fave m*~for thy glory's fake. " My endlefs ruin is not worth the coft, " That fo much glory be for ever loft. " I'll of the greateft firmer bear the fhame, " To bring the greateft honour to thy name. " Small lofs, tho' I mould perifh endlefs days, "But thoufand pities grace mould lofe the praife. , «'- O hear, Jehovah, eet the glory then, » k~A f r— *:-^ &v. Mm*** — SECT. V, The terrible doom of unbelievers, and rejetfcrs of Christ, or defpijers of the go/pel. ^| ^ Hus, finner, into J r efus i bofom flee, Then there is hope in IfraH fure for thee,. . Slight not the call, as running by in rhime, Left thou repent for ay, if not in time. 'Tis molt unlawful to contemn and fhun All wholfome counfels that in metre run; Since the prime fountains of the facred writ Much heav'nly truth in holy rhimes tranfmit. . If this don't pleafe, yet hence it is no crime To verfify the word, and preach in rhime. But, in whatever mould the doctrine lies, T'. Some erring minds will gofpel-truth defpife ^y Without remcde, till. Heav'n anoint their eyes. J Thefe lines pretend no conqu'ring art nor fkill, But /hew in weak attempts a ftrong good-will, tJ pAP-T I. The Believer's Ffpoufals, 65 To mortif) r all native legal pride* And court the Lamb of God a virgin-bride, If" he thy conjunct match be never giv'n, Thou'rt doom'd to hell, as fure as God's in heav ? nr Ifgofpel grace and gocdnefs don't thee draw, Thou art condemn'd already by the law*- Yea, hence damnation deep will doubly brace, If ftill thy heart contemn redeeming grace, No argument from fear or hope will move, Or draw thy heart, if not the bond of love : Nor flowing joys, nor flaming terrors chafe To Chriji the heav'n, without the gales of grac<£, : O flighter then of grace's joyful found, Thou'rt over To the wrathful ocean bound. ■ Anon thou'lt fink into the gulph of woes, : Whene'er thy wafting hours are at a clofe 5 Thy falfe old legal hope will then be loft, And with thy wretched foul give up the ghoft.- Then farewel God and Chrif, and grace and glor£-^ Undoae thou art, undone for evermore? For ever finking underneath the load And pre/lure of a fin-revenging Qo-L The facred awful text aJierts", To fall Into his living bunds is fearful thrall; * W zln no ?nore Jacrifice for fin remains ■, But ever-living wrath, and lafling chains : Heav'n ftill upholding life in dreadful death, Still throwing down hot thunderbolts of wraths - As full of terror, and as manifold, As finite vefTels of his wrath can hold. Then, then we may fupnofe the wretch to cry, ") " Oh, if this damning God would let me die, J» - <* For now. I'm damn'd, I'm damn'd, and always &. F % « C«rs'4 X $6 ®0 S ?* L S fc In ;, «! Curs'd be the day that ever made me hear " The gofpel -call, which brought falvation near. , '« The endlefs found of flighted mercy's bell, " Has in mine ears the moil tormenting knell. (( Of offer'd grace I vain repent the lofs, 6i The joyful found with horror recognofce. . " The hollow vault reverberates the found, \ M This killing echo ftrikes the deepeft wound, ' ^ *' And with too late remorfe does now confound. J r " Into the dungeon of deipair I'm lock'd, " Th' once open door of hope forever biock'd : *' Hopelefs, J fink into the dark abyfs, '<• Banifh'd for ever from eternal bliis. *'■ In boiling \«aves of vengeance mull I lie ? *' O could 1 curfe this dreadful God, and die! I *' Innnite years in torment mail I fpend, "' And never, never, never at an end ? me Ah ! muft I live in torturing defpair " As many years as atoms in the air ? *' When thefe are fpent, as many thoufands more •* ; As grains of fan d that croud the ebbing fnorer * e When thefe are dcr-c, as-aaany yet behind •' As leaves of foreft ihaken with the wind T ••* W T hen thefe are gone, as many to enfue " 4 As ftems of grafs on hills and dales that grew i? f " When thefe run out, as many on the march " As Harry lamps that gild the fpangled arch ? ** When thefe expire, as many millions more - " As moments in the millions part before? ** When all thefe doleful years are fpent in pain, ** And multiply 'd by myriads again, *' Till numbers drown the thought; could I fuppofe *' That then my wretched years were at a clofe/ *' This would airord fome eafe : but,- ah ! I ihiyer ** To think upon the dreadful found, for ever. « The burning gulph, where I blafpheming lie, " Is time no more, bujt vaft eternity. " The growing torment I endure for fin, ^ -Thro 5 ages all is always to begin. (t Hov/ Part I.:.. T£.e Believer's Efpoufals* A How did I but a grain of pleafure fow, , To reap an harveft of immortal woe? Bound to the bottom of the burning main, ei Gnawing my chains, Iwifh for death invain. . 4i Jufl doom ! fince I that bear th' eternal load " Contemn'd the death of an eternal God. " Oh, if the God that curs'd metothe lalh,-; - Would biefs me back to nothing with a dam ! :' " But ho; sfefs I the juft avenger hate, "Blafpherne the wrathful God, and curfe my fate.**.' TPb thefe this word of terror I direct, Who now the gnai f alkali on dare neglect : : To all che Gbrifi -^>yA ug multitude* , That trample on the great Redeemer's blood 5 ■ ; That fee no bea is glorious face, . But flight his offers, and refufe his grace. , A meffengcr of \ me I am. But thoie that hate towed the worthy Lamb* For tho' the fmalleil fu:s, if fmall can be, Will plunge the Cbriilkfs foul in rnifery.- Yet, io, the gFeateftihafto mortals cleave Shan't damn the fouls in J ejus that believe; . Eecaufe they on the very method fall 'That well can make amends to God for zlh Whereas proud fouls thro' unbelief won't let i Tne glorious God a reparation get . | Of all his honour, in his darling Son, For all the great dishonours they have done- -. A faithlefs foul the glorious God bereaves , OX all the fatis faction that he craves ; Hence under divine hotteft fur)' lies, And with a double vengeance juftly dies. . The blackefl part otTophet is their place, Who flight the tenders of redeeming grace, - That facrilegious monfler, unbelief, So hardened 'gainft remorfe and pious grief} \. Robs God of ail the glory of his names. Ant ev'ry divine attribute defames. It loudly calls the truth of God a lye> T/se God of truth a Ijar; horrid cry 1 Doubts 6i " Gospel So n h e t s. Doubts and denies his precious words of grace, - Spits venom in the royal fuitor's face. This monfter cannot ceafe all fin to hatch, Becaufc it proudly mars the happy match. -As each law-wedded foul is jcin'd to fin, , And deftitute of holinefs within ; So all that wed the law, mull wed the curfe, h rent thy fcorn to pay with Cbrijih full purl*. clear may read their dreadful doom in brief, fe fell er'd fore is final unbelief: Tho' to the law their life exa&ly fram'd, 1 | For zealous acts and paflions too were fam'd ; ^ ■ Yet, lo ! He that belie-ves not, ftiail be dam.i d. J , Bui not'j ^tisprcper, on the ether fde, With c words of comfort to addrejs the bride. - She in her glorious Hujband does pcfj'efs Adorning grace, acquitting rightecufnefs ; And hence to her pertain the golden mines ®f confurt of ned in the following lineu « GOSPEL GOSPEL SONNETS; O R, SPIRITUAL SONGS, PART II. k* lie Believer's foiNfufl? Oil, The POEM continued upon Isaiah liv ? 5, Thy Maker is thy Hufband, H. B. The following lines being primarily intended for the ufe and edification of. pioujly-exercifea 1 fouls , and cfpecially thqfe of a more common and ordinary capacity ; the author , thought fit, through the whole of this fecond part of the book, to continue, as in the for?ner editions, to repeat that part of the text, Thy Kufband, in the laft line cf every verfe : becauje however it tended to limit him, and refirict his. liberty of words in the compofi'ion, yet having ground to judge that this appropriating compellation, fill rejumed, had rendered thefe lines formerly the more favoury to Jome exerci/sd Chri- Jiian:, ., 7 and full fecuriiy, through the imputation of Christ'* perfeSi right eoufnefs, though impart* id grace be wiperfecl. O Happy foul, Jehovah's bride, The Lamb's beloved fpoufe : Strong con f Nation's flowing tide ThyHufDand thee allows. In thee, tho' like thy father's race* By nature black as hell, Yet now, fo beautify'd by grace, Thy Hufoand loves to dwell. Fair as the moon thy robes appear, While graces are in drefs : Clear as the fun, while found to wear Thy Huiband's righteoufnefs. Thy vr t II. The Believer t Jointure. Thy moon-Hke-graces, changing much. Have here and there a fpot : Thy fun-like glory is net fuch, - Thy Huiband changes not. Thy white and ruddy vefture fair Outvies the rofy leaf; Tor 'mong ten thoufand beauties rare Thy Huiband is the chief. Cloth'd with the fun, thy robes of light The morning-rays outmine; The lamps of heav'n are not fo bright, Thy Hufband decks thee fine. Tho' hellilh fmoak thy- duties ftain, And fin deform thee quite ; ,Thy Surety's merit makes thee clean, Thy Hufband's beauty white . Thy pray'rs and tears, nor pure, nor good, But vile and lothfome feem ; Yet gain, by dipping in his blood, Thy Hufband's high efleem* No fear thevu flarve, tho* wants be great. In him thou art compleat : Thy hungry foul may hopeful wait, Thy Hufband gives thee meat. Thy money, merit, pow'r, and pelf, ■ Were fquander'd by thy fall ; Yet, having nothing in thyfelf, Thy Huiband is thy all. ; Law precepts, threats, may both be fet To crave of thee their due ; But juftice for thy double debt Thy Hufband did purfue. Tho' t 7? Gospel Son nets. Tho' juftice ftern as much belong As mercy to a God ; Yet juftice fuffer'd here no wrong, Thy Hufband's back was broad. He! bore the load of wrath alore, That mercy might take vent Heav'ns pointed arrows all upon Thy Hufband's heart were (pent. No partial pay cou'd juftice ftill, No farthing was retrench'd; Vengeance exacted all, until Thy Hufband all advane'd. He paid in liquid golden red Each roite the law requir'd, Till, with a loud *Tis fnijhed, Thy Kuiband's breath expir'd. No procefs more the law can 'tent;. Thou ftand'ft without its verge, ~And mayfl at pleafure now prefent Thy Hufband's full difcharge. Tho' new contracted guilt beget New fears of divine ire ; Yet fear thou not, tho' drown'd in debt, Thy Huiband is the payer. God might in rigour thee indite Of higheil crimes and flaws ; But on thy head no curfe can lights Thy Hufband is the caufe. SfcCTl • i >ART It. The Belieroer' cj i;:t:r.. fj SEC T. II, ^HRrsT the believer's friend, prophet, priej?, king* defence, guide, gnard, help, and healer. DEar foul, when all thefhuman race Lay, welt'isng in their gore, ' Vaft numbers in that difmal cafe Thy Huiband palled e*er, Bntprav, why did he thoufands pafs, And let his heart on thee ■ The deep, the iearchlefs r?^fh:i was 3 Thy Hufband's love is free. The forms of favour, names of grace, Winces of love, "•"He bears for thee, with open face Th] l's kii - r s prove, *Gafhfl: dafknefs b!ack ? and error blind, ThoVhaHafunandflneld; :• And, to reveal the Father's mind, Thy Hufband Prophet feaFtf. Ke likewife, to procure thy peace, And fave from fin's arreft, Refign'd himfelfa facrifieej Thy Huiband is thy Prief. ■And that he might thy will fubject, . ' And {weedy captive bring, t ' Thy ens fub-iue, his throne ereS, Thy Huiband is thy Ktti*. f ho' nam'rous and gfikul&xi'g foes L^.y joyful peace may mar; ~' A And thou a thoufanj battles lefe, Thy Huiband v^s tlfe w?.r» 74- Gospel Sonnets. Hell's forces, which thy mind appall, His arm can foon difpatch ; How ftrong foe'er, yet for them all Thy Huiband's more than match. Tho* fecret lulls with hid contefl, By heavy groans reve^Pd, And devils rage ; yet, do their befl, Thy Hufband keeps the field. When, in defertion's ev'ning dark, Thyfteps are &pt to Hide, His conduct feek, his counfel mark, Thy Hulband is thy guide. In doubts, renouncing felf-conceit, His word and Spirit prize : He never counfell'd wrong as yet, Thy Hufband is fo wife. When weak, thy refuge feeft at hand, Yet cannot run the length ; 'Tis prefent pow'r to underdand Thy Huiband is thy ftrength. When making florins annoy thy heart, His word commands a calm : When bleeding wounds, to eafe thy fmart Thy Huiband's blood is balm. Truft creatures, nor to help thy thrall, Nor to affwage thy grief; Uie means, but look beyond them all, Thy Huiband's thy relief. If Heav'n prefcribe a bitter drug, Fret not with froward will ; This carriage may thy cure prorogue; ^hy Hufband wants not Sail, ?art II. The Believer's Jointure. 75 He fees the fore, he knows the cure Will molt adapted be ; 'Tis then mGit reafonable, fure, Thy Hufband chufe for thee. Friendfhip is in his chain foments, And favour in his frowns -j Thence judge not then, in heavy plaint's, Thy Hufband thee difowns. The deeper his iharp lancet go In ripping up thy wound, The more thy healing mall unto Thy Hufband's praife redound, SECT. III. Chri-st the believer's wonderful phyfician, and wealthy friend* Kind Jefus empties whom he'll fill, Cafts down whom he will rai-fe; He quickens whom he feems to kill 5 Thy Hufband thus gets praife. When awful rods are in his hand, There's mercy in his mind ; When clouds upon his brow do fland 3 Thy Hufband's heart is kind, In various changes to and fro, He'll ever condant prove; Nor can his kindnefs ccme and go, Thy Hufband's name is Love. His friends~in moll ami&ed lot His favour mofi have felt ; For when they're try'd in furnace hot. Thy Hufband's bowels melt. » G 2 Whta ; 6 . G o s p i l- Sonnet?. When he his bride or wounds or heals, Heart kindiiefs doe:. hhn move; And wraps in frown? as well as fmiles Hoiband's lafiin-g love, Co i'. Id ever fail, TJio' of a hopelefs frate; fp'rate cafes heal, Thy Hufband's art's fo great* The medicine he -Ml prep *r?, Can't fail to work for good : C balfarn pow'rful, precious, rare, Thy Hufband's facred blood; toih I is broached breaft Cufh'd out lihe pent-up fire. His cares are beft, his wages leafl,. Thy Kufband takes no \-.\. e. Thpuhafi np worth, nc migLtj no good, His favour to procure: But fee his ftore, hispow'r, his blood j Thy Hufband*s never poor. Himfelfhe humbled wondrouf:y, Once to the loweft pitch, it bankrupts thro* hip poverty Thy Hulband might enrich. treafure is mere excellent Than hills of Ophir gold : In veiling ftore were ages fper.c, Thy Huiband's cai.'t be told. All things that fly or winps of fam?, Compar'd with this, aie dn.fs ; For fearchlefs riches in his name The- Part II. The Believer's Jointure* .'7 The great IMMANUEL, God- man, Includes fuch {lore divine ; Angels and faints will never fcan Thy Hufband's golden mine. He's full of grace and truth indeed, OfSpir.it, merit, might; Of all the wealth that bankrupts need Thy Hufband's heir by right. Tho' heav'n's his throne, he came from thence To feek and fave the loft : Whatever be the vail expence, Thy Hufband's at the^olt. Pleas'd to expend each drop of blood That hTl'd his royal veins, He frank the facred victim Hood ; Thy Hulband fpar'd no pains, • His coil immenfe was in thy plaee^ Thy freedom coft his thrall ; Thy glory coll him deep difgrace, , Thy Hulband paid for all. S E C T. IVY The believer's fafety under the covert of Christ** atoning blood, and powerful ini ere ejfi on. WHen Keav'n proclaimed hot war and wrath, And fm increas'd the ftrife ; By rich obedience unto death T^y Hufband bought thy life. The charges could net be abridged, But on thefe noble terms.; Which ail that prize, arehugg'd amidft-- Thy Hufband's folded arms, G % .. When GOSPEL b N X E T 3. W lf n ^7\ con ^ e ^^S and justice too i o prifon woftjd thee hale ; As fureties kind for bankrupts do, Thy Hufband oifers bail. God on thefe terms is reconcil'd, And thou his heart haft won ; In drift thou art his favoured child, Thy Hufband is his Son. Vindictive wrath is whole appeas'd, Thou need'il not then be mov'd;. h: Jesus always he's njoett phased, What can be laid unto thy charge; When God does not condemn ? Bills of complaint tho' foes enlarge, Thy Huflband anfwers them. When fear thy guilty mind confounds, Full comfort this may yield; ranfom-bill with blood and wounds Thy Hufband kind has feal'd. His promife is the fair extract T-.ca haft a: hand to (hew; Stern juftice can no more exact, Thy Hufband paid its due. No terms he left thee to fulfil, No clog to mar thy faith ; His bond is iign'd, hie latter- will-. Thy Hufband feal'd by death. The great condition of the band Of promife and of blifs, 1: wrought by him, and brought to hand, Thy Kdband's righteoufjiefs. When 'ak.t 11. The Belli ver's "Jointure. ~g When therefore prefs'd in time of need- To fue the promis'd good, Thou haft no more to do but plead Thy Hufband's -fealing "blood. This can thee more to God commend, And cloudy wrath difpel, Than e'er thy finning could offend; Thy Hufband vanquinVd hell, . When vengeance feems, for-broken laws, To light on thee with dread, Let.Chrift be umpire of thy caufe; Thy Hufband well <:an plead. Ke pleads hls-righteoufnefs, that brought All rents die law could crave; Whate'er its precepts, threat'nings, fought. Thy Hufband fully- gave. Did holinefs in precepts ftaaid. And for perfection -call, Jultice in threat'nings death demand ? Thy Hufband gave it all.- His blood thy fiery law did quench, Its fummons need not fcare ; Tho't cite thee to Heav'n's awful bench. Thy Hufband's at the bar. This Advocate has much to fay, His clients need not fear; Tor God the Father hears him ay, Thy Hufband hath his ear. A caufe fail'd never in his hand, Co ftrong his pleading is ; His Father grants- his whole demand^ Thy Kufband's will is his, Heft *o CjOSPEL Sonnitj. Hell-forces all may rendezvous, Accufers may combine; Yet fear thou not who art his fpoufe, Thy Hufband's caufe is thine. By folemnoath Jehovah did His priefthood ratify.; Let earth and hell then counterplead, Thy Hufband gains the plea. SE C T. V. • The believer's faith and hope encouraged, even in the darkeji nights ofdefertion and diftrefs* THE cunning ferpent may accufe, But never fhall fucceed ; The God of peace Gospel 3 o n h* t e. The bread oflife, the double fhare, Thy Huiband's love and grace* What can he give* or thou defire, More than his flefh and blood ? Let angels wonder, faints admire, Thy Hufband is thy food ! His flefh the incarnation bears, From whence thy feeding flows; _ His blood the fatisfaSlion clears ;. Thy Hufband both beiiows, Th' incarnate God a facYifice, To turn the wrathful tide, Is food for faith ; that may fufrice Thy Hufband's guilty bride. This Hrength'ning food may fit and fence. For work and war to come ; Till through the croud, fome moments hen< Thy Hufband bring thee home : Where plenteous feafting will fucceed To fcanty feeding here : And joyful at the table-head Thy Hufband fair appear. Then crumbs to banquets will give, place, And drops to rivers new •* While heart and eye will face to face Thy Hulband ever view. chap; PilLT* II. The Believer's Jointure* gi, GHA.P. XL Containing the marks and chara&ers of the believer in Christ-, together with fome farther privileges, and grounds of camion: to the faints. SEC TV I. Sroubting believers called to examine, by marks drawn Jrom their love to him and his prejence, tbeif ^e * gazing eye, ne'er waits 1 o boaft its feeing pow'rs • Its object views, itfelf forgets' Thy Hufband it adores. It humbly ftill itfelf denies, Nor brags its acts at all; Peep plung'd into its obj eft lies, Thy Hufband is its all. No ftrength but his it has, and vaunts No ftore but his canlhovv : .Hence nothing has, yet nothing wants, Thy Hufband trains it fo. Faith, cf its own, no might can fhew, Elfe would itfelfdeftroy; But will, for all it has to do, Thy Hufband ftill employ. Self-faviours none could ever be By faith or grace cf theirs ; Their fruitlefs toil, fo high that flee, Thy Hufband's praife impairs. The feemingly devouteft deed, That would with fhamelefs brow His faving trade take o'er his head, Thy Hufband won't allow. Doft therefore thou to him -alone Commit thy finful foul ? Knowing of thy falvation Thy Hufband is the whole I SECT, Part IL The Believer's Jointure. $? SECT. III. Believers charatlerifed by the chje&s and purity of their dejire, delight , joy, hat red ', and lo-ve ? difi covering they have tin Spirit of C H r i s t . -|~"V OST thou his Spirit's conduft wait? \_J And, when compar'd to this, AH^vvorldly wifdom under-rate? Thy Kufoand waits to blefs. Tak'it thou his Spirit for thy guide Through Baca's valley dry, Whole, itreams of influences glide Thy Huftand's garden by r In digging wells here by his pow'f, Doit rind it not in vain, While here a drop, and there, a fhowV v Thy Hufband makes to rain ? Hence dolt thou through each weary eaie From, ftreng th to ftrength go on, From faith to faith, while grace for gracs Thy Hufband gives anon ? The good, the gracious work beg. And further'd by his ftrength, Shall profp'rous, though with wreiUing, win Thy Hufhand's crown at length. Sin's pow'r and prefence canft thou own Is thy moft grievous fmart, That makes thee fob and weep alone ? Thy Hufband knows thy heart, Does love to him make thee difraue Thy lufts, with all their-charms ? And mofi them lotJh'ft, when moil thou hait Thy Hufband in thir. e arms : I Av, 9§ Gospel Sonnets. Are cords of love the fweeteft ties To bind thee duty-ways ? And bell thou ferv'ft, when molt thou fpie« Thy Hufband's beauteous rays ? Didft ever thou thy pardon read In tears of untold joy ? When mercy made thy heart to bleed, Thy Hufband was not coy. Do pardons ftveetly melt thy heart? And molt embitter fin ? And make thee long with drofs to part, Thy Hufband's throne to win ? When he arifes lulls to kill, Corruptions to deflroy, Does gladnefs then thy fpirit fill ? Thy Hufband is thy joy. ©oft thou his perfon fair embrace Beyond his bleflings all ? Sure, then, thou boldly mayfl through grace Thy Hufband Jefus call. What company doft thou prefer? What friends above the reft ? Of all relations ever were, Thy Hufband is the belt. Whom in the earth or heav'n doft thou Molt ardently defire ? Is love's afcending fpark unto Thy Hufband fet on fire ? Haft thou a hatred to his foes, And doft their courfe decline ? Lov'ft thou his faints, and dar'ft fuppofe Thy Hufband's friends are thine I Doft Pap,t II. The Believer'' s Jointure. 99 Dof: thou their talk and walk efceern, When moll divinely graf e ? And favour 11: bell when molt they feem Thy Huiband's Sp'rit to have? SECT. IV. Believers in Christ ajj efi his counfel, iv&rd, ordi* nances, appearance, full enjoyment in heaven, and fweet prefence here. WHERE go'lt thou nrft when in a ttrait, Or when with grief opprefc ? Flee'il thou to him ? O happy gate ! Thy Hulband is thy reft. His counfel feek'fl thou ftill prepar'd, Nor canll without him live ? Wifdom to guide, and llrength to guards Thy Hulband hath to give. Canft thou produce no pleafant pawn, Or token of his love ? Won't fignets, bracelets from his hand 3 Thy Hufb-and's kindnefs prove ? Mind'ft when he fe'nt his healing word P Which darting from on high, Did light-, and life, and joy afford ? Thy Hulband then was nigh. Car-il thou the promife fweet forget, He dropt into thy heart? Such glad'ning pow'r, and love with it> Thy Hufoand did impart. Boil thou affect his dwelling-place, And mak'rl it thy repair ; Becaufe thine eyes have Cesn, through grace, Thy Hufband's glory there ? I 2 Doit ioo Gospel S-o-sbetj, Doftlove his great appearing day, And thereon mufe with joy ; .1 dufky fhades will fly away, Thy Huiband death deltroy ? Doft long to fee his glorious face- Within the higher orb, Where humid forrows lofing place, Thy Hulband's rays abforb ? Long'fl to be free of ev'ry fault, To bid all fin adieu ? And mount the- hill, where glad theu fhal,t Thy Hulband's glory view ? Life where it lives, love where it loves, Will moil: defire to be. ?uch love-fick longing plainly proves Thy Hufband's love to thee* What is it befl can eafe thy plaint, Spread morning o'er thine ev'n? Is his approach thy heart's content, Thy Hufband's pretence heav'n ? And when deny'd this fweet relief* Canft thou aifert full well, His hiding is thy greateft grief, Thy Hulband's abfence hell? Let thy experience be difclos'd; if con fcience aofwer Yea To all the queries here propos'd*. Thy Hufband's thine foray. Pertain thefe characters to thee ? Then, foul, begia and praife His glorious worthy name, for he Thy Huiband is always. SECT:, Part II. The Believers Jointure, loi SECT. V. The true believer'/ humility, depen dance, zeal, growth, admiration of free grace, and knowledge of Christ'j 'voice, - , PErhaps a faint may figh and fay, ei I fear I'm yet to learn "'Thefe marks of marriage-love." Yet Hay, Thy Hufband's bowels yearn. Though darknefs may thy light obfcure, And ftorms furmount thy calms, Bay yield to night, and thou be poor, Thy Huiband yet has aims. Doll fee thyfelf an empty brat, A poor unworthy thing, With heart upon the dull laid flat? Thy Huiband there does reign, • Art in thine own eiteem a beafi, - And doil thyfelf abhor ? . The more thou hail of felf-diilafte, Thy Huiband loves thee more. Can hell breed no fuch wicked elf/ As thou in thine own fight ? Thou 'ft got, to fee thy filthy felf, Thy Huiband's purefc light, Canfl find no names fo black, fo vile> With which thou wouldft compare. But call'ft thyfelf a lump cf hell? Thy Huiband calls thee fair. When his kind vifits make thee fee " He's precious, thou art vile, Then mark the hand of God with theCj Thy Huiband gives a fmile. I 3 He io2 (J o s r t l Sonnet: He knows what viftts fuit thy flate* And, though moft rare they be, It fets thee well on him to wait, Thy Hulband waits on thee. Dofl: fee thou art both poor and weak ? , And he both full and {hong ? O don't his kind delay* miflakc, Thy Hufband comes ere long*- Though, during Sinai's ftormy day, Thou dread'ft the difmal blaft, And fear'ft thou art a caft-away, Thy Hulband comes at lail. The glorious Sun will rife apace, And fpread his healing wings, In fparkling pomp of fov'reign grace, Thy Hulband glidnefs brings. Canft thou, whate'er mould come of thee, Yet wim his Zion well, And joy in her profperity ? Thy Hufband loves thy zeal. Doft thou admire his love to fome, Though thou fhouldft never fhare ? Mercy to thee will alfo come, Thy Hulband hathto fpare. Poor foul ! doll grieve for want of grace* And weep for wan-t of love, And J ejus feek'ft? O hopeful cafe ! Thy Hulband lives above. Rcgreting much thy falling fiiort, Doll after more afpire ? There's hope m IJraH for thy fort;, Thy Hulband'* thy dcfire, Ait |Part XL *£** Bttievafs Jtinture. I>5 Art thou well pleas'd that fov'reign grace Through Cbtrifi. exalted be ? This frame denotes no hopelefs cafe, . Thy; Hufoaad's pleas'd with thee, Couldft love to be the footftoo! low, On which his throne might rife, Its pompous grace around to -ihow ? ; Thy Hatband doe* thee prize. If but a glance of his fair face Can chear thee more than wine; Thou in his loving heart haft place, % Thy Hufband place in thine. Dofl make his blood thy daily bath ? His word and «ath thy flay 1 His law of love thy lightfom path £7 Thy Hufband is thy way. All things within earth's fpacious womb Doft count but lofs and dung, For one fweet word in ieafon from Thy Hufoand's learned tongue ? Skill to difcern and know his voice From wordsof wit and art, Will clearly prove thou art his choke, Thy Hufband tliine in heart. The pompous words that fops admire^ May vagrant fancy fearV; But with feraphic harmlefs fat Thy Huf&a&d's burn the breaft, SECT, 104. Gospbl S«NNK?S. SECT. VI. True believers are willing to be tried and ex- amined. Comforts arijing to them from Christ'.? ready fupply, realfympathy, and relieving names > fuiting their needs. DOST thou upon thy trait'rous heart Still keep a jealous eye ? Moll willing that thine inward part Thy Hufband ftricliy try ? The thieving croud will hate the light, Leaft flol'n effects be mown : But truth deiires what's wrong or righ Thy Huiband would make known. Doit then his trying word await, Kis fearching doctrine love ? . Pond, left thou err through felf-deceit, ■ Thy Huiband would thee prove? Does oft thy mind with inward (mart Eewail thy unbelief? And confcious fue from plagues of hear: Thy Hufband for relief? Why doubt'ft his love ? and yet behold, , With him thou wouldft not part For thoufand thoufand earths of gold;. Thy Huiband has thy heart. Though darknefs, deadnefs, unbelief, May ail thy foul attend ; Light, life, and faith's mature relief, . Thy Hufband has to fend. Of wants annoying, why complain ? - Supply arifes hence, What gifts be has receiv' *d 'for men, Thy Hufband will difpenfe. He Part II. The Believer's Jointure. io; He got them in's exalted ftaie For rebels fuch as thou ; All then that's needful, good', or great, Thy Hufband will allow. Thy wants he fees, thy cries he hears ; And, marking all thy moans, He in his bottle keeps thy tears, Thy Hufband notes thy groans, All thine infirmities him touch. They flrike his feeling heart; His kindly fympathy is fuch, Thy Huiband rinds the fmart. Whatever touches thee affects The apple of his eye ; Whatever harms, he therefore checks, . Thy Hulband's aid is nigh*. If foes are fpar'd, thy need is fuch; He flays them but in part : He can do all, and will do much, Thy Hufband a&s by art. He often for the faddeft hour.. Referves the fweetefl aid : • See how fuch banners heretofore Thy Huiband has difplay'd. Mind where he vouched his gocd- ' Sometimes at Hcrmon * mount, In Jordan land, at Mizar hill ; Thy Hufband keeps the count At fundry times, and divers ways,. To fait thy various frames, Haft feen, like rifmg golden rays, Thy Haftand's carious name?,. * P/aL vlii. 6- w Wht io6 Gospel Sonnet; When guilty confcience gaftly flar'd, Jkhovah-tsidken-u -(-, The Lord thy righteoufnefs appear'd, Thy Hufband in thy view. When in thy ftraits or wants extreme. Help fail'd on ev'rv fide, Jehovah-jireh J was his name, Thy Hufoand did provide. When thy long abfent Lord didfl mone, And to his courts repair ; Then was Jehovah-shammah || known, Thy Hufband prefent there. When thy afTaulting foes appear'd In robes of terror clad, Jehovah-nissi * then was rear'd, Thy Hulband's banner fpread. When furies arm'd with fright'ning guilt, Dun'd war without furceafe ; Jehovah-shalom § then was built, Thy Hufband fent thee peace. When thy difeafes death proclaim'd, And creature-balibms fail'd, Jehovah-rophi • TAke well howe'er kind Wifdom may Difpofe thy prefent lot ; Though heav'n and earth mould pafs away, Thy Hufband's love will not. All needful hejp he will afford, Thou haft his vow and oath ; And once to violate his word Thy Hufband will be loth. To fire and floods with thee he'll down, His promife this infures, Whofe credit cannot burn nor drown : Thy Hufband's truth endures. Doft thou no more his word believe* As mortal man's, forfooth ? O do not thus his Spirit grieve, Thy Hufband is the Truth. Though thou both wicked art and weak, His word he'll never rue ; Though heav'n and earth mould blend and break; Thy Hufband wiH be true. Pll never leave thee, is his vow ; If Truth has faid the word, While truth is truth, this word is true. Thy Hufband is the Lord. Thy covenant of duties may Prove daily moil unfure : His covenant of grace for ay Thy Hufband does fecure. Do£ Fart II, The Believer's Jointure. 1 1 1 Doft thou to him thy promife break, And fear he break to thee ? Nay, not thy thoufand crimes can make Thy Hufband once to lye. He vi/it 'will thy fits whbjtrokes, And lift his heavy hand ; But never oece his word revokes, Thy Huiband's truth will ftand, Then dream not he is chang'd in love, When thou art chang'd in frame ; Thou mayft by tv.rns unnumber'd move? Thy Hufband's ay the fame* He for thy follies may thee bind - With cords of great diflrefs; To make thee mone thy fins, and mind ThyHufband's holinefs. By wounds he makes thee feek his cure; By frowns his favour prize; By falls affrighting, Hand more fure r -, Thy Hufband is fo wife.'. Proud Peter in the dirt of vice Fell down exceeding low ; His tow'ring pride, by tumbling thnce, - Thy Hufband cured fo. Before he fuffer pride that fwells, He'll drag thee through the mire* Of fins, temptations, little hells-^ Thy Hufband faves by. fire. He in affliction's mortar may Squeefe out old Adam\ juice. Till thou return to him, and fay.. Thy Hufband is thy choice, F£«* 1,12 SOSUL SONNkT* Fierce billows may thy ve/Tel tofs, And croffes curfes feem ; £ut that the curfe has fled the crofs. Thy Hulband bids thee deem. Conclude not he in wrath difowns, When trouble thee furrounds ; Thefe are his favourable frowns, Thy Huiband's healing wounds. Yea, when he gives the deepefl lam, . Love leads the wounding hand : His ftroke, when fin has got a dam, , Thy Hufband will remand. SECT. IX. Comfort to believer!, . in Christ'.* relations, in his dying love, his glory in heaven, to *which he vjill lead them through death, cndfufply with all ne- cejfaries by the voay. BEhold the patrimony broad That falls to thee by line ; In him thou art an heir of God,. Thy Hufband's Father's thine. He is of relatives a (lore, Thy friend will help in thrall ; Thy brother much, thy father mere. Thy Hufband moil of all. All thefe he does amafs and marc, In ways that mod excel : 5 Mong ail the huibands ever were> Thy Hufband bears the bell. Whence run the fireams of all thy good, .. But from his pierced fide r With liquid gold of precious blood Uhy Hulband bought his bride, Part -II. The Believes Jointure* \\\ His blood abundant value bore s To make his purchafe broad 2 'Twas fair divinity in gore, Thy Hufband is thy G©d. Who purchas'd at the higheft price, Be crown'd with higheft praife ; For in the higheft paradife Thy Hulband wears the bays. He is of heav'n the comely rofe, His beauty makes it fair ; Heav'n were but hell, couldft thou fuppofe Thy Hufband were not there, He thither did in pomp afcend, His fpoufe along to bring ; That Hallelujah's without end Thy Hufoand's bride may fing, Ev'n there with him for ever iix'd His glory malt thou fee ; And nougkt but death is now betwixt Thy Huiband's throne and thee, He'll order death, that porter r&de, To ope the gates of brafs ; For lo, with characters of blood Thy Hulband wrote thy pafs,- • At Jordan deep then be not'fcar'd, Though difmal-like and broad; .Thy fun will guide, thy fhield will guards Thy Hulband pav'd the road, He'll lead thee fafe, and bring thee home, And ftill let bleffings fall Of grace while here, till glory come ; Thy Huiband's bound for alJ, -K. 3 H'3 114 GO SPEC So -N NET His (lore can anfwer ev'ry bill, Thy food and raiment's bought; Be at his will, thou'lt have thy fill, Thy Hufband wants for nought. What can thy foul conceive it lacks ?r His ftore, his pow'r is thine; His lib'ral heart to lib'ral acts Thy Hufband does incline. Though on thy hand, that has no might,. He mould thy talk enlarge ; Nor work, nor warfare, needs thee fright, Thy Huiband bears the charge* Thou wouldft (if left) thyfelf undo, So apt to fall and dray : But he uplifts, and leads thee too ; Thy Huiband knows the way. SECT. X. Comfort to believers from the text. Thy Maker is thy Huiband, inserted thus, Thy Huiband is thy Maker; and the conclufion of this fubjett * OF light and life, of grace and glore, In Ckriji thou art partaker. Rejoice in him for evermore, Thy Huiband is thy Maker. He made thee, yea, made thee his brides Nor heeds thine ugly patch ; To what he made he'll Hill abide, Thy Hufband made the match. He made all, yea, he made all thine,- All to thee fhall be giv'n, Who can thy kingdom undermine?. Thy Huiband made the heav'n. What Part II. The Believer's Jointure* What earthly thing can thee annoy? He made the earth to be : The waters cannot thee deitroy, . Thy Hufoand made the fea. Don't fear the flaming element- Thee hurt with burning ire, Or that the fcorehing heat torment ? Thy Hufband made the fire. Ihfe&ious fleams mall ne'er deftroy^ While he is pleas'd to fpare ; Thou fhalt thy vital breath enjoy , Thy Huftand made the air, The fun that guides the .golden day, . * The moon that rules the night, The ftarry frame, the milky way, ., TJiy Huiband made, for light. The bird that wings its airy path 3 . The nfh that cuts the flood, The creeping croud that fwarms beneath^ Thy Huiband made for good. The grazing herd, the beafrs of prey? The creatures great and fmall, For thy behoof their tribute pay; Thy Hufband made them all. Thine's Paul, jfpelh's, life and deat&, , Things prefent, things to be ; And ev'ry thing that being hath Jr Thy Hufband made for thee, In Tophtt of the damn'd's refort Thy foul fnall never dwell; Nor needs from thence imagine hnvty Thy Huiband formed hell* Satsn II C G 5 P t L S N 1 Satan with inftruments of his May rage, yet dread no evil ; So far as he a creature is, Thy Hufband made the devil, » His black temptations may ami<5t, His fiery darts annoy ; But all his works, and hellifh trick, Thy Hufband will deflroy. Let armies ftrong of earthly gods Combine with hellifn ghofts, They live, cr languifh, at his nods ; Thy Hufband's Lord of hofls. What can theehurt? whom doft thou fear, All things are at his call, • T-hy Maker is thy Hufband dear, Thy Hufeand all in all. What doft thou feek ? what dofl thou want ? He'll thy defires fulfil ; He gave himfelf, what won't he grant? Thy Hufband's at thy will. The more thou doft of him defire, The more he loves to give : High let thy mounting aims afpire, Thy Huiband gives thee leave. Thelefs thoufeek'ft, the lefs thou dofl I lis bounty fet on high ; But higheft feekers h-ere do mofl - Thy Hufband glorify, Wouldft thou have grace? Well; but 'tis mee; He mould more glory gain. Wouldft thou have Father, Son, and Sp'rit? Thy Huiband fays* Amen. He'll Fart II, The Belt ever** Jointure, uj He'll kindly aft the lib'ral God, Devifing lib'ral things ; With royal gifts his fubje£b load! i Thy Hufband?s King of kings* No earthly rapnarchs have fuch. Jlo*£- As thou haft ev'n in hand j But O how infinitely inore Thy Huiband gives on band! Thou haft indeed the better part* The part will fail, thee never : Thy Hufband's hand, thy Huiband** hearty Thy Huiband's all for ever, S&ENDef/vfcPOEM #*■!£■ liv, 5* ^ ** GGSFSL GOSPEL SONNETS O R, SPIRITUAL SONGS PART III. 3%e Beliver's Riddle j O R, The MYSTERY of FAITH. The PREFACE. Shewing the Ufe and Defign of the Rid b lb, REader, the following enigmatic Jong Dots not to wifejl nafralifts belong : Their ivifdom is but folly on this head', They here may ruminate ', but cannot read. Par though they glance the words, the meaning chokes J - They read the tines, but not the paradox.' The Jubjeft -will, however thephrafe be blunt, Their moft accute intelligence Jurmount , If with their natural and acquired fght They Jhare not dij \art. He on this theme had blujtfd to.uje bisjkul, And either dipt his wings, or broke his quill. Why, this enigma climbs fuch divine hnghtt As /corn to be adorned with human JUghts. T hefe gaudy flrains would lovely truth dijgrace t As purejl paint deforms a comely j ace* Heav'ns myferies are 'bo-ve art's ornament, hnmenfely brighter than its brighteji paint* No tow 3 ring literature could e'er outwit The plainefi dicli on fetched from f acred writ J By 'which mere blading rhet'ric is outdone, As twinkling fiars are by the radiant fun* The Joaring orators, who can wit h eafe Strain the quint effence of hyperboles, And clothe the barefl theme with purejl drefs., Might here expatiate much, yet fay the left, If W th > mcjeflical /implicit y Of/cripture~oraf*ry they difagree, Thefe lines pretend not to ajfccl the fky, Content among in-glorious jhades to lie* Provided/acred truth be fitly clad, Or glorious /hine ev*n through the dufky jkade. "Mark then, though you fbould mijs the gilded fir ain^ If they aflore of golden truth v® underftand that the worlds were framed by the word 0* ■God, fo that-things which are feen were not made of things which do appear; (g) If. xi. 17. All nations before him are as no- thing, and they are counted to him lefs than nothing, and vanity. Dan. iv. .35. All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing. (h) Eph. ii. 1. And you hath he quickened who were dead in trefpaifes and fins. Re>v. iii. 17. Be- caufe thou fayft, I am rich, and increafed with goods, and have need of .nothing ; and knoweit. not that thou art wretched, and miferable, and poor, and blind, and naked. If. xxxv. 6. Then fhall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of die dumb fing: For in the wildernefs mail -water* break out, and. ftreams in the defart. (i) Rom. vii. 14. For we know that the law is fpi- ritual; but I am carnal, fold under fin. «z/, 24. O wretched man that I am, who fhall deliver me from the body of this death! £24 Gospel Sonnets, Yet what I was, I am no more fkj t Nor ever fhall be as before (I), My father lives fmj y my father's gone (n}> My vital head both loft and won (o). My parents cruel are and kind (pj 9 Of one, and of adiiPrent mind f^. My i- i ■ ii i I, ,. _— — (k) Rom. vii. 17. Now th«», it is no more I that do it, but fin that dwelleth in me. . ac. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but fin that dwelleth in me. John ix. ■25. He [the blind man] anfwered and faid,. Whether he be a firmer or no, I know not; one thing I know, that whereas I was blind, now I fee, (I) Rem. xi. 29. For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. Jer. xxxii. 40. And I will make an cverlafting covenant with them, that I .will not turn away from them, to do them good ; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they fhall not depart from me. (:::) Jf. ix, 6. His name fhall be called— The ever- lafling Father. Rev. i. 18. lam he that liveth, and was dead ; and behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen. (n) Hof. xiv. 3. In thee the fatherlefs findeth mer- ry. Zech. i. 5. Your fathers, where are they ? and the prophets, do they live for ever ? (c) 1 Cor. KYi 45. It is- written, The firft man A- cbm was made a living foul, the la-fl Adam was made-* a quickening fpirit. (p) Pfal. ciii. 13. Like as a father pitieth his chil- dren, fo the Lord pitiet-h them that fear him. If. :iii:. ?j. Thy ftrft fafchfep hath imncd, and thy teachers have tranfgrefled agamft me. (r) Job xxiii. 13. But he is in one mind, and who can turn him ? and what his foul defireth, even that he cloth. Rok. viii. 5. For they that arc after the £efh, do mind the things of the flefh ; but they that arc after the Spirit* .the things of i he Spirk v* 6. Recaufe the car- Part III- ^he Belie u- erf Ri dale, ' tl\ My- father poifoir d me to death (r). My mother's hand will fcop my breath (f) i Her womb, that once my Jubilance gave, Will very quickly be my grave (s) . My fitters all my Hem will eat (/), My brethren tread me under feet (a) ; My neareft friends are moft unkind (-x/) ? L 2 . M* nal mind is enmity againft God ; for it is not fubjec> to the law of God, neither indeed can be. (f) Rom. v. 12. Wherefore, as by one man un en- tered into the world, and death by fin ; and fo death pafled upon all men, for that all have finned. (/). Gen. iii. 1 6. Unto" the woman he faid, I will greatly multiply thy forrowand thy c®nception ; in for* row thou (halt bring forth children, &e. ■ (/) Pfal. cxlvi. 4. Kis breath goeth forth, he return- ed! to his earth ; in that very day his thoughts perifh, Ecd. iii. 20. All go unto one place, all are of the - dull, and all turn-to duft again,— (/) Job xvii. 14; -I have faid to corruption, Thou art my father ; "to the worm, Thou art my mother, and my filler. Chap, xixv'26. -And though after my fein, worms deflroy this body, yet in my fiefh mall I fee God, (u) EvcH7« amoral fenfe, jer. xii. 10. Alany paf- tors have defrroyed my vineyard, they have troden my portion under foot, they have made my pleafant portion a defolate wildernefs/- Ezek. xxxiv.- 18. Seemeth it a fmal-1 thing unto ycu, l -to have eaten up the good paf~ ture, but-ye muft tread down with your feet the refi- due of ycur paftures ? and to have drunk of the deep waters," but ye muft' foul the refidue with your feet? (v) Pfal. lv. 12. 13. For it was not an enemy that reproached me, then I could have borne it ; neither was it he that hated me, that did magnify himfelf againft me, then I would have hid my fe If from him. But it was thou, a man, mine equal, my guide, and mine- ac^uaimance, Micah vii. 5. 6. Truft ye not in a* friend^ 1*6 Gosni St> tf NET My greater foe's my greatefl friend (-ir). He could from feud to friendfhip pafs; Yet never change from what he was (*■). He is my Father* he alone. Who is my Father's only Son { v). I am his mother's fon (z), yet more, A fon his mother (a) never bore : But friend, put ye' not confidence in a guide: keep the* doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bofom. For the fon dimonoureth the father, the daughter rifeth. up ajpainfi her mother, the daughter in law againfr. her mother in law ; a man's enemies are the men of his own houfe. (ay) Pfal. vii.'n. God is angry with the wicked every day. 2 Cor. v. \q. Sod was in Chriit, reconci- • ling the world uato himfelf, not imputing their tref- pafles unto them. -(.v) Mai. iii. 6. For I am the Lord, I change not: Therefore ye fon? of Jacob are not confumed.#i?A xiv. 4. I will lieal their back-flidang, I will love them free- • iy ; for mine anger is turned away from him. 00 J c - n xx « l 7- Jefus faith unto her [Mary], ... Touch me not, for I am not yet afcended to my Fa- ther, but go to my brethren, and fay unto them, I af- - * end unto my Father and your Father, and to my God ;md your God. If. ix. 6. Unto us a fon is given— > and his name mail be called — The everialting. Father. John i. 14. And the Word was made fieih, and dwelt among us [and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father] full of grace and truth. (z) Song Hi. 4. It was but a little that I paffed from tkein, but I found him whom my foul loveth : I held- •am, and would not let him go, until I had brought him into my mother's houfe, and into the chamber of her that conceived me. *u. 1 1. Go forth, O ye daugh- ters of Zion, and behold king Solomon with the crown wherewith his mother crowned him in the day ef his efpoufals, and in the day of Uje gladnefs of his heart. (a) -Viz. His natural mothir according to the fijb. FkRT III,- . 3fo Bdkvtr's BSdijie. l?\ But born of him (3), and yet aver His father's fons my mother's were (<•). I am divorc'd, yetmarry'd ftill (d .again, a little whUe and ye fhall fee me, be- c:uife I go^ the Father (/) Mat±h* i. 13. Sei latex (0.). Chap* xxviii. 20, Lo, I am with you-alway even unto- the end of the world. (s) Jdkx'iiu 8. The wind bloweth w&sreit iifteth, and thou heareft the Consul thereof, butcanit not tell whence it. eometh, and "whither it goetk; fo is every one that is barn of the Spirit. (0 If lx.vL 1. Thus faith the Lorn*, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footflaol, where is the houfe that ye build uato me? and .where is th© place of my rdbi (a) Pfal. c. 5. The Lord is good ; his mercy is e- verlaitirtg. (f) PfaL cxxxix. 8. If I make my bed in hell, be- hold, thou art there-* (*u) as God. (x) as Mediator. (_>■) Eph. i. 4. According as he hath chofen us in him, before the foundation of the world, that we mould be holy, and without blame before him in love. (z) But hiwj elf the Father's firft elect, If xlii. i. Eehold my fervant whom I upjiold, my elect in whom my foul delighteth. Matth. xii. 18. Eehold, my fer- vant whom I have chofen, my beloved in whom my . foul is well pleafed,. ' j> G e 8-p-jb »• Sonnets* For fov'reign mercy ne'er was bought in), Yet through his blood a vent it fought (£). In him concenter'd at his death His Father's love (c), his Father's wrath (J) : Sv'n he whom parTion never feiz'd (e), Was then moll angry, when- moft piea*'d (/) . • Juflice requir'd- that he mould die\(^), Who (. 2 j. That as fin hatfh reigned unto death, even fo might grace reign through righteoufnefs unte eternal life, by Jefus Chrift our Lord. (c) John x. 17. Therefore doth my Father love me, becaufe I lay down my life, that I might take it again. (d) If. liii. 10. Yet it pleafed the Lord to bruife him, he hath put him to grief. (e) If. xxvii. 4. Fury is not in me. (/)" Rom. viii. 32. He fpared not his own Son, but delivered him. up for ut all. Eph. v. 2, Chrift hath gi- ven .umfelf for us, an offering and a facrifice to God for a fweet-fmeliing favour. • (g) Heb. vii. 22. By fo much was Jefus made a fu» rety of a better teftament. Chap. ix. 16. For where a, filament is, there muft alfo of .neceflity be the death of the Part III. The Believer*: Riddle. *ji Who yet-was fla!n unrighteoufly (£),; And dy'd in mercy and in wrath, A lawful and a lawlefs death _(/), With him I neither liv'd nor dy'd, And yet with him was crwcify'd (k) . Law-curfes ftoprhis breath, that he Might Hop its mouth from curfing me (/). s Tis now a thoufand years and mo Since heav'n receiv'd him ; yet I know, When he afcended up on high To mount the throne, ev'n fo did I (m). Hence the teftator. .*v. 22. 23. And almoft all things are by the law purged with blood; and without fhedding of blood is no remiffion. It was therefore neceffary that the patterns of things in the heavens fhould be purified with -thefe ; but 'the .heavenly things themfelves with better facri flees than thefe. (h) Matth. xxvii. 4. I [Juda?] have finned, in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. *v. 23. And the governor faid, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, faying, Let him be crucified. (/) Affs ii. 23. Jefus of Nazareth, being delivered by the determinate counfel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and ilain. Chap. iv. 27. For of a truth againft thy holy child jefus, whom thou hall anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Is- rael were gathered together, cif c (k) Gal. ii. 20. I am crucified with Chriit. (/) Gal. iii. i3.'Chrift hath redeemed us from the curfe of the law, being made a curfe for us; for it is written, Orfed is every one that hangeth on a tree. > (m) CoL iii. 1 . If ye then be rifen with Chriit, C5V. Heb. vi. 20. Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jefus, &c* 32 Gospel Sonnets. Hence, though earth's dunghill I embrace, I fit with him in heav'nly place \n). In divers diftant orbs I move, Inthraird below, inthron'd above. SECT. II. The myftery of the faint's life, fate, and frame. MY life's a pleafure (*) and a pain {b) ; A real lots, a real gain (<■) j A glorious paradife of joys {d) t A grievous prifon of annoys [e]. I (n) Eph. li. 5. 6. Even when we were dead in fins hath quickened us together with Chriir, and hath rai fed us up together, and made us fit together in heavenly places in Chrift Jefus= (*) Prov. iii. 17. 'Her ways are ways of pleafant- nefs, and all her paths are peace. (£) Pfal. cxx c. Wo is me, that I fojourn in Me- fech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar. (r) Phil. iii. 7. But what things were gain to me, thofe I counted lofs for Chrift. Chap. i. si. 22. 23. 24. For to me to live is Chriil, and to die is gain. But if I live in the fleib, this is the fruit of my labour ; • yet what I fhallchufe, I wot not. Fori am in aflrait be- twixt two, having a defire to depart, and to be with Chrift; which is far better : Neverthelefs, to abide in the Hem, is more needful for you. [d) 1 Pet. i. 8. Whom having not feen, ye love; in whom though now you fee him net, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unfpeakable, and full of glory. {e} Pfal. cxlii. 7. Bring my foul out cf prifon, that 1 may praife thy name. I*art III. The Believer's Riddle, 333 I daily joy, and daily mourn (/"), Yet daily wait the tide's return (g) : Then forrow deep my fpirit cheaps, I'm joyful in a flood of tears {b) . M Good 1 — - {/) 1 Pit. i. 6. Wherein 'ye greatly rejoice, tho* now for a feafon [if need be] ye are in heavinefs thro* manifold temptations. 2 Cor, i. 4. Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to com- fort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourf elves are comforted of God. Job, xxx. 28". I went mourning without the fun, £5r. {g\ If: viii. 17. And I will wait upon the Lord that hideth his face from the houfe of Jacob, and I will look for him. [h) Zech. xii. iJ John vi. 35. And Jefus faid unto them, I an the bread of life ; he that cometh to me, (hall neve . hunger; and he that believeth on me, ihall never thirft ?art IIL The Believer's RiddU. Yet do more eager than before (q)> With meat and drink in deed I'm bleft frj, Yet feed on hunger, drink on thirft (J). My hunger brings a plenteous Here (sj r * My (q) Pjal. xlii. i. 2. As the hart panteth after the water-brooks, fo panteth my foul after thee, O God. My foul thirfteth for God, for the living God; when mail I come and appear before God? & lxiii. I. O God, thou art my God, early will I feek thee ; my foul thirfteth for thee, my flefh longeth for t-hee in a dry and thirfty land, where no water is. £ff lxxiii. 25. Whom have I in heaven but thee ? and there is none upon earth that I defire bendes thee. If. xxvi. 8. 9. Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O Lord, have we waited for thee ; the defire of our foul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee. With my foul have I deiired thee in the night, yea, with my fpirit within me will I feek thee early. (r) John vi. 55. For my Hem is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. (f) Jobxxix. 2.3.4. Oh that I were as in months paft, as in the days when Godpreferved me : When his candle mined upon my head, and when by his light I vyalked through darknefs : As I was in the days of my youth, when the fecret of God was upon my tabernacle. Pfal. lxxvii. 10. 11. 12. I will remember the years of the right hand of the molt High. I will remember the works of the Lord: SurelyJ will remember thy won- ders of old. Twill meditate alfoofall thy work, and talk of thy doings. Song v. 8. I charge you, O daugh- ters of Jerufalem, if ye find my beloved, that ye tell him, that I am fick of love. Chap. viii. 1. O that thou wert as my brother that fucked the breafts of ray mother ; when I mould find thee without, I would kifs thee, yea, I mould not be defpifed^ (s) Mattb. v. 6. Bleffed are they which do hunger and thirft after righteoufnefs ; for they mall be filled . *-3*5 GoiPEL Sonnets.. My plenty makes me hunger more ft). Strange is the place of my abode, I dwell at home, I dwell abroad fu). I am not where all men me fee, Bat wher*e I never yet could be f-v). I'm* full of hell fw), yet full of heav'n fxj ; Tm, Hill upright (y), yet ftill'unev'n fzj. Imperfect ft) 2 Cor. v. 2. For in this we groan earneftly, deiiring to be cloathed upon with our houfe which is from heaven. Phil, i. 23. For I am in a fcrait betwixt two, having a defire to depart, and to be with Chrilr ; which is far better, c5--As having nothing, and yet pof- feffing all things. (/) Rem. vii. 14. For we know that the law is fpirU tualj but I am carnal, fold under fin. ), Prevails, yet never overcomes (), I'm without guile an 1ft elite (x) 3 Yet John iii. 9. Whofoever is born of God, dcth not cob** mit fin; for his feed remaineth in him; and' he cannot fin, becaufe he is born of God. (r) Pfal. xiv. 3. They are all gone afide, they are all together become filthy : There is none that doth' good, no not one,. (/) Songiv. -7. Thou art all fair, my love, there is no fpot in thee. (s) Soxg i, 5. I am black, but comely, O ye daugh- ters ofjerufalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains. of Solomon.