y ** //a*- Jt hit mtif^Jt, 4 j%siLt ytvL and As, U'/t^C llufcfed y<^/ rrurru ij rtffztotvM Y ™ ** If *tij ijcu. UtM Ccnftrr$J. * Psal. lxxviii. 49. the world's riches. 99 But does not stir up all his wrath, He knows man's frail and vain ; * They're like a wind that pass away, And cometh not again. They dignify their worldly gains With treasure's noble name, Although so evanescent that It cannot long remain. Soon may the holder lose his store So feeble is the band ; Or yet himself may fall a prey To death's unsparing hand. Although his gold may furnish with A funeral's splendid scene, It cannot farther go with him Unto the world unseen. The rich that set their heart on wealth, Shall wither as the grass ; J Then let them not in wealth, but in Humility rejoice. § We're first cast down before we're rais'd, God's purposes is such, That we're imprison'd to be free, Impoverish'd to be rich. || °Psal. lxxviii. 30. fPsal. lxxix. 39. J James i. 11. § James i. 10. U Prov. xiii. 7. h2 300 THE WORLD^S RICHES; And they that hasten to be rich, Involve themselves in snares, * And grasp at more than's necessary, They drown themselves in cares. •£■ How great a burden riches is, Temptation's in their use ; Both care and toil in getting them, And guilt in their abuse. J The keeping them's a burden too r The losing them gives pain ; At last a great account's to give, For this uncertain gain. § Nehushtan, nasty thing of nought r Refrain your fond desire, Lest that lov'd idol ye adore Be thrown into the fire. || Remove the fatal 'cumbrance That so much disaccord, Lest poor, we stretch the pilfering hand, Or rich, forget the Lord, ^f It's comely that we here enjoy The portion God bestows ; Our comfort and our credit too, In its free use it shows. ** ♦ Prov. xxviii. 20. 1 1 Tim. vi. 9. J 1 Tim. vi. ft $ Luke xii. 21. H 2 Kings xviii. 4. If Prov. xxx. S. oc Eccl. v. 18, 19. THE WORLD'S RICHES, 10 L When God bestows such gifts on man, As riches, wealth, and fame, And yet the world's miser has No power to use the same. * The more his riches is enlarg'd, His cravings more increase ; His appetite is never fill'd, Nor his desires the less. -J- He that loves silver, never can With it be satisfy'd ; Nor he that loves abundance will With increase be supply'd. f Who would not then with Israel's King, A good name first make choice, And favour more than gold for it Makes neither good nor wise. § Though with abundance we be bless'd, And riches is inereas'd, They cannot satisfy the mind That is with grief oppress'd. Because they profit not the soul, Nor peace of mind secure 5 Disease may rob of comforts which No riches can procure. *Eccl, yi. 2. fEccl. vi. 7. JEecl. v, 10, $Fro. zxii. 1. 102 the world's riches. The body's smallest member if By any means is pain'd, Will every comfort wealth bestows Immediately suspend. The property I here possess, My riches and my gains, Can not the stroke of death avert, Or mitigate its pains. When we grasp at those trifling gains, They oft our peace oppose, For the abundance of the rich Deprives him of repose. * Security and ignorance Some grains of joy may glean, And more than double mixture have Of bitterness between. Wealth's like a shadow passing by By long experience found ; Its honours smoke, its fame a blast, Its pleasures like a sound. Our riches is corrupt, besides f They're put in bags with holes ; f Our garments from destroying moths, No vigilcnce controls. *Eccl. v. 12. f James v. 2. J Hagg i. 6. the world's riches. 103 They like the mule of Absalom, Leaves in extremity ; They vexing and deceiving are When needed they give way. * Should I take up my rest where such Uncertainties prevail, And dream of joys perpetual where My schemes so often fail. As comets threaten as they shine, And their effects we fear, So when the world smiles we may Suspect some danger near. Our gain and riches here wc may With Pharaoh's host compare, Who forward march'd, but in an hour Lay dead upon the shore, -J- Like fools we leave our wealth behind, It will not carry hence, \ To pave the way to heaven above, Nor bribe omnipotence. Have not the wisest men been those Who least on it depend ; And those who put their trust in God, Will prosper in the end. •2 Sam. xt. 9, fExod. xiv. 28, 30, JPsal. xlix. 17. 104 the world's riches. Go to and weigh the matter well, * And be assur'd of this, Your gold and silver canker'd is, Their rust your witnesses. Your heaped treasures soon will fail, Your fraud will judgment feel, Your wanton pleasures nourished will Your retribution seal. •{- If all your consolation be In which ye here enjoy, What heavy woes has Christ denounced Shall afterwards annoy, f Your silver and your gold will not Your spir'tual wants supply ; Nor will your wealth for ever standi Your riches will decay. § Though with an eager greediness Ye swallow worldly gain, || If once Jehovah's wrath go forth Ye vomit them again, ^f Altho' ye sow the precious wheat, Your vantage will be vain ; Your profit will be thorns though Ye put yourselves to pain. ** * James v. 7. f James v. 3, 4. J Luke vi, 24. {Prov. xxvii„24. !! Job xx 15. U 2 Chron. xix. 2. •• Jer. xii. 13. the world's riches. 105 The humble hung'ring soul for good Will find a large supply, But yet the great inspector sends The rich empty away. * Your riches in the day of wrath No profit can they yield ; -j- The smitten conscience cannot heal, Nor from its terror shield. Altho* your riches may increase, Set not your heart on them J Nor trust in wealth, nor boast yourselves In perishable gain. § Though money answers all commerce, || A brother can't redeem ; ^ Nor yet the existence of the soul Can gold or gain maintain. Our value stands according as We're rich to heaven above ; The riches which we here possess Will not our value prove. For some there are that maketh rich, And yet are very poor ; And some are poor, and yet great store They to themselves secure. ** Luke i. 53. f Pror. xi. 4. + Psalm lxii. 10. § Psalm xliii. 6. U Eccl. x. 19. K Psalm xlix. 6. *• Prov. xiii. 7. 106 the world's riches. For royaly the rich to live, Does honour an estate ; But if I'm happy upon little, I'll vie with rich and great. In houses of the righteous, Is treasures rich and new ; But sorrows, broils, and troubles mix The wicked's revenue. * But can I 'numerate half the ills That on the rich attend, For oft their pleasures is impair'd By troubles of the mind. Wealth often swells the mind with pride And restless discontent ; When once ambition's reins is loos'd, To many ills it's bent. Our wrong opinions of the rich May regulated be, Though in the world's meridian of Sunshine prosperity. The lion of unbridl'd lust Doth worldly grandeur stain, If once unruly passions be Let loose with all their train. * Frov. xiv. 6. the world's riches. 107 With all th' envenom'd swarms of Their poison'd thoughts within, That crawl on all the powers of mind And substitute to sin. The habitation of the great, Envy sometimes surround ; And oft unruly families Within their walls are found. Their inward secret thoughts, if we Their workings could disclose, We would see no such happiness With them as we suppose. Expos'd to tempests is the man, Who high in station stand ; Hated, reproached, and undermined, Envy'd on every hand. Their temper peevish, pensive thoughts, Cause much inward disquiet ; Insatiable appetites Their constitution break. Their company and jollity Their happiness oppose ; Their cares and disappointments hurt The soundness of repose. *Ecel. v. 12, * 108 the world's riches. They place their aims to large extent, And so exceed their bound, And mortify'd to see them like The arrows far beyond, * Earth's riches may be well defined As instabilities, Because their season pass away, They're call'd uncertainties, -j- But greatness oft to goodness adds Its lustre and its style, When in an Israelite its found In whom there is no guile, f No greatness, wealth, nor power could Boaz's Benevolence repel, § Nor yet his benediction stent, Which on his reapers fell. || Tho' David was ta'en from the field, To honours highest verge ; Illustrious for his public good, ^[ Likewise domestic charge. ** When great men prove philanthropists, And wealth for good is given, And when they study public good, It makes this earth a heaven. *1 Sam. xx. 22. flTim.vi.17. J John i. 47. $ Ruth ii. 8, 9. H Ruth ii. 4. U 2 Sam. vi. 18. ** 2 Sam. vi. 20. the world's riches. 109 We are but stewards of all we have, In this our low abode ; But heav'n and glory's share if we Are hid with Christ and God. * In every thing we'll be enrich'd, -f* The promise stands secure ; The Saviour counsels gold to buy His treasures ever sure. J When Christ continues thus to give Good counsel for our gain, The case is not a desperate case For rich ungodly men. Riches in nature's not a curse, Though misuse makes them such ; The father of the faithful who Himself was veiy rich. § Then let us not in self-conceit, And in abundance vaunt, And think that we do nothing need, When we're in perfect want. || Besides a beggar, we're in debt, In bankrupt prison lie ; We're brought from nothing's barren womb, And nothing have to pay. * Col. iii. 3. flCor. i. 5. JRev.iii. 8. § Gen. xiii, 2. IJRev.iii.17. 110 THE WORLD'S RICHES. If in our indigence we would Seek for there is supply. Where there is largest stock laid up For bankrupts such as as I. Then let our dung and diamonds drop, And all our dross and gold ; And let us not remain secure, And neither hot nor cold. * In this important case there is No neutrality, For Christ and Mammon cannot join, f Nor God and Baal agree. J With strict regard to heav'n may I Ascertain what's my share, And pass the glittering toys of earth With an indifferent care. Indulging no anxious wish, Nor any vain desire ; Nor no inordinate concern, Nor eagerly aspire To lavish out my talents to Such an uncertain state, Or yet combine with what may my Anguish accumulate. * Rev. iii. 16. f Matt. vi. 24. J 1 Kings xviii. 21. THE WORLD'S RICHES. Ill And rivet to our hearts with such A firm unbending power As will give pain to seperate in The agonizing hour. What risk we run when wealth increase, From friends and wicked men ; How few behave as christians Amidst the world's gain. Earth's riches are indifferent things. They're good or bad as used ; Let me indifferent be to them That they be not abus'd. Though I may put a price on them, They cannot value me, Nor be accountable to God, Yet I for them must be. They promise much and yet they pay With sorrows multiply'd ; If I make idols of them then They with a curse are dy'd. If on our wealth our heart is set, Our consolation's doom'd ; Our pleasure only in this life, And none beyond is found. 112 THE WORLD'S RICHES. Woe be to those who make their wealth And riches all their care, The heavy woes denounc'd on them The Saviour does not spare. * Earth's consolations is but short, Which from its wealth proceed ; Unpleasant when such woes denounc'd, As afterwards succeed. But when the expanding eye beholds Th' inheritance so broad, And the extent of glory and The riches found in God. -J* When from forlorn banishment And Ziklag's ashes ta'en \ Hebron of our peace and joy, Disgifts th' afflictive scene. § And gives a test of higher views Of glory's richest store || And wisdom's treasures which will last To endless evermore. *[[ Then let us dive into the depth ** Of riches that excel, -J--J- And have ensur'd the true riches J J That endless life entail. *Lukevi.24. fEccLi. 18. JlSam.jxxx. 3,4. {2Sam.ii. 3,4. || Col. i. 27. H Col. ii. 3. ** Rom. xi. 33. ft Eph. ii. 7. J J Luke xvi. 11. THE WORLD'S PLEASURES, PART VI.— Letter F. What earthly pleasures have I got, And found them worth my care ; How vain to place my best esteem On trifles light as air. The pleasures that the world gives Are so much mixt with pain ; The mammon of unrighteousness Does all our comforts stain. The way that seemeth right to us Death in the end will bring ; * If the forbidden hedge we break, The poison'd snake will sting, f Both reason and experience teach, And we're assur'd of this, The truest pleasure's freest got, And cloth'd in purest dress. * Pro. xiv. 12. t Eccl, x. S. I 114 THE WORLD'S PLEASURES. When mammon and religion's join'd ? And in our sight appear, We readily conclude that now The Lord's anointed r s here, * But when one after God's own heart Presents himself to me, The still small voice is usher'd in, Anoint him, this is he. -j- When Eliab presented is, Our carnal views approves, Tho' God himself declares that this Is not the one he loves. f The things that please the carnal sense And fancy gratify, Our appetites will grasp at what Will never satisfy. § The dying pleasures that we court, Our passions all enslave, And tears and groans and griefs and fears Attend us to the grave. Our Naomi of pleasantness With pleasures full may bend, But soon to Mara may be turn'd, And bitter in the end. || *1 Sam. xvi.6. j ISam.xvi. 12. J 1 Sam. xvi. 7. $Hosc. iv. 10. H liuth i. 20. THE WORLD'S PLEASURES. 115 Our earthly joys are often mix'd With many a vexing care, That in the sweet the bitter too A portion we may share. Do not consult with flesh and blood To lend your working hand, No other counsellor's requir'd When God gives the command. In choosing pleasures, fix your mind On something worth your care, For be assur'd that what ye sow The fruits will be your share, * Make not an Esau's bargain, norf Your privilege despise, For what the righteous Judge confirms His justice rectifies. No soul-subsisting pleasure springs From sensualities, Because they glut and surfeit first, And then they paralyse. They cloy first, they weary next, They then consume and waste ; Besides the lawless mind is oft Ashamed of the past. ♦ICor.ix. 6. fHeb.xii. 1G. i2 11G THE WORLD'S PLEASURES, We spend our time for nothing worth That cannot us satisfy, * And put our wages into bags With holes that soon give way. -J- The healthful nourishment delights, Whose serviceable use Kefreshes, comforts, and supports, And thankful joys produce. Our flocks and herds to multiply, With pleasure we may see, And this may be the very cause Our herdsmen disagree. \ My thwarted plans and baffl'd schemes^ Is by indulgent care, To shun th* intoxicating draught, And purer pleasures share- The cup of earthly pleasures oft Have from my lips been dash'd, Ere I could relish its contents It suddenly has pass'd. Earth, thy honey drops are few, While sorrows intervene ; Thy draughts of pleasures turn to drops, With bitterness between. • Isa. lv. 2. f Hagg. i. C. J Gen. xiii. 8. THE WORLD'S PLEASURES. 117 The gnawing worm at the root Of every earthly thing. That no duration's in them, nor Can satisfaction bring. No real content could be by Lot On Sodom's plains deriv'd, When by the base inhabitants His righteous soul was griev'd. * The pleasures that I should desire In true contentment lies, If I be satisfy'd in God, My pleasure never dies. For God's a portion that will last, And never be impair'd ; When all the ills of life are pass'd, He'll be our rich reward. -{- In passing over, he'll preserve, Defending help afford ; \ When we are termed Hephzibah, The pleasure of the Lord. § He can bring water from the rock, To follow all the way ; || He from the eater sends me meat, The strong doth sweet supply, ^j *iPet. ii. 8. t Gen. xv. 1. Jlsa. xxxi. 5, $ Isa, lxii. 4, || Tsal. cxiv. 8. U Jud. xiv. 9. 118 THE WORLD'S PLEASURES. Praise to the unbeginning love Which makes these gifts combine ? And through his undiminish'd love Has made these favours mine. However worldly men may jest, And mockers may despise ; Yet Christ will draw the curtain by, And show his sympathies. To reconcile privations here, And deep afflictions smart, And show the kind solicitude Which Jesus can impart. And arm against the dangerous rock On which so many break ; Of plenty, pleasures, sensual joys, Which luxuries partake. Those will be miserable in Height of prosperity, And all their pomp and grandeur hid In dark obscurity. Your cherish'd pleasures he will stint, Instead of ease, give pain ; * Your sweets I'll turn to bitterness, Your comeliness I'll stain. -{- °Amos vi. 1, 14. fAmofj viii. S, 9. 10. THE WORLD'S PLEASURES. 119 Your food I'll turn to wormwood, Poison deliciousness ; Water of gall I'll give to drink, A noxious bitterness. * Your habitation I'll lay waste, A den of dragons too ; I'll lay your palaces in heaps A desolation now. -J- Your heads I'll bell, your beards I'll cut, And make your pleasures fade ; J In laughter and in merriment I'll likewise make you sad. § Altho' ye think ye're settl'd fast, And pleasures soft secur'd, I'll blast your evanescent hopes, They'll prove like Jonah's gourd. || Your very tongues within your mouth, Consumption will assail ; ^ 111 make your flesh consume away, Your eyes their vision fail. If I but blow upon you once, Your pleasures soon will die ; They'll wither, and the whirlwind Will drive them all away. ** *Jer, ix. 15. fJer. ix. 11. Jlsa. xr. 2. $ Prov. xiv. 13. J! Jona. iv. 7- U Zech. xiv. 12, **Isa. xl, 11. 120 the world's pleasures. If God to judgment shall arise, What pleasure will ye find, When like the withered stubble he * Will fan you to the wind. -J* Your prophets shall become a wind, \ My word in them a fire, And ye yourselves shall be as wood Which quickly will devour. § A certain fact oft disbelieved, But truth itself will tell ; If faithfully we serve the Lord, Our pleasures never fail. In heaven's patent way we find, Substantial pleasures is, || For wisdom's ways are pleasantness, And all her paths are peace, ^j The pleasures of a special love For Jacob is entail'd ; Tho' common blessings is their lot ** Who their birthright have sold, if Those who to pleasures are a slave, And trust in wickedness, }f The righteous threatening on them falls With awful suddenness. §§ °Isa.xl.24. | Isa. xli. 16. JJer.v. 13. $ Jer. v. 14. HJobxxxvi.il. U Prow iii. 17- **Gcn. xxvii. 28. ttGcn.xxvii. 16. \\ Isa, xlvii. 10. }{Isa. xlvii. 11. THE WORLD'S PLEASURES. 121 To live in pleasures wantonly, Is surely very odd, That those who heaven's bounty share Should love them more than God. * It's just that he delusion send And stay restraining grace From those who thus a pleasure take In their unrighteousness. -J- The pleasures that are hatch'd on earth And spring from banks of time, They're evanescent, short, and soon A gloom will dim their shine. When Moses tried the world's wight, And courtly pleasure's blaze, \ He found them all to be too light To weigh with wisdom's ways. As one of Abraham's seed his faith Look'd to the recompense ; Made that his landmark, and despis'd Pleasures of sin and sense. § Those who the ascendency have gain'd Of life's incessant cares, And from deceitful riches that Entangles and ensnares. °2Tim.iii. 3, f2Thess.ii, 12, jHeb, xi. 21. (Hcb.xi.25, 122 the world's pleasures. If carnal pleasures we indulge, They give us no reprieve ; Our comely visage they will mar, And bury us alive e * We find earth's pleasures dangerous, And they're mischievous ; For ease and indolence indulg'd Proves to be ruinous. -J- We life and pleasure cannot have, Whatever course we drive, For he who gives his pleasures vent Is dead when he's alive, f These two on earth can never have A close combin'd accord ; Our surest pleasure's centr'd in Rejoicing in the Lord. § When Jacob's head lay hardest, had Of heavenly joys his share ; Without a tentj a couch, or screen, His pleasures then were rare. || Short-liv'd our views of heavenly things, They scarcely do appear ; Nor are we even allow'd that we Should tabernacles rear, ^f *lTim. r. f> fLukeviiiM [1 Tim. v. 6. $ Hiil. iv. 4. II Gen. xxviii. 16. UHeb.ix. 11. the world's pleasures. 123 We scarce the smiles of pleasure touch Until we feel them fly ; We scarce the visit welcome when We feel the vision die. If wish'd desires might be enough To gain earth's happiness, Few men would e'er be miserable, Or want sufficient bliss. Bless me, even me, my father, was Esau's despairing voice ; * Some wish the death, but not the life, Of those that's righteous, -j- If we substantial pleasures sell For perishable gain, Not strange altho' we need to beg With tears because profane, \ When Solomon forsook his God, And fancied pleasures sought, His carnal sense to gratify, He found that all was nought. And like the prodigal, he saw His pursuits all were bad, — Returns to his God and saith Of pleasure it is mad. § Gen. xxvii, 31. f Num. xxiii, 10. J Ileb. xii. 16. JEccl.ii.2. 124 the world's pleasures. Our pleasures here may be compar'd To melting hills of snow ; While as a constant passing stream Succeeding troubles flow. We and our pleasures vanish soon, Together both will die, If death once stretch his iron hand And draw the curtain by. * If he shall show his aspect grim, Or his cold hand we feel, Our world's pleasures die away, We bid them all farewell. Then let us all our pleasures stint, And not give them loose reins ; Nor run the awful risk to lose Unmiserable gains. -j- Then tho' I tread the thorny path, Let me not go astray When full enjoyment is plac'd Beyond the narrow way. I merit nothing of myself To walk the heavenly road, Yet faith gives evidence through Christ \ That I'm an heir of God. § •Isa.xxii 13. 1 LOoi ii 27. J Rom. v. 1. $Gal.iv.7. the world's pleasures. 125 If I his livery once put on, And his commands embrace, He'll be my portion, and in him Unending pleasure is. * Though Satan stand on my right hand, Me fiercely to accuse, -J- He'll take my filthy robes away, And will rebuke my foes. He'll make the crooked places straight, Obstructions he'll restrain ; \ The rough ways he will likewise smooth^ And make the mountains plain. § He'll bind our souls securely up In life's unshackl'd string ; But thrust our enemies as from The middle of a sling. || He'll set a hedge about us that ^[ Will make the foe retire ; The mountains he will plant around With chariots of fire. ** To love my God, improve myself, Is what he doth require, And these are things I may obtain, And worthy of my care. * Psal. xvi. 11. f Zech. iii. 1. J Luke iii. 5. $ Zech. iv. 7. || 1 Sam. xxv. 29. f Job i. 10. ** 2Kings vi. 17. 126 the world's pleasures. I'm not a fool if I myself And God do seek to know ; My greatest victory is myself And sin to overthrow. Thus should my life be cultivate In each succeeding stage, And fill the book of providence In each succeeding page, Araby boasts of cinnamon, And spices that it treats ; But riches more abundant in En-gedi's balmy sweets * Then let me by improvement make The best of what I have, And not for want of stomach lose The dainties God will give. No longer have we to enquire The way to heavenly bliss ; Or who will teach us when we see A path that beaten is. Or who will roll away the stone, Or flaming sword remove ; Or open th' everlasting doors That leads to heaven above. • Song i. 14 the world's pleasures. 127 For Jesus hath all these remov'd, And made an end of sin ; For the unblemished sacrifice Was offered up by him. Lord give the gift of faith to look Beyond the things of sense, And fix on pleasures that's deriv'd From Jesus' righteousness. * And being complete in Jesus Christ, -}• The rock on which we stand, J We're kept and call'd to share with him § The joys at God's right hand. || <»Phil. iii. 8, 9. f Col. ii. 10. + Psalm lxii. 7. { 1 Pet. iv. 19. || 1 Pet. v. 10. Rev. iii. 21. THE WORLD'S VANITIES. PART VII.— Letter G. Christian strive to steer your course Towards the world unseen ; Secure your highest interest where Corruption cannot stain. * The things we see are fading things. They cannot long endure ; But things we hope for, tho' unseen, Are permanent and sure. -J- The world should my servant be, Should I be like Shimei, Vainly to follow after it, And throw my life away. f Altho' I follow, it will fly, And leave behind a stain ; The verdict pass'd on earthly things Is this, that all is vain. § o Luke xii. 33. f 2 Cor. iv. 18. J I Kings ii. 42. $ Eccl. xii. 8. the world's vanities. 129 The aggravation here express'd, Emphatically implies, That it's not only vain, but is The vainest vanities. * What better are we for the things The world can secure, When all we can possess in it Will vanity insure, -j- The comforts which we fondly seek, Does but vexation breed ; Our expectations are so large, Does the event exceed. \ No steadfastness is found to be In any earthly thing ; From learning pleasure's business Much disappointment spring. § The world's wisdoms, honours, powers, Vexatious are, and vain ; Unprofitable, hurtful, and They often leave a stain. || And commonly both good and bad Have outwardly their share ; Calamities oft come on both Before they are aware, ^f •Eccl.i.2. fEccl.vi. 12. JProv. x.28. jEecl.v.2. IIEccl.v.. 1TEccl.ix.il, 12. 130 the world's vanities. Besides, heaven often blasts our hopes * And makes our prospects vain, To show that we should use the means, But never trust to them. And farther, men have found their bane Where they have sought their bliss ; And meet the greatest troubles in Expected happiness. -J- The world's profits, pleasures, tastes, Honours, enjoyments, Preferments, arts, and science, and All its employments, — J Not only in abuse, but in The use of worldly gain ; And if there was no other life, Then man was made in vain. § To follow after worldly things, How foolish and unwise ; This is a sowing vanity, And all we reap is lies. || Our bliss on earth is all romance, It passeth like a dream, For lasting pleasures only flow In a celestial stream.^ ♦Jobviii. 18.14. t Josh. vii. 25. JEccl.v. 16 $ Psal. Ixxxix. 49, || Uos. x. 13. f Psal. xvi. 11. THE WORLD'S VANITIES. 131 If satisfaction we expect, Or comfort seek to gain From earth, we're sure, abstract from God, That all in it is vain. * Who loves it least, does find it most To give felicity ; And those whose hearts it fills will find It's wholly vanity. -J- Our very sacred services, If vain religion be, It's insult and affront on God, And worse than vanity. J Forbidden pleasures please the sense, But lead the mind astray ; And what distinction has our dust, When in the grave we lie ? § Man's dust has no preeminence Above the beasts that die ; || The reptiles share them both alike, — Man's wholly vanity. Life's labours is vexation, And stamp'd with vanity ; By every work that's good we're rais'd As marks of fierce envy, ^f * Eccl. vi. 11. f Pro. xi. 28. + 1 Sam. ii. 29. § Psal. xlix. 10. ||Eccl.iii. 19. f EccUv.4. K2 132 the world's vanities. There still are Cains in the earthy Who will maintain the strife ; And Esau will content himself, If he had Jacob's life. * Though David's goodness may be great,. And estimation high, - The more he's set a mark for Saul, His hatred and envy, -f- But if earth's fulness we possess, While life we occupy, And all its pleasures were combin'd Our minds to gratify. Could it a lasting bliss or yet Felicity procure ? No, in the last its pleasures all We find but short and sour. £ Esek — contention soon appears, And Sitnah follows soon ; Hatred and strife before we find, Rehoboth to make room. § Whose verdict's this, we next would ask 7 Who dooms all things as vain ? The preacher, one inspir'd by God, || And th' wisest of men. ^f *Gen.xxvii 42. flSam.xviii.8. J Jobxx.5, 6, 7. t Gen. xxvi. 21,22, 33. ||Eccl.i. 1G. II 1 Kings Ui. 12. the world's vanities. 133 No hermit from a social life, And from its joys shut out ; Nor beggar who had not, but one Who knew without dispute. Who from his study he adjourn'd To new philosophy, And from his counsel chamber steps To seek felicity. Exchanges court and company, And senators of wit ; And stoops a great step downward from The noble intellect. * Expressing deep conviction and A sense of certainty, Th' exaggerated cogent truth That all is vanity. -J- His expectations all come short, The mind to satisfy ; Employments, enjoyments, And all was vanity. J Its toils are great, its gains are small, And in contrivance, care ; § In prosecution, troubles meet, And disappointments share. || •Eccl.ii.l. fEccI.ii.17. JEccl.ii.10,11. {Eccl.i.13. IIEccl. ii. 20. 134 THE WORLD'S VANITIES. And wisdom too, is far from men, Without dispute is found, For in their very heart we find That folly fast is bound. * Heaven's register has stamped the seal Which firm conviction brings, That nothing less than vanity Is in all earthly things, -j- But is no limitation set To smooth the sentence small, What is denounc'd as vanity The preacher says, it's all. J But lest we tread forbidden ground, We would advance with fear, For we're assur'd one greater far Than Solomon is here. § We pause to state the solemn fact, Lest we the truth should stain, For what perfection has made good, We dare not call it vain. But for preventing all mistakes And flagrant errors stain, And obviate wrong turns of thought, And golden truth maintain. * Prov. xxii. 15. fEccl.i.H. JEccl.ii. 11. {Matt.xii. 42. the world's vanities. 135 It's not the simple coinage of Imagination, But statements from th' eternal truth Of the uncreated One. We would not glance at words alone, Which oft their meaning chokes, But from the lines of light and truth Unvail the paradox. What do we in the Creator see, If to his works we turn, But form distinct to matter given, And glory to the form. * And when the new creation rose In its fair garment stood, The God in whom perfection dwells Pronounc'd it very good. -J- If we our actions would survey, We much defect would feel ; But when the Creator view'd his work, He found that all was well, f We may admire the working hand, In all that we behold, But we the actions cannot trace, Nor mystery unfold. *Gen.i.lO. tGen.i. 31. JGen.i. 12. 136 the world's vanities. Our wisdom's folly on this head To count the high amount ; Our most accute intelligence, The number will surmount. * In matter, order, time, and form, Could all been done with ease ; Dare we at consumation grasp, When God works by degrees. May we not then deliberate, And not fond fancy stake, When God not out of need in all His works did leisure take. -J- What rich production earth does yield, — What vast variety ; What fruit and flowers, of herbs and trees, And seed from every tree. Nor do we overstate, when we Thy wonders multiply, From high seraphic hosts unto Insect variety. No flaw, defect, nor aught was wrong, When the new creation stood, For He who can do nothing wrong Pronounc'd it very good. • Fsalmlxxi, 15. 1 Gen. i. 31. the world's vanities. 137 For firmament his chambers stor'd Earth's fields to fertilize ; * Infinite wisdom is display'd In planning schemes so wise. Thou canst make light without a sun, And time without a day ; Thy light when time and sun shall cease, Is an eternal ray. To one great head and centre thou Delightest to combine ; To union and reduction thou Didst stretch the measuring line. The light which out of darkness dawn'd, To one sun roll'd must be ; The waters too, at God's command, Is gather'd to the sea. -J- Strange that we can abide our thoughts, Scatter'd away from thee, In which no imperfection is, Nor change can ever be. Here day dies gradual into night, And charming morning springs, To teach us that stability Is not in earthly things, * Gen. i. 6. f Psalm civ. 0. 138 the world's vanities. But perfecter when we upon Perfection's stair go up, Advancing in our thoughts we climb, And reach at glory's top. The lustre of the richest gems That dazzle human view, With their transparent beauty and Their ornamental hue. Exquisiteness of figures and The harmony of sound, The liveliness of colours in Variety abound. With all the brightest heroic minds With highest intellect, With all their virtuous purity Which quickness can effect, Are all but emanations from The one eternal God ; Their orders, forms, and use are giv'n To point the heavenly road. But how does my unstable heart Cleave to an empty show, And following worldly vanities Lets heaven and glory go. the world's vanities. 139 Begone bewitching vanities, No more my thoughts control, My highest import is the worth Of my immortal soul. Then fix upon a gracious state In calm serenity, — A powerful mean to keep the mind Above earth's vanity. Fetch solid thoughts from distant shores Of long eternity, To fructify our hearts and show The world's vanity. Seek not in wisdom to excel Above what is reveal'd, The wisest man's experience Has found that this has fail'd. * Seek for the riches durable, -J- That gain a high repute ; The riches which fine gold exceeds, Is wisdom's pleasant fruit. The reputation wisdom gives, And honour it supplies, Time will not tarnish its esteem, Its glory never dies. *Eccl. i. 17, 18. *Prov. viii. 18. 140 THE WORLD'S VANITIES. It gains a reputation to All who its paths pursue ; No gold nor silver will compare With wisdom's revenue. * The world's wisdom's foolishness, -j- At best it hears a stain ; The wise the Lord their thoughts does scan, \ And knows they are but vain. Shall mortal man be just with God, Or with his maker pure, Comparison with puny man, Presumption would ensure. § With folly the angelic hosts Are charg'd, tho' high in trust ; How much more fading clay of whose Foundation's in the dust. || We're but as yesterday, and as^f A shadow passing by ; Our days on earth are limited, Our months are vanity. They like a weaver's shuttle that In speed does swiftly fly, ** According to earth's narrow bounds Unthought of pass away. * Pro. viii. 19. 1 1 Cor. iii. 13, 20. J Psal. xciv. 11. f Job iv. 10. || Job iv. 18, 19. U Job viii. 9. ** Job vii. 6. THE WORLD'S VANITIES. Ml We often weave the spider's web, * Its uselessness is known ; Yet we shall wear as we have wove, And reap as we have sown, -j- You who are vainly wearied In your iniquity, J Trust not in vanity, for it Your recompence shall be. § who can with omnipotence A combat safely try, He breaketh down and shuteth up, |f O'erthroweth despotic sway. He spoileth mighty conquerors, ^f And girds the loins of kings ; ** He overthrows the mighty and -J-j- Contempt on princes brings. Jf The haughty princes he will tame, For all their mighty sway ; And make the judges of the earth As very vanity. §§ Their stock shall not take fixed root, For long they can not stay ; For sudden, like the whirlwind, They may be driven away. [||| ° Job viii. 14. f Gal. vi. 7. J Jer. ix. v. § Job xv. 31. H Job xii. 14. "IT Job xii. 17. •<> Job xii. 18. ft Job xii. 19. J+Jobxii. 21. «§Isa.xl. 23. ||U Isa. xl. 24. 142 the world's vanities. They hatch mischief and travel in Their base iniquity ; Their fraud and falsehood they bring forth, Though mercies multiply* * I'll turn their glory into shame, Their honour I will stain ; I'll make their dwellings cast them out -J- As fruitless, useless, vain. Their flattery proves them insincere, Unstable in their ways ; Not steadfast in his covenant, — J They trust in vanities. § Mean men deceive and give the cheat, And great men are a lie ; And Tekel may be wrote on all, Lighter than vanity. || Be barr'd my heart from every thing That leaves behind a stain ; From all enchanting vanities My very thoughts are vain, ^f All flesh is grass and soon will fade, And yield unto decay ; Like fading flowers and withering herbs, Yet heaven's record will stay. ** o Psal. vii. 14. t Jer. ix. 19. + Psal. lxzviii. 37. $ Isa. lix 4. II Psal. lxii. 9. H Psal. xciv. 11. cc Isa. xl. 6. the world's vanities. 143 For light and truth has now sprung up And spreads its genial rays, And darts upon th' upright in heart And vails their vanities. * May grace disclose the other side, And show a brighter die ; May we beyond the preacher look, And all his vanity. It is no vain delusive work, Rejoice ye righteous ; -j- Express your gratitude unto The Lord in holiness. \ The heavens pours its blessings down In drops of dew and rain ; Earth's fertile bosom testifies It was not made in vain. All nature joins you in the song — The heaven, and earth, and sea ; § The fields, and trees, and all combine, || To join the melody, ^f The stones would cry, if ye be still, ** The hills will joyful be ; The very floods will clap their hands, -J-j- And shame your lethargy. *Psal. xcvii. 11. fPsal. xcvii. 12. JPzal. xcvi. 9. § Psal. xcvii. 6. || Psal. xcvi. 12. IT Psal. xcviii. 7, 8. 00 Luke xix. 40. ft Psal. xcviii. 8. 144 the world's vanities. Glance but at Nature's spacious field, And strike your wondering eyes, — The beauty, glory, treasures rich, Is sure no vanities. THE WORLD'S PERILS. PART VIII.— Letter H. When first the divine law was broke, The dread alarm was sound, An opening in the sacred hedge Spread terror all around. * The sound that issued from the breach, Said, surely thou must die ; This touch'd the conscience, and the man Made as if he could fly, j But did not know how weak he was, Nor that his strength was faiFd ; Nor knew the burden which he had Upon himself entail'd. J For nothing has he left him now, He's lost a noble prize ; And those who were his friends before, Are now his enemies. § •Geniii. 8. tGren.iii. 10. + Rom. v. 12. § Deut. xxxii. 24. 146 the world's perils. Without a guide, a robe, or screen^ He knew not what to do ; Divine compassion follows soon, — Said, Adam, where art thou ? * He did not know how shelterless And destitute he was ; Nor yet how shiftless, till he heard The conscience startleing voice. Nor did he know that he was stript Of ornaments and robe, And like a houseless fugitive, -J* Driven to the lands of Nod. J The flaming sword could not defend Sin's overflowing flood, From sweeping o'er the beauteous spot Where Eden's garden stood. Sin's act is not more pleasant as Its issues horrible ; The murderer's life becomes to him A weight intolerable. § The cause that drove from Paradise, And old Adam exil'd, || Has driven Paradise from earth, And all its pleasures spoil'd. ^[ °Oen. iii. ( ~>. fGen. iv. U. J Gen. iv. 1G. § Gen. iv. 13. It Gen. iii. 24. 11 Gen. iii. 17. the world's perils. 147 Though Paradise for man was rear'd, Yet see the serpent there, * And to intrude our tables, beds, And closets, does not spare. To move distrust, envy, and pride, And discontentedness, A serpent true t' insinuate In his plausibleness. And if so cunning at the first, What shall we think him still, After so many thousand years Practising artful skill. -j- Where'er our flattering passions rove, We find a lurking snare ; And if we wander from our guide, We find that danger's there. If pride lift up our heads we must In condemnation fall ; J If vanity once fill our hearts, It will endanger all. Besides the snares which lie conceal'd, Our passage to oppose, Where'er we turn we're there seduc'd With subtile crafty foes. § • Gen. iii. 1. f 2 Thes. ii. 9. J Prow xvi. 18. § Prov. xii. 26. l2 M8 the world's perils^ Napoleon with his battery plays- At open eyes and ears ; To covetousness turns desire, * And to despair our fears.. -f- Yet Jesus fought and foil'd the foey And clean he swept the field ; He made the principalities And powers of darkness yield, f Though earth and hell, — remaining sin,— The worst of all the three, Shall beat against our bark, yet safe In harbour we shall be. In heav'n our spiritual frame is fix'd r Infirmities shall cease, And no corruption's there ? for all Is purity and peace. § When our infantile minds will then Maturity assume, And all our darkened midnight shades Will brighten into noon. For nothing is too hard for him By whom all nature stands, Who holds the universal helm, And angel hosts commands. aPsal. s. 3. f Mic. vii. 17. J Col. ii. 15. $ Rev. xxi. 27. the world's perils. 149 His providence and promises Our dearest kin exceeds ; Bis ardency to do us good Exceeds our richest friends.* God's Israel need not be afraid, Tho' foes obstruct our road, For who would fear the wrath of man Who is in league with God. The watchman asks the wanderer's vail, •{■ And captiously molest, But finds refuge from him who girds With faithfulness his breast. £ God will his people's enemies Allow so far to go, That he may pull them back with shame, And frustrate every foe. § And still through all our life we find That troubles do abound, || And injuries, and want, and pain, Will more or less be found. Nor am I free, altho' that I Before Jehovah stand, For Satan there accuses me, ^J And holds my working hand. *Pro.xviii. 24. f Song v. 7. Jlsa. xxv. 4. }2Chro. xxxii.21. || Job iii. 26. H Zech. iii. 1. 150 the world's perils. Ah ! in what troubles are we in When in vain life engag'd ; By slight neglect or trifle-faults, Of comforts we're deprived. The crimson fluid which distributes To us life, health, and breath, We find to be impregnant with The killing seeds of death. If heat inflame, or toil oppress, It doth us so annoy, The parts it is design'd to cheer Will quickly them destroy. If some unseen impediment Its motion may divert, It poison proves if violence may Its circulation part. How early do these perils spring As soon's we draw our breath, For the first pulse begins to beat Speaks misery and death. So frail's the brittle thread of life, So alienated is, Not only bursts before the storm, But breakes even at a breeze. THE WORLD'S PERILS. 151 Our very comforts killing are, If God withdraw his care ; The air we breathe will be our bane, Our food a deadly fare. The most common occurrences May deadly weapons yield ; Where we suspect small harm may Destruction be conceal'd. With thorns he fences up our path, * And builds a wall around, To guard us from the death that lurks On sin's forbidden ground. The path of life's a thorny path, With snares and traps is strewed ; It's catch'd our head, our heart, and hand, And all our comforts bow'd. In all our earthly pilgrimage Our cross must still be borne ; The brightest rose that spreads its leaves Springs from a prickling thorn. With early courage should we strive Our minds to fortify, And with becoming patience take What heaven has set by. *Hos. ii. 6. 152 the world's perils. Thus all events with equal mind And resolution bear, What is designed by, God for my Allotted portion here. Infinite wisdom never can At all mistaken be, Nor yet infinite goodness can Prove cruel unto me. Infinite truth can not be false, Nor justice partial prove ; No, he makes all things work for good To those who truly love. Tho ? Esau meets with arm'd force, * And Laban comes behind, -J* God's Israel will be safely kept, Their enemies restrained. The peaceful oath and feeling tear J Their friendship will express ; Nor dare a hair of Jacob touch, But give the friendly kiss. § And Ophrah's altar shall be rais'd, And all obstructions cease ; Jehovah Shalom shall be rear'd, The Lord himself sends peace. || • Gen. xxxii 6. f Gen. xxxi. 23. J Gen. xxxi, 53. § Gen. xxxiii. 4. || Judg. vi. 24. the world's perils. i 53 He governs all human affairs, And knows with certainty The character of good and bad, And marks their destinies, * There's none so happy as have all, That they can ask no more ; And none so miserable as not To have some good in store. For tribulation ye shall have, For this is not your home, But take encouragement, saith Christ, For I have overcome. -J- Tho' curses down from Ebal falls | In fiery threats abound, Yet Mount Gerezim issues forth Its blessings all around. The fertile garden weeds produce, The wheat with tares is fraught ; § Although tbe city pleasant be, The water may be nought. || Tho' tares and wheat together grow, Nought shall the saints annoy ; The righteous Lord shall not the good With wicked men destroy, ^f # Gen. xxv. 23. f John xvi. c3. J Deut. xxvii. 13. } Matt. xiii. 26. || 2 Kings ii. 19. U Gen xviii. 23. 154 the world's perils. Though famine often overspread, And lean the fat devour ; * Tho' wild gourds in the pot be strewed, No death it shall procure. -J* My human nature may indeed My senses terrify ; Its weakness and its helplessness, And more inconstancy. Temptations like an arm'd force Do oft my peace beguile, tLest their formidable assaults Against me should prevail. My heart desponds lest upon me These enemies should fall, And I a victim should one day Fall in the hands of Saul. J Prosperity to me I find Doth often prove a snare, And cause neglect and disregard Of God's unerring care. In straitening circumstances let Me study well to live, Rather than that by my neglect Forget the hand that give. * Gen. xli. 7. f 2 Kings iv. 41 . J 1 Sam. xxvii. 1. the world's perils. 155 Thro' trials, deaths, and cheerless days, I wander'd oft from rest, Fond pleasures, pursuits, to obtain, And yet remain unbless'd. The world's good is hard and long Before it be obtain'd, But soon and very often is Uncomfortable spent. It's in opinion sweet, but yet Experience proves it sour ; The good is often overrun By ills we must endure. If worldly expectations Should make our hearts beat high, Proportionable heavy will Our disappointments be. •* Our ills come numerous, posting fast, But slowly go away, While pleasures creep as slow as snails, But quick as eagles fly. So mutable's our mortal state, It's all uncertainties ; The rich and honour'd in a day Become poor and despis'd. -J- * Esther v. 14.— vi. 12. f Job xix. 19. 156 the world's perils. But ills in close succession may On good men. ]oe lettfall, * -* Yet when their portion is in God, He recompenseth all. * But soon the wicked's earthly bliss Is blasted, fades, and dies ; From their possession all their wealth Is torn by surprise. -J* For honour, nobles, children, wives, The kingdom, wealth, and state, His freedom, eyes, and all at once, Was Zedekiah's fate. J If we our wealth should idolize, We may its loss deplore, And find, like Mieah's gods, when gone, That w r e have nothing more. § Our state is somewhat lunar like, By increase or decay ; Or like the ocean's foaming waves, It flows or rolls away. No wonder God should strike the man That acts presumptiously, || When mercy infinite extends To our infirmity. *• Job xlii. 12. f Job iv. 9. J 2 Kings xxv. 7< $ Jud. xviii. 24. || 2 Sam. vi. 7. THE WORLD'S PERILS. 15? The ark will not be touch'd by no. Unwarrantable hand, Or else the God whose name it bears To order will command. * God's quarrel with Beth-shemites should Induce us strict to guard -J- Against contemptuous freedom with What for himself s reserv'd. Our careless, stubborn service will A holy God disdain, For when the ark removes, his hand Revenging strikes again. J i Tho' for the space of twenty years, Abinadab should be The faithful host of God's own ark, § Yet glorify'd he'll be. The sanctity of parent can't For children's sin atone, God will be served like himself By father and by son. When Israel's grand proeession mareh'd; With angel jollity, God no presumptuous act will spare Of infidelity. «2 Sara. vi. 7. 1 1 Sam. vi. 19. J2 Sam. vi. 7. § 2 Sam. vi. 3. 158 the world's perils. The holy God will damp the scene, And dash presumption down ; And strike the faithless Uzzah dead, And mar the solemn tune * Mirth's often to astonishment, And to confusion form'd ; Th ? ark's joyful procession was To grief and mourning turn'd. The cause which drove from Paradise, Drove Paradise from us, That we're a burden to ourselves, -J* By every varied cross. Self-love brings such a train of sin In ungovern'd sway, Unthankful, proud, and covetous, Apart from honesty. J The gospel net encloses both Indiscriminately ; Both good and bad, the tares and wheat, In this probation day. Among gold ore there will be dross, And chaff among the wheat ; And scoffers in the gospel times, And errors cloud the light. § * 2 Sam. vi. 8. f Job vii. 20. J 2 Tim. iii. 3. § 2 Tim. iii. 2. the world's perils. 159 So we deform'd and denTd, Defac'd by guilt and sin ; Discoloured by passion is Our character and name. * To future events often we Impatient ardour show ; Our blind mistaken ignorance Oft proves our overthrow. Imagination dreams of sweets, Tho' unbecommingly, The things that's really for our. good We thoughtlessly pass by. Now give me children or I die, Was Rachel's vain desires, -f- And by the sad accomplishment Brings forth and then expires. J The lively branch springs forth, but yet The stem is withered ; She leaves the helpless stranger, and To dust is gathered. § Our foolish passionate desires By mercy are confin'd, Because with every favourite view Misfortune is entwin'd. ° Job xv. 16. t Gen. xxx. 1. J Gen. xxxv. IS. § Gen. xzxv. 19. 1 60 the world's perils. O pitiable case when now Young Benjamin appears, He's lost the friend and guardian of His tender infant years. * Our forward wishes to restrain, Should be our daily task ; For justly may't be said to us Ye know not what ye ask. -J- The Lord his piercing chastisements, As messengers he sends, That snatches off our children and Cuts down our dearest friends. He cuts our comforts by the roots, When they exceed their bounds ; He tears our joys aud fond delight, And choicest pleasures prunes. He blasts our hopes like Jonah's gourd, And makes our comforts cease ; If once the worm touch the roots, It kills them all with ease. \ He clouds our prospects, mars our plans, And our dependence shows ; His angels sends to cross our lines, And stops our favourite views. § c Gen.xxxv.l8. fMatt.xx.22. JJona.iv. 7. {Num.xxii.27. THE WORLD'S PERILS. 161 Jehoshaphat shall not succeed, Though pious he may be, If with a wicked neighbour he Shall join affinity. * His plans of commerce soon will fail, The Lord his works will break ; No ships to Tarshish he shall send For Ahaziah's sake, -j- Tho' righteous Lot a city saves, His wife can not rescue ; If but one single wishful look, To Sodom she shall show. J Those who small presents will neglect, Soon by experience Shall like Lot's wife be monuments Of disobedience. The angels who first broke the hedge, And heaven's law despis'd, Were apprehended, bound in chains, With mighty vengeance seiz'd. § It's not heaven's special favourites That's from perplexity, || Nor from the world's pinching wants, ^ Nor tribulation free. ** 2 Chro. xx. 35. f 2 Chro. xx. 37. J Gen. xix. 26. § Jude vi. || 1 Cor. iv. 10. H 1 Cor. iv. 11. °* John xvi. 35. M 162 THE WORLDS PERILSv Set as appointed unto death, A spectacle unto men, — * Persecuted, buffeted, -J* Despis'd, yet truth maintain. {' The gospel heralds, like their Lord, Oft have no resting place, — Held as offscourings, fools for Christ, § Defam'd, and yet they bless. || In vessels frail, are treasures hid, That sovereign grace may shine ; *j[ Tho' troubled on every side, ** Their great support's divine, -j--}- Exil'd by stern oppression's hand To seek a foreign shore, To brave the boisterous waves nor see Their friends nor country more. The treacherous foe's malignant force With all his rage and power, Who will with serpent's subtlety And lion's rage devour. The wicked brews the cup, the dregs Of which themselves must drain, The righteous Lord with snares and fire, Will tempests on them rain. Jf *1 Cor. iv. 9. fl Cor. iv. 10, 11, 12. Jl Gor. xv. 20. $ 1 Cor. iv. 10, 13. || 1 Cor. iv. 12, 13. II 2 Cor. iv. 7. ** 2 Cor. iv. 8, 9. ft 2 Cor. vi. 7. JJ Psal. xi. 6, 7. the world's perils. 163 Why should the heirs of heaven grudge, When mourning here they see, Tho' travellers in Bochim's fields, * And Achor's vale they be. -j- So short duration has their toils, Their sorrow, grief, and sin, They've scarcely time to heave a sigh Until their joys begin. J Molehills of trouble oft are ta'en For mountains of distress, Altho' but shadows passing by And suddenly will pass. I, Lazarous like, will wait the crumbs That grace has kept is store, And cast myself as pensioner At mercy's open door. And at the munificent board For my subsistence wait, And what the Giver's pleas'd to give, Altho' a crumb, will take. Our privileges all are lost, Except what he restores ; Be grateful tho' it were but for The dogs to lick our sores. § -Judg.ii.5. flsa.lxv.10. J2Cor.iv.17. $Lukexvi.21. M 2 161 THE WORLD'S PERILS. Goodness and mercy surely shall Me follow all my days ; God's everlasting mercy shall Support in all my ways. * My troubles it shall sweeten and Shall see them to an end ; What shall I fear when thus I have Omnipotence my friend, -j- For soon will shadow evils pass, And brighter days will shine ; And solid, sure, substantial good, Will be for ever mine, f Where noonday glory ever shine, And pleasure's river swell In ages of communion, And joys that never fail. No disappointment there will create The smallest discontent ; How cheerful will the mourners be, When sorrows all are spent. God's such a portion as will make The sons of sorrow smile, And glory's such a weight as will Remunerate their toil. § ♦ Psal.c.5. tPsal-xxvii.5. JPsal.xvi.il. $2Cor.ir.l7. the world's perils. 16S The fulness of the heavenly bliss Admits of no control ; No vain vexation, want, nor woe, Can prey upon the soul — When once the happy day ^hall dawn ? When troubles shall expire ; When death, and hell, and sin is east Into the lake of fire. * * Rev. xx. 14. THE WORLD'S WANTS. PART IX.— Letter I. 0, poor, dependant, helpless man, How soon his wants appear'd ; His destitute dependance came As soon's his frame was rear'd. * The earth with fruit, and beasts, and bliss, In fulness did abound ; But no sufficient help for him Among them all was found. -{- They all were for his servants fit, But no companion found ; Yet God who finds the want supplies, To have his comforts crown'd. And rather than man's innocence Should want the comforts meet, God will a new creation work To make it more complete. J * Acts x?ii. 28, 29. f Gen. ii. 20. J Gen. ii. 22. the world's wants. 167 For clearness and equality God's bounty's absolute ; The comfort's seen before it's sought, And perfect all throughout. * But soon does first love vanish, and The holy ardour cool ; He's paralysed by sin, and laid Beside Bethesda's pool, f Though in the porch, and in the spot, A foot he cannot move ; He's helpless, and no human skill Can his disease remove. Corruption's sunk him down, o'er which He can have no control, Until the Great Physician comes, With " Wilt thou be made whole?" f And when his journey he pursues, Robbers obstruct his road ; The hand of violence intercepts As soon's he goes abroad. He's stript and wounded, beat and bruised, Left helpless and half dead ; § When comes the good Samaritan, Who is a friend indeed. || * Gen. ii. 23. f John v. 2. J John iii. 6. J Luke x. 30. || Luke x. 33. 168 the world's wants. He calleth, Wilt thou be made whole ? Then ask, and knock, and pray, I'll deck with noble ornaments, And every want supply. Great and extensive is his grace, How rich, how full, and free ; The needy he delights to raise, — I'll tell my wants to thee. I'll humbly raise my feeble voice, — bring salvation near ; My God my many wants supply, And manifest thy care. I want to reverence thy name, — 1 want to know thee more, — I want to feel the heavenly flame Which I have felt before. I want to feel my soul resign'd, Submissive to thy will ; — I want a meek and humble mind, — I want my wants to feel. Our best excellencies we find Are blandish'd with defect, For one endowment we possess, We find another lake. the world's wants. 169 If nature has displayed itself In feature or in form, It's overbalanc'd if we want The action to perform. Though we have memory quick and good, Our fancy may be dull ; We may have many right hand wants, Altho' the left be full. Tho' in imagination We sprightly do appear, Our judgment may be weak and move within a narrow sphere. Or if more sprightly we appear And judgment quick and strong, The utterance may be very bad, * Or something other wrong. See Leah for her fruitfulness, And Rachel's love envy'd ; f Yet Leah would not barren be, J Nor Rachel tender ey'd. God wisely measures out, and with An equal balance weighs Our cross and comforts, tempering Our sorrows and our joys. ° Exod. iv, 10. f Gen. xxx. 1. J Gen. xxx, 170 THE WORLD'S WANTS. That sorrow may not overwhelm, Nor yet transport with joy ; That faith may not be overcome, Nor unbelief destroy. If I repose my trust in God, By faith make him my own, My meanest wants for to abate, His bounty shall be shown. * I'm bounded here on every side, Nor can my freedom buy ; I'm all made up of wants and debt, And nothing have to pay. I want regenerating grace, A will conform to thine, — Loose all my bonds of wickedness, Make all my powers divine. Ah how my wants on every hand, And every where prevail ; I knowledge want to know my wants, Nor can their number tell. -J- They want the presence of their God, Who proud and haughty be, A neighbour's comfort they must want Who bear to him envy. * Psal. xxxiv. 9. fRev. Hi. 17. THE WORLD'S WANTS. 171 The angry man must want himself, And happiness within ; The covetous must surely want The pleasure of his gain. But those who name the name of Christ, And to his will consent, Whatever wants he's pleas'd to send, They are therewith content. * But sin's our greatest enemy, Sets wants all in array, Which like a fierce antagonist % That sets us solitary. J Drys up the streams of tender care, § Domestic kindness slays, Turns fruitful fields to barrenness, And earth's production stays. || It's mostly in a middle state That we content enjoy, ^j Where no excess by affluence Nor poverty annoy. The greatness of the Shunammite Her wants could not repair, ** Until heaven's messenger proclaim'd To her a son and heir. -J--J- °PhiLiY.ll. fProv.vi.31. JJob.xxx.3. $Deut.xxviii.57. || Deut. xxxix. 23 . IT 2 Kings iv. 15. #» 2 Kings iv. 14, ft 2 Kings iv, 16. 172 the world's wants. But there's no bold in earthly things, How slippery is the stand, The wealthy Shunammite could tell When stript of all her land. * But may the Lord my wants disclose In all their varieties ; Accommodate his grace that I Earth's trifles may despise. I want thy mighty influence Lord To melt the stony breast, Then shall thy justice be adoi'd, Thy mercy stand confess'd. These trifles all are nought to me, If Christ makes up for all ; He hath his glory emptied -J* My many wants to fill. The gospel treasure so enrobes In garments that impose ; Riches that diamonds of the earth Does all their lustre lose. It asks no bricks without the straw, But ample means afford ; Its service, freedom, and its hire, A large and sure reward. J • 2 Kings viii. 5. f Phil. ii. 6. t Luke vi. 33, 35. the world's wants. 173 The gospel rectifies our right, And seals our title deeds Unto the heirship of th' estate To which the saints succeeds. And into our inheritance, Possessions large and great, Enrolls us as the citizens, — Those of the royal state. And Hephzibah, the Lord's delight. When all your toil is o'er ; And Beulah, married to the Lord, And never sorrow more. * If we be his, then all is ours When he makes up the odds ; Our wants are all made up in him, For Christ himself is God's. ■{■ * Isa, Ixii. 4. f 1 Cor. iii. 22. 23. THE WORLD'S IMPERFECTIONS AND INCONSISTENCIES. PART X.— Letter K. If nature's privileges were At all worth our regard, The first-born son of earth had not A reprobation shar'd. * The common gifts of God respects Not privilege and blood, Who dare guide him by rules in choice, But when he sees it's good. Now Adam's image stamp'd on those, To him their being ow'd ; •{• The cleanest grain sends forth the chaff From which it's fann'd ere sow'd. The sea divides, Sinai flames, The friendly cloud appears ; Such strange events present themselves, But greater wonder's here. a Gen. iv. 16. f Gen. v. iii. the world's imperfections, &c. 175 Immanuel, God with us, reveal'd, His righteousness is ours ; By faith in his atoning blood Our safety he insures. My soul's infected with disease By sin's polluted stain ; But healed by a friendly touch Of Jesus' garment hem. * Our sins and our transgressions made The occasion, not the cause, Of manifesting love to us Who broke heav'n's righteous laws. No good our ruin'd state can boast God's precepts to fulfil, Our hearts are so deceitful and So obstinate our will. Our passions here make many fools,— Our pride and discontent We're smitten with a leprosy, To worldliness we're bent. Pride introduceth many ills, And much confusion brings ; Strife, slander, envy, and reproach, Are subjects where it reigns. ^Matt.ix. 20,22. 176 the world's imperfections For what am I but a compound Of imperfection vain, Grasping at what I cannot find, Nor never will obtain. May I with willingness admit The Saviour's gentle sway ; And since it is his right to reign, With pleasure I obey. Then though both earth and hell combine Our diadem to deface, Our righteousness secur'd in Christ Our lustre shall increase. A skilful pilot holds the helm, Though adverse winds may blow, Tho' waters stand upon an heap, They cannot overflow. * Thro' good and bad, thro' wind and storm, The bark must speed her way ; And oft a dark and gloomy morn Succeeds a charming day. -J- Trust not ye in oppression, And from all robb'ry fly, For men of low extraction's vain, And high degree's a lie. f • Josh. iii. 19. f Esth. ix. 22. t Psal. lxii. 9, 10. AND INCONSISTENCIES. 177 The friends that we have held so dear, Like brooks have pass'd away, And all their friendships disappear In our extremity. Oft those whom we have most esteem'd, Have turn'd our bitterest foes ; Whom we most tenderly have lov'd, Which aggravate our woes. For human friendship is but weak, In shades of grief below ; How vain to place our confidence On dying gourds that grow. To idolize and please the world, How vain is the attempt, If we displease our maker and Cast on ourselves contempt. When I descend from Pisga's top, The view is but in part. While earth employs my eyes and hands, Lord captivate my heart. Thy heavenly grace impart to walk The strait and narrow road, And let the stump of Dagon fall Before the ark of God. * * 1 Sam. v. 4. N 178 the world's imperfections; The Ark of God will find no rest Till Dagon is put down ; From Ashdod unto Gath it's driven,, And sent from town to town. * A transient evil may be stain'd With durable reproach ; The congregation of the Lord No bastard dare approach, -{* Until ten generations Brands with indignity, The issue of such actors can't Avoid or remedy. J Yet God, who binds us to his laws,. Will not be bound by ours ; If Jephthah goes to God for help, His victory he insures. § He's as a bastard cast away, With fierce malignant hate ; Yet God esteems him when he is At Israel's helm set. || By contrary passes God Brings purposes about ; If Jephthah had not been so base. He had not been cast out. • 1 Sam. v. 7, 8. fDeut. xxiii. 2. J Judg. xr. f , $Judg. xi. 32. |! Judg. xi. 2&. AND INCONSISTENCIES. 179 And if not from his brethren thrust, Their captain had not been ; * But God will find a time to use The gifts which he hath gi'en. And will fetch good from seeming ill, And to himself the praise ; And out of man's exile he can From ruin glory raise. •{• Men love to go the nearest way, And yet do widely roam ; God very often goes about, And yet comes surely home. J Necessities will drive us out To make the helps our choice, Which in our folly we reject, And wantonness despise. § Our sacred, solemn exercises Does very ill accord ; It's not a pleasure but a task, Detained before the Lord. || God's better to us than we would, As Isaac's wants evince ; He prays to God to give a son, — He gives him two at once. ^[ « Judg. xL 5, 6. f Judg. xi. 11. J Jude 11, 36. $ Judg. xi, 2. || 1 Sam. xxi. 7, IT Gen. xxv. 21, 22. n2 180 the world's imperfections Before Rebekah did conceive, She found herself in peace ; Before regeneration, We live in slothful ease. But when our nature is renew'd, Then parties disagree ; And if no combat, that's a sign We're not from bondage free. Esau himself would not have striven, — Nature alone will live ; And no Rebekah is so well As but a Jacob have. She must be mother of them both, That she be exercis'd ; That faith and patience may have scope,- The flesh be mortify'd. The gospel plan does not intend Our notions to amuse, But faith and patience to exert, And every effort use. Altho' desire enlarge as hell, It cannot satisfy ; * He consults shame unto his house, That sets his nest en high, -j- *Hab. ii.5. fHab. ii. 9, 10. AND INCONSISTENCIES. 181 Ambition passes all its bounds Of common equity ; With haughty insolence breaks through The bounds of modesty. * Their glory from conception's birth Like birds oft from them fly ; -J* Their own doings them beset, f The good they east away. § The very stones shall witness bear, And from the walls will cry ; The beams and timber answer it, And hastens to obey. || Like Lot, we often lingering stand, Tho' vengence be in view ; It's mercy pulls us by the hand, Or we shall perish too. ^f The doom of Sodom will be ours, If we should Mammon give Our heart's affections and desires, Then cleave to Christ and live. It's wealth makes Lot undutiful, ** But Abram bids him choice, And on Gomorrah's fertile plains He sets his wishful eyes. •*Hab.i.ll. tHos.ix.ll. JHos.ix.2. $flosix.3. 11 Hab. ii. 11. IF Gen. xix. 16. ** Gen. xiii. 5, 6, 9, 10. 182 the world's imperfections The manners of th' inhabitants Lot did not once enquire,* The situation and the soil Excited his desire. But ere he tenant Sodom long, He for his rashness pays, Betrays his life and goods likewise, When both are made a prize. •{• Deceitful guides are outward views. Appearance don't esteem, For they deserve to be deceiv'd Who value as they seem. But ill success drives not Lot out, Nor Sodomites refines, For Lot loves his commodities, And Sodomites their crimes. J At last Lot's hasten'd that he might Th' impending danger shun, § Yet tho' he fled from company, He could not flee from sin. Not all the sinful Sodomites Could righteous Lot deceive, Yet sin a complete victory gain'd, When in his lonely cave. || •'Gen. xiii. 13. fGen. xiii. 14. J Gen. xviii 20. { Gen. xviii. 20. |) Gen. xix. 36. AND INCONSISTENCIES. 183 Heav'n only is the sure defence Against infirmities ; Which of the saints have not been caught In inconsistencies ? O who could think to find the man That once so high did shine Above the waters of the flood, And yet was drunk with wine* * Who only in a world unclean, By God was righteous found, A patron preacher to the world, Yet proves unclean, unsound. One hour betrays six hundred years Of virtuousness unstain'd ; If God allows his saints to fall, They lose what they have gain'd. The king, the priest, and prophet of The world, wash'd from stain, Renews the guilt which he reproved, And saw the judge condemn. A graceless Ham will sport with shame, In Satan's service bent ; Twice Noah gave him life, yet is Not shielded from's contempt, f °Gen, ix. 21. fGen. ix. 22. 184 the world's imperfections It's good for Noah Ham could tell To none but to his own ; If none but friends our faults should know Concealment would be shown. * Some filthy deeds may be conceal'd Below the temple's stones ; God's ark may nourish monsters and Reserve them ft>r the flames. -[- An harvest for them he hath set, J He'll thrust the sickle in ; § And as they've plough'd and sown will they Be reckon'd with for sin. And yet with horrid swiftness he Destruction on them brings ; With violence suddenly the wind Hath bound them in its wings. || These talents were not given to us Our passions to enslave, Or yet detain or bind us to What we're enjoin'd to leave. But all our virtues to refine, Exalt our noble powers, Persuade conception, and in God A certainty insures. °Gen. ix. 23. | Hos. iv. 17. J Hos. vi. 11. $ Joeliii. 13. II Hos. iv. 19. AND INCONSISTENCIES. 185 If our good qualities were stript Of all our former stains , It would be mortifying to find That nothing else remains. Take from your life the useless parts, Sickness and infancy, What's then for God but sloth and sleep, And thoughtless hours set by. View your devotion if you would Your imperfection see, Even your religion testifies Your insufficiency. But if divine support's withdrawn, Or heavenly grace restrain'd, The .best of saints their frailty shows Their lives with guilt are stain'd. A natural and a moral want Of inability ; I want the art to dig, to beg I want humility. * Some have a flower of utterance, But yet wants knowledge root ; Some knowledge in a napkin hide, Without producing fruit. c Luke xvi. 3. 186 the world's imperfections A forward man as Peter was, His courage soon resign'd, Good resolutions soon are lost By an unguarded mind. * A perfect man as Noah was, May be by wine overcome, -j- And blameless Zechariah may By unbelief be dumb. | As meek a man as Moses was, His meekness from him flies ; At Meribah before the rock In wrath he smote it twice. § And Solomon, that mighty king, In wisdom, towered high, || And yet how low his folly sunk, His actions do display, ^f And Absalom, though very fair, His beauty's but a show ; His ornament prov'd unto him His utter overthrow. ** An upright man as Jonathan, Such courage is but rare, As son of Saul and David's friend, Obedient and sincere. • Matt. xxvi. 69. fGen.ix.21. JLukei.20. §Deut.xxxii.51. U 1 Kings iv. 31. % 1 Kings xi. 9. ** 1 Sam. xviii. 9. AND INCONSISTENCIES. 1 87 See Adam, Samson, Solomon, Wise, perfect, strong, and all, Stood highest of our race, and yet Their helpers made them fall. They who a faithful helpmate find, They comfort shall obtain ; But what disorders may occur To match a Philistine ? * Afflictions have advantages, To them God's mercy's bent ; Manoah's wife is barren and To her an angel's sent. -J- As Satan's batteries subtilly Against the weakest play, So contrary, God directs His strength those to supply. And comforts will address to those Neglected and in need, And show them that the woman's seed Shall bruise the serpent's head. All our afflictions, (thou art barren,) Our God delights to ease ; One glance of his omniscient eye, Our real condition sees. c Judg. xv. 6. f Judg. xiii. 3. 188 the world's imperfections Good angels first will let us see Of what we should complain, And then applies the cordial that We comfort may obtain. When God intends a special work, He early will begin ; Those whom he will make wonderful, Begins his wonders soon. For both the cradle and the womb Presage the future life ; Witness Rebekah, in her womb * Began the hateful strife. A strict, holy austerity, Attends a special call ; And Israel's champion's mother must Pay strict regard to all. -[• Credulity to man, we find, Is oft a dangerous road, But christian virtue, if we have A steadfast faith in God. None ever was repuls'd to whom The prayer of faith was given ; Ere good desires be frustrate, An angel's sent from heaven. } * Gen. xxv. 22. f Judg. xiii. 14. J Judg. xiii. 9. AND INCONSISTENCIES. 18£ More names from Christ we borrow, if We walk the patent road, For as we're Christians, so we must Be Nazarites to God. The consecration's on our heads, To Nazarites it's given ; Not drinking wine, but drunkenness,, Is not the way to heaven. If homely sights the saints effect, Of glory but a ray, * What fear will sinners feel before Him whom angels obey. Instead of looking cheerfully On causes of our joy, Our infirm nature brings us down, We fall like good Manoah. From comfort, causes oft we dread Where life itself consists ; In confirmation, death conceives, Where happiness exists. Among Israel's deliverers We find there is not one Recorded so much weakness as We find in this Samson. °Judg. xiii. 22. 190 the world's imperfections Conception, dieting, and all The Nazarite sacrifice, Was not more wonderful than was The news of his own choice. * A pagan's daughter sees and falls In love incessently, And all his strength we see begins In his infirmity. The champion given to overcome The heathenish Philistines, One maid o'ercomes him, — the depth Of heaven's wise designs ! He found heat of unfit desire For all his homely fare, His fancy thus a tyrant made, And not his counsellor. Unworthy of a Nazarite, To love a Philistine ; Intemperate heat of passion strikes Upon a comely skin. Affection not more blind than deaf, We in the champion see ; He can't defend, yet he pursues, Get her, she pleaseth me. •Judg. xiv. 3. * AND INCONSISTENCIES. 191 But Samson might like sluggard say A lion's in the way ; But fear will not deter him whom Persuasion could not sway. The hungry lion furiously Came strong and fierce to tear ; Might not Samson have thought him sent To stop his wild career. But tho' his bones had been as brass, And bars of iron bound, Would been alike to him by whom The leviathan's bound. No fence had Samson but his strength, No weapon in his hand ; The spirit of the Lord in him The victory doth command. 7 This fashion it has been with God His champions to try, Initiatory exercise To strengthen faith thereby. Manoah, if behind the hedge, And had his courage seen, No farther care would he have had To match a Philistine. ° Judg. xiv. 5. f Judg. xiv. 6. 192 the world's imperfections The Lion's ramping, bristling breast, His sparkling fiery eyes ; His raised mane and fearful stare, Presage he has the prize. His month and nostrils breathing out Destruction instantly, And roaring out the knell of death, To see so fair a prey. But saw not his antagonist Who could the monster stay, Nor did he know his maker was His fiercest enemy. What's lions in their maker's hand, Who stints them with the awe Of Adam, Noah, Daniel, Shuts their voracious jaw. A lion Samson could not move, Tho' raging fierce and wild, But yet a woman's tears subdues, — Makes him a very child. * 'Mong thirty, either loss or gain, Of course could be but small, But plunderous rapacity Makes them to grasp at all. Judg. xiv. 17. AND INCONSISTENCIES. 193 Samson did ne'er infirmities Betray so much as this ; Xn's bosom kindly rolled up His fond uxoriousness. The world's courtecies are hollow, And cunning is its wiles ; Nor purposes so ill, as when It shows its fairest smiles. None are so near to danger as Those whom it ententains, And those may have suspicious fears Who match with Philistines. He whom the lion found alone Has now got large supplies, — Attendants as companions, but They may be term'd spies. * The joy that vain amusements gives Our nobler pleasures spoil ; The world's esteem is but a bribe, Which our best hopes beguile. How much like Martha are we vex'd, And cares engross our thought, — Encumber'd, hurried, and perplex'd, And needful things forgot. * Judg. xiv. 11. O 194 the world's imperfections may the living word, the light, Shine forth before our eyes, And fortify our hearts against Our inconsistencies. The lions rage and roar in vain, If Jesus is our shield ; Our losses often prove a gain, And troubles comfort yield. Tho' wealth and honour oft by men Is lov'd and much esteemed ; It's not the channel heaven's love Nor favour is obtain'd. superstitious Balak, why Is your ambition fierce? It's fit that thou should Israel bless, And then you will have peace. * For Balak your magician may Do what the devil can, But is these powers omnipotent, Or yet the curse of man. Though God may Balaam thus permit. Yet his pursuits are vain ; Look only at the result when lie's found among the slain. -J- • Num. xxiii. 13. f Num. xxxi. 8. AND INCONSISTENCIES. 195 The fear of awful judgments is Oft by ungodly men And worldly hearts at length o'ercome By carnal love of gain. * Ye who profess the Saviour's name Ye're bound by solemn ties To seperate yourselves from all Your inconsistencies. The madness of the Israelites In inconsistency, The smoke soon vanish'd from their minds Though Sinai's in their eye. They are unworthy of Moses That would so soon forget 5 Has God and Moses both been lost, They're so on idols set ? The trembling hill and thundering sound Had scarcely ceas'd to roar, Till unto Aaron came the cry, Make gods to go before. He who with Moses was allow'd To climb the fiery hill, -J- His dignity he soon forgot The precept to fulfil. °Num. xxii. 33. fExod. xix. 24. 196 the world's imperfections No graven image shalt thou make, * It would so ill accord With him who gave the strict command And said, I am the Lord. -{* But what is mortal man when left To his extravagance ? We act as if we disbelieved In God's omnipotence. From Moses' brother who would look For such an answer's this, — Pull off your earrings rather than J Chide inconsistedness. But what a startling case is this ? The joint-commissioner, The consecrated priest of God § With Moses would compare. Does Aaron thus repine against The man who sav'd his life And consecrated him, yet he Begins the unequal strife. Miriam and Aaron are so blind, Envy hath shut their eyes ; They see not nature's privilege, Nor honour God's own choice. || * Exod. xx. 4. f Exod. xx. 2. J Exod. xxxii. 2. § Ezod. xxx. 30. || Num. xii. 1, 8. AND INCONSISTENCIES. 197 Who can their imperfection stint, And fortitude display, When God's first consecrated priest Shows inconsistency. * What shall we think of those who wish To dazzle others eyes, And care not for the better part, Nor seek the immortal prize. And those still more whose wish it is To rax above their reach, Whose vain glory burys itself, And is but hypocrites. Unlike our Moses, vail'd in flesh, Are these self-righteous clan, — He shut his miracles of power With, See thou tell no man. May I his pattern imitate, Who earth's foundation laid, But had no portion in it, nor No where to lay his head ; But came with eagerness to save From sin's degrading stain, And from this evil world free -j- And break our bondage chain. *Num. xii. 17. fGal. i. 4. 198 the world's imperfections, &c. May I be crucified to it * Whose fashion pass away, -j- And live unspotted from the world, \ And soar above the sky. Let me not to the world conform, For it's not my abode, But may I wholly be transformed To do the will of God. § And like Elijah's bright assent, Earth like his mantle drop, That free'd from all encumbrance I May climb to Pisgah's top, || And fix my centre on the Rock, The sure and safe abode, ^f And reach the land of uprightness, And God shall be my God. ** *Gal.vi. 14. 1 1 Cor. vii. 31. J James i. 27. $Rom.xii.2. || Deut. xxxiv. 1. f Exod. xxxiii. 22. ** Psalm cxliii. 10. juu>; INDEX. Showing the different Scripture Texts referred to in the foregoing verses. The first two columns are the Chapter and Yerse of each book as marked. The three last columns are the Part, the letter for the Part, and the Page in which it lies. Part First is marked with letter A. — Part Second with letter B. — Part Third C. — and so on, all the ten parts. Genesis. Verse. 27, 29, 30 31 12,31 28 22 - 9,15 17,24 6,24 10 17,24 24 14,16 1 A 3 9 I 166 9 I 167 4 D 68 8 H 145 4 D 65 4 D 69 9 H 147 ] A 5 1 A 4 8 H 145 1 A 10 2 B 18 4 D 86 8 H 146 1 A 6 1 A 7 8 H 145 5 E 97 9 E 174 E 171 1 A 7 7 G 141 1 136 135 2 Genesis. Verse. Pr. Le. Page 21 1 A 11 7 2 B 23 21 10 E 186 21,22 10 K 183 23 10 K 184 3,4,8 4 D 74 4,7,9 4 D 75 1 2 B 25 2 5 E 109 8 6 F 116 5, 6, 9, 10 10 E 161 13,14 10 K 162 20 1 A 13 23 5 E 92 24,28 3 C 47 28 3 c 48 1 6 F 117 23 8 H 153 20 10 K 162 24 1 A 11 26 2 B 29 16 10 K 181 26 8 H 161 36 16 E 182 14 5 E 91 22 10 Iv 188 21, 22 10 K 179 5,6 4 D 65 200 INDEX. Cha. 25 Verse. 23 Pr. 8 Le. IT Page 153 Cha. Deuteronomy. Verse. Pr. Le. 26 21, 22, 23 7 G 132 23 3 10 K 27 28, 40 6 F 120 27 13 8 H 27 34 6 F 123 28 57 9 I 27 42 7 a 132 32 24 8 H 28 16 6 F 122 32 51 10 K 30 1 8 H 159 34 1 10 E 30 1 9 I 169 39 23 9 I 31 23,53 8 H 152 32 6 8 H 152 Joshua. 33 4 8 H 152 3 4 2 B 35 78 8 H 160 3 19 10 K 35 18,19 8 H 159 6 17 10 K 41 7 8 H 154 7 24 4 D 7 25 7 G Exodus. 9 5 4 D 4 10 9 I 169 10 12 4 D 8 1 A 10 13 22 4 D 9 23 4 D 70 15 17,19 4 D 14 28,30 5 E 103 23 13 2 B 18 11 4 D 70 7 25 5 E 18 24 10 K 195 20 2,4 10 K 196 Judges. 30 30 10 K 196 1 6 3 C 32 2 10 K 196 2 5 8 H 33 22 10 K 198 4 21 2 B 5 20 1 A Numbers. 6 24 8 II 11 33 4 r> 59 7 19,20 3 C 12 1,2 10 K 196 9 5, 6, 14 3 C 13 33 3 C 48 9 56,57 3 c 12 11 10 K 197 11 2, 5, 6, 11, 30 10 K 14 9 3 C 49 11 29, 32 10 K 22 27 8 u 160 13 3 10 E 22 12,33 3 i) 76 13 9,14 10 K 22 23 3 i) 74 14 3 10 K 22 33 1( K 195 14 5,6 10 K 23 10 ( F 123 14 11 10 E 23 13 1( K 194 14 17 10 K 23 8,26 :■ I) 76 15 6 10 K 31 16 : 1) 77 16 16,17 2 B 31 8 L( K 194 || 16 19 3 C 33 13 1( >K 194 'I 18 24 8 11 INDEX. 201 Cha. Verse, 1 Pr.l Le. Page Cha. Verse. Pr. Le. Page 14| 9 | 6jE |117 3 12 7 G 132 81 21 5 E 110 Ruth. 21 2, 20, 34 4 D 72 Ji20 1 5IE 1114 22 28 C 52 2|4, 8, 9 1 51E |118 2 Kings. 1 Samuel. 2 19 8 H 153 2 29 7 a 131 2 24 1 A 10 2 33 1 A 10 4 14, 15, 16 9 I 171 3 33 3 c 51 4 41 8 H 154 4 21 1 A 8 5 22 4 D 71 5 4 10 K 177 5 37 3 C 58 5 78 10 K 178 6 17 6 F 125 6 19 8 H 157 10 9 4 D 85 15 30 4 D 74 10 16 4 D 74 15 32 2 B 17 8 5 9 I 172 16 6, 7, 12 6 F 114 18 4 5 E 109 17 54 3 C 52 19 28 3 C 47 19 16 3 C 52 25 7 8 H 156 18 8 7 a 132 18 9 10 K 186 1 Chronicles. 19 50 3 C 51 29112 | 2 B 32 20 22 5 E 108 29 12 J 3 C 60 21 7 10 K 179 27 1 8 H 154 2 Chronicles. 19 32 2 B 17 19| 2 1 5|E 104 20 25 2 B 42 20 35, 37 91 161 25 29 6 F 125 32121 1 8|H 149 30 3,4 5E 112 'Esther. 2 Samuel. 3 5 3C 62 2 3,4 5 E 85 5 9, 12 3C 53 6 7 8 H 117 5 11 .: c 50 6 3, 7, 8, 19 8 H 118 5 )J, ]3 | c 45 6 18, 20 5 E 82 5 14 I i H 155 15 9 1 5 E 103 6 12 I !H 155 16 4 77 6 13 I IC 53 17 14 3 C 52 7 10 % ;c 53 7 10 \ !C 45 1 Kings. 8 1 I IC 45 2 42 7 a 128 8 2 : JC 46 4 31 10 K 186 7 3C 4 1 9 8 H 156 11 111 6F 1 10 6 F 125 16 11 7G 4 18, 19 7 G 140 16 11 8 !1 3 12 5 E 97 24 1 2 B 3 13 4 D 70 87 5 8H t 23 1 A 11 3C 5 2B 7 6 7 G 140 34 9 91 7 20 8 H 1^8 39 6 2B 8 9 7 G 140 39 11 3C 8 14 7 G 141 49 16 5E 8 13, 14 7 G 130 49 17 SB 12 15 5 E 98 49 20 3C 12 14,17,18,19,21 7 G 141 52 7 5.E 13 8 5 E 98 62 7 6F 1.5 16 8 H 158 62 9 7 G 15 31 7 G 141 62 10 5E \5 20,21 5 E 96 69 29 4D 15 i0, 21, 22, 29. 71 15 7G 30, 32, 33 5 E 97 73 6, 10 3C 15 24, 25, 29 4 D 70 75 6 3C \6 *7 5 E 98 43 9 5E ] 18 4,6, 7,8,11, 13, 49 6 5E J 17, 18 3 C 53 19 10 7G J 18 12, 13, 14 3 C 54 62 19, 10, 16 10 K 19 8 3 c 53 78 37 7G J 19 19 8 H 155 78 so 5E 20 5, 6, 7 7 GJ32 78 49 3 E 20 14, 15,22,23 2 B 21 7* 29 5E 20 15 5E 104 89 49 7G J 2] 14 4 D 83 94 11 7G 1 26 17, 18 3 C 35 94 11 7G J 21 16 5 E 92 96 9, 12 7G 1 30 1 2 B 34 97 6, 11, 12 7G 1 30 /> g 1 171 98 7,8 7G j 36 15, 16,26 3 C 41 100 5 8H 1 42 12 156 104 9 7 G 7 114 8 6 F 1 Psalms. 143 10 10 K 1 6\ 12 2|li| 20 145 13 2 n '. 14 | 7|( S| 42 107 . 30 ( 3C INDEX. 203 Proverbs Cha Verse. Pr Le. Verse. Pr. Le Pags 2 11 7 G 23 5 E 88 2 2 6 F 17 6 V 120 3 11 2 B 32 2 B 20 2 18, 19 3 C 31 9 I 171 5 2 1 A 18 7 G 139 5 JO 5 E 19 7 G 140 5 12 6 E 19 2 B 34 5 12 5 E 22 4 D 73 5 16 7 G 2S 7 G 129 3 19 7 G 4 5 E 105 4 4 7 G 28 7 G 131 5 11 5 K 28 2 B 20 5 12, 13 .5 E 26 8 H 147 5 1J, 12 2 B 7 5 E 99 5 15 2 R 7 d E 105 5 15 5 E 21 2 B 20 5 18, 18 5 E 6 /, E 106 6 2,7 5 E 12 6 F 113 6 2, 12 7 G 13 6 P 119 6 11 7 G 3 J A 9 7 14 3 C 18 8 H 147 9 11, 12 7 G 24 8 H 149 10 1 3 C 1 A E 101 10 8 6 F 3 2 B 24 10 19 5 E 15 7 G 134 12| 8 7 G 28 5 E 96 4 5 E 88 Song. 2 t A 10 1114 tflFIl 4,5 6 E 89 5\ 7 8|H| 24 5 E 104 20 5 E 100 Isaiah. 8 5 E 100 1 22 1 A 1 18 1 A Ecclesiastes. 1 18 1 A 14 7 G 134 2 12 2 B 15 1 A 8 3 1 8 H 15 7 G 133 3 24 3 C 3, 2 B 24 4 7 3 C 14 2 B 16 5 14 3 C 16 7 G 132 9 6 4 I) 17, 18 7 G 139 11 1 2 B 18 .5 E 112 14 12 3 C 1,10,11,17,20 7 G 133 1 14 12, 13, 14 4 D 204 INDEX. Cha. V 1.5 2 17 4 21 4 28 4 22 13 24 20 25 4 31 5 37 7, : J 6 39 2, 6 40 6 40 14 40 23, 24 40 24 4J ](> 43 17 44 25 44 25 47 10, 11 49 24, "25 51 8 56 2 55 12 59 4 62 4 62 4 63 1 63 5 64 6 65 10 2 Jl < 4 7 5 13, 14 9 5 9 11, 15 9 19 9 23 9 23 J2 13 IS 7, Id n 18 is 7 Pr. Le. Page 6F lli» 3C 56 3C 47 3 c 50 6 F 124 3 C 57 8 H 149 6 F 117 3 C 47 5 E 88 7 G 142 6 F 119 7 G 141 6 F 120 6 F 120 3 C 50 1 A 9 3 c 50 6 F 120 2 B 23 3 C 50 7 F 116 2 B 35 7 G 142 6 F 117 9 [ 173 3 C 49 4 D 69 1 A 4 8 II 1163 Jeremiah, 3 c 37 2 6 F 119 2 6 F 120 5 7 G 141 4 6 V U9 4 7 G 142 6 3 c 43 8 5 E 88 9 6 E 104 10 5 E 94 9 A 1) 77 7 S c 60 Cha. 15 17 20 20 25 48 48 49 50 51 18 3 C 11 3 c 3 5 E 4 J A \i 2 B 37 3 C 38 3 c }6 3 c 23 3 c 13, 34, 53, ' 3 c Lamentations. 33 2B 1 1 A 16 1 A UzeJciel. 19 5E 4, 15, 16,21 3,C 2 4D 27 3C . Le. Page Daniel. 34, 38 33 3 9,24 3 3 C 3 C 2 B 3 c 4 D 3 c 3 c Hosea. 6 8 II 151 8, 9 5 E 92 21 3 C 57 10 6 F 1J4 19 10 K 184 11 10 K 184 14 3 C 57 1) a c 50 13 7 G 130 3, 11 10 K 181 2 1) K 181 INDEX. 205 Joel. Cha. Verse. Pr. Le. Cha.l Verse. Pr.lLe.lPage 4 9 4 D 3|13 I01KI184 5 12 5 E 5 29 4 D Amos. 6 19, 20 2 B 6, 1, 4,6 2B 40 6 19, 20 2 B « 1, 14 6 F 118 6 24 2 B S\ 8, 9, 10 F 118 6 24 5 E V 26 1 A Jonah. 9 20,22 10 K 417 | 61FII6O 10 16, 58 2 B 4| 9 2|B| 28 11 12 2 B 11 12 2 B Micah. 12 5 4 D 7|17 8|H|I11 12 42 6 a 13 26 8 H HabaJcJcuk. 16 24 2 B 1 I) ] K 128 16 26 2 B 2 5, 9, 10, JO 10 K 128 11 21 3 C 2 6 2 B 18 11 23 3 c 2 13 9 C 36 16 29 3 c 2 16 3 c 33 18 19,20 3 c 19 16 2 B Zephaniah. 19 23 2 B 1|18 3|C| 47 19 24 5 E 20 22 8 H Haggai. 21 13 1 A 1| 6 * E 102 21 33 2 B J 6 5 F 116 25 32 2 B J| 9 4 D 78 26 69 10 K Zechariah. 27 5 2 E 3 4 9 1 7 3 6 6 2 F F B 125 125 24 10 Mark. 41 4 D 14 12 6 F no 13 18 4 D 15 22 1 4 D Malachi. 2 3 4D 84 Luke. « 15 J A 9 1 19 4 D 4 2 4 D 68 1 20 10 K 1 53 5 E Matthew. 2 12 3 C 3| I, 4 I 2|B| 33 2 19 5 E 4| 3 31 C 60 J 3 5 6 F 206 INDEX. 10 10 11 12 12 12 12 12 13 16 16 16 16 16 16 18 18 19 19 24 1 5 8 12 L4 16 16 16 16 19 Verse. 7 17 24 24 114 33,35 28,30 37 18 30,33 22 17, 18, 19, 21 20 31,33 33 33 16 8 3 3 21 21,22 14 14 4 40 5 John. 47 24 44 13, 20, 21, 27 20 33 33 34 35 30 12|23 17*28, 29 Acts. Page 67 69 112 14 122 172 70 26 66 167 69 95 90 93 128 36 29 16 185 4 112 163 96 51 43 26 143 14 108 167 5 37 15 28 153 22 161 69 310 1 43 911 1166 Pr. Le 4 D' 4 D 5 E 5 E 6 F 9 I 4 D 2 B 4 D 9 I 4 D 5 E 5 E 5 E 7 e 2 B 2 B 2 B 10 K 1 A 5 E 8 H 5 E 3 3 c 2 B 7 a 2 B 5 E 9 T ] A 3 2 B 2 B 8 11 2 B 8 H 4 I) Cha. 2 5 6 Romans. Verse. Pr. Le. 2 B 1 A 2 B 2 B 2 A 6 F 4 D 8 H 1 A 2 B 5 E 10 K 2 B 2 B 1 Corinthians. 5 E 28 2 B 2 B 2 B 3 C 23 2 I 23 5 E 5 E 7 4 D 4 D 10,11,12,13 H 11 8 H 7 G 2 B 10 K 6 F 2 B 6 F 4 D 8 II Page 28 6 28 29 7 124 85 145 6 24 112 198 42 28 109 39 16 39 46 173 91 92 72 73 162 161 128 36 193 115 32 124 72 162 2 Corinthians. 32 2.BI 28 7,8,9 8H162 17, H164 ISDEX. 207 (J ha. Verse. 6 7 11 14 12 2, 7 12 7 12 7 Galatians. 1 4 4 7 6 7 614 Ephesians. 1 3 2 7 2 6 2 8 6)17 Philipians. 2 6 3 8, 9 4 4 4 11 419 Colossians. 1 27 2 3 2 10 2 15 3 3 3 3 2 Thessalonim 2i 9 2|12 1 Timothy. 21 6 210 3|10, 11 5 1 6 Pr. 8 Le. H 4 D 1 A 4 D 3lC Page 162 68 7 83 49 197 124 141 198 91 112 172 90 91 172 127 122 174 91 112 1]2 127 148 42 109 IHI147 6 F 1121 liA 2B 2B 6F 13 27 27 122' Cha. 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 7 8 9 9 10 17 17, 18, 19 17 Pr. Le 4 D 5 E 6 E 5 E 5 E 5 E 5 E 5 E 5 E 5 E 26 2,3 3 10 2 Timothy. 14 22 11 24,25 26 16 16 6,14 James. 10,11 27 2 3,4,7 1 Peter. 18 S 19 8 10 31 7, 3110 2 Peter. 2 B 8 H 6 F 2 B Hebrews. 4 D 1 A 6 F 6 F 2 B 6 F 6 F 2 B 5 E 10 K 5 E 5 E 2 6 B F 6 F 4 D 6 F 10 2|Bi 2B 12 31 208 INDEX. 1 JoJltt, Cha. Verse. Pr- Le. Page Cha. Verse. Pr.lLe. Pa^e 3 10, 11 2 B 27 2 15 2EK 14 3 17 5 E 109 2 15 2 1! 16 3 16 5 E 110 3 9 2B 28 3 17 9 I 170 5 4 2|B 22 3 21 6 F 127 6 2 2 B 27 Jude. 6 8 4 D 67 11 6 6IPI161 12 7 4 D 66 111 1 , 12, 13 4IDI 77 12 12 4 V 67 U 13 4 D 68 Revelations 18 7,8 3 C 44 2110 2 8 25 20 2,3 4 D 70 2110 2 B 27 20 14 8 H 165 3 1 8, IT 5 E 109 21 27 8 H 148 Deacidified using the Bookkeeper process. 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