Spiritual Songs; OR, Songs of Praise TO Almighty God, Upon several Occasions. Together with The SONG of SONGS, Which is SOLOMON's: First Turned then Paraphrased in English Verse. To which may be added, Penitential Cries. The Sixth Edition Corrected. With an Addition of a Sacred Poem on Dives and Lazarus.  
LONDON: Printed for Tho. Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns, at the lower end of Cheapside near Mercer's Chapel, 1699.   

THE PREFACE.  
OUR Blessed Saviour immediately before he went out to Suffer, Sung an Hymn, and his Disciples Sung with Him; a●e to his Ascension into Heaven, the Apostles S●ng the Praises of God, and Taught others to 〈◊〉 so. After them, Primitive Christians Sum, and so must the Christians of this time. 〈…〉 should hold their Peace, the Stones would immediately Cry out: Should we be Silent even the Heathens might shame us. One 〈◊〉 said formerly to his Friends, If I was 〈◊〉 Nightingale, I would Sing like a Nightingale; But now I am a Man. I will Sing the Praises of God as long as I Li●e; & I would have you to Sing with 〈◊〉 Sing we then heartily to our good God as it 〈◊〉 becometh us; so dear to us should the Concernment of God's Honour be, that should Solemnly own his Goodness Power at Wisdom, even in those Works of His, where we have no special Interest; For this we ha● the Example of Holy David ●nd others. B●● if we have not attained to so divine a Fran●●et we should at least praise God for our o● Mercies; which are scarce Mercies scarce 〈◊〉 if they be not Thankfully acknowledge to Him that gave Them; some of which 〈◊〉 taken Notice of in the First Part of the B●● But who can express the Noble Acts of 〈◊〉 Lord, or show forth all his Praises?  
Solomon● Song is an Heavenly 〈◊〉 course betwixt Christ and his Church; and how he loves Her● How he extols H●● H●● he 〈◊〉 Her! 〈◊〉 be rejoice 〈…〉 Her! It is a thing which cannot be duly thong 〈◊〉 upon without an Holy Astonishment; as is 〈◊〉 Majesty● so is his Mercy, so is his Love 〈◊〉 Joy. Hence it is that the day of his Espousals, 〈◊〉 d●y that 〈◊〉 his 〈◊〉 with infinite Happiness) it's styled the day 〈…〉 Gladness of his Heart, Ch. 5. 〈◊〉  
In the Version I Looked at the Words; In the Paraphrase at the Spiritual Sense; In the whole at the Edification of those that Love our Lord Jesus Christ in Sincerity.  
Worthy is the Lamb that was Slain to receive Power, and Riches, and Wisdom and Strength, and Honour, and Glory, and Blessing.  
Let Heaven and Earth praise him, let Saints and Angels praise Him.  
Let God's Holy Church throughout all the World praise Him; Let all the Tongues and Tribes of the Earth praise Him, Let Time praise Him, Let Eternity praise Him, Let our Lips and our Lives praise Him, Let our Souls praise Him; And O may they be a Praise to the Riches of his Grace for ever!   

THE Contents of the First Part.  

I. A General Song of Praise to Almighty God.  
II. Another.  
III. A Song of Praise for Creation.  
IV. A Song of Praise for Preservation.  
V. A Song of Praise for Provision.  
VI A Song of Praise for Protection.  
VII. A Song of Praise for Health.  
VIII. A Song of Praise for Family-prosperity.  
IX. A Song of Praise for good Success in Honest Affairs.  
X. A Song of Praise for the Morning.  
XI. A Song of Praise for the Evening.  
XII. A Song of Praise for the Birth of Christ.  
XIII. A Song of Praise for Christ.  
XIV. A Song of Praise for Redemption.  
XV. A Song of Praise for the Gospel.  
XVI. A Song of Praise for a Gospel-Ministry.  
XVII. A Song of Praise for Holy Baptism.  
XVIII. A Song of Praise for the Lord's Supper.  
XIX. A Song of Praise for the Lord's Day.  
XX. Another.  
XXI. A Song of Praise for the Patience of God.  
XXII. A Song of Praise for the Pardon of Sin.  
XXIII. A Song of Praise for peace of Conscience.  
XXIV. A Song of Praise for Joy in the H. Ghost.  
XXV. A Song of Praise for Grace.  
XXVI. A Song of Praise for Answer of Prayer.  
XXVII. A Song of Praise for Deliverance from Enemies.  
XXVIII. A Song of Praise for Deliverance from spiritual Troubles.  
XXIX. A Song of Praise for Deliverance from imminent danger of Death.  
XXX. A Song of Praise for the Hope of Glory.  
XXXI. A Song of Praise Collected out of the Book of Psalms.  
XXXII. Another.  
XXXIII. A Song of Praise collected from the Doxologies in the Revelation of St. John.    

BOOKS printed for Tho. Parkhurst.  
A Body of Practical Divinity, consisting of one Hundred Seventy Six Sermons on the lesser Carechism of the Assembly of Divines at Westminster; with a Supplement of some Sermons on several Texts of Scripture; by Tho● Watson formerly Minister of St. Stephens, Walbrook. Recommended by several Eminent Divines, to Masters of Families and others.  
Sacramental Hymns, collected chiefly from such Passages of the New Testament, as contain the most suitable matter of Divine Praise● in the Celebration of the Lords Supper; t● which is added, one Hymn relating to Baptism and another to the Ministry: By Jos. Boys● Minister of the Gospel.  
Penitential Cries in Thirty two Hymns; by John Mason M. A. and Author of the Songs o● Praise.  
Six hundred Select Hymns and Spiritual Songs, collected out of the Bible; together with a Catechism, the Canticles, and a Catalogue of Virtuous Women; by W. Bartam, A. M.  
The Psalms of David in Metre, newly translated and diligently compared with the original Text, and former Translations; more plain, smooth & agreeable to the Text than any heretofore. Recommended by Tho. Manton, J. Owen, William Jenkyn, Tho. Watson, Tho. Lie, Matth. Pool. Matthew Me●d, Tho. Doolittle, Tho. Vincent. Nath. Vincent, William. Carslake, Rich. May●, and divers other Eminent Divines.   

Songs of Praise to Almighty God, upon several Occasions.  

I. A General Song of Praise to Almighty God.  

(1.)  
HOW shall I Sing that Majesty  
Which Angels do admire?  
Let Dust in Dust and Silence lie,  
Sing, Sing, ye Heavenly Quire.  
Thousands of Thousands stand Around  
Thy Throne, O God, most High;  
Ten Thousand times Ten Thousand sound  
Thy Praise; but who am I?   

(2.)  
Thy Brightness unto them appears,  
Whilst I thy Footsteps trace,  
A Sound of God comes to my Ears;  
But they behold thy Face.  
They Sing because thou art their Sun,  
Lord, send a Beam on me;  
●or where Heaven is but once begun  
There Hallelujahs be.   

(3.)  
Enlighten with Faith's Light my Heart,  
Inflame it with Love's Fire,  
Then shall I Sing and bear a part,  
With that Celestial Quire.  
I shall, I fear, be dark and cold,  
With all my Fire and Light:  
Yet when thou dost accept their Gold,  
Lord Treasure up my Mite.   

(4.)  
How great a Being, Lord, is thine,  
Which doth all Being's keep!  
Thy Knowledge is the only Line  
To found so vast a Deep.  
Thou art a Sea without a Shore,  
A Sun without a Sphere,  
Thy Time is now and evermore,  
Thy place is every where.   

(5.)  
How good art thou whose Goodness is  
Our Parent, Nurse and Guide;  
Whose Streams do water Paradise  
And all the Earth beside!  
Thine Upper and Thine Nether Springs  
Make both thy Worlds to thrive.  
Under thy warm and sheltering Wings  
Thou keep'st two Brood's alive.   

(6.)  
Thy Arm of Might, most mighty King,  
Both Rocks and Hearts doth break.  
My God, thou canst do every thing  
But what would show thee weak.  
Thou canst not Cross thyself, or be  
Less than thyself, or poor;  
But whatsoever pleaseth Thee,  
That canst thou do, and more.   

(7.)  
Who would not fear thy Searching Eye,  
Witness to all that's true?  
Dark Hell and deep Hypocrisy  
Lie plain before its View.  
Motions and Thoughts before they grow  
Thy Knowledge doth Espy.  
What unborn Ages are to do  
Is done before thine Eye.   

(8.)  
Thy Wisdom, which both makes and mends,  
We ever much Admire.  
Creation all our Wit Transcends;  
Redemption rises Higher.  
Thy Wisdom guides strayed Sinners home,  
'Twill make the dead World rise,  
And bring those Prisoners to their Doom;  
Its Paths are Mysteries.   

(9)  
Great is thy Truth, and shall prevail  
To Unbelievers shame,  
Thy Truth and Years do never sail;  
Thou ever art the same,  
Unbelief is a Raging wave,  
Dashing against a Rock.  
If God doth not his Israel Save,  
Then let Egyptians mock.   

(10.)  
Most pure and Holy are thine Eyes,  
Most Holy is thy Name,  
Thy Saints, and Laws, and Penalties,  
Thy Holiness proclaim.  
This is the Devil's scourge and sting,  
This is the Angel's Song,  
Who Holy, Holy, Holy Sing,  
In Heavenly Canaan's Tongue.   

(11.)  
Mercy, that shining Attribute,  
The Sinners Hope and Plea!  
Huge Hosts of Sins in their Pursuit  
Are drowned in thy Red Sea;  
Mercy is God's Memorial,  
And in all Ages praised;  
My God, thine only Son did fall,  
That Mercy might be Raised.   

(12.)  
Thy bright Back parts, O God of Grace,  
I Humbly here Adore;  
Show me thy Glory and thy Face,  
That I may praise Thee more.  
Since none can see thy Face and live,  
For me to die is best,  
Through Jordan's streams who would not dive  
To Land at Canaan's Rest?    

Another.  

1.  
WHat shall I Render to my God,  
For all his Gifts to Me?  
Sing Heaven and Earth, rejoice and praise  
His Glorious Majesty.  
Bright Cherubims, sweet Seraphims,  
Praise Him with all your might.  
Praise, praise Him, all ye Hosts of Heaven,  
Praise him ye Saints in Light.   

2.  
Ye blessed Patriaches praise the Lord,  
For his First-fruits are ye,  
Blessed Prophets, who dreamt here of God,  
Praise Him, whom now you see.  
Offer to God ye glorious Priests,  
Your Sacrifice of Praise;  
Sweet Psalmists, now your Hearts are Fixed,  
Your tuneful Voices raise.   

3.  
Yet twelve Apostles of the Lamb,  
Who here proclaimed your King,  
And Filled this World with holy Sounds,  
Loud Hallelujahs Sing.  
Triumphant Martyrs ye did Fight,  
And Fight ye did fall,  
And falling ye took up a Crown:  
Crown Him who Crowned you all.   

4.  
Praise, praise Him, all ye saved Ones,  
From whom Salvation came;  
Praise Him that Sits upon the Throne,  
And Praise the Glorious Lamb.  
Praise, praise him, all ye Saints below,  
Praise him both East and West:  
Praise him, all ye Baptised Lands,  
Praise whom you have Professed   

5.  
O Praise Him, all ye Crowned Heads,  
That own the Christian Name:  
Praise Him, who is the King of Kings,  
Raise and Enlarge his Fame.  
Praise Him, all Christian Magistrates,  
Gain Credit to his Ways:  
Praise Him, ye Ministers of God,  
Teach Others Him to Praise.   

6.  
Praise Him our Famous Christian Isle,  
Praise him with one accord.  
Let every Tongue, let every Tribe  
Be taught to Praise the Lord;  
Praise Him, my Friends and Kindred all,  
O Praise Him all your Days;  
My Mind and Heart, my Lip and Life  
Join to advance his Praise.   

7.  
O Let me praise thee, whilst I live,  
And praise thee, when I die,  
And praise thee, when I rise again,  
And to Eternity.  
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost,  
The Father sent his Son;  
The Son sends forth the Holy Ghost:  
For men's Salvation.   

8.  
Mysterious depths of Endless Love  
Our Admirations raise,  
My God; thy Name exalted is  
Far above all our Praise.    

III. A Song of Praise for Creation.  

1.  
THou wast, O God: and thou wast Blest  
Before the World begun;  
Of thine Eternity possessed,  
Before Time's Glass did Run.  
Thou needest none thy Praise to Sing,  
As if thy Joy could Fade.  
Couldst thou have needed any thing,  
Thou couldst have nothing made.   

2.  
Great and Good God, it pleased Thee  
Thy Godhead to declare;  
And what thy Goodness did decree,  
Thy Greatness did prepare:  
Thou spak'st, and Heaven and Earth Appeared,  
And Answered to thy Call;  
As if their Maker's Voice they heard,  
Which is the Creatures ALL.   

3.  
Thou spak'st the Word, most mighty Lord,  
Thy Word went forth with Speed,  
Thy Will, O Lord, it was thy Word.  
Thy Word it was thy Deed:  
Thou brought'st forth Adam from the Ground,  
And Eve out of his Side;  
Thy Blessings made the Earth abound,  
With these Two multiplied.   

4.  
Those three great Leaves, Heaven, Sea & Land,  
Thy Name in Figures show;  
Bruits feel the Bounty of thy Hand,  
But I my Maker know.  
Should not I here thy Servant be,  
Whose Creatures serve me here?  
My Lord, whom should I fear but Thee,  
Who am thy Creatures Fear?   

5.  
To whom, Lord, should I Sing but thee,  
The Maker of my Tongue!  
Lo! other Lords would Seize on Me,  
But I to thee belong:  
As Water's haste unto their Sea,  
And Earth unto its Earth;  
So let my Soul return to Thee,  
From whom it had its Birth.   

6.  
But ah! I'm fallen in the Night,  
And cannot come to thee.  
Yet speak the Word, Let there be Light;  
It shall Enlighten me:  
And let thy Word, most Mighty Lord,  
Thy Fallen Creature raise,  
O make me o'er again, and I  
Shall Sing my Maker's praise.    

IV. A Song of Praise for Preservation.  

1.  
THou Lord who raised'st Heaven and Earth  
Dost make thy Building stand,  
The Weight whereof doth wholly Rest  
On thine Almighty Hand:  
Shouldst thou withdraw thy Hand of might,  
The Earth would quit its place;  
The shining Heaven would vanish straight  
Into mere empty Space.   

2.  
For as that Liquors Scent remains,  
Which first the Cask did Fill;  
So Feeble Creatures hold the Scent  
Of their first nothing still:  
Lord, what is Man, that Child of Pride,  
That boasts his High degree?  
If one poor moment he be Left,  
He Sinks, and where is He?   

3.  
In Thee I Live and Move, and am,  
Thou dealest me out my days,  
As thou renew'st my Being, Lord,  
Let me renew thy Praise:  
From thee I am, through thee I am,  
And for thee I must be;  
'Tis better for me not to live  
Than not to live to thee.   

4.  
My God, thou art my glorious Sun,  
By whose bright Beams I shine;  
As thou, Lord, ever art with Me,  
Let me be ever thine.  
Thou art my living Fountain, Lord,  
Whose streams on me do flow;  
Myself I render unto thee,  
To whom myself I owe.   

5.  
As thou, Lord, an Immortal Soul  
Has; 't Breathed into me;  
So let my Soul be Breathing forth  
Immortal Thanks to Thee.    

V. A Song of Praise for Provision.  

1.  
COme, let us praise our Master's Hand,  
Which gives us daily Bread;  
Thy House, my Lord, is full of Guests,  
Thy Table Richly Spread:  
Earth is thy Table, where thy Guests  
Do daily Sat and Feed;  
Thy Hand Carves every one his part,  
And suffers None to need.   

2.  
Naked came I into the World,  
And nothing with me brought;  
And nothing have I here deserved,  
Yet have I lacked Nought.  
I do not Bless my Labouring Hand,  
My Labouring Head or Chance;  
Thy Providence, most Gracious God,  
Is mine Inheritance.   

3.  
Thy Bounty gives me Bread with Peace,  
A Table free from Strife;  
Thy Blessing is the Staff of Bread,  
Which is the Staff of Life.  
The People Sat in Companies,  
My Saviour Fed them all;  
So all the Families of the Earth  
Have Tables in God's Hall   

4.  
The Vine and Olive Branches too  
Are nourished by thy Care,  
Mercies we Eat, Mercies we Drink,  
Mercies we daily wear:  
Shall I repine against my God  
That kept me all my days?  
Then let my Tongue forget to taste,  
When it forgets to praise.    

VI A Song of Praise for Protection.  

1.  
MY God, my only Help and Hope,  
My strong and sure Defence:  
For all my Safety and my Peace,  
I bless thy Providence:  
The daily Favours of my God  
I cannot Sing at large,  
Yet let me make this Holy Boast,  
I am the Almighty's Charge.   

2.  
Lord, in the day thou art about  
The Paths wherein I tread;  
And in the Night, when I lie down,  
Thou art about my Bed:  
I travel through the Wilderness,  
Free from the Beasts of prey.  
The Wolves and Lions Mouths are stopped,  
The Serpents creep away.   

3.  
In Preservation God Creates,  
Delivers in Protection;  
Lord, every Moment of my Life,  
Is like a Resurrection:  
● thousand Deaths I daily 'scape,  
I pass by many a Pit,  
I Sail by many dreadful Rocks,  
Where others have been split.   

4.  
I see blind People with mine Eyes,  
To Hospitals I walk;  
● hear of them that cannot hear,  
And of the Dumb I talk:  
Lord, what am I that thou shouldst show  
Such Favour unto me?  
My Bones and Senses, all must say,  
Lord, who is like to thee?    

VII. A Song of Praise for Health.  

1.  
HEalth is a Jewel dropped from Heaven,  
Which Money cannot buy,  
The Life of Life, the Body's Peace,  
And pleasant Harmony:  
Lord who hath Tuned my outward Man  
To such a lively Frame,  
Screw up my Heartstrings all, to make  
Sweet Melody to thy Name.   

2.  
Whilst Others in God's Prisons lie,  
Bound with Afflictions Chains,  
I walk at large, secure and free  
From Sickness and from Pains:  
Their Life is Death, their Language groans,  
Their Meat is Juice of Galls;  
Their Friends, but strangers; wealth, but want,  
Their Houses, Prison-walls.   

3.  
Their earnest Cries do pierce the Skies,  
And shall I silent be?  
Lord, was I sick, as I am well,  
Thou shouldst have heard from me.  
The Sick have not more cause to pray,  
Than I to praise my King.  
Since Nature teaches them to groan,  
Let Grace teach me to sing.   

4.  
I see my Friends, I taste my Meat,  
I'm free from my Employ:  
But when I do enjoy my God,  
Then I myself enjoy.  
Lord, who dost set me on my Feet,  
Direct me in thy ways:  
O Crown thy Gift of Health with Grace,  
And turn it to thy Praise.    

VIII. A Song of Praise for Family-Prosperity.  

1.  
THy Blessing, Lord, doth multiply  
One Jacob to two Bands,  
One Person to a Family,  
Which through thy Blessing stands.  
On all my Flock both great and small  
Thy Sun doth Sweetly Shine;  
Thy fruitful drops do gently fall  
On every Branch of mine.   

2.  
Thy Blessing made the Loaves to grow,  
And Multitudes were Fed.  
My House is Filled and Feasted too;  
It is an House of Bread:  
How can I hear my Children Sing,  
And not Sing unto thee?  
Since they glad News from Heaven do bring,  
My God must hear from me.   

3.  
Mine Olive Branches and my Vine  
Thrive by my Table's Side,  
Whilst others whither and decline,  
Who in Death's Shade abide.  
With Covenant Blood my Posts are Red,  
'Tis on my Lintle found.  
〈◊〉 Lo! the Line of Scarlet Thread  
Is on my Window bound.   

4.  
'Tis not, my God, myself alone,  
But mine, to Thee I owe,  
Thou mad'st me many out of one,  
So let thy Praises grow:  
Whatever Lord is done to thine,  
Thou countest it done to thee:  
And whatsoever's done to mine,  
I Count it done to Me.   

5.  
Let me be ever good to thine,  
Who art so good to me!  
Let thine be mine, and mine be thine,  
And they twice mine shall be;  
Then shall my House a Temple be,  
Then I and mine shall Sing  
Hosannas to thy Majesty,  
And praise our Heavenly King.    

IX. A Song of Praise for good Success in honest Affairs.  

1.  
IS not the Hand of God in this:  
Is not this End divine?  
Lord of Success, Thee will I bless,  
Who on my Paths dost shine:  
I Reap the Fruit of God's Design,  
By Him it was foreseen;  
He thought of this as well as I,  
Or it had never been.   

2.  
I Blindly guessed, but he foreknew,  
I wished, he did Command;  
Wherefore I praise his careful Eye,  
And his Unerring Hand:  
The Bow is draw by feeble Arms,  
Aim taken in the Dark,  
A Providential Hand doth Guide  
The Arrow to the Mark.   

3.  
Except the Lord the City keep,  
The Watchmen will be slain;  
Except the Lord do build the House,  
The Builder Builds in Vain:  
Buildings are Babel's, Cities Heaps,  
When thou send'st Curse or Flame;  
And labouring Heads that promise Fruit,  
Oft bring forth Wind and Shame.   

4.  
But thou hast Crowned my Actions, Lord,  
With good Success to day;  
This Crown, together with myself  
At thy blessed Feet I lay:  
Lord, who art pleased to prosper Me,  
To bless me in my ways;  
Prosper my weak endeavouring Heart,  
Which Aimeth at thy Praise.    

X. A Song of Praise for the Morning.  

1.  
MY God was with me all this Night,  
And gave Me sweet Respose;  
My God did watch even whilst I slept,  
O● I had never Rose:  
How many groaned and wished for Sleep,  
Until they wished for day,  
measuring slow Hours with their quick pains,  
Whilst I securely lay!   

2.  
Whilst I did sleep all dangers slept,  
No Thiefs did me affright,  
Those Evening Wolves, Those Beasts of prey,  
Disturbers of the Night:  
No Raging Flames nor Storms did Rend  
The House that I was in;  
I heard no dreadful Cries without,  
No doleful Groans within.   

3.  
What Terrors have I ' Scaped this Night,  
Which have on Others Fell,  
My Body might have slept its last,  
My Soul have waked in Hell:  
Sweet Rest had gained that Strength to Me,  
Which Labour did Devour:  
My Body was in weakness Sown,  
But it is Raised in power.   

(4.)  
Lord, for the Mercies of the Night,  
My humble Thanks I pay,  
And unto Thee I dedicate  
The first Fruits of the day:  
Let this day praise Thee, O my God,  
And so let all my days:  
And O let mine Eternal Day,  
Be thine Eternal praise.    

XI. A Song of Praise for the Evening.  

1.  
NOW from the Altar of my Heart,  
Let Incense Flames arise;  
Assist me, Lord, to offer up  
Mine Evening Sacrifice:  
Awake, my Love; Awake, my Joy;  
Awake my Heart and Tongue,  
Sleep not when Mercies loudly call;  
Break forth into a Song.   

2.  
Man's Life's a Book of History,  
The Leaves thereof are Days;  
The Letters Mercies closely Joined,  
The Title is thy Praise:  
This day God was my Sun and Shield,  
My keeper and my Guide;  
His care was on my Frailty shown,  
His Mercies multiplied.   

3.  
Minutes and Mercies multiplied,  
Have made up all this day;  
Minutes came quick, but Mercies were  
More Fleet and Free than they:  
New time, new Favours, and new Joys,  
Do a new Song require;  
Till I shall praise Thee as I would,  
Accept my Heart's desire.   

4.  
Lord of my Time, whose Hand hath Set,  
New Time upon my Score;  
Then shall I praise for all my Time,  
When Time shall be no more.    

XII. A Song of Praise for the Birth of Christ.  

1.  
AWay dark thoughts; Awake, my Joy;  
Awake, my Glory, Sing,  
Sing Songs to Celebrate the Birth  
Of jacob's God and King:  
O happy Night, that brought forth Light:  
Which makes the Blind to see!  
The dayspring from on High came down  
To Cheer and Visit Thee.   

2.  
The wakeful Shepherds near their Flocks,  
Were watching for the Morn;  
But better News from Heaven was brought  
Your Saviour Christ is Born.  
In Bethlem-Town the Infant Lies,  
Within a place obscure;  
O Little Bethlem, poor in Walls,  
But Rich in Furniture!   

3.  
Since Heaven is now come down to Earth,  
Hither the Angels Fly;  
Hark how the Heavenly Choir doth Sing,  
Glory to God 〈◊〉 High:  
The News is spread, the Church is glad,  
Simeon, o'ercome with Joy,  
Sings with the Infant in his Arms,  
Now let thy Servant die.   

4.  
Wise Men from far beheld the Star,  
Which was their faithful Guide;  
Until it pointed forth the Babe,  
And him they glorified:  
Do Heaven and Earth Rejoice and Sing,  
Shall we our Christ deny?  
He's Born for us, and we for Him;  
Glory to God on High.    

XIII. A Song of Praise for Christ.  

1.  
I'VE found the Pearl of greatest price,  
My Heart doth Sing for Joy;  
Sing I must; a Christ I have,  
what a Christ have I!  
Christ is the Way, the Truth and Life,  
The Way to God and Glory:  
Life to the Dead, the Truth of Types,  
The Truth of Ancient Story.   

2.  
Christ is a Prophet, Priest and King;  
A Prophet full of Light:  
A Priest that stands 'twixt God and Man,  
A King that Rules with Might:  
Christ's Manhood is a Temple, where,  
The Altar, God doth Rest;  
My Christ he is the Sacrifice;  
My Christ, He is the Priest.   

3.  
My Christ, He is the Lord of Lords,  
He is the King of Kings;  
He is the Son of Righteousness,  
With Healing in his Wings.  
My Christ, He is the Tree of Life  
Which in God's Garden grows,  
Whose Fruits do Feed, whose Leaves do Heal,  
My Christ is Sharons' Rose.   

(4.)  
Christ is my Meat, Christ is my Drink,  
My Physic and my Health;  
My Peace, my Strength, my Joy, my Crown.  
My Glory and my Wealth:  
Christ is my Father and my Friend,  
My Brother and my Love;  
My Head, my Hope, my Counsell●  
My Advocate above.   

(5.)  
My Christ he is the Heaven of Heaven,  
My Christ what shall I call?  
My Christ is first, my Christ is last,  
My Christ is All in All.    

XIV. A Song of Praise for Redemption.  

1.  
O That I had an Angel's Tongue,  
That I might loudly Sing  
The Wonders of Redeeming Love,  
To Thee my God and King!  
But Man, who at the Gates of Hell,  
Did Pale and Speechless Lie,  
Must find a Tongue and Time to speak,  
Or else the Stones will cry.   

(2.)  
Let the Redeemed of the Lord,  
Their thankful Voices raise:  
Can we be Dumb, whilst Angels Sing  
Our great Redeemers Praise?  
Come let us join with Angels then,  
Glory to God on High;  
Peace upon Earth, Good Will to Men,  
Amen, Amen, say I.   

(3.)  
〈◊〉 Adam's Race was Satan's prey,  
〈◊〉 And Dust the Serpent's Food:  
〈◊〉 that were doomed to be devoured,  
〈◊〉 naked and Trembling stood.  
A Wise Eternal Pity than  
Did helpless Man befriend;  
Our Help did in God's Bosom Lie,  
And thence it did descend.   

4.  
Love Clothed with Humility,  
Built here an House of Clay;  
In which it dwelled, and Rescued Man;  
The Devil lost his prey:  
The spiteful Serpent bruised Christ's Heel,  
But than Christ broke his Head;  
And left Him Nailed upon the Cross,  
On which his Blood was shed.   

5.  
Sing and triumph in boundless Grace,  
Which thus hath set thee free;  
Extol with shouts, my saved Soul,  
Thy Saviour's Love to thee:  
Give Endless Thanks to God, and say,  
What Love was this in thee;  
That thou hast not with held thy Son,  
Thine only Son from Me!   

6.  
What were Ten Thousand Worlds to him,  
Thine Image and Delight,  
Had we been all cast down to Hell,  
Justice had had its Right:  
Thy Glory might have been distrained,  
Our Torments should Express  
Thy Pureness, Justice, Might and Truth,  
And Everlastingness   

7.  
Thus, Lord, thy dreadful Attributes,  
Man might have served to prove;  
Thy Glorious Angels would have Sung  
The Riches of thy Love:  
Wouldst thou have active Worshippers,  
Besides the Angel's Choir?  
Millions had Issued at thy Word,  
As Sparks arise from Fire.   

8.  
Man's Room had quickly been Supplied,  
For, Lord, at thy Command  
A New Creation should appear;  
Thy Grace could make them stand:  
Or wouldst thou show thy pity, Lord?  
Thou mightst have looked then  
On Fallen Angels, Fallen Stars,  
And not on Fallen Men.   

9  
But fallen Angels must be left,  
And Fallen Men must rise;  
For this, the Son of God must Fall  
A Bloody Sacrifice:  
Thy Deep and Glorious Counsels, Lord,  
With Trembling I Adore;  
Blessed, thrice blessed be my God,  
Blessed for evermore.    

XV. A Song of Praise for the Gospel.  

1.  
Blessed be my God that I was Born,  
To hear the Joyful Sound;  
That I was born to be Baptised,  
And Bred on Holy Ground:  
That I was Bred where God appears,  
In Tokens of his Grace;  
The Lines are Fallen unto me,  
In a most pleasant place.   

2.  
I might have been a Pagan Bred,  
Or else a Veiled Jew,  
Or Cheated with an Alcoran  
Among the Turkish Crew.  
Dumb Pictures might have been my Books,  
Dark Language my Devotion;  
And so I might with blinded Eyes,  
Have drunk a deadly Potion.   

3.  
So in a Dungeon dark as Night,  
I might have Spent my days;  
But thou hast sent me Gospel-Light,  
To thine Eternal praise.  
The Sun which rose up in the East,  
And drove their Shades away;  
His Healing Wings have reached the West,  
And turned our Night to Day.   

4.  
England at first an Egypt was,  
Since that proud Babel's Slave;  
At last a Canaan it became,  
And then my Birth it gave.  
Blessed be my God that I have slept  
The dismal Night away;  
Being kept in Providence's Womb,  
To England's brightest Day.   

5.  
Blessed be my God for what I see,  
My God for what I hear;  
I hear such blessed News from Heaven,  
Nor Earth nor Hell I fear.  
I hear my Lord for me was born,  
My Lord for Me did die;  
My Lord for Me did Rise again,  
And did ascend on High.   

6.  
On High he stands to plead my Cause,  
And will return again;  
And set Me on a Glorious Throne,  
That I with Him may Reign.  
Glory to God the Father be,  
Glory to God the Son;  
Glory to God the Holy Ghost;  
Glory to God Alone.    

A Song of Praise for a Gospel Ministry  

1.  
FAir are the Feet which bring the News  
Of Gladness unto Me;  
What Happy Messengers are these  
Which my blessed Eyes do see!  
These are the Stars which God appoints  
For Guides unto my Eyes;  
To lead me unto Bethlem-Town,  
Where my dear Saviour Lies.   

2.  
These are my God's Ambassadors,  
By whom his Mind I know,  
God's Angels in his lower Heaven,  
God's Trumpeters below:  
The Trumpet sounds, the Dead arise,  
Which fell by Adam's Hand;  
Again the Trumpet sounds, and they  
Set forth for Canaan's Land.   

3.  
The Servants speak, but thou, Lord, dost  
A hearing Ear bestow;  
They smite the Rock, but thou, my God,  
Dost make the Waters flow:  
They shoot the Arrow, but thy Hand  
Doth drive the Arrow home;  
They call, but, Lord, thou dost Compel,  
And then thy Guests are come.   

4.  
Angels that fly, and Worms that creep,  
Are both alike to Thee;  
If thou make Worms thine Angels, 〈◊〉  
They bring my God to me  
As Sons of Thunder first they 〈◊〉  
And I the Lightning fear,  
But then they bring me to my Home,  
And Sons of Comfort are.   

5.  
Lord, thou art in them of a Truth,  
That I might never stray;  
The Clouds and Pillars march before,  
And show me Canaan's way:  
I bless my God, who is my Guide;  
I sing in Zions ways;  
When shall I sing on Zions Hill,  
Thine Everlasting Praise?    

XVII. A Song of Praise for Holy Baptism.  

1.  
LOrd, What is Man, that Lump of Sin,  
Made up of Earth and Hell;  
Not fit to come within the Camp  
Where Holy Angels dwell?  
Man is a Leper from the Womb,  
An Ethiopian born,  
A Traitor's Guilty Son and Heir,  
Worthy of pain and scorn.   

2.  
And dost thou ●ook on such a One?  
Are not thine Eyes most pure?  
〈◊〉 they are Eyes of Pity too,  
Where 〈◊〉 do beg a Cure.  
This 〈…〉 Loathsome Sight,  
But Pay casts an Eye,  
And bids him wash in Jordan's Streams,  
To Cure his Leprosy.   

3.  
This Ethiopian Skin is changed,  
And made as white as Snow,  
When dipped in wonder-working Streams,  
Which from Christ's Side did flow:  
As Adam slept, and from his Side  
A Killing Eve arose;  
From my pierced Lord (that smitten Rock)  
A pure Life-Fountain flows.   

4.  
Ah what a Tainted wretch is Man!  
And so he must have stood,  
But lo! an Act of Sovereign Grace  
Restores him to his Blood:  
Save me, my God; for I am thine,  
Lord, own thy Seal to me;  
O wash my Soul till it be cleansed,  
And purified for Thee.   

5.  
Blessed above Streams is Jordan's Flood,  
Which toucheth Canaan's Shore.  
I'll sing thy Praise in Jordan's Streams,  
In Canaan evermore.    

XVIII. A Song of Praise for the Lord's Supper.  

1.  
O Praise the Lord! praise him, praise him,  
Sing Praises to his Name;  
O all ye Saints of Heaven and Earth,  
Extol and Laud the same;  
Who spared not his only Son,  
But gave Him for us all;  
And made him drink the Cup of Wrath,  
The Wormwood and the Gall.   

2.  
Frail Nature shrunk, and did request  
That bitter Cup might pass;  
But he must drink it off, and this  
The Father's Pleasure was:  
Lo than I come to do thy Will,  
His blessed Son replied;  
Yielding Himself to God and Man,  
He stretched his Arms and died.   

3.  
He Died indeed, but Rose again,  
And did ascend on High;  
That we poor Sinners lost and dead,  
Might Live Eternally:  
Good Lord, how many Souls in Hell,  
Doth Vengeance vex and tear;  
Were it not for a Dying Christ,  
Our Dwelling had been there.   

4.  
His Blood was shed instead of ours,  
His Soul our Hell did bear;  
He took our Sin, gave us Himself,  
What an Exchange is here!  
Whatever is not Hell itself,  
For me it is too good:  
But must we Eat the Flesh of Christ?  
And must we Drink his Blood?   

5.  
His Flesh is Heavenly Food indeed,  
His Blood is Drink Divine;  
His Grace's drop, like Honey falls,  
His Comforts taste like Wine;  
Sweet Christ, thou hast refreshed our Souls,  
With thine abundant Grace;  
For which we magnify thy Name,  
Longing to see thy Face.   

6.  
When shall our Souls mount up to Thee,  
Most Holy, Just, and True,  
To eat that Bread, and drink that Wine;  
Which is for ever New?    

XIX. A Song of Praise for the Lord's-Day.  

1.  
MY Lord, my Love, was Crucified,  
He all the pains did bear;  
But in the Sweetness of his Rest,  
He makes his Servants share:  
How sweetly rest thy Saints above,  
Which in thy Bosom lie?  
Thy Church below, doth Rest in hope  
Of that Felicity.   

2.  
Thou, Lord, who daily feedest thy Sheep,  
Mak'st them a weekly Feast;  
Thy Flocks meet in their several Folds,  
Upon this Day of Rest;  
Welcome and dear unto my Soul,  
Are these sweet Feasts of Love;  
But what a Sabbath shall I keep,  
When I shall Rest above!   

3.  
I bless thy wise and wondrous Love,  
Which binds us to be free;  
Which makes us leave our Earthly Snare,  
That we may come to thee;  
I come, I wait, I hear, I pray,  
Thy Footsteps, Lord, I trace;  
I sing to think this is the way  
Unto my Saviour's Face.   

4.  
These are my Preparation-days;  
And when my Soul is Dressed,  
●se Sabbaths shall deliver Me  
〈◊〉 mine Eternal Rest.    

XX. Another.  

1.  
Blessed Day of God, most calm, most bright,  
The first and best of Days;  
The Lab'rours' Rest, the Saints Delight,  
A day of Mirth and Praise:  
My Saviour's Face did make thee shine,  
His rising did thee raise;  
This made thee Heavenly and Divine,  
Beyond the common Days.   

2.  
The First-fruits do a Blessing prove  
To all the Sheaves behind,  
And they that do a Sabbath love,  
An happy Week shall find:  
My Lord on Thee his Name did fix,  
Which makes thee Rich and Gay;  
Amidst his Golden Candlesticks,  
My Saviour walks this day.   

3.  
He walks in's Robes, his Face ●unes bright,  
The Stars are in his Hand;  
Out of his Mouth, that place of Might,  
A Two-edged Sword doth stand,  
Graced with our Lord's Appearance th●  
As well as with his Name;  
Thou may'st demand Respect from us,  
Upon a double Claim.   

4.  
This day God doth his Vessels broach;  
His Conduits run with Wine;  
He that loves not this days approach,  
Scorns Heaven and Saviour's shine:  
What Slaves are those who Slavery choose,  
And Garlic for their Feast;  
Whilst Milk and Honey they refuse,  
And the Almighty's Rest?   

5.  
This Market-day doth Saints enrich,  
And smiles upon them all,  
It is their Pentecost, on which  
The Holy Ghost doth fall:  
O Day of Wonders! Mercies pawn,  
The weary Souls Recruit;  
The Christians Goshen, Heaven's Dawn,  
The Bud of Endless Fruit,   

6.  
Oh could I love as I have loved,  
Thy Watches heretofore;  
As England's Glory thou hast proved,  
May'st thou be so yet more:  
This day must I for God appear,  
For, Lord, the day is thine;  
O let me spend it in thy Fear!  
Then shall the day be mine.   

7.  
Cease, Work and Play, throughout the day,  
That I to God may rest;  
Now let me Talk with God, and Walk  
With God, and I am blest.    

XXI. A Song of Praise for the Patience of God.  

1.  
ALmighty God, how hast thou born  
Wrongs not to be expressed;  
Daring Rebellion, Injured Love,  
Light quenched in my Breast!  
Man would be God, and down he fell,  
To teach him better Skill;  
Yet he lifts up his bruised Bones  
Against his Maker still.   

2.  
Lord, what a Monster is base Man,  
Thus given to Rebel!  
O that thou dost not cleave the Earth,  
And send him quick to Hell!  
His Sins for Wages loudly Cry,  
Justice with dreadful sound  
Cries too, Cut down this fruitless Tree,  
Why cumbers it the Ground?   

3.  
But God waves his Advantages  
Of Right and Vengeance too,  
And by his single Patience,  
Doth daring Man outdo:  
The Creature doth disdain his God,  
By whom he is Maintained;  
Yet God Maintains this Rebel-worm,  
By whom he is disdained.   

4.  
Fool, ask not where th'Almighty is,  
All Glory to Him give;  
Is not his Power fully proved,  
In suffering Thee to Live?  
Was he not God, he could not bear,  
Such Weights as on him lie;  
Weak things are quickly set on Fire,  
And to their Weapons fly.   

5.  
Why should not Patience make me sing,  
When Hell would make me roar?  
Lord, let thy Patience end in Love,  
I'll sing for evermore.    

XXII. A Song of Praise for Pardon of Sin.  

1.  
MY God a God of Pardon is,  
His Bosom gives me Ease;  
I have not, do not please my God,  
Yet Mercy Him doth please:  
My Sins aloud for Vengeance call,  
But lo! a Fountain springs  
From Christ's pierced Side, which louder cries,  
And speaketh better things.   

2.  
My sins have reached up to the heavens,  
But Mercies Height exceeds;  
God's Mercy is above the heavens,  
Above my sinful deeds;  
My sins are many, like the Stars,  
Or sands upon the Shore;  
But yet the Mercies of my God  
Are infinitely more.   

3.  
My Sins in bigness do arise  
Like Mountains Great and Tall;  
But Mercy, like a mighty Sea,  
Covers these Mountains all:  
This is a Sea that's Bottomless,  
A Sea without a Shore;  
For where sin hath abounded much,  
Mercies abound much more.   

4.  
Manasseh, Paul and Magdalen,  
Were Pardoned all by Thee;  
I read it, and believe it, Lord,  
For thou hast pardoned Me:  
When God shall search the World for sin,  
What trembling will be there?  
O Rocks and Mountains cover us,  
Will be the Sinners Prayer.   

5.  
But the Lamb's wrath they need not fear,  
Who once have felt his Love;  
And they that walk with God below,  
Shall dwell with God above:  
Rage Earth and Hell, come Life, come Death,  
Yet still my song shall be,  
God was, and is, and will be good,  
And merciful to Me.    

XXIII. A Song of Praise for Peace of Conscience.  

1.  
MY God, my reconciled God,  
Creator of my Peace,  
Thee will I love, and praise and sing,  
Till Life and Breath shall cease:  
My Thoughts did rage, my Soul was tossed,  
'Twas like a troubled Sea;  
But what a Mighty Voice is this,  
Which winds and waves obey!   

2.  
God spoke the word, Peace and be still,  
My Sins, those Mutineers  
With speed went off and took their flight,  
Where now are all my fears?  
The World can neither give nor take,  
Nor yet can understand  
That Peace of God, which Christ hath brought,  
And gives me with his Hand.   

3.  
This is my Saviour's Legacy,  
Confirmed by his Decease;  
Ye shall have Trouble in the World,  
In Me ye shall have Peace;  
And so it is, the World doth rage,  
And Peace in me doth Reign;  
And whilst my God maintains the Fort,  
Their Batteries are in vain.   

4.  
The Burning Bush was not consumed,  
Whilst God remained there;  
The Three, when Christ did make the Fourth,  
Found Fire as weak as Air:  
So is my Memory stuffed with Sins,  
Enough to make an Hell;  
And yet my Conscience is not scorched,  
For God in Me doth dwell.   

5.  
Where God doth dwell, sure Heaven is there,  
And Singing there must be;  
Since, Lord, thy Presence makes my Heaven,  
Whom should I sing but Thee?  
My God, my reconciled God,  
Creator of my Peace;  
Thee will I love, and praise, and sing,  
Till Life and Breath shall cease.    

XXIV. A Song of Praise for Joy in the H. Ghost.  

1.  
MY Soul doth magnify the Lord,  
My Spirit doth rejoice  
In God my Saviour, and my God,  
I hear his joyful Voice;  
I need not go abroad for Joy,  
Who have a feast at Home;  
My Sighs are turned into Songs,  
The Comforter is come.   

2.  
Down from above, the blessed Dove  
Is come into my Breast;  
To witness God's Eternal Love,  
This is my Heavenly Feast:  
This makes me Abba Father cry,  
With Confidence of Soul;  
It makes me cry, my Lord, my God,  
And that without Control.   

3.  
There is a Stream, which Issues forth  
From God's Eternal Throne,  
And from the Lamb; a living Stream,  
Clear as the Crystal Stone:  
This Stream doth water Paradise,  
It makes the Angels sing,  
One Cordial Drop revives my Heart,  
Hence all my Joys do spring.   

4.  
Such Joys as are unspeakable,  
And full of Glory too;  
Such hidden Manna, hidden Pearls,  
As worldings do not know:  
Eye hath not seen, nor Ear hath heard,  
From Fancy 'tis concealed;  
What thou, Lord, hast laid up for thine,  
And hast to me revealed.   

5.  
I see thy Face, I hear thy Voice,  
I taste thy sweetest Love;  
My Soul doth leap; but O for wings,  
The Wings of Noah's Dove!  
Then should I Flee far hence away,  
Leaving this world of sin;  
Then should my Lord put forth his Hand,  
And kindly take me in.   

6.  
Then should my Soul with Angel's Feast  
On Joys that always last;  
Blest be my God, the God of Joy,  
Who gives me here a Taste.    

XXV. A Song of Praise for Grace.  

1.  
O God of Grace, who hast Restored  
Thine Image unto Me,  
Which by my Sins was quite defaced,  
What shall I render Thee?  
Thine Image and Inscription, Lord,  
Upon my Heart I bear;  
Thine own I render unto Thee,  
O God, my God most dear.   

2.  
Myself I owe Thee for myself,  
Whom Thou didst make of Earth;  
But thou hast made me o'er again,  
Thou gav'st a Second Birth:  
Twice born, and twice endued with Life,  
I hast to come to Thee,  
To pay my Vows, my Thanks, my Heart,  
With all Humility.   

3.  
O was I Born first from Beneath!  
And then Born from above!  
Am I a Child of Man and God?  
O Rich and Endless Love!  
When I had broke the Tables, Lord,  
New Tables thou didst Hue,  
And with thy Finger didst Engrave  
Thy Laws on them anew.   

4.  
Earth is my Mother, Earth my Nurse,  
And Earth must be my Tomb;  
Yet God, the God of Heaven and Earth,  
My Father is become:  
Hell entered Me, and into Hell  
I quickly should have Run;  
But O! kind Heaven laid hold on Me,  
Heaven is in Me begun.   

5.  
This Spark will rise into a Flame,  
This Seed into a Tree;  
My Songs shall rise, my Praises shall  
Loud Hallelujahs be.    

XXVI. A Song of Praise for Answer of Prayer.  

1.  
WHat are the heavens, O God of Heaven!  
Thou art more bright, more high;  
What are bright Stars, and brighter Saints,  
To thy bright Majesty!  
thou'rt far above the Songs of Heaven,  
Sung by the Holy Ones;  
And dost thou stoop and bow thine Ear  
To a poor Sinners groans.   

2.  
God minds the Language of my Heart,  
My Groans and Sighs he hears;  
He hath a Book for my Request,  
A Bottle for my Tears:  
But did not my dear Saviour's Blood,  
First wash away their Gild;  
My Sighs would prove but empty Air,  
My Tears would all be spilt.   

3.  
Lord, thine Eternal Spirit was  
My Advocate within;  
But O! my Smoke joined with thy Flame,  
My Prayer was mixed with Sin:  
But then Christ was my Altar, and  
My Advocate above;  
His Blood did clear my Prayer, and gained  
An Answer full of Love.   

4.  
It could not be that thou shouldst hear  
A Mortal sinful Worm;  
But that my Prayers presented are  
In a more glorious Form:  
Christ's precious Hands took my Requests,  
And turned my Dross to Gold;  
His Blood put warmth into my Prayers,  
Which were by Nature cold.   

5.  
Thou heard'st my Groans for Jesus sake,  
Whom thou dost hear always;  
Lord, hear through that prevailing Name,  
My Voice of Joy and Praise.    

XXVII. A Song of Praise for Deliverance from Enemies.  

1.  
GReat God, who dost the World command,  
Thou check'st both winds and waves;  
The Devils, which like Lion's Roar,  
Are thine Enchained Slaves:  
The Sons of Rage are smoking Brands,  
And Idols feared in vain;  
Thou Lord, the only, only God,  
Their Fury dost restrain.   

2.  
Thou, Lord, didst smooth fierce Esau's Brow,  
And change his Murmuring Breath;  
Thou gav'st to him a Brother's Heart,  
Who vowed his Brother's Death:  
Angels have Armed, at thy Command,  
And Stars have shot their Dart;  
Nature hath fought, and Miracles  
Have took thy Church's part.   

3.  
Thee, Lord, who still thy Church dost love,  
All Creatures must obey;  
And when for Thine thou dost arise,  
Their Enemies, where are they?  
I cried to Heaven in my Distress,  
I to my God did flee;  
He with Compassion heard my Cry,  
He did Arise for Me.   

4.  
With humble Fear, and thankful Joy,  
Lord, at thy Feet I fall,  
Unfeignedly acknowledging,  
That Thou alone dost all.  
Thou art all Power, thou art all Love,  
And so thou art to Me;  
Blest be my God, now and henceforth,  
And to Eternity.    

XXVIII. A Song of Praise for Deliverance from Spiritual Troubles.  

1.  
I That am drawn out of the Depth,  
Will sing upon the Shore;  
I that in Hell's dark Suburbs lay,  
Pure Mercy will adore:  
The Terrors of the Living God,  
My Soul did so affright;  
I feared lest I should be condemned  
To an Eternal Night.   

2.  
Kind was the Pity of my Friends,  
But could not Ease my Smart;  
Their Words indeed did reach my Case,  
But could not reach my Heart:  
Ah, then what was this World to Me,  
To whom God's Word was dark!  
Who in my Dungeon could not see  
One Beam, or shining Spark.   

3.  
What then were all the Creatures Smiles,  
When the Creator frowned?  
My Days were Nights, my Life was Death,  
My Being was my Wound:  
Trtured and wracked with Hellish Fears,  
When God the Blow should give;  
●ne Eyes did fail, my Heart did sink,  
Then Mercy bid me live.   

4.  
God's Furnace doth in Zion stand,  
But Sion's God sits by;  
As the Refiner views his Gold  
With an observant Eye:  
God's Thoughts are high, his Love is wise,  
His Wounds a Cure intend;  
And tho' he doth not always smile,  
He loves unto the end.   

5.  
Thy Love is constant to its Line,  
Tho' Clouds oft come between;  
O could my Faith but pierce these Clouds,  
It might be always seen:  
But I am weak, and forced to cry,  
Take up my Soul to thee;  
Then as thou ever art the same;  
So shall I ever be.   

6.  
Then shall I ever, ever sing,  
Whilst thou dost ever shine;  
I have thine own dear Pledge for this,  
Lord, thou art ever mine.    

XXIX. A Song of Praise for Deliverance from imminent Dangers of Death.  

1.  
LOrd of my Life, length of my Days,  
Thy Hand hath rescued me;  
Who lying at the Gates of Death  
Among the dead, was free.  
My dearest Friends I had resigned  
Unto their Maker's Care;  
Me thought I only time had lest  
For a concluding Prayer.   

2.  
Me thoughts Death laid his Hand 〈…〉  
And did his Prisoner 〈…〉  
And by the sound me ●●oughts I heard,  
His Master's Feet behind:  
Me thoughts I stood upon the Shore,  
And nothing could I see,  
But the Vast Ocean with my Eyes,  
A Vast Eternity.   

3.  
Me thoughts I heard the Midnight Cry,  
Behold the Bridegroom comes;  
Me thoughts I was called to the Bar,  
Where Souls receive their Dooms:  
The World was at an End to me,  
As if it all did Burn;  
But lo! there came a Voice from Heaven,  
Which ordered my Return.   

4.  
Lord, I returned at thy Command,  
What wilt thou have me do?  
O let me wholly live to Thee,  
To whom my Life I owe!  
Fain would I dedicate to Thee  
The Remnant of my Days;  
Lord, with my Life renew my Heart,  
That both thy Name may praise.    

XXX. A Song of Praise for the Hope of Glory.  

1.  
I Sojourn in a Vale of Tears,  
Alas, how 〈◊〉 sing!  
My Harp doth on the Willows hang,  
Distuned in every String:  
My Music is a Captives Chains,  
Harsh Sounds my Ears do fill;  
How shall I sing sweet Zions Song,  
On this side Zions Hill?   

2.  
Yet lo! I hear a Joyful Sound,  
Surely I quickly come;  
Each word much sweetness doth distil,  
Like a full Honeycomb:  
And dost thou come, my dearest Lord?  
And dost thou surely come?  
And dost thou surely quickly come?  
Methinks I am at Home.   

3.  
Come then my dearest, dearest Lord,  
My sweetest, surest Friend;  
Come, for I loathe these Kedar Tents,  
Thy Fiery Chariots send:  
What have I here? my Thoughts and Joys  
Are all packed up and gone;  
My Eager Soul would follow them,  
To thine Eternal Throne.   

4.  
What have I in this Barren Land?  
My Jesus is not here;  
Mine Eyes will ne'er be blest until  
My Jesus doth appear:  
My Jesus is gone up to Heaven,  
To get a Place for me;  
For 'tis his Will that where he is,  
There should his Servants be.   

5.  
Canaan I view from Pisgahs' Top,  
Of Canaan's Grapes I taste;  
My Lord who sends unto me here,  
Will send for me at last:  
I have a God that changeth not,  
Why should I be perplexed?  
My God that owns Me in this World,  
Will own me in the next.   

6.  
Go fearless then, my Soul, with God,  
Into another Room;  
Thou who hast walked with him here,  
Go see thy God at Home:  
View Death with a believing Eye,  
It hath an Angel's Face;  
And this kind Angel will prefer  
Thee to an Angel's place.   

7.  
The Grave is but a Fining-Pot  
Unto believing Eyes;  
For there the Flesh shall lose its dross,  
And like the Sun shall rise;  
The world, which I have known too well  
Hath mocked me with its Lies;  
How gladly could I leave behind  
Its vexing Vanities?   

8.  
My dearest Friends, they dwell above,  
Them will I go to see;  
And all my Friends in Christ below,  
Will soon come after me:  
Fear not the Trumpets Earth rending Sound,  
Dread not the Day of Doom;  
For he that is to be thy Judge,  
Thy Saviour is become.   

9  
Blessed be my God that gives me Light,  
Who in the dark did grope;  
Blest be my God, the God of Love,  
Who causeth me to hope:  
Here's the words Signets, Comforts Staff,  
And here is Grace's Chain;  
But these thy Pledges, Lord, I know  
My Hopes are not in vain.    

XXXI. A Song of Praise collected out of the Book of Psalms.  

1.  
PSAL. 135.1. O Praise the Lord, Praise Him, praise Him,  
Praise Him with one accord.  
Praise him, praise him all ye that be  
The Servants of the Lord.  
PSAL. 47.6. Sing Praises to our God, sing Praise,  
Sing Praises to our King;  
Praise to the King of all the Earth,  
With Understanding sing.   

2.  
PSAL. 103.1. My Soul give Laud unto the Lord,  
My Spirit shall do the same,  
And all the Secrets of my Heart,  
Praise ye his Holy Name.  
PSAL. 95.6. Come let us bow and praise the Lord,  
Before him let us fall,  
And kneel to him with one accord,  
For he hath made us all.   

3.  
PSAL. 95.7. He is the Lord, he is our God,  
For us he doth provide;  
We are his Flock, he doth us feed;  
His Sheep, he doth us guide.  
PSAL. 118.21. I will give Thanks unto the Lord,  
Because he hath heard me,  
And is become most lovingly  
A Saviour unto me.   

4.  
PSAL. 118.13. The Lord is my Defence and Strength,  
My Joy, my Mirth, my Song;  
●s is become for me indeed  
A Saviour most strong.  
PSAL. 118.28. Thou art my God, I will confess,  
And render Thanks to Thee;  
Thou art my God, and I will praise  
Thy Mercy towards Me.   

5.  
PSAL. 118.29. O give ye Thanks unto the Lord!  
For gracious is He,  
Because his Mercy doth endure  
For ever towards Me.    

XXXII. Another.  

1.  
PSAL. 26.6. TO render Thanks unto the Lord,  
How great a cause have I!  
My Voice, my Prayer, and my Complaint,  
That heard so willingly?  
PSAL. 59.17. Thou art my Strength, thou hast me stayed,  
O Lord, I sing to Thee;  
Thou art my Fort, my Fence and Aid,  
And Loving God to Me.   

2.  
PSAL. 73.25. What thing is there that I can wish,  
But Thee in Heaven above?  
And in the Earth there is nothing  
Like Thee that I can love:  
PSAL. 36.9. For why? the Well of Life so pure  
Doth ever flow from Thee;  
And in thy Light we are full sure  
The lasting Light to see.   

3.  
PSAL. 27.15. My heart would faint, but that in me  
This Hope is fixed fast;  
The Lord God's good Grace shall I see,  
In Life that aye shall last:  
PSAL. 48.13. For this God is our God, our God,  
For evermore is He;  
This God of ours even unto Death,  
Our faithful Guide will be.   

4.  
PSAL. 17.17. When I awake, I shall behold  
In Righteousness thy Face;  
And I shall be most like to Thee,  
Even filled with thy Grace:  
PSAL. 16.11. Full Joys are in thy Presence, Lord,  
(A sweet and precious Store)  
My God, at thy Right Hand there are  
Pleasures for evermore.   

5.  
PSAL. 103.21. Ye Angels which are great in Power,  
Praise Ye and bless the Lord,  
Which to obey and do his Will  
Immediately accord:  
PSAL. 103.22. Ye all his Works in every place,  
Praise ye his Holy Name;  
My Heart, my Mind, and all my Soul,  
For ever praise the same.    

XXXIII. A Song of Praise Collected from the Doxologies in the Revelation of St. John.  

1.  
Rev. 1.5. TO Him that loved us from Himself,  
And died to do us good;  
And washed us from our scarlet sins,  
In his own purest Blood.  
Rev. 1.6. And made us Kings and Priests to God,  
His Father infinite;  
To him Eternal Glory be,  
And Everlasting Might.   

2.  
Rev. 5.12. The Lamb is worthy that was slain,  
To have all Power and Wealth;  
All Honour, Glory, Wisdom, Strength,  
Thanks for his saving Health.  
Rev. 5.13. Thanks, Honour, Glory, Power to Him  
That on the Throne doth sit;  
And to the Lamb for ever, and  
For ever, so be it.   

3.  
Rev. 7.9. Thousands of thousands of the Saints  
Which stand before their King,  
With shining Robes, and spreading Palms  
Loud Hallelujahs sing.  
Rev. 7.10. Ascribe salvation to our God  
Who sits upon the Throne,     




Thy Beams will make our Faces shine,  
In Thee we will rejoice;  
Thy Love is more to us than Wine,  
Thou art the Uprights Choice.   

5.  
Ye Daughters of Jerusalem,  
Tho' I am Black, yet Fair;  
Like Kedars Tents, like Ornaments  
Which Solomon's Bed doth wear.   

6.  
Look not with a disdainful Eye  
Upon my Sunburnt Face;  
My Mother's Children raged at me,  
And wrought me much disgrace;  
Such was their Envy, such their Grudge,  
Their Vines must be inspected.  
Whilst at their Vines I was their Drudge,  
Mine own were quite neglected.   

7.  
But, O Thou whom my Soul doth Love!  
Tell me now from thy Breast,  
Where feeds the Flock? where doth it move?  
Where is its Noontyde Rest?  
Why should I stray, and lose my way,  
Till I at last do Fall  
Among thy Fellows Flocks, as they  
Themselves do proudly call?   Christ. 

8.  
O Fairest Fair! then go and Trace  
The Footsteps of my Sheep,  
And feed my Kids beside the Place  
Where my good Shepherds keep.   

9  
My Love, I have compared Thee  
To those Egyptian Mares,  
Which in King Pharaohs Chariots flee,  
O Fairest of all Fairs!   

10.  
Thy Cheeks are comely to behold,  
Which Rows of Jewels deck;  
Large Chains of pure and shining Gold,  
Adorn thy Royal Neck.   

11.  
I and my Father, we will make  
Borders of Gold for Thee,  
With Silver Studs for thy dear sake,  
That thou may'st Richer be.   The Church. 

12.  
The King doth at his Table sit,  
And I that love Him well  
Do pour my Spikenard on his Feet,  
Which gives a Fragrant smell.   

13.  
My Well-beloved is to Me  
A Pomander of Myrrh;  
Betwixt my Breast all Night shall He  
Be Lodged and never stir.   

14.  
My Well-beloved is to Me  
Like Aromatic Wines;  
Like Clusters of the Camphire Tree  
Among Engeddi Vines.   Christ. 

15.  
Lo, thou art fair my only Love;  
My Love, lo, thou art Fair;  
Thou art my Love, thou art my Dove,  
Doves Eyes in thee appear.   The Church. 

16.  
Nay, my Beloved, thou art Fair,  
My Fairness is from Thee;  
And thou art sweet beyond compare.  
What a green Bed have we!   

17.  
The Beams are Cedars where we dwell,  
So strong they will not stir;  
The Rafters send a pleasant smell,  
For they are made of Fir.    

The Paraphrase. CHAP. I.  

1.  
Now will I sing of Christ the King,  
And of his Church the Queen;  
The Song of Songs to them belongs,  
Where their pure Flames are seen.   [Dialogue.] The Church to Christ. 

2.  
LET my dear Saviour's Love appear  
By some assuring sign;  
Thou, Lord, my sainting Soul dost cheer,  
When thou sayest, I am thine:  
Let others on their Dainties feed,  
And drink the richest Wine;  
My Feast do●● all their Feasts exceed,  
When thou sayest, I am thine.   

3.  
Thy Word which sounds thy mighty Fame,  
And how good thou hast been,  
Doth so revive, that for the same  
Souls love Thee, tho' unseen;  
Souls of an Heavenly make and frame,  
The Joyful Heirs of Grace,  
Do taste such Sweetness in thy Name,  
They long to see thy Face.   

4.  
Fain would I, but I cannot move,  
Sin hath Enfeebled me;  
O draw me with the Cords of Love!  
I will run after Thee:  
Thou hearest, thou drawest, I come, I come,  
Thy Love (my God) is sweet;  
Thy Presence-Chamber is the Room  
Where Souls and Joys do meet.  
Our Earthly Pleasures we forget,  
To think upon thy Love;  
All upright Souls their Minds do set  
On Thee, my Lord, above.   

5.  
Tho' I to Strangers black do seem,  
And under Foot am trod,  
Yet am I Fair in heavens esteem,  
I am the House of God.   

6.  
O do not scorn my outward state!  
Ye know not what's within;  
Whom God doth love, how dare ye hate?  
My Saviour hides my Sin;  
Professed Church-Members should have brought  
Some Comfort to my Mind;  
But did they Treat me as they ought,  
Alas! they proved unkind;  
Their Anger did my words control,  
They Bowed me to their Will:  
And so my own immortal Soul  
Declined and Fared ill.   

7.  
Pity my tempted state; O Lord!  
Whom still I do adore;  
O bring me home by thy good Word!  
My Lapsed Soul Restore;  
Since, Lord, thy Mercies still abides,  
Shall I be lost among  
False Flocks, false Doctrines, and false Guides,  
Which do thine Honour wrong?   Christ. 

8.  
My Church, to Me the World is dross,  
And thou a Pearl of Price;  
And art thou Strayed and as a Loss?  
Attend to my Advice:  
Look back upon my Church of old,  
And mark which way they went;  
And let thy children's Eyes behold  
The Pastors I have sent.   

9  
As Pharaohs Horses (Egypt's Pride)  
Is deemed the Choicest Breed;  
So thou my Church, my Fairest Bride,  
All Fair Ones doth exceed.   

10.  
Man's Eyes the outward state behold,  
Mine Eyes are on thy Heart.  
Whilst other'S shine with Pearl and Gold,  
Through Grace thou lovely art.   

11.  
My Soul that loves thee is so glad  
Thy Stock of Grace to see,  
I and my Father, we will add  
A new supply to Thee.   The Church. 

12.  
My King doth Sat in Heaven above,  
Where Angels do attend;  
And from below, my Faith and Love  
Shall to my King ascend.   

13.  
My Faith ascends unto my Lord,  
And brings him down to Me;  
My Love a Bosom doth afford,  
Where he shall lodged be:  
O the sweet time, as if I was  
Reigning in Heaven above;  
Whence once my Soul doth Christ embrace  
in Arms of Faith and Love!   

14.  
It is so sweet, when we do meet,  
My Joys in Christ exceed,  
The sweetest Smells, and Tastes, and Sighs,  
Which can our Senses feed.   Christ 

15.  
My dearest Church, I do admire  
The Beauties of thy Mind,  
So Meek, so Harmless, so Entire,  
So Faithful and so Kind.   The Church. 

16.  
My dearest Lord, thou art the Sun,  
By whose bright Beams I shine;  
And than my Glory first begun,  
When thou becamest mine:  
Since thou art mine, and I am thine,  
A numerous Race do flow  
In every place, which to thy Grace,  
Their Birth and Being owe.   

17.  
The dear Assemblies of thy Saints,  
Where thou my Lord dost dwell,  
Are sweet and pure, and shall endure  
Against the Gates of Hell.     


The VERSION. CHAP. II.  Christ. 

1.  
I Am the Rose of Sharon-Field,  
I am the Lily White,  
The Lily, which the Valleys yield,  
I am both sweet and bright.   

2.  
What are Thorns in th' Account of Men,  
Unto the Lily bright?  
What are the Fairest Daughters, when  
My Love appears in sight?   The Church. 

3.  
What are the common Trees o'th' Wood  
Unto the Apple Tree?  
What is the Rich and Noblest Blood,  
My lovely Lord, to Thee?  
I sat Rejoicing in Times passed  
Under his cooling Shade;  
His Fruit was sweet unto my Taste,  
O what a Feast I made!   

4.  
Unto his Cellars stored with Wines,  
He caused Me to remove,  
Over my Head abroad he spread  
The Banner of his Love.   

5.  
Give Flagons for a Cordial,  
Bring Apples Me to cheer;  
For I am sick, I faint, I fall,  
I languish for my Dear.   

6.  
His Left Hand underneath my Head,  
For my Support is placed;  
His Right Hand over me is spread,  
And thus I am Embraced.   

7.  
O Salems' Daughters, you I charge,  
Both by the Roe and Hind;  
Ye do not move nor stir my Love,  
Until it be his mind.   

8.  
My well-beloved's Voice of Joy,  
My Heart with Comfort fills;  
He comes Leaping on Mountains high,  
And Skipping on the Hills.   

9  
My Well-beloved comes in haste,  
Like a swift footed Roe;  
Nay, my Beloved flies so fast,  
Young Hart did never so.  
Behind our Wall, lo! he doth stand,  
He's at our Windows seen;  
He shows himself so near at Hand,  
There's but a Grate between.   

10.  
I gladly heard his gracious Tone,  
Who thus to me did say,  
Rise up, my Love, my Fairest One,  
Make haste and come away.   

11.  
The Season of the Year invites,  
The Winters gone and past;  
Behold a Spring of new Delights!  
No Rain, nor stormy Blast.   

12.  
The Flowers upon the Earth appear,  
The Birds begin to sing;  
The People of our Land do hear  
The Turtles murmuring.   

13.  
Green Figs upon their Trees are grown,  
Young Grapes their Smells display;  
Rise up, my Love, my Fairest One,  
Make haste and come away.   

14.  
O my Fair Dove, whose Fairness dwells  
In dark Obscurity,  
In cloven Rocks, and secret Cells,  
Come, show thyself to me:  
O let thy Face to me appear,  
I 〈◊〉 thy Voice answer mine,  
Thy Voice is Music in mine Ear,  
Thy Countenance doth shine.   

15.  
Catch us the Foxes in a Toil,  
The little Foxes catch;  
For they our Fruitful Vines do spoil,  
Their tender Grapes they snatch.   

16.  
My Well-beloved, he is mine,  
And I am his indeed;  
In Pastures, which with Lilies shine,  
He makes his Flock to feed.   

17.  
Till the day break, and shades depart,  
Beloved, hast to me;  
Even as the Roe and tender Hart  
On Bether-Mountains flee.    

The Paraphrase. CHAP. II.  Christ. 

1.  
Such is the Power of my sweet Love,  
My Church it sweeteneth;  
It sweetens Earth and Heaven above,  
It sweetens Life and Death:  
Such is the Beauty of my Face,  
'Tis with such Glories crowned,  
That Solomon's Glory must give place,  
To what shines me around;  
As Lilies in the Valleys-grow,  
So I the Valleys own:  
The Humble are my Heaven below,  
The Lowly are my Throne.   

2.  
No comely Persons can I see,  
But whom my Grace adorns;  
My Church a Lily is to me,  
And all the Rest are Thorns.   The Church. 

3.  
None but a Jesus, none but He!  
He is the Chiefest Good;  
My Jesus is an Appletree,  
And others Barren Wood:  
He is a Shadow from the Heat  
Of Conscience, Wrath and Hell;  
He is true Manna, Heavenly Meat,  
Which feeds his Israel:  
The Shadow of his Sacraments  
Hath been exceeding good;  
Under that Shade a Feast I made  
Upon his Flesh and Blood.   

4.  
My Christ is like a Cellar Stored  
With sweet and precious Wine;  
What Sweetness found I in my Lord,  
When he said, I am thine!  
As Soldiers to their Colours stand,  
And after them do move;  
So doth my dearest Lord command,  
And draw me by his Love.   

5.  
Nothing but Glory can suffice  
The Appetite of Grace;  
I long for Christ with Restless Eyes,  
I languish for his Face.  
O take me up, or let me Sup  
On Promises Divine;  
Those Apples from the Tree of Life,  
Those Flagons full of Wine.   

6.  
How am I Born, whilst sick of Love,  
In those blessed Hands of his?  
His Left my Souls Support doth prove,  
His Right my Comfort is.   

7.  
And whilst his Love doth me inflame,  
Hear what a Charge I give,  
All ye that own his Sacred Name,  
Do not his Spirit grieve:  
He is all Love, he is my Love,  
O do not him abuse!  
Do not again put him to pain,  
Dear Christians, turn not Jews:  
Lord, leave us not; yet if thou wilt,  
With Tears we'll own thy Right;  
But a Departure forced by Gild,  
Makes a Tempestuous Night.   

8.  
My dearest Saviour's Voice I hear,  
He comes on my account;  
Nothing can stop his full Career,  
No, not Corruptions Mount.   

9  
My Lord makes haste from Heaven to Earth,  
And he himself presents,  
To Men of a polluted Birth,  
By Word and Sacraments:  
Tho', like a Wall, our frail Estate  
Prevents a perfect Sight,  
Yet through his Ordinances Grate,  
Dart in some Beams of Light.   

10.  
My Lord to me did thus begin,  
Arise, my Love, and flee  
From World, Flesh, Satan, Self and Sin,  
O come away to me!   

11.  
Time was when thou wast cold and dead,  
An Heir of Wrath thou wast,  
And Vengeance-Storms hung o'er thy Head,  
But those sad Days are past.   

12.  
The Flowers of Grace begin to spring  
In Thee so hopefully;  
That all the Heavenly Choir doth sing  
Glory to God on High.   

13.  
My Church, thou art my tender Plant,  
My Dews have nourished Thee;  
Now thou art 〈◊〉 mine, now thou must grant,  
Thy Fruit, thyself to Me.   

14.  
My heartless Dove, why dost thou faint,  
And hide thyself from me?  
Thou knowst not how I love a Saint,  
How welcome thou shouldst be:  
Come, come, before thy Lord appear,  
Thy Person joys my Sight;  
Let me thy Prayers and Praises hear,  
Thy Voice is my Delight.   

15.  
Ye Men of God, whose Charge it is,  
In God's Courts to attend;  
Restrain those Enemies of his,  
Which do his Church offend.   

16.  
Mine through my Faith is my dear Lord,  
His through his Love am I;  
He feeds his People with his Word,  
Which tastes most pleasantly.   

17.  
He feeds them with his Word of Grace,  
Till Glories Day appears;  
Which all the Shades away shall chase,  
Of Sins, and Griefs, and Fears:  
Come Love, come Lord, come that long day,  
My earnest Expectation;  
Shovel these Days out of the way,  
These Hills of Separation.     


The VERSION. CHAP. III.  The Church. 

1.  
HIM whom my Soul doth love, I sought  
By Night upon my Bed,  
I sought him, but I found him not,  
My Soul's Delight was fled.   

2.  
And slug I here? I'll now arise  
And go about the Town;  
I'll search the Streets and broader ways,  
Until I find my own:  
Up did I get, and out I went,  
My Dearest to regain;  
But when I had my Labour spent,  
Alas! it was in vain.   

3.  
The City-watch did light on me,  
Of whom I did inquire,  
In any Street, pray, Did ye see,  
The Man, whom I admire?   

4.  
'Twas but a little while that I  
Had from the Watchmen passed,  
But I did find my only Joy,  
And then I held him fast;  
I held, and would not let him go,  
Till I had brought him home,  
Into my Mother's House, and so  
Into my Native Room.   

5.  
O Salems' Daughters, you I charge  
Both by the Roe and Hind;  
Ye do not move, nor ' wake my Love,  
Until it be his Mind.   The Daughters of Jerusalem. 

6.  
What smoky Pillar straight from hence  
Out of that Desert Rises;  
Perfumed with Myrrh and Frankincense,  
And all the Merchant's Spices?   The Church. 

7.  
Such Ornaments his Bed do grace,  
As Solomon's Bed commend;  
Where threescore Men of Israel's Race,  
His valiant Guards attend.   

8.  
They all hold Swords courageously,  
They all know how to Fight;  
Each hath his Sword upon his Thigh,  
Because of Fear i'th' Night.  
The Chariot of King Solomon,  
Which for himself he made,  
Was of the Wood of Lebanon,  
Which Silver Pillars had.   

10.  
Gold was the bottom, and above  
Rich Purple covered it;  
The midst whereof was paved with Love,  
For Salems' Daughters Fit.   

11.  
Look, Virgins, on King Solomon,  
His Crown so Rich, so Gay,  
Wherewith his Mother Crown him on  
His Joyful Marriage-day.    

The Paraphrase. CHAP. III.  The Church. 

1.  
ONce did I seek my dearest Lord,  
But with a sleepy Mind;  
His presence he did not afford;  
Slack Seekers cannot find.   

2.  
Shall I, said I; forgo my Christ,  
And so close up mine Eyes?  
No, no, he was so dearly missed,  
I could not but arise.  
My Bed was Thorus, no Bed for me,  
Nothing could give me rest,  
Till I my dearest Lord might see,  
And can upon his Breast:  
When private means could not prevail,  
In public Him I sought;  
I waited till my Eyes did fail,  
Alas! I found him not.   

3.  
God's holy Watchmen did Me find,  
Of whom I did inquire,  
Pray, can ye help my troubled Mind,  
Which doth a Christ desire?  
O happy Stars, if ye might be  
My Guides to Jesus now!  
Seers, did ye my Saviour see?  
Pray tell me where and how?  
Means must be used, but cannot heal  
Without a Sovereign Word;  
Christ only can himself reveal;  
And still I lacked my Lord.   

4.  
One dark Hour more I did sustain,  
And then the Night was passed;  
Tho' I had sought so long in vain,  
I found my Lord at last;  
I found my Lord and held him fast,  
And would not let him part;  
My Newfound Jesus I embraced,  
And Lodged Him in my Heart:  
I would not lose my Christ again,  
And gain a Second Hell;  
My Prayers and Tears did him constrain  
Within my Soul to dwell.  
As Clouds are pierced with powerful light,  
His Beams through me did shine;  
His dear Assemblies saw this Sight,  
And joyed that Christ was mine.   

5.  
Christ's Love my Heart doth so inflame,  
This Charge I needs must give;  
All ye that own his Sacred Name,  
Do not his Spirit grieve:  
He is all Love, he is my Love,  
O do not him abuse!  
Do not again put him to pain,  
Dear Christians, turn not Jews:  
Lord, leave us not; yet if thou wilt,  
With Tears we'll own thy Right;  
But a Departure forced by Gild,  
Makes a Tempestuous Night.   Weak Believers. 

6.  
What Heavenly Souls from Earth arise,  
And do at Heaven aspire!  
They mount, they soar, they fix their Eyes  
On God their chief Desire:  
Earth's Wilderness they nobly scorn,  
Whilst others Rake for it;  
heavens Graces them do so Adorn,  
That they for Heaven are fit.   The Church. 

7.  
Admire not me, but my dear Lord,  
Whose Bosom gives me rest;  
Whose Angels watch with one accord,  
That none should me molest.   

8.  
These Heavenly Guards are full of might,  
And ready do they stand,  
For to defend his Churches Right,  
When he shall them command:  
When Darkness breeds tormenting Fear,  
Then help comes from on High;  
A strengthing Angel doth appear  
Amidst that Agony.   

9  
Heaven is the High and Glorious Throne,  
Of my most Glorious Lord;  
Who yet on Earth Rides up and down  
I'th' Chariot of his Word.   

10.  
His Word is rich, and strong, and pure,  
As all his Saints do prove;  
Who of its true Intent are sure,  
And find, it's Heart is Love.   

11.  
Go ye that own the Highest Name,  
Behold a Glorious Show;  
How the Almighty spreads his Fame;  
And what his Word can do:  
This mighty King Rides Conquering,  
His Word goes forth with Might;  
Which woos and wins the Slaves of Sin,  
Both by its Force and Light:  
Those Slaves their Hellish Lords forsake,  
And Christ do humbly own;  
And as his Spouse, he them doth take,  
And wears them as his Crown:  
Great was their Need; greater his Love  
Than their Necessity.  
As well they may, glad do they prove,  
But not so glad as Herald     


The VERSION. CHAP. IU.  Christ. 

1.  
LO, thou art Fair, my only Love,  
My Love, lo! thou art Fair;  
Thine Eyes are like those of the Dove,  
Within thy Locks of Hair;  
Thy Hairy Locks are like Goat's Flocks,  
Which from Mount Gilead look.   

2.  
So are thy Teeth like well-shorn Sheep;  
Come from the Washing Brook;  
They Pregnant are as well as Fair,  
For Fruit as well as View;  
For each of them her Twins doth bear,  
There's ●ot one barren Ewe.   

3.  
Thy Lips are like a Scarlet-thread,  
Thy Speech is sweet and fine;  
Within thy Locks thy Temples Red,  
Like broke Pomegranate shine.   

4.  
Thy Neck is like to David's Tower,  
Strong built, and raised high;  
A thousand Shields for Men of Power  
Hang in that Armoury.   

5.  
Thy two Breasts are like two young Roes  
Well shaped and well agreed;  
For they are loving Twins, and those  
Among the Lilies feed.   

6.  
Until the Day have chased away  
The Dusky Shades, I will  
Betake me to the Mount of Myrrh,  
And to the Incense-Hill.   

7.  
All over fair, my Love, thou art,  
And so thou seem'st to me;  
There is not one uncomely Part,  
Not one dark Spot in Thee.   

8.  
Come, Love, with me from Lebanon,  
From Lebanon, with me,  
Since Thou and I are joined in One,  
Thy Lebanon I'll be:  
From Shenirs Top, from Hermon book,  
And from Amana high,  
Those Lion's Dens must be forsaken,  
And where the Leoparc's lie.   

9  
My Spouse, my Sister, thou hast Gained  
A perfect Victory  
Over my Heart by thy bright chain,  
And by thy Brighter Eye.   

10.  
How fair and pleasant is thy Love,  
My dearest spause to Me!  
O how I prise it far above  
The Richest wines that be!  
O how my Sister's Ointments smell,  
What sweetness do they yield!  
This pleasant scent doth far Excel  
The sweet Arabian Field.   

11.  
Thy Lips drop like the Honey comb,  
There Milk with Honey Flows;  
I smell the smells of Lebanon, from  
The Garments of my Spouse.   

12.  
My Sister and my Spouse is Veiled,  
That she may be supposed;  
A Spring shut up, a Fountain sealed,  
A Garden well enclosed.   

13.  
Thou hast a pleasant Nursery,  
Where sweet Pomegranates grow,  
And Fruits which please both Taste and Eye,  
Thereto the Spices flow.   

14.  
As Camphire, Spikenard, Calamus,  
Saffron and Cinnamon,  
Myrrh, Aloes and Incense Trees.  
With each Spice of Renown.   

15.  
A Garden Fountain is my Love,  
A Living Well is She;  
Like Lebanons Streams which swiftly move,  
And down to Jordan flee.   The Church. 

16.  
Am I a Garden? Then, O North,  
Awake, and on it Breath;  
Thy quickening Breath will summon forth  
The Odours from Beneath:  
Am I a Garden? Then, O South,  
Come, on this Garden blow!  
One Sovereign Blast out of thy Mouth,  
will make its Spices flow:  
Then, then, into his Paradise,  
Let my Beloved come;  
And eat his Fruits, and get his Spice,  
And count himself at home.    

The Paraphrase. CHAP. IU.  Christ. 

1.  
Mr Dearest Church, I do admire  
The Beauties of thy Mind,  
So Meek, so Harmless, so Entire,  
So Loyal and so Kind:  
Even thy Profession I esteem,  
Because it springs from Grace,  
Which makes Thee yet more comely seem,  
As Hair adorns the Face.   

2.  
Thy Pastors which prepare thy Food,  
Do in their Minds agree;  
Their Lives and Doctrines both are good,  
And bring much Fruit to me.   

3.  
Thy Speech so seasoned is with Grace,  
That many Hearts it moves;  
And Grace's colour in thy Face,  
It's great Advantage proves.   

4.  
Thy Faith which joins thee to thy Head,  
Doth shield thine inward parts;  
This Shield hath oft extinguished  
The Devil's Fiery Darts.   

5.  
The two Breasts of thy Testaments  
Most friendly do accord;  
Which Nourishment and sweet content  
To new Born Babes afford.  
The Cries of a Distressed Soul,  
These Breasts of Comfort still;  
These Breasts make glad, whom Sin makes sad,  
These Breasts the Hungry Fill.   

6.  
The Word is here the Churches Fare,  
And Faith the Church's Light,  
Till Shades give way to Glories Day,  
Then shall she live by Sight:  
Meanwhile my Gracious Presence shall  
Her dear Assemblies fill;  
Her Prayers shall be most sweet to me,  
Sweet as the Incense-Hill:  
Meanwhile my Glorious Presence shall  
Fill Heaven, that Holy Ground,  
Where Cherubims and Seraphims  
Their Hallelujahs sound.   

7.  
My dearest Church, how clear art thou,  
On whom no sin remains!  
My Blood applied hath purified  
Thee from thy Guilts and stains:  
Thou art to me as white as Snow,  
And tho' thou finnest still,  
Grace keeps thee in, thou canst not sin  
With full consent of Will.   

8.  
Let my Fair Glories thee entice  
To come along with me;  
Forsake thine Earthly Paradise,  
Thy Paradise I'll be;  
Birth, Pleasures, Riches, Friends and Fame,  
Are all summed up in Me.  
O that thou knewest how good I am!  
Come now and taste and see:  
The World's an howling Wilderness,  
Filled with the Beasts of Prey;  
Whilst that they Rage, Roar, and Oppress,  
On Canaan fix thine Eye.   

9  
My Heavenborn Spouse, whom I embrace,  
My Joy and Crown thou art;  
Thine Eye of Faith, thy Chain of Grace  
Have overcome my Heart.   

10.  
My Dearest Spouse of Heavenly Birth,  
Thy Love is more to Me  
Than all the Pleasures of the Earth,  
And sweet thy Graces be.   

11.  
Thy Speeches in thy Heart are bred,  
And sweetly do they flow;  
Thy works do such a savour spread,  
As Lebanons' Spices do.   

12.  
Disguised to the World thou go'st,  
Heaven in a Mystery;  
To me thou Runnest, to me thou Flowest,  
None knows thy worth but I:  
As thou art mine, so I am thine,  
My Love doth guard thy Heart;  
Thy Heart's with me, my Love's with thee,  
My Church, how safe thou art!   

13, 14.  
My Church thou art a Paradise,  
Where Fruits and Spices grow;  
Fair are thy Fruits, and from thy Spice  
Thy sweetest Odours flow:  
Thy tender Plants thy Children are,  
Their Grace's Fruits and Spice;  
I am the Tree of Life in Thee,  
My Church, my Paradise.   

15.  
Thou art a Spring, which to thy Plants  
D●st thy pure Streams derive;  
Under thine Eye and Ministry  
Thy Blessed Assemblies thrive.   The Church. 

16.  
My Lord, if I a Garden am,  
Then let thy Spirit blow;  
And with its Gales refresh the same,  
And make my Graces flow:  
And when thy Spirit thus hath blown,  
And I do flourish most,  
Then let my Dearest Lord come down,  
And feed upon his Cost.  
So poor I am, so great thou art,  
The Lord, how can I Feast?  
Furnish the Table of my Heart,  
Then come and be my Guest.     


The VERSION. CHAP. V.  Christ. 

1.  
I'M come into a Paradise,  
My Sister and my Spouse;  
I've gathered of my Myrrh and Spice,  
Which in my Garden grows.  
My Honey Comb and Honey too  
Have been my sweet Repast;  
My Wine, my Milk which here do flow,  
Have cheered my Heart and Taste:  
My Friends and dear Companions,  
Come, Feast yourselves with Me;  
Drink, O my Well-beloved Ones,  
Yea, Drink abundantly.   The Church. 

2.  
I sleep, but yet my Heart doth wake,  
Hark, my Beloved One  
Doth Knock and Call. I can't mistake  
His Knock, his Tread, his Tone:  
Open to Me, my Father's Child,  
Open to Me, my Love;  
Open to me, my Undefiled,  
Open to me, my Dove:  
Open to me, that wait for Thee,  
My Head is filled with Dew;  
And all my Locks with Evening Drops,  
Let's have an Interview.   

3.  
My Coat is off, and how shall I  
Put on my Coat again?  
Should I come o'er the Dusty Floor,  
My washed Feet to slain?   

4.  
My Dearest then by the keyhole  
His willing Hand did move;  
Which when I did perceive, my Soul  
Was touched with Grief and Love.   

5.  
Roused by this Passion, I did stir,  
And answered to his Call;  
My Hands and Fingers dropped with Myrrh,  
Which from the Lock did fall.   

6.  
Then did I open to my Dear,  
But he (alas!) was gone;  
He whom I did so lately hear,  
Methoughts I was undone:  
I sought him whom my Soul adored,  
But him I could not have,  
I called and cried, my Love, my Lord!  
But He no answer gave.   

7.  
Then did the cruel City-watch  
Smite Me, and wound Me sore;  
The Keepers of the Wall did snatch  
Away the Veil I wore.   

8.  
O Daughters of Jerusalem!  
I charge You, if Ye find  
My Glorious Dear, that he may hear  
My Love afflicts my Mind.   The Daughters of Jerusalem. 

9  
What Jewel is this Dear of thine,  
O Fairest, let us know;  
Wherein does thine Others outshine,  
That thou dost charge us so?   The Church. 

10.  
My dear Delight is Red and White,  
The Lily and the Rose;  
So sweet a Grace adorns his Face,  
Ten thousand he outgoes.   

11.  
His Head is like the Finest Gold,  
And curled Locks doth wear,  
Which do the Ravens Colour hold,  
So comely is his Hair.   

12.  
His Eyes are like the Eyes of Doves,  
Which on the Banks are met,  
And do the streams of Water love,  
Milk-washt and fitly set.   

13.  
His Cheeks are like a spicy Bed,  
Where all Perfumes do meet;  
His Lips like Lilies, whence is shed  
The Myrrh that smells so sweet.   

14.  
His Hands are like the Chrysolite  
In Rings of Gold displayed,  
His Belly is like Ivory bright,  
With Saphires overlaid.   

15.  
His Legs like Marble Pillars are  
On Golden Sockets set;  
His Face, like Lebanon, is most Fair,  
Like Cedars most complete.  
His Mouth is most exceeding Sweet,  
Yea, he is wholly so;  
Down from his Head unto his Feet,  
With Sweetness he doth flow:  
O Salems' Daughters, This is He  
Of whom ye did inquire;  
This is the Friend that loveth Me,  
This is my Heart's desire.    

The Paraphrase. CHAP. V.  Christ. 

1.  
MY Love, (my Dearest) hath Me brought  
Whither thou didst Invite;  
Thy Graces which my Hand hath wrought,  
Have been my Soul's delight:  
Thou art a Vine, which with thy Wine,  
Both God and Man dost cheer;  
Feed on the Fruits prepared in Thee,  
A constant Feast is there.   The Church. 

2.  
Such drowsiness doth me possess,  
I live, and yet I die;  
Some Life I have, no Liveliness,  
How dark and cold am I!  
Here in the dark and deep I grope,  
Who used to live above;  
Where is my Faith? Where is my Hope?  
Where is my wont Love?  
It is no Strangers Voice I hear,  
I know it is my Lords.  
He knocks both at my Heart and Ear,  
These are his loving words,  
Open to Me, my Father's Child,  
Open to Me, my Love,  
Open to Me, my Undefiled,  
Open to Me, my Dove.  
My Gracious Patience hath stood  
Long waiting at thy Door;  
Feign would I enter for thy good;  
'Slight not thy Saviour.   

3.  
One would have thought such melting words  
Should break an heart of Steel  
But I (Alas!) so stupid was,  
Their Force I did not feel:  
My Answer was to this Effect,  
Lord, now I am at ease;  
And Lord, if I should Thee respect,  
My Friends I should displease:  
Thy Service, Lord, would cost me dear,  
The World would me molest;  
Thy heavy Cross how can I bear?  
Do not disturb my Rest.   

4.  
My Lord to this made no Reply,  
Only on Me he cast  
A sad and a Rebuking Eye,  
On which this sense I passed;  
Dost thou my Patience thus requite,  
To make it longer bear?  
Dost all my Love and Sufferings slight?  
I looked for better Fare;  
This stirred my Love, my Grief and shame,  
Which put me to such pain.   

5.  
That I resolved, whatever came,  
To own my Christ again,  
Accursed Temptations, be ye gone,  
And do not me restrain;  
Satan Avaunt, let Me alone,  
I'll have my Christ again:  
This Resolution gave some Ease  
To my distressed Mind;  
My Griefs did then begin to cease,  
When I to Christ inclined.   

6.  
But when I did myself address,  
My Saviour to embrace;  
Alas! for my Unworthiness  
My Saviour hid his Face:  
For He is Great as well as Good,  
And will not be disdained;  
Then his kind words, which I withstood,  
My Conscience sorely pained:  
O than I wished a thousand times  
That I had been so wise  
To shake off my Security,  
When Christ bade Me arise:  
I sought him daily in his Word,  
But him I could not have;  
I called and cried, My Love, my Lord!  
But he no Answer gave.   

7.  
Earth did oppress whom Heaven forsook,  
Nothing but Griefs I found,  
For they who to my Soul should look,  
My Soul did pierce and wound:  
Their words and deeds did both conspire,  
To grieve my grieved heart;  
Their Scorns and Jeers were Swords & Spears,  
Which did increase my Smart.  
But still my greatest wound was here,  
My Lord I could not find;  
Had I my Lord, I should not care,  
Tho' others proved unkind.   

8.  
Another Course I straightways took,  
I did repair to those  
Who Zion wards do often look,  
And did my Case propose:  
Blessed Souls said I who oft attend  
At the Almighty's Court,  
My Case to you I do commend,  
That you may it report:  
A Lord I have or rather had,  
My Well-beloved one;  
His Presence used to make me glad,  
But, Ah, my Lord is gone!  
If when you pray, he should acquaint  
You with his Love and Grace;  
Tell him from me, my Heart doth faint  
And Languish for his Face.   

9  
Who is, said they, this Lord of thine?  
O Fairest, let us know;  
Wherein does thine others outshine,  
That thou dost Charge us so?   

10.  
My dearest Lord is White and Red;  
White through his Purity,  
Red through his Blood which he did shed  
For such an one as I:  
Was he not Red, but only White,  
The Lily, not the Rose;  
He might delight the Angel's Sight,  
But I am none of those:  
Was he not White but only Red,  
A Sufferer for his sin;  
His Blood would rest upon his head,  
Nor could I Joy therein:  
But my dear Lord is White and Red,  
This Mixture pleaseth me;  
For, for my sins he suffered,  
When he from sin was free:  
What a reviving sight is this?  
A righteous Saviour's Blood;  
The Bath of Sin, the Spring of Bliss,  
Most pure, most sweet and good:  
The fond enchanted World admires  
Their Idols here below;  
Their creeping, grovelling, poor Desires  
Their Childish Minds do show:  
Did but my Glorious Lord appear,  
O did they him but know,  
What formerly their Glories were,  
Would be no longer so:  
The lesser Lights all disappear,  
When once my Sun doth shine;  
And tho' Ten Thousand Lords were here,  
None could be like to mine:  
My Lord, he is the King of Kings,  
The Fairest of all Fairs;  
Of all your fine and boasted things,  
None with my Lord compares.  
what's your thick Clay? Your stones bring forth  
Which ye your Jewels call;  
My Lord, he is of real worth,  
And goes beyond them all.   

11.  
His Godhead and his Government  
Are infinitely pure,  
Most Glorious and most Excellent,  
And ever shall endure.   

12.  
His is a pure and piercing Eye,  
Through all the Earth it moves;  
Which the dark Hypocrite doth spy,  
And secret good approves.   

13.  
His Cheeks appear most bright and clear,  
When he himself doth show;  
Methinks I in a Garden walk,  
Where Flowers and Spices grow:  
When he doth my affections stir,  
And speaks unto my Mind;  
Methinks the Lilies drop with Myrrh,  
Such Savour do I find:  
So sweet a Grace adorns his Face,  
His Face, like Heaven doth shine;  
And O what Music do I hear,  
When he saith, I am thine!   

14.  
His Hands are like to Rings of Gold,  
The works of my dear Lord  
Are bright and comely to behold,  
His Works fulfil his Word.  
The Tender Bowels of his Love,  
How precious they be!  
When I am Grieved, his Bowels move,  
And loudly plead for me.   

15.  
The sweet Proceedings of my Lord  
Are like his Purposes;  
Holy and Pure, and Firm and sure,  
Both Love and Steadfastness:  
His Countenance Majestical  
All reverence doth Command;  
If he but Frowns on us, we fall,  
But if he Smiles, we stand.   

16.  
His Mouth is most exceeding sweet,  
All sweetness like an Hive,  
One word of his like Honey is,  
O how it doth revive!  
As I begun should I go on  
My Dearest Lord to Limn,  
You'd say, all sweets compactedly  
And summed up in him.  
My Lord is Larger than Desires,  
Fairer than Words can show;  
One comely part fond Earth admires,  
My Lord is wholly so.  
O heaven-born Souls, This, This is he  
Of whom ye did inquire;  
This is the Friend that Loveth me,  
This is my Heart's Desire:     


The VERSION. CHAP. VI  The Daughters of Jerusalem. 

1.  
FAirest of Fairs, if thus it be,  
O whither is he gone?  
Tell us, that we may seek with thee  
This thy Beloved One.   The Church. 

2.  
Down to his Garden he is gone,  
Where Beds of Spices are,  
That he may Feed and Feast thereon,  
And Gather Lilies there.   

3.  
I am my Well-beloved ones,  
My Welbeloved's mine;  
He Feeds and Treads in pleasant Meads,  
Where the bright Lilies shine.   Christ. 

4.  
My Love, like Tirzah, thou art Neat,  
And like Jerusalem,  
And like an Army so Complete,  
Men fly for Fear of them.   

5.  
O turn away thine Eyes from me,  
Thy bright and sparkling Eyes,  
To bear so great Felicity,  
My strength doth not suffice;  
Thy Hairy Locks are like Goat's Flocks  
Which from Mount Gilead look.   

6.  
So are thy Teeth like Well shorn sheep,  
Come from the Washing-brook,  
They Pregnant are as well as Fair,  
For Fruit as well as View;  
For each of them her Twins doth bear,  
There's not one barren Ewe.   

7.  
As broke Pomegranate seemeth Red,  
And shines exceeding clear,  
So do the temples of thy Head,  
Within thy Locks appear.   

8.  
Thrice twenty Queens together stand,  
And fourscore Concubines;  
And Virgins like the numerous sand,  
Which to the Sea adjoins.   

9  
My spotless Dove, she is but one,  
The Darling of her Mother,  
Who loves and prizes her alone,  
She knows not such another:  
The Daughters saw her comely Lines,  
And praised her Lovely Face;  
Yea, all the Queens and Concubines  
Admired her Beauteous Grace.   

10.  
What Morn looks forth? what Moon is there?  
What Sun may yonder be?  
Fierce Troops with Flags displayed appear,  
O what a One is She!   

11.  
To the Nut-Garden down I went  
To see the Fruits below;  
Whether the Vines their Grapes did vent,  
And the Pomegranates grow.   

12.  
My Soul gave me a sudden twitch  
And made me nimbly slide,  
Like those swift Chariots, in which  
Amminadib did Ride.   

13.  
Return, Return, O Shulamite.  
Return, Return Apace  
That we may look with much delight  
Upon thy Glorious Face:  
What in the Shulamite I pray,  
Do ye expect to see?  
Two Armies set in good Array  
Even such a one is she.    

The Paraphrase. CHAP VI.  The Church. 

1.  
WHilst thus my dearest Lord I praised,  
As I could do no less;  
They heard, they looked, they stood amazed  
At my great happiness:  
And when I ceased they thus replied,  
O Fairest we must needs  
Congratulate thy Blessed Estate,  
Which ours so far exceeds:  
O that we were in such a Case  
As we perceive thou art;  
O that our Souls might find a place  
In thy Beloved's Heart:  
Whither is thy Beloved gone?  
Pray, let us go with thee,  
To seek thy Well beloved One,  
Whose Face we fain would see.   

2.  
If you my dearest Lord would see,  
Then go unto his Court,  
Look where his Saints Assembled be,  
Thither you must Resort:  
For they his Pleasure-Gardens are,  
Where he delights to be;  
They are his Comfort and his Care,  
There you my Lord may see:  
Some Souls he breeds, and some he feeds,  
Others he doth remove;  
Hence for his lower Gardens to  
His Paradise above.   

3.  
I am my Wellbeloved ones,  
My Well-beloved's mine;  
To me his Love a Feast doth prove,  
Beyond the Richest Wine.   Christ. 

4.  
My dearest Church, on whom I see  
A Fair and Royal Stamp;  
All sweetness joined with Majesty,  
Thou art both court and camp.   

5.  
Thy Prayers are arms, thy Praises charms,  
Thy Love is like a Dart;  
Thy Faith and Graces are so strong,  
They overcome my Heart:  
Thy Fair Profession I esteem,  
Because it springs from Grace,  
Which makes thee yet more comely seem,  
As Hair adorns the Face.   

6.  
Thy Pastors which prepare thy Food,  
Do in their Minds agree,  
Their Lives and Doctrines both are good,  
And bring much Fruit to me.   

7.  
Thy countenance so shines with Grace,  
That many Hearts it moves;  
And Grace's colour in thy Face,  
It's great Advantage proves.   

8.  
The World presents its glorious Shows,  
But what are those to me?  
In my dear Church, my only Spouse,  
All Glories do I see.   

9  
Earth's Pride would soon confounded be,  
Should but my Spouse appear,  
Who to her mother and to me  
Is so exceeding dear.  
Her Noble Birth and Real Worth,  
Have gained her so much Fame,  
The greatest Princes of the Earth  
Have praised her worthy Name.   

10.  
Her Sweetness joined with Majesty,  
Her Presence much Endeared;  
Her Power with her Purity  
Made her both loved and feared.   

11.  
I have been with my new born Saints,  
I have been down to see  
What Buds were on my tender Plants,  
What hopes of Fruit for me.   

12.  
When my dear Church, I hid my Face,  
Thou didst thyself bemoan;  
I did but prove thy Faithful Love,  
When thou thought'st I was gone:  
My Bowels yearned when thou didst Cry,  
My Love did me constrain;  
To haste apace, and show my Face  
To thy grieved Soul again.   

13.  
Return, Return my dearest Church,  
Return, Return to me;  
The Heavenly Choir, and I desire  
Thy Blessed Face to see:  
My Heavenly Host, if ye would know  
My Church's State and Case;  
She is another Host below,  
And of an awful Grace.     


The VERSION. CHAP. VII.  Christ. 

1.  
O Daughters of a Prince how Fair  
Are both thy Shoes and Feet!  
Thy Joints and Thighs like Jewels are,  
Wrought by an hand discreet.   

2.  
Thy Navel as a Cup complete,  
With Liquor doth abound;  
Thy Belly's like an Heap of Wheat,  
Which Lilies do surround.   

3.  
Thy two Breasts are like two young Roes,  
Well Shaped and well agreed,  
Both which are Loving Twins, and those  
Among the Lilies Feed.   

4.  
Thy Neck, like I vory is most Fair,  
And like a Tower most strait;  
Thine Eyes like beshbon pools, which are  
Hard by Bath-Rabim Gate:  
Thy Nose is like to Lebanons' Tower,  
The Tower which doth Command  
Damascus-Town, the Chiefest Flower  
Of all the Syrian Land.   

5.  
Thine Head on thee like Carmel is,  
Thine Hair, like Purple stained;  
The Galleries so take his Eyes,  
The King is there detained.   

6.  
How Fair art thou, how pleasant art,  
My Love, unto my sight!  
So sweetly Graced in every part;  
Thou art my whole delight.   

7.  
〈◊〉 Unto a Palmtree I compare,  
Thy Stature strait and fine;  
Thy Breasts appear both full and fair  
Like Clusters of the Vine.   

8.  
〈◊〉 I said I will this Palmtree Climb,  
I'll search her Branches well;  
Thy Breasts shall now like Clusters show,  
Thy Nose like Apples swell.   

9  
〈◊〉 Thy Palates like the choicest Wine,  
Which for my Friend I keep;  
Which sweetly Flows, and causeth those  
To Speak that are asleep.   The Church. 

10.  
I am my Well-beloved's own,  
And He is wholly mine;  
The Stream of his Affection  
Doth towards me incline.   

11.  
Come, my Beloved, let us go  
Into the Fields abroad;  
And in the Villages below  
Let's take up our Abode.   

12.  
Let's go up early in the Morn,  
And to the Vineyards go;  
To see what Fruits the Trees adorn,  
Whether the Vine doth grow:  
Whether the tender Grapes appear,  
And the Pomegranates thrive,  
(The Hopes of the Ensuing Year)  
There thee my Loves I'll give.   

13.  
The Mandrake's smell, and at our Door  
All pleasant Fruits there be,  
Both New and Old which are my Store,  
Laid up, my Love, for Thee.    

The Paraphrase. CHAP. VII.  Christ. 

1.  
O Daughter of the Mighty God,  
How comely are thy Feet?  
With Gospel-preparation Shod!  
Thy carriage how discreet?   

2.  
Thou art both Fair and Fruitful too,  
Great Numbers thou dost Breed,  
Which with good Meals, the Word and Seals,  
Thou liberally dost feed,   

3.  
The two Breasts of thy Testaments  
Most friendly do accord;  
Which Nourishment and sweet content  
To Newborn Babes afford:  
The cries of a distressed Soul,  
These Breasts of comfort still;  
These Breasts make glad whom sin makes sad,  
These Breasts the Hungry ●ill.   

4.  
Thy Faith is thy strong Fort and Tower,  
Thine Understanding clear;  
Thy Judging and Discerning Power  
Informs when Danger's near:  
Thy Christ, thy Head of Eminence  
All Others doth exceed;  
Thy Christ, thy Head of Influence  
Thy Grace doth keep and feed:  
When thine Assemblies Exercise  
Their Graces freely given,  
The King walks in those Galleries,  
As in another Heaven.   

6.  
My Church, who art most New, most Fair,  
How Dear art thou and Sweet;  
In whom all Sweets compacted are,  
In whom all Graces meet?   

7.  
Under thy weight thou flourishest  
As the stout Palmtree doth;  
My Church, the more thou art depressed,  
The greater is thy growth:  
The Breasts of thy two Testaments,  
Like Clusters of the Vines;  
Are full of Juice, which for thy use  
Tield store of Heavenly Wine.   

8.  
When I perceived thy Soul to thrive,  
Like to a Fruitful Tree;  
Then I drew near, that I might cheer,  
And joy myself in thee,  
Nor did I emptyhanded come,  
But added to thy Store;  
God's Word came then more near and home,  
Thy Graces scented more.   

9  
Thy Speech is like the choichest Wine,  
So lovely and so strong;  
It makes the Sinners Heart divine,  
And sanctifies his Tongue.   The Church. 

10.  
My dearest Lords Affection  
I cannot but admire;  
I am my well-beloved's own,  
I am his Heart's desire.   

11.  
I gladly with my Lord could talk,  
And spend both Night and Day;  
Come Lord, let us together walk,   
Let us together stay.  

12.  
Come let's go see what Fruits and Flowers  
Adorn thy Garden place,  
Under the Sun shine and the showers  
Of days and means of Grace:  
Could I but see thy Children Spring,  
And in an happy frame;  
O how should I rejoice and sing,  
And love thee for the same!   

13.  
Thy Saints their Services present,  
Which of Sweet Savour be;  
Saints New and Old within my Tent,  
Are kept from Heaven and thee.     


The VERSION. CHAP. VIII.  The Church. 

1.  
I Would to God thou wert as near  
To me as is my Brother,  
That Filled the Lap and Sucked the Pap  
Of my most tender Mother:  
When I without should light on thee,  
Then I thy Lips would Kiss;  
Yea, I should not despised be,  
Nor disesteemed for this.   

3.  
I'd bring thee to my Mother's Tent,  
Who would instruct me there;  
Pomegranate-Wine of pleasant scent  
Should be thy Royal Fare.   

4.  
His Left Hand underneath my Head  
Should lovingly be placed.  
His Right Hand o'er me should be spread,  
Thus should I be Embraced.   

4.  
Ye Daughters of Jerusalem,  
'Tis You I charge and bind,  
Not once to move, or wake my Love  
Until it be his Mind.   
The Daughters of Jerusalem.  

5.  
Out of the Desert doth Ascend  
A comely Sight to see;  
One Leaning on her dearest Friend,  
O what a One is She!   The Church. 

Under the shady Appletree  
Thee did I Raise and Rear;  
Thy Mother Travelled there with Thee,  
Thy Native Place was there.   

6.  
O Seal thine Image on thy Heart,  
O'Seal it on thy Arm!  
For Love, like Death, doth cast its Dart,  
And Jealousy is warm:  
'Tis like the Grave, whose keen desire  
Nothing can satisfy.  
The Coals thereof are Coals of Fire  
That flame most vehemently.   

7.  
Waters can't quench love's flame, nor floods  
Can Loves height overflow;  
If one for Love would give his Goods,  
The Price would be too low.   The Jewish Church. 

8.  
No Breasts on our small Sister grow,  
Nor is She yet Admired;  
What shall we for our Sister do,  
When she shall be desired?   Christ. 

9  
We'll build on her a Silver Court,  
If she a Wall shall be;  
Or if a Door, Her we'll Support  
With Board's of Cedar-tree.   The Jewish Church. 

10.  
I am a Wall both strong and tall,  
My Breasts like Towers are round;  
(I then his Sight did much delight,  
As one that Favour Found.)   Christ. 

11.  
At Baal-Hammon, King Solomon  
A Vineyard did possess;  
Keepers he sent to the Intent  
They might his Vineyard dress:  
And thus with them he did agree,  
That for the Fruit it gave,  
A thousand silver Pieces he  
Of each of them should have.   

12.  
My Vineyard which belongs to Me,  
I know not how to spare;  
It ever lies before mine Eyes,  
It is my constant care.  
But thou, O Solomon, must have  
A thousand for thy Gains;  
And those that keep its Fruit may crave  
Two Hundred for their pains.   

13.  
And now farewell thou that Dost dwell  
In Gardens here below;  
As thy Companions hear thy Voice  
So let me hear it too.   The Church. 

14.  
Haste my Beloved like a Roe  
Which soon her course fulfils;  
O that thou wert like a young Hart  
Upon the Spicy Hills!    

The Paraphrase. CHAP. VIII.  The Church. 

1.  
LORD that thou wert as near to me  
As is my Mother's Son;  
Such freedom should I have with thee,  
As if we both were One:  
I would impart my very Heart  
To one that was so near;  
Whose nearness should advance my Love  
Above all Slavish fear.   

2.  
God's Holy Church, my Mother Dear,  
Sold me such Lectures Read;  
I should provide such Heavenly Cheer,  
Whereon thou lov'st to Feed.   

3.  
And then shouldst thou thy Love display,  
The Riches of thy Grace,  
Thy Left Hand then my Head should slay,  
Thy Right my Heart embrace.   

4.  
Christ's Love my Heart doth so inflame,  
This Charge I needs must give;  
All ye that own his Sacred Name  
Do not his Spirit grieve:  
Lord, leave us not; if yet thou wilt  
With Tears we'll own thy Right;  
But a Departure forced by Gild  
Makes a Tempestuous Night.   Weak Christians. 

5.  
What strange Aspiring Souls are those  
Which do this World disdain;  
Who on their Lord themselves repose,  
heavens Kingdom to obtain.   The Church. 

Under thine Ordinances Shade  
I Sought and found thine Aid;  
For there thine Entrance first was made,  
Thy Grace's first Conveyed.   

6.  
Lord bear my Name upon thy Breast,  
Engrave it on thine Heart;  
There let it be so sure possessed  
It thence shall ne'er depart:  
For Love, like Death doth cast its Dart,  
Which wounds me to the quick;  
Thy Presence, Lord, supports my Heart;  
Thy absence makes it Sick.  
Shouldst thou but seemingly disdain  
My Heart so deep Engaged,  
I should be Tortured with such pain  
As could not be assuaged.  
O Love Me, Lord, or else I die!  
Thee, Lord, my Love doth crave!  
My Lord, shouldst thou my Love deny,  
My Love would be my Grave.  
My Love doth flame my Jealousy,  
So burns my Heart and Eyes.  
I must embrace my Lord, or I  
Must be Love's Sacrifice.   

7.  
Whole Seas of Trouble cannot quench  
Loves everlasting Fire:  
Though Hell oppose, whom I have chose,  
I cannot but Admire.  
None but a Christ, none but my Lord,  
No Brides can take with Me;  
A proffered World would be abhorred;  
A Christ, and none but He!   The Jewish Church. 

8,  
Remember the Blind Nations, Lord,  
Who in a Dungeon grope,  
And lack the Sunshine of thy Word,  
Yet Prisn'rs are of Hope.  
When once the Hour of thy Design  
Hath on these Captives Shone,  
When they are called and owned for Thine,  
What shall be further done?   Christ. 

9  
If they be constant to my Name,  
And firmly hold my Word;  
They shall be blest with strength and fame,  
And honoured by their Lord:  
If they will open at my Call,  
That I with them may dwell;  
I'll hold them fast, and make them last  
Against the Gates of Hell.   The Jewish Church. 

10.  
Lord, I am constant to thy Name,  
And firmly hold thy Word;  
(I had a Smile upon the same  
From my most Gracious lord)   Christ. 

11.  
I nor admire nor imitate  
Those who their Vineyards Let;  
Who of their Profit do abate,  
That they some Ease may get.   

12.  
My Church and Vineyard is always  
My care and my Delight;  
I myself keep it every Day,  
And watch it every Night:  
Dressed by my Hand, watched by my Eye,  
Its Fruit to me abounds;  
The Praise of its Fertility  
Wholly to me redounds.   

13.  
My Dearest Church, who art composed  
Of divers companies;  
Now we have both our Minds disclosed,  
I'll end with this Advice:  
As all thy Members give an Ear  
Unto thy Gracious Strain;  
So let Me often from thee hear,  
Until we Meet again.   The Church. 

14.  
Ah my dear Saviour! pity Me,  
Preserve Me in thy Heart;  
And Oh make haste, make haste, that we  
May Meet and never part.      

DIVES AND LAZARUS.  

IN Judah's Vale a Man of Wealth abode,  
Vile as a Beast, yet Worshipped as a God;  
Who Tyrian clothes, and Egypt's Linnen-ware,  
And on whose Table met Land, Sea and Air.   

Beneath the Threshold of his Out-most Gate  
A pale, deformed, horrid Carcase Sat:  
Another Job. But of more Fixed Woes,  
Who from his Dunghill never once arose.   


* The Eng. of Lazur●s.  God Help Me was his Name. God was his all,  
Those few that knew him, Lazarus him did call.   

Need, Pain and Scorn at once did on him lie;  
His Bed was Earth, his Covering was the Sky:  
Nothing had he to pay of Nature's Scores;  
Empty he was of Bread, but full of Sores.   

Hunger (that Wrack) will make a Man confess,  
What modest Minds endeavour to oppress:  
Sharp Hunger whets the Wit, and mends its strain,  
It hurts the Bowels, but it helps the Brain.  
A Servant passed the Gate, where, lo! he found  
This Rueful Odject grovelling on the Ground.  
Said Lazarus, Sir, if Pity be my due,  
Give to your Master what I give to you.   

Lazarus his Petition.  

MOst Noble Sir, I humbly crave  
What Nature doth exact from Me;  
I am a Borderer on the Grave,  
Half slain with sharp Necessity.   

For children's Bread I do not Call;  
I do not Ask you Servants Fare;  
Only the Sweep of your Hall  
I Beg; and what your Dogs may spare.   

Doom Me not, Sir, to perish at your Gate,  
Who may Preserve Me, at so Cheap a Rate;  
For Father Judah's sake some Fragments give,  
I'll serve You at God's Altars whilst I live.    

Dives his Answer.  

WHat Dog is this that dares Presume on Me?  
Accursed be all such Crawling Toads as He;  
Pests of my Gate, Vermin that Creep so Nigh  
— I Hate'em; Let Him Rot and Die.   

In vain the poor Man's thoughts pursued his Suit;  
The Dogs were humane, but their Lord a Brute;  
They left their Snarling to their Master's Face;  
They Ran, and Lazarus gently did embrace.  
He was the pitied Patient of those Hounds,  
Whose lambent Tongues did cool his burning wounds.   

This done, the squalid Vassals of the Times  
Scorned ragged Virtue, Honoured purple Crimes:  
Things are mis-judged by the purblind Eye,  
Which views their Posture, not their tendency:  
Till Justice ' wakes to right its injured Laws,  
Which doth not weigh the Person, but the Cause.   

Nor Rags, nor Sores, are Clouds that can disguise  
A splendid Soul to Heavens Soul-searching Eyes;  
Earth's Laz'rus was Heavens Dives; Earth's disdain  
Was a meet Guest for Heaven to entertain:  
Now comes the Golden Hour that sets him free  
From his Apprenticeship to misery:  
His Corpse (the Graves old Neighbour) long Uddrest,  
At length is slip into its Bed of Rest:  
A Treasure 'tis, tho' Funeral-costs it wants;  
The Richest Mineral is the Dust of Saints;  
He was his own (most serious) Mourner here;  
He Mourned enough; He needs no Hired Tear.   

The time is come, that Lazarus must be clad  
With such fine Linen, Dives never had:  
The time is come, that Lazarus must be Fed  
With Heavens rich Juices, and with Angels Bread.   

There is a Table richly Spread above,  
There is an Everlasting Feast of Love;  
A Feast which Friends and Friendship doth mantain,  
Pale Envy is not there, nor proud disdain;  
They all are One; In One they all agree,  
One is there all, which makes all one to be;  
Here's Height of Mirth, with Depth of Seriousness,  
Plenty without the Hazard of Excess;  
Here are full Joys in Hand, full Joys in View,  
Here Wine and Appetite are ever new:  
Ever begins their Feast and ne'er do end,  
Whom growing Loaves and Living Springs attend;  
Their Harps are well-strung Hearts, well-tuned  
And Sacred Hallelujahs are their Songs; (Tongues)  
Here sit the Saints, Here the Believers Sire,  
Is Nobly Seated in his Rich Attire;  
Hither the King of Heaven new Guests doth call,  
Nor can he come too late that comes at all.   

The mighty One who dwells and rules on High,  
Angels attend with an obedient Eye:  
The Secrets of his Breasts they do not Skill,  
But are the trusty Servants of his Will.  
Thus charged he them, ' Bring Lazarus to the Feast,  
‛ And let him take his Place next Abraham's Breast.  
They heard with reverence, and obeyed their King,  
Joy raised their Hearts, & nimbly shook their Wing.  
They fled from Heaven, yet Heaven was with them still,  
It was their Heaven to do their Masters Will.  
They stopped not at the Stars (that pompous show)  
Who went to view a Brighter Star below:  
The Point designed they well did understand,  
Who had old Voyagers been to Canaan's Land.  
There they had been Lot's Guests (who was their  
There had they been Elisha's flaming Guard. (Ward)  
In that Land chiefly lay their Lords Affairs (Wares)  
They trafficked there for Souls (those precious   

Soon came they where Sick Lazarus had his Lare,  
They stopped and waited for their Passenger.  
No visitant found they with him, but the Lord;  
No Nurse, but Faith; no Cordial, but the Word.  
They heard him praying, ‛ Lord, some Mercy Show,  
‛ For I can find no mercy here below.  
This said, he sighed, and was of Life bereaved;  
He gave his Soul, and they his Soul received,  
With Shouts and Songs triumphant up they went,  
And to the Company did him present;  
They shouted all, and joyed the New come Guest,  
How gently stoops and leans on Abraham's Breasts   

Whom Dives Cursed and stately Fools disdained,  
How is he Blest! how is he Entertained!  
Tho' Virtue here on Earth neglected lies,  
Yet Heaven will raise it, for 'tis born to rise.  
Dives, that silken God, must never die  
Unless his Creatures and false Prophets lie.  
He's safe, if Death be cast as far behind  
His Body, as it is below his Mind.  
He's always young; He learns it from his Glass,  
Which smooths his furrowed Brow and paints his face.  
But a Cold striking hand consutes the Lie.  
Down falls his Flattering Glass, his Fancies die;  
His Garden-walks must him no longer know,  
The Life-tree in his Garden doth not grow:  
His Palace must be changed for a dark Tomb,  
That was his Inn, but this must be his Home;  
He must no longer at his Table stay,  
The Voider (Death) is come to take away:  
Death, that abhorred (both Name and,) thing comes on▪  
And potently torments this Potent One;  
It makes Amazing Breaches, and in short,  
Hath seized the Outworks, and attacks the Fort:  
In what a wretched Posture doth he lie!  
He cannot live, and yet he dares not die.  
His Debt must be distrained; for he'll not pay,  
Nor yield his Ghost; it must be fetched away;  
He sprunts, he struggles, but Death keeps him under,  
And with one stroke tears Flesh and Soul asunder;  
Then rang the House with his five brethren's Cries,  
Alas! our Brother; so they closed his Eyes.  
His outward parts are washed, his inner Rooms  
Stuffed with Arabian Sweets and rich Perfumes.  
Now Death his Purple is, now he's allowed  
Fine Linen too, but 'tis a Funeral shroud;  
Grave-faced Spectators with their Garments torn,  
And Shrouded Lips attend, the Room doth mourn.  
Ah what a poor Revenge is this on Fate!  
For him that cannot live, to Lie in State.  
Amidst the Gazing Crowd the Bearers come,  
With Pomp they bring him to his painted Tomb.  
Minstrels and Trumpeters their Noises join,  
And Women sell false Tears for Currant Coyn.  
Now lest his Friends should in salt streams be drowned  
The Cup of Consolation goes its Round.  
But stay, my Soul; 'tis Death that thou must view,  
Not shadows which dead Bodies do Ensue.   

What a dark Notion and Abstrusity,  
Is this to living Men, that they must die!  
Grim Death on his pale Horse Triumphant Rides,  
He strikes us through our nearest Kinsman's Sides:  
Yet are we senseless, as the stupid Mule,  
Live as Exceptions from the Common Rule;  
We cast a Cloth o'er Death; 'tis soon forgot,  
We charm the Serpent, and it stings us not.   

Now might one let this pleasant Error pass,  
If Death was all, but Death his Second has,  
When once the Dissolution Hour is come,  
Out goes the Soul to hear her Final Doom.   

You who have slightly heard the Funeral Knell,  
Now hear the Voice which dooms the Ghost to Hell,  
For those whose hearts an Earthquake will not shake,  
Through heavens Loud-roaring Cannons may awake.   

Dives black Ghost (all Horror and Despair)  
Is from its Prison snatched to th' dismal Bar;  
Behind him the impatient Devils roar.  
His Sins (those worst of Devils) stand before;  
With Terrors thus besieged in every place,  
He hears a Voice, but might not see the Face.  
The Voice was roaring Thunder in his Ears,  
The words were tearing Bolts and flaming Spears;  
" Go thou accursed, vile Caitif, hence away  
" To damned Ghosts, Come Devils, take your prey.  
Struck with this Thunder, down he sunk, he fell,  
And was a Triumph to the Fiends of Hell.  
Th' ingenious Tyrants did a Council pack,  
Their Malice set their Wits upon the Wrack:  
When they had jointly studied to Torment,  
For their pale Prisoner then in haste they sent;  
They chained and staked him to a furious Flame,  
Where constant streams of Brimstone feed the ●ame,  
Behold Sins Martyr, and Hell's Sacrifice!  
He yells and howls, and vents unpityed Cries.  
He finds no Friendly Ear, or tender Eye,  
He feells a thousand deaths, but cannot die:  
Like burning Brass he's Fired in every part,  
A Vulture lives upon his living Heart.  
God's gone, he's gone, and what an Hell is this,  
To be deprived of everlasting Bliss!  
O this Eternal Banishment is worse  
Than all the Remnant of the Doomsday Curse.  
This Hell of Hell may thus be understood,  
No torments are so bad as God is good.  
Besides, an Appetite in Man doth lie,  
Which nothing but a God can satisfy;  
And tho' this Appetite be here deluded  
By various Objects, in God's room obtruded.  
Yet when at death all these are laid aside,  
Then thirsts the Soul for God, but is denied;  
This Thirst unquenched is such an inward Flame,  
An Hell in Hell is its deserved Name;  
In Hell there cannot be an Atheist,  
'Tis Hell in Hell that God is dearly missed.   

Poor Dives cries, The God for whom I starve,  
" I cannot see, because I would not serve,  
" I Bleed to think, (and thinking is my Fate)  
" He often knocked at my Bolted Gate.  
" Where are those Baits on which my Lusts did prey,  
" The Price of which I cast myself away?  
" Where's now my Pomp and Pride, my Feasts & Sports,  
" Whose Chains detained me from the Sacred Courts?  
" O did my House so near the Temple stand,  
" O did I perish out of Judah's Land!  
" Might I be tried once more! But 'tis too late,  
" Justice hath locked the Golden Mercy-Gate:  
" Now I believe, and tremble: I repent,  
" But my Repentance is my Punishment:  
" It is not Virtue, but Necessity;  
" Alas, how miserable wise am I?  
" Might I return now to that happy Night,  
" Which veiled me ere my Parents saw the Light,  
" Ah me! must I lie here! and ne'er come out,  
He raves and flings his curses round about.  
He cursed both Heaven & Hell, he cursed the Earth,  
He cursed the Day that witnessed to his Birth:  
But neither can his tears his Griefs assuage,  
Nor does it cool his Heart to vent his Rage.  
This Keen Reflection makes the Furnace Glow.  
" It must be ever with me as 'tis now.  
" Hell's Flames no Ashes will produce: But I  
" Must ever Dying Live, and Living Die.  
" Souls for themselves the Balm of Patience bear,  
" 'Tis the Poors Physic, but it grows not here;  
" My Soul is filled with Homebred tears and taunts,  
" 'Tis its own Fury, and itself it haunts:  
" Pity was wont in Misery's House to dwell,  
" But I am haled by the Hounds of hell.  
" Time used to be a Surgeon good at wounds,  
" But I am got beyond its happy Bounds.  
" A Vessel charged with scalding wrath am I  
" Hooped in the Circle of Eternity.   

You who affect the pleasant Path to Hell,  
And love Damnation in its Causes well,  
Look straight before you on your Journeys End,  
Do ye not see th'infernal smoke ascend?  
Have not some sparks into your Bosoms Flown,  
Wh'reby the Neighbouring Coasts may well be known.  
Bold sinner, stop, no further progress make,  
Lest your next step be in the Fiery Lake;  
But, Oh! He ridicules his souls affairs,  
And labours to be damned at unawares.  
His Humour will not bear a Countermand,  
Alas for them who hate to understand!  
Who on their souls Experiments will try,  
At the Charge of a sad Eternity.  
Alas for them who never will awake,  
Till they are plunged into the burning Lake!   

Dives was hear struck blind with flattering Lies,  
Now the Hell brand lifts up his flaming Eyes;  
He spies the Region where the happy dwell,  
But Heaven at distance is another Hell:  
He spies a Canaan's Feast, for chiefly there,  
The Natives of his Country do appear;  
He spies Blest Abraham with his faithful Race,  
And Lazarus sitting next to Abraham's place.  
Oh! how it twinges and torments his Eyes?  
His scorn to Envy turns, and thus he cries,  
" This Scoundrel who lay Starving at my Gate,  
" Is now a Peer in Heaven, an Angel's Mate;  
" The Beggar sits and feeds on Angels Fare,  
" His Rags are Robes, such as Heaven's Nobles wear:  
" The Dog, whom in derision once I had,  
" Is turned into a Star, which makes me Mad.   

Now Dives is the Beggar, and applieth  
Himself to Abraham with his Mournful Cries.    

Dives his Petition.  

AH Father Abraham, Pity me,  
Who with tormenting Flames am Stung,  
For pity whither should I Flee  
But to the Bowels whence I Sprung?   

The Grapes Rich Blood I do not Crave,  
waters Cheap Element will Suffice;  
And tho' my Tongue thirsts for a wave,  
For one poor drop it only Cries.   

By Lazarus ●●oist'ned Finger may you please  
To give my scorched tongue one Moment's Ease.  
I dwell in Flames, and Flames in Me do dwell,  
O for a Drop from Heaven to sweeten Hell.   

Mark how the Wheel is turned, the time is come,  
He begs a Drop who once denied a Crumb.  
Right-thinking Judges than must needs approve.  
The tart and equal Answer from above.    

Abraham's Answer.  

ARt thou forlorn of God, and comest to me?  
What can I tell thee then but Misery?  
Remember, Son, the Heaven thy Feet have trod,  
Earth was thy Heaven, and Pleasure was thy God.  
Remember Lazarus had his Hell below,  
Thou wert the Devil which did cause his woe;  
Now are his rags heavens robes with glorious Beams,  
Thy Purple, Flames, thy Juncats, Sulphurous Streams.   

Is he thy Wish who was thy Scorn before?  
Shall Lazarus now be welcome to thy door?  
And dost imagine some fair Bridge to lie,  
Betwixt the White and Black-Eternity?  
No there's a mighty Gulf which rends in twain,  
The Fiery Region and the Aetherial Plain.  
We are too happy to be dispossessed,  
And you so cursed you can never be blest;  
We are so raised, that we can never fall,  
And you so sunk, you cannot rise at all.  
Once Angels went from Heaven to Hell; but first  
They blackened were to Devils, and accursed;  
Since those Stars fell none of the heavenly hosts,  
Or did or shall visit th' infernal Coasts.   

To yond 'tis bitter, but to us 'tis sweet,  
That we are parted and must never meet;  
Heaven were not Heaven, if it near Hell was placed,  
Nor Hell were Hell, if it of Heaven might taste.  
Can our pure Light with Smoak & Darkness dwell?  
The Poles shall sooner meet than Heaven and Hell.   

Though Speech avails not, wracking misery  
Extorts from him another fruitless Cry.    

Dives his Second Petition.  

IF such an Envious Gulf there be,  
Yet, Father, lend an Ear to me:  
From Earth to Heaven a way is Paved;  
How else came Lazarus to be Saved?  
Let me so small a Boon entreat,  
That Lazarus may his Steps Repeat,  
And that he may embodied go,  
And tell the Stories of my Woe.  
To my Five Brethrens, who all dwell within  
My Father's House (Oh had he never been!)  
Brethren in Bonds of Nature and of Sin.  
O let him tell them that there is a God,  
Whose Sceptre is a Sin-revenging Rod;  
And let him tell them that adventurous Drills,  
Shall find unto their Costs that they have Souls.  
Mine stuckt'th ' Scabbard, till its angry Lord  
Unsheathed it, and it proved a flaming Sword:  
That Limbeck, Death, draws Spirits from our Clay,  
To th' Element of Souls they hast away;  
And let him tell them, that the Sadducee  
Shall be Hell's Convert, and Recant with me.  
Whilst they lie Sleeping on the Brink of Hell,  
The Smoke they fee not, nor the Brimstone smell:  
There they'll disport themselves with Golden Dreams,  
Till they betray 'em to these burning streams:  
But let him scare them with an hollow sound,  
That they (like Lot) may flee their cursed Ground:  
O send him quickly lest they tumble in,  
And prove the flaming Records of my sin:  
Can I no water get at my desire;  
Yet, O, no more, no more, new Fleaks of Fire.   

This Abraham heard with unrelenting Ears,  
No pity due to Hellhounds Cries and Tears.    

Abraham's Answer.  
ONnce Heaven bowed down & touch'dth ' Arabian Hill,  
And gave a Sampler of the sacred Will  
To Moses Hands, that chosen Man of God,  
Copies were taken and dispersed abroad.  
(So his kind Arms abroad the River flings,  
So the free Sun extends his fruitful Wings;  
As this most Sacred Light itself displays,  
And Guilds the Tents of Jacob with its rays.)  
For Saints to come from God there is no cause,  
Himself came down and did promulge his Laws:  
Needs Lazarus take a Journey from the Sky,  
When wisdom at your brethren's Gates doth cry,  
Let them hear Moses read by their Divines,  
●'th ' Synagogue to which their house adjoins;  
And let them hear the reverend Prophets next,  
Those wondrous Commentators on the Text.   

Dives his Reply.  
MOses ('tis true) was an Vnerring Guide,  
So were those sixteen Prophets on his side:  
This I as much believe, as if I saw  
The flaming Mount, and heard the Fiery Law,  
When every word was accented with Thunder,  
Which Rend those Oaks, the Jewish hearts asunder.  
'Tis here as necessary to believe,  
As it is Natural to feel and grieve:  
I that am now a proof of sacred Writ,  
Do argue backwards with my Afterwit:  
Hell in the threatenings tho' I did not see,  
The threatenings are in Hell made plain to me.  
I skowled upon the Heavens when they did Lower,  
The Clouds I feared not, but I feel the Shower.  
Nothing will move my Brethren but a Sign,  
Experience is the powerfulest Divine:  
Faith is the Child of sense, whereas Report  
Is entertained with Blasphemy or Sport.  
They have a Sword to cut the Gordian Knot,  
Moses saith many things, but proves them not.  
And tho' they hear substantial Proofs there be,  
Nothing is Proof to them but what they see.  
Had they an Emissary from above,  
The very Sight a future state would prove:  
Might he but tell them of your Heavenly Strand,  
They'd all turn Pilgrims for that Holy Land;  
Or might he preach the torments which I feel,  
His words would 〈◊〉 like burning Gads of steel;  
His words would tear down all, like thundering Guns,  
Beyond the faint Attempts of Levi's Sons.  
O were I of this cursed Chain Released!  
(With that he gnashed his teeth and knocked his breast:)  
Might I be to the Earth a Preacher sent,  
I'd burn up sin like Stubble where I went;  
I'd smoak away their Lusts and flattering Lies,  
Or forth I'd drive them with my Glaring Eyes:  
I'd blow a Trumpet which should Rend the Ground,  
Their trembling Heartstrings should in Consort sound:  
I'd teach the faithless Sadduces their Creed,  
And make the Pharisees to pray indeed:  
I'd tell the Ranters such a doleful Tale,  
That they should mourn as in Megiddons Vale:  
I'd unbewitch the sots and slaves of sin,  
That such a Reformation should begin;  
As in Josiah's time did not befall,  
And the next Age should Canonize 'em all.   

Abraham's rejoinder.  

A Preaching Apparition would confound  
Heaven daring Giants with its dreadful found,  
(None quake so soon as they who Heaven do dare,  
Who fear not God, the greatest Cowards are:  
But were the coast once clear, the shake once o'er,  
The Lees would settle as they did before.  
" It was a waking Dream they would conclude,  
" A Juggle which our Senses did delude:  
" Or did we something see? And something hear?  
" Yet whence it came, it doth not yet appear.  
Nay, they would gravely reason out the Case,  
" What we can grasp, we gladly will embrace:  
" The rest we leave; to them let Children hark.  
" And fright themselves with Fancies in the dark.  
" What is a Spirit? What's Infinity?  
" What does the word [Eternal] signify?  
Charmed are their Souls with this Oration made,  
And now their fear shall vanish like the shade:  
Thus Fools (tho' pounded) will not lose a Grain,  
And Frozen snakes, when thawed, will hiss again.   

Come now thou that Pretendest to act the Man,  
Something there needs must be, which ne'er began;  
If all were nothing once, so 'twould be now,  
A Number from bare Ciphers could not grow:  
Nothing's a Barren Womb; if that could breed,  
To be and not to be were well agreed:  
One Point is gained, that something ever was;  
This hard word, Ever, you must let it pass:  
knowst thou how far this Ever doth extend?  
You must grant what you cannot Comprehend.  
But what was Ever? This Imperial Robe,  
Suits not the Azure nor the Verdant Globe:  
One is a turning Wheel, that Spins out time,  
The other Pools with spots of hardened slime.  
Now mark the kinds of each, and you shall find,  
Unto their proper Spheres they are Confined:  
Hereby is their Original Confessed,  
there's but a partial Goodness in the best:  
This is the Voice of their Infirmity,  
" Mere Beggars and Derivatives are we:  
What's of itself, that doth its self suffice,  
'Tis from our Creatureship our wants arise:  
What's of itself, than in itself is Blest,  
'Tis its own Centre and at perfect rest;  
Rich is that Being whence all Being's are,  
And whence each Being has its proper share.  
Nor is't a wonder of so high degree,  
To make to be, as of itself to be;  
Something than ever was, which needs must be,  
From all the shades of Imperfections free.  
Hence are we; and to think, in vain we are,  
Is to condemn his Wisdom at our Bar.  
As Men the Badge of their dependence wear  
On their frail Flesh (the Graves probationer)  
And on their hearts, whose restless Motions show  
Something they want, which is not here below;  
So must they own whom they are forced to know,  
And pay themselves to whom themselves they Owe:  
Neither would this their Light of comfort Dim,  
But they should serve themselves in serving him.  
When Graves upbraid proud Grave-stones with their Lies,  
God's Servant is a Title nevers dies.   

The thoughts in Man do prove his Soul to be;  
His Conscience bodes his immortality:  
This Bosom Magistrate his Facts espies  
And binds him over to the last Assize:  
He trembles at his Summons to appear;  
His fear makes not a God, God makes his Fear,  
Religion by Corroding doth assay  
Even through an Heart of Rock to force its way.  
O might he to himself be so sincere,  
To strive to please whom he's constrained to fear.   

Yet will he be a Vagrant all his days,  
Without a Method to direct his ways.  
What Eye e'er pierced th' Almighty's Sacred Breast?  
Himself knows only what will please him best.   

Since Man was made to serve his Maker's will,  
Which is an height transcending humane skill,  
A Rule must needs be granted from on High  
For him to regulate his Actions by:  
This Heaven-sprung Rule that Sacred Roll contains,  
Which in the Consecrated Land remains.  
Its words and mysteries are all Divine,  
And weighty Mountains Hang on every Line;  
It (Sun like) Shines by its own Golden Beams,  
And scorns its base Corrivals senseless Dreams:  
Those Spangles which the Heathen Sages Left  
Were from this Mine snatched by an Honest Theft.  
Give me that hardy Brow, that dares deny  
The Bible well attested History:  
Moses said many things, and proved them too  
With proofs which all Hell's Magic did outdo;  
God's power he carried in his Hands, to show,  
That from his Mouth the Truths of God did flow:  
And his Credentials on his Face did shine,  
Which there were written by a Beam Divine.  
The gazing Jews were struck, who plainly saw  
That whence he had his Light, he had his Law.   

Those Sections which the Sacred Code begin▪  
Were by an Age of wonders Ushered in.  
The Prophet's superstructure firmly stands  
On two hewn Stones laid by th' Almighty's Hands:  
They count the footsteps of their coming Lord,  
They view the Mercy-seat with one accord.  
One tells his Name, another tells his place;  
Another writes the Beauties of his Face.  
Thus is he Glanced at by their piercing Eyes;  
The last of them his Harbinger espies:  
And O the Brisk, the Charming Airs that Spring  
From the consent of each Harmonious string!  
He's overwise who dreads Fictitious ●ines  
From Hands unbribed, and Hearts without designs.  
They wrote beyond themselves, which serves to prove,  
Their hearts & hands were guided from above  
The World's just Age, and what was done of old  
Are in this Sacred Register enrolled.  
Here may be seen the pristin state of Man,  
And, that Nile's Head, the Source where ills began.  
Here may be seen what makes a second Spring;  
Here is the ●est account of every thing.   

The Wonders witnessed now by mortal Eyes,  
Are but the products of its Prophecies.  
The Scriptures rule the World: Till this shall burn,  
All Ages on that Axletree shall turn.   

This Heaven-inspired Volume doth avow  
What reason may embrace, or must allow.  
When God describes himself, 'tis such an height,  
As far surmounts quick fancies highest Flight.  
'Tis Reason, Reason should be puzzled here;  
Man should be God if he knew what he were.  
To these vast heights thus sober Reason saith,  
I see the Seals: And yields the Chair to Faith.  
Now the Almighty's Word shall Vermin slight,  
When Heaven and Earth bear witness to its Might.  
Vast Numbers from his Word at first did flow,  
And must his Word pass for a cipher now?  
Nay, his Commands at first Creations were,  
And now his Word Commands; and give an Ear,  
It is a Sun that gives both Light and Eyes,  
A Voice that bids and makes the dead arise:  
It makes Clouds, Stars; And sends them to the Sky;  
And turneth Heaven ●nto a Colony.   

Unbelief is not Reason but a Lust;  
God's Hand and Sword gives it its mortal thrust.  
●he Law of the Two Tables will prevail,  
When other (self-invented) means shall fail.  
Whilst other Archers Levelly in the Dark.  
The Arrows from God's Quiver hit the Mark.  
What Voices or what Visions would you have?  
God's Voice (or nothing) will your Brethren save:  
New Methods of Salvation to contrive  
Is fruitless Labour: Let 'em hear and Live;  
But if they won't, their Mittimus is Sealed;  
A stubborn Patient never can be healed.  
If Preachers raised by God they will disdain;  
Preachers raised from the Grave should preach in vain.   
FINIS.    

Books lately Printed for Tho. Parkhurst, at the Bible and Three Crowns in Cheapside.  
THE Confirming Work of Religion, and its great things made plain by their primary evidences and demonstrations; whereby the meanest in the Church may soon be made able to render a rational account of their Faith.  
A Family-Altar, erected to the honour of the Eternal God: Or, a solemn Essay to promote the Worship of God in Private Houses; being some Meditations on Gen. 35. 2, 3. With the best Entail, or dying Parents Living Hopes for their Surviving Children, grounded upon the Covenant of God's Grace with Believers and their Seed: Being a short Discourse on 2 Sam. 23. 5. by Oliver Heywood, Minister of the Gospel.  
The Gospel-Mystery of Sanctification opened, in sundry practical Directions, suited especially to the Case of those who labour under the guilt and power of Indwelling Sin. To which is added a Sermon of Justification; by Walter Marshal, Minister of the Gospel, etc.  
Death improved, and immoderate sorrow for deceased Friends and Relations reproved. Where in you have many arguments against Immoderate sorrow, and many profitable Lessons which we may learn from such Providences; by Edw. Bury, formerly Minister of great Bolas in Shropshire, Author of the Help to Holy Walking, and the Husbandman's Companion, etc.  
The Poor Man's help, and Young Man's guide; containing, 1. Doctrinal instructions for the right informing of his Judgement. 2. Practical directions for the general course of his Life 3. Particular advices for the well managing of every day, with reference to his Natural Actions, Civil Employments, Necessary Recreations, Religious Duties, particularly Prayer, Public in the Congregation, Private in the Family, Secret in the Closet, Reading the Holy Scriptures, Hearing the Word Preached, and Receiving the Lords Supper; by William Bu●kitt, M. A. of Pembrook-hall in Cambridge, and now Vicar of Dedham in Essex, and Author of the Practical Discourse of Infant Baptism.  
The Rod or the Sword, the present Dilemma of the Nations of England, Scotland and Ireland, considered, argued and improved, on Ezek. 21. 14 by a true friend to the Protestant Interest, and the Present Government.  
A Present for such as have been Sick, and are Recovered; or a Discourse concerning the Good that comes out of the Evil of Affliction; being several Sermons Preached after his being raised from a Bed of Languishing; by Nathaniel Vincent M. A. and Author of the Conversion of the Soul. The true Touchstone of Grace and Nature. Discourse of Conscience. Treatise of Prayer and Love, etc.  
Some passages in the Holy Life and Death of the Late Reverend Mr. Edmund Trench; most of them drawn out of his own Diary; Published by Joseph Boyse Minister in Dublin.  
An account of the blessed Trinity, argued from the Nature and Perfection of the Supreme Spirit co-incident with the Scripture Doctrine, in all the Articles of the Catholic Creeds; together with its Mystical, Federal and Practical Uses in the Christian Religion; by William Borrough Rector of Cheyns in Bucks.  
A Discourse of Justification, being the sum of twenty Sermons by Walter Cross, M. A.  
Forty Nine Sermons on the whole Epistle of the Apostle Paul to the Colossians, by Monsieur Duille, Minister of the Reformed Church in Paris. Folio.  
Sermons and Discourses on several Divine Subjects; by the Late Reverend and Learned David Clarkson, B. D. and sometime Fellow of Clare-Hall, Cambridge. Folio.  
The Support of the Faithful in Times of Persecution; or a Sermon Preached in the Wilderness to the Poor Protestants in France; by M. Brousson, an Eminent Minister, who was broke upon the Wheel at Montpelier, Novem. 6. 1698. Quarto.  
The Fountain of Life opened; or a Display of Christ in his Essential and Mediatoral Glory; containing forty two Sermons on various Texts: Wherein the Impetration of our Redemption by Jesus Christ is orderly unfolded, as it was begun, carried on, and finished by his Covenant Transaction, Mysterious Incarnation, solemn Call and Dedication, blessed Offices, deep Abasement, and Supereminent Advancement.  
A Treatise of the Soul of Man, wherein the Divine Original, excellent and immortal Nature of the Soul are opened; its Love and Inclination to the Body, with the Necessity of its Separation from it, considered and improved. The Existence, Operations and States of separated Souls both in Heaven and Hell immediately after Death, asserted, discussed and variously applied. Divers knotty and difficult Questions about departed Souls both Philosophical and Theological, stated and determined.  
Hymns suited to the Sacrament by Tho. Vincent, etc.  
The Method of Grace in bringing home the Eternal Redemption, contrived by the Father, and accomplished by the Son, through the Effectual Application of the Spirit unto God's Elect, being the second Part of Gospel Redemption.  
The Divine Conduct or Mystery of Providence, its Being and Efficacy asserted and vindicated; all the Methods of Providence in our course of life opened, with directions how to apply and improve them.  
Navigation spiritualised, or a New Compass for Seamen, consisting of thirty two points of pleasant Observations, profitable Applications, serious Reflections, all concluded with so many spiritual Poems, etc.  
A Saint indeed, the great Work of a Christian.  
A Touchstone of sincerity, or signs of Grace, and symptoms of Hypocrisy, being the second part of the Saints indeed.  
A Token for Mourners, or Boundaries for sorrow for the Death of Friends.  
Husbandry spiritualised; or the Heavenly use of Earthly Things; all these ten by Mr. John Flavell.  
A Funeral Sermon on the Death of that Pious Gentlewoman Mrs. Judith Hammond, late Wife of the reverend Mr. George Hammond, Minister of the Gospel in London.  
Of Thoughtfulness for the Morrow; with an Appendix concerning the immoderate desire of foreknowing Things to come.  
Of Charity in reference to other men's sins.  
The Redeemers Tears wept over lost souls, in a treathe on Luke 19 41, 42. With an appendix, wherein some what is occasionally discoursed concerning the sin against the Holy Ghost, and how God is said to Will the salvation of them that perish.  
A sermon directing what we are to do after a strict Enquiry, whether or no we truly love God.  
A funeral sermon for Mrs. Esther Samson, late Wife of Mr. Henry Samson, Doctor of Physic, who died Novem. 24. 1689.  
The Carnality of religious Contention; In two sermons preached at the Merchant's Lecture in Broad● street.  
A calm and sober Enquiry concerning the possibility of a Trinity in the Godhead.  
A Letter to a Friend concerning a Postscript to the Defence of Dr. Sherlock's Notion of the Trinity in Unity, relating to the calm and sober Enquiry upon the same Subject.  
A View of that part of the late Consideration Addressed to H. H. about the Trinity; which concerns the sober Enquiry on that subject.  
FINIS.