Wmm P 4 6.20! FROM THE LIBRARY OF REV. LOUIS FITZGERALD BENSON, D. D. BEQUEATHED BY HIM TO THE LIBRARY OF PRINCETON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY S— *-. A Foim: of PoeMs orsi subjects devoVfaNal \J'/i / /u7t'<- /ytt//irr Arm //r *uvif/ rf Mfi . OF Pfl/Af ; MISCELLANEOUS 4MBIMS9J I N VERSE and PROS^ By THEODOSIA. . ^y/ C&niue Steel} An Me. E>V€el< " One labor more indulge, then deep my ftriin, 'Till haply wak'd by Raphael's golden lyre, To bear a part in everlalling lays ; Tho' far, far higher fet, in aim, I truft, Symphonious to this hufnble prelude here." Yovnc. BRISTOL; Printed by W. Pine. Sold by T. Cadell, T. Mills, andT. Evans; — and by J. Buck land, Pater- noJlcr-Rozo, and J. Johnson, St. PauVs Church Yard) London, 1780. MISCELLANEOUS PIECES, 1 W VERSE and PROSE, VOL. Ill* ADVERTISEMENT. THE mifcellaneous pieces which compofe the volume, which is here prefented to the pub- lic, it will foon be perceived by the intelligent reader, are the produftions of the fame pious and elegant pen, to which the world is indebted for the two former volumes of Poems on Subjects chiefly devotional ; and will be found not inferior in merit to thofe juftly admired compofitions. .Some few of the Hymns have already appeared in a collection adapted to public worGlip, and have been confidered by the beft judges of facred poefy, as no inconfiderable ornament to that publication ; the editors of which are under great obligations to our authorefs for many of thofe truly fublime compofures which adorned her former volumes, and were thence transferred by her permiflion, to their colIeCHon. The other pieces which confti- tute the prefent volume, are fuch as were never before publiflied. They were however all prepar- ed for the prefs, and in the form and order in which they now appear, put into the hands of the A 3 editor ( vi ) editor for publication, by the ingenious authorefs herfelf, fome months before her deceafe, and were intended, as the expreflive motto intimates, to be her laft legacy to her furviving friends, " One labor more indulge, then fleep my ftrain, 'Till haply wak'd by Raphael's golden lyre, To bear a part in everlafting lays ; Tho* far, far higher fet, in aim, I truft, Symphonious to this humble prelude here." Young. It may poflibly be fome gratification to thofe who have hitherto been ignorant of the real name and charafter of the pious Theodofia, whofe writ- ings have fo often cheered their hours of folitude, warmed their hearts with the love of virtue, and the glow of friendship, and animated their devotions in the clofet and congregation ; to be informed that fhe was known to her more intimate friends un* der the name of Mrs. Anne Steele. Her father was a Diflenting Minifler, a man of primitive pie- ty, the firicleft integrity and benevolence, and the nioll amiable fimplicity of manners. He was for many years the affeftionate and faithful paftor of an affe&ionate and harmonious congregation at Broughton in Hampfhire, where he lived all his days greatly beloved, and died univerfally lament- ed, ( vii ) ed. Mrs/Anne Steele his eldeft daughter, difco- vered in eaily life her love of the inufes, and often entertained her friends with the truly poetical and pious productions of her pen : But it was not wirh- out extreme reluftance flie was prevailed on to fuhmit any of them to the public eye. This new edi- tion of her works, accompanied with the volume which is now firft offered to the public, would have appeared long fince, hadthehealth of ourTheodofia admitted of her paying that attention to it which was neceffary. But it was her infelicity, as it has been of many of her kindred fpirits, to have a ca- pacious foaring mind inclofed in a very weak and languid body. Her health was never firm, but the death of her honoured father, to whom (he was united by the ftrongeft ties of affectionate duty and gratitude, gave fuch a fhock to her feeble frame, that (he never entirely recovered it, though fhe fur- vived him fome years. Her flate of mind upon that awful occafion will beft be conceived of, from the following affecling de- scription of it by herfelf, and which, with the per- mifllon of the family, I am at liberty to prefent to the public. " Still bleeds the deep, deep wound ! — Where is the friend To pour with tender, kind indulgent hand, The lenient balm of comfort on my heart ? A 4 Alas (• viii ) Alas, that friend is gone! — Ye angels fay (Who bore him raptur'd to your bleft abodes) Can ought on earth compenfate for my lofs ! Ah, no! the world is poor, and what am 1 ? A helplefs, folitary worm, that creeps Complaining on the earth! Yet ev'n to worms The care of heaven extends, and can I doubt If that indulgent care extends to me ? Father of mercies, trembling at thy feet, Give me to vent the heart oppreffing grief, And afk for comfort! — can I afk in vain Of him whofe name is Love ? — But O the boon My craving wifhes afk is large indeed ! Yet lefs will leave me wretched — Gracious God Give me to fay without a rifing doubt, u Thou art my Father" — thy paternal love Alone can cheer my foul, thy kind compaffion, Can cafe the load of heart oppreffing grief. O may I know my father pities me ! And if he pities fure he will fupport : What cannot love omnipotent effeci !— Ah ! now one tender, one endearing tie That held me down to earth, death has torn off, And with it rent my heart firings — bid me come. To thee my refuge ; proftrate at thy feet, O bid me fay, with faith and humble hope, Heal, gracious father, heal my bleeding heart ! Thy healing hand alone can bring relief For woes like mine; can bring what moftl want, An humble refignation to thy will, H w ( * ) How hard the Ieflbn ! (yet it mufl be learn'd) With full confent to fay " Thy will be done." As the life of Theodofia was for the moll part a life of retirement in the peaceful village where (he began and ended her days, it cannot be expected to furnifh fuch a variety of incidents as arife in the hiftory of thofe who have moved in circles of greater activity. The duties of friendfhip and re- ligion occupied her time, and the pleafurcs of both conftituted her delight. Her heart was, " apt to feel" too often to a degree too painful for her own felicity, but always with the moil; tender and ge- nerous fympathies for her friends. Yet united with this exquifite fenfibility, fhe pofTefTed a na- tive cheerfulnefs of difpofition, which not even the uncommon and agonizing pains fhe endured in the latter part of her life could deprive her of. In every fhort interval of abated fuffering, fhe would in a variety of ways, as well as by her enlivening converfation, give pleafure to all around her. Her life was a life of unaffected humility, warm bene- volence, fincere friendfhip and genuine devotion. A life, which it is not eafy truly to defcribe, or faithfully to imitate. Having been confined to her chamber fome years before her death, fhe had long waited with chriftian dignity for the awful hour of her depar- ture. She often fpoke, not merely with tranquili- ty ( X ) ty but joy, of her deceafe. When the interefling hour came, fhe welcomed its arrival, and though her feeble body -was excruciated with pain, her mind was perfectly ferene. She uttered not a mur- muring word, but was all refignation, peace and holy joy. She took the moll affectionate leave of her weeping friends around her, and at length, the happy moment of her difmiflion arriving, fhe clof- ed her eyes, and with thefe animating words on her dying lips, " I know that my Redeemer liveth," gently fell afleep in Jefus. Her excellent writings, by which though dead, (he ftill fpeaketh, and which are the faithful coun- terpart of her amiable mind, exhibit to us the fairefi piclure of the original. The following lines are infcribed on her tomb. — Silent the lyre, and dumb the tuneful tongue, That fung on earth her great Redeemer's praife ; But now in heaven fhe joins the angelic fong, In more harmonious more exalted lavs. . I (hall only add, that as Theodofia was placed by providence in a flate of independence, and re- ligioufly devoted the profits arifing from the fale of the former edition of her works, to the pur- pofes of benevolence; fo the profits which may arife from this edition are appropriated by her furviving ( # ) Surviving relatives, to the ufe of The Bristol Education Society. An inftitution worthy of fuch patronage, and which thinks itfelf ho- noured in receiving it. Bristol, May 12, CALEB EVANS. 1780. ( fi ) C>&CZ&^&C5 faith to fight, And hope abforb'din full felicity. Ah with what refignation, what compofure, Have ( xv ) Have I beheld her fuffer pains unknown f Anguifh unfpeakable ! — her faith, her patience Still unfubdu'd! unquench'd the vivid flame, Of warm benevolence ! — to others woes, In agony attentive, — anxious flill For others happinefs, — how would (he Ilrive (Her gentle hand all tremulous with pain) To pleafe or to inftruS ! — how have I hung In filent forrow o'er her painful couch, And wept the impotence of mortal friendffrip I While feafon after feafon, years on years, Revolv'J in vain ! — revolv'd but to confute, The flattering dreams of hope, while added fuf- ferings, But bound her cloferto this bleeding bofom. the keen pangs of parting ! — Still 1 feel The gentle preffure of her clay-cold hand ! Still prefent to my heart, I hear her voice! 1 fee that fmile by dawning heaven impreft On her dear countenance! when all ferene, She clos'd her willing eyes — to wake in heaven ! O could I, could I raife my languid thoughts To that bright world of glory ! Could I view her For ever reunited to that friend, §o lov'd, and fo lamented ! (the deep wound, The lenient hand of time could never heal.) '" Now ( xvi ) u Now parting pangs (hall rend their hearts no more/' For ever prefent with a fmiling God ! For ever tuning the feraphic lyre ! There only fweeter than her notes below. Ah whence this paufe ! My bleeding heart in vain Attempts to (bar* but finks to earth and forrow. Dwells on the pail* and fharpens every thought With fruitlefs felf-upbraidings. — O the chaos Of wild diftraSed thought ! forgive me heaven i Teach me, like hcr^ to fay, " Thy will be done !" " If happy minds Tegard the fcenes below," (Soothing idea!— By thyfelf infpir'd) Dear fpotlefs faint, O look with pity down On her whom thy maternal care fuftain'd, And thy affe&ion blefs'd ! and though unfeen, Be thou my guardian-angel as while here! And when I feel a wifh for virtue life, Til tell my heart my Theodofia prompts it. O may thy precepts, thy example guide My fleps through life's dark maze ! teach me, like thee, With duteous love to chear a father's life! (A father, late thy all as well as mine ;) That one dear hope alone could prompt a with To linger in that world which thou hail left. That one dear hope fulfill'd, O may my duft Repofa ( xvii ) Repofe with thine, and (mercy hear the prayer!) My deathlefs fpirit freed, for ever freed From all its fins and frailties, once again Behold, (ah not as when on earth opprefsM With pungent pain) behold my Theodofia ! My Theodofia ! let me, let me flill Repeat the much-lov'd name ! Still mud her image Dwell in my heart while gratitude exifts, Cherifh'd with life, and but with life expire. XIX CONTENTS. MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. Page ODE to fpring, written in March — 1 The Sickly Mind — 8 To a Flower — — 10 The Salutary Difappointment — 11 The Butterfiy — — 12 Ode to Melancholy — — 13 Ode to Hope — — 16 To Amira on the death of her fon — 18 Defiringto love Chrift and obey him — 19 On hearing the Funeral Bell — 21 True happinefs — — 25 Waiting for Morning — 26 To Amira on her Mother's illnefs — 28 The Happy Man — . — 30 To Philander — - — 32 Support xx CONTENTS. Page Support in Trouble — « — 34 The reftlefs Mind — — 35 On receiving a Mourning Ring for a young Relative — — 37 To Amira on the fudden death of her Mother 39 Ode on a rural profpecl in June — 42 The complaint of the Mind — 48 To Silvia — —50 To Silvia penfive — — 52 Written in a painful Illnefs — — 54 Defiring a thankful Devotion to God — 56 The happinefs of the Children of God — 58 A reflection on hearing the Bell at the inter- ment of a neighbour — 6t Defiring the gracious prefence of God. • 63 The prefence of God, the only comfort in af- fliclion — — 65 Faith and Hope in divine goodnefs, encourag- ed by paft experience — - 6j A thought of life and death — 68 Defiring a firmer affiance in God under af- flictions — — 70 Trufling in his mercy with humble fubmiffion and hope — — 72 Intreating the prefence of God in aflli&ion 73 Acknowledging his goodnefs in fupporting and reftoring — — 75 Defirinq; CONTENTS. xxi Page Defiring to praife God for the experience of his goodnefs — 77 Penitence and Hope — — 79 Devoting the heart to Jefus — — 81 The love of Chriit exciting thankful devotion 82 On recovery from licknefs — — 84 Occafioned by hearing a friend commend my verfes — — 86 To Silvia — — 87 Wilhing for real pleafure — — 89 To Amira — — 91 A refleftionon the clofe of the year, occafion- ed by hearing the bells at midnight 94 Defiring a cheerful refignation to the divine will — — 96 To Silvia — — 97 To Emilia — - — « 99 To Silvia — — — 102 Retirement — — 103 On the fudden death of a libertine — 104 To my Watch — — 106 The third chapter of Daniel paraphrafed 107 Meffiah, an Ode — — 112 The Blind Man's Petition — — 118 Reft and comfort in Chrift alone — 119 On the Fifth of November — 121 On a day of prayer for fuccefs in war *— 123 Hymn xxii CONTENTS. Page Hymn for a day of public thankfgiving for peace — — 125 To ', on the death of her father 127 To Myra — — 128 To an Infant three weeks old — 129 Breathing after God — - — • 130 Filial Submiffion — — ■ 132 Humble Truft —- — 133 Hymn to Jefus •— — - 134 The King of Saints — ■ — 136 Hymn for the Lord's Day Morning — 138 Happy Poverty, or the Poor in Spirit bleffed 139 The neceffity of renewing grace — 141 The Pearl of great price — — 142 Mifcellaneous Pieces in Prpfe. The Journey of Life — — 147 All thy works praife thee — — 156 Human Frailty — — 157 Of the knowledge of ourfelves — 160 Humility — 1 — 163 Acquaintance with God the fupreme good 165 Content •— — - — 168 True Honour — — 170 Friendfhip — — — 174 An Evening Refle&ion — < —180 Abfence CONTENTS xxiii Page Abrence from God — « — 183 The evil of fin — — 185 Breathing after God ~ — 188 Seeking Reft — — 19 1 God's Omniprefence — — - 194 Self-contradiftion — — 199 Comfort under the painful fenfe of frailty, in the unchangeable goodnefsof God 202 Longing for the manifeftation of divine love 205 Weary fouls invited to reft — — 208 Motives to divine Meditation — 213 Thoughts in ficknefs, and on recovery 2ijt <|^ ^ ^ ^ ^> ^ $> ^ ^ ^ ^ J> OCCASIONAL POEMS, Ode to Spring, written in March. I. QUEEN of feafons, lovely fpring, What diftant happy clime detains The lingering wheels of thy refulgent car ? What unknown charm detains thee far From thefe expefling, mourning plains ? What foft inchantment binds thy zephyr's wing ? Silent on the leaflefs tree Hangs the rural mufes lyre ; Vol. Ill, B Still C * ] Still fhe waits in vain for thee, Waits till thou the fong infpire. The field, the grove, the garden mourn thy flay : O lovely queen of feafons, come away ! II. Gentle zephyrs wake and rife Spread your filken wings, and bear On her bright enamel'd car, The beauteous nymph to our defiring eyes ! Come beauteous nymph in all thy charms array 'd, And blefs the field, and blefs the rural fhade ! Stern winter with his dreary train At thv approach fhall leave the plain ; And nature o'er the ruffet mead Again her verdant mantle fpread ; Thy prefence fhall the grove infpire, And bid the various, artlefs choir, Sweet warbling pour the gratulating ftrain. III. Queen of feafons come away I Time invites, and nature fues ; Fancy fpreads her wing to meet thee, Fancy, handmaid of the mufe; Rural mufe that waits to greet thee : While C 3 3 While reclin'd in penfivc guife, Silent (lie deplores thy flay, Oft (he lifts her longing eyes, And now fhe ruminates the long-neglected lay. Fancy never waiting long, Ever active, ever young, Now with wild ungovern'd fire Snatches quick the mufes lyre, And come ye powers of harmony {he cries; Come bring the fong to hail your queen; Bid every tuneful accent rife; I fee afar her radiant car ; She comes ! fhe comes to blefs the rural fcene I V. O'er yon wide extended lawn, See ! by gentle zephyrs drawn, With eafy grace her glittering chariot glides : A thoufandgems refplendent from its fides, Reflect the luftre of the folar ray : Fair treafure of the vernal morn, Which bounteous nature bids adorn With pureft elegance the rifing day. B 2 Arid L 4 3 VI. And now behold the beauteous queen ! Dreft in a robe of lively green That cheers the gazing eye: Green is the ground, but o'er it fpread, Wrought with inimitable fkill, Beyond description's boldeft quill, By nature's animating hand, A various rich embroidery glows ; And though the work no real error knows, All with the niceft care exaflly plann'd; The tints in feeming, fweet confufion lie; Here mines the purple, there the red, Here yellow, fnowy white, and azure's lovely die* VII. While irregularly gay, Fancy thus attun'd the lay, The raufe arofe (with brow feverej In all her dignity, and faid, Fancy, {top thy wild career, Behold, impetuous, heedlefs maid : With erring hand would'ft thou prefume * The laws of nature to controul ? Dofl thou accufe the lingering fpring, Who canil not caufe one flower to bloom, Or paint one fummer infc£l's wing ? The C 5 3 The circling fcafons all fulfill With fteady courfe, his fovereign will, Whofe awful mandate bade them roll, Whofe orders nature hears from pole to pole, VIII. At his command, returning fpring Shall pour her biefTings o'er the plain: Till then thy airy flights refhain, Nor touch my darling lyre again Till nature bids thee fing. Then fhall the fields their charms refume, The flowery tribes renew their bloom; Soft warbling from the fragrant fpray, To hail the lovely vernal day, Sweet mufic rife from birds of various wing* Their tribute to the hand divine, The rural fcenes fhall gladly raife; And nature's every voice (hall join The hymn of undiffembled praife. Then fhall my long-negle&ed lyre, (If nature's Lord the fong infpire,) Awake to rapture every tuneful firing. B q Written C 6 ] Written in May, After a feafonable Shower of Rain. HOW chang'd the face of nature Chows, How gay the rural fcene ! A fairer bloom the flowers difclofe, The meads a livelier green. While beauty clothes the fertile vale, And blofToms on the fpray, And fragrance breathes in every gale, How fweet the vernal day! And hark! the feather'd warblers fing! Tis nature's cheerful voice ; Soft mufic hails the lovely fpring, And woods and fields rejoice. How kind the influence of the fkies! Thefe fhowers, with bleflings fraught, Bid verdure, beauty, fragrance rife, And fix the roving thought. O let my wondering heart confefs, With gratitude and love, The bounteous hand that deigns to blefs The garden, field, and grove. That C 7 3 That bounteous hand my thoughts adore, Beyond expreflion kind, Hath fweeter, nobler gifts in flore, To blefs the craving mind. That hand, in this hard heart of mine Can make each virtue live, And kindly fhowers of grace divine Life, beauty, fragrance give. O God of nature, God of grace, Thy heavenly gifts impart ! And bid fweet meditation trace Spring blooming in my heart ! Infpir'd to praife I then fhall join Glad nature's cheerful fong : And love and gratitude divine Attune my joyful tongue. B 4 The [ 8 ] The Sickly Mind. WHERE are the happy moments fled ? Where are the joys that once were mine ? When meditation kindly fpread The fweet repaft, And bade me tafte Of mental food, varieties divine ? Refle&ion thus enquiring fighs, But hope with cheerful air replies, Again thofe happy moments may be thine : Meditation ever kind, Still invites the longing mind ; And fee ! Ihe fpreads her banquet full in view,, Such food the fons of luxury never knew. Alas! in vain, my heart replies, In vain her rich varieties 1 A languid, a diftemper'd tafte invite ! Gentle hope, thy friendly power Sooths in vain the mournful hour* Till C 9 3 Till thy fair filler come and blefs my fights She can point a fovereign cure For cliforders of the mind, Health, vigor, and delight (he can enfure From that bleft hand which heal'd the lame and blind. Come radiant faith, and guide my way! Hope, on thy kind arm I ftay, Lead, O lead me to my Lord! If he pronounce the healing word, This mental languor (hall depart. And health and vigor animate my heart, Alas ! my guide — how dim her eye ! How feeble my fupporter's arm ! But he can purge the mift away, And clear the intellectual ray ; His vital word this fainting heart can warm, And bid my hope be ftrong, and teach my faith to fly, Great Phyfician, gracious Lord, Speak the life-reftoring word, My drooping powers renew! Meditation then fhall fpread, Not in vain, the various feaft, All her fweets the mind fhall tafte, While C 10 ] While ftil! new dainties rife to view ; (With dainties fuch as her's are angels fed) Nor can the facred banquet ever cloy, Unlike to fenfual food, akin to heavenly joy. To a Flower. EMBLEM of Aminta's form, Bloflbm elegant and fair, Young Aminta has a charm Flowers like thee can never wear. In her mind good nature blooms,.. Fairer than thy fpotlefs white ; Flower diffufing fweet perfumes While it glads the gazers fight. Though the Lilly and the Rofe Mix their beauties in her face, This with fweeter luftre glows, Luftre heightening every grace. Nor be this alone her praife, While the mufe's friendly eye Many a fragrant bud furveys, Bud where latent beauties lie. O may C » ] O may every mental grace Ripening fair its bloom difplay, More than emulate her face, Bloom which never can decay. The Salutary Disappointment. T X 7ITH anxious thought an author pi!M * * His labour'd volumes high and fair, And now he figh'd, and now he fmil'd, As rul'd alternate, hope and care. At length confirm'd, ereft he rofe, Forlo! infpiring pride appears, With all her fire his bofom glows, While the bold wifli he thus declares. This monument fhall bear my name In fpite of time's deflroying hand, Thy votary hear, aufpicious fame, To future ages let it (land ! Old time was polling by in hafle, Not complaifant enough to ftay, His wingjufl touch'd it as he paft, In duft the boafted trophy lay. The [ 12 3 The author fainted at the fight, But virtue came forgiving, kind, When pride retreats 'tis her delight To animate the drooping mind. No more, miftaken youth (fhe cries) No more invoke deluding fame, But let thy nobler wifhes rife, Heaven only gives a deathlefs name. ^CI5#C^^CI5#C^#C^4*CZ^# The Butterfly. PRETTY vagrant of the air, Emblem of the thoughtlefs fair: Near akin their life and thine, Both a fleeting fummer fhine. Short delight your charms impart, Charms to catch the human heart : Hearts that can be caught with fhow, The virtuofo or the beau. Thoughtlefs nymphs are butterflies, Different fpecies, larger fize ; Strangers both to needful care, Fluttering, roving here and there; Bafking C >3 ] Bafking in the vernal ray, Trifling out the fummer's clay : Summer's day, from youth to age, Trifles all their cares engage : But when wintry ftorms arife, Beauty fades, and pleafure dies. Me let nobler cares employ, Cares which terminate in joy. Ere the fummer funbeams flee. Let me, like the frugal bee, Well improve the fmiling hour, Gathering fweets from every flower. O may virtue's charms be mine, Charms that fiill increaling fhine ! Thefe will cheer the wintry gloom, Thefe will laft beyond the tomb. Ode to Melancholy. D AUGHTER of grave reflection, gentle power, Whofe dictates oft improve the lonely hour, Kind melancholy come! I feek thy friendly aid ; Beneath thy hallow'd {hade (Still [ 14 3 (Still, unmolefted gloom,) Gay mirth's amufing trifles difappear. Nor art thou far away, Witnefs the darting tear That trembles in my eye ; Kind melancholy fay, Does not the involuntary figh Proclaim thy falutary influence near ? Friend to virtue, foe to pride, Come, and place thee near my fide, And teach my heart how vain are all the toys Which wear the fmiling form of earthly joys ! Yonder fee, the phantoms rifing, In alluring colours dreft! See them fleeting from the view! See deluded crowds purfue l t Danger braving, toil defpifing, Till, at length they catch — the air! The tempting forms that fmil'd fo fair Elude their grafp, and leave the heart unbleft. Gentle melancholy, fay, Didft thou never foftly ileal Into th' affemblies of the gay, And the truth, in whifpers tell ? When mirth and thoughilefs pleafure fmiling f Mufic's charms the heart beguiling, Unheeded bore the midnight hour away. Dida [ *5 ] Didft thou not whifper, " you mull die?"' Did not the bofom heave a figh, And for one ferious minute banifh mirth ? That minute, were enough to (how That pleafure terminates in woe, That vain are all the boafted joys of earth ! But mirth intrudes with fatal art To feize the half-relenting heart, And ftifle young conviction in its birth. Melancholy, friendly power, Oft beneath thy awful gloom, (Heart-arTecling thoughts infpiring) From the bufy world retiring, Let me fpend the folemn hour! Let me meditate the tomb ! Meditate, but not alone, Left my heart (hould fink difmay'd; Let religion ever near, (Sacred guardian) banifh fear, Let my heart, her prefence own, While through the over-fpreading fliads (Excluding every glimpfe of day) Her fmiles diffufe a cheering ray, And gild the dark, cold manfions of the dead. Ode C 16 3 Ode to Hope. FRIEND of the fainting mind, whofe kindly ray, Soft rifing o'er afflictions dreary fhade, Foretells the fweet approach of day, And cheers the weary darkfome way, And bids dejection raife her languid head, Celeflial hope, en thy propitious fmile Calm patience waits, by thee fuftain'd She ne'er repines, though often pain'd ; Untiring through life's various toil, She knows to bear With placid air Cold wintry ftorms, and treads down thorny care. Dear faithful friend, thy lenient hand allays The pangs of grief, and fmooths the frowning brow Of rough adverfity, thy voice conveys Reviving comfort to the fons of woe ; Thy gentle voice rebukes their fears, The figh, fufpended, liftening dies, And forrow flays her flowing tears While happier fcenes in diftant profpeft rife. Thou [ »7 ] Thou lafr, kind folace of diftrefs, Whole fmile retains a power to blefs Though every friend befides, depart; Still kind, ftill faithful to thy truit, Thy influence hovers o'er the panting heart, While reafon lives to wake defire, Till life's pale trembling lamp expire, Till the pain'd, prifon'd mind fhall rife, And drop her feeble manfion in the duff, To claim thy promis'd blifs beyond the fkies. Ceieftial hope, fair child of truth divine ! O may thy heavenly ray, Bright harbinger of day, Still on my heart with cheering luflre fhine ! Through each dark fcene, each mournful fhade, Till I no more fhall need thy aid ; Till that bright hour, when to my raptui 'd eyes (O may I call the unknown tranfport mine !) The morning of immortal day fhall rife, And thou to perfeft joy thy charge refign. Vol- III. To C «8 ] To Amira on the death of her Son. ENOUGH to nature and to grief is paid, Indulge no more thefe unavailing tears; Not all your comforts in the grave are laid, Through grief's dark fhade a lucid ray appears. A rayof heaven fair beaming through the gloom I Bids fainting hope lift up her languid eyes; While faith direcls her view beyond the tomb, To thofe bright fcenes where joys immortal rife. Cleans'd,inthe Saviour's blood, from every ftain, Think with what tranfport you will meet above, (For ever free from fin and grief and pain) The dear, departed objecl of your love ! Then, though your bleeding heart its lofs deplore,- O yet be each repining thought fupprefr, That fovereign hand, which cannot err, adore, Here, may your heart with full affiance reft. Indulgent mercy blends, with lenient fkill, Sweet cordials with the bitter cup of woe : And many a friend, and many 3. comfort ftill, Are kindly fpar'd-* 1 cheer your flay below. _ Your [ »9 ] Your flay, perhaps for high important ends, May be prolong'd through many circling years, A blefling to your partner, children, friends, And future comfort pay your prefent tears. May humble refignation calm your bread, And faith enjoy, with heaven illumin'd eye, A profpeel: of the regions of the bleft, Where pleafures bloom, that never, never die ! Defiring to love Christ and obey him. If ye love me % keep my commandments. JESUS my Lord, in thy dear name unite, All that my heart calls great, or good, or fweet ; Whate'er infpires with wonder or delight, In thee, thou faired of ten thoufand, meet. , Do I not love thee ? ah my confeious heart Nor boldly dares affirm, nor can deny; O bidthefe clouds of gloomy fear depart, With one bright ray from thy propitious eye ! V C 2 Do [ 20 ] Do I not love thee ? can I then allow, Within my breaft pretenders to thy throne ? O take my homage, at thy feet I bow ! No other Lord my heart defires to own. Take, take my paffions in thy fovereign hand, Refine and mould them with almighty fkill ; Then (hall I love the voice of thy command, And all my powers rejoice to do thy will. Thy love infpires theaftive fons of light, With fsvift-wing'd zeal, they wait upon thy word; O let that love, in thefe abodes of night, Bid my heart glow to ferve my deareft Lord! Come love divine, my languid wifhesraife ! With heavenly zeal this faint cold heart inflame, To join with angels in my Saviour's praife, Like them, obey his will, adore his name ! But can the mind, with heavy clay oppreft, To emulate feraphic ardour rife ? While fin pollutes her joys, forbids her reft, How can the join the worfhip of the fkies ? Yet he commands to love and to obey, Whofe hand fuftains thofe happy fpirits ther ; In him, my foul, who is thy guide, thy ftay, In him confide, to him commit thy care. Jefus C *« ] Jefus my Lord, O give me ftrength divine! Then fhall my powers in glad obedience move; Receive the heart that wifhes to be thine, And teach, O teach me to obey and love! On hearing the Funeral Bell, After frequent deaths in the neighbourhood. AGAIN, the folemn warning flrikes my ear ! The folemn warning that fo oft of late Hath bid my foul be ready! fhall the call, Loud, frequent, preffing, awful, found in vain ? Around me, death felecls his fated prey ; On filent wing, commiffion'd, fly his fhafts, Nor ever mifs their mark, a viclim here By age enfeebled, faintly ftruggling, falls An eafy conqueft ! there in manhood's prime, Transfix'd, and raging with the venom'd da/t, Another groans, ftrength miniftering to pajri, Contending long, unequal to the fight, At length, in agonizing pangs expires ! Another here, and there another falls In early bloom, the ruthlefs ftroke at once C 3 Cuts C ** 3 Cuts off the parent's hope, and leaves a wound, Which lenient time, flow healing, hardly cures ! Where, next, will light his arrows ? vain demand! That awful power, who points them, only knows. Perhaps fome lov'd, perhaps fome honour'd life, Dear as my own, invites his prefent aim : How will my bleeding heart outlive the ftroke, When ev'n the apprehenfion wounds fo deep ? Yet, this anticipated woe, a care Still nearer, more important, fuperfedes! s O let me afk my confcious, trembling heart, While yet the folemn queftion may avail, Canft thou, undaunted, meet the King of terrors ? In his commiffion, for this night, this hour, My name may be contain'd — fuppofe it fpread Before thy view — rouze, in ft ant rouze thy powers To meet, with fortitude, the potent foe! Alas! how weak, how helplefs ! foon I fall, The infulting victor triumphs — no, behold An arm fuperior, ftretch'd for my fupport ! O death where is thy fting ? the Lord of life, In whom I truft, can difappoint thy power; Can bid my foul defy thy keeneft dart, And triumph o'er thy terrors ! he beftows (O gift immenfe!) a life beyond thy reach, Eternal life ! reveal'd by truth divine */* The glorious promife (lands, confirm'd by oath, The awful fanfiion of omnipotence ! Here, C 23 ] Here, then, my foul, let thy enquiry fix, Deliberate, feiious, ardent! on this point, This interefting point, depends thy all ! Is death difarm'd for thee? is life begun? For all who live for ever, mult, new born Begin to breathe that life divine on earth. O thou, whofe potent word, from nothing rais'd Unnumber'd worlds, whofe all -infpiring breath Gives life to nature in her countlefs forms ! Great fource of life divine ! whofe quickning power Recalls from death's domain, the heirs of blifs, Once, heirs of woe, a new created race, Form'd for thy praife, to life immortal form'd; Aflift my fearch ! thy piercing eye furveys The clofc receffes of my inmoft heart, And marks its every motion, do I breathe Warm'd by thy vital ray ? are thefe defires, Which nought below thy favour can fufnce, A proof of that immortal life begun, Which nought below omnipotence can give ? Is not the rifing hope which cheers my foul, Sweet beaming through the gloomy fears of death, The dawn of life ? O teach my trembling heart To trace it to its fource, the Saviour's crofs ! That wondrous crofs, where death refign'd his arms, And own'd the conqueror God! where life divine Breath'd in the great Redeemer's dying groans, And pour'd its influence from his bleeding veins C 4 To C *4 3 To quicken, cleanfe, illuminate, and raife To immortality, the blind, polluted, The helplefs, hopelefs, wretched prey of death ! Stupendous work of love, almighty love ! Yes, deareftLord, from thee my foul derives Her only hope, from thee thefe faint defires Which thou canft raife,. invigorate, and fill. O teach my faith on ftronger wing to rife To thofe bright regions, where eternal life In full perfection glows, and bid my hope With firmer confidence on thee recline, My guardian, my defence ! by thee fuflain'd, My heart {hall meet, ferene, this dreaded foe, And fmile to fee his harmlefs arrows fly. Secure of conquefl in my Saviour's might Secure of life beyond this narrow fpan ! A life unbounded as the glorious hope Thy love infpires, and filPd with all the joy Thyblifsful prefence gives, cemmenfurate The life, the joy, with vaft eternity. True [ *5 3 True Happine$s# CELESTIAL content, inexhauftible treafure ! The man that enjoys. thee requires no addition ; In thee he poifeiles wealth, honour, and pieafure : O happy condition ! With pity he looks on the many, purfuing The trifles of earth with fiich eager attention, And draining, in chafe of their utter undoing, Their tortur'd invention; Then upward on faith's friendly pinion he rifes, With rapture the glorious reverfion beholding ; The gates to that blifs > which his longing heart prizes (Tho' diftant) unfolding. On inviolate truth while his hopes are depending, Nor terrors affright, nor afflictions deprefshim; Affur'd, tho' to death'sgloomy manfions fafl tending His God will ftill blefs him. Releas'd from the forrows of time his glad fpirit Shall leave its weak partner, and joyfully foaring, The promis'd polfeflion begin to inherit ; With angels adoring. He C 26 ] He knows that his body, the grave now detaining, In Jefus' bright image hereafter arifing, Shall furely rejoin him, no forrow remaining, Corruption defpifing. Then with heaven's fair armies in triumph afcending Partake of delights ever new and abounding; Enraptur'd before the bright throne lowly bending Salvation refounding. Waiting for Morning, Pfalm xxx. 5. ONG and mournful is the night, Mental night of gloomy fear : Source of comfort, fource of light When, O when wilt thou appear ! Thy beams alone can bid the gloom depart, And fpread celefliai morning o'er my heart. Morning [ 27 ] Mpfning of that glorious day Which the bled enjoy above, Where with full unclouded ray Shines thy everlafting love : Where joy triumphant fills the bright abode, O happy world ! fair paradife of God ! Thither if the heart afpire, Shall it, Lord, afpire in vain ? Shall the breathings of defire Rife with unavailing pain? O thou my guide, my folace, and my reft, In this fad defart fhall I rove unbleft ? Sure the Lord of life is near Though a cloud his face conceal : Jefus, when wilt thou appear, When thy cheering beams reveal ? When fhall thy beams of foul-reviving light Difpel this gloomy cloud this mental night ? Not in vain afpires the heart That depends on thee alone ; Light and joy thou wilt impart, Radiant dawn of blifs unknown. Here let me wait beneath thy guardian wing Til! from thy fmile celeftial morning fpring. To C *8 3 To Amira on her Mother's illness. SAY, dear Amira, while this bofom (hares Your load of grief, and heaves the filial figh ; Shall Chriftians fink beneath time's tranfient cares, And fainting hope fcarce lift her languid eye ? While o'er affliflion's gloom, a deeper night Dark apprehenfion fpreads, and woes unborn Rife vifionary to the mental fight, The prefent grief we feel, the future mourn. Indulge, forgive the filler and the friend, Permit refleftion to prefent to view The fecret caufe that thus opprefs'd we bend, And to their fource thefe tyrant fears purfue. Their fource is unbelief, a foe confefs'd, And yet, how clofe connected with the heart, We lodge the traitor that betrays our reft, And ftabs our comforts in the vital part. What C *9 ] What is the Chriflian's portion ? blifs terrene, Health, riches, friends ? alas, how light they weigh ! Can we, contented with a lot fo mean Pronounce it blifs ? frail tenure of a day ! No, fays the foul whom heaven-born faith infpires, Jehovah is the portion of my choice, In him, who fills, alone, my vaft defires, Though health, wealth, friends forfake me, I rejoice. The blefTingsGod hath lent, when he recalls Faith bids the heart with full confent refign, Low at his feet the heart adoring falls ! 11 Lord, 'tis enough, I'm bleft while thou art mine ! ,f Should he recall fwe tremble at the thought) A parent honoured, lov'd : Faith lifts her eye; And, " See ffhe cries) the hour, with tranfport fraught, " That joins your fouls in blifs beyond the fky !" The forrow-fhaded fcenes that rife between, Time's friendly wing will quickly bear away; And hope with placid air fhall wait ferene, While faith points forward to eteinal day. Then C 30 ] Then join, my dear Amlra, join your friend, To combat unbeiief, bis aid implore On whofe kind arm our faith and hope depend, Here may we reft, defire, expect, adore. The Happy Man, From the 23d Pfalm. HAPPY the man of heavenly birth, Beyond the proudeft boaft of earth. Whom mercy thus fuftains : To fcenes of living verdure led, Plenty and peace their blefiings fpread, And not a thought complains. Conducted by his gracious guide Where flreams of fweet refrefhment glide, And fed with food divine; God is the guardian of his reft, Beneath his fmile, ferenely bleft, He bids his foul recline. Yet, L 31 3 Yet, fhould his feet forgetful ftray, His guide reftores, and points the way To fafety, life, and peace ; Still mindful of his glorious name, A faithful God is flill the fame, His paths are righteoufnefs. Should gloomy (hades the path o'erfpread, Dark as the manfions of the dead, His heart no terrors wound : His heavenly guardian ever near, Suftainshis hope, forbids his fear, And comfort fmiles around. The conftant bounty of his Lord, With rich provifion fpreads his board, Amid repining foes : While peace and gladnefs on his head Their fweeteft odours hourly fhed, His cup with blifs o'erflows : O happy portion ! lot divine ! Thus (hall indulgent goodnefs fhine On all his future days; For ever near his guardian God Shall mercy fix his bleft abode, And tune his foul to praife. To C 32 3 ^X^X^X-^ ^X^X^$X4X -^-X^ - To Philander. WHILE in the arms of death your Delia fleeps And o'er her afhes fond remembrance weeps ; In tender grief let friendfiiip claim a (hare, Priendfhip, that fain would eafe Philander's care. But fay, is this the whole of friendfhip's lore, To fympathize, to pity, to deplore ? Be her's the effort (elfe how weakly kindj To cheer, to elevate the drooping mind. And weak (unaided) would the effort prove ; But heaven-born hope aflifts the voice of love. See my Philander o'er your Delia's tomb Hope fmiles and diffipates the dreary gloom. Celeftial comforter ! me points your eye To life, to happinefs beyond the iky. Attend her cheering whifper to your heart ! " There lives your once-lov'd Delia's nobler part. " Can you regret that from the fcenes of woe, M The long affliclion (he fuftain'd below, " Heaven call'd her fpirit from its dark abode " To the bright manfions of her Saviour God ? « Her [ 33 ] 88 Her mortal part, beneath his watchful eye, u Secure (though mouldering in the grave) fliall lic r *« Till the laft trumpet's animating breath " Pierce through the boundlefs monarchy of death ; •■ Collect each atom of the fleeping duft " And in immortal vigour raife thejuft. 11 The body then, reftor'd, renew'd, refin'd, " Shall join in perfeft blifs, its partner mind ; " Array 'd in pure etherial radiance rife, 81 Mix with the bright aifembly of the fkies ; 88 In joys unknown to thought forever prove 86 The boundlefs bleflings of redeeming love ; 88 And every tongue, to rapture tun'd, proclaim 88 The endlefs glories of the Saviour's name. 88 Then fhall Philander and his Delia join " With heaven's immortal choir, the fong divine*— 88 Look forward to the bright, the glorious hour 88 And truftyour Saviour's mercy, truth and power/' O my Philander, may the blifsful ray Which points our wifhes to the feats of day, Still on our hearts its healing luftre fhed, Amid the gloomy manfions of the dead ! In all her force may hope celeftial glow Till heaven's fair dawn beam o'er the fhades of woe ; Till faith (hall with feraphic ardour rife, And claim the promis'd glories of the fkies; Till that illuftrious, that tranfporting hour, When death for ever Ihajl refign his power; Vol. III. D When C 34 3 When joy lhall wipe the tear from every eye And faith and hope in perfeft vifion die. T Support in Trouble. ^HOUGH terrors late alarm'd my brealr, And rais'd a threatening tempeft there, Yet, Lord, my paflions own thy hand, The ftorm fubfides at thy command, And now my calmer thoughts atteft Thy well-try *d love, thy long experienc'd care. Faith, fcarce difcern'd a glimpfe of light, Hope languifh'd with deje&ed eye, Reafon, (weak emprefs of the minJ) To paffion had the helm confign'd, Loud was the ftorm and dark the night, But thy fupporting, guardian hand was nigh. Almighty Saviour, gracious Lord, Thou only refuge of my foul, Thy fovereign voice when I can hear, I gain new ftrength to combat fear, Hope refts on thy unchanging word, Thy word can every rifing fear controuK Hence C 35 3 Hence, guilty diffidence be gone, With all thy train of boding fears ; Let faith and calm expe&ance wait, And cheerful hope, with eye fedate, Look up and watch the fmiling dawn That through the fable veil of night appears. That fmiling dawn derives its ray From the full fource of light divine; O fun of righteoufnefs, impart Thy healing radiance to my heart ! Increafing till celeftial day Difpel the gloom, and joy unclouded fhine. The restless Mind. ACTIVE, bufy, reftlefs mind That canft never be confin'd ; Whither, whither doft thou ftray ? Seek a guide that knows the way To the fair, the happy more, Which thy wing would fain explore. Fancy fees the angels ftand Beckoning on the diftant land : D 2 Gentle I 36 3 Gentle fpirits*, can you guide i O'er the ocean deep and wide, *> Winds impetuous, feasuntry'd? * Can you point the port of reft ? Aid a ftranger to be bleft ? Vain enquiry ! — filent all — Quite regardlefs of my calif Will no kind, no able friend Hear, on whom I may depend? Hear, and teach this reftlefs mind How, the feats of blifs to find ? Yes, behold that friend appears ! Friend of mortals, Jefus hears : Kindly fmiling, fee, he (lands ! See, his ftretch'd, inviting hands ! Hark ! he wooes thee to be bleft ! Calls thee to the port of reft ! He can teach thee to explore, He alone, that happy more. Though the dull, incumbent air Frown with heavy clouds of care ; He can aid and point thy flight; Give thee ftrength, and give thee light. O'er the ocean, deep, and wide, Winds impetuous, feas untry'd, He thy paffage can fuftain ; Winds and waves fhall rage in Vain. Gracious C 37 1 Gracious Saviour, guide divine ! To thy condufil I refign This enquiring reftlefs mind; Happy, if her Lord is kind : Happy, if amid her way, Now and then a heavenly ray Open to her longing eye That fair paradife on high, Whither her beft wifhes tend, Where her toils and cares fhall end. On receiving a Mourning Ring for a Young Relative. THE mournful gift, attentive, while I view, My cnce-lov'd Nancy rifes to my thought ; The figh of friendship, to her memory due, Breathes from my heart, with tender anguifh fraught. Young, blooming, amiable, lamented maid 1 When life's gay, flattering profpeft open'd fair ; Down funk the fcene in death's cold difmal made, And the fond parent mourns his fruftrate care. D 3 Ye fad C 38 3 Ye fad furvivors, while each bleeding heart Hangs on her lov'd idea, may you know The heaven-taught leffon, the celeftial art To gather bleffings in the fhades of woe! Perhaps the awful ftroke may feem fevcre ; But let reflection fpeak, her voice attend ! While grief fupplies the unavailing tear, Reflection points our own approaching end. That end approaching is our chief concern, Life's moft important bufinefs is, to die ; This truth, each friend expiring bids us learn, Which, while we mourn, impels a deeper figh. O may the needful figh be unfuppreft, Till kind refleclion lead the reftlefs heart To that bright world where only, life is bleft, And conquer'd death refigns his fatal dart ! To life immortal, he reveals the way Who dying triumph'd over nature's foe : His word, if we receive, believe, obey, Fair hope (hall bloom amid the (hades of woe* Ye C 39 ] Ye flattering fcenes of earthly blifs, adieu ! You fmile, and promife, but deceive the mind : Celeflial hope directs our upward view Topleafures real, lading and refin'd. To Amira om the sudden Death of her Mother, r I ^HOUGH nature, friendfhip, filial love awake •*• The fprings of grief, and though the fudden (hock O'erpower'd the mind, ( too weak to meet furprize!) At length my dear Amira, be our griefs Reftrain'd, obedient to the voice divine Which calms the winds and feas, that fovereign voice Which bids the tempeft of the mind — " Be frill/' Reflection now returning, may our fouls Adore fubmiflive his difpofing hand, Who gives and takes our comforts as he pleafes, Still wife and good in all. O let our hearts Complain no more, for through the cloud of woe Kind mercy fhines, her beams difperfe the gloom, As fun-beams chafe the fragments of a ftorm. Look up, Amira, fee the father's hand, D 4 Indulgent [ 4o J InduJgent, tender, in the flroke we mourn ! Say, could the awful meflenger appear In a more gentle form ? how fofr the touch That loofen'd Nature's bands, diffolv'd the tie That held the weary fpirit, prifon'd long, In a frail, ruin'd tenement below, And bade her rife to liberty and jov ! Say do we mourn the friend, the parent loft ?— —Ah no, retract the word, fhe is but call'd, Before us call'd to her celcftial home, Thatblifsful home, fo long, fo much defir'd ; And hope foft whifpers we (hall meet her there. Meet her — but how ? enfeebled, bent with yeai ■-. Worn out with pains, her mental powers decay 'd And loft to focial joys ? though hope, and truft, And patient refignation fhone ferene, The chriftian's pattern, and the friend's fupport : Their work fulfill'd, thofe graces have refign'd Their feat to perfect joy andendlefs praife. How fliall we meet her in the Weil abode ? Urania, come, thy faireft colours bring, Prefent the dear departed to our view Such as fhe fhines amid the hlifsful choir. Let youth immortal, dreft in heavenly fmiles, And winning graces, o'er her form diffufe Its lively bloom ; while dignity and love Sit on her afpeft, fuch as angels wear ! But [ 4* J Bat not thy nobleft ftrokes, thy fweeteft force, In equal colours e'er canreprefent A foul made perfeft in the realms of light, And in her faviour's lovely image drefl. Nor can thy tints, though borrow'd from the fky, Defcribe the vigorous life, the aftive joy Which animates a citizen of heaven. Urania, drop thy pencil, take the lyre, Not to deplore the friend, the parent loft ; But to congratulate the faint arriv'd, From life's long, painful voyage fafe arriv'd, And crown'd, triumphant, on the blifsful more, With perfeft pleafure, and eternal peace. O could thy lyre but faintly emulate On earth, the ftrains which her rapt ear imbibes, Her voice melodious joins; the notes would charm The mournful memory of her lofs to reft, And bid defire, and faith, and hope arife To fhare her tranfports in that world of joy. O may that glorious, happy world emit Its fweet, though diftant radiance to our hearts, And raife, and fix our hopes and wifhes there ! Has not the dawn of that eternal day Which God's unclouded fmile diffufes there, Sometimes, Amira, beam'd a cheering ray On thefe darkfeenes? and (hall that dawn be loft To fhine no more ? — impoffible — as foon The fun fhall faint amid his morning way, And C 4* ] And leave the world to everlafting night; That grace omnipotent, that ftedfaft truth On which, below, her heaven-born hope reclin'd, Who now rejoices in that hope fulfill'd, Invites our humble truft, forbids our fear. May the fame grace that led her fafely through The cares, the dangers, and the pains of time, Preferve, fupport, and guide us in the way, The living way by which fhe reach'd the fkies ! Then (hall we join with her the heavenly choir, Partake the biifs, and tune the raptur'd fong To Jefus, who prepares a manfion there For all who love his name, and truft his grace : To Jefus, who from death's envenom'd dart Extra&s the poifon, fatal now no more : That foe to nature is become a friend; He at his Lord's command, unfolds the gate To life, and liberty, and endlefs joy. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^•^^^ Ode on a rural Prospect in June, A Tie 1. T length fhe deigns, (indulgent power!) oblefs the folitary hour: Divine C 43 ] Divine Urania, pleafing gueft ! My paflions own thy foft controul ; Welcome to my grateful breaft, Sooth my every care to reft; O pour thy kindefl influence on my foul! II. Touch the fweet, the charming lyre f Tis thine to harmonize the mind! Thou canft calm delight infpire ; Exalted pleafure, joy refin'd ! Thy lov'd employ thy darling theme My panting foul afpires to try; To fing the great the glofrous name Who gives thee all thy pleafing art To calm to animate the heart ; Creation's lord, and fovereign of the fky ! Ill, But aim not, my ambitious fong, To rife with Milton, or with Young, To whom Urania brought celeftial fire; A living ray from heaven's immortal choir, That darted through the folid veil of night ; Infpiring ray, that bade them foar Where mortals never rofe before, While nature wonder'd at the daring flight. IV, C 44 ] VI. Unequal to fo bold a choice, A humbler, fafer lot be mine ! Urania, tune my trembling voice To fubje&s left exalted, yet divine ! Thy fofteft, gentled aid impart, Teach, O teach my longing heart To trace the radiant footfteps of the God; To the mind's enraptur'd eyes Where his milder glories rife, O'er nature's ample frame dnTus'd abroad! V. Nature, o'er her ample frame Shews her great creator's name Infcrib'd in characiTis divine ! Every pianr, and every flower Speak his -wifdom, goodnefs, power: With fweet attractive luftre how they thine ! Ye beauteous fcenes, 'tis yours to (how The hand from whence your bleffings flow: To wonder, love, adore, and praife be mine ! VI. While yonder wide-extended fields, With eager gaze my eye furveys ; The fcene a thoufand beauties yields, A thoufand bleffings claim n>y praife* O J 4 In C 45 ] In nature's lap, fee, plenty pours, With hand profufe, her richefl ftores! A lively green arrays the fcene, Impearrd with foft*defcending fhowers: Fair vegetation fmiles around, By kindly rains and funfhine fed ; The fertile vales, with beauty crown'd, Nurfe, with indulgent care, the future bread; VII. Ye diffident, defponding hearts, Who forward look with anxious pain. See, how the hand of providence imparts Its conftant kindnefs to the foodful grain! And {hall the power that bids the teeming earth Produce the infant-blade, that bids arife To full maturity, the tender birth, Look down on you with lefs regardful eyes ? VIII. Hark! how the birds fweet-warbling from the fpray 5 Enjoy the bounties of the prefent day: Their future food, the hedge or wood, Direfted by that gracious hand, provides, Which with paternal care all nature guides. That [ 46 ] That gracious hand, to day adore, And leave to heaven, to-morrow's care; Enjoy the prefent, hope for more; The power who hears the birds, will hear your pray en IX. Ye trembling fouls, with fear oppreft, On whofe enfeebled, fainting thought Hang heavy clouds, with forrow fraught ; See, fmiling hope appear, (celeftial gueft!) She fpeaks, her gentle voice attend ! •■ No more to earth, ye mourners bend, " Raife your downcaft, weeping cyes 9 *' See what cheerful profpe&s rife ! " The corn now ripening in the ear, " Declares a plenteous harveft near. " Long has expectant toil, with patience ftay'd! M At length behold expectant toil repaid ! " And fnall your weary fpirit faint ? " Your nobler expectations die ? M Let patience foften your complaint ! « c Truft in his word who rules the earth and fky : u Thatfure, that never-failing word declares, " That thofe fhall reap in joy, who fow in tears." X. Kind hope, the mourner's faithful friend, Thy peace-infpiring lore O let my drooping heart attend, And while I truft adore ! Adore I 47 ] Adore, with thankful love, the hand divine, That bids through griefs dark (hade, thy comforts fhine! That bids, amid this vale of tears, Flowers of celeftial fragrance rife, That guides, defends, fuftains, and cheers, And points to fairer fcenes beyond the Ikies ! XL Lord of my life ! to thee I owe A thoufand gifts enjoy'd below, Of providence and grace : While nature in her various forms, My heart enlivens* raifes, warms ; Thy hand, O bid my heart with rapture trace! from thy kind hand, my ever-gracious Lord, Unnumber'd bleffings daily, hourly flow ; To crown them all, does not thy facred word Bid hope celeftial in my bofom glow ? What more have I to wifli ? that hope divine, And faith (kind feraph I) may be ever nigh ! Beneath their influence may my heart refine, Till the fair dawn of heavenly day Diffufe its foul-attra&ing ray, Difperfe the Ihades, and fix my longing eye, On fcenes of perfect blifs beyond the Iky. Ths E 48 3 r IO!0!C44C'lOMC40lOt' The Complaint of the Mind. c WHY is the heaven-defcended mind (For nobler purpofes defign'dj So clofe attach'd to frail unthinking clay ? Fain would fhe tafle the joys of light And meditate her upward flight; But her weak partner cannot bear the day. If now and then a ray divine With fweet attractive luftre fliine, And upward tempt her half expanded wings : The pains or appetites of fenfe Retard her flight with fair pretence, And Chain her joylefs down to trifling things; How blefl the unbodied minds above, Who ftill defire, delight, and love, And nought impedes the work, or clouds the joy I No liftlefs inattention there, Nor tempting toy, nor gloomy care ; Celeftial pleafure fmiies without alloy ! O happy C 49 3 O happy period ! blifsful day ! (..Hope, cheerful hails its diflantray, Though riling tears {land trembling in her eyes. When this grofs heavy clay refin'd, A fit companion for the mind, To active, joyful, endlefs life (hall rife ! Jefus, to thee alone I owe Each cheering glimpfe of heaven below, And thou canft bid the longing mind afcend : Though dull mortality impede, wShe fpurns the weight if thou but lead ; On thee alone her flrength and hope depend. O fpeak the word ! her joyful wings Shall leave this fcene of little things For the fair regions of immenfe delight ! One kind alluring word of thine Confirms the bright reverfion mine, And faith (hall bid adieu to earth and night. Vol. Ill E To C 50 ] To Silvia. T T 7HILE mufing in the folitary hour, * * My Silvia rifes fair to fancy's eye : Soft, foothing melancholy, penfive power ! Awakes for her the anxious tender figh. Ah ! how when entering on a world of fnares, Shall innocence preferve the artlefs maid ? Ah! who mall guide, through life's bewildering cares f Her fleps in fafety to fome hallow'd (hade ? Paternal love with ever-watchful eye Shall guard from cares, if near her cares fhould prefs; Shall kindly warn of every danger nigh, And point the path of fafety and of peace, Priendfhip, for Silvia, {hall collecl: her powers, And o'er the fcene diffufe a lucid ray, Around her path fhall ftrew the fweeteft flowers, And bid themufe attune her fofteft lay. Delufive C 5* 1 Delufive hope! what dangers rife unfeeti! What unfufpe&ed forrows wait around ! And can a friend or parent flep between, When the wing'd arrow may fo quickly wound ? Alas ! not friendfhip's tendered, kindeft art Can gild affli&ion's heart-opprefling gloom : Nor can paternal love repel the dart* If death (land threatening o'er the gaping tomb. O for a friend whofe life-infpiring frr ; !e Can brighten dark affliction's darkeft hours; Eafe every pain, and foftcn every toil, And fpread new life through nature's fainting powers ? O for a friend whofe alUfuiiaining arm Can make the heart ferenely view the tomb : Can death of all his dread array difarm, And place a fmiling angel in his room ! And fee, my Silvia, fee that friend appears! And hark! he calls \ ou to his guardian arms ! Jefus, that friend indeed ! for ever near, When grief approaches, or when death alarms. O hear his voice ! for heaven attends the found I To him alone devote your blooming days: So {hall your life with happinefs be crown'd, r So mail you join with angels in his praife. E? To [ 5* 3 To Silvia pensive. TELL me, Silvia, why the figh Heaves your bofom, why the tear Steals unbidden from your eye ? Tell me what you wifh or fear ? Providence profufely kind, Wherefoe'er you turn your eyes, Bids you with a grateful mind View a thoufand bleffings rife. Round you affluence fpreads her flores, Young health fparkles in your eye, Tendereft, kindeft friends are yours, Tell me, Silvia, why you figh ? J Tis, perhaps, fome friendly voice Softly whifpers to your mind, 6t Make not thefe alone your choice " Heaven has bleffings more refin'd. Thankful [ 53 ] •' Thankful own what you enjoy, M But a changing world like this, 11 Where a thoufand fears annoy, " Cannot give you perfect blifs. u Per feci blifs refides above, " Far above yon azure fky; 11 Blifs that merits all your love, 4< Merits every anxious figh." What, like this, has earth to give ? O my Silvia, in your breaft Let the admonition live, Nor on earth defire to reft. When yourbofom breathes a figh, Or your eye emits a tear, Let your wifhes rife on high, Ardent rife to blifs fincere. E 3 Written C 54 3 Written in a painful Illness. INDULGENT father, ever gracious God, Low at thy feet fubmiffive I adore Thy chaftening hand, nor murmur at the rod : Yet thy fupporting arm, I mull implore. Thou holy, wife, and kind, O bid my heart In patient filence wait thy fovereign will ! Sweet confolation let thy voice impart, And fay to every anxious thought " be Hill." Say to my heart, that oftenhath prefer'd To thy kind ear, the fupplicating figh ; * £ Be comforted, be flrong, thy fuit is heard ; " Behold my all-fufficient grace is nigh !" Oft have I wifli'd to have my heart refin'd By cleanfing grace ; defir'd, and long'd to Wear The bright refemblance of my Saviour's mind, His gentle, humble virtues copied there. O may L 55 3 O may the rod the happy end promote To humble, cleanfe, renew this heart of mine ! And may thy grace affilt me to devote Its powers to thee alone for they are thine ! If the fhort remnant of my fleeting time Be near it's period ; teach, O teach my foul On faith's fair wing, to reach that blifsful clime Where time ; i> quick-circling wheels no more (hall roll! Opprefs'd with pain my feeble powers decay, The fprings of life wear out, the vital flame Seems quivering near its exit. Is the day At hand which fhall diflblve this mortal frame? If this frail tottering manfion foon fhould fall, Art thou, my foul, prepar'd to take thy flight ? Prepar'd, at thy almighty Father's call, To quit, with joy, the fcenes of mortal night ? Or canft thou patient fee death's threatening dart, And o'er the expe&ing gr*ave long-lingering bend, To drop thy dying part.. 3th to part, Wliile yet thy hopes and wifhes upward tend ? What mean thefe queflions ? — all depends on thee My Saviour God : fpeak to my trembling heart : E 4 Say L 56 ] Say %t thou art mine," that word is life to me, And I can fmile at death's tremendous dart ! Whether he threaten long, or fudden rend This mortal frame, and fet my fpirit free ; That moment let thy angel guards attend, And bear me fafe to life, to heaven and thee. •K>^C5*C^*C5404?C5rK^4 my glorious King. Ail C 58 ] All I enjoy, and all I hope is thine, Unworthinefs, alone, helongs to me ; Infpire me, O my God, with love divine, And make my life, a hymn of praife to thee. ^C^C4CMOl?C#tOiO|C4' The Happinefs of the Children of God. And will be a Father unto you y and ye JJiall be my Jons and daughters faith the Lord Almighty. 2 Cor. vi. 18. EXTENSIVE promife ! O what hopes divine, What rich delight, the gracious words im- part. ! My father! when my faith can call thee mine, A ray of heaven illuminates my heart. Lord, if thy word confirm my heavenly birth, And bid me fay " my Father," then I live ; Not all the tendereft, deareit names on earth, Can half the pleafiue, half the tranfportgive. The C 59 ] The Lord Almighty deigns (amazing thought!) To call us children, (once the heirs of woe J Sweet words of confolation, richly fraught With all the blefTmgs mercy can befiow. His eye, attentive marks his childrens way, He guides them fafe though dangers lurk unfeen : Though furrow's gloomy clouds oYrfhadc the day, Secure, g;i his Almighty arm they lean. «/ His ear, indulgent to their feeble prayer, Receives each rifing wifh, each plaintive figh ; Hir, kind, companionate, paternal care Knows all their wants, and will thofe wants fupply. When foes unnumbei 'd rife, and fear alarms, His conflant love immediate fuccour lends, Encircled in their father's guardian arms, Foes rife in vain, omnipotence defends. / All needful, prefent good, his hand provides, But what their future portion ? Angels tell, (For mortal language fails,) where he refides, What bloomingjoys, what boundlefs raptures dwelt. But not the natives of that glorious place, Not all the blifs refoundin^ fon^s above, Can e'er difplay the riches of his grace ; Or count the endiets wonders of his love. O could [ 6o ] O could thofe diftant feats of joy impart A moment of their blifs! how would it raife, How would it animate this languid heart, In thefe dark regions, to begin his praife ! Yet from his word, a bright enlivening ray- Shines on my heart, while all my powers adore ; Jefus, whofe wonderous love mark'd out the way, Jefus, the heavenly friend, is gone before. Fair manfions in his father's bleft abode That heavenly friend prepares, and joys unknown By him prefented to their Father God, His children bow before the eternal throne. In his prevailing, his accepted name, Father, my foul adores beneath thy feet ; Let his full merits plead my humble claim, And raife my hope to joy divinely fweet. A reflection C 61 3 A reflection on hearing the Bell at the interment of a neighbour. THAT found e'er long (hall mark the folemn hour When this weak frame, inanimate and cold, By fellow mortals borne, (hall be confign'd To its dark manfion in the fiient grave. Perhaps, the figh of tender grief (hall heave, The tear of friendfhip flow : in fable clad, Perhaps furviving relatives will move In flow proceflion to the houfe of death ; While fad tefleflion fpeaks - " Behold your home! 5 * But what avails or friendfhip's tendered tear, Or forrow's deepen 1 groan, or fable robes, Or all the fad folemnity of woe Which grief, or cuflom wafte on fenfelefs clay ? Where will my fpirit be ? — O ye kind few ! Whofe faithful hearts (hall mourn the friend you lov'd, Whofe thoughts, while nature prompts the tender Shall C 62 ] Shall rife, perhaps, beyond the gloomy fcene, By cheerful hope invited, and purfue That part which cannot die — affift me now ! Now while your love may profit, teach my heart All that your brighter hope or flronger faith Hath feen or tailed of the joys to come ! The inevitable hour demands it all. Lead me ! O lead me to that fovereign balm Tor death's keen pang, that only antidote Againftthe mortal poifon, blood divine ! Lead me — ah no — that dear, almighty friend, Whofe bleeding veins pour'd health and life and blife For wretches guilty, perifliing, undone, Alone can lead, fupport, and cheer my foul ! Jefus, my Lord, on thee my all depends, My everlafting all! O let me feel, In that dread hour when earthly comforts fail, Thy love, fweet cordial to my fainting heart ! Infufing flrength divine; its vital force Shall bid me rife fuperior in the conflict With nature's foe, and tune my quivering lips To holy rapture! let thy glorious name, My Lord, my Saviour, dwell upon my tongue ! While guardian angels join the blifsful theme, Till my glad fpirit quits her houfe of clay, And rifes, with the melTengers of heaven, To join the bleft affembly which thy love Hath [ 6 3 ] Hath ranfom'd, cleans'd, and rais'd beyond the reach Of fm andd^ath, intranfports all unknown To frail mortality ! to join the fong For ever new, to thy almighty love. ^>^^.>^^>^^>^^>^^^><;^>^^>^^ Defiring the gracious prefence of God. ALAS ! my heart where is thy abfent God, Arife and fearch, norlanguifh hopelefs here, See o'er creation's frame diffus'd abroad, Kis power, his wifdom and his love appear ! But chiefly of his facred word enquire, There faith and hope diviner glories trace, Seek with the ardor of fincere defire, For nature's father is the God of grace. His facred word invites me to his feet, Reveals forgivenefs rich and full and hee f The voice of mercy, how divinely fweet! O be the heavenly accents fpoke to me ! God I 64 ] God of my life, thy radiant face reveal ! For thou art near though clouds obftruft my fight Thy voice divine can every cloud difpe!, O fpeak and give me comfort, give me light ! Thy word permits, commands to feek thy face, Nor {hall the humble mourner feek in vain : Thou wilt reward the fearch, thy word of grace Inviolate for ever muft remain. Thy word of grace — rich treafure of delight ! (Olet my foul recall her comforts paft) Not morn's fair dawn is dearer to the fight! Nor honey fweeter to the longing talte. And fhall thofe heavenly fweets no more be mine? Return ye, blifsful moments to my heart ! Difpel the cloud, O God of mercy, fhine, And life and peace and happinefs impart ! The C 6 5 3 The prefence of God, the only comfort in affli&ion. IN vain, while dark affli&ion fpreads Her melancholy gloom, Kind providence its bleffings fheds And nature's beauties bloom. For all that charms the tafte or fight My heart no wifti refpires ; O for a beam of heavenly light When earthly hope expires Thou only center of my reft, Look down with pitying eye, While with protrafted pain oppreft I breathe the plaintive figh Thy gracious prefence, O my God, My every wifh contains, With this, beneath affliftion's load My heart no more complains. F This C 66 ] This can my every care controul, Gild each dark fcene with light; This is the funfhine of the foul, Without it all is night. My- Lord, my life, O cheer my heart With thy reviving ray, And bid thefe mournful fhades depart And bring the dawn of day ! O happy fcenes of pure delight ! Where thv full beams impart Unclouded beauty to the light, And rapture to the heart. Her part in thole fair realms of blifs fpirit longs' to know: My wiflies terminate in this, Nor caa they reft below. II the breathings of ray heart Afpire in vain to thee? Confi m my hope, that where thou art I (hall for ever be. Then (hall my cheerful fpirit Gng The darkfome hours away, And rife on Faith's expanded wing To everlafting day. Faith C 6 7 ] Faith and Hope in divine goodnefs, encouraged by paft experience. Pfalm xxiii; 6. LORD while my thoughts with wonder trace Thy favours paft through all my days; My thankful heart adores thy grace, I trufl that goodnefs which I praife. Still from the fame eternal fpring Thy various, conftant bounties flow ; Beneath the fhelter of thy wing I view ferene the fhades of woe. Ev'n death's tremendous vale appears No more in gloomy terrors dreft ; Thy fmile, my God, forbids my fears While on thy gracious hand I reft. Through the dark fcenes of mortal care/ To humble faith's enraptur'd eye The diftant profpeft opens fair, Of radiant manfions in the fky. F 2 Yes, C 68 ] Yes, Lord, in thy divine abode My foul defires, and hopes a place, To dwell for ever near my God, And view unveil'd thy lovely face. With all my powers renew'd, refin'd, To join the blifsful choir above; In flrains immortal, unconfin'd To celebrate my Saviour's love. A Thought of Life and Death. t H E cares of mortal life, how vain ! How empty every joy! While grief, and wearinefs, and pain The fainting mind employ. But O, that nobler life on high, To which my hopes afpire ! Does it not prompt the frequent figh, And wake the warm dc&re ? When .3 C % ] When now and then a heavenly ray Attratls ray upward view, Almoft I hail the approach of day, And bid the world adieu, Thofe happy realms of joy and peace Fain would my heart explore, Where grief and pain for ever ceafe, And I fhall Cn no more. No darknefs there (hall cloud the eyes, No languor feize the frame; But ever aftive vigor rife To feed the vital flame. But ah !— a dreary vale between Extends its awful gloom ; Fear fpreads, to hide the diflant fcene, The horrors of the tomb. The thoughts of death's envenom'd dart, The parting pangs I fear, Alarm this timorous, fainting heart, And ftill it lingers here. O for the eye of faith divine, To pierce beyond the grave! To fee that friend, and call him mine, Whofe arm is ftrong to lave! F 3 That C 70 J That friend who left his throne above, Who met the tyrant's dart, And (O, amazing power of love !) Receiv'd it in his heart. Here fix my foul, for life is here, Light breaks amid the gloom; Truft in the Saviour's love, nor fear The horrors of the tomb. I Jefus, in thee alone I truft, O tell me I am thine! I yield this mortal frame to dull, Eternal life is mine. oC^oC^oC^o C^ o^^oC^o^^ioC^io^^q Defiring a firmer affiance in God under afflictions. TX THY is my heart with grief oppreft ? * * Can all the pains I feel or fear, Make thee, my foul, forget thy reft, Fgrget that God, thy God is near ? Haft C 7* J Haft thcu not often calPd the Lord T.hy refuge, thy almighty friend ? And canft thou fear to truft that word On which thy hopes of heaven depend ? Mortality's unnumber'd ills Are all beneath his fovereign hand ; Each pain which this frail body feejs Attends, obedient, his command. • Lord, form my temper to thy will ! If thou my faith and patience prove, May every painful flroke fulfill Thy purpofes of faithful love. O may this weak, this fainting mind, A father's hand adoring fee; Confefs thee juii, and wife, and kind, And truft trfy word and cleave to thee. F 4 Trulting C 7* ] Trufting in his mercy with humble fubmiffion and hope. INDULGENT ftill to my requeft, How free thy tender mercies are ! With full confent my thoughts atteft, My gracious God, thy faithful care. The hand that holds the rod I fee ; That gentle hand I mud adore ; That goodnefs, how divinely free, Which my expectant hopes implore I Thy hand fuftains me left I faint, Or at the needful ftroke repine ; Thy ear attends to my complaint ; The tendered pity, Lord, is thine. And can my heart defire in vain, When he who chaflens bids me fue, That every forrow, every pain Be bleft to teach, reclaim, renew ? Oyet C 73 ] O yet fupport thy feeble child, Till thy correcting hand remove! Be all thy purpofes fulfill'd, And bid me fing thy fparing love. 4C^CC4C#C^C*Oi^ Intreating the prefence of God in affii&ion. LOW at thy gracious feet I bend, My God, my everlafting friend, Permit the claim, O let thy ear My humble fuit indulgent hear ! No earthly good my wifh infpires; Great is the boon my foul defircs, But thou haft bid me feek thy face, Haft bid me afk thy promis'd grace. O may thy favour (blifs divine !) With fuller, clearer radiance {hine ! Brighten my hopes, difpel my fears, Till not a cloud of grief appears ! But C 74 ] But O my heart, reflect with fhame, Canft thou prefer fo bold a claim ? Confcious how often thou haft ftray'd, By empty vanities betray'd. How oft, ungrateful to thy God, Have trifles call'd thy thoughts abroad ; Till heavenly pity faw thee roam, And bade affliction bring thee heme. And when the fnares of earth were broke By kind affliction's needful ftroke, Haft thou not own'd, with humble pratfe, That juft and right are all his ways? Yes, gracious God, before thy throne My vilenefs, and thy love I own ; O let that love with beams divine, Forgiving, healing, round me fhine ! Whene'er, ungrateful to my God, This heedlefs heart requires the rod, Thy arm, fupporting, I implore, The hand that chaftens can reftore. O may the kind correction prove A fruit of thy paternal love ! Wean me from earth, from fin refine, And make my heart entirely thine I Then y [ 75 ] Then fhall my thankful powers rejoice, And wake to praife this feeble voice : While mercy, power, and truth employ My love, my wonder, and my joy. *K^*0$<>ft»04< Acknowledging his goodnefs in fup- porting and reftoring. NOW to thy heavenly Father's praife, My heart thy tribute bring: That goodnefs which prolongs my days With grateful pleafure ling. Ye bumble fouls, who love the Lord, Come join the pleafing theme ; His mercy, power, and truth record And blefs his glorious name. Whene'er he fends afflicting pains, His mercy holds the rod ; His powerful word the heart fuftains, And fpeaks a faithful God. A faithful C 76 3 A faithful God is ever nigh When humble grief implores ; His ear attends each plaintive figh, He pities and reftores. No more let diffidence prevail Our comforts to deftroy : His tender mercies never fail, Be thefe our fweet employ. Ah ! how unequal to the theme Our feeble efforts prove ! Ye heavens refound his glorious name, While we adore and love. Yet fain my grateful foul would bring Her tribute to thy throne; Accept the wifh, my God, my King, To make thy goodnefs known ! O be the life thy hand reSores Devoted to thy praife ! To thee, be facred all my powers, To thee, my future days ! Thy foul-enlivening grace impart, A warmer love infpire ; And teach the breathings of my heart Dependance and defire, Defiring C 77 ] DeGring to praife God for the expe- rience of his goodnefs. Psalm xxxvi. 7. r TPHE loving kindnefs of the Lord, A (Delightful theme!) demands my lays: Thou, worthy to be lov'd, ador'd, teach my heart to fing thy praife ! In vain my heart with pleafure tries, My God, to count thy mercies o'er ; So numerous and fo bright they rife, 1 gaze, I wonder, I adore! Yet, all the powers I have are thine, For thee, thofe powers I would employ; And dedicate to love divine, With humble gratitude and joy. The fweet experience of thy grace Which animates my voice to fing ; Incites my foul to feek thy face, And trull the fheher of thy wing. Thy C /3 ] Thy guai dian wing alone can blefs : I find repofe and fafety there ; The kindeft refuge of diftrefs A fure relief in every care. O let the wretched fons of woe To thee apply, on thee depend : And bid the drooping mourners know In thee a never-failing friend. Could e'er one foul in deep diftrefs That fled to thee for refuge fay, ■* Indulgent mercy would not blefs, " And jufrice frown'd my hopes away?" Ah no, a thoufand, thoufand tongues Thy love and truth, adoring own, And offer their united fongs With grateful joy before thy throne. Not e'en thofe happy minds can trace, With all their powers renew'd, refin'd, The boundlefs glories of thy grace, O thou omnipotently kind ! Ah C 79 3 All how (hall thefe poor languid powers, With frail mortality opprefr, Difplay the grace my foul adorcsj? How fpeak the tranfports of the blcft ? Dear Lord, accept my heart's defire, th fhall clofe thefe mortal days ! id me join the heavenly choir, And fing thy everlafting praife! i^Oi<^4-C>^C>KZ>^C>^0^0^ Penitence and Hope. DEAR Saviour, when my thoughts recall The wonders of thy grace ; Low at thy feet afham'd I fall, And hide this wretched face. Shall love like thine be thus repaid ? Ah vile, ungrateful heart ! By earth's low cares detain'd, betray 'd, From Jefus to depart. From [ 8o ] From Jefus, who alone can give True pleafure, peace, and reft: When abfent from my Lord, I liv6 Unfatisfy'd, unblefr. But he, for his own mercy's fake, My wandering foul reilores : He bids the mourning heart partake The pardon it implores. O, while I breathe to thee, my Lord, The penitential figh, Confirm the kind, forgiving word With pity in thine eye ! Then {hall the mourner at thy feet, Rejoice to feek thy face ; And grateful own how kind ! how fweet ! Thy condefcending grace. Devoting C 3i ] Devoting the heart to Jesus. JESUS, what (hall I do to mow How mu<:h I love thy glorious name ? Let my whole heart with rapture glow Thy boundlefs goodnefs to proclaim. Yes, deareft Lord, my heart is thine, Sacred to thee be all its powers! O bid me give to love divine The little remnant of my hours ! Thou narrow heart, ye fleeting hours, How mean the tribute you can raife ! The grace my thankful foul adores, Claims an eternity of praife ! Lord, if a diftant glimpfe of thee Can give fuch fweet, fuch rich delight; What muft their joy, their tranfport be Who dwell for ever in thy fight? Cr TO [ 8* ] To that bright world my heart afpires, Where all the glories of thy face Unveil'd, fhall fill the foul's defnes, And tune the fong to boundlefs grace ! O teach my heart, my life, my voice To celebrate thy wonderous love ! Fulfil my hopes, compleat my joys, And bid me join the fongs above. 4'^4-><^><^>C^^><^>^^><^><'$' The love of Christ exciting thankful devotion. O DEARER to my thankful heart Than all the circling fun furveys ! Thy prefence only can impart Light, peace, and gladnefs to my dayi# Beneath thy foul-reviving ray, Ev'n cold affliction's wintery gloom Shall brighten into vernal day, And hopes and joys immortal bloom. Vain C 8 3 ] Vain world, be gone with all thy toys; I have no room for trifles here : My heart afpires to nobler joys ; Thy faireft glories difappear. Bright realms of blifs, where Jefus reigns, My wifh, my care, my hope invite: Where raptur'd feraphs tune their drains To themes of infinite delight. See, Lord, thy willing fubjecT: bows Adoring low before thy throne : To thee, I gladly pay my vows ; Thou art my fovereign, thou alone. Smile on my foul, and bid me ling, In concert with the choir above, The glories of my Saviour King, The condefcenfions of his love. Amazing love ! that ftoop'd fo low, To view with pity's melting eye A wretch deferving endlefs woe ! Amazing love ! — did Jefus die ? — He died, to raife to life and joy The vile, the guilty, the undone, O let his praife my hours employ, Till hours no more their circles run ! G a He C 8 4 ] He died ! — ye feraphs tune your fongs, Refound, refound the Saviour's name ; For nought below immortal tongues Can ever reach the wonderous theme. •K>K>K>M040^^ On recovery from sickness. ORD of my life to thee my powers belong, 1 Thy mercies are my chief my dailing theme; To thee be firft infcrib'd the votive fong With warmefl gratitude, with love fupreme; On thee my life and all its powers depend, My gracious guardian, my unchanging friend. O be that life, which thy indulgent hand Suftain'd when finking to the fhades of death, Devoted to thy praife, whofe kind command Reftoresm) wafting ftrength and (hortening breath. Be my remaining hours entirely thine, My flrength and breath employ 'd in work divine. L Yet C 8 5 ] Yet next to heaven to friendfhip's honour'd name The lay which grateful love infpires is due ; With lenient hand fhe nurs'd the vital flame, When faintly glimmering it almoft withdrew : Heaven fmil'd indulgent on her tender care, Bled were her efforts, anfwer'd was her prayer. The lay which friendfhip claims heaven will approve, Since firft to heaven the grateful drains afpire ; Sacred to filial and fraternal love, Be the next labours of the tuneful lyre. O may the love that animates my lay Procure acceptance for the thanks I pay. But never can thefe languid notes exprefs My heart's warm wifhes ardent as they rife ; Yet he, who knows their meaning, he can blefs ; Unmeafur'd bounty every good fupplies. O be the friends who claim my grateful love, A bleffing here, compleatly bleft above. G 3 Occafioned [ 86 ] Occafioned by hearing a friend commend my verfes. COULD all the powers of eloquence divine But half the glories of my Lord difplay, How I mould wifh thofe unknown powers were mine To animate and raife the votive lay. O could I rife, one happy minute rife! And hear the mufic of the blifsful choir, Would not my heaven-enraptur'd mind defpife The fweeteft notes that tune this feeble lyre. Yet is the fubjecl: of their fong the fame, Not angels know a nobler theme than mine; Thy grace Emmanuel, blifs-infpiring name ! Awakes the ftrain to extafy divine. That grace, which fmiles approving on their lays, Bends lower ftill and kindly deigns to own A mortal's wifhes to attempt thy praife, When humble love prefenu them at thy throne. My C 8/ ] My Lord, my life, does not thy love infpire The warmed higheft wifh this bofom knows ? O let that love employ this feeble lyre Till with diviner force the paflion glows ! Till (every mortal weaknefs left in duft) Immortal life commences, then my tongue To thee, dear object of my hope and trufr, With heaven's full choir (hall tune a nobler fong. To Silvia. MY lovely Silvia, while in blooming youth Your mental powers are a&ive, fprightly. Attend the voice offriendfhip and of truth, That courts your notice in the moral lay. I Thofe active powers the Lord of nature gave To reafon's rule by choice alone confin'd, For reafon's empire never knew a flave , Her fway is gentle and her laws are kind. G 4 Her [ 88 ] Her fubje&s take their orders from her eye, While fhe to each their various tafk affigns ; And now o'er nature's ample field they fly, A field far richer than Peruvian mines. Here with unweary'd diligence they rove, Collecting treafures to enrich the mind : And many a flower and plant in dale or grove, Of virtues rare and fadelefs bloom they find. And now with treafures fraught returning home, Before their queen difplay the fhining fpoil, Arrang'd in beauteous order round the dome, Her approbation crowns the pleafing toil. When chill'd by time's cold hand, thofe fprightly powers Inclined to reft, inactive, ceafe to roam, Thofe mental (lores fhall cheer the wintery hours, And flowers unfading breathe their fweets at home. Extra&ing food amid the vernal bloom, So flies the induflrious bee around the vale, With native fldll fhe forms the waxen comb, To keep for wintery days the rich regale. Wifhing [ 8 9 ] Wifliing for real Pleasure. HOW long, forgetful of thy heavenly birth, Wilt thou my foul fo fondly cleave to earth ? How long low-hovering o'er thefe feats of pain, Wilt thou expe£t felicity in vain ? The joys of time could never be defign'rl A portion worthy of the immortal mind. What is it thus detains thefe wretched eyes, -v Detains my heart whene'er it feeks to rife, C And holds back half mv wifhes from the ikies ? J When foothing fancy paints, with mimic art, Her piftur'd joys to catch my cheated heart, So fair, fo bright the varied colours glow, Almofl they can difguife the blended woe. But foon the momentary forms decay, Steal from my gaze, and vanifli quite away, Convinc'd the flattering fcenes are empty air, Beneath my thought unworthy of my care. Can I pronounce the gay delufions fair? Earth's [ 9° j Earth's fdireft pleafures which allure my fight, Are but the fleeting fhadows of delight ! Shall airy phantoms thus my powers employ, Powers that were form'd to grafp fub flan tial joy ? Shall vanity enflave this freeborn mind, And chains of fenfe my nobler paffions bind ? Alas in vain I ftrive, in vain I figh, n In vain my fetter'd thoughts attempt to fly > And weakly fluttering mean the diftant fky ! J O thou whofe eye furveysmy inmoft heart, Thy grace, thy all prevailing grace impart, DifTolvethefe chains which keep my foul from thee, And bid this wretched ftruggling heart be free. O come thou bright, thou everlafting fair, Thou only worthy object of my care! Thy dazling beauties to my view difplay, And earth fhall vanifh at the blifsful ray, Like night's dark (hades before the rifing day. , i Immortal charms fhall all my powers controul, And fix each wandering paflion of my foul, Thy love the facred fource of endlefsjoy Shall all my heart and all my thoughts employ. Earth would be heaven in fuch a flate as this, And time a foretafte of eternal blifs. L 91 ] But all ! how foon the charming vifion flies ! -> Stay blefl ideas, teach my foul to rife, > Nor let me wifh in vain for heaven below the fkies ! * ^C>^C>KDi-i'04-C>^i04^04>04 ] Hrs hardy foldiers now the vi&ims feize, (Strange heart that fach a facrifice could pleafe !) The victims bound are to their fate convey'd, Plung'd in the flames, depriv'd of mortal aid: Fierce was the king, and fierce the raging fire, The foldiers in the cruel a£t expire. In view the tyrant fate to feaft his eyes (Inhuman pleafure ! horrid facrifice !J When fudden flarting from his feat, he cries, (Amazement in his looks, and wild difmay,-) '• What do I fee ? ye peers, ye princes lay! " Were not three criminals, fome moments paft, M With feiters bound, in yonder furnace cafl ? " 'Tis certain fact, O king, (the courtiers faidj •* We all beheld thy royal will obey'd :" When thus the king, (with inward anguifh preft, For full conviction now his heart pofTefi) " Amid the flames they walk, unhurt and free, " And lo a fourth of form divine I fee ! 64 Some angel makes the innocents his care, '* Perhaps their deity himfelf is there* The humbled monarch now renoune'd his pride And near advancing to the furnace cry'd '* Come forth, ye fervants of the God fupreme, u Come forth, and teach me to adore his name/* Forth came the prifoners at the royal word, Sav'd by the power they truflcd and ador'd : Not [ m 3 Not ev'n their cloatU werefcorch'd, norfing'd therf hair, Serene their looks, and cheerful was their air. The ftrange event around the country flew ; The concourfe, {till increafing, round them drew, Peers, princes, people, gazing, wondering fland, Compeird to witnefs an almighty hand. An aw'd attention bade the croud be flill, While thus the King aloud declar'd his will: * Ador'd for ever be his wonderous name ! " Who fav'd his fervants from the raging flame ; " His angels fent (the heavenly form I fawj M To guard thefe bleft obfervers of his law : ^0#Oi^O f K>^C>^0^ The Blind Man's Petition. Luke xviii. 38, &c. Jesus thou Son of David have mercy on me, &c. GREAT Saviour, born of David's race* O look, with pity look this way ! A helplefs wretch implores thy grace, Implores thy mercy's healing ray ! Jefus, thou Lord of life divine, To whom the fons of woe complain : Is not unbounded mercy thine ? And can I afk, and afk in vain ? Did ever fupplicating figh In vain to thee its grief impart ? Or mournful object meet thine eye, That did not move thy melting heart ? Around C "9 3 Around thee crowd a plaintive throng, I hear their importuning cries ; And now from every thankful tongue I hear the glad Hofannah rife. O look, with pity look on me, Wrapt in the mournful fhades of night ! My hope depends alone on thee, Speak Lord, thy word mall give me light ! Tis mercy, mercy I implore ! Speak, Lord, thy humble fuppliant raife ! Then fhall my heart thy grace adore ; Then fhall my tongue refound thy praife. ^^^^^-^^^-^^^^^^^^^ Reft and Comfort in Christ alone. TX THERE fhall I fly but to thy feet, * * My Saviour, my almighty friend ? Dear names, beyond expreffion fweet! On thefe my hopes of Blifs depend. I 4 Where C ISO 3 "Where fhall I reft but on thy grace, Thy boundlefs grace divinely free ? On earth I find no refting place ; Dear Saviour, bid me come to thee ! Though fin detains me from my Lord, I long, I languifli to be bleft : O fpeak one foul reviving word, And bid me come to thee, my refh When I this wretched heart explore, Here no kind fource of hope appears ; But O my foul, that grace adore, Free grace, which triumphs o'er my fears, Jefus, from thy atoning blood, My only confolation flows ; Hope beams from thee my Saviour God, My foul no other refuge knows. Oa 121 i040i<>K>fc^ On the Fifth of November. TO thee, Almighty God, we bring The humble tribute of our fongs : O teach cur thankful hearts to fing ! Or praife will languifh on our tongues. While Britain (favour'd of the flcies) Recalls the wonders God hath wrought j Let grateful joy adoring rife, And warm to rapture every thought. When hell and Rome combin'd their power 9 And doom'd thcfe ifles their certain prey ; Thy hand forbade the fatal hour, Their impious plots in ruin lay. Again our refllefs cruel foes Refum'd, avow'd, their black defign ; Again to fave us God arofe, And Britain own'd the hand divine; Why, [ 122 ] Why, gracious God, is Britain fav'd ? Why bleft with liberty and light ? Nor by fell tyranny enflav'd, Nor loft in fuperftition's night ? Not for our fakes, we confcious own ; A wretched, vile, ungrateful race : 'Tis done to make thy glory known ; To fhew the wonders of thy grace. The wonders of thy grace compleat; Reform this wretched, guilty land! Let thankful love, beneath thy feet, Confefs thy kind, thy guardian hand ! Let every age adore thy name, While nature's circling wheels fhall roll I Thy mercies every tongue proclaim, And found thy praife from pole to pole. Oa [ 12 3 ] .K>K^^04-C>^01<^^04<^^ On a day of prayer for fuccefs in war. LORD, how {hall wretched finners dare Look up to thy divine abode ? Or offer their imperfeft prayer Before a juft, a holy God ? Bright terrors guard thy awful feat, And dazling glories veil thy face ! Yet mercy calls us to thy feet, Thy throne is ftill a throne of grace. O may our fouls thy grace adore, May Jefus plead our humble claim ; While thy proteftion we implore, In his prevailing, glorious name. With all the boafled pomp of war In vain we dare the hoftile field : In vain, unlefs the Lord be there ; Thy arm alone is Britain's fliield. Let C 12 4 3 Let paft experience of thy care Support our hope, our truft invite* Again attend our humble prayer, Again be mercy thy delight! Our arms fucceed, our councils guide, Let thy right hand our caufe maintain ; 'Till war's deftru&ive rage fubfide, And peace refume her gentle reign. O when fhall time the period bring When raging war fhall wafle no more ; When peace fhall ftretch her balmy wing From Europe's coaft to India's fhore ? When fhall the gofpel's healing ray (Kind fource of amity divine I) Spread o'er the world celeflial day ? When fhall the nations, Lord, be thine ? Hymn Hymn for a day of public thankfgiving for PEACE. GREAT God infpire each heart and tongue Thy wonderous goodnefs to proclaim ; And bid the animating fong Glow with devotion's lively flame. To thee let favour'd Britain raife Her fweeteft notes of thankful praife. But where fhall we begin to trace The wonders of thy hand divine ? In every feafon, every place How numerous and how bright they fhin'c. To God ye favour'd Britons raife Your fweeteft notes of thankful praife. Abroad, protection and fuccefs Proclaim'd that Britain's God was there ; At home, he bade fair plenty blefs, The fruitful fields confefs'd his care; To God ye favour'd Britons raife Your fweet notes of thankful praife, Bm t "6 ] But yet beneath the hoftile fword Has many a worthy patriot bled, And many a mourning heart deplord A friend, a fon, a brother dead ! The fword is fheath'd — ye Britons raife To God your fweeteft notes of praife. The horrors of the fanguine field Which fadden'd victory's faireft plume, To fcenes of pleafure now mall yield And peace her gentle reign refume. To God ye favour'd Britons raife Your fweeteft notes of thankful praife, Kind peace, from her propitious fmiles What numerous, various bleflings flow ! Great God, to thee thefe happy ifles Unnumber'd obligations owe. To thee let favour'd Britain raife Her fweeteft notes of thankful praife. Crown, gracious God, thy gift of peace With gifts yet nobler, more divine ! O let thy all-prevailing grace Make Britain more entirely thine ! Devotion then to thee fhall raife Sublimer notes of thankful Draife, To [ 12 7 ] To , on the death of her father. r TPHOUGH nature's voice you mull obey, ■*" Think, while your fwelling griefs o'erflow, That hand, which takes your joys away, That fovereign hand can heal your % woe- And while your mournful thoughts deplore The father gone, remov'd the friend ! With heart refign'd, his grace adore, On whom your nobler hopes depend. Does he not bid his children rife Through death's dark (hades, to realms of light ? Yet, when he calls them to the fkies, Shall fond furvivors mourn their flight? His word (here let your foul relyj Immortal confolation gives : Your heavenly Father cannot die, Jefus the friend, for ever lives. C "8 ] O be that deareft friend your truft, On his almighty arm recline ; He, when your comforts fink in dull, Can give you bleflings more divine. 4»^^>^4*>^^>^^^>^^>^^>^^.^ To Myra. COULD thefe weak nerves, this trembling hand impart The animated wifh, the tender figh That pleafes and that pains this throbbing heart, Then friendfhip's form fliould meet thy mental eye. Oh train'd to virtue in affliction's fchool, Long fince convinced what heaven ordains is bed;' Still, Hill adhere to this unerring rule, Be refignation ft ill a welcome guefl. In fullering and in fentiment allied What boon for Myra (hall my wifhes crave ? That gracious heaven would be her conflant guide, In grief fupport her and from danger fave ! Oft C 129 ] Oft through the gloomy fhades of mortal nigh«, O may my friend enjoy a cheering ray (Sweet emanation of fincere delight !) From the fair regions of eternal day. There may we meet, and with the blifsful choir To love divine the fong triumphant raife ! While grateful wonder tunes the raptur'd lyre To boundlefspleafurc and immortal praife. <3<2$<2$^ To an Infant three weeks old, CAN I bid thee, lovely ftranger, Welcome to a world of care ? Where attends thee many a danger, Where awaits thee many a fnare? Hence, away, ye dark furmizes, Hope prefents a fairer fcene ; Many a blooming pleafure rifes, Many a funbeam fhines ferene. K O may £ *3ft 1 O may providence defend thee? Circled in its guardian arms, Dangers may in vain attend thee, Safe amid furrounding harms. Shall 1 wifh the world carefling? With thee pleafure, grandeur, wealth ? No — but many a nobler bleflihg; Wifdom, virtue, friendfhip, health. May'ft thou know the gracious donor, Early know, and love and praife! Then fhall real wealth and honour, Peace and pleafure crown thy days. ^><^^^><^><^!><^><4 , ><^ Breathing after God, WHERE is my God ? does he retire Beyond the reach of humble fighs ? Are thefe weak breathings ofclefire Too languid to afcend the fMes ? Where C »3* ] Where is my God ? can he be mine And yet fo long conceal his face ? And mud I every joy refign Nor hope for his returning grace ? Hence guilty diffidence depart, His goodnefs never can decline f He fees this weak this trembling heart That yctafpires to call him mine* He hears die breathings of defire, The weak petition if fincere, Is not forbidden to afpire, And hope to reach his gracious tar. Look up my foul with cheerful eye, See where the great Redeemer Hands, The glorious advocate on high, With precious incenfe in his hands- He fweetens every humble groan, He recommends each broken prayer; Recline thy hope on him alone, Whofe power and love forbid defpair. Teach my weak heart, O gracious Lord, With ftronger faith to call thee mine, Bid me pronounce the blifsful word, My father God with joy divine. K 2 Filia; C *3* ] Filial Submissions If ye endure chajlening> God dealttk with you as with fons, for what Jon is he whom the Fa- ther chafleneth not. Heb. xii, 7. AND can my heart afpire fo high, To fay, " my Father God !" Lord at thy feet I fain would lie, And learn to kifs the rod. I would fubmit to all thy will, For thou art good and wife ; Let every anxious thought be Hill, Nor one faint murmur rife. Thy love can cheer the darkfome gloom, And bid me wait ferene ; Till hopes and joys immortal bloom, And brighten all the fcene. My C *33 ] My father — O permit my heart, To plead her humble claim, And afk the blifs thofe words impart In my Redeemer's name. *0|C*O!OK^O!0*0t Humble Trust, WHY fhould rny pining fpirit be So long a ftranger to my Lord, When promifes divinely free, Invite me in his facred word ? Does he not bid the weary come, And call the wretched fons of grief, To him their refuge and their home, Their heavenly friend, their fure relief? Yes by the kindeft, tendered names* My Lord invites my humble truft; My diffidence he gently blames, How foft the cenfure and how juft, K 3 This I 134 -] This trembling frame worn out with pains On thee my guardian God depends; And while my fainting heart complains, To thee the plaintive groan afcends. Though all the powers of nature fail, And life's pale trembling lamp decline ; Thy grace can bid my faith prevail, Can give me fortitude divine. That grace which bids my hope afpire Can every anxious fear remove, Can give me all my foul's defire, The full affurance of thy love, #C>^><4<^#0#O^K>^0^0^ Hymn to Jesus. O HALL loyal nations hail the day,* O That crowns their king with loud acclaim ? And fhall not faints their homage pay, To their beloved Saviour's name ? Ye faints, refound in joyful ftrains, ; JefliSj, the King of glory reigns ! The coronaiion of king George III. Jefug £ '35 3 Jefus who vanquihYd all your foes, Who came to fave, who reigns to blefs. From him your every comfort flows, Life, liberty, and joy, and peace. Refound, refound in joyful flrains, Jefus, the King of glory reigns ! Yes, thou art worthy dearefl Lord, Ofuniverfal endlefs praife ; With every power to be ador'd, That men or angels e'er can raife. Let heaven and earth unite their {trains, Jefus, the King of glory reigns ! But earth, nor heaven can e'er proclaim, The boundlefs glories of their king; Yet mud our hearts adore his name, Dear name, whence all our bleflings fpring ! Refound, refound in joyful flrains, Jefus the King of glory reigns ! How mean the tribute mortals pay, How cold the heart, how faint the tongue; But Lord thy coronation day, Shall tune a more exalted fong: Refounding in immortal flrains, Jefus the King of glory reigns 1 K 4 Ke C >3<5 3 He comes, he comes, with triumph crown'd, In dazzling robes of light array 'd, Faith views the fplendor dawning round, Earth's faireft luftre links in {hade. Refound, refound in joyful drains, Jefus the King of glory reigns ! ^|?C>^C>K>K^^C>iO:#0#0# The King of Saints. COME, ye that love the Savior's name, And joy to make it known: The fovereign of your hearts proclaim, And bow before his throne. Behold your King, your Savior crown'4 With glories all divine; And tell the wondering nations round How bright thofe glories (hine. While majefty's effulgent blaze Surrounds his awful -brow; E'en angels tremble as they gaze, And veil'd adorinq; bow. But [ *37 3 But love attempers every ray, Love, how divinely fweet ! That ftoops to view the fons of clay, And calls them to his feet ! Infinite power and boundlefs grace, In him unite their rays : You that have e'er beheld his face, Can you forbear his praife ? When in his earthly courts we view The glories of our King ; We long to love as angels do, And wifli like them to fing. And fhall we long and wifh in vain? Lord teach our fongs to rife ! Thy love can animate the ftrain, And bid it reach the fkies. O happy period ! glorious day! When heaven and earth (hall raife. With all their powers the raptur'd lay, To celebrate thy praife. HYMtf t >38 3 )OCO' Hymn for the Lord's Day Morning, GREAT God, this facred day of thine, Demands our fouls collected powers : May we employ in work divine, Thefe folemn, thefe devoted hours ! O may our fouls adoring own, The grace which calls us to thy throne ! Hence, ye vain cares and trifles fly, Where God refides appear no more, Omnifcient God, thy piercing eye, Can every fecret thought explore. O may thy grace our hearts refine, And fix our thoughts on things divine. The word oflife difpens'd to day, Invites us to a heavenly feaft ; May every ear the call obey, Be every heart a humble guefl! O bid the wretched fons of need, On foul-reviving dainties feed ! Thy [ 4 39 ] Thy fpirit's powerful aid impart, O may thv word with life divine, Engage the ear, and warm the heart; Then ill all the day indeed be thine; Then {hall our fouls adoring own, The grace which calls us to thy throne. >K^l-Oi-^C>^04 ! #C>^C>i'C>^ Happy Poverty, or the Poor in Spirit bleffed. Matt, v, 3. YE humble fouls complain no more, Let faith furvey your future flore. How happy, how divinely bleft, The facred words of truth atteft. When confeious grief laments finccre, And pours the penitential tear; Hope points to your dejefled cyes t The bright reverfion in the fkies. i* C *4o j In vain the fons of wealth and pride, Defpife your lot, your hopes deride ; In vain they boafl their little ftores, Trifles are their's, a kingdom yours. A kingdom of immenfe delight, Where health, and peace, and joy unite ; Where undeclining pleafures rife, And every wifh hath full fupplies. A kingdom which can ne'er decay, While time fweeps earthly thrones away ; The ftate which power and truth fuftain, Unmov'd for ever mud remain . There (hall your eyes with rapture view, The glorious friend that dy'd for you ; That dy'd to ranfom, dy'd to raife To crowns of joy, and fongs of praife. Jems, to thee I breathe my prayer, Reveal, confirm my intereft there ! Whate'er my humble lot below, This, this my foul de fires to know ! O let me hear that voice divine, Pronounce the glorious bieffing mine ! Enrolled among thy happy poor, My largeft wifhes afk no rnore. The £ i4i 3 The neceffity of renewing grace. HOW helplefs, guilty nature lies, Unconfcious of its load ! The heart unchang'd can never rife, To happinefs and God. The will perverfe, the paffions blind, In paths of ruin flray : Reafon debas'd can never find, The fafe, the narrow way. Can ought beneath a power divine The fiubborn will fubdue ? ? Tis thine, almighty Savior, thine To form the heart anew. 'Tis thine the paffions to recall, And upwards bid them rife ; And make the fcales of error fall from reafon's darken'd eyes. 7H C u* 3 To chafe the fhades of death away, And bid the finner live ! A beam of heaven, a vital ray TTis thine aione to give. O change thefe wretched hearts of ours, And give them life divine! Then fhall our paffions and our powers Almighty Lord, be thine* ^•X^X $-X ^X^X^X4X4 ; X4* The Pearl of great price,, Matt. xiii. 46. YE glittering toys cf earth adieu, A nobler choice be mine; A real prize attracts my view, A treafure all divine. Be gone, unworthy of my cares, Ye fpecious balls of fenfe ; Inefiimable worth appears-, The pearl of price immenfe. C M3 3 Jefus, to multitudes unknown, O name divinely fweet! Jefus, in thee, in thee alone, Wealth, honor, pleafure meet. Should both the Indies at my call, Their boafted ftores refign, With joy I would renounce them all, For leave to call thee mine. Should earth's vain treafures all depart, Of this dear gift poffefs'd; I'd clafp it to my joyful heart, And be for ever blefs'd. Dear fovereign of my foul's defires, Thy love is blifs divine ; Accept the wifli that love infpircs, And bid me call thee mine. ^^^^^2i$f^t^ Miscellaneous Pieces IN PROSE, ^i nf yr? e*y ^*> P*f «v^ fV *V^ ***? V 1 * ^T MISCELLANEOUS PIECES. joO°C The Journey of Life. RUMINATING one evening on this che- quered fcenc of mortal life, its pains and pleafures, hopes and cares ; and endeavouring to reduce my thoughts into fome kind of order, it produced the following reverie. I fancied myfelf beginning a difficult and ha- zardous journey, I knew not at fir ft from whence I came nor whither I was going, yet though igno- rant and helplefs, had fome little fen fe of my de- pendence on the fkill of feveral perfons, who led me by turns with affeclionate care : I had only a little dubious light, like the fir ft faint glimmerings of approaching morn ; but as daylight by degrees came on I could difcover fome thing of the prof- ncd before me, and found myfelf at the foot of a L 2 very [ i 4 8 ] tfery high mountain; the wide extended fcene on the right and left as far as my eye could reach pre- fented an endlefs variety of objects. Finding my ftrength increafe and with it a grow- ing curiofity, I went forward till I came to a- iequeftered fcene of fhady groves and flowery vales, through which foft cryftal ftreams mean- dering ftrayed and gave and received new beauty ; arrayed in robes of rural innocence and fmiling with contented looks, the happy natives tuned their artlefs fongs, and all the enchanting fcene was harmony and peace ! 1 liflened to the Tooth- ing Arams with rapture, and lain I would have dwelt in thofe delightful groves ! but a monitory voice reminded me that I was on a journey and that this attractive place was not my home, I then turned my eyes to another part of the profpeft, and beheld lofty buildings magnificently furniflied, crouded ftreets filled with hurry and confufion, refounding with a thoufand harfh dif- cordant notes ; the greater part of the inhabitants were employed in inceffant labour of variou s kinds, and feemed to have very little relifh of pleafuremore than the animals which I obferved fometimes afiifted them in their work; thefe' appeared to be flaves to a few perfons who fat in thofe flately domes dreft in fplendid gar- ments and furrounded with all the pomp of lux- ury, C *49 'J ury, yet on many of their faces I obferved tlue marks of difcontent and care. Tired with this difagreeable fcene my eye roved farther Hill, and furveyed huge tracts of fandy defarts, uncultivated wilds, and thorny labyrinths, but could not dif- cover the end of my journey, which gave me great anxiety. 1 faw before me a variety of paths, fome were fmooth and verdant, and winding feemed to promife an eafy afcent to the top of the mountain which I wiffied to reach, others ap- peared difficult and dangerous. I fhould have been at a lofs to know the right path, had not my conductors (who at my firft fetting out led me and were ftill near) put into my hands a book, in which I fcund a map of the country through which I was travelling, a description of the place to which I was going, and plain inductions con- cerning the road I was to take: this book, of fo much importance to my fafety and comfort, I was informed was written by the direction of a perfon of confummate fkill and undoubted vera- city, and who had alfo promifed fuch powerful protection and affiftance to thofe travellers who might fincerely defire it, as fiiould preferve thern through every danger and enable them to furmount every difficulty. Defiring to follow the directions of this book, and imploring the protection and affiflance of its L 3 S r vfcl [ *5° 3 gfceat author, I chofe a narrow path, which I was allured led to life, another name for the land of happinefs. > Here I met with fome agreeable companions, whole longer acquaintance with the facred book, and better knowledge of the road, made their converfation not only entertaining but ufeful ; of thefe fome purfued their way with cheerfulnefs and alacrity, others were timorous and fearful, ready to faint under difcouragements and terrified at the apprehenfions of danger. Though they were all travelling to the fame place, and pro- fe fifed to follow the fame directions, yet by reafon of weaknefs and mifapprehenfion, they had diffe- rent notions concerning fome circumffances in their journey, which often occafioned difputes a- inong them, and interrupted that peace and har- mony which it was their mutual intereft to main- tain. I fometimes looked round me and faw the roads on either fide peopled with a multitude of paflen- gers, fome hurrying on, feeking, as they vainly imagined, the land of happinefs, but defpifing thole unerring directions which only could teach the way ; and fondly believing their own wild con- jectures a fufficient guide, they contemned thofe in the narrow path, as a company of precife fools, fometimes deriding, or if they happened to fee* any C «*» ] one flumble, laughing aloud, and fometimcs endeavouring to feduce them to their own party, gave them great annoyance. Another company- no lefs miftaken were alfo' defirous of happinefs, but not liking the journey and fancying their pre- fent abode with improvements might be made a paradife, were bufily employed in meafuring the ground, collecting materials, projecting fchemes, and drawing plans, which ere they were finifh- ed were rejected for new ones: thefe were quiet enough, but generally appeared difTatisfied. As to myfelf I met with many difficulties, occafioned by thick mifts which arofe from the earth, and fome- times almofl obfeured the light of the fun ; in thefe feafons of darknefs I went flowly on, trem- bling and diffident, ready to fear I fhould never reach the abodes of happinefs ! but as rays of light now and then broke through the gloom, it was feldom totally dark, and my book often afforded me comfort and fupport : as I went farther the gloom difpenfed by degrees, and the cheering fun* beams infpired new life and vigour. In the earlier part of my journey, I w T as delight- ed with the charms of rural mafic, and learned to imitate the foothing Drains ; retaining flill my fondnefs for the foft amufement, I often tuned the jyre to complaining notes or cheerful airs, accord- L 4 ing C *5 2 3 ing to my different fituation, and found it anagree« able folace : fometimes, the various diftrefles of my fellow travellers awoke the friendly firings to fympathizing forrow, and fometimes the fatal er- rors of thofe deluded mortals who were purfuing, unconcerned, the way to the region of mifery, drew forth the melting notes of pity ! Now and then in a happy fhining hour, fired with the glorious description of the land of happi- nefs contained in the facred book, I aimed a nobler fong, and my thoughts, winged with love and de- iire, feemed to rife above mortality, and longed to join the blifsful natives in flrains of celeftial har- mony ! — but ah, how fhort were thefe delightful feafons ! how oft my weak forgetful heart found caufe to mourn its frailty ! a few flowers, which grew here and there on the borders of the road, often drew my attention ; but when I flopped to view and admire their painted beauties, diverted with the trifling employ, my thoughts retained but faintly the impreflion of my journey's end; till entangled in the thorns which were interfperfed among the flowers, I became fenfible of my carelefs folly, or the monitory voice beforementioned rouz- ed me from the fatal indolence. And oft the ra- diant lamp of day, as if to chide my mifimprove- inent of his ufeful beams, wrapt his cheering in- fluences C *53 ] fluences in a gloomy cloud, and left my fleps confolate and (ad. In thefe diflrefsful hours my heart fought comfort in the facred book, implor- ing that divine flrength which it encouraged me to afk and hope for, nor did I afk and hope in vain; again the gloom withdrew, the fun appeared, and with his vital beams revived my drooping fpirits and animated my feeble fleps. Yet other difficulties attended my journey, cold piercing blafis and chilling (bowers, pained and opprelled my fhivering frame, but when the florin abated 'the funlhine feemed brighter and warmer than before. Sometimes iiwi fible enemies attack- ed me, againft whofe power a!l my flrength was weaknefs, but my great protector difp laved before me his impenetrable fhield, and my baffled foes retreated. If the path was rough my feet were apt to flumble, but my kind guardian extended his af- fifling hand and preferved me from falling. Yet amidft my various discouragements, when I look- ed round me, I law the fufferings of many of my fellow travellers were far greater than mine, which excited fentiments of gratitude for myfelf and com- paiTion for them. Thus exercifed with viciiTitudes, I reached at length the fummit of the mountain, where I turn- ed C *54 ] cd myfelf round to furvey the Heps my weary Jeet had meafured ; I faw nothing in the retrofpefliou to tempt my return, but much to make me humble in myfelf, and thankful to my gracious preferver. I now turned to purfue my journey, but paufed a little to confider the profpe£l before me, and found it not much unlike that on the other fide the moun- tain, this remarkable difference indeed there was^ the groves and flowery vales which had fo charmed me in the earlier part of my journey now appeared lefs verdant and lively, and the fcenes of pomp and luxury, and the din of bufy crouded ftreets, feem- ed fiill more diftafteful. I yet faw multitudes of poor miflaken creatures in the road to mifery, but helplefs pity and una- vailing wifhcs were all I could give them. I miff- ed many whom I had feen in my journey, fome in the narrow path, others in the different roads, who had been fnatched away by an unfeen hand, ere they had reached the fummit : I now looked forward as far as my eye could reach, to' try if I could difcover the end of my way, but a thick cloud terminated the view. All I could do was to confult my book, in which I had often read, that before I could enter the land of happinefs, I muft pafs through a difmal vale, overfhadowed with more than midnight darknefs, and filled with a thou- C ] 55 ] a thoufand terrors; but that the powerful and gra- cious friend whom 1 have fo often mentioned, h.:d bimfelf pafled through it, and made it fafe to thofe who trull in his protection ; not all its ter- rors can hurt them, he will fufiain their fainting fpirits, and open the fhining gates of happinefs to receive them, and they fhall dwell for ever with him in fullnefs of joy. As I reviewed thefe fweet afiurances, hope warmed my bofom and caimed my rifing fears, my reverie became an awful reality, and I concluded humbly defiring to truft the reminder of my jour- ney, whether long or fhort, painful or eafy. to the infinite power and goodnefs of this almighty friend, and to enter under his care, in his due time, into die land of immortal happinefs. Amen. All [ 156 ] 4-^^><^><^><^^><^><^><^><^ All thy works praise thee, THE glory of God is the end of the creation. To this the vegetable and the animal world in their various orders and different capacities con- tribute, and render their humble praife to their almighty author. The fun and moon, and all thofe glittering luminaries which deck the tracklefs azure, proclaim the glorious fource of light, from whence they derive their luflre, and with fervid blaze, mild beam, or twinkling ray, refleEt their maker's praife. The heavens declare the,- glory of God, and the firmament fheweth his handy work. The changing feafons, as they roll, difplay the divine perfections, and the {horter revolutions of day and night, with alternate voice repeat the conftant, the univerfal theme. Day unto day uttereth fpeech, and night unto night fheweth knowledge. But man, the mafter-piece of this lower crea- tion, the finifhing ftroke of almighty fkill, man, diflinguifhed with the godlike faculty of reafon, arjd endowed with fuperior abilities to difplay his Maker's [ *57 ] Maker's praife, alas, how fallen ! What ruin baa fin occafioned! the loweft reptile, the minuted infecl; anfwer the end of their creation better than man ! humbling thought — ah, let me never boaft of a diftinSion fo inverted, a capacity fo fadly mifimproved ! How is this foul of mine ahnofl un- confcious of its divine original, and thoughtlefs of its infinite importance, groveling in the duft ? Thefe aclive powers, thefe reftlefs defires, which were implanted in my frame, to contemplate the perfections of my almighty Maker, and afpire to the enjoyment of his favour, how are they funk in a ftupid indolence ! bufied and confufed with trifl- ing cares, or bewildered in the chafe of empty vanities 40#04<^4 5 040>t i O^O^O^ Human Frailty. HOW mean and defpicable a character is that of the wretched Carlos ? I juftly call him wretched, though by the world accounted great and noble, for real greatnefs and true nobility are not C 158 ] not the gift of fortune ; it is not birth, eftate, cr titles, but virtue only that confers true honour I 'tis this adorns the char after with real brightness, andfaroutfhines thofe tinfel trappings which dazzle vulgar eyes. Virtue can indeed ennoble thefe ad- vantages, and with communicated luflre make them truly valuable. But a man whom prqvidence has placed in fo high a rank, capable of being the friend and ornament of his country, and an exam- ple to all around him ; to fee fuch a man employ his time and cares in child i ill fports, purfuing and collecting butterflies, which have nothing to re- commend them but their gaudy colours, excites at once my pity and contempt ! And yet with confeious {hame I may reflect, that this is the very picture of my conduct ! — I am a rational being, capable of thought and reflection — I have a foul born to noble purpofes and expecta- tions ! an heir of immortality ! made to glorify my Maker, and blefl with the advantages of reafon and revelation to direct me in my duty, to teach me how to afpire to the enjoyment of his favour here, and everlafting happinefs in his bJifsful piefence above. But ah, how thoughtlefs and negligent am I of thefe important, thefe eternal concerns! how are my [ *59 ] my cares employed, my time and talents wafled in the mean purfuit of vanities and trifles, as worth- lefs as thofe little ftiining infe&s! — How weak, how foolifh, how criminal is this conduft ! — I argue with myfelf, I am convinced, I complain, — but what can I do ? — Could all the power of rea- foning and force of argument alter the difpofition of Carlos ? Or can it alter mine ? — No, it is not human power that can effefl: it, — the work requires fupernatural flrength ! Tis only the almighty in- fluences of divine grace that can rouze my languid powers, recall my wandering thoughts, and en- gage my whole heart in the arduous, yet delightful employment for which this foul of mine was made : To thee almighty, all-gracious Lord, I come for help, — convince me more fully of my weaknefs,. my folly, and my guilt, and pity and forgive me for thy mercy fake ! grant me wifdom to chufe, and flrength to purfue nobler objecls! let the im- portant concerns of thy glory, and the welfare of my immortal foul employ my thoughts, my time, and all my powers, with warm attention and fin- cere delight, O God of mercy, thou that heareft prayer ! Let thefe poor breathings reach thy gracious ear, Weak. C 160 j Weak, impotent, and blind, to thee I ffy,' O may thy grace my every want fupply ! Thy powerful grace, which only can impart Conviftion, life, and vigor to my heart. Illuminate my yet beclouded eyes ! Thefe empty trifles teach me to defpife ! Let nobler cares, my time, my thoughts employ, And bid my fpirit pant for real joy ! Be thy almighty arm, my nrength, my guide, And never from thy precepts let me Aide. Let thy kind influence make my future days, A life of pleafjre, and a life of praife. O raife thefe faint defires to a flame of facred ardour, and accept them in Jefus the Mediator, the Lord our righteoufnefs ! *0#C^i-C^4 i C^#c^^CD#c^i'0# Of the Knowledge of Ourselves. THIS fcience is abfolutely necefiary to happU nefs, both in the moral and religious life* —In the moral life, this is the firfl: flop to all other knowledge, as it fhews us our ignorance and want of acquirements, awakens our defire and quickens kens our diligence in the purfuit of them, it has the peculiar advantage of mortifying pride, that dangerous encroaching enemy, and teaching the lovely virtue of humility. The more we know of ourfelves, the lefs room we find for va- nity and felf-applaufe; and humility, the wife Solomon allures U8, is the neareft way to honour, It places our rrrerits, cur neceflities, and our en- joyments in their jail and proper light, from whence proceeds the trued tafle of pleafure, Thus the knowledge of ourfelves leads to profit, pleafure and honour, in which is comprehended the general notion of happinefs. 'Tis eflentiai to the being of the religious life, for we mud know our native mifery before we can begin to breathe after fpiritual happinefs; the more we know of ourfelves, the more clearly we perceive there h nothing in us that bears the leaft proportion to our wants, and confequently, that every degree of true fatisfaclion mufl come from a higher fpring : we mufl be convinced of our extreme weaknefs and indigence before our defires can arife to God, for the neceiTary fupplies of ftrength and grace. — We mufl: be fenfible of our ignorance, to make us feek for divine inftrnSion from our glorious teacher, in whom are hid all the treafures of wifdom and knowledge. M O may [ i6» ] O may this important ftudy be my daily em- ploy ! teach me O Lord the knowledge of myfelf, and lead me to thee the eternal fource of true fe- licity ! — Man is himfelf a little world of wonders, An ample field of fcience, though the ftudy Is hard and difficult : yet, ufeful knowledge Attends the fearch and compenfaies the pains. Whene'er I contemplate the human frame, What caufe of admiration do I find, To fee fuch traces of almighty wifdom, And power almighty every where appear The labour of a God ! — the matter piece Is man of all his wonderous works Below the fkies, and but a ftep remov'd From angels, thofe immortal fons of light! But ah, what caufe for deep abafement too ! What room for mourning at the painful thought. That man is* viler than the bealts that perifh, Debas'd by fin, accurfed iTn ! defpoil'd Of all his glory ! blotted from his foul Thofe characters divine, which once befpoke His Maker's glorious image there impreft. O may redeeming love,, renewing grace, Walli the foul (lain away and make me pure ! Reftore that glorious image in my foul, And nobler honours give than thofe I loft! Humility. C *«* I ^O^OOIOIC^C^OIO^ Humility. n T) E cloathed with humility. " — This apt and -U beautiful allufion to a garment, feems pe- culiarly fuited to imprefs the facred leffon on the mind, by an accommodation abfolutely ne- cefTary to the comfort of life; in this light le: me confider the heavenly virtue recommended, Should I not be afhamed to appear in company in an undrefs, or in ragged dirty cloathing ? And have I not much more reafon to blufh when I difco- ver a negleclofthis neceffary, this ornamental robe ? Would the mod tattered, dirty cloaths render my perfon fo difagreeable, as the appearance of pride ehdfelf-conceit would make my mind contemptible ta a difcerning eye ? How then muft it appear to »he aH-feeing eye of a holy God ! M £ Here, [ i6 4 ] Here, all my higheft attainments, ail my beft acquirements are in themfelves as filthy rags ! At- tainments did I fay and acquirements ? Alas ! of myfelf I can do nothing, I have nothing to boaft of! and if my proud heart, or my partial friends can difcover any thing amiable, is not the fuppof- ed excellence the unmerited gift of my almighty benefactor? To his fervice, reafon tells me it fhould be entirely dedicated, and his word, that it mull be improved ! — but ah, how far do I come fhort ? wretched, ungrateful creature ! is it poiTi- ble for me to think oi this and find any place for pride ? — O let me throw it from me with more ab- horrence than I w r ould a garment covered with mire, and fly to the great Redeemer, whofe fpot- lefs righteoufnefs is the only robe in which I dare appear before the throne of God ! — Gracious God, who wilt with the moil ineftimablegift of thy love, freely give us all things which we need, O give me more and more this lovely ornament of humi- lity ! enable me to meditate with delightful atten- tion on the infinitely amiable excellencies of my adorable Saviour, and ardently defire to be more like him in this engaging virtue ! O how bright it Ihone in every fcene of his aftonifhing abafe- ment ! And did the holy Jefus, the Lord of Lords,, and king of kings condefcend to innumerable in- fiances of benevolence to poor finners! did he even ftoop [ 1% ] floop to wafli the feet of his difciples, to teach them a leffon of affectionate humility ! and fhall not I, a poor finful creature, rejoice to be able to admi- nifter any comfort or afliftance to the meaneit of his fervants ? Transform meblcfled Saviour into thy own lovely image, and make me meek and lowly ! Acquaintance with God the fupreme good. Job xxii. and 21. Pfalm iv. and 6. THERE is a defire implanted in the human mind, which no earthly enjoyment can ever fatisfy, a reftlefs, craving wifh for fome diftant bappinefs, fome good unpofteil ! That fomething which Dili prompts th' eternal figh, .For which we wifh to live, and dare to die. Pope- All mankind purfue it under different forms, but how falfe the notions ! how miftaken the appre- henfions of far the greatefl part ! The libertine fol- lows it, in the fhape of pleafure, through all the M 3 crooked [ i66 ] crooked labyrinths of vice, and Sacrifices virtue and its celeftial hopes to dreams of happinefs; but wakes to real woe, and all the racking pangs of confcious guilt! — The avaricious man with incef- fant toil vainly feeks for it in the acquifition of wealth, and devotes his time, his cares, and even his foul to the wretched flavery of heaping up ufe- lefs treafures, ufelefs to the immortal mind, which can never feed on mining dull. — While others, no lefs deceived expeft to find it in honours, titles, or popular applaufe. Honours and titles, what are they but empty forms of painted air? The bubble breaks, and all the gaudy colours vanifh ! and what is applaufe? a fleeting breath of wind, a mufical air played and forgotten, and oft it breaks abrupt- ly off, or finks to harfh difcordant notes : deluded mortals! to feek fubftantial blifs in empty founds, while they are perhaps regardlefs of the real fatis- fa&ion, which flows from the fecret whifpers of a peaceful confeience, fprinkled with the atonjng blood of Jefus! Jefus, by whom we, who were afar off, ar$ brought nigh to God ! we, who were enemies are reconciled ! He, with his dying ago- nies obtained our pardon, and reflored us to the favour of God, which we had for ever forfeited ! here only can the foul find reft, here only is that good to be found, which every where elfe is fought in vain! — the favour of God! 'tis this irradiates the C 167 J the celeftial regions, and beams immortal Llifs and joys ineffable on all the fons oflight. The hope of this, though but a momentary ray, can gild the darkefl fcenes of mortal life, and prefent a glimpfe of heaven through the furrounding gloom. Ac- quaintance witli God, the views of an intereft in him as our father, our almighty friend! Glorious privilege ! fullnefs of blifs ! how immenfe, how unfpeakable ! in this is contained every thing we can want or defire ! full fatisfaclion for the bound- lefs wifhes of the foul ! pleafures unalloyed, ho- nour unfading, and riches incorruptible and ex- bauftlefs! In thy favour O Lord is life, and thy loving kindnefs is better than life. Let others flretch their arms like feas And grafp in all the fliore, Grant me the vifits of thy face, And I defire no more! Watts, M4 Content C 168 ] Content. DAILY experience affords ample proof, that there is no fuch thing as real fatisfaclion in any earthly enjoyments. Pleafure, happinefs. what are they but empty names ? vifionary forms ! ro- mantic fcenes, which never had exiftence but in iancy ! Of thisreafon and reflection fully convince us, and fighing we confefs the melancholy truth ! and yet (unaccountable folly) we eagerly purfue the airy fleeting fhadows, and vex ourfelves that we cannot overtake them J Our firft parents finned and loft their earthly paradife, and in vain do their wretched pofterity feek for bowers of blifs ! no fhades of fvveet repofe and undifturbed tranquility are to be found on . earth ! Let us then (it down and ferioufiy enquire what is the hrgheft happinefs mortals can enjoy ? Be gone ambition, nor let vanity appear; fame, wealth, and pleafure hide your heads, 'tis not in -cur united power to be&ow.— It is content ! 'tis this alone which bears a true refemblance of hap- pinefs -J C 169 ] ft fo often fought, fo rarely found! — How cafv, how cheerful, and how bled is the content- oi man! a ftranger to the bufy cares and refllefs anxieties of the ambitious, the covetous, and the gay; pleafed with his little fhare of earthly good, he moves calmly on in the fphere affigned by pro- vidence, nor minds the noify buflle round him, nor envies all the gaudy blaze of grandeur; nor follows the tempting gay delufive forms of plea- fure. He enjoys a little heaven below, in the hope of that confummate blifs prepared for him in the manfions of glory: blifs which will for ever fiourilh in immutable perfection, when all thofe glittering appearances are vanifhed and forgotten,, Divine, content ! ineflimable bleffing! How {hall I attain the enjoyment of fo defirable a flate ? Every good gift, and every perfect gift, is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with v, horn is no variableness, neither fhadow of turning. Gracious God, who had in thy facred word encouraged thy poor creatures to afk thofe bleiTings which thy unrneafured gocdnefs can be- llow, give me, O give me from thy exbau treafures of grace in Jefus the Redeemer, that fwect content, that inexpreffible fatisfaclion which flaws from the hope of thy favour, and the delight- ful views of my intereft in thy everlailing love ragh him ! Let the peace of God which paiTeth all E i;° ] all underftanding fill my heart and mind ! Then {hall I be eafy and cheerful in the diftributions of thy providence, nor fuffer a repining thought at the want of leffer comforts. Father I wait thy daily will, Thou (halt divide my portion ftill, Grant me on earth what feems thee bed, 'Till death and heaven reveal the reft. Watts. True Honour. t; Chriftian is the higheft ftile of man." OF all the candidates for honour which appear on the great theatre of the world, a chrif- tian has the higheft: claim. Are men of eminent and diftinguifhed wifdom, entitled to universal ef- teem ? A chriftian is wife unto falvation ! Are men of great eftates and titles accounted honoura- ble? Chriftians are the fons of God ! they are en- titled to an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and [ m 3 and which fadeth not away ; and have trcafures laid up for them in heaven, which can never be exhaulted ! — Is the favourite of a kin£ envied for the honours his fovereign bellows ? how mean his fjtuation compared with a favourite of the king of kings! Nay, what are kings themfelves arrayed in all their Ihort-lived blaze of earthly glory, compar- ed with the followers of Chrift, who fhall live and reign with him for ever and ever? Howworthlefs v.re all the laurels acquired by the mod ambitious and victorious conqueror, compared with the palm bellowed on the triumphant chrillian by the Cap- tain of his falvatioo, through whom he is more than a conqueror over all the powers of earth and hell ? — A chrifiian. — let me reflect — have I indeed a claim to that noble appellation, that truly ho- nourable title ? Do I walk worthy of the vocation wherewith I am called ? — What is it to be a chrif- tian ? To love Chrift and to follow him. — How am I to love him ? with all my heart and foul and ilrengih, with a fervent, a conltant and fupreme Jove. He that loveth father or mother, &c. more than me is not worthy of me. Confider, O my foul thy infinite obligations! confider what he has done, and what he will do for wretched, guilty, loft, miferable finners. Reflect on thy deferis, and on thy hopes, and then canft thou withhold thy worthlefs all, thy ardent love, from this adora- ble L *7* j tie Saviour? will not this lead thee to a felicitous enquiry, how fhall I follow him ? Attend to his own words! If ye love me keep my command- ments — and a new commandment I give unto you that ye love one another, as I have loved you, that ye alfo love one another, by this (hall all men know that ye are my difciples if ye have love one to another. Glorious and delightful teft of chriftianity ! — gracious Lord enable me to evidence my love to thee, by my affectionate regard for all thy faithful followers, and my tendereft concern for the wel- fare, of even the meaneft of thofe who bear thy facred image ! If I can, humbly and penitently confeious of my own frailty, cheerfully defire in my great redeem- er's flrength to obey his commands which are not greivous; (hall I not alfo earneilly wifh to follow his example in his i mi table excellencies ? O let me read and meditate his wondrous life, who went about doing good, till I find my heart warmed with his love, impreffed with his lovely image, ?,nd ardently defiring to trace the footfteps of my Lord! — A chriftian fhould think and fpeak much of Chi id and his love; this fhould be his confrant fubjeft of meditation and converfe, the fweetnefs of his bleffings, and the folace of his care. — And do I call myfelf a chriftian ? and can I live a day at a C *73 3 at a diftance from my dear redeemer, and be content and eafy ? No. — for there is no fatisfaclion in any thing befides! — The empty trifles which divert my thoughts or fill up my converfation, are all like the prodigals's hulks, they neither pleafe nor nourifh. Aiife O my foul, leave this wretched trafh, and go to thy father's houfe where there is bread enough and to fpare ! — Were I to fee a prince, heir expectant of a crown, inftead of employing his time in acquiring and cultivating thofe princely vir- tues, which are fuitable to his high ftation, and prepa- rative to his future royalty, fpend hours and days playing with pebbles or piddling in the dirt, ihould I not pronounce him unworthy of the dignity for which he was defigned, and look on him with an eye of pity and contempt ? yet this is the pifture of a carelefs chrifHan, who fpends his time in foolifii unprofitable thoughts or idle chat. — BlefTed Jefus! pity my weaknefs, pardon my guilty my inexcufable folly, fill my heart with thy love, and teach me to think, to fpeak, to live, as becomes a chriftian. Friendship. c m ] Friendship, TT'RIENDSHIP has been oft my favorite theme, X and afforded many a pleafing thought, but hitherto my experience of this bleffing anfwers not my ideas, perhaps they are raifed too high, or it may be, this is too near akin to all other earthly pieafures which fly our wilhes or difappoint our expectations. Let me then raife my thoughts from earth and confider this amiable fubjeft in its divine perfec- tion, let me meditate on the friendship of the blefTed Jefus, who fays, henceforth I call you not fervants but friends &c. wondrous condefcenfion ! delightful afTurance! infinitely more engaging than the deareft ties on earth ! an intereft in his friend- fhip how defirable, how extenfive the bleiTing I it contains every thing we need for time and eter- nity. The deareft friend on earth though his heart be ours and his will ever ready, may want the power to afiift us; in neceflhies, dangers, and diUrefTeG C -75 3 diftreiTes we can have no more than his tendereil concern, his fincereft good withes : we difclofc our griefs with unavailing confidence, while friend- fhip mourns but cannot help us. But Jefus is in- finitely powerful, all power in heaven and in earth is his, he is able as well as willing to fave to the uttermoft : to him we may lay open all our hearts and pour out our fouls without referve; to him lament our frailties, for he alone can corre£t them; to him reveal our wants, he can fupply them all; to him we may tell our forrows, he can and will remove or give us flrength to bear them; to him we may recount our comforts and our joys, for he is the fpring from whence they flow; he only can continue and increafe them. Our friends may be fo far diftant in our greateft extremities, that we may be deprived even of the benefitof their kind condolance and compani- onate fympathy, beraufe they cannot be acquainted with our diftrefs: but Jefus is ever near, ever rea- dy to aflift his beloved friends; he hears every groan and pities every forrow, he is touched with a feeling of their infirmities, and his divine com- panion and fympathizing tendernefs are far beyond all that mortal friendfhip ever knew ! Are they ex- pofed to want, affliction, and diftrefs, he fhares in all their fufferings; and to exprefs how intimately his affe&ion is united to them, he even fpeaks of thofe L 176 ] thofe fufTerings as his own ; I was fick, I was in prifon &:c. and kind offices done to the leaft of thofe whom he gracioufly condefcends to cali his brethren, he rewards as done to himfelf; and if he hide his blifsful face, yet ftill they dwell upon his heart, and in his own belt time he will relieve them: hisfovereign hand can turn afflictions into bleffings, and grief fhall terminate in joy. His own foft hand fhall wipe the tear From every weeping eye. Watts. In ftraits and difficulties if we applv to earthly friends for counfel, and receive the bell advice they are capable of giving; they are weak fhort- lighted creatures like ourfelves, and by following their directions, we may be led into irretrievable er- rors and misfortunes : but Jefus the heavenly friend, is infinite in wifdom ! he guides Lis favorites by his counfels, the unerring dictates of his facred word, makes their way plain before them, by the conftant care of his providence, and conducts them, through all the difficulties and embarrafs- ments of life, to eternal fafetyand happinefs. Human nature is frail, and the warmed, fincer- eft friendship may cool and change to indifference, and though friendfhip is ever ready to put the moil favourable conftruftion on the behaviour, to place C *77 ] place every a&ion in its faireft light, and to pity an 1 forgive the faults it cannot mend, yet as it cannot know the heart and judges only by words and aclions, th^fe are liable to mifunderftandings and falfe reprefenlations, which may interrupt its courfe, and perhaps entirely diffolve thofe ties, which feemed too firm for time and chance to loo fen. But if the love of Jefus is unchangeable, he that made the heart knows all its inmoft recedes, and cati never be mifinformed, can never miftake; if there is a principle of fincere love to him, though buried amid a thoufand imperfe&ions, that }ove himfelf infpired, he approves, and will re- ward. The foul once his, is his for ever, not all the powers of earth or hell, not things prefent nor things to come, fhall be able to feparate from his everlafting love. In mortal friendfhips, the fatisfaclion a generous mind enjoys in obliging, and the fentiments of a grateful heart in being obliged, are exceedingly agreeable ; but this heavenly friend engages our warmeft our everlafting gratitude, and even grati- tude is fwallowed up in wonder, when we medi- tate the immeafurable extent of his divine benefi- cence, in what he has done, is Hill doing, and will do for the objects of his love. Of enemies and traitors, he has made friends and favourites! for N guilty E v* ] guilty, loft, undone creatures, defervlng nothing but never-ending mifery and eternal death, he has purchafed pardon, life and immortal happinefs ; and this with his own moft precious blood ! It would be a furprizing effeft of friendlhip for a man to lay down his life for his friend; but Jefus freely gave his life for fuch as were his inveterate enemies. Stupendous love ! aftonifhing goodnefs ! — At death, earthly friendfhips are diffolved, with the friend our comforts die, and the fatisfaftion we enjoyed in their fociety, leaves only a painful re- membrance of the pleafures we have loft. — But Je- fus lives for ever ! lives to make intercefiion for his friends above, to communicate conflant fup- plies of grace to them below, to guide them through all the fcenes of mortal life, to guard them from every danger, to ftrengthen them in encountering their laft enemy, crown them with viftory, and bring them fafe to bis glorious prefence, to live with him for ever and ever. Happy, happy fouls! who have an intereft in this all-fufficient, this ever- lafting friend! O may I never reft fatisfied till I can fay with a humble, yet well-grounded confi- dence, this is my beloved, this is my friend! BlefTed Jefus ! teach me to know thee and to love thee C *79 ] thee more, let me hear the voice of thy facred fpi- lit whifpering to my heart that thou art mine, allure me of my interefl ia thy almighty, thy unchangea- ble love! then fliall I be blefl indeed. My Lord, my Saviour, my almighty friend, O wilt thou, gracious, own the humble claim! And let thy fpirit, facred evidence, Confirm it to my foul with power divine ! Tell me, O tell me thou art mine indeed, And fill my heart with gratitude and love ! But ah! how weak, how languishing and low My firongefl gratitude, my highefl love. How cold, the warmed ardors of my foul, For bleflings fo divine ! how poor a gift This vile this wretched heart! and yet 'tis all A worthlefs worm can offer, mean return ! Nor can I lender this without thy aid; O help me to furrender all my heart, Its powers and paflions, to thy fovereign love! Accept it, Lord, and make it thine entire ! Let thy abounding grace remove my guilt, Forgive my wanderings, fix me thine for ever, In bands which time nor death have power to loofe ! N 2 An [ iSo 3 An Evening Reflection, ANOTHER day is gone, never to return — the hours and minutes fled away for ever — another portion of time, that ineilimable treafure fpent — but how ? — fad reflection replies with con- scious (hame, fpent alas, unprofitably ! wailed in trifles ! what have I done this day to anfwer the~ ^0#OiK>K^04<340 Seeking Rest. ARISE ye, depart hence, for this is not your reft, it is polluted." Attend, O my foul, to the heavenly admonition ! Convinced as thou art that unmingled felicity is not to be found on earth, that there is nothing here to reft in with intire complacency and fatisfa&ion. Why mould my thoughts dwell in this land of dreams and fhadows, amufed with trifles too mean to entertain the mind, and purfuing vanity and vexation of fpirit ? O for the powerful influences of almighty grace ? To raife my thoughts, my hopes, my heart to that blifsful world. Where pleafure rolls its living flood From (in and drofs refin'd, Frefh fpringing from the throne of God, And fit to cheer the mind. Watts. The [ *$* ] The fwceteft rills of earthly pleafure are tinc- tured with bittcrnefs and polluted with the dregs of mortal care; and how feldom do we tafte the itreams of celeftial confojation, which flow from the eternal fountain of perfect happinefs, to cheer and fupport the weary pilgrim in his journey to the heavenly country. As the hart pantcth after the water-brooks, fo pants the thirfty foul after the falutary fprings of divine comfort; when found, how fweet, but ah how fhort the kind refreshment ! How foon is the reviving fcene changed to a bar- ren defait, a drv and thirfty land where no water is! Yet the blifsful fource of facred pleafure is ever full, and ever free. — Alas, "t is fin, accurfed fin, that feparates between God and the foul, and withholds good things from us! Mow eaGlv is the heart enfnared with empty vanities or funk in t hough tie fs indolence, ungrateful heart! Unhappy weaknefs! — Yet in the moments of reflection the fighing heart confefleS, this is not my reft — Arife then, O my foul ! Awake all thy powers to life and activity, and with an ardour worthy of the glorious motives which fometimes infpire thy wifhes, pur- fue thy journey to the region of happinefs, the land of reft. Alas in vain! — My bell efforts how feeble ! If left to inyfelf, I am weak, helplefs and miferable, enemies and dangers unround my fleps, and fin and doubt throw a veil of darknefs over my glimmering [ *93' 1 glimmering hope. O Cod of power and mercy, reft ore my foul and lead me in the paths of righte- oufnefs for thy names fake! Let thy fpiril feal to my heart the bleft affurance ! Thy Redeemer is ftrong, the Lord of hofts is his name, then fh all I not be afraid of enemies or dangers. Lift up the light of thy countenance upon me, the reviving beams of pardon and reconciled love; and the Ihades of guiTt and fear fhall difperfe. Let thy al- mighty arm fupport me, and blefs me with con- tinual fupplies of ftrengthening, animating grace then {hall I walk in the way fafely, and my foot ihall not Humble : Let me not {lumber where I cannot reft, nor in this wildernefs of perils, fuffer amufing trifles to interrupt my journey to the ce- leflial Canaan ; may 1 never indulge the "delufive thought of feeking tranquility below, but convinc- ed that the world affords no repofe to an immortal fpirit, O letrne feek, and find reft in thee, " Her*5 in full trull, 'hereafter in full joy. " Vot. HI, 6 C *94 ] God's Omnipresence* THE Lord is here! awful thought ! — thejufl the holy God, who cannot endure fin in his fight, is prefent!- — how then can I appear before him air iinful and polluted ?— -O whither (hall I fly from his prefence ? what gloomy cave, what impenetra- ble (hade (hall I feek, to hide me from his glorious eye? — Vain enquiry ! One Angle glance, one piercing ray, Would kindle darknefs into day. Watts. Lord thcu knowefl my down-fitting and my up- rifing, thou underiiandefl my thoughts afar off, thou compaiTelt my path and my lying down, and' art acquainted with all my ways. Thou fee'ft my heart though every winding mare, Each lecret rifing thought thine eye furveys. What then can I do, but fall proflrate in the iufi before thee, acknowledge my guilt and hog for mercy ?— But oh ! how can I open my C »95 ] By polluted lips in the prefence of infinite purity? what argument (hall I ufe?— I deferve nothing at thy hand hut immediate punifliment, irretrievable perdition ! — Lord I humbly plead the all-fufficient merits and righteoufnefs of Jefus thy beloved fon ! Jefus, the Mediator, Redeemer and IntercefTor! I fly to his atoning cleanfing blood! O let the powerful influences of thy holy fpirit apply it, with almighty efficacy, to my foul! Let thy a- bounding grace remove my guilt, and purge away my every deadly llain in that facred fountain ! Waft me and I (hall be whiter than fnow ! Then (hall I approach thy throne with humble confix dence, and rejoice in the delightful thought, that God, my God, is ever prefent with me. Tremble my foul with awful confeious fear. The Lord, the God of holinefs is here ! Ye fins and empty vanities depart, Too long alas you have poiTeft my heart. Hence to eternal diftance fly, Nor dare the lightnings of his eve, Dreadfully keen they pierce the foul And every thought defcry. In vain I bid my lurking foes be gone, Lord, 'tis thy grace, thy mighty grace alone, Can diive them hence and all my guilt forgive, Q fpeak the powerful word and bid me live ! O s Lift [ *& 1 Etfe flows amid the crimfon tide Which iffued from the wounded fiile Of Jems when for guilty man, He fufTcr'd groan'd and died ! O let it flow to my polluted heart, And life, and health, and purity, impart ! The facred flood fliall wafii my fins away, Thy glories then fhall mine with kindeft rav, ■ (Unmix'd with terrors) round my tremhling foul, And fovereign mercy all my fears controul. Then mail the thought infpire delight, That I am in my father's fight, And thy bright prefence blefs mine eyes, With beams of heavenly light. Let me purfue the reviving thought. — If God is rov father, my reconciled God and father, through a redeemer, what confolation will the reflection afford, that he is ever prefent with me? — What have I then to fear or wifh ? what though I am farrounded with dangers, the Lord is here! in his gracious prefence is fafety, Beneath his kind pro- tecting care, no danger' c^m approach me.— Though befet with enemies on evciv fide, and fin and hell uriite with dreadlul power, and threaten my deftruftion ; my God is prefent! and greater is he that is w T ith me than they which are again (( me. His almighty arm is my defence, he can cor* C 197 ] mfroul their utmofl rage, can give me firengthto refift, and make me more than conqueror. One beam of glory from his radiant face Can drive the powers of darknefs all away. And when pain and ficknefs aflault this feeble frame, and the (hades of death hang black and heavy o'er me, O my God, let thy kind hand fupport me, let thy cheering voice fpeak divine confolation to my drooping foul ! and pain and ficknefs can never hurt me: let thy blifsful fmiles irradiate the difmal gloom, and all its terrors (hall vanifh! — Blefs'd with thy gracious prefence what have I to wifli ? earth's vain allurements lofe their pharms, nor all the joys it can bellow are worth one faint defire ! No more their faded luflre ftrikes the fight Than tapers dying in meridian light! Were all created beauty funk in darknefs, and every charm of nature, every delight of fenfe withdrawn for ever — blefl with thy gracious pre- fence I fhould not mourn their lofs ! thy gracious prefence can create a paradife of light and joy a- mid the gloomy defart ! {iliQuld the world frown, and all its pleafures fly, Should every earthly comfort difappear, O 3 And [ *9§ 3 And all the charms of nature fink in darknefs ! If thou art with me, if thou art my God, Am I not happy ? can I wifh for more ? Thy gracious prefence well fupplies the lofs Of earthly blifs, and yields fupcrior joy To all that univerfal nature boaiU ! My God, O may I call thee mine indeed ! And may the humble bieathings of my foul Accepted rife, before thy throne of grace, In his dear name, his all-fufficient merits, Who died, and rofe, and intercedes above For guilty rebels ! reconcil'd in him Smile on my foul, all placid and ferene ! O let thy gracious vifits cheer my heart In this fad wildernefs, and light my parage Through the laft gloomy fcene, the fhades of death ! Then raife me to thofe bright thofe bleft abodes, Where thy kind prefence with unclouded ray For ever £biiies ! full joys for ever fmile, And pleafure triumphs in immortal bloom ! £el?. C *99 ] ^^4*^^^^^C^^><^><^><^ Self-contradiction. WHAT ftrange contrarieties do I fkid in mv- felf, how uncertain and fluQuating my thoughts and cares! I profefs to believe in unfeert realities; to look forward to futurity, and hope eternal happinefs is my chief purfuit ; and yet how much are my paflions influenced by things prefent to my fenfes ! Unaccountable weaknefs that fome- times even trifles fhould appear momentous, and affairs of the utmoft importance, of everlafting con- fequence, be almoft abfent from my mind ! Has not. my foul afpired to the favour of God as my fu- preme felicity, my prefent hope, my everlafling portion ? And yet how often are my thoughts rov- ing on earth as if I expefted fatisfaflion here, though I am fully convinced 'tis not to be foundi - — How am I filled with compun£:!on for little failures (through inadvertency) in my conduct to my friends, and yet how feldom do I mcurn, with heartfelt remorfe, my frequent wanderings from my God ! — How infinite the difproportion betwixt O 4 hirjp- £ 2 O O ] almighty friend, my only fupport, my eternal refuge, and an earthly friend frail and mu- table like myfelf! — Should not the leaft deviation from his facred laws pain my heart with deeper furrow than heedlefsly offending again ft the rules of friendfhip ? I love my friends, and efteem their affe&ion as one of the chief bleflings of life, which I ought to do every thing in my power to preferve; but what is this to the favour of God ? No more than momentary life toanendlefs eternity ! Graci- ous God, wean me more from earth, teach me a greater indifference to every thing below thee, let an i mere ft in thy favour, and the advancement of thy glory be my fupreme, my ardent wifh, and of- fending thee the molt painful grief I feel J Could I attain and preferve this defirable temper, the troubles of this vale of tears wouldibe iefs grievous; troubles I muff expecl, for wher who is hc€ ? — I figh at the mel and nature and religion teach me fympathy; yet even in this neceffary exercife, how are my thoughts confined to fenfe and time ! How often do I find my heart melting at theprefent pains and iorrows of my fellow creatures, and wifhing to re- lieve them, and yet how feldora do I view with mournful pity the deplorable condition of wretch- ed fouls in the road to everlafiing mifery ? Lord, i::ach my thoughts to dwell on this affecting *rj|I look round me, lelaTcholy profpecl, C 2 ^ ] jecl, awaken my tendered companion for fuch un- happy fouls and my earned defires for their fal- vation ! 1 think my difpofition grateful, and the kindnefs of my fiiends engages my affectionate efteem, and yet how cold is my gratitude to my heavenly benefaftor ! Whofe indulgent goodnefs fuftains my life, and beflows innumerable bleflings, and all unmerited ! I wifh to make fuitable returns for the favours I receive from earthly friends, but how feldom do I enquire, with grateful folicitude, what /hall I render to the Lord for all his benefits ? Ten thoufand bleflings from above Encompafs me around, But O how few returns of love Has my Creator found. Watts. Vain were the attempt to recount the number- lefs miflakes and inconfiftencies of this frail erring mind : Who can underftand his errors ? Grant me, O thou eternal fountain of good ! cleanfing, ftrengthening and animating grace ! Revive and maintain in my heart, the defires of my happier moments ; convince me more effectually of my weaknefs ; give me a humble, fenfible, conftant dependence on thee, and form me forthyfelfto fhew forth thy praife ! Comfort £ 202 J Comfort under the painful fenfe of frailty^ in the unchangeable gaodnefs of God, HAPPY is it for man, that the defigns of infi- nite mercy are not influenced by thefe frail, changing hearts of ours. How frequent our wan- derings from God ! How cold and indifferent our hearts to his worfjiip and our own comforts ! How fhort and interrupted our few feafons of lively de- votion ! And even when moll fixed and fervent, too foon the facred ardour declines, and our thoughts, which jufl now feemed raifed to heaven in delightful contemplation, fink down again to earth and vanity. Should God withdraw the kind nfluences of his providence and grace, when our nconftant, ungrateful hearts withdraw from him, what would become of us ? Soon muft we fink into the horrors of eternal night ! But his goodnefs is unchangeable, his thoughts are not our thoughts, nor his ways our ways. When our backlliding hearts turn afide from him into paths of vanity, how fweet the voice of forgiving love ! How kind the [ 2 °3 ] the gracious promifc, which invites us to return unto the Lord, and afTures us that he will have mercy ! To our God for he will abundantly par- don. Adorable goodnefs ! O why mould our unbe- lieving thoughts hefitate a moment, whether we Jhould cad ourfelvcs at the feet of infinite good- nefs with humble hope, though in the deeped a- bafement in the fenfe of our own vilenefs. Were we to meafare the extent of divine mer- cy by our own merits, not one of the guilty race of Adam could look up with the lead hope of fa- vour. When I confider my own heart, even in its bed defires and firmed refolves, confeious of my extreme weaknefs, I cannot but renounce every thought of dependence on myfelf, and ac- knowledge that I am wretched, vile, and utterly unworthy ! But when I meditate the infinite good- nefs of God, in his immutable covenant of grace, through a blefled Redeemer, here is folid fupport, this is the rock on which my foul defires to red. Here is fiim footing, all is fea befide. Dr. Young. This will defy the waves of fin and temptation, ind keep the anchor of my foul fure and ftedfaft. I hope C *^04i6 ] ous wonders of redeeming love with all the ardour of intenfe defire! and fhali I be cold to its fur- prizing charms, and hardly raife a languid vvifh to reach the immortal theme! Yet angels cannot tafle the fweets of pardon, nor feel the tranfporting joys of falvation from eternal woe, for thofe happy fpirits have never finned. Ye fons of harmony who ardent tune To boundlefs joy the heaven refounding fong, O could I hear your rapture breathing drains, How would my kindling powers awake to praife And join with extacy the blifsful theme ; Earth's flattering trifles then^fhould tempt in vain, Nor interrupt my fwect, my bleft employ. But O my great Redeemer ! thou only canft in- fpire the facred flame, thou only canft teach me the celeftial fong: grant me the kind influences of that bleffed fpirit which thy gracious promife encourages me to afk, difplay before me the a- mazing wonders of thy love, give me the aflured hope of pardon and falvation through thy infinite merits, teach m£ to begin the work of heaven be- low, and bring me at lafl to the glorious affembly of the ranfomed of the Lord, to join the celeflial choir in flrains of harmony and praife unknown below, and repeat with immortal ardour, blefling, honour C 21 7 ] honour, glory, and power unto him that fitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. ^CZ^^CZ^^CZ^ f x"CZ^ r ^»CZ^^CZ^ f :5;<3^» Thoughts in ficknefs, and on recovery, OF what a feeble texture is this mortal taber- nacle! and how much is the tenant mind ft hough of an immortal nature) pained and de- prefled by its wcaknefs, and hurt by the ftorms which fhake the tottering frame ! The firft attacks of a lever have fo weakened my nerves and fpirits, that every fprightly faculty, and almoft every cheer- ful thought is funk in a ftupid languor, a lifllefs inattention even to common things overfpreads me, converfation is taftclefs, and reading and thinking almoft impracticable — but alas, this is not the word ! the bounties of providence, and the blefTings of grace hardly excite a grateful thought, or quicken a warm defire — wretched (late! And can I know it, and yet not be afTecled with it ? Am J enough awake to feel my chains, and yet not wifh for [ 218 ] for liberty ? Let me try to rouze myfelf from this lethargy of the mind, and if I cannot look forward through the gloom which hangs fo heavy on my intellectual fight, let me look back and try to reco- ver fome little remembrance of part fcenes. — Shall the immortal fpirit united to this frail difordered body, be fo much influenced by its weaknefs, as if it were to fink with it into the common earth? Think O my foul, hadft thou not once nobler views and brighter hopes? Couklft thou not once, confcious of thy great original, look up to the glorious author of thy being with ardent defires after the enjoy- ment of his favour as the only good that could fill thy capacious wifh ? Couldft thou not at fome hap- py feafons delight in the contemplation of his infi- nite perfections, and defire to know him more, to love him more, and to be more like him ? — How often haft thou mourned the unhappy influence of earthly vanities that have drawn thee afide from the center of thy beft defires, and longed to caft thyfelf at the feet of heavenly mercy, in deep abafement yet with humble penitential hope, and wifhed to dwell for ever beneath the attractive, the conftraining influences of pardoning love. Surely there was fomething even in thofe painful fenfibi- lities preferable, far preferable to this death-like flupor. The C 21 9 ] The Lord lived], and blefled be my rock, b!elT- ed be the Lord who hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from mc. — Adored, for ever adored be the riches of divine love manifefled in the great Redeemer, who is able to favc to the ut- termoft all that come unto God by him, through whom I hope I have found fweet accefs to the throne of grace, and been enabled to pour my hum- ble breathings there. Whence are thefe quickenings after fo much dead- nefs, this deep abalement in the fenfe of my ex- ceeding vilenefs, my utter unworthinefs, mingled with fuch admiring views of the infinite condef- cenfion of the great God, the almighty power of pardoning grace, and O, with the delightful hope of my intereft in it! Can I afcribe the happy al- teration to any thing below the influences of his own fpirit ? O for the continuance of thofe divine influences ! quickening, cheering, ftrengthening, and purifying my heart. My heart, alas how frail, how apt to lofe the relifh of divine enjoyments, and grow cold ungrateful and remifs. O blefTed Redeemer let the heavenly comforter abide with me for ever ! To preferve me in this ftate of tual and terqptation, and guide me fafe to the kingdom of thy glory. — Infinite grace, that lb vile a fmner {hould be favoured with the hope of a dwelling there ! [ 22 ° ] there! My Saviour God ! and haft thou prepared a place for me in the manfions of light? And wilt thou come again and receive me to thyfelf? And lhall I rejoice in thy blifsful prefence for ever ? O confirm the glorious hope to my thankful, yet dill defiring foul ! Then faith {hall triumph o'er the grave, And trample on the tombs, My Jefus, my Redeemer lives, My God, my Saviour comes. Watts. Amidthefe delightful hopes, the terrors of death difappear, its pains are fupportable, and the gloomy vale is brightened with fome reviving beams from the regions of immortal day ! What evil can I fear if thou art with me? Thy fmile is celeftial comfort, O let it cheer my fainting heart in the awful hour of diffolution, till mortality is (wallowed up in life. But why O my foul thefe riling doubts ? Shall they be fufTered to cloud thy dawning happinefs, and caft a fhade on all thy comforts ? Has not thy Redeemer faid, fear not little flock, for it is your father's good pleafure to give you the kingdom. Were any thing in myfelf the motive, I were loft indeed ; but 'tis his good pleafure, his fovereign grace, and what can be too great C 221 ] great for infinite bounty ? My vilenefs, my un- worthinefs can be no bar. — Almighty grace, and utter unworthinefs! Contemplate O my foul with delightful wonder the aftonifhing contrafl! and fink lower dill in thy own eyes, while the glories of divine mercy are exalted above all thy wonder and thy praife ! — Whether life or death all is yours, and ye are ChrifYs, and Chrift is God's ; what ful- nefs, what immenfity of blifs is contained in the glorious affurance! And am I (fo vile, fo wretch- ed) permitted to hope an intereft in it ? O the heights, the depths, the unfearchable wonders of almighty grace ! Forgive O gracious God, forgive thefe guilty unbelieving thoughts which would embitter my comforts, and rob thee of the humble tribute which my grateful heart would bring to the foDtflool of thy throne ! Rebuke the tempter, and confirm the comforting hope which thy word now affords, that the God of peace fliall bruife Satan under my feet fhortly. Blefs the Lord O my foul, and all that is within me blefs his holy name. Biefs the Lord O my foul, and forget not all his benefits. But O how fliall my narrow thoughts and narrower words re- count them ! How am I furrounded with mercies! Indulgent goodnefs has blefTed me with unnumber- ed favours, both temporal and fpiritual, and even this [ 222 ] this affliction, may I not call it a blefling from the happy effects, which I hope it has produced ? May I not efteem it a paternal correction to reprove my ungrateful coldnefs, to awaken me to a ftate of fenfibility, and renew the relifh of thofe important bleflings which have been almoft neglected, or at beft too faintly fought ? How gentle O my God were the ftrokes of thy chaftifing hand, how kind the teachings of thy word, and how fweet the con- folations of thy promifes to my foul ! O may thy goodnefs dwell upon my grateful heart, and ani- mate all my powers and paflions to a delightful acti- vity in thy fervice ! Return unto thy reft O my foul, for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee, he only is the proper center of my left, and all the enjoyments of nature without the kind influences of his grace are wearinefs and vanity. Vainly does the roving mind expect fatisfaction among the plea- fures of fenfe and time. Creatures without a God can yield me no fupply. Watts. But fweetened with the hope of his favour, and enjoyed as bleflings from the hand of an indulgent father, every comfort of life acquires a power to entertain and pleafe. O how inexcufable the folly of my pad wanderings ! And yet, convinced as at prefent I hope I am of my true intereft, fo de- ceitful is this wretched heart that I fear to truft it, I fear [ 22 3 ] I fear I fhall again relapfe into cold indifference and vile ingratitude. Gracious God, maintain in my foul this neceffary felf-diffidence, infpire me with conftant breathings for the aids of thy al- mighty graceand an entiredependanceon thy ftrength in the fenfe of my own weaknefs. Let thy praife be my bufinefs and delight, thy favour my felicity here and my portion for ever ! What is there in this world of vanity that I fhould wifh to flay for ? how frail is the tenure of earthlv blifs, how unfatisfying to the mind which with divine ambition looks forward to im- mortal happinefs ! The deareft comforts of life are painfully fweet. O that I could enjoy them with thankfulnefs unmingled with anxious apprehenfi- ons of the pangs of feparation ! O for a flronger faith, for brighter views of the invifible glories of the upper world ! glories invifible to the eye of fenfe, but revealed in the facred word to the be- lieving foul O for a more affured hope of my interefl there ! then how fweet were the expecta- tion of meeting the friends united to my heart by the ties of nature, friendfhip and piety, in the re- gions of immortal love and unprecarious felicity I then though I were left to purfue alone my pain- ful pilgrimage, how comforting were the hope that in a little time I fhould follow them to my fa- ther's houfe— perhaps I may go before them — whenever I am called O may the meffenger be welcome [ 22 i 3 welcome to my foul ! may the funics of my Re- deemer rifing o'er the gloomy (hades of death, difpel all its horrors and open before me the tranfporting profpeft of eternal joy! O may the blifsful fore- fades of heaven prevail over the agonies of nature, comfort my mourning friends, and fvveeten the parting tear! — But why thefe reflections ? my bufmefs my important bufinefs is to examine where my hope is fixed, to feek earneftly to the God of grace for the unerring influences of his holy fpirit 'to guide me in the way to heaven, to flrengthen my faith, my hope, and every grace, to make me fit for that (late of fpot'efs purity, and then receive me to himfelf. May my title to the inheritance of the faints in light be f ecu red to my foul through the infinite merits of a crucified exalted Saviour, and let time and circurrrftance O gracious God be refigned to thy fovereign difpo- fah — This is a flate of probation, perhaps it may pleafe God to exercife me with many trials before I leave this mortal ftagc, hitherto my lot has been eafy compared with that of many of my fel- low chriflians, and why ihould I expect to reach the haven and efcape the dorms of trouble which others meet with ? I am indeed unable to fuflain them, but everlafling ftrength can fupport me. O may the anchor of my foil! be fure and fledfaft! Father of mercy and God of ail comfort, fay ro my ioul, mygraceisfufficient for thee, and I flial! be The End, il mi