Meditations 
 
 J U P O N T H E 
 
 LOVE OF CHRIST, 
 
 I N T n E 
 
 REDEMPTION 
 
 O F 
 
 ELECT SINNERS. 
 
 "Written by the truly worthy, learned, and eminently Re¬ 
 ligious Mr. Hugh Clark^ fometime before his Death; 
 which was on the 15th Day of February 1724., and of 
 his Age the 36th Year, 
 
 PsAL. civ. 34. My Meditation of him /hall he fweet: I 
 will be glad in the Lord. ^ 
 
 PsAL. Ixiii. 5. My Soul/hall he fatisjied with Marrow and 
 Fatnefs'y and rny Mouth fl)allpraife thee with joyful Lips. 
 
 Ver. 6. IVhen I remember thee upon my Bedy and meditate 
 cn thee in the Night Watches, 
 
 , , ..... , [ I ..... 1 ^ 
 
 G L A S G O JV, 
 
 Printed by J. M‘Callum, for Robert Smith, at 
 the gilt Bible Salt-mercat, M. DCC. Lll. 
 
( 3 ) 
 
 
 1 
 
 G R O S T In a meaner Theam, I mind to prove 
 What fw’eeter Charms are in a God-like Love j 
 And to employ my Heart and Hand to fing 
 And write the Love of my dear Lord and Kingy 
 Who came from Heav’n to Earth to feek and iave 
 So wretch’d, fo worthlcfs and fo vile a Slave.* 
 
 O may his facred Spirit guide my Hand, 
 Enlarge my Heart his Love to underftand ; 
 
 ' Raife my dull Fancy, and my Soul inflame, 
 And caufe that what I write, I love the fame. 
 
 Before all Time, while yet Heav’n’s glorious Ball 
 Did not enclofe this Globe Terreftrial; 
 
 Ere Man was form’d, the Lord’s All-piercing Eye,f 
 Who views all Things from ail Eternity, 
 
 Perceiv’d how Man by Sin would foully fall. 
 
 And unto Death fubjedl his Children all. 
 
 He faw wretch’d felf-deftroying Mankind ly 
 Plung’d in the deep Abyfs of Mifery, 
 
 Like to^an Infant helplefs and forlorn. 
 
 Call: out in open Field when newly born ; J 
 Whom no Eye pity’d wallowing in Blood 
 Juft ready to be fw'allow’d by the Flood 
 Of dreadful Vengeance, and devouring Wrath, 
 
 And overwhelmed in eternal Death. 
 
 A 2 ' Thus 
 
 ; ♦ Luke 19. 10. t Adis 15. 18. % Ezek. 16. 4, 5. 
 
 ye 
 
A + ) 
 
 Thus Mankind lay w>th Neck upon the Block ; 
 Jtifttce about to give the fatal Stroke, 
 i he Law demands that guilty Rebels die :jj 
 Nought but the Sinner’s Death can fatisfie 
 Ofi'ended Juftice, now tcJ give the Blow, 
 
 And lend the Sinner to the Pit below. 
 
 All Hope feems loft, till boundlefs Love and Grace 
 Steps in, in Favours of the guilty Race: 
 
 £]e<fting Love not ty’d unto the Laws 
 Of Creatures A^dfing; Love, whofe only Caufe§ 
 
 Lay in ‘Jehovah's fovereign Will and Grace 
 Not in the Merit of the Eledl Race.f 
 
 Wellkthen, /hall guilty Souls from Death be freed: 
 
 But how fhal) Juftice then befatisfied? 
 
 Howftia'l the Aorr/his Righteoufnefs declare, 
 
 If Rebels from juft Vengeance faved are? 
 
 What can attone for thofe who wilfully 
 Piave trampled on their Lord’s Authority rj 
 Can H eca tombs of Bulls, Thoufands of Rams? 
 
 Can Blood of jatted Calves, or tender Lamhs?\ 
 
 No; Man hath finn’d, and therefore Man muft dle:§ 
 No lefs can I'ruth and Juftice fatisfie.* 
 
 Then Adanklnd’s Hopes are loft foray: But lo! 
 
 ChrijVs matchlefs Love and Grace prevents the Blow 
 Stays the avenging Sword in Juftice’ Hand, 
 
 Says to the Law : I’ll anfwer thy Demand, 
 
 Befpeaks the Father. Since it inuftbe fo, 
 
 ’^i'hat nothins: but the Sinners Death can do. 
 
 To clear thy Truth and Juftice; Lo 1 comef 
 
 A 
 
 I Ezek. 18. 20. ^Mat. ir. 26. * Eph. r. 5. [Rom. 
 9. j 5, i6. J Pfal. 50. 9, 13 and 51. l6. H Micah (j. 6, 7. 
 ^ Ezeb. i8. 20. * Rom. t. 23. ■[ Ffal. 40. 7. 
 
i 
 
 ' ( 5 ) 
 
 .ilfice in the poor Sinners Room, 
 thefe in Chains of Juftice bound ; 
 ive for mv E!ed a Ranlom found. 
 
 /be their Surety : I will part with BreathJ 
 /o ranfom them from thy avenging Wrath. 
 
 JMy God, I take delight to do thy Will,! 
 
 'And all thy holy Precepts to fulfil. 
 
 Since thy juft Will requires that Rebels die, 
 
 Fil bear their Sins; lay all their Crimes on me. 
 
 Lo all the Blood within thefe facred Veins 
 Shall not be grudg’d to wafh their guilty Stains.§ 
 Since thou a Body haft for me prepar’tl, 
 
 'No Toil, no Grief, no Labour fhall be fpar’d. 
 Tho’ I be free; tho’ it no Robbery be* 
 
 To count myfelf an Equal unto thee; 
 
 Yet for their Sakes a Servant’s FormFll take, 
 
 That I may them free Men for ever make. 
 
 Tho’ I be rich, for them I poor will be jf 
 That they for ever may be rich in Me. 
 
 Though I be God, I will a Man become 
 AiTuming Flefh in a mean Virgins Womb.H 
 Tho’ free from Sin, I’ll Sin for them be made,§ 
 That with God’s Righteoufnefs they may be clad: 
 Tho’ 1 be Sovereign, I’ll myfelf fubjedi ;* 
 
 Thy Law fliall be a Rule me to direct :f 
 Tho’ I’m Lord Paramount, in Servant’s Form 
 I’ll in their Stead thy holy Law perform 
 And tho’ I it fulfil moft perfectly, 
 
 I’ll alfo bear its Curfe and Penalty. || 
 
 Tho’ I’m thy Well-belov’d, I’ll bear thy Wrath ;§ 
 
 Tho* 
 
 Xjob 33. 24.. \\Pfal. 40. 8. ^ Heb. 10. 5, * Phil. 
 
 2. 6, 7. t2 Cor. 8.9. Xjohn i. 14. \[lfa. 7. 14. 
 ^'2 Cor. 5. 21. * Phil. 2, 6, 7. f/yi?/. 40. 8. %Rom. 
 
 II GV/. 3. 13, 14. %Mark 1. II. 
 
 3 ’ 4 
 
Tho’I’m the Life itfelf, I’ll die the Death :* * * § 
 
 Tho’ 1 be guiitlefs, guilty I’ll become ;f 
 Tho’ I might anfwer, I’ll ftand mute and dumb:| \ 
 Tho’ Judge of all, by Men I’ll judged be :|| \ 
 
 Tho’ Bleffsd, I’ll hang on theruifed Tree:§ \ 
 
 Tho’ I’m Eternal, Time fball fee my Birth: 
 
 Tho’ I fill Heaven, I’ll be interr’d in Earth.* 
 
 Tho’ thefe be poor, wretched and begger]ie,f 
 I’m not afham’d their Kinfman near to be. 
 
 I’ll be their Father, they fh.dl be my Sons;F 
 Tho’ Heirs of Hell, I’ll make ’em DenizonsU 
 Of the Coelcftial Jcrufa]eni.§ 
 
 Tho’ they be flaved, I will ranfom them:* 
 
 Tho’ under Sin and Satan they be thrall’d if 
 I’m not afham’d their Brother to be cail^.J 
 I’ll be their Hufband, they fhall be my Spoufe ;li 
 I’ve chofen them. I’ll make them me to chufe.§ 
 
 If they want Beauty, I have Comelinefsi* 
 
 If Cloathing, I have Robes of Righteoufnefs. 
 
 I have fine Gold for them, if they b&popr ;f 
 If they’re polluted, I’m a Fountain pure.:{: 
 
 Then Father dear, fet thofe my Brethren free ;|J 
 Lo here I am, Let Juftice ftrike at Me. 
 
 Paufe here my Soul! I charge thee here to paufe! 
 
 O ftand and wonder what might be the Caufe, 
 
 Why this great Lord, who h>id not Need of thee,§ 
 
 For 
 
 * Alat. 27, 46. i jehn 14. 6. iGal. 3. 13, 14. 
 
 II 53- 7* %John jg. 9. * Gal. 3. 14. ■\John i. 
 
 j. comp, with 5. 14. %2 Cor. 6. 18. ^Mat. 12. 40. 
 
 § Heb. 2. 14. * Eph. 2. 3, i Ileb. 12. 22. J Ga/. 3. 
 43. HIM. 2. II. §IE/. 2. 16. * Join 15. 16. 
 •f Ez^I. 16. 14. J Riv. 3. 18. tl Zeeb. 13. 3. § j^cb 
 
/ . ( 7 ) . . 
 
 ^my Salvation fliould conlent to die! 
 
 ild’ft thou engage his Heart? his Love dcferve, 
 
 /nom Hofts of Angels and Archangels ferve 
 A ho hath a World of Creatures at Command, 
 
 Upheld and rul’d by his Almighty Hand?f 
 Had Sinners Beauty, Wealth or Parentage,]: 
 
 This Heavenly Lover’s Heart thus to engage ? 
 
 What had poor Ele6t Souls in them to prove 
 Such an Attra£five to their Maker’s Love ? 
 
 That he their King, their Hufband fnould become 
 And to his glorious Manfions take them home ?§ 
 
 Sure nothing. Why ? The State that they were in 
 Was that of defperate Enmity and Sin.* 
 
 Rebellious Hatred ’gainft his iMajelfyf 
 Had tainted all the lapfed Progeny.]: 
 
 Satan’s black Image had their Nature fiain’d :li 
 
 Their Plearts andWilisin Lull’s ftrong Bonds were chain’d^ 
 
 They had no Strength nor Mind to plead for Peace,* 
 
 No "VVill to fue for their Creator’s Grace ; 
 
 No Hope of Pardon j no Delight in God 
 But eager bent upon Deftrudlion’s Road.]: 
 
 Thus he beheld in Blood and Miferyj] 
 
 An Eledf World, before they w'ere to ly: 
 
 And yqt (Amazing Thought!) he lov’d them then ; 
 
 And his Delights were with the Sons of Men.§ 
 
 What was the Caufe, fay Saints, if you can tel!. 
 Why he fhould love fuch guilty Lumps of Hell ? 
 W"e cannot tell; The Wonder’s far above 
 Cur lhallow Thoughts: But only God is Love* 
 
 Here 
 
 '* Heh. I. 6. and ii. 3. ■\ Col. i. 17. -^Ezek. 16. 3, 
 
 4,5. 1!//h-. 54. 5. 14. 2. 8. 7. ^Col. 
 
 X. 21. XRom.^. 10. \\Eph. 2. I, 2, 3. § Rem. 5. 8. 
 
 * RXm. 5. 6. -[Eph. 2. 12. ]:i<!aw. 7. 12. '^Ezei.ib 
 3. ^ Prov. 8. 31. *1 John 4. 8. 
 
( 8 ) 
 
 Here Is the Depth, the Length, the Breadth, the 
 Of matchlefs Love, dlfplay’d in Saving Might, 
 Which Angels Tongues cannot enough commend. 
 Nor Angels Minds compleatly comprehend. 
 
 Oh Saints, who (hare his Love, in him be glad 
 Who loved you, ere you a being had ! 
 
 Why ftiould you doubt his Love to you, becaufc 
 You cannot in yourfelves perceive the Caufe ? 
 ’Twas not your Worth of Goodnefs could deferve 
 That he at firft from Death fhould you preferve ; 
 Nor will your Worthlefnefs or Vilenefs make 
 Your loving Lord your Souls again forfake. 
 
 It was the Goodnefs of his Sovereign Will, 
 Engag’d him firft, and will engage him ftiil. 
 Andfince he lov’d you from Eternity, 
 
 Believe he’ll do the fame eternally : 
 
 Lay by your Doubtings then, ye Saints, and raife 
 Melodious Songs to your Redeemer’s Praife, 
 
 But Oh ! Why call I others to commend 
 His Love and Grace, while I myfclf do fpend 
 My Time and Thoughts in triftling Vanities, 
 Which only can increafe my Miferies ? 
 
 Shall I call Saints to love and praife his Name, 
 And yet myfelf indulge a meaner Flame? 
 
 O then, my Soul, admire redeeming Love ! 
 Admire, what could thv great Creator move 
 F 2 ver to look on fuch a Wretch as thee ; 
 
 ^luch more, for fiving thee himfelf to die ! 
 
 Admire alfo the Father's Love ivhogave 
 His only Son an EleFt World to fove ! 
 
 No fooner did the Son this Offer make. 
 
 To die for Eled Men j and undertake 
 
/ 
 
 .'Juftice fiiould-by him be fatisfy’d ; 
 filraight the Father fully ratify’d 
 jt bleft Contract, and took him at his Word, 
 
 /o lay the Ele6l's Sins upon their Lord. 
 
 ^nd thus he faid: I have laid Help upon 
 /A ftrong, a mighty, and a chofen One,f 
 A faithful, lighteous Servant unto Me:+ 
 
 And have anointed him my King to be.[l 
 I fworn have and will repent me never, 
 
 That he fhall b»* to Me a Prieft for ever,§ 
 
 After the Order of Melchi%edeck: 
 
 He is my precious One, and mine Eleff.* 
 
 ]\^y mighty Hand and Arm fhall make him ftrong'.f 
 The Son of Mifchief fhall not do him wrong. 
 
 I will beat down before him all his Foes::|: 
 
 I will them greatly plague who him oppofe. 
 
 I’ve given him for a Wjtnefs, Counfellor, [[ 
 Commander, Leader, Captain, Governor§ 
 
 Unto the People: He fhall them defend,* 
 
 And bring Salvation to Earth’s utmoft End.P 
 
 He flaall the People judge with Righteoufnefs, J 
 And blefs the Nations with abundant Peace. 
 
 And fince he Will pour out his Soul to Death jjl 
 And for his Eledf bear deferved Wrath j 
 Therefore he fhall exalted be on high§ 
 
 Above all Power and Principality. 
 
 Rais’d from the Dead, he fliall for ever live,* 
 
 And quicken ail that do on him believe ;'f- 
 My pleafant Work fhall profper in his Hand,f: 
 
 He fhall all Things in Heaven and Earth command: 
 
 B 
 
 He 
 
 t Pfal 89. iq, 20. X 4^- I. 11 Pfal. 8g. 20. 
 § PfaL no. 4. * I Pet. 2. 6. f Ifa. 42. i, and 28, 16. 
 XPfol. 89.21, to 24. \\Ifa. 55 4. ^Heb. 2. 10. ^ Pfal, 
 yi. 12. \ Ifa. 6. :l;R/«/. 72. 2, 7. 1| 53. 12. and 
 
 II. ^Phil. 2. 9, 10. * Heb. 7. 25. -XJohn 5. 21, 25. 
 
V 
 
 ( 10 ) \ 
 
 He (hall a num’rous Seed and Iffue fee ;§ 
 
 And to his Church an Head alone fliall be 
 And as his Countenance was marred moret 
 Than any Man’s, becaufe of v;hat he bore; 
 
 So {hall he (hine with fuch refplendent Light, 
 
 That Kings fiiall be aftonifli’d at the Si»ht. 
 
 Yea, mighty Kings before him down mall fall 
 And Monarchs great do Service to him fhall. 
 
 Thus was the blefled Covenant of Peacell 
 Between them both : Thus everlafting Grace 
 Shin’d in the Counfels of the Trinity, 
 
 For Ele£l Souls from all Eternity. 
 
 Where Truth and Mercy, Righteoufnefs and Grace,§ 
 Like loving Twins did mutually embrace; 
 
 Where divine Love and divine Wifdom fhin’d, 
 
 As Beams of Light are in the Sun combin’d. 
 
 O that mine Eyes cniightned were to fee* 
 
 The facred Wonders of this Myftery ! 
 
 How that the glorious Father and the Soni 1 
 
 Tho’ Both in Ell'ence, moft entirely One.-f j 
 
 Could yet as diftindf Parties ftrangely a6l j 
 
 As Covenanters in this blelt Contra^ ! J ] 
 
 I 
 
 Or if that this be a too bold Defire,!] j 
 
 That I to fee fuch Wonders fhould afpire ;§ | 
 
 Or know the Manner how the Deity i 
 
 lVanfa£ls in this ador’d GEconomy : - f 
 
 J’ll rather foftly Aide along the Coaft, j 
 
 Than lanch into the Ocean, and be loft 
 
 i„ ^ 
 
 § 7 /tf. 53. 10. * Cij/. I. i8. f//^. 52. 14. +P/<7/. 72. 
 
 II. 6. 13. §Pyi/. 85. 10. * Pfal. iig. i'8. \John ; 
 
 10. 30, 11 Deut, 29.29. ^ Rom . ii. 33. i 
 
 V. 
 
 \ 
 
s 
 
 flis vaft Abyfs, I’ll contrail my Sails,* 
 id humbly wait the Spirit’s gentler Gales, 
 o take a fteady View I’ll be content 
 if the Decree in its Accompliftiment. 
 
 f No foonerhad th’ envious One deceiv’d f 
 Our Parents firft, and all Mankind bereav’d 
 Of perfeft concreated Innocence, 
 
 And funk the World in Death by One’s Offence 
 But prefently poor finful Man forfook 
 All Hopes of Grace: and ftraight himfelf betook 
 I To wretched Shifts, to ftirewdhis guilty HeadH 
 1 From Wrath amidft the Thickets of the Wood: 
 
 And with Fig-leaves to vail his Nakednefs, 
 
 Inftead of Garments of pure Righteoufnefs. 
 
 But all in vain: Nor Leaves nor Thickets can 
 From Divine Vengeance hide the guilty Man : 
 
 Till Jefus come, that bleffed Prince of Peace, 
 Proclaiming Pardon and Heaven’s Adi of Grace 
 To guilty Rebels, thro’ the WomarCs Seed^ 
 
 Who was in I'ime to bruife the Serpents Head.§ 
 
 And thus he faid : Thou proud envious Fiend, 
 
 Who with thy Legions haft ’gainft Heav’n combin’d ; 
 *Twas thy Intent the Woman to employ. 
 
 Thro’ thy Deceit, all Mankind to deftroy. 
 
 And thy Creator’s Image to deface. 
 
 Which he had ftamped on the human Race ;* 
 
 And wholly ruin my beft Work on Earth ; 
 
 But all in vain : For of a Woman’s Birth 
 Shall fpring a bleffed and viftorious Seed, 
 
 Who (hall in Pieces break thy curfed Head : 
 
 Whil’ft thou with all the Might and Slight of Hell, 
 
 Shall Serpent-like, but nibble at his Heel. 
 
 B 2 ’Tvvixt 
 
 * Rom. II. 33. t Gen. 3. i, to 7. + Ro?n. 5. 12,15, 
 17,18. 3. 7, 8. §G^«, 3. 15. * Gen. 1.26. 
 
\ 
 
 C 12 ) . V 
 
 ’Twixt thee and Woman I’ll put Enmity ; I 
 
 And ’twixt thy Seed and hers eternally. 
 
 Thus was the firft Evangel publifhed, \ 
 
 And Chriji by Chriji himfelf was proniifed. \ | 
 
 Here’s wondrous Love and Grace beyond Degree, 
 
 To Mankind plung’d in Sin and Mifcry ! 
 
 That Chrifl himfelf th’ offended Judge ihould come. 
 
 Not as a Judge the guilty Pair to doom 
 For their icbellious Breach of Covenant, 
 
 But of eternal Life to make a Grant, 
 
 On better I'erms, and in a furer Way, 
 
 Wherein he would his Grace and Love difp’ay 
 In a more bright and fhining Charaiter ; 
 
 Where Chriit himfelf Ihould be foie Purchafer 
 Of Grace and Glory ; nought requir’d of them,f 
 But rightly to believe upon his Name. 
 
 What can wejudge poor guilty thought, 
 
 W hen his Creator fuch a Mellage brought ? 
 
 W’ho look’d for nothing but devouring Wrath, 
 
 And the Inflicting of deferved Death. 
 
 How was he filled with Afionifliment! 
 
 Kow was his Sou! rapt up in Ravifinnent! 
 
 Fo fee the Beamings of eternal Grace 
 Shine forth to him and his poor g'idty Race. 
 
 How did the News melt down his Ideart m Tears, 
 
 Cyintort h s Soul, diipel o’ci whtln ing p£. rs ! 
 
 (-■aiife all the Shades of Sorrow flee away ! 
 
 And tutn hisdiiinal Night to fiiining Day ! 
 
 This was the dawning of fwcet Gofpcl Light,[J; 
 
 Which in all Ages iliil became more bi‘ight, j 
 
 t Ps.Gm. 10. 9. % MaU 4. 2. ft Pfal. no. 3. 
 
 Till 
 
/ 
 
 . ( 13 ) .. 
 
 thrift, that glorious Sun of Righteoufnefsj§ 
 
 ^auties of tranfcendent Holinefs,* 
 
 ^ bright irradiant Morning-Star arofe.f 
 ^ fave his chofen Folk, and quell their Foes. J 
 iVithout Defcent or Genealogy -,11 
 /^nd yet Abraham's and David’s Progeny.§ 
 
 Without a Father ; yet God’s only Son,* 
 
 By an eternal Generation.f 
 Without a Mother ; yet a Virgin’s Seed, J 
 Which from the Root of ‘JejJe did proceed.jl 
 Without Beginning ; yet in Time conceiv’d.§ 
 
 Of endlefs Life j and yet of Life bereav’d.* 
 
 Ancient of Days ; and yet a little Child.+ 
 yudah’s ftrong Lion ; yet a Lamb mofi' mild. 
 
 The Son of God; and yet the Son of Man. J 
 Wrapt up in Sv/adling Clothes, who Heaven doth fpan.D 
 Laid in a fordid Manger at Ids Birth,§ 
 
 Who cannot be contain’d in Heav’n and Earth.* 
 
 Had fcarce wherewith to vail his Nakednefs, 
 
 Who doth of Right both Heaven and Earth poirefs.F 
 The Rrightnefs of his Father’s Glory vail’d.-:]: 
 
 And divine Pow'er in human Flefh conceal’d. 
 
 O matchlefs Love, unfathom’d Myftery, 
 
 That the Great Sovereign thus fhould humbled be ! 
 
 Who can conceive, w’ho can comment upon 
 The VVonders of this Incarnation ! 
 
 O thou my Soul in humble Silence then 
 Learn to believe what thou canft not explain. 
 
 And 
 
 § Rev. 22. i6. * Heb. 7. 3. f Mat. i. i. 7. 3; 
 '^John i. 14. ^ Heb y. 3. * Ifa. 7. 14, and ii, i. 
 
 f Heb. 7. 3, J Alat. I. 13, and 27. 35. fl Dqn. 7. 22. 
 § Alat. 2. 22. * Rev. 5. 5. and 7. 17. f John 3. 18, 
 
 'with r. 51. \Luke 2. 7. \l{a. 40. i'2. ^Lukei.y. 
 * 1 Kir.gs 8. 26. t Gen. 14. Ig. Heb. i. 3. 
 
V 
 
 ^ ( 14 ) 
 
 And let this wondrous Union Perfonal 
 Draw thee to him for Union Myftical, 
 
 And tho’ the Lord thy Nature did afl'ume ; 
 
 Yet of Salvation do not thou prefume, 
 
 Unlefs by Faith united to thy Lord, 
 
 Which only can thee Grace and Peace afford. 
 
 *Tis true Man’s Nature was exalted high 
 By this ftupcnduous Condefcendency ; 
 
 But this cannot procure thylafting Blefs, 
 
 If thou do notfliare of his Holinefs. 
 
 Thou haft no Part in him, except he make 
 Thee of the Divine Nature to partake, 
 
 Unlefs thy curfed Nature he renew,!! 
 
 And draw his Image on thy Heart anew, 
 
 O could I come to him, could I improve 
 This wondrous Step of condefcending Love, - 
 Wherein he took on him our Flefli and Blood,§ 
 
 And by true Faith receive fpiritual Food 
 From him my high exalted Lord ^nd Head, 
 
 Whofe FUJI) is Meat^ whofe Blood is Drink indeed^* 
 Could I Improve his Birth and Incarnation 
 For my new Birth and true Regeneration ! 
 
 O that by Faith I could obtain the Gaft 
 Ofthofe thrice bleffed Wife-men of the Eaft If 
 O for fome happy Star to guide me, to 
 Bethlem'^ Gates, and there to take a View 
 Of Lovely Jefus in his humble Birth, 
 
 And fee the Monarch of both Heav’n and Earth, 
 
 To fee the bleffed Divine Infant ly, 
 
 Not in a ftately Palace, but a Stie.J 
 No Cloath of Gold his Cradle doth adorn : 
 
 Coarfe fwadlinG: Clothes inwrap the newly born : 
 
 Nc 
 
 II 2 Pet. r. 4. § Heb. 2. 14, * *John 6. 55. f Alat 
 2. I, ro, II. Luke 2. 7. 
 
i . n ^ . 
 
 Jich with Studds of Pearl or Silver clad; 
 
 I /vile Manger Hold’s his glorious Head. 
 
 ;| /Royal Virgin can’t for him obtain, 
 
 M .liis own City, Room in any Inn. 
 
 / 
 
 / But yet he wants not charming Melody 
 To celebrate his Birth Solemnity. 
 
 The watchful Shepherds are furpris’d with Fear, 
 
 While they behold the bright Angelick Quire, 
 
 Who warble forth thel'idings of his Birth|| 
 
 Glory on highf Good-will and Peace on Earth, 
 
 The Angel ftraight the Shepherds doth comfort. 
 
 And thus befpeaks them in rnoft loving Sort; 
 
 Dear Shepherds, let not Fear your Hearts annoy ; 
 
 I bring you Tidings of tranfeendent Joy, 
 
 Which fliall great Mirth to People all afford; 
 
 A iSrr'y/cwr’s born to you, even Chriji the Lord,, 
 
 In David's City. Come and fee your King, 
 
 Who fhall to Nations all Salvation bring: 
 iJe not afraid to come betaufe he’s high ; 
 
 I You’ll fee him humbly in a Manger ly. 
 
 Thus, trembling Saints, thy Saviour fpeaks to thee ; 
 Fear not, poor doubting Soul, to come to Me; 
 
 I’m meek and lowly ; caff thy Fears away§ 
 
 And finful Doubts : Lo here’s a patent Way. 
 
 Come through the Vail of thy dear Saviour’s. Fleih, 
 
 And make thy Peace with thy great God afrefh. 
 
 If my dread Highnefs doth make the afraid ; 
 
 Look how I’m with Humility array’d ; 
 
 Altho’ I be the high and lofty One,* 
 
 Who in the higheft Heavens have my Throne, 
 
 Yet for thy Sake, in this ftrait ftinking Sty, 
 
 And in this Crib I condefeend toly. 
 
 Since 
 
 . \\Lukez. 8, to 15, ^Mat, ri. 28. 29, ^Ifa. 57, 15, 66. i. 
 
 
( ) 
 
 Since thou bcIiQlJ’fl: me born in fuch a Cell, 
 Think’ft thou PJl in thy Heart refufe to dwell ? 
 
 Thus Chrift was born : Thus he at firft began 
 His humbled Life to fave fell'-ruin’d Man ; 
 
 Which all along was fraught with Miferies,"!- 
 Griefs, Sorrows, Labours and Calamities. 
 
 Tho’ freeqf Sin and Guilt original, 
 
 As to his own Condition perfonal ; 
 
 Yet for his Eledts Guilt, when eight Days old. 
 Among the Rank of Sinners he’s inroll’d ; 
 
 Is circumcis’d, made Debtor to perform;}: 
 
 The Law, and thereto fully to conform, ij 
 Here the Law-giver Is made under Law ; 
 
 The Sovereign Judge of Judgment ftands in Aw, 
 The Law muft be fulfilled perfectly :§ 
 
 The Eledt cannot thro’ Infirmity ; 
 
 Therefore thqir Lord by his Obedience 
 Muft do what Man fhou’d donfe in Innocence.* 
 The Law' pronounceth Wrath and Indignation, 
 Perplexing Anguifh, endlefs Tribulation 
 On every Soul that fins ; and therefore he. 
 
 The E 1 e< 3 :s Surety, bears the Penalty. 
 
 The Law knows no Abatement; Juftice ftands 
 Stridtly to every Point of her Demands; 
 
 No lefs w'ill pleafe, but perfect Innocence j 
 Or then a Ranfom equal to th’ Offence : 
 
 This Jefus paid ; and thus redeems his own 
 From that deferved indignation. 
 
 Oh then, poor Elect Souls, who ftand In Awe 
 'I'o look upon that dreadful fiery Law, 
 
 All you whofe Souls Mount Sinai’s Thunders make 
 J r Fear of Death and endlefs Wrath to quake,f 
 
/ o . ^ '7 ). 
 
 .-/ibh left his not inceni'ed ire 
 
 lOut upon you, like devourins: Fire,> 
 
 jieft he turn you to the loweft Hell, 
 
 cverlafting Burnings there to dwell (] 
 
 a \ here’s Relief for you: Lo here’s a Shade 
 
 /torn fcorching Wrath : a Vail by Jefus made 
 
 /To cover your poor guilty Souls from Wrath j 
 
 Come liither, fainting Souls, and take your Breath 
 
 Under the Covert of his faving Wings, 
 
 Who to your Soul fweet Peace and Pardon brings, 
 
 AH you, who under Sinai's Flafhes ftand. 
 
 You who are tofled in a weary Land ; 
 
 Lo, here’s the Shadow of a mighty Rock; 
 
 Lo, here’s a Covert from the dreadful Stroke 
 
 Of Juftice Sword: Lo here’s a Cloud by Day,§ 
 
 Arid Light by Night, to guide you in the Way. 
 
 Are you afraid to meet a wrathful Judge? 
 
 Lo, here’s for you a City of Refuge. 
 
 Can you not work becaufe of Impotence ? 
 
 Lay hold on his compleat Obedience. 
 
 Have you rebelled, and muft you therefore die? 
 
 r>o, he hath born for you the Penaltie. 
 
 Acquaint yourfelves with him, and be at Peace ; 
 
 You are not under Law; but under Grace.* 
 
 The Law, your foimer Hufbmd, now is dead,f 
 
 And Chrift’s become )our Hufband and your Head 
 
 But yet you muft not hence to S:n give Place, 
 
 Becaufe you are not under Law, but Grace .J 
 
 There’s ftill a Law and Yoke your Necks above: 
 
 T.'ho’ not the Law of Works ; the Law of Love.[| 
 
 The Love of Chrift like to a golden Chain, 
 
 Still to Obedience muft your Souls conftraln. 
 
 Not flavifti Fear muft you to Duty move; 
 
 Your Motives now are Gratitude and Love. 
 
 If you arc weak. Strength from vour Saviour draw, 
 
 Whereby ftneerely toobferve his Law. 
 
 1 4* 
 
 J 12. 2^. ' H Ifa. 33. 14, and 4. 6. 
 yoh 22. 7.1. f Rom. b. la, and y. 2 
 8 2 C'or. 5. 14. 
 
 5 
 
 With 
 
 §//a 4. 5. 
 I Roffii o. 
 
I 
 
 With him remains the Spirit’s Reri(iue,§ 
 
 Your Souls to quicken, and your Lulls fubcluc. 
 With him is likewife Merit tofupply 
 Your Services in their Deficiency. 
 
 With him is Incenfe to perfume your Pray’rs,* 
 
 And Skill to guide you in your Soul-Affairs. 
 
 O mind the lovely Name which he obtain’d 
 When circumcis’d; as th’ Angel had ordain’d. 
 
 He’s called Jefus^ for he faves his own,i- 
 Firft from their Sins, then from Deftruilion. 
 
 This is the true-fpiritual 'Jojhua,^ 
 
 Who when a Mofe's cznnoi by the Law, 
 
 Ering Abran'^% Seed into the promis’d Land,ll 
 Conducls them in by his Almighty Hand, 
 
 Out of the howling Wildernefs of Sin, 
 
 Which they for many Years have w'andred in; 
 Divides their 'Jordan^ brings them to theblcfl 
 Pofl'dTion of their wifil’d Canaan of Reff. 
 
 ’Tis he, who cloath’d with filthy Robes do fland,§ 
 Even the'Elects Guilt; and clofe by his right Hand, 
 Stands Satan, ready to refill him in 
 'Ehe bleifcd W^oik of expiating Sin ; 
 
 But maugre all his Malice and lijs Pow’r, 
 
 The blefTcd yejus fiill proves Conqueror; 
 
 Blots out his Folks d'ranfgrefiion in one Day,^' 
 
 And hath their filthy Ga.rmcnts ta’en away ; 
 
 Is drefs’d with Robes of purell Righteoufnefs, 
 
 And golden Oowns the Motto Holinefs.-\ 
 i'ishe that is a Prieft upon his Throne jH 
 Who brings his Captives out of Babylon 
 The Proohet whom we mull in all ThinfTS hear,"^' 
 W^io tlie Glory of his Father’s Houfe doth beartf 
 W^ho by the Holy Ghoft anointed isj; 
 
 Unto his tiircc great facred Offices. 
 
 § Mat. Q. 25. 
 % Mat. I. 21. 
 
 3. 3, with 3. I. 
 ^Exod. 39. 30. 
 
 He’s 
 
 t Luke 1. 31, and 2. 21 
 
 6. J3. J Pfal. 45. 8. 
 
 * Rev. 8. 3. 
 
 Deut. 31. 23. ^Deut.. 32” 52. *Zech. 
 fZech. 3. 9. with 3. 4, 5. I'/.ecb. 6- ir. 
 ^Zeeh. 6. 13. *Deut. 18. 15. ■\Zech. 
 
^\xx'a 
 
 ( 19 ) 
 
 furper ; him the Father call’dJl 
 /High Fun£tion, fandlify’d and feard:§ 
 
 Aphet like to Mofes^ mild and meek 
 £rttji of th’ Order of Melchizedeck ;f 
 /King to rule on Zion’s holy Flill. J 
 ill which he doth moft perfedfly fulfil. 
 
 , ^ Lo here’s aTreafure ! come, poor needy Saints: 
 Here isaStore-houfe to fupply your Wants; 
 
 Do you want Wifdom? Wifdom’s Treafures hid[j 
 Ly all in him ; you fhall be furnifhed. 
 
 Are you afraid thro’ Ignorance to ftray ?§ 
 
 He is a Light to guide you in the Way,’*^ 
 
 He is a faithful PropJut to reveal 
 Th’ Eternal Secrets of his Father’s Will. 
 
 And well he can who from Eternityf 
 Did in the blefled Father’s Bofom ly. 
 
 ’Tis he alone who faw, and can declare;}; 
 
 What his great Father’s Thoughts and Counfels are, 
 Thofe Purpofes of Love, ere Time began 
 For faving of poor felf-deftroying Man. 
 
 Who by his Word and Spirit fince the Fall 
 Reveals them to his Church in Ages all. 
 
 Who preach’d at firft himfelf; and after fent 
 The Prophets to declare his Covenant. 
 
 He was the Angel who to Mamrezzm^^ 
 
 And promifed a Seed to Abraham j 
 Which fhould bring Blcffe hiefs to Nations all j 
 ’Twas he who w'rettled with great Jfrael,^ 
 
 ’Twas he who fpeke with Mofes in the Bufli;'^' 
 
 And gave him lively Oracles for us. 
 
 ’Tis he w’ho calls each faithful Minifter, 
 
 Who Gifts and Graces doth on them confer. I 
 Do you want Pardon ? Come to Jefus Chrift, 
 'l'’obtain Atonement. He’s the glorious Prieft.;}; 
 
 G 2 
 
 * ASis 7.37. t F 
 
 '^Heb. 4. 5. ^John 6. 
 tPfal. 2. 6. IICo/. 2. 3. 
 I. j8. XMat. It. 27. 
 7. 38, XEph. 4. 
 
 He 
 110. 4. 
 
 ^John 1.4. * F>/. 27. I. Xjohri 
 \Gen. 18. I, ?&c. §&Vw. 32. 24. 
 7,8. 4/70^7.3,9,23. 
 
( 
 
 He is the precious fpoilefb Sacrifice, 
 
 Wliich rl;vine Jultice fully fatisfies ;if » 
 
 He IS a l ubcrnacle frorp the Heat ' 
 
 He is the covering Ark, nnd Mercy-fcat ;* 
 
 He is the Altar which cloth fanrSfifyf 
 'I he Ciifcs of all that on him do rely ; 
 
 He is the fkilfiil Acivocate that plcads+ 
 
 His People’s C.iufe; and for them interceeds.)! 
 
 Poor Souls, who cant’ approach the Throne of Grace, 
 l>ut Shame and Blulhing quickly fills vour Face, 
 
 Thro’ Selife of Ciuilt, which like a Weight of Ijcad, 
 Doth prefs your Soul with deep amazing Dead ; 
 
 Who towards Heiv’n dare not liit up your E)es,§ 
 
 Bv Reafon of your great Iniquities;* 
 
 "VViio look for naught but divine Indignation; 
 
 Improve his Piiefihood and Propitiation; 
 
 Believe on him for jaltifying Grace: 
 
 His Sacrifice procutes you lifting Peace. 
 
 Want you Redemption.'* want you Liberty 
 From Sin’s Dominion, Satan’s Fyranny ? 
 hind you (Irorg holds of Luff prevail in you ? j- 
 Heir aiTiig’n'y Prince, who can fubdue 
 I<cb:llions I-ulfs: He’s a pinffmt King, 
 
 V.'ho do'h his own from Satan’s Bondage 'oring; 
 
 Gives them Kn.Iargement and fweet Liberty :t 
 Doth over tlv m his golden Sceptre fway ; 
 
 Sin’s Iron Yoke doth oft their Necks remove, 
 
 Anci fweetly vul'-'s tliem by the Law of J ove: 
 
 Jycftnds them By Uis mii hty Hand and .^rm, 
 
 Fr'^m (v?''V one that would them hurt or harm ; 
 
 J' cftr''ns and conquers ail theh- F.i'rmies, 
 
 And ridly frees them from their aiiferlcs; 
 
 .Bequ''ath3 tbemGrowns, rmd caifti ih tli.cm to rclgn'_ , 
 
 .And (it on Thrones with him their l^ord and King. 
 
 Horne then all yon whofe wretched Necks arc gatri.1 
 A''. Ith th’ Iren Yoke oft in, v.hofc Souls arc thmll'd 
 
 A/l, gt. § ]f'}. 4. 6. '^T Johm. ?. 
 + 'Johm, t. S 3 ' *2. j8. 13. 
 
 » tO. S' fy d* y^* Cy. y. 
 
 Tnr’rr 
 f 23 . It). 
 
 
 i -L 
 
 ■s#* • 
 
y 
 
 r ( 21 ) 
 
 ^ the hcUlfli Tyrant’s Servitude: 
 
 Acre's a King for you both mild attd good, 
 ijc, change your Mafter; change your Work and Way: 
 
 (t jefus in your Souls a Scepter fway: 
 
 ^akc on iiis Yoke, and in his Law delight; 
 lis "i pke is eafie and his Burden light: \ 
 
 ^Ifis Y oke’s a golden Chain and Ornament.* 
 
 Then yield your Hearts to his fwcet Government; 
 
 If 3 'ou’ll accept him as your Lord and King, 
 
 You fiiail as Kings with him for ever reign. 
 
 As in the divine Fdlence there are three, 
 yet one undivided Trinity; 
 
 Kven fo in Clirilt there are three Offices, 
 
 Y'et he in thefe one Mediator is.f 
 
 If you would him for your Redeemer have, 
 
 You muft him in them all alike receive. 
 
 Take him for Wifdom and for Righteoufnefs,:|: 
 
 For full Redemption, and for Holinefs: 
 
 Thus he is made of God, and offered; 
 
 The Gofpcl Terms will none of thofe divide; 
 
 Take him in all; ’tis fooliffi to expetfi; 
 
 That he will be your Prophet to direct, 
 
 Or yet a Priefl; to fatisfy for you, 
 
 Unlefs as King he do your Lufts fubdue. 
 
 But ah ! why talk I thus, while I remain 
 In Bondage (till, while me my Lufts detain 
 In Satan’s Camp ? while I refufe the Y"okc 
 of lovely Jefus, and his Wrath provoke ? 
 
 Sh.’.ll I prefs others tlmsto be content 
 
 ft'o bow their Kecks to his fweet Government? 
 
 And vet myfclf be only like the Hand ’ 
 
 \Y Itich for a Signal on the Street doth ftand, 
 
 Dircding Paftengers to find their YA ay, 
 
 Y'et void of L/ife itfelf behind doth ftay. 
 
 O then, dear Lord, caufe thy redeeming Love 
 To break my harden’d Heart; O let it prove 
 A threefold Cord my perverfe \Ydll to draw, 
 
 'I'o yield a fweet Obedience to thy Law. 
 
 Could I by Faith but view what he hath done 
 And born to purchafe me Salvation ! 
 
 Could 
 
 II. 30. * Pnv. I. 9. f I 7 /V/. 2. 5. :|;i Cor. 1. 30. 
 
Could I behold him in his liumbled Lifc,|| 
 
 A Man of Sorrows, and acquaint with Grief! § 
 
 So fbon as born, King Herod him purfues; 
 
 He calls the Scribes and Counfel of the Jeivs ; 
 
 Demands the Place of Chrift’s Nativity 5 
 They anfvver from the ancient Prophecy: 
 
 Bethleheffi% Gates arc honoured forth to bring 
 The long expeded, high exalted King. 
 
 Then he the Eaftern Sages doth imploy 
 To go and fearch him out the Royal Boy ; 
 
 That he would worlhip him, the Fox pretends. 
 
 But to devour him in his Heart intends. 
 
 Before the Child can walk he’s forced by Night 
 In his poor Mother’s Arms to take his Flight :* 
 
 And from the Dragon’s Rage to lurk a wlule. 
 
 As Mofes once; upon the Banks Nile.\ 
 
 Wliil’R Herod mock’d fends forth his Soldiers rude, 
 
 And baths Bethlehe 7 ?i ’Streets with Infant Blood 
 Minding amongft them to deftroy the King, 
 
 Which over was defign’d to reign. 
 
 Lo,' here’s another wondrous Proof of Love, 
 
 The Divine Child to Egypt muft remove. 
 
 The King of Kings mult leave his native Soil, 
 
 And in his tender' Age endure the T oil 
 of Banilhment into a foreign i.and. 
 
 Who hath all Nations under his Command: 
 
 That by his Flight we might redeemed be : 
 
 From more than an Egyptian Drudgery. 
 
 Two Years elapfe, and Herod gets his Doom 
 Yet Jefus cannot to Judea come: 
 
 He dares not in his native City dwell, 
 
 Tho’ he’s the rightful King of Jfrael;, 
 
 Whiled Archelaus, bloody Herod's Spa-eon, ^ 
 
 Reads the Tyrant in the Holy Land. 
 
 His Parents warn’d of God do turn afide. 
 
 And in the Parts of Galilee abide. 
 
 Where during private Life he Rcfage hath,* 
 
 Within obfeure, defpifed Na-areth. 
 
 Thus watchful Providence did order it, 
 
 To Ihew that he was the true Nazar it c,\ 
 
 \ 53 ’ 3* ^Mat. 2. 3. * Mat. 2. 14. \Exod. 2 
 
 ^Mat. 2. 16. 2. V). \I\Iat. 2. 22. ^ Jokn 
 
 ''' i\f^f ^ 
 
y ( 23 ) 
 
 harmlcfs feparated One, 
 
 |byhls Death, like San/fojiy faves his ov.'n.;|; 
 
 /e the great Dagon's Houfe he overtiirows, 
 
 /in its Ruins buries Ifrael’s Foes. 
 
 ,/low were the People privileg’d who faw 
 Aim lit amidO; the Doftors of the Law ! H 
 ^^hen Twelve Years old, withWifdom moll profound^ 
 -iie folved all their Doubts in Anfwcrs found. 
 
 And alfo allied them fuch Queflions, 
 
 As did confound the Scribes and learned Ones, 
 
 The People were aftonilh’d to behold 
 A very Child of but twice llx Years old 
 Nonplus the ancient Sages and the Scribes, 
 
 The Pharifees, and all the learned Tribes; 
 
 But fure, it was no mean or trivial Theapi, 
 
 Concerning which he reafoned with them. 
 
 The Subject w^as himfelfthe promis’d One, 
 
 And that long looked for Redemption : 
 
 The Scribes expedted nothing elfe at all. 
 
 Save temp’ral Freedom from their outward Thral, 
 
 And narrow’d all the ancient Prophecies, 
 
 To favour t’neir beloved carnal Eafe; 
 
 They taught the People that their Saviour 
 Should only be an earthly Conqueror. 
 
 But when the People heard tltis divine Boy 
 LTfold the Secrets of fublimer Joy; 
 
 And Ihew them that their Shiloh was to lave 
 ■^rhem from the Power of Satan and the Grave, 
 
 From Sin,' and Wrath, and endlcfs Mifery, 
 
 More than* the Yoke of outward Tyranny: 
 
 And that the promis’d Freedom from their Thral 
 W^as a Deliv’rance more fpiritnal; 
 
 'Fhey were exceedingly amaz’d to hear 
 His Underllanding, and his Anfwcrs clear. 
 
 This v.^as his hcav’nly Father’s Bufinefs: 
 
 And he concealed not his Righteoufnefs. 
 
 He, who but twelve Years old, outftripped all < 
 
 The learned Wits and Scribes of Jfrael, 
 
 Can out of Babes and Sucklings Mouths ordain§ 
 
 Such Strength as may th’ avenging Foe rellrain.* 
 
 If he’ll but Sc my Second, I’ll not fear 
 ’ Gainll Error’s greateft Champions to appear; 
 
 Hr 
 
 Xjudges 16. 30. ILuke 2. 42. to 48. §Mat. 21. 16, *PfaL 8- 
 
( ^4 ) 
 
 He can enable'ev’n the meanell; Youth 
 ’Gainft ancient Sages to maintain his Truth. 
 
 Let’s follow him by Faitli to Flood 
 
 And fee him there, amongll the Multitude, 
 
 Defiring Baptifm from his Fiarbinger, 
 
 Who can himfclf alone that Grace confcr 
 W^kich this external Seal doth reprefent, 
 
 Namely, Ingrafting into Covenant. 
 
 The holy Baptift as amazed ftands,]; 
 
 And is furpriz’d at his great Lord’s Demands: 
 
 And thus he fpeaks: Ah ! I have Need to be 
 Baptiz’d of thee, and corned thou to me ? 
 
 I’m but the Servant, thon’rt my Sovereign Lord: 
 
 I wafh with W’^ater thou doft Grace afford; 
 
 W’hy fhould the holy undefiled One, 
 
 That’s wholly free from all Corruption, 
 
 Seek to be wafli’d with W ater ? Why fhould he 
 Who is the F'ountainpure, baptized,be? 
 
 The Lord reply’d, Altho’ thou doll not kix)w 
 The Myftick Reafon why it mull be fo,jj 
 Yet fulfer it; obey thy Mailer’s Will; 
 
 For thus we mufl all Righteoufnefs fulfill. 
 
 Thus Jefusy tho’ from Sin compleatly free, 
 
 Would be baptiz’d that he might fandifie ! 
 
 The Seal to us; this Laver cannot fave, 
 
 Till it from Jefus Virtue do receive. 
 
 When Chrifl; was dipt in Jordan' % Silver Stream, 
 
 His Ele£t Seed were all baptiz’d in him.§ 
 
 When he emerg'd out of the Chryllal Waves, 
 
 He from his Fahher Wdtnefs flraight receives,* 
 
 The holy Ghoft, to fhow him Chrift indeed,f 
 Doth vifibly defcend upon his Head, 
 
 Like to a Silver-feathr’d harmlcfs Dove 
 And lo, a Voice is heard from Heav’n above, 
 
 This is my ‘■jjcII beloved Son, in ^kom. 
 
 Andfor nxihoj'e Snke Ifully pieafed am. 
 
 Then hence, my Soul, ne’er doubt a Trinity j 
 Lo ! here thou fcell the undivided Three: 
 
 The Son% baptiz’d, the Father fpeaks above; 
 
 'Ihz Holy Uboji defcendeth like a Dove. 
 
 » 
 
 \ Mat. 13, IMat. 14. Ij 3. 15. l^Rom 
 JMat-^, 10, 17. \].ake 3. 21, 22. :}: Jokn :. 32, 23. 
 
y 
 
 anointed from on High, 
 
 »cd to his-publick Mtnifiry\ 
 fa his manly Vigour and his Prime, 
 jtcft for Employment fo fublirae. 
 ficn God is pleas’d to manifeft his Love, 
 
 5 meof Trial is at Hand to prove 
 try their Faith; even as obferve you may 
 blackefl: Cloud fucceeds the brighteft Day. 
 jefus, after that his Fatlier’s Lovc§ 
 
 Vas manifefted thus from Heav’n above, 
 
 \\ as led into the Defert, that he might 
 Long forty Days againft the Dragon ligliL 
 Where he in Tingle Combat all alone ’ 
 
 Encounters Beelzebub'^ Temptation. 
 
 W’hen he had faded forty isights and Dayt, 
 
 The Devil vifibly appears, and fays, 
 
 If fo thou bee’ll the Son of God indeed. 
 
 Command thefe Stones that they be turn’d to Bread. 
 But Jefus thus repclls the wicked One, 
 
 ’Tis written, Man lives 7iot by Bread alone 
 God’s Word of Pow’r the Life of Man fuftains 
 More than the Prefence of the outward Means. 
 
 The Devil, tho’ he tempt’d at lirll in vain. 
 
 Yet reds not but renews th’ Adault again ; 
 
 And carries Chrid up to a Mountain high, 
 
 Whofe Top doth threaten to furmount the Sky ; 
 And in a Moment fhews him the earthly P'rame, 
 
 1 With all the painted Glory of the fame, 
 
 I And faid, this Glory all I’ll give to thee, 
 j i'or all thefe Kingdoms do belong to me. 
 
 On this Condition, if thou wilt accord 
 To worfiiip me, and own me for thy Lord. 
 Ourbleded Lord with holy Indignation, 
 
 Rejects, the Fiend’s mod Impudent Tentatlon ; 
 
 Get thee behind me, thou blafphemous One ; 
 
 ' Tis written, “ Tliou lhalt ferve thy God alone,f 
 Tho, beat in this Adault, the redlefs Foe 
 Rcfolveih not to leave the Combat fo; 
 
 But hurls him thro’ the Air, and taketh bin) 
 
 I hi to the Temple oi Jeru/aIe^fi. 
 
 And on a Pinacie fets him on high ; 
 
 And lays, 
 
 C 25 ) 
 
 if God’s beloved Son tlrou be 
 D 
 
 To 
 
 YLukf 3. 23. 4. T. to 14. *Deut. 8. 3. \I>enf. (3. 
 
( 26 ) 
 
 To prove the fame, throw down thyfelf from hencC; ^ 
 
 'And truft thy Father’s Word and Providence : ^ 
 
 For it is written in his Word, “ That he M 
 
 “ Will give his Angels Charge concerning thee, 
 
 '^^o bear the up, Hill waiting thee upon, ^ 
 
 Left thou ftiould dafh thy Foot againft a Stone. 
 
 But Jefus faid, ’Tis written thus again, w 
 
 “ Thou (halt not tempt tlie Lord thy God in vain.J ^ 
 
 Thus Satan’s foil’d at laft, and can’t prevail 
 Againft the mighty Prince of Ifrael. 
 
 Then, tempted Soul behold thy glorious Lord, 
 
 Let his Temptation Help to thee afford. 
 
 When thou art tempted: He o’ercame for thee. 
 
 Thou (halt at Length in him vidorious be. 
 
 Take his whole Armour, learn of him to wieldjl 
 The Spirit’s Sword, and Faith’s defenftve Shield: 
 
 By thefe thou ftialt be able to repel 
 The Stratagems, and fiery Darts of Hell.§ 
 
 Thus Jefus cntred on his Miniftry 
 After a glorious F’ight and ViHory: 
 
 In the Difcharge whereof he underwent 
 A thoufand Toils; himfelfhe daily fpent 
 In travelling abroad from Place to Place,* 
 
 In publifiiing the News of Grace and Peace.f 
 In labouring always, and in doing Good,J 
 Teaching and Feeding of the Multitude. || 
 
 Calling out Devils, railing the Dead to Lifc;§ 
 
 Healing all Sickneftes, and every Grief: * 
 
 He bore our Sickneftes and Miferies,j- 
 The Coi>tradi6lions of his Enemies ;:j: 
 
 The Father’s Wrath and Curfe, the Pains of Hell,|| 
 
 And was rejeifted by his Ifrael.^ 
 
 He never rode, fave once, but up and down** 
 
 He walked ftill a-Foot from Town to Town. 
 
 From Hill to Mountain, and from Sea to Sea,f 
 Throw all Judea's Coafts, and Galilee 
 '"I'hro’ all Saniarm's Borders lar and near, 
 
 Vta, to tlie Coafts of Zidon and of T^ re.\ 
 
 . Ini 
 
 X -Deut. 6 . i6 \\Eph. 6 . 13. ^ Eph. 6. ii. *' Mat 4. 23, 24. 
 ■\ laike 4. 18. X/lGs 10. 38. \\ Mat. 14. 19, 20. ^Mat. 8. 28. 
 *Ma(. 14. 14. \Mat. 8. 19. XHeL 12.3. \\Gal. 3. 18. \Joh?i 
 * 35. \ Luke I. XJohne{. 3. \Mark 7. 24. 
 
/ ,( 27 ) 
 
 Hunger, Perils manifold: 
 ler’s fultery Heat, and Winter’s chilling Col^. 
 he had taught and travell’d all the Day, 
 feht he had not where his Head to lay. 
 
 Hlefi; Heart hath Holes, the fmallert Bird a Nert,§ 
 /Jefus had no Houfe wherein to rert. 
 
 /was oblig’d to others ev’n for Bread,* 
 
 Id for a Conch whereon to rell his Head. 
 
 /o matchlefs Love! Ihould Jefus toil for me ? 
 ^nould he of Riches thus denuded be ? 
 
 ^Should he be hungry, Ihould he fuffer Need: 
 
 Who doth all Men, and other Creatures feed? 
 
 Should he be thirrty, who’s the living Springs 
 That fends refreOiing Streams to every living Thing ! 
 Should he be fcorch’d with Heat, or chil’d with Cold ! 
 Should he be deftitute of Houfe and Hold ! 
 
 Who Summer’s Heat and Winter’s Cold did make; 
 Who Heaven and Earth doth for Porteffion take. 
 
 And (hall I grude to toil for him again ? 
 
 If it may honour him, (hall I difdain 
 .To walk fjn Foot, to run from Place to Place, 
 
 If I to others may commend his Grace ? 
 
 What tlio’ I want a Houfe wherein to dwell ? 
 
 So did the glorious King of Ifrael: 
 
 MTat tho’ I’m forc’d to take a borrow’d Bed, 
 
 WTereon I may repofe my worthlefs Head ? 
 
 M liat tho’ 1 am oblig’d to other Men, 
 
 And thankful if they will me entertain: 
 
 This Thought Ihould Quiet to my Heart afford; 
 
 The Servant murt not be above his Lord.f 
 Oh henceforth never let me make Complaint. 
 
 For Want of outward Things; let me not faint, 
 Becaufe of Tryals Strength or Multitude; 
 
 I have not yet refifted unto Blood.J 
 Am I reproach’d ? fo was my Lord before; 
 
 Am I defpis’d ? he was contemned more. 
 
 O could I learn of him in ev’ry State, 
 
 His holy fpotlefs Life to imitate: 
 
 And where I cannot follow, to deplore 
 INIy Weaknefs, and his Holinefs adore. 
 
 of Grace’s Fulnefs all he was portefs’d: 
 
 All fiiining Virtues center’d in his Breart: 
 
 Mat. 8. 20. * Luke 8. 33. -f Mat. 10. 24. ^Heh. 
 
 The 
 

 i; 
 
 t. 
 
 
 ( 2S ) 
 
 The fwect^ Mceknefs and Humility, 
 
 The greatell; Kindnefs Love and Clemency : 
 
 So that the bruifed Reed he never breaks Ij 
 Nor doth he ever quench the fmoaking Llax. 
 
 He bore Affronts with wondrous Patience, 
 
 Altho’ he could maintain’d his Innocence. 
 
 He adted Faith on God. and did rcly§ 
 
 On him, without all Doubtings conftantly.’^ 
 
 Yea, when deferted, yet, he Hill abode 
 By Faith unfliaken, relling on his God. j- 
 His fervent Love to God, and flaming Zeal 
 Both for his Father’s Name, and Church's Weal 
 Were eminent, and find no Parallel. 
 
 That very Night in which he was betray’d,|. 
 
 Fie would not leave his People without Aid, 
 
 But did appoint the blelfed Sacrament 
 of his lafl Supper, for to reprefent 
 His Death to them, and in his Church remain, jj 
 As a Love-Token till he come again. 
 
 He Hraight from Supper to the Garden goes. 
 
 To meet the Traitor and the bloody Foes.§ 
 
 His Flour was come ; the Combat was at IFand, 
 
 That he mull fight Bcchebiib'^ hcllifh Band ; 
 
 The Hour that he mufl bear his Father’s W rath. 
 
 And for his Eledl die, and conquer Death. 
 
 Flis Soul becomes exceeding forrowful. 
 
 Is fore amaz’d, and is of Anguilh full. 
 
 His holy Nature fhrinks with Hnlcfs Fear, 
 
 To fee the Loads of Wrath he hath to bear: 
 
 Hg trembles to behold the poifon’d Cup,* 
 
 Brim-lull of Terror which he mufl drink up ; 
 
 And therefore pra^s with mighty Cries and Tears 
 'J'o him thot eould preferve liim from his Fears : 
 
 Father all Things arc pollible to thee; 
 
 O may this bitter Potion pal's from me; 
 
 Or, if it may not with thy Glory Hand, 
 
 Then, Father dear, I am at thy Command: 
 
 I've learn’d Obedience, tho’I be a Son, 
 
 Not as I will, but as thou wilt be done. 
 
 Thus tfiricc he pray'd, and Hill more carneHly, 
 
 And being in a painful Agony, 
 
 jj Blat. 12. 20. § PfaL 22. 1. 8. * Mat. 27. 4^. I Mat. 27. | 
 46. 4 I Cir, II, 23. llVerfc 26. ^John 14. 31. * Luke 22. 43. | 
 

 ( 29 ) 
 
 (On of his Sorrows Multitude, 
 is lie pray’d, he fwate great Drops of Blood 
 p. Abundance, all his Body round, 
 jCrimfon Clotts of Blood did dye the Ground. 
 
 ^ a Garden Satan ruin’d Man, 
 
 'i a Garden Jefus lirll began, 
 
 Ais his bloody Sweat and Agony, 
 
 Aanfom Mankind into Liberty. 
 
 .0 all ye Daughters Jeriifaltviy 
 . </y Faith into this Garden follow him: 
 
 Draw nigh your wreftling Lord, and here you’ll fee 
 The iMarks of Grief and Love beyond Degree. 
 
 Oh i you hard-hearted Sinners, come draw near. 
 Who never yet could kindly fhed a Tear; 
 
 For all your great TranfgrelTions Multitude, 
 
 He fhed a thoufand Drops of richer Blood 
 To ranfom you, if you belong to him; 
 
 He drank a Cup of Wrath full to the Brim, 
 
 A Sea of WTath, ev’n what was due to all 
 The great Tranfgreffions of his Ifrael. 
 
 How could you fleep. Oh Petery James and John ? 
 How could you deep, while as the holy One 
 "Would have you watch with him, and while that he 
 ’V\''as for your Sakes in fuch an Agony ? 
 
 Mean Time an Angel unto Chrift appears, 
 
 'Fo flrengthen him, and to allay his Fears. 
 
 Lo ! here’s a Wonder ! He who Angels made. 
 
 Of Comfort from an Angel hands in Need: 
 
 As God he needs it not, nor need it can; 
 
 But only as a fmlefs full'’ring Man, 
 
 'Fhe Traitor comes, and brings the bloody Band, 
 With Swords and Staves by Caiapka\ Command, 
 
 To apprehend our Lord: He doth not flee 
 Tho’ well he might, but meets them wilUngly. 
 
 One W''ord of his- doth make the Wretclies all, 
 
 Like dead or vanquifh’d Men before him fall. 
 
 Yet he refifts them not in any Kind, 
 
 But freely fulfers them his Hands to bind. 
 
 Yet by his Word he fo reftralns the Foe, 
 
 They’re forc’d to let his whole Difciples go. 
 
 Ev’n tlius, poor Soul, whilft he Is bound for thee, 
 
 He doth procure thy lafting Liberty. 
 
 Thn^ 
 
( 30 .) 
 
 Thus he is left alone, his haniily 
 Forfake him all, and for their Safety fly. 
 
 He’s left of all amidft his Miferies; 
 
 Yea, ev’n a forward Peter him denies. 
 
 And lovely Jefus, the moll: glorious One, 
 Laborioufly treads the Wine-prefs alone. 
 
 The wretched Varlets lead him ftraight away 
 To Caiaphas, who calls, without Delay 
 The Prlefts and Scribes, w'here Chrifl arraigned is, 
 And by fuborning lying Witnelles, 
 
 He is condemn’d of fpeaking Blafphemy; 
 
 And loaded with Reproach and Infamy: 
 
 The very Slaves, while Chriit amidft them ftands, 
 
 In deep Contempt do fmite him with their Hands. 
 
 At Break of Day the Priefts and Elders all 
 Do lead him out to Pilate s, Judgment-hall, 
 
 And call for Judgment on him inftantly, 
 
 Demanding that he will him crucify. 
 
 Pilate examines him, and from the S&nfe 
 He had of his unfpotted Innocence, 
 
 Endeavours to releafej and fet him free; 
 
 But all in vain, for nought will fatisfy 
 "I he Priefts and People’s unrelenting V^Yath, 
 
 Ehilefs the holy Jefus die the Death. 
 
 Come then, ye Saints, Oh come with one Accord, 
 Behold the SufF’rings of your dying Lord ! 
 
 Behold him fcourg’d ; how all his Body round 
 The lafliing Whip makes one continu’d W'ound ! 
 Behold him drelfed with a purple Robe, 
 
 In high Contempt amidft the wretched Mob ! 
 
 He hath no Kingly Scepter, but a Reed ; 
 
 A tliorny Crown doth hurt his glorious Head. 
 
 Come, follow'him along by Faith, and fee. 
 
 Him bear the heavy Crofs to Calvary ! 
 
 Look how the bloody murth’ring Koinifb Bands 
 Do rack and pierce w'ith Nails his Feet and Hands: 
 S>e how' he’s hung ’tW'ixt I'hievcs, as If that he 
 W ere the worft jVlaleft<ftor of the three ! 
 
 ^ee how he hangs aloft ’tw'ixt Earth and Heav’n ; 
 How bitter Gall and Vinegar is giv’n. 
 
 Look how the precious Blood from every Wound, 
 Falling in purple Streams do dye the Ground ! 
 
/ . „ ( SI ) 
 
 c rrieus and Scribes do him deride, 
 ^ntcmpt and Scorn do wag tire Head ! 
 
 ;inn as blufhing doth obfeure his Light, 
 jlds his Kays, and turns the Day to iSight. 
 I a darker iSight comes from above; 
 j God from dying Jefus vails his Love; 
 
 I more accents his Grief than all the Woes 
 Itins he bore from his malicious Foes; 
 iich him to cry in bitter Sort doth make, 
 
 Godf my Cody 'why doji thou me J'orfake? 
 
 O ! Was the bleifed jefus fcourg'd for me. 
 
 That thro’ his painful Stripes I heal’d might be \ 
 Was he condemn’d that I might be obfolv’d ? 
 
 “Were mine Iniquities on him devolv’d ? 
 
 Were thefe the Nails that pierc’d his hlelled Hands, 
 And tore his lovely Feet ? Were thefe the Bands 
 And Cords that bound him to the curfed Tree, 
 That I thereby from Death might fayed be! 
 
 O did he wear a Crown of Thorns that I 
 Might wear a Crown of Gold eternally ! 
 
 Was it my Sin that caus’d him fo to bleed ? 
 
 AVas it the Spear that pierc’d his bleifed Side ? 
 
 Then (hall I Harbour to my Sin afford, 
 
 And hugg the curfed Luffs that kilj’d my Lord ? 
 No. I will not; Old Lovers, then be gone 
 Out of my Heart; let Jefus have the Throne, 
 Defile his Temple, grieve his Sp’rit no more; 
 
 Give him his Place: It grieves my Heart full fore, 
 'That I fiiould have fo long indulged you; 
 
 And havedeny’d my lovely Lord his due. 
 
 Oh, did he die for me, and ffiall not I, 
 
 Indebted to his Grace eternally. 
 
 Live to his Praife, and celebrate his Fanie, 
 
 And while I Being have, exalt his Name ? 
 
 No fitter Subje( 5 l can my Thoughts employ, 
 
 No Work can yield my Heart more folid Joy. 
 
 But ah ! how ffiall I know he died for me ? 
 
 That with his Love I may .affedted be ? 
 
 Died he for Rebel Sinners ? Yes, he died 
 For fuch as had him pierc’d and crijclfy’d ; 
 
^ 32 J 
 
 For filch as hid their Faces from their l.ord. 
 
 And would not him one kindly Look afford. 
 
 Died he for thofe who had no Love for him ? 
 
 Yes, ev’n for thofe who did him not eftcem. 
 
 Died he for fuch as I ? Yes, if thou be 
 Sincerely griev’d for thine Iniquity; 
 
 Weary and heavy laden with thy Guilt; 
 
 Then, without Doubt, for thee his Blood was fpilt. 
 If thou believefl: with thy Soul and Heart, . 
 
 Then in his Death thou furely hafl; a Part, 
 
 But ah! I’m ruin’d with my Unbelief. 
 
 Well, canft thou fay this is thy greatefl: Grief? 
 
 Yes, that I can: Well then, be fure thou art 
 The Travel of his Soul; he hath thy Heart. 
 
 But I have broke all his Commandments; 
 
 Yet, tell me, canft thou fay, thy Heart relents, 
 And grieves for thy Unkindnefs to thy f^ord ? 
 Then this may to thy Confcience Peace afford: 
 
 As much as Heaven this earthly Globe furmounts. 
 So much his Love exceeds thy great Affronts. 
 
 But ah ! I love not him: ^Vill this not prove 
 That I am not the Objedt of his Love ? 
 
 Ko, if thou doft retain a lively Senfe 
 Of this Defedt, dnd griev’ft for thine Offence. 
 
 But I want Faith. Yet doft thou not bewail 
 That l’’nbelief ’gainft thee doth fo prevail ? 
 
 But, ah alas ! I cannot live to him 
 
 Who is my Life; and haw then fliall I deem 
 
 He died for me ? My great Ingratitude, 
 
 My Sins and my Tranlgreffions Multitude, 
 
 From which he came to free and fave his own, 
 
 Speak nought to me but Indignation. 
 
 Yet give not Place to fuch Defpondency, 
 
 Chrift’s Blood from all thy Sins can purify. 
 
 F I N l S.