EVANGELIC POETRY: 
 
 FOR THE 
 
 PURPOSES of DEVOTION* 
 
 EXCITED BY 
 
 SPIRITUAL SONGSi 
 
 - AND 
 
 CONVICTION URGED BY GOSPEL 
 TRUTH. 
 
 by PEL ATIAH CHAPIN, / ?u 
 
 IN HoPKfNTON. 
 
 Te Sons of Earth ! ( nor willing to be more ! ) 
 SinceVerk you think from prieft-craft fomewhat free 9 
 Thus in an age fo gay> the Mufe plain truths 
 ( Truths which at church you might have heard in 
 Has ventured into light [profe) 
 Night Thoughts. 
 
 CONCORD: 
 Printed by Geo. Hough, for the Author. 1 
 
 M.DC€.XCIV. 
 
PREFACE 
 
 ThE motives which urge Chriftian devo- 
 tion, and the danger of treating them with ne- 
 glect, is evident to all who maintain a devout life, 
 to whom every work appears great which belongs 
 to the charafter of a true Chriftian ; and while 
 duty, as it confifts in true love to Chrift, in every 
 a£t requires clofe attention, left motives be wrong, 
 thofe who approve themfelves to God will find 
 great confolation in the ftrength of Chrift, in all 
 which he calls them to do or fuffer : The glory 
 pf the Redeemer, revealed in the Gofpel, and the 
 reafons why he (hould be praifed, will poffefa the 
 hearts of his friends, with defires that all would 
 unite to ferve the great purpofes of his glory ; and 
 every attempt to declare it, will have their kind 
 approbation. 
 
 As what is contained in the following ftanzas* 
 relates to EVANGELIC GLORY, the neceffity* 
 of an apology, is fuperceded by the weight of 
 the fubjeft, and excufea the Author's attempt un- 
 der all the difadyaatages which attend the publi- 
 cation. 
 
 To compare what is here publiQied, with fome 
 former writings* it will be found, that not only an 
 
 ideal* 
 
P R E F A C E. 
 
 ideal, but a verbal lik^nefs, is admitted on ferns 
 occafions, which could not well be avoided, with 
 juftice to the fubjetl. 
 
 May the reader's heart be fufceptive of religious 
 imprellions, from the lips of babes, and gain thofe 
 benefits which may eaCly be loft, by curiofity qr 
 coldnefs ; humility, watchfulnefs and prayer, will 
 give fcope to devotion^ though aflifted by fmajl 
 capacities. 
 
 May Divine Glory employ our attention, and 
 fupport our hope, in every fcene of life ; and we 
 be furniflied with well eftabliflied profpe£ts of 
 complete happinefs, in the kingdom and glory of 
 Chrift, when all promifes relating to his and his 
 people's bleffednefs, fhall be completed in the glo- 
 ry of the eternal world ; and the rays of divine 
 light, (o illume every foul, as to abundantly out? 
 ftiine this glow-worm appearance of 
 
 the AUTHOR. 
 
0000000.00000000000000000000000000 
 
 TABLE of CONTENTS. 
 
 PART I. 
 
 Abfalom's Rebellion applied to the Char after and 
 Deflruiiion of the Enemies of Chrijt. page 
 Sect. I. Confpiracy - - - 9 
 
 II. David fleeth from Jerufalem 11 
 
 III. David's Submiffion 12 
 
 IV. Shimei curfeth David - - 13 
 
 V. Ahithopbers Apoftacy, &c. 14 
 
 VI. D avid's Charge of Abfalonf 1 6 
 Vir. David's Lamentation - 17 
 Vill. (Sonclufion - > - 20 
 
 PART IL 
 4 Vcrjion on Solomon's Songs, 22 
 
 PART ill. 
 Glorious Peace in Chrift 7 s mediatorial Govt 
 ernment, chiefly on IJaiah, - • 44 
 
 PART IV. 
 Hypocrify and Duty contrafted, - 57 
 
 PART V. 
 fhe Angelas Addrefs to Chrifi in the Garden^ 64 
 
 PART VI. 
 Go/pel Truth in typical Scenes: 
 
 Scene I. Mofes a Type of Chrift - - 71 
 
 IL Samfon a Type of Chrift - 72 
 
 III. Adam a Type of Chrift - 73 
 
 IV. Jacob's Ladder 74. 
 
 V. The Ark - . it 
 
 VI. The Mercy Seat - - 77 
 
 VII. Smitten 
 
vi contents: 
 
 VII. Smitten Rock in the Wildernefe, ibid, 
 
 VIII. the High Prieft - - 78 
 
 IX. The brazen Serpent » * 79 
 
 X. The Leper r 89 
 Xf. The cleanfing of the Leper 81 
 XII. The Candleftick ■ • - 8* 
 XUI. The Meat Offering r - ib. 
 
 PART VII. 
 
 f A Monitory Inquiry % - S 83 
 
 PART VIII. 
 
 The Allegory of Jobnjon's mathematical 
 
 Quejtion invejtigated % - - gf 
 
 PART IX. 
 Particular T txts 9 and devout Exenifes 9 
 text illujtrated. 
 
 1. God created the Heavens and the Earth 1 1& 
 
 2. O the Depth - - - - m 
 3 The Earth mourneth - % - lit 
 
 4. The Beloved * - - 113 
 
 5. Come down - - - 115 
 o. Ye worfhip, ye know not what n<5> 
 7 I will give thee Reft - - 117 
 
 8. Before all the People I will be glorified 11S 
 
 9. He taught the Men of Succoth - ibid 
 to. Chrift died for us - - 119 
 
 11. BleiTed are ye that hunger • « 20 
 
 12. Madnefs is in their Heart - m 121 
 
 13. Wretched Man that I am - 122 
 
 14. Thine Eyes (hall fee the King - iif 
 
 15. He that hath the Son, hath Life 124 
 
 16. BleiTed is the Man that trufteth, &c. 125 
 
 1 7. All the Days of my appointed Time, &c. ib. 
 
 18. Lo ! I come ! 126 
 
 19. I will publifh the Name of the Lord 127 
 zq. I will not turn away from them, &c. ib. 
 
 21* Behold 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 vii 
 
 ttl Behold the King cometh • • 128 
 
 22. Life is in his Son - - * 1 *9 
 
 23. Heareth & doerh t heareth & doeth not 130 
 
 24. Fear not, little Flock 131 
 
 25. To them gave he Power to become, &c. 132 
 
 26. Be perfedl ib. 
 
 27. And make our Abode with him 113 
 
 28. Behold ! here am I - - • 134 
 
 29. I wai ed patiently for the Lord - 135 
 
 30. He hath put a new Song in my Mouth 136 
 
 3 1. Many are the Afflictions of the Righteous 1 37 
 33. Mary hath chofen that good part ib. 
 
 33. Behold ! I ft and at the Door 138 
 
 34. Conlolation in Chrift - - 139 
 
 35. That ye love one another • • ib. 
 
 36. Come, ye Blefled of my Father 140 
 
 37. What lack I yet 141 
 
 38. To him who alone doth great Wonders 1 42 
 
 39. But the greatelt of thefc is Charity 143 
 40* Unto him be Glory in the Church 144 
 
 41. I will weep bitterly - - - 14; 
 
 42. Men ought always to pray • 146 
 43 1 Rejoice not againft me - g ib. 
 
 44. What is your Life - • 147 
 
 45. How (hall we efcape - • 148 
 
 46. We walk by Faith - - * 149 
 
 47. A prudent Man foreteeth the Evil ib* 
 
 48. With the Mind I ferve the Law of God 150 
 
 49. The glorious Gofpel of Chrift 151 
 
 50. They de fire a better Country - *5* 
 
 51. I will rejoice in the Lord - - 153 
 
 52. What think ye of Chrift - - ib, 
 
 53. Watch thou in all things * - 154 
 54* That I may caufe thofe that love me, &c. 155 
 5 j. Good News 156 
 
 56, Being juftified by his Grace . m- 157 
 
 57. Chrift who is our Life - - 15S 
 $ 8. Great Wonder in Heaven * * 159 
 
 Abftain from flethiy Lulls, &c. 
 Give, give - - 
 
 160 
 
t iit CONTENTS. 
 
 6 1. Ye received the Word of God - i6i 
 
 62. When wilt thou comfort me - 162 
 
 63. Yet always rejoicing - - 163 
 
 64. Who comforteth us in all our Tribulation 164 
 
 65. Having a defire to depart & be with Chrift ib. 
 
 66. That the powerofChrift may reft upon me i6y 
 
 67. Draw near with a true Heart 166 
 
 68. But I obtained Mercy - - 167 
 
 69. Refrefhed by thee, Brother - 168 
 
 70. Cleave unto the Lord * « 169 
 
 71. The fentence of Death in ourfelves 170 
 
 72. She (hall not find her Paths - ib, 
 
 73. Happy is he - - 171 
 
 74. Seek thofe Things which are above 172 
 
 75. Poffeffing all Things - - 173 
 
 76. They are Men wondered at - 174 
 
 77. Seek them not - - 175 
 
 78. I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day 176 
 
 79. That I may win Chrift - - 177 
 
 80. A juftMan falleth feven times, &c. 178 
 
 81. What I do, thou knoweft not now ib. 
 82* There is no Enchantment againft Jacob 179 
 
 83. That Chrift may dwell in your Hearts 180 
 
 84. Grow in Grace 181 
 
 85. Ye cannot do the things that ye would 182 
 
 86. Againft fpiritua! Wickednefs 183 
 
 87. Ephraim compaflfeth me about with lies ibi 
 
 88. Unto you, G Men ! I call 184 
 89* As many as I love, I rebuke - 185 
 
 90. Honour the King - - - 186 
 
 91. There is no Power but of God - 187 
 Q2. A marvellous Thing - ib. 
 
 93. He will fave - - 188 
 
 94. The Glory and Praife of God - 189 
 
 95. The Word of the Lord was precious 190 
 
 96. All are of the Duft 191 
 
 97. We alfo joy in God * - - 192 
 
 98. Thou canft not bear them which are evil 193 
 
 99. Ye (hall find Reft for your Souls 194 
 
 16 Texts * which are at the latter part of the Botik % 
 are here omitted* 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. 
 
 PART I. 
 
 Abfalom's Rebellion applied to the Chi- 
 ra&er and Dcftruftion of the Enemies of 
 thrift. 
 
 Sect. i. His Con/piracy. 2 Sam. xvJ 
 
 In David's heart paternal paffions reign'd, 
 For AbfaJcrn, by banifhrnent detain'd ; 
 The filial, exile did with joy embrace, 
 And made him (h?re an irjur'd Father's £raee» 
 But lo ! the wretch, thus by his father lov'd, 
 Unto his royal parent traitor prov'd ; 
 The Lord's anointed labours to dethrone, 
 On the King's ruin'd ftate to raife his own; 
 He firft entices with his fpeeches fair 5 
 By kind addrefe* the people did infnare ; 
 Wifhes that he might fill the judge's feat, 
 Prcre£r. their caufe who there for jufiice waif. : 
 Strange ! how his heart deceives him by his pride ) 
 A righteous judge found in a paracide ; 
 A judge's place thinks he could well fupply, 
 As fan, and fuhje<a, juftice dare deny. 
 Thus men hate duty in their proper place, 
 And think they might feme noble office grace; 
 If God on them feme other work would lay, 
 f hey cheerfully his precepts would obey. 
 This fporious prince dare hide his villany, 
 IJader the fpecious vail of fan&ify. 
 
 * if* 
 
m EVANGELIC POETRT; 
 
 He tells his pious, royal father, how 
 
 He, when an exile, unto God did vow;. 
 
 " If he from baniihment (hall fet me free* 
 
 I wiih hh people will his fervant be, 
 
 And now to Hebron, I muft fcon repair, 
 
 To pay my vow, and ferve Jehovah there ; / 
 
 "Who hath me from a heathen land reform'd, " 
 
 Unto this land where his great name's ador'd.**' 
 
 The treacherous fon, the fathers favour gain'd* 
 
 To a£l the pious part which he had feign'd ; 
 
 He Heaven's colours here difplays to view* 
 
 An hellifli fcheme the better to purfue \ 
 
 fie faid, and went', and fcnbn it did appear, 
 
 Neither for vow, or father, did he care ; 
 
 But foon declares his bafe, his vile defign* 
 
 And forms' the people in rebellious line. 
 
 He had before by fmeot*h> deceitful arts, 
 
 Gain'd on his fide, a group of treacherous heart!* 
 
 By fulfome words, and airy charms impreft, 
 
 Refpeft to all true loyalty had loft. 
 
 Thefe by the filial rival now are rui'd, 
 
 By him a?e fiauei'd, and by him befool'd ; 
 
 In pride, he now brave& danger and difgrace* 
 
 And calls their aid to take his father** place, 
 
 That when the trump's triumphant found theyhear* 
 
 They his ufurping honour then declare \ 
 
 Say, %% Ahfalom, the fon, in triumph reigns, 
 
 And by hh own. his father's honour ftains % 
 
 Let Ifrael to my honour now proclaim* 
 
 How royal and paternal right became, 
 
 To my ambitious plan, an eafy prey \ 
 
 Let fdf be great, though realms and kings decay $ 
 
 Self-love affefts this feif-exalting ftrain, 
 
 AH glory but its own, to blaft and ftaia i 
 
 David's, great antitype, in glory high, 
 
 Proud men defpife, and praife to him deny j 
 
 And flight the King, celeftial glory crowns, 
 
 Immortal glory which all Heaven owns ; 
 
 Selt-lcve, with Chrift, a rival dare appear, 
 
 Eor all that praife which he by right doth (hare: 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. ft 
 
 Sect. if. David fleetb from Jtrufahm t 
 
 So ftrong, fo bold, is this confpiracy, 
 The royal holt muft now from danger flee ; 
 Not Zion's hill could fafety then afford, 
 Put dill 'twas fafe to (ruft in Zion's God ; 
 Weepingjthey went, for mournful was their cafc^ 
 The King muft flee before the monfter'a face; 
 The plain is veiled in a mournful hood, 
 ^nd men upright, expos'd to fcenes of blood. 
 The men who dare efpoufe the injurM caufe, 
 And a£fc in favour of God's righteous laws^ 
 On what enfues muft bravely venture all, 
 Rcfolv'd with the juft caufe to rife or fall* 
 Ah ! muft the facred caufe of David bleed ? 
 Kflufta vile rebel on the throne fucceed ? 
 The Lord's anointed no protection have, 
 Which may retrieve from the devouring grave.' 
 Will God permit his friends no more to fee 
 Their King maintain his royal dignity ? 
 J&ay fweet melodious fongs no more proclaim, 
 The people's fafety* and their ibvereign's fame f 
 Perfidious foes are furious to maintain, 
 The honour of the proud ufurper's reign ; 
 Can this be thought a caufe which Heaven owns. 
 Which finks the hopes of Zion's faithful fons i 
 No I David's fervants need not be afraid ; 
 The crown can't perifli from their Prince's head $ 
 The right by which he reigns is too divine, 
 To be the fport of vile, ambitious men. 
 Succefs awaits thofe who are David's friends ; 
 Their tean, and pains, in joyful triumph endi^ 
 Let them be faithful on their matter's fide, 
 And (how that zeal which is by mod deny'd ; 
 If David's weeping friends may thus be braveV 
 And hope, when dangers rife, that God will favc$ 
 How may celeftiai hopes fill every bread, 
 Which with the love of Jelus is poffbft ? 
 When gloomy ftades furround rhern in their way, 
 5M*en feeming fruads the caufe of Chrift betray. 
 
 A&d 
 
II EVANGELIC POETR i , 
 
 And (how the world they do profess in V3ta f " 
 Tis not this world, but Jefus they difdain, 
 In grief the friends of Chrili may weep to fz* 9 
 The flaves of fm rcfolv'd for raifery ; 
 Oppofe the folly of thofe harden'd fools, 
 Who bring damnation on their guiky fouls, 
 Thole who in Heavenly glory have del ighr, 
 Mourn any ihould joy in fuch glory flighty 
 Yet their calm fouls ej>joy a quiet reii, 
 To think that Jefus lives forever bleft ; 
 And that hid caufe, no injury can fuiiain, 
 By thofe who foes unto his grace remain. 
 The prornifes that Chnit (hall reign a: King, 
 True comfort to hi? drooping faints will bring ; 
 While Chriit on high anointed Sovereign dwells^ 
 And while his word fuch glory of him tells 5 
 While angels on his Heavenly orders Hand, 
 And feenss below unfold at his command ; 
 While works of friends and foes directed are, 
 To ihow, hie kingdom (lands both ftroag arid fair | 
 Saints in good hope with him may truft their al!| 
 And feek a kingdom -which can never fall ; 
 Kven that kingdom, founded in the bloody 
 Of the once fliia but nou afcended God. 
 
 Sect. hi. David 9 s Submiffion. 
 
 X3 AVIDjWith thofe furrcundbgdangerspreft ? 
 Calmly refign'd un'o God's will, doth reft 5 
 He on the ark bellows religious eare ; 
 The honour of hia God to him was dear ; 
 The ark he fends un:o improper* place, 
 And leaves the iiTie to Gobi's power and grace ; 
 Almighty power he knows could him fuitain, 
 And place him on the rightful ihrone again; 
 If fuch a favour may to him be fhown, 
 God's gracious hand he thankfully will own 5 
 But if the righteous Lord of all will take 
 %im from the uitom* and wholly him forfake, 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY c i$ 
 
 And let his power be trodden to the duft $ 
 
 God's will be owns to be intirely juft. 
 Thus pious fouls, G:>d'8 holy hand adore, 
 When they are cr u(h'd by the oppreflbr's power j 
 They fee his hand in all the grief they feel, 
 And learn fob niirnn to his holy will 
 They own he's gooi, when he their wants TupplieH, 
 They o he's good when favour he denies ; 
 That God who gives, and takes, is (till the fame. 
 And they who love him, love to blefa his name ; 
 When God wih floods of grief his people tries, 
 God's will be done, the hu mble fufferer crie*. 
 Inure fubmiffioa to God's holy will, 
 Did in the humble heart of Jefid* dwell* 
 Wtttf* life, in human nature, did rsfign, 
 Though he in perfon was the Ion divine. 
 
 ';.*y : : •jniiii-i ^. 
 
 Sect. iv. Sbimei curfeth David* 
 
 SlilMEI with cruel malice not? did taunt 
 The mourning King— the meek and royal faint; 
 Render hie character in (hocking hue, 
 A bloody regicide he points to vie w % 
 f 1 He who by cruel meafuree gain'd the throng 
 Is juftly by his rival fon caft down. 
 The kingdom now is in a broken (tale* 
 Becaufc that Dayid fili'd a royal feat ; 
 And noihing will reltore to peace again, 
 Till bloody David and his men are flain. 
 Thus proud, malicious men, will dare apply 
 Goi's providence in a mistaken way, 
 Nor will events of wonderous fcenes abide, 
 To fee ho w God will in the end decide ; 
 Men ralhly jadge that thus God in dicates, 
 Who are the men he loves, and who he hates ; 
 Thefe fcenes are not by Providence defign'd* 
 To tell us who will endlef, plc&fure find 5 
 Meekly did David this contempt receive, 
 And fpar'd the wretch's life who did it give, 
 
H EVANGELIC POETRY, 
 
 And leaves the ftroke to God's avenging hand, 
 To pay the vengeance juftice may demand ; 
 God by this man doth unto me make known, 
 His righteous hand, which I mud humbly own} 
 The hand on which all human aEis depend. 
 And guides each a&ion to its proper end ; 
 An end oppos'd in this vile fanner's heart. 
 Whom he thus bids to a£f this wicked part?* 
 A£ls are as natural neither good or bad. 
 But as they are by aElors qualified ; 
 The quality, is as the heart's inclin'd, 
 Or elfe as moral aBs can be defined ; 
 God a£ls by wicked men, as is his will 5 
 In what they a£t they willingly rebel ; 
 When wicked men arofe and fought the blood 
 Of him who was in truth the fon of God, 
 They wore the fword of God which then awoke p 
 To give the dreidful unrelenting ftroke ; 
 Thus God his purpofe by thofe men fulfil'd, 
 What by the prophets he before reveal* d ; 
 And in his wifdom by his works made known, 
 His fon through fufFering gain'd a glorious crown*" 
 
 Sect. v. Ahithophel's Apoftacy Overthrow} 
 
 Th ' afpiring Prince drew numbers on his fide f 
 Congruous to his plan fet forth by pride ; 
 Ahithophel, a counfellor of fame, 
 Adopts this wicked and new fangled fcheme \ 
 Abandons David to a fcene of woe, 
 And joins to work his fatal overthrow 
 David with him religious hours had fpent, 
 When with accord unto God's houfe they went* 
 And feem'd to join with marks of friendfliip dear, 
 To ferve the Lord with mutual hearts fincere. 
 The folemn ties of moft endearing love, 
 To this fei^n'd faint like Samfon's cords did prove| 
 Temptation fir'd ambitious thoughts of fame; 
 He leaves religion to fupport his name ; 
 
 Employs 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY* sj 
 
 Employs his crafty wifdom to contrive, 
 
 How a rebellious caufe may rife and thrive. 
 
 So falfe are friends when we theirfriendftup reed, 
 
 They for this world will leave Chrift's caufe to 
 
 When David doth in fad prophetic ftrain, [bleed \ 
 
 Accufe, and of his counfellor complain, 
 
 He doth the crime and punifiiment behold, 
 
 Of him by whom the Lord of life was fold ; 
 
 God's wifdom makes the^ rage of wicked men 
 
 Apply to execute his glorious plan, 
 
 And by their finful meafures will confound 
 
 The caufe they wifti to fee with triumph crown'd; 
 
 His and his people's caufe he well defends, 
 
 Though men forfake it who did feem its friends. 
 
 When David's counfellor had from him fled, 
 
 To whom, as one divine, refpeft was paid, 
 
 The injur'd King upon his God relies, 
 
 To Waft the plan of one who feem'd fo wife ; 
 
 God makes the wifdom of the man abhor'd, 
 
 By thofe whofe vicious caufe he did regard ; 
 
 His fancied glory vaniihes in fhame, 
 
 And hates his life, when he had left his fame, 
 
 And vents the rage that pain'd his troubled breait, 
 
 On life felf-loath'd to ties of friend&ip loft ; — 
 
 So men who flight the caufe of David's Lord f 
 
 And feek in worldly kingdoms their reward, 
 
 Shall have the plagues that do thofe pow'rs await. 
 
 Which feek by worldly grandeur to be great. 
 
 Kingdoms iet up by earthly pomp f {hall fall, 
 
 For Chrift is King who claims a right to all. 
 
 The Jewifli King, upon whofe royal head, 
 
 God gave command the holy oil to (hed, 
 
 Was but a type of God's anointed fon, 
 
 Who, to be King, was of the virgin born, 
 
 And died, and rofc, and lives exalted high, 
 
 To rule below, and reign above the iky \ 
 
 His offices are all divinely great, 
 
 As mediator he appears complete ; 
 
 Him God ordain'd— men rauft to him fubmit, 
 
 Or elfe be trodden dowa beneath kig feet \ 
 
*6 EVANGELIC POETRY. 
 
 Titles, and pomp, snd wealih, will fooh dccajr^ 
 From thofe who now the gcfpel difebdy. 
 
 Sect* vi. David give Lb charge of AlfaUm^ 
 who is fiatn hy Jo ah. 
 
 Go forth .brave general, to th* important poft 5 
 Review the frccpr., and lead the martial boft : 
 ■Go *fight your Maker's and your fovereign's caufej 
 Keik ve your country, and (exure the laws ; 
 <3o chafe rhe rebels from the mountain*? fide ; 
 Reftrain their fury, and chaftife their price 
 But when the fcenes of the Aufpicioua day, 
 Shall pake my ion, and Ifrael'e hoft, your prey, 
 To Abfalcm let pity v then be fhown, 
 £jrulh the cor, fpira tors, and fave my fon. 
 Unwarrily from virtue's path he ftraya, 
 Dazzled with honour, and fedue'd ^ iih praife ; 
 Empire's ddudwg charms the youth fniflead, 
 By crafty counfei wretchedly Betra^'d, 
 .Perhaps he may be wilting to'fubmir, 
 And o&n his folly a? his father's feet ; 
 He then may fee the fruit of faclioua times, 
 Abhor his errors, and abjure hie crimes. 
 
 0 could your conquering arm but once refiors 
 This darling fon unto his father's po^er ! 
 
 1 the neglected harp *rou!d ftiing agrain, 
 And fpe-ak yqr.r valour in exalted ft rain. 
 He faidj and to the fidd the captains go, 
 la rage s aed pity to engage the foe, 
 
 By Ephraim'a wood embattled parties wait; 
 While confeicus guilt forebodes impending fate; 
 The royal hoft foon makes the crrren good, 
 Hod drive the reb$l$ thro' the neighbouring. wood. 
 The fi^ord and wood did twenty thousand flay, 
 Like fcatter'd leaves the conquered legions lay; 
 The vanquifliM Prince no longer trufts to might, 
 E«{ fegkc in y&ia to m :e him&lf by flight ; 
 
 ArA 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. *™"xj 
 
 And through the branches of a fpreading oak, 
 His warlike mule with frighted courage ftruck. 
 The warlike bough* arreft t rider's hair, 
 And hold the yourh fufpended in the air. 
 Thofe comely locks which on his fhoulders hung* 
 The plealing theme of the fair virgin's Cong, 
 Shall now no more employ the ladies breath, 
 But hold the rebel in the arm 3 of death. 
 Thus fickle beauty glories for a while. 
 To fliow her charms and on her votarifts fmile ; 
 But foon thofe charms her lovers will betray, 
 Their hopes mud fink, and fee her bloom decay* 
 One, in the royal hod, faw thi3 event, 
 And flies with tidings to the General's tent: 
 Joab in hade did take the fatal dart, 
 And pierced through the dying hero's heart ; 
 The joyful trumpet founds for victory won, 
 And Ifrael's troops unro thefr tents return. 
 The man who war with David dare proclaim, 
 Is dead, and all his honour turn'd to fhame ; 
 Though fancy's dreams had plac'd him very high* 
 Jlis vifionary hopes* do with him die. 
 Let all the foe* of David's glorious Lord, 
 Who hate his glory {Inning in his word, 
 Learh to be wile, and know he is a King, 
 Who all his foea will to dedruftion bring* 
 Thofe who deny his facred righr to reien^ 
 By his command before him rauft be flaih $ 
 Not one of all his enemies can flee, 
 Or (hun his hand, which will uplifted be ; 
 Be lifted up, with glorious power divinc, 
 To crufh his foes who dare againft him join ; 
 Sent from triumphant glory of his power, 
 Their endlefs, growing torments will endure. 
 
 J OAB commands, and valiant Cufhi goes, 
 bear the tidings of the ■ vanquiih'd foes ; 
 
 Sect. vir. David's Lamentation: 
 
 C 
 
II EVANGELIC POETRf; 
 
 The General's orders he obey3in hafte, 
 Soon o'er the plain the willing carrier pafi: ; 
 The penfhe Monarch on the watcb-tow'r fat* 
 Willing to kno^v, bin fearful of the fate; 
 Contending patfions in his bofom roll, 
 But love {till keeps the empire of his foul. 
 As Cuihi enters, cries th* indulgent King, 
 ** How fares my fon ? what tidings do you bring ? 
 How ends ihe fcene of this unnatural flrife ? 
 la my fon fpar'd, or has he loft his life ?" 
 Cu&i, arnaz'd, with ftaenmering dread replies, 
 <f As is the youthj fo be thine enemies ; 
 The rebels meet with his untimely fate ; 
 Then David (hall be fafe, and Ifrael great." 
 The Monarch's grief did foon a gloom difplay* 
 To Chade the triumph of the joyful day. 
 The royal fubje&s faw, to their furprife, 
 The for row of their King, with weeping eyes. 
 The mourning King into his chamber went, 
 To mourn his fin, and give his paffion vent. 
 What deep contrition on his vifage hung 1 
 What melting words drcpt from his humbl® 
 tongue \ 
 
 ** Unhappy youth f in bloom of life cut down I 
 My Abfalcm is from my bofom torn ! 
 My fon a rebel, &nd my fin the caufe 
 Why he dar'd trample on fueh facred laws I 
 I feel the 'pangs of grief, when I furvey 
 The (hocking pifture of the difmal day, 
 When my mandate did good Uriah fend, 
 Into a fcene* which his dear life did end : 
 My faithtul fubje£t tlien a vittim made, 
 To rile &kflfh$ 9 inhumanly betray'd : 
 Nor the remoter! thought of my intent 
 Pofieft -his h^artj when bravely forth he went, 
 To fight that famous battle of the Lord, 
 By me expos'd to she devouring fword ; 
 When I, to pleafe die lleih, and hide niyclhame* 
 Suik m the &ades of dea& hb rifing fame ; 
 
 Nor 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. 19 
 
 Nor did allow his loyalty to (hare 
 
 The triumph which that battle did declare. 
 
 I now do feel the Prophet's fclemn doom, 
 
 That on my houfe the fword (hould furely come* 
 
 The fad prophetic tidings Nathan told, 
 
 IVIy complicated trials do unfold. 
 
 O Abfalom ! my fon ! I could reGgn 
 
 My a?ed blood, might it but ranfem thine. 
 
 Had God feen fit to guide the fatal dart, 
 
 To mifs the fon, and pierce the father's hearty 
 
 My hoary locks had (miled on the grave, 
 
 This filial rebel from its jaws to fave." 
 
 In David's pity we may darkly trace, 
 A (hadow of the great Mefllah'a grace ; 
 Free grace made known to Adam'*} guilty fons^ 
 In fcenes of grief, and blood, and dying groans?' 
 In other a£ta, the mufe date not purfue, 
 That in the type which Jefus brings to view £ 
 David, for fins which he in perfon did, . 
 Saw he muft die, if on him they were laid ; 
 But Chriit, by fin, did ne'er receive a {lain. 
 When he, for fin, was willing to be fiain. 
 David was fad on that triumphant day, 
 Which did his viftory o'er his foes difplay 5 
 But Jefus, in the triumph which he wears, 
 With his pure joy can never mingle tears : 
 He, David's Lord, is now in joy complete ; 
 Blefiings, and glories, all do in him meet 5 
 Hia merits, which thofe blefiings do fecurej 
 Do make the blefiingc of his people fure \ 
 Becaufe he lives exalted on his throne, 
 Eternal life will all his chofea crown : 
 The life which they receive by faith, ia theirs^ 
 Becaufe in Chrifl: they to that life are heirs. 
 Hence all thofe blefiings myftically known 
 Uo faints, are given in God's blefTed fon ; 
 Ashe is God, heir to all things is he ; 
 A8 Mediator, grace through him is free : 
 Free grace alone provides the faints a reft 
 Chrifl ia himfdf, and thera la him are blefh 
 
 1 */ sncT.viii* 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY; 
 
 • Sect, viii. Conch/aw. 
 
 I'F Chriillefg Tinners to dcflru£tion go, 
 '*ria their own folly works their overthrow.* 
 Man is invi'ed to immortal blifs ; 
 Eternal life in Chrift he may poiTefs , 
 Furniih'd with power, with which he may be w2£f, 
 With which he can rhe greateii good defpife $ 
 By wifclorn, he may his own actions guide % • 
 Or wifdom hfe can proudly lay dide. 
 Has the Creator po a/'r on him beitow'd, 
 Humbly to lo^e, and feek the gre&telt good I 
 Shall God be blani'd, who has created man 
 With noble powers, which he employs in fin I 
 Should God, to man, free confcious po wer deny^ 
 No pra^.fe or blame will to his Itate apply - 9 
 But pafliVe, iifelefs matter, may as well 
 Reafon improve, or its efforts expel. 
 Man ic important \ for he may be wife$ 
 In making fure of. an important prise % 
 Which to neg!e£V, lis but to difallow 
 He- is important, but for endlefa woe. 
 Wretched is man in what he doth embrace ; 
 "Fond' of the ruin which in him takes place $ 
 While, to be happy in the God of lo?e, 
 Mercy invites him, from her feat above ; 
 On kind perfuafions in the Saviour's call, 
 He pours contempt as of no' worth at all. 
 To him, his chofen meafures fatal are 5 
 His wifh'd-for blifs, is nothing but defpair ; 
 The good 'he hates can only make hirn bleft § - 
 Without ir, is no foul-inviting reft : 
 As well may man complain that he was made^j 
 As that his homage to his Lord be paid y ' 
 Vain h his plea to urge .his right to fin, 
 Becaufe his heart refoived is therein 5 
 His heart, 'difpo&'d the bleffcd. God to hate, 
 Proves plain enough his fad and vicious ftate. 
 If man is thus, then juflice on God's part 
 Eteaci woe to aan* \rho has £ wicked heart \ 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY/ ai 
 
 Qf has^hty man, good reafon to complain ; 
 For in hi3 heart, concempt of God doth reign. 
 A character more vile, man cannot fhow, 
 Than this, his heart to Jefus will not bow: 
 Can God be wrong, in doing what is right ? 
 In his own' glory rrtv/ he nor delight ? 
 May he not iho.w f it in his works made known, 
 Though man, for hating him, mud be undone I 
 Undone ! yes ; they their guilry felves undo ; 
 Cornp^fs the ends they wickedly purfue ; 
 Their own ways feed them with the bitter gall ; 
 Their wickednefs procures their dreadful fall, 
 God tells the wicked they muft damned be, 
 Unlefs by faith they will to Jefu3 flee : 
 The word is fare— they may on it depend — 
 They have fair warning of their dreadful end \ 
 God's high decree againft thern does proteft, 
 That unbelievers ihall not fee his reft 1 
 
%% EVANGELIC POETRY* 
 
 PART II. 
 
 SOLOMON'S SONGS. 
 
 The Songs, which of Jcfus do tell* 
 In paftoral language of love. 
 
 Give beauty, which never will fail ; 
 And life, to the foal they will prov$» 
 
 Song i, The Love of the Spoufel 
 
 May embraces, from Jefus above, 
 Be granted to comfort my foul * 
 
 My joys do all lpring from the love 
 Which in his dear bofom doth roll* 
 
 His name, with his glory replete, 
 Diffufeth the choiceft perfume % 
 
 His graces, like ointments moft fwect s 
 Are precious wherever they come. 
 
 Dear faints, who receive his free grace. 
 His beauty and charms do admire - 9 
 
 L They pant for the fmilcs cf his face t 
 His prefence they greatly defire. 
 
 May he, by endearing conftratnts, 
 Engage me in raptures fublime; 
 
 I'll run for the prize which he grants \ 
 To heavenly faith will I climb. 
 
 So kind are his vifits of love, 
 
 He grants me his chambers of grace • 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. $3 
 
 I'm glad, and with pleafure approve 
 The brightnefs his glory difplays : 
 
 His love I can never forget; 
 
 It quickens and pleafes me well j 
 His fervants, who with him unite, 
 
 His love in fweet accents can tell.' 
 
 My blacknefs, by fin, I do own ; 
 
 By grace, I am comely and fair, 
 Like curtains of David*s wife fon; 
 
 Tho* with Kedar I well may compare? 
 
 But look not upon me with frowns, 
 As fmitten with fun-beams of day; 
 
 In anger mine own mother's fons 
 
 From my vineyard have cali'd me away. 
 
 My Shepherd, the joy of my foul, 
 
 By thee may I fafeiy be led, 
 To reft in the (hades of thy told ; 
 
 With thy faints may I daily be fed. 
 
 Christ. 
 
 MY fair One, the way that you feek, 
 Is the way which the faithful purfue- 
 
 Go forth in the fteps which they take, 
 Then joy which they find is for you. 
 
 When cloth'd with my graces, you wait, 
 
 Attentive my orders to hear, 
 To the grandeur of Pharaoh in ftate, 
 
 My loving kind Spoufe I compare. 
 
 Like jewels, my grace doth adorn 
 My lovers, who with it do fliine ; 
 
 Witk 
 
€4 EVANGELIC POETRY/ 
 
 L With chains, for bright ornaments worn$ 
 Stands array'd this fair One of mine* 
 
 Thy borders in peace fhall appear, 
 In beauty and worth to excel ; 
 
 Like bafes, my arm iliall be near, 
 
 Tofupport where my chofen do dwell. 
 
 Church, 
 
 MY King at his table doth fhine, 
 And around his glory doth fpread $ 
 
 His graces, in this heart of mine, 
 Their heavenly flavours do (bed. 
 
 As the myrrh which drops from the tree* 
 My beloved his love doth difplay | 
 
 His vTits are fo dear to me, 
 I wifti he forever would (lay, 
 
 r As clufters the vineyard perfumes, 
 So Jefus 9 his Church, with his grace 5 
 
 It is joy, wherever he comes ; 
 He is the fweet fountain of peace. 
 
 He looks on his Church, and will prize 
 What in her is comely and fair; 
 
 He fpcaks of her watchful dove's eyes, 
 Employ'd in his fervice with care. 
 
 ]When fhe fpeaks, her beloved appears, 
 The joy and the food of her heart, 
 
 And faintly, but boldly declares, 
 .What fweetnefs his love doth impart; 
 
 Like 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. 25 
 
 Like cedar, her beams will abide; 
 
 Her beauty and ftrength are well known ; 
 With tempefts, (he oft has been try'd ; 
 
 But never has been overthrown. 
 
 Song ii. Chrift, in his Grace, the Delight of 
 the true Church. 
 
 THE fair rofe of Sharon appears ; 
 
 Such. beauties in Jefus do dwell 5 
 His grace, with the humble, compares 
 
 With lilies which grow in the vale. 
 
 As lilies, where thorns do abound. 
 With lingular beauty do fhine ; 
 
 So Jefus hath gracioufly crown'd 
 His Church with his graces divine. 
 
 To his (hade with joy I retire, 
 
 From the fun ; 'tis a welcome retreat & 
 His fruit I do greatly admire ; 
 
 He feeds me with fpiritual meat. 
 
 He brought me, with joy, to the place, 
 Where, feafting, a banquet I had ; 
 
 Like a King, with the bounties of grace, 
 His manner of love he difplay'd. 
 
 With wine, and with fruit, from his board* 
 Now may I be richly lupply'd ; 
 
 Such comfort he brings in his word, 
 Vcn fick of all lovers befide. 
 
 His hands do fupport and embrace, 
 Or dfe I through weaknefs muft die; 
 
 D I find 
 
26 EVANGELIC POETRY* 
 
 I find that 'tis nought but his grace 
 My weaknefs and wanes can fupplyj 
 
 By the hinds, and the foon-f righted roes, 
 Ye tempters, I charge you forbear, 
 
 tTo injure the happy repofe, 
 I find in the Saviour mcft dear. 
 
 His voice and his goings I know ; 
 
 O'er mountains and hills doth he fkip; 
 To fcatter his bleffings below, 
 
 From Heaven to earth did he leap. 
 
 His going through death we may trace, 
 Then f ifing, he mounts his high throne; 
 
 His prcgrefs fhows wonders of ^race, 
 And mountains of fins are caft down." 
 
 He's gone, like the fwift bounding roe ; 
 
 Concealed, as an objedt of fenfe; 
 Yet faith, as through windows, can view 
 
 The glory his grace doth difpenfe. 
 
 He fpeaks to his Church, in his word, 
 Of the caufe he has to maintain ; 
 
 He calls her from wand'rings abroad, 
 Tofing, for her Saviour doch reign. 
 
 His kingdom, on earth, doth appear 
 Like fun- beams when winter is paft ; 
 
 The flowers now fiourifli moft fair, [blaft. 
 Where the winds and the tempefts did 
 
 Like the buds cn the boughs of free grace, 
 Babes lifp out the breathings of love; 
 
 'Tis 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. 27 
 
 *Tis pleafant to hz in the place 
 Where we hear the f*eet voice of the dovej 
 
 His Word, like the tree, and the vine, 
 Yield fruits which do heal and do cheery 
 
 His voice to his bride is divine, 
 
 When he calls her, his grace to declare.- 
 
 He calls her from caves, and from dens, 
 
 Where (hides of the night were long 
 And opens enlightening fcenes, [known, 
 That theCharch, wsj5cGintiles,will own, 
 He pronounces her voice to be fweet, 
 
 When his kingdom & grace are her theme* 
 In her face do his own beauties meet, 
 Which the world will never efteem. 
 
 He warns againft thofe who are foes, 
 By craft on the vines they would cread £ 
 
 The gofpePs true light they oppofe, 
 And errors rnoft fatal do fpread. 
 
 The Church will rejoice in her Lord* 
 His gofpel and intereft fhe owns* 
 
 He gives her the light of his word, 
 As lilies the valley adorns. 
 
 f Till the beams of his glory Oiail rife,' 
 She wifh*s and looks for chs day, 
 
 TThat he would rermve from her eyes, 
 The mount of diviQon away. 
 
 Song mi, 
 
28 EVANGELIC POETRY. 
 
 Song hi. The Church's deftres fir Chrijt, 
 and her views of his Grace. 
 
 By night my beloved I fought, 
 
 To excite and maintain a fweet frame | 
 
 But in feeking, I found him not. 
 
 With his prefence my heart to inflame i 
 
 Then rifing, the ftreets I explore, 
 'Till I my beloved might meet ; 
 
 The inquiry I could not give o'er. 
 His vifits of love are fo fweet. 
 
 The watchmen who walk in the night, 
 My walking and care did efpy* 
 
 I inquired for my foul's chief delight, 
 11 Have you feen my beloved," faid I. 
 
 Beyond what the watchmen could tell, 
 My willies did urge me to go; 
 
 And I fcarcely did bid them farewell. 
 When I found him I longed for fo, 
 
 I held him with joy and with care, 
 Refolv'd not to part with him now ; 
 
 'Till in Zion we both might appear, 
 Where breath of his love I fi;ft drew. 
 
 By the hinds^ and the focnf righted roi$ x 
 Te tempters^ I charge you forbear , 
 
 To injure the happy repoft^ 
 
 I find in the Saviour mojl dear. 
 
 ils columns of fmoke do arife. 
 
 He from this vilt dcfarf withdrew* 
 
 With 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY, 
 
 With incenfe furmounting the fkies, 
 He pleads for his people below. 
 
 The Church in affe&ion afcends, 
 Where Chrift her beloved is gone; 
 
 She mingles in heart with his friends. 
 Who worfhip and praife near his throne; 
 
 His reft, and his train, Jet us view; 
 
 In peace and in glory he reigns ; 
 Qur fpiritual Solomon now, 
 
 Is rejoicing in fruit of his pains. 
 
 His guards, all expert in hiscaufe, 
 Stand bold in a militant date ; 
 
 And nobly contend for his laws, 
 When danger appears in the night. 
 
 Majeftic, on high, is his throne ; 
 
 His kingdom unfhaken abides; 
 His decree, thro 9 the earth is made known ; 
 
 In reft, in his chariot he rides. 
 
 His glory is feen all around, 
 
 His chariot he wifely doth move ; 
 
 With beauty and ftrengthis it crown'd, 
 And 'tis pav'd with a pavement of love. 
 
 Ye lovers of Jefus, come fee, 
 
 The joyful and fair crowned King ; 
 
 Great fplendorto his majeftyi 
 His Church, his efpoufed, will bring. 
 
 Song iv. 
 
P EVANGELIC POETRY. 
 
 S q n c iv. Chriffi vi: w of the Church' s Bcauiyl 
 
 My fpoufe, it is love I admire, 
 
 That grace which enlightens the mind, 
 
 And renders thee harmleis and fair, 
 In loyalty, watchful and kind. 
 
 Thy teeth, like a flock which is Ihorn, 
 And marching, is fruitful and clean y 
 
 So faith, the true Church doth adorn j 
 In order and ftrensth is fhe feen. 
 
 Thy fpeech is fo feafpn'd with grace, 
 Thy lips are inviting to pleaie 
 
 And wifdom doth fhine in ;hy face, 
 And fair words with geed fruit agrees. 
 
 Lo ! thy neck, like David's frrong tow 5 r, 
 Defence to the fetblc imparts ^ 
 
 Faith ads on the ftrength cf my pow'r, 
 Which eludes the tempter's nrce darts. 
 
 The truths of my word are agreed, 
 
 Liktreos are the Church's two breaits, 
 
 Souls born cf the fpiritua) iced, 
 Are fed with the choiceft cf feafts. 
 
 'Till the morning of joy (hail Bfife, 
 And the fhadows of time are all fled, 
 
 By my blood, a fwcet faenfice, 
 
 Thecaufc of my fainrs will I plead. 
 
 My fpoufe, who is cloth'd with my grace, 
 So fair in my eyes doth appear, 
 
 In relation to my righteotifoefs, 
 No blemifh or ftaic doth ihe wear. 
 
 My 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY, fi 
 
 My fifter, with me may your eyes 
 
 From fcenes on my footftool be drawn * 
 
 Look and long for that paradife, 
 
 Where Jefus, your Saviour, is gone.' 
 
 That glory engages my heart, 
 In which you defire to be bled ; 
 
 From that glory never to part, 
 
 Is your life, your joy, ard your reft*] 
 
 That love, by which you afpire 
 
 To the joy of glory divine, 
 Is what I do greatly admire, 
 
 More than ointments, fpices and winer 
 
 Thy lips, like honey, dififufe 
 
 The fweetnefs that flaws from my grace; 
 Thatgrace, which thy garment bedews, 
 
 Doth favour of Heavenly peace. 
 
 A garden enclosed all around, 
 
 Is the Church, and her fafety is fure 1 
 As a fpring in the defart is found, 
 
 Isfhe walled and fcaled fecure: 
 
 Like trees of fweet fpices, (he ftands; 
 
 Where God his rich blefiing beftowsi 
 She's planted and kept by 1ms hands, 
 
 By his care Ihe blofibms and grows*: 
 
 Here trees of all kinds may be feen, 
 For health and for beauty they cheer ; 
 
 Saints, with their ripe fruits, & with green, 
 In vineyards of ChriH do appear. 
 
 The 
 
3 1 EVANGELIC POETRY. 
 
 The Spirit, the fountain of grace, 
 With living, free waters of love, 
 
 Sends gently bii ftreams round the place; 
 Where Chriftians fo fruifcul do prove. 
 
 May the Spirit awake and defcend, 
 Th&t the garden may fruitful appear ; 
 
 That Chrift, the Beloved, may find 
 What he owns to be pleafant and fair.' 
 
 Song v. Cbrifi /peaks, and the Church ad* 
 mires him, 
 
 C/HRIST gives.the Spoufe this kind re- 
 " I come, at your requeft ; [ply :* 
 
 That grace which doth thee beautify, 
 Gives me a fweet repaft. 
 
 Come tafte the fweet nefs of my love, 
 
 Drink largely of my grace 
 By ftreams of mercy from above, 
 
 My friends in me have place/' 
 
 The Church cries out, My heart regards 
 
 The voice of my Belov'd : 
 He knocked, and call'd in melting words, 
 
 His lips with kindnefs mov'd : 
 
 V My love, to me admittance give 5 
 The pure are my delight 5 
 
 Detained 
 
 * Here is a reply to the Church's prayer in the 
 former chapter : as the Old Teftament has been 
 divided into chapters but about four centuries, w« 
 may fee the reafon of this divifion. 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. 33 
 
 Detained from thee, my locks receive 
 The drops and dews of night.** 
 
 My coat which I have put away, 
 
 I svill not take again ; 
 Pve walh'd my feet, and how can they 
 
 From me receive a ftain f 
 When my Beloved put his hand 
 
 Unto the parting door, 
 He did my warmelt love command, 
 
 I felt his word with pow'r. 
 
 Then I arofe unto my love, 
 
 To favour his requeft ; 
 Myrrh, dropping (torn my hand, did prove 
 
 He was a welcome gueft. 
 
 The lock 1 turn'd, and he was gone ; 
 
 He fp k?, and I did fail 5 
 1 fought, I cal/ti for his return; 
 
 My call did not prevail. 
 
 The watchman found me in the way, 
 As thry d?d walk the rounds ; 
 
 I to their 4irok s become a prey, 
 They gave to me frefn wounds. 
 
 The men who kept the wall, did take 
 
 The Jtwifh veil away, 
 That I by faith might Jcfus feek, 
 
 In lighc of Gofpel day. 
 
 Pause. 
 
 Daughters of Zion, if ye find 
 Jtfah whSm I approve, 
 
34 EVANGELIC POETRY* 
 
 ;Tcll how I languifti in my mind, 
 And long to taftc his love. 
 
 .Why are the charms of Chrift fo dear ? 
 
 Blind* foolifh worldlings fay ; 
 ■What beauties in him do appear, 
 
 To draw your heart away ? 
 
 Beauties, both human and divine, 
 
 Sweetly in him unite; 
 I fee in his dear perfon ftiine 
 
 A mixture* red and white; 
 
 Red, with his precious crimlon blood* 
 And white, fronk blemifli Free; 
 
 Of thofe who ftand before our God, 
 None can atone but he. 
 
 His head is like the mod fine gold, 
 
 He perfedt is in light ; 
 We on his temples may behold 
 
 A crown of glory bright. 
 
 His eyes difplay majeftic love; 
 
 Where ftreams of grace do roll ; 
 He (hows the meeknefs of the dove, 
 
 Through windows of his foul. 
 
 His cheek a fweetnefs doth impart, 
 
 Which truly is divine ; 
 His lips, adorn'd with facred art, 
 
 With heav'nly luftre fhine. 
 
 His hands, the work of grace, do fhow 
 Brighter than diamonds are % 
 
 Such 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. 35 
 
 Such love from his pure heart doth flow, 
 
 With it no gems compare. 
 His legs, like marble pillars (land, 
 
 To tread the wicked down ; 
 Now on his throne, at God's right hand, 
 
 His majefty is known. 
 His mouth doth precious truth declare * 
 
 He fpeaks of life and peace; 
 Yea, Lebanon, with cedars fair, 
 
 But ftiadow'd out his grace. 
 
 All-glorious love, is my dear Lord $ 
 
 The love he brings to view 
 [Would by all natioris\be ador'd. 
 
 If they his glory knew. 
 
 Song vi. The Beauty of the Church, by 
 ChriJFs vijits. 
 
 WHEN I my thoughts of Jefus tell, 
 
 And of his beauties fpeak, 
 Strangers would know where he doth dwell. 
 
 That they his face may feek. 
 
 In his dear word, his ways we trace, 
 Which in his Church appear $ 
 
 Her favour is like beds of fpice 3 
 Her love like lilies fair. 
 
 I am my Lord's, as his juft right, 
 
 And he is wholly mine ; 
 [With humble hearts, is his delight, 
 
 [Where grace like lilies fhine. 
 
 Christ. 
 
3 6 EVANGELIC POETRY. 
 Christ. 
 
 AS Tirza, thou art fair ? my love, 
 
 Like Salem's peaceful rtft ; 
 Or like an hoft^ when banners niove. 
 
 Thy terrors ^are expreft. 
 
 Though by thine eyes I have been drawn 
 
 To earthly lcenes below, 
 Now faith muft view me on my throne, 
 
 Where I my glory (how. 
 
 The gofpel truth, to you made known, 
 W iil make your faith appear 
 
 Like ftieep when from the wafhing gone s 
 And none are barren there. 
 
 With blofibms of immortal fruir, 
 Grace doth thy temples crown % 
 
 Plants growing on an heavenly root. 
 Shall flauriih in renown. 
 
 As queens in. pomp compofe a train, 
 Wuh thofe of meaner qirtte^ 
 
 So, various gifts the Church contain. 
 All fcrve to fpread her fame. 
 
 My Church is by my Spirit one, 
 
 The only one to me ; 
 Not any who cf fklh are born, 
 
 With her compared may be. 
 
 The daughters did her charms behold. 
 And then proncuncM her bleft *, 
 
 And different ranks her praifes told, 
 And thus their thoughts expreft : 
 
 " O how 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. 
 
 € * O how (he fliines ! As morning Iighc 
 Drives darknefs from the fky ; 
 
 Or as an hoft, with banners bright, 
 Make yanquifh'd armies fly.*' 
 
 Church. 
 
 I to the garden did retire, 
 
 Where heav'nly graces grow, 
 To fee what growing vines appear, 
 
 Which buds and bloflcms (how. 
 
 Before I was aware, he made 
 My foul like chariots move; 
 
 Y^ith heav'nly rapture was I fir'd, 
 As willing fouls do love. 
 
 A voice did cry, " Return, return, 
 
 U nt6 thy wonted place"; 
 Thou child of peace, let now be fhown 
 
 Thy perfeft, comely face. 
 
 In thee, a double hoft appears, 
 
 The Gentile, and the Jew; 
 The Church, as one, her peace- robe wears, 
 
 In forms both old and new." 
 
 Song yn. Love revealed in Chrijl, and ap^ 
 plied to the Church. 
 
 THE Church is comely, as fhe goes, 
 Shod with the word of peace ; 
 
 Beauty and art her joints compofe; 
 From ChriU is all her grace. 
 
 She's 
 
£8 EVANGELIC POETRY. 
 
 She's like a cup with beauty crown'd* 
 
 With inward joy replete-, 
 As lilies heaps of wheat furround, 
 
 Her fruit is fair, and fweet. 
 
 God's holy word doth truth proclaim* 
 By which the faints do grow ; 
 
 L They do thofe facred bre^fts tfteem, 
 From whence their food doth flow; 
 
 Faith like a tow-f doth-well adorn 
 The neck, and eyei complete, 
 
 A Saviour in the word is known. 
 Which is divinely fweet. 
 
 v The Church, inftru&ed from on high^ 
 Is with true knowledge crown'd ; 
 
 Her glorious King is to her nigh, 
 In the fweet Gofpe^s found. 
 
 Both fair and pleafent is the fcene, 
 Where holy love doth fway $ 
 
 The joy of grace, both fair and green; 
 Shall never fade away. 
 
 The Church ftull like a palm- tree fljmd, 
 
 Tho 5 ftorms do her pervade - 9 
 Her trials have an happy end \ 
 
 She need not be afraid. 
 Her King his prefence will afford, 
 
 When fhe's with grief oppreft 
 And promifes, found in his word, 
 
 Jhrough faith will give her reft; 
 
 His 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY, 
 
 His word like the bed wine doth prove, 
 Which chears his children well 5 
 
 It makes the deeper** lips to move, 
 And gofpel wonders tell. 
 
 Sweetly the faints by faith afpire, 
 
 To their beloved Lord, 
 They find they have his heart's defire,' 
 
 In his inviting word. 
 
 They tafte true comfort in his love, 
 
 Known in his voice below, 
 But glory in their Chrifl: above, 
 
 Will greatcft joy beftow. 
 
 The Church with Chrifl: the vines explore,; 
 
 To find what he approves ; 
 And entertain him at his (lore, 
 
 And gives the fruit he loves. 1 
 
 Within the gates of paradife, 
 
 Where glory fhines around. 
 Saints, new and old, their fongs will raife, 
 
 To Chrift, with glory crown'd. 
 
 Song viii. The Love of the Church to Chrift^ 
 as revealed in the GoJpeL 
 
 The gofpel hath reveaPd that grace, 
 
 Which faints defied to fee, 
 As in a glafs, Chrift (hows his face, 
 
 One near at -kin is h?. 
 
 To all who do his father's will, 
 He is a brother kind $ 
 
 He 
 
4P EVANGELIC POETRY; 
 
 He in his mother's houfe doth dwell, 
 To cheer the drooping mind. 
 
 The faints find fweet inftru&ion there, 
 When he doth them embrace • 
 
 Thofe fruits, and w-n^s, (he doth prepare, 
 Are bounties of his g ace. 
 
 She is fupportcd by his hands, 
 His ftrength is all her theme 5 
 
 And his dear love, by which Ihe (lands* 
 She highly doth etietm, 
 
 Thofe tempters which would her entice, 
 
 She charges to be gone ; 
 That nothing may difturb thofe joys, 
 
 She finds in Chrift alone. 
 
 The Church doth from the defart rife, 
 From forrows and from fins % 
 
 To Heaven Jhe turns her longing eyes, 
 And on her Jefus leans. 
 
 He takes her from the wretched place, 
 
 Where men are born to die ; 
 And well prepares her by his grace, 
 
 To live with him on high, 
 
 O ! fet me as a fea!* fhe cries, 
 
 Upon thy very heart ; 
 O feal thy love with ftrongeftties ! 
 
 That we may never part. 
 
 For death cannot thy love out-brave* 
 Thou wilt its joys difclcfe* 
 
 And 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY: M 
 
 And o'er the all devouring grave, 
 Thy flaming triumph glows. 
 
 Thofe flames, thcfe bright and* heavenly 
 The waters cannot drown ; [flames, 
 
 By fi e the Lord his love proclaims, 
 And burns his tootftool down. 
 
 Should all the wealth th!s world can giv£,' 
 
 Then offei'd be for love, 
 Such gifts would juft contempt receive, 
 
 From our dear Lord above. 
 
 Pause. 
 
 Wf in the promifes do fee* 
 
 A little lifter dear, 
 That fouls to Chrift fhall gathered be^ 
 
 Where fhadts of death appear. 
 
 What for this After fhall be done ? 
 
 For now (he has no breads $ 
 How can the Lord this iifter. own 
 
 Among his cholen guefts ? 
 
 Should (he a (lately wail appear^ 
 v Built up by hands divine % 
 A tow'r on her we foor. would rear, 
 That (he by faith might fliine. 
 
 Though (li % as doors when opened wide* 
 
 To thievts txpo$*d may be; 
 The Saviour will for her provide* 
 
 And her from danger free. 
 
 F 
 
 He 
 
il EVANGELIC PGETR^ 
 
 H? law me like a wall, and round 
 My breafts like tow\s did rife ; 
 
 As one who his kind favour found^ 
 Then was I in his eyes. 
 
 The Church he I ke a vineyard owns§ 
 And pours down blefiings there ; 
 
 And gave his plants, his chofen ones^ 
 Unto the keeper's care. 
 
 The Church within his fight (hall live^ 
 And great (hall be his praife ; 
 
 The ktepers of the fruit (hail have 
 Rewards in his free grace. 
 
 O thou who with thy faints doft dwell % 
 
 Wno thy companions are! 
 Thy cheering voice doth pleafe them well* 
 
 Thy voice, Lord, let me hear. 
 
 Come, my Beloved, come in hafte, 
 
 Be like a youthful roe ; 
 O may the time be q iickly paft, 
 
 Which keeps me here below. 
 
 An Hymn on Canticles i. 7. 
 
 JVIy heavenly ftiepherd* whom I love& 
 With all my heart, and mind, 
 
 Whofe prefence I efteem above, 
 All joy which here I find, 
 
 Teach me, O thou my fkilful gun 
 To find the welcome place, 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. 4$ 
 
 ' Where thou doft with thy flock a^ide, 
 By v fi/.s of thy grace. 
 
 Where (hail I find that quiet reft. 
 To which ihy faints repair, 
 
 Jn hours ofr fadnefs and diftrefs, 
 And fiad fweet comfort there ? 
 
 [Whv lbould I wrong my Saviour fo; 
 
 Wh > is my d^elt friend, 
 Tha- i fli ;uld treat him as thofe do 
 
 Who h ace his fwtet command jt 
 
 Why fliould I relifh vain delight. 
 Since I have found fuch joy 
 
 }c\ heavenly things beyond my fight^ 
 Which death cannot deftroy ? 
 
 Why (hould I fink my mind fo low* 1 
 Which once could (bar on high, 
 
 !|Vs to purfue what can't, I know. 
 My longing foul fupply l 4 
 
 PART IIL 
 
^4 EVANGELIC POETRY/ 
 
 PART III. 
 
 Glorious PEACE in CHRIST'S medu- 
 
 TOR 1 AL Gc¥ERNMENT. 
 
 Isaiah ii. 2, 5. 
 
 jEHOVAH's mount, in latter days s 
 jkiis facred houfe cf joy will raife, 
 Above the hills exalted high, 
 And ftrike and pleafe the wondering eye. 
 
 The glory which it then will fhow s 
 Will make the nations to it flow, 
 With willing minds as one they meet^ 
 To bovK at the Mtffiah's feet. 
 
 Up to the holy mount, they fay, 
 To Jacob's God we'll go and pray \ 
 In ways of truth he will us lead, 
 From. Z oo will the law proceed 0 
 
 'Among the nations will he fit, 
 h% Judge to punifh or acquit - 9 
 No rage difturb his peaceful reign. 
 Nor (cents of war be known again. 
 
 The fwords and fpears be laid a fide, 
 E figns of fierce, ambitious pride, 
 And men, vam men, no more predate^ 
 Pi trended glory in their fliame. 
 
 Pause* 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. 4$ 
 
 Pause. 
 
 May all who love the Lord, draw near 8 
 And ia che paths of peace appear, 
 With mucual hearts in friendftiip join, 
 To walk in ways of truth divine. 
 
 The great M ffiah, high' in power, 
 K-eps all earth's magazines in (lore ; 
 He can give bleffings from above, 
 And rule the hearts of men by love. 1 
 
 At his command contentions ceafe, 
 And jarring kingdoms bleft with peace ; 
 The fiords are boken, bows unftrung, 
 And nations make his grace their fong. 
 
 He can fend down all needed aid, 
 When men of blood our peace invade j 
 Q" if they rage without control, 
 Hi fweetens the imbitter'd bowl. 
 
 Uilefs we learn his peaceful way,' 
 We in the midit of light lhali ftray j 
 Darknefs unknown will veil our fight, 1 
 Or gathering clouds, and gloomy night; 
 
 Isaiah ix.' 
 
 THOSE who in darknefs long did roam* 
 
 Now fee a wond'rous lighr, 
 Where fhades of death had fpread a gloom; 
 
 The- welcome day flione bright. 
 
 Though 
 
$6 EVANGELIC POETRY* 
 
 L Though nations multiplied are, 
 
 Their joys will not increafe, 
 •Till heavenly bltffings they do fhare* 
 
 In dews of quick'ojng grace. 
 
 Now j*)y doth like an harveft rife, 
 In fruits of grace made known j 
 
 No vifto% who divides the pri^e, 1 
 Can lhate fo bright a crown. 
 
 Oppreifion lhall no more maintain 
 
 The fons of mirth and pride, 
 As Midlands cruel hoft was flain^ 
 
 Shall tyranny fubfide* 
 
 Though rage and warriors thro* the workl^ 
 
 May wide confufion fpread, 
 In reeking blood are garments roll'd 
 
 Among the thoufands dead. 
 
 L Yet the decifive ftroke at laft, 
 Which Will God's people tree, 
 
 By all devouring fire will blaft. 
 His fees fiftfi fuel be. 
 
 Pause, 
 
 For lo ! the Saviour to us fent; 
 
 Is God's beloved Son, 
 [Who has the right of government, 
 
 Though of a virgin born. 
 
 His name doth facred wonders (how; 
 
 His counfels are divine j 
 The mighty God doth dwell below, 
 
 And with our natures join. 
 
 Though 
 
fev angelic poetry \f 
 
 Though he in perfon Is the Son, 
 
 To (how his Fathers grace. 
 As Mediator there is bora 
 
 To him a numerous race. 
 
 The Prince of peace, with glory crownM,' 
 
 Is truly Lord of all , 
 His empire takes creation round* 
 
 And earth-born kings mutt fall. 1 
 
 As David's throne by promife flood,; 
 
 So David's Son and Lord, 
 Shall have alt promifes made good* 
 
 Found in God% faithful word. 
 
 Saints may take courage then, and prayi 
 When earthly kingdoms (hake ; 
 
 That Chrift would make the world obey, 
 And his laws freely take. 
 
 I$AlAH XXX. 
 
 jTrJE wildernefs fhall joyful be; 
 
 In the Redeemer's grace, 
 When fouls the gofpel beams fhall fee 
 
 In every defart place. 
 
 There, bloffjrps greatly fhall abound, 
 
 Like fragrant rofes fair, 
 As Lebanon^ with bleffings crown'd* 
 
 Is Ziorfs glory there : 
 
 And fruit like Sharon's field fhall grow 
 3y bkflings from our God, 
 
 And 
 
£P EVANGELIC POETRY; 
 
 And Camel's top his praife fhall (how; 
 And glory ail abroad. 
 
 The hands which have no might, fhall fintf 
 
 Help in God's holy arm; 
 The feeble who to him are join'd, 
 
 He will defend from harm. 
 
 Say unto thofe cf fearful heart, 
 
 Be ftronp, and do not fear ; 
 Behold your Gjd will take your part, 1 
 
 And to your help appear* 
 
 Behold, with vengeance will he come^ 
 And bring proud Tinners down; 
 
 Thofe fcenes which will h : s fots co^fume^ 
 Will make falvation known. 
 
 The rays of cheering light he'll fhed 
 
 On eyes of finners, blind; 
 His voice fhall by the deaf be heard, 
 
 With ears to him incliu'd. 
 
 Pause. 
 
 Then {hall the lame leap like the harr* 
 Which fpeedily doth bound ; 
 
 The dumb, as though thev fpake by art, 
 Their Makers praife fliall found. 
 
 And waters (hall in plenty flovr, 
 
 The defart land to cheer ; 
 As ftreams in gentle murmurs go, 
 
 Will fprings of grace appear. 
 
 The 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. 
 
 *rhe parched land fhall be fupply'd, 
 And flourifh like the mead ; 
 
 And where the dragons did abide, 
 Shall grow the grafs and reed* 
 
 The way of holinefs, (hall be 
 A way moil clearly fe&d ; 
 
 Though noiie the light of it will fee; 
 Bat thole whofe hearts are clean. 
 
 Thofe who like lions rage and roam, 
 This path can never tread ; 
 
 But all who to the Saviour come, 
 Shall fafely there be led. 
 
 To Zicn they fhall come with fongs; 
 
 And joys immortal (hare \ 
 No grief, but unmix'd jay, belongs 
 
 To all who enter there. 
 
 Isaiah xlix i ? 12. CkrijV s IVorks glorious % 
 and Go/pel Blejfings to the Gentiles. 
 
 O may the mm as now attends 
 
 And foreigners abroad • 
 The Father his dear Son doth fend 
 To preach the truth c£ God, 
 
 M I to my Father's work am calPd/* 
 
 i he blefied Saviour cries* 
 11 His name by me (hall be extoll'd, 
 
 In wondering nations eyes. 
 
 My mouth (hall heavenly truth proclaim, 
 And be like a fharp fword ; 
 
 G I fhall 
 
5 o EVANGELIC POETRY? 
 
 I (hall be well fecur'd from liarrn, 
 . Ah in the hand of God. 
 
 He owns roe for his fervant dear* 
 
 In him I fhaii prevail ; 
 His glory, which I fliall declare^ 
 
 Is fafe, and cannot fail. 
 
 Though - ftubborn Jews make me complaiftj 
 
 When over them I mourn, 
 t To fee my work with them prove vainj 
 
 A work which God will own. 
 
 The Father to me doth declare, 
 
 Pm glorious in his eyes ; 
 Fie to my help h furely near; 
 
 The caufe of truth fhaii rile. 
 
 Although the work, but fmall is feen 
 
 Among old Jacob's race, 
 If only thofe mult be brought in, 
 
 To fing redeeming grace. 
 
 But lo ! the heathen nations rounds 
 
 Shall light from me receive; 
 Salvation fh all by them be found ; 
 
 They by my word fhaii live." 
 
 Pause. ^ 
 
 Thus faith the Lord, the Holy One, 
 
 Who mighty is to fave ; 
 * 4 Though men did fcom and hate my-Sooj 
 And brought him to the grave ; 
 
 Kings fliall his facred honours fee, 
 And wonder at his grace ; 
 
 Princes 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. 5* 
 
 Princes his worfliippers {hall be, 
 And b;m before his face. 
 
 For in a moft accepted day* 
 
 To him I bow\i mine ear ; 
 When from the grave he broke his way, 
 
 la anfwer to his pray'r. 
 
 He leaves the cup, and takes the crown, 
 The earth by ^romife ftand.% 
 
 'Till men his ri|giteou$ fceptre own, 
 Who dwell in heathen lands. 
 
 Hs to the prisoners will declare 
 
 The joyful Jubilee, 
 And when they gofpel-freedorn ftiare, 1 
 
 They much enlarged fhail be. 
 
 Hunger and thirft no more (hall grieve 
 Thofe who his mercy know ; 
 
 The fun to fmite no pow'r (hall have, 
 Where fprings of waters flow. 
 
 Each mount (hall be the mount of Godj 
 Where fouls do tafte his love; 
 
 The gofpel fhows a pleafent road, 
 In bltffings from above." 
 
 2 Samuel, xxiii. 2, 3, 4; 
 
 THE fpirit of the Lord did move 
 Good David's praifing tongue, 
 
 His heart infkm'd with holy love. 
 Of the Melfiah fung. 
 
 Ha 
 
p EVANGELIC POETRY. 
 
 He o'^r the fons of men fhall reign, 
 
 Said the prophetic bard, 
 The rights of juftice he'll maintain. 
 In the pure fsar of God. 
 
 He like the bleffings of the morn 
 
 Will rays of light extend, 
 From the bright iurtre of his throne 
 
 To earth's remote ft end. 
 
 Fie fhall be like the day ferene, 
 When the bright fun doth rife, 
 
 And not a cloud to intervene 
 The joy of waiting eyes. 
 
 And id the b! (Tings at his grace, 
 L ke gr&is fliall fruit appear, 
 
 As Ppiles of fpring adorn the place. 
 Where fhpw'rs di (tilled are. 
 
 Like tender plants will fouls receive 
 
 The joy his word' impart, 
 The peace which hf to theft) will give. 
 
 Will grow, and cheer their hearts. 
 
 Isaiah lxi. 
 
 THE Son, who from the Father tame* 
 
 As Mediator to proclaim : 
 
 * 6 Like oil, the Spirit on my head, 
 
 Fulnefs of grace doth on rne fpread : 
 
 I come, to make glad tidings known ; 
 The meek* my word will gladly own \ 
 
 In 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY, 55 
 
 In* me, the broken- hearted find 
 
 True peace to raife the drooping mind. 
 
 The captive?, who, in fetters bound, 
 {■live freedom in the goipel found : 
 The year, which makes the prVners free. 
 Is the fwtet gofpel's Jubilee, 
 
 Though I appear in vengeance dreflr, 
 I come to make the mourners bleft $ 
 No more ftiali Zion's mourners fpread 
 Afhes on the declining head. 
 
 I will them with my beauty drefs, 
 And call them trees of right'oufnefs 5 
 My plants fliall flourifli fair and green; 
 In them my glory fhall be feen. 
 
 Where ruins were difplay'd around, 
 I on the truth my Church will found 5 
 Ye fliall repair the walls at laft, 
 Which were for many ages wafte. 
 
 Strangers, like fhepherdf, will you lead; 
 And itancS my choien fl jck to feed ; 
 The help ot heathen fons combines 
 To plough your fields, and drefs your vines.' 
 
 I will take fervice at your hand, 
 As thofe who near my alt&r ftand ; 
 When Gentile nations hear my voice* 
 You in their glory fliall rejoice. 
 
 You, then fhall double honour {hare, 
 For all reproach which you did bear; 
 
 N9 
 
54 EVANGELIC POETRY, 
 
 No more confufion veils your face, > 
 Now you are cloth'd with joy and peace; 
 
 I do the ways of judgment love, 
 And robb'ry I cannot approve ; 
 In ways of truth I will you guide ; 
 My cov'nant fnall with yoO abide. 
 
 Your feed (bail be to Gentiles known. 
 As a pear offspring of renown ; 
 When I my bkfilngs on you pour, 
 Nations lhail wonder and adore. 
 
 Now I will in Jehovah's name, 
 My joy in his high praife proclaim j 
 Cloth'd with falvat'ion I appear, 
 And robes of right'oufnefs I wear. 
 
 Thofe glorious robes, in whicl^ I ftiine, 
 Are heavenly blcfiings all divine * 9 
 As I am like a bride- groom dreft, 
 I with my grace my Church have bleft s 
 
 For as the earth doth fruit produce, 
 When vifiud with rain and dews ; 
 So nations lhall in graces grow, 
 [Where blcfiings by the gofpel flow," 
 
 Isaiah lxii. Zicn's latter Bays Gkryl 
 
 THE glorious work I undertake, 
 Shall never ceafe for Zion's fake, 
 'Till Ihefhines with my graces bright 5 
 And as a lamp, difplays her light. 
 
 Nations 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. 5$ 
 
 Nations will on her luftre gaze, 
 And kings (hail fee her brighinefs blaze ; 
 The Lord's own mouth (hall fpread her 
 And blefs her with another r^me. [fame, 
 
 The Lord will hold her as his crown % 
 In royalty fhe fhali be known 5 
 As diadems do princes grace, 
 God will his glory in her place. 
 
 No more foal! it be told abroad^ 
 That file's forfaken of her God ; 
 Her deflations now are paft, 
 Her land no longer (hail lie wade; , 
 
 She (hall be cail'd the Lbrd's delight* 
 Her land be precious in his f|ght $ 
 She fiia!! be his peculiar care, 
 Her welfare in his fight is dear.' 
 
 Zion, in thee thy fons will rife, 
 And bind their fquls with ftrongeft ties; 
 To ferve thy caufe with willing mind, 
 As hands which are in wedlock joia'd. 1 
 
 Thy Saviour God will joyful be, 
 To (how his kind refpe£ts to thee; 
 The grace he doth on thee difpiay, 
 Will gladden like a nuptial day. 
 
 Thofe watchmen on thy walls he'll place; 
 Whofe zeal for thee (hall never ceafe; 
 They of the Lord will freely fpeak f 
 His love will all their filence break. 
 
 ' To 
 
^ EVANGELIC POETRY* 1 
 
 To him they'll fend their humble cries,' 
 Unlefs the Lord in glory rife, 
 And make the praife of Zlon known, 
 By favours from his gracious throne. 
 
 The Lord by his right hand doth fwear, 
 Thy foes no more fhall make thee bare; 
 Strangers no mare thy wine (hall take, 
 Or of thy labours booties make. 
 
 Thy fons (hall. eat and praife the Lord, 
 For favours which he doth afford •, 
 They in his holy courts (hall tread, 
 And praifes with his bounties fpread. 
 
 <4 Go thro* the gates," the Lord doth fay j 
 " Prepare my faints a pleafant way ; 
 Make their high-way both plain ard clear, 
 And raife for them a ftandard there." 
 
 Behold, the great and fovereign Lord, 
 Doth through the earth proclaim his word, 
 To Zion's daughters now declare, 
 That her falvation dra.weth near. 
 
 Behold, her great and glorious King, 
 Is he who doth falvation bring-, 
 His work is with his glory crown'd, 
 And in his hand reward is found. 
 
 Then thofe who fpeak of Zion's fame, 
 The holy people will her name; 
 Redeemed by her dear Saviour's blood, 
 She's confecratcd to her God. 
 
 Matthew 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY, 57 
 
 , Matthew vi. 10. Thy Kingdom come. 
 
 DEAR J e f us * eighty pow'r s 
 
 Crufh (atan's kingdom down - 9 
 
 iDur eyes long for that glouous hour, 
 By viflts from thy throne. 
 
 O may the welcome perbd come, 
 
 When honour (hall redound 
 To him who will his right aflame* 
 
 And ail his foes confound ! 
 
 That Kingdom which the Lord doth own, 
 
 Shall to the faints be giv'n 5 
 His word, which makes his prumife known* 
 
 Stands in the Court of "Hcav'n. 
 
 Joyous, that glorious day will prove, 
 
 To foil' Vers of the Lord ; 
 Their hearts are warm with (acred love 5 
 
 They truft his facred word. 
 
 PART IV. 
 
 CON T R A S T S. 
 
 Sect. i. Hypccri/y and Duty ccntrajied. 
 
 Hypocrisy and Dutv trace, 
 
 Wnich never can agree \ 
 Tha% always ft&ndi oppoi'd to grace % 
 
 This, takes her offers free. 
 
 H Thar, 
 
53 EVANGELIC POETRt^ 
 
 .That, fixes on a legal form, 
 
 But with the law contends ; 
 This, gives to grace its facrtd claim£ 
 
 And yet the law befriends. 
 
 That, makes its boaft cf duties done. 
 Though all its ways are wrong ; 
 
 This, refts on fovVeign grace alone, 
 And makes Chrifi's work its fong. 
 
 Thar, hates thofe ways which are fincere^ 
 
 And builds upon deceit $ 
 This, doth in hontfi: truth appear, 
 
 And faife difguife doth hate. 
 
 That, treats religion like a flave, 
 
 to ferve a felfifti turn ; 
 This, doth to true religion live, 
 
 And ail her ways adorn. 
 
 That, much efteems the aftion done* 
 When motives are not right ; 
 
 This, will not a6ts as duty own, 
 Where motives wrong have weight^ 
 
 That, like the Pbarifee^ will pray, 
 
 And boaft of noted deeds - 9 
 This, on kind mercy has its flay, 
 
 And mercy humbly pleads. 
 
 Thar, with the multitude will go, 
 When they the truth oppofe ; 
 
 This, has the law of Chrift in view; 
 And peace with him purfues. 
 
 Thai 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. 5? 
 
 That,, treats religion as a whim, 
 Which bids us take the crofs * 
 
 This, do%h religion fo efteem, 
 That ail things elfe are drofs. 1 
 
 That, founds religion in the name, 
 
 The great religous I ; 
 This, to felf-praife refigns all claim; 
 
 On free grace to rely, 
 
 That, by rti labour feeks to live, 
 
 As by mechanic tools ; 
 This, the true way of life doth crave, 1 
 
 As living bread for fouls. 
 
 Tha?, by the things of time doth fquare, 
 
 The daily courfe it makes ; 
 This, views things which eternal are, 
 
 In ev'ry path it takes. 
 
 That, blazes with a party zeal, 
 And urges all things wrong ; 
 
 This, love to all the faints doth feel, 
 In heart, as well as tongue. 
 
 ^Thaf, claims to felf the higheft place? 
 
 Where it may make a fhow ; 
 This, humble in the views of grace, 
 
 By felf will nothing know. 
 
 That, on the poor will caft the eye 
 
 Of criminal difdain ; 
 This, lays its own felf-int'reft by, 
 
 to feek another's gain. 
 
 That 
 
6o EVANGELIC POETRY. 
 
 Thar, will applaufe on thofe befio^ 
 F ooi whom it has the fame; 
 
 This, unto others, good will do, 
 Who flander and defame. 
 
 Thar, wiii a fham religion own, 
 Which goes with wind, and tide 5 
 
 This, ctls by faith on Chrift alone, ; 
 And dials can abide. \ 
 
 That, glories in a painted hce 0 
 
 Though all dVfii'd within ; 
 This, glories only in that grace 
 
 Which frees the heart from fin; 
 
 Thar, when it doth from virtue tttk% 
 Cries but, 46 My Gil is fmall*" ' I 
 
 This, hating ev'ry finful way, 
 No fin will Huh call. 
 
 That, will falfe charity commend* 
 When felf may take a (hare ; 
 
 Thie, is true charity's beft friend, 
 Pieai'd with her charms mo ft fair. 
 
 That, will again ft conten tion fpeak, 
 With bitter words of ftrife 
 
 This, ways of holinefs will fetk, 
 Ac the expenfe of life. 
 
 Tha?, will of hypocrites complain, 
 And call the righteous f6$ 
 
 This, true religion will maintain, 
 And fruit cf grace will fhow. 
 
 That 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY: 6* 
 
 Thar, though it flatters for a while, 
 Will fink its foil 9 .vers down ; 
 
 This, free from all deceit and guile, 
 Leads to an heavenly crown. 
 
 Sect. ii. A Contrajt between Duty and Hy* 
 pocrifi) from Isaiah lviu. 
 
 Ye Ministers, emp!oy 9 d to tell 
 The meaning of Jehovah's will, 
 Let your undaunted lips proclaim 
 The weighty mtffage in his name. 
 
 With holy zeal, and courage great, 
 Till ev'ry tribe, through ev'ry ftrett, 
 And let the finful nation hear 
 How vile they in my fight appear. 
 
 They feem delighted in my ways ; 
 Their lips arc forward in my praife ; 
 They dare approach my holy place, 
 And folemn views of God exprefs. 
 
 They're fond to treat my facred word 
 As though their hearts did it regard; 
 And do pretend to feek my laws,. 
 to guide them in a righteous caiife.j 
 
 In folemn cant thefe wretches fay, 
 " We in devotion fpend the day ; 
 LiOrd, we in fruirlefs cries, and tears, 
 D) v/afte the painful nighc in pray 9 rs." 
 
 W th duft and allies on the head, 
 The foul by failing is made fad - 9 
 
 Their 
 
6i EVANGELIC POETRY- 
 
 Their bodies pine, and fpirits faint, 
 And tongues grow weary by complaint; 
 
 But God, with penetrating eyes, 
 Sees through this fair, this falfe difguife j 
 Nor can fuch villany refptft, 
 But will their cries and tears reje6t. 
 Pause. 
 
 " Ye faft, ye faft," th* Almighty fays, 
 M to gain' your own, and not my praife | 
 Yau pleafe ypurfelves in all your pain % " 
 In ftripes and falling feek your gain. * 
 
 Is this the folemn faft I choofe, 
 My work and worfhip thus to ufe, 
 The foul a fcene of anguifii made, 
 And like a hull-rufh bows the head ? 
 
 Is this the penance of each day ? 
 Is it for this ye faft and pray ? 
 Dare you, your Maker feek to pkafe^ 
 L With fuch polluted works as thefe ? 
 
 In a£ts of love let fails appear ; 
 Make your own flefh your tender care ; 
 And let the fulnefs of your ftore 
 Be fpread to feed and clothe the poor/* 
 
 Then welcome beams of morning light, 
 Shall chafe the gloomy (hades of night 
 Your health in fpeed fhall blefs the day, 
 And right'oufnefs fhall lead the way : 
 
 The Lord, your right'oufnefs and guide, 
 Be your defence on ev'ry fide 
 
 The 
 
EVANGELIC POETRYi 
 
 the glory which in him is found, 
 Shall grant you fafety all around. 
 
 Pause. 
 
 Then you may humbly feek his face, 
 And have the anfwer of his grace ; 
 If you the yoke of bondage break, 
 And vanity, nor ad, nor fpeak ; 
 
 If you will with a gen'rouS hand, 
 To fons of want your food extend ; 
 And cheerfully afford relief, 
 Where poverty mikes fcenes of grief i 
 
 In darknefs then will light arife, 
 To blefs your heart, and guide your eyes 
 Like noon day brightnefs fliall appear, 
 The light which you may largely fhare. 
 
 The Lord will always be your guide $ 
 You by his grace (hall be fupply'd \ 
 In drought, as living waters flow, 
 So (hall you his rich favours know. 
 
 Pause. 
 
 And thofe who cf you fhall be born, 
 
 The ancient ruins {hail adorn, 
 
 And many agts (hail declare 
 
 Your fame, by works which they repair; 
 
 If you the Sabbath will regard, 
 As confecrated by the Lord, 
 Who rofe to be in glory bleft, 
 And from his labours now dot-h reft : 
 
 If 
 
64 EVANGELIC POETRt^ 
 
 If you with him by faith unite, 
 And in his glorious rrft delight, 
 And on the firft, the faued clav, 
 Your cheerful homage to him pay : 
 
 Then you in him true joy fhall find, 
 In comforts of an heavenly mind 5 
 And in the prcmifes be ftd, 
 By Chrift who is the living bread. 
 
 PART V. 
 
 The AngeFs Addrefs to Cbrift in the Garderil 
 Like xx. 43. 
 
 J~I \IL ! glorious Sun ! thy healing ray 
 Can chafe the darknefs of the night ; 
 
 Though earthly clouds ob^ruft thy way, 
 Soon wilt thou fhine with brilliant light : 
 
 The beams of thy celeftial love, 
 
 The fhades of darknefs will remove. 
 
 Thy friendly light will nations guide 
 
 To regions of eternal day ; 
 Triumphing angels at thy fide, 
 
 Shall with their forxgs thy fame difplay; 
 Who, (landing round the faphire throne, 
 Sing anthems to the great Three- One. 
 
 When from domains of hell profound, 
 Thofe horrid mo^fters^ fin and death, 
 
 Away 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY, 65 
 
 A way to happy Eden found, 
 
 And man imbib'd rebellious breath j 
 Contagion fpread to every flow'r, 
 And fwcets of Eve y s delicious bowV; 
 
 This havock rftov'd thy melting eye, 
 To vieiv the (hocking fcene of woe ; 
 
 A world in guilt now doom'd to die, 
 And none co ward the dreadful blow; 
 
 Convulfive earth, wilh pangs and groans* 
 
 Yawning to take her trembling fons. 
 
 Pause* 
 
 Leaded with guilt, primgvous pair 
 Sent forth their melting cries in vain % 
 
 Explore creation, none will dare 
 To lead them back to blifs again % 
 
 No morning ftar, no angel pleads ; 
 
 So great their guilt, none intercedes : 
 
 'Till thou didft hear the wretches moan. 
 And did the Father's love proclaim % 
 
 And from the great Eternal throne, 
 
 Reveal'd thai grace which is our theme; 
 
 The morning ftars, with raptures new, 
 
 Sang forth thy grace difpiay*d to view. 
 
 When thou, the uncreated Son, 
 
 Forth from the Father's bokrni came 5 
 
 When of the virgin thou waft born, 
 We fang falvatioa in thy name: 
 
 Thine infant flar^, which men defpife, 
 
 Was joy and wonder in our eyes. 
 
 I 
 
 The 
 
66 EVANGELIC POETkx". 
 
 The work of that redeeming love, 
 Which thou didft humbly undertake, 
 
 Drew our attention from above* 
 To of thy matehlefs glory fpeak % 
 
 Glory to God, and peace to man, 
 
 Was founded by the heavenly cian* 
 
 Pause, 
 
 *' Hail ! Word eternal, infinite/* 
 
 Then did the hills and vales refound. 
 
 When thou didft thus difplay thy light, 
 And ftream thy bieffings all around 5 
 
 'ArnoK) Amana % Sbenir^ rang, 
 
 And forefts of thy Carmel fang. 
 
 When thou waft in the flefti made known. 
 What matchlefs love to fallen man, 
 
 To join his nature to thy own, 
 To execute a glorious plan ! 
 
 That thofe who love thee, may arife 
 
 To an immortal paradife ! 
 
 O rofc of Sharon ! heavenly fair ! 
 
 May winds upon thy garden blow, 
 That fweet perfumes and fpices fair 
 
 May make celttt'al flavours flow; 
 May angels tafte the odours fweet, 
 In raptuies round the mercy feat, 
 
 O morning filar I effulgent beams 
 Difplay f d thy high, majeftic ftatc, 
 
 When tilt embattled fera^hjms, 
 la cheerful ranks did on th* wait ; 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. 67 
 
 When ftorms and thunder fr>m thy baud, 
 Crufli'd the arch rebel and his band. 
 
 Pause, 
 
 Though now you feel your foul oppreft | 
 Though men and devils now engage 
 
 To fill with pain your peaceful breaft, 
 And with your groans inflate their rage 1 
 
 They cannot crufli almighty pow'r, 
 
 Though this be their triumphing hour, 
 
 Y Hjr Father never will difown 
 His Son, his image, and deiigSt ; 
 
 Your cries and tears will reach his throne, 
 Your life is precious in Jm fight ; 
 
 Though now you may fink down to death,' 
 
 Soon will you leave the gloomy earth 5 
 
 Soon will the fcene of grief be o'er, 
 And men and devils rage in vain 5 
 
 In you we own almighty pow'r, 
 Which can re&ore to life again 5 
 
 He who the keys of death doth keep, 
 
 Can't long within its chambers fletp, 
 
 Methinks thy robes, with fmauine *ed,' 
 Do now almoft thy conqueft fhow ; 
 
 As thofe who in the wine-vat tread. 
 And bear the fpoils of every f e; 
 
 Moft b ighr, moft glorious, to the fk ies,' 
 
 I fhall behold my Lord arife. 
 
 How bright the triumph of that day, 
 When death and hell ate captives !ei, 
 
 By 
 
68 EVANGELIC POETRY. 
 
 By him who through death pav'd the way, 
 And of its fting a prey hath made; v 
 Angels attend him with their fong, 
 
 royr.d hus heav'nly chariot throng. 
 Pause. 
 
 We fing his vi£t*ry with del'ght, 
 
 When he hath closed the battle well ; 
 
 We bear on mind his arm of might, 
 
 Which made us chale the pow'r of hell ^ 
 
 We fly with raptures on the wing, 
 
 To hail our great, our glorious King \ 
 
 Lift up your heads ; ye gates, prepare; 
 
 Te living orbs ! eternal doors; 
 The King of glory now draws near, 
 
 Clothed with light, with heav'nly power ; 
 This King of glory, who is he ? 
 What glory is it which we fee I 
 
 The King of glory now behold ! 
 
 Who lent Abaddon down to hell ; 
 New fceoes of pow'r he doth unfold ; 
 
 Now let your harps his wonders tell 5 
 Ye faintSj and angels, now proclaim 
 The honour of the crowned Lamb. 
 
 Thofe honours which do him adorn, 
 
 Tranfcend the thought of angels bright ^ 
 
 Pie who was of the virgin born, 
 Is cloth'd with glory infinite: 
 
 Let higheft fongs and raptures lead, 
 
 The lung cannot the theme exceed. 
 
 Pause. 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. 69 
 
 Pause, 
 
 Angels fhal! fee thee rife above, 
 
 And ftain ch$ pride of men below j 
 
 Angelic hqfts will round thee move, 
 
 And on thy praife their tongues beftow | 
 
 And while they clap their beamy wings, 
 
 The fweet melodious anthem rings. 
 
 Attention to thy flick we'll pay, 
 On earth the pu chafe of thy blood 
 
 All thofc who do thy truth obey, 
 
 We'll own as fervants of thesr God ; 
 
 By us, thou wilt them fafety fend, 
 
 And guard them 'till their forrows end. 
 
 When thy almighty hand hath wrought, 
 And gather'd all thy chofen ones, 
 
 They (lull to- thee, their Lord, be brought, 
 And thou wilt own them as thy funs j 
 
 They' to thy joy above ftull rife, 
 
 And with thy glory pleafe their eyes. 
 
 Pause. 
 
 Angels will found, at thy command, 
 The trumpet's j<>yful, awful lou id ; 
 
 Nor earth, nor ftars, will longer Hand, 
 To bring their circling periods round ; 
 
 When thy tremend'ou& hrightnefs beams, 
 
 To wrap the rolling worlds in flai cs 
 
 Thofc files of angels will appear, 
 
 To fhaut thy praifc, & fpread thy fame $ 
 
 The 
 
7b EVANGELIC POETRY,; 
 
 The dead, thy majefty declare j 
 
 The grave, thy vifTry will proclaim • 
 Whtn graves their feeble doors will burft 8 
 And ioofe re-animated dyft. 
 
 .Then on the left, at thy command, 
 The wicked mull 'with fliame appear^ 
 
 Thy face, thy (entence, and thy hand, 
 Will fink them down to black defpair j 
 
 In endkfs woe, to groan, and tell 
 
 What wretches feel, who dare rebel : 
 
 But on the right, thy faints difplay 
 The (hinijng beauties of thy grace y 
 
 ;The glories cf celefi'al day, 
 
 They in thy crofs and crown will trace 4 
 
 r Angels, with them will join, to raife 
 
 The longs of thy immortal praife. 
 
 Inviting fervice there, is found, 
 
 For thofe who with thy glory join; 
 
 To fee thee blcze thy glory round, 
 And fiil thtir harps with fongs divine j 
 
 Thy joy, will to thy friends be reft, 
 
 JVhere with their Lord they Ihail be bleft; 
 
 PART vi: 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY? 
 PART VI. 
 
 GOSPEL TRUTH in TYPICAL; 
 SCENES. 
 
 Scene i. Mofes a Type of Cbrifil 
 Dtur. xviii. 18. 
 
 How true and faithful is our God* 
 To verify his holy word 
 What he declared to be his will, 
 In faithfulneft he did fulfil. 
 
 His word he did reveal of old, 
 A ad to his fervanc M-jfe$ told, 
 He in his likenefs would provide 
 A prophet for his people's guide. 
 
 Thus Chrift, the heavenly prophet, came; 
 Who gofpei blc flings did proclaim; 
 The truth which he comes to declare, 
 We mud with all attention hear. 
 
 Mofes refus'd to take a feat, 
 In Pharaoh's court, among the great; 
 S:> Chriit did fcenes of grandeur fhun, 
 And put a fervants likenefs on. 
 Mojes wrought wonders with his rod, 
 Which did difplay the pow'r of God ; 
 But Chrift, by miracles, did prove 
 His great coaimiflua from above. 
 
 Mofes 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY/ 
 
 Mofts in meeknefs did excel, 
 When G- d approv'd his fervice well % 
 Chrift, full of heav'nly meekntfs Chore* 1 
 Whsn God spprov'd him as his Son. 
 
 Mafes the fhock of Sinai flood, 
 When thunders were proclaim'd abroad § 
 But Chnft a fcene of more furprife, 
 Which fli oo k the earth, and veiled the fkies^ 
 
 ]\4ofes % by pray'r, with God prevaiFd, 
 Wren Ifrad grevioi/fly rebjITd ; 
 But Chnft, with pleas, doth aiways (land 
 To intercede at Goo's right hand. 
 
 Though Mofes fhort of Canaan dies, 
 Chrift gain'd an heavenly paradife; 
 God's word doth certainly declare, 
 He is the prophet we Muft hear. 
 
 Thofe who will not his voice regard., 
 In the kind language cf his word, 
 Can never find a remedy, 
 But death their part muft furely be; 
 
 Scene i i . Scmfon a Type cf Chrift. 
 Judges xvi. 28. 
 
 FAITH gives the foul a pleafing view 
 
 Of God's almighty powV, 
 Which can his enemies fubdue, 
 
 And will his rights fecure. 
 
 Though Chriil's dear caufe hath many foes,, 
 Who rage vsith fury ftrong, 
 
 And 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. 73 
 
 And faints who do their rage oppofe, 
 Muft lie in fetters long : 
 
 Tet in the nioft furprifing fcene, 
 When floods againft th^rn roar, 
 
 God's hand will kindly intervene, 
 When they his help implore. 
 
 Thus Sam/in, with expiring breath; 
 
 Appears a man of pray'r, 
 And God die} ftrengthen him in deaths 
 
 His foes to conquer there. 
 
 The pillars of the houfe tnuft. fall, 
 When faith defires the fame ; 
 
 God will confound his haters all, 
 And plunge them deep in fharne* 
 
 Here is a character which gives 
 A type of God's d*?ar S >n, 
 
 Who from her foes God's Zion faves* 
 By cofcquefts he has won. 
 
 He in his death did triumph fliow 
 O'er the da?k powers of hell, 
 
 And did that kingdom overthrow, 
 Where he by malice fell. 
 
 Scene hi. Adam a Type tfCbritf. 
 Romans v. 14, 
 
 Adam the firft, made of red earth, 
 "Type of the ftcond's bloody death, 
 Each, but in different fenfes, were 
 The Sons of God, and Sov'reigns hsre* 
 K To 
 
74 EVANGELIC POETRY^ 
 
 T on*% an earthly paradife; 
 The ether's life above the fkies ; 
 And each, as righteous rr,uft appear^ 
 God's favour in each reft to /hare. 
 
 The firft did ftand a ftSkl head, 
 Whpfe guilt brought death on ail his feed i 
 The fecond gain'd a deathlefs crown j 
 His feed are children of renown. 
 
 Sweat of the brow the fir ft did bear y 
 The fecond, drops of blood mod dear; 
 That, had an Eve brought from his fide; 
 This, by his blood, obtain'd a bride. 
 
 Scene iv. Jacob's Ladder. Gen. xxvin. 12; 
 
 JACOB, a Ladder did behold, 
 Extend from earth to Heav'n ; 
 
 The myft > ry which it doth unfold, 
 Is Chrift a God»Man giv'n. 
 
 On it the angels did afcend, 
 
 And did defcend likewife ; 
 Through Chrift they do his faints attend, 
 
 And bring them trelh fupplies. 
 
 Chrift is the only way to reach 
 
 Ceieilial joy above; 
 No other way his fbrvants preach, 
 
 To talk his Father's love. 
 
 Good Jacob in a vifion faw 
 The Ladder with his eye, ' 
 
 And 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. 75 
 
 And thus true faints do Jefus view, 
 And faith doth bring him nigh. 
 
 The Lord above, th? promlfe gave. 
 Of the good Und of reft ; 
 
 The faints by Chrift a promife have, 
 To be forever bleft. 
 
 To Jacobs glorious was th? place, 
 
 Betbel> the houfc of God 3 
 So faints by Chrift do tafte that graced r 
 
 That's glory in the bud. 
 
 Beneath the Ladder Jacob flept, 
 
 ChrilVs feet his faints reipofe, 
 Their peace in him is fairly kept, 
 
 Their joy they (lull not lofe. 
 
 When Jacob from his vition 'woke, 
 
 Surprife did fill his mind ; 
 But faints, when Chrift their graves unlock,' 
 
 Shall perfedt calmnefs fi td 
 
 Scen* v. The Ark. Exod, xxxvii. 5; 
 
 THE Ark of firmed wood was made, 
 And With fine gold was overlaid; 
 The works of Chrift are all. divine, 
 Which in his glorious perf>n fhine. 
 
 The Ark, grac'd with a golden crown, 
 Did (hade Chrift's honour and renown; 
 True glory is his KetTt'i delight, 
 |n which his friends with him unite. 
 
 The 
 
76 EVANGELIC POETRY; 
 
 The corners, hangings, and the ring?,; 
 Shaw what good news the gofpel brings 
 Which doth declare that Jefus reigns, 
 And o'er the nations cocqucft gains. 
 
 Tables which did the Ark contain, 
 Sa+e!y within the Ark were lain ; 
 Wften Chnft did work a Saviour's part 
 The law was written in his heart. 
 
 The golden pot with manna ftor'd, 
 Did (how the joy Chrift doth afford 5 
 To thofe who do that portion fhare, 
 Wrio tafte and love his bounties dear, 1 
 
 The rod of Aaron> which did bloom, 
 Show'd Jefus rifing from the tomb-* 
 Thof- fliooting bloffoms widely fpread^' 
 Which him rifen from the dead* 
 
 Jordan d'd from her banks retire. 
 When once the Ark did enter there ; 
 So Chrift o'er death a conqueft made 9 
 "When he explored its gloomy -fhade. 
 
 Jfrael did march where Jordan s way, 
 in rolling udr, reach'd the dead lea \ 
 So faints, by drath, may go to rett, 
 To be with Jefus tvcr bkft. 
 
 The A, k did Jericho furround, 
 And th? wall cocter'd to the ground % 
 When Chrift is in ihe goipel caO, 
 Sinners before his word niuftfalL 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. 7? 
 
 Scene vi. The Mercy Seat. 
 Exodus xxxvii. 6. 
 
 ^^HAT glory grac'd the Mercy Sear, 
 Which e'er the ark was fpread complete I 
 Mercy through Chrift is fully known, 
 Which comes from God's eternal throne; 
 
 The cherubs ftretch their wings on high, 
 While they the Mercy-Seat do eye ; 
 Angels and faints rejoice to fee 
 Grace in the gofpel myftery* 
 
 To angels by the church is told, 
 Wifdom, which grace doth there unfold 5 
 Angels, whofe golden harps excel, 
 To faints the Saviour*s glories tell. 
 
 God with his chofen tribes did meet. 
 When they drew near the Mercy Seat 5 
 Now by his Son, he from above 
 Pgith with his faints commune in love. 
 
 jScENEvn. The fmitten Rock in the Wildernefsl 
 Exodus xvii. 
 
 FiRM was the Rock where waters flow'd, 
 
 For IfraePs tribes moft free; 
 Chrift our eternal Rxk hath ftood, 
 
 And cannot fliakeo be. 
 
 Thofe who on him do build their hope^ 
 
 Unfhaken will remain ; 
 While all who feek ftme other prop, 
 
 By tempefts muft be flain, 
 
 No 
 
?8 EVANGELIC POETRY. 
 
 No outward pomp the Rock difplay'd^ 
 Though needful was us itore > 
 
 Chrift* in a fervani's form, appear'd, 
 And for our fake was poor. 
 
 A wond'rous fceoe the Rock difclos 5 d | 
 
 When fmitten, water came | 
 A fmitten Qhrift, from death unloos'd^ 
 
 Great wonders doth proclaim. 
 
 The Rock fent forth a dream, to give 
 
 The marching hoft fuppiy 
 The Church, by ftreams from Chrift, doth 
 
 Here in this defart dry. [hve 
 
 The Rock did not txhauft the ftore, 
 
 Where flowing waters came - 9 
 Chrift well fupplies the humble poof* 
 
 And ftill his grace the fame. 
 
 Scene viii. The High Prieft. Exod. xxviii. 
 
 THE High Pr iefi's office was from Gcd^ 
 
 By faCfed unftion feaPd ; 
 So Chrift anointed, (hows abroad 
 
 The grace in him revea^d. 
 
 JWith blood of vi&ims to atone, 
 The High Prieft muft appear, 
 
 Within the veil,, before the throne* 
 On each returning year. 
 
 JefuSj the great atoning Prieft, 
 Hath ofFerM up his blood, 
 
 And 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY; 79 
 
 And in his high and glorious reft, 
 Doth intercede with God, 
 
 While the High Pried in office flood, 
 
 Then the man flayer found 
 A cicy and a iafe abode, 
 
 From dangers all around, 
 
 Thofe Tinners who to Jtfus go, 
 
 A refuge in him have} 
 The city, and the pridt, did (how, * 
 
 That our High Frieit can fave. 
 
 Scewh nr. The Brazen Serpent. NumsJ Km; 
 
 WHEN Iff ad was dittreft, 
 
 With fi'ry Serpent's brood, 
 Their camp expos'd to be laid wafie,' 
 
 The hofl: a trembling (load. 
 
 The Lord in mercy, fares 
 
 The trembling hoft from fears 1 
 
 A remedy, which foon relieves, 
 In mercy he prepares. 
 
 When men for fin rnuil die. 
 
 And no relief was found ; 
 Thegofpel brings the Saviour nigh,"' 
 
 To heal the deadly wound. 
 
 The Brazen Serpent made, 
 
 Which fjpeedy help could give, 
 
 Was to the dying hoft difphy'd, * ; 
 That they might look 2nd live- 
 
So EVANGELIC POETRY; 
 
 £o Chrift is raifed high, 
 
 That faith may clearly fee 5 
 
 Where thofewho are condemned to die* 
 May find a remedy. 
 
 Scene x. The Leper. Llvit* «£b 
 
 ThE Leper, by the ritual prieft, 
 
 Pronounced was unclean ; 
 Chnft views apellate man debas'd 
 
 With an unholy flain. 
 
 The prirft did find the fad difeafe 
 
 Was deeper than the fkin ; 
 Chrift knows mat/s heart, by wickedne&* 
 
 Makes him deftl'd within. 
 
 The ltp'rcus perfen might not take 
 
 A latitude abroad ; 
 But man a forfeiture did make, 
 
 Of favours from the Lord. 
 
 The plague of leprcfy did ftain 
 
 Where'er it did extend • 
 So all the acls of wicked men, 
 
 Do grievoufly offend. 
 
 The Leper muft be brought to owe 
 
 Himfelf unclean to be ; 
 Sinners are by their fins undone, 
 
 And muft their vilenefs fee. 
 
 The houfe in which the Leper dwelt, 
 h taken down at laft y 
 
 fhi* 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. frf 
 
 This world, a fcene of fin and guilt, 
 Muft be confum'd and wafte. 
 
 Scene xr. The cleanfing of the Lepers 
 Leviticus xiv. 
 
 That he who had the Leproff, 
 Might from its fad effedts be free* 
 He muft unto the prieft repair, 
 Arid be the fubjcft of his care. 
 
 So finners, who would find relief, 
 Muft go to Chrift with all their grief j 
 In him alone can finners find 
 A fan&iffing Saviour kind. 
 
 The prieft, to make the Leper clean* 
 Two birds doth for that end affign ; 
 One muft be (lain ; and in the blood, 
 The other dipr, may fly abroad. 
 
 A figure in the birds and prieft,. 
 Two natures in the perfon Chrift 
 One bird fhows Jefus, who was (lain $ 
 The other Chrift, who rcfe again. 
 
 With blood the ritual fprinkler came*' 
 To on the Leper {lied the fame $ 
 Apply'd to ea^s, and hands, and feet, 
 When the rite was peiforuAi complete; 
 
 When Chrift to men applies his blood, 
 They hear, they work, they walk with God* 
 Their fouls, from fin and guilt difcharg'd, 
 In tfays of peace are much cnlargM, 
 
 h The 
 
82 EVANGELIC POETRY; 
 
 The priefl*, with offerings in his hands$ 
 Before the Lord atoning ftands ; 
 So Chrift, prefenting his own blood, 
 Atones for fin before our God. 
 
 Scene in. The Catidlefiicki 
 Exod. xxv. 31, and xxxvin. 17; 
 
 JL HE Candleftick, ordain'd for lights 
 
 To-fcattcr lacenc rays 5 
 So Chrift gives light to guide his Church, 
 
 In truth his word difplays. 
 
 It of the pureft gold was made* 
 Chrin's precioufnefs is fhown : 
 
 Like (even lamps, he by his grace 
 Makes God's perfe&ions known. 7 
 
 It in the fan&uary ftood ; 
 
 Chrift in his Church appears; 
 Like branches, are his bounties flied 
 
 On ali his chofen heirs. 
 
 Like knops & flowers with heavenly gifts, 
 Chrift his true Church doth biefs, 
 
 A plealant fcene* when faints do grow 
 In fruits of righteoufnefs. 
 
 SicENE xni. The Meat Offering. Lev. xl i." 
 
 By the Meat Offering, was a fign, 
 AM gifts came from a hand divine; 
 Chrift, the mod wond'rous gift of God, 
 1$ knt to man, in his good word. 
 
 Whea 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. 9$ 
 
 When in his grace we him do own, 
 We humble thanks to him return •, 
 The gift of all withj^nur power, 
 Like offerings of the fineft flour* 
 
 The oil, to gladnefs may compare, 
 Which faints receive when Orift is near % 
 When we his welcome pretence meet, 
 It makes his way and worfhip fwect. 
 
 The offering by the prieft was brought 5 
 Without Chrift, all we bring is nought j 
 By him, acceptance we obtain, 
 The great memorial who was flain. 
 
 The offering bak'd, a fign doth fhow; 
 Of Ch rift's great Offerings here below, 
 And all our love to him muft be 
 Unleaven'd, from all malice free. 
 
 P ART VII. 
 
 A MONITORY INQUIRY* 
 
 Sect. i. 
 
 Shall fouls immortal yield to luft, 
 And ferve the flefh in iron cords, 
 
 Or fineft gold be laid in duft, j fwords I 
 And gen'rous breads hz pierc'd with 
 
 Shall pois'nous vipers range at large, 
 And harmlefs doves become their prey. 
 
 If 
 
U EVANGELIC POETRY: 
 
 Or malice in the bofom rage, 
 
 And gentle peace be ftor'm'd away f 
 Shall love, that noble paffion, be 
 
 A fervanc to fome vain delight I 
 ShaH hop? be made to bow the knee 
 
 To objects which I have in fight I 
 Shall prayV, that meflenger of Heav'n, 
 
 Be fo benumbed it cannot go ? 
 V/hcn things of weight are to it giv*n 9 
 
 Shall it be here detainM below ? ? 
 Shall heavenly mindednefs decay, 
 
 And love to earthly things increafej 
 Or thoughts celeftia! pafs away, 
 
 And I be left to earthly peace*? 
 
 Muft I fubmit to mammon's toys, 
 
 And treat them as my greateft good, 
 
 t Wniie great Diana's fans rejoice 
 
 To fee me flight my Saviour's blood? 
 
 Shall blefllngs on me daily ro!!. 9 
 And true devotion all be dead, 
 
 While I devote my longing foul 
 
 To things on which the worms do feed I 
 
 Mufti not "fljun with greateft care, 
 
 Thofe "things which keep me from my 
 
 Muft I not daily perfevere, [God I 
 
 And keep the ftrait and heavenly road I 
 
 Shall Saul among the ftuff abide, 
 When called forth to cake a crown 5 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. 
 
 Or fervants, vile as prince?, ride, 
 
 And princes \*y their honours down ? 
 
 Shall thorns and bri'rs poflkfs the ground 
 Which heavenly fruit might daily yit 
 
 And nothing in my foul be found 
 Which makes it like a fruitful field ? 
 
 Shall empty toy3 below the (kies, 
 
 Employ immortal mental powers. 
 And real good, which never dies, 
 
 Not blefs ms from its ample ftores ? 
 Wfrat fiiall we call thofe men, but fools, 
 
 Who wafte the precious day of grace ? 
 Can they be wife, who damn their iouls, 
 
 In thsir own choftn finfui ways Z 
 
 SfiCTi II. 
 
 SINNERS, can you good reafon give, 
 Why in your fins you choofe to live ? 
 Are thofe the ways that pleafe you well, 
 Which lead directly down to hell ? 
 
 Is it a qiere fanta$ic whim, 
 That mortal life is but a dream, 
 That things of time can never fave, 
 Frcm the dark confines of the grave ? 
 
 Have you a foul which muft abide, 
 When fl,fh, frail fldh, is laid afide, 
 A- d then deny the better parr, 
 pi keep foul matters from the heart ? 
 
86 EVANGELIC POETRY: 
 
 Can you employ your thoughts fo well, 
 As on thofe fcenes where you mutt dwell ? 
 Throughout a long, and endlefs (late* 
 Either in woe, or blifs complete I 
 
 Can you deny your choiceft love 
 
 Unto the King of faints above ; 
 
 And is it not your guilt and fhame, 
 
 To choofe this world, 'with love fupreme I 
 
 Think you, without true holinefs. 
 You can true joy above poffcfs, 
 And dare indulge a flcfhly mind, 
 Yet life and peace exped to find I 
 
 Can't God appear a God of love, 
 Unlefs your hatred he approve, 
 And make you heavenly glory fhare^ 
 Altho* your heart was never there ? 
 Would it to him great honour bring, 
 If he (hould work fo ft range a things 
 As to grant you the joy of peace, 
 And yet a ftranger to his grace ? 
 Do all profeflbrs of Ch rift's name, 
 Embrace his crofs § and fufFer ihame, 
 Renounce the world, and fin fubdueg 
 And gofpel holinefs purfus ? 
 
 Can you be high in God's efteem, 
 And yet with lies encompafs him, 
 And boaft a fair profeflion, when 
 In heart you love the ways of fin ? 
 
 Can 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. 
 
 Can you believe hypocrify 
 Will not augment your mifery % 
 O; can your mock- religion gain 
 Salvation from eternal pain ? 
 
 Can you your foul from danger fhield, 
 Becaufe baptized when a child ? 
 Or broken bonds give you a place 
 Among the chofen heirs of grace ? 
 
 Do you believe that God will own 
 You in the merits of his Son, 
 While you redemption-work defpife, 
 And count it nothing in your eyes ? 
 
 Does the Redeemer, by his blood, 
 Stand confecrated unto God, 
 While you upon his offers pfay, 
 And fpurn the gofpel grace away ? 
 
 Cannot your heart to Chrift be gain'd, 
 To be no more by fatan chain*d ; 
 But mull a world invoiv'd in fin, 
 Give all the prize 'which you do win ? 
 
 Will you in ways of folly run, 
 'Fill you forever be undone, 
 And nothing bring you to a ftand, 
 Or make you fee your dreadful end ? 
 
 Has fatan gain'd (o on your heart, 
 That you from fin cannot depart ; 
 And you fo mad as to deftroy 
 Your foul for that which gives no joy ? 
 
 Pause.' 
 
SB EVANGELIC POETllf i 
 
 PauseJ 
 
 Is it your pleafure to difpleafe 
 That God who can you crulh with eafe 3 
 Or can you with your feeble iright t 
 Engage to with your Maker fight t 
 
 Can you almighty pow*f difplay^ 
 And o'er all world* your fceptre fway 5 
 Or can you with a let be y maks 
 A world like this to ftand or fnake? 
 
 Can you command the cloud* to rife, 
 And with their (hades to veil r.he ikies, 
 And thzn beftow the beams of light, 
 Or draw the curtains of the night ? 
 
 Have ybu, by majefty alone, 
 Erected Heaven for your throne, 
 While- (hining hofts around you dandy 
 To uke their order from your hand ? 
 
 Can you difplay an arm fo ftrong, 
 That you can make each mortal tongue 
 Coafeis they do upon you ftay, 
 And learn your wildorn every day ? 
 
 Do you all fie(h in fafety keep, 
 And watch their motions while they fkep? 
 Mutt they arife and praife your name, 
 For all the favours done for them ? 
 
 IVluft they before you (pread their grief, 
 When they do greatly netd relief f 
 Have you an ear to hear their cry, 
 Or can your arm their wants fupply ? 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. 89 
 
 Is it by your all-wife decree* 
 That a£ts and creatures govern'd be ! 
 Does nothing in all worlds take place, 
 Put where your agency we trace ? 
 
 Do you defufe your bleffirigs round ? 
 iUe all your works with glory crown'd | 
 Muft men adore your lovereign grace, 
 In granting favours as you pleafe ? 
 
 Have you a right, yourfelf to call 
 Th* eternal fovereign over all ? 
 Have you the keys of death and hell* 
 To bind in chains* all who rebel ? 
 
 Does fatan roar beneath your hand, 
 Becaufe he can't your power withftand* 
 Does he Believe your word and quake, 
 And fear your rod will quickly fhake ? 
 
 Gan you make known that burning day, 
 When eaTth-bbrn things muft fade away ? 
 Do you expert then to appear, 
 And Ihow almighty greatnefs there ? 
 
 Will creatures own that your hand brings 
 The conflagration of all things; 
 Or can your eye with awful blaze 
 Blend roiling planets, earth and feas ? 
 
 Will you a voice like thunder fend 
 tJnto the earth's reoioteft end, 
 To rend the graves and raife the dead* 
 That death your captive may be ltd f 
 
 M 
 
9 o EVANGELIC POETRY. 
 
 And will the grave your voice obey,' 
 Unable to withhold its prey ! 
 Shall you the Judge of all appear, 
 And call the race of Adam near ? 
 
 Shall you give fentence then, c4 deparf % 
 Thofe who have been my foes in heart ?*! 
 Will your bright glory happy make 
 Thole who, for you, did allforfake ? 
 
 Now, finner, if you dare prefume, 
 That you can ttofe great a5!s perform, 1 
 And can with firmnei's, this maintain, 
 <s Above my Maker I fhall reign." 
 
 Then you have reafon on your fide 
 To live in fin and fwell in pride, 
 To feek yourfelf, and fport away 
 The blefling cf a gofpel day. 
 
 But if you find, that after all, 
 You by the ftroke of death may fall j 
 This world may want that perfeft refty 
 In which alone the foul is blcft. 
 
 If all we need, in Chrift is found, 
 If all his foes, he will confound ; 
 O may his glory pleafe your eyes, 
 No longer dare his grace defpife. 
 
 PART VIII. 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY, 9 i 
 
 PART VIII. 
 
 the ALLEGORY of Johmsom's mathe^ 
 
 MATICAL QUESTION INVESTIGATED. 
 
 In the great Univerfe, was found, 
 A kingdom which was well renown* J, 
 So magnify'd with dignity, 
 Thai only one did it outvie : 
 In was with peace and beauty bleft, 
 Nor fcenes of grief did it molefl • 
 It? rich embelliihments did (how 
 What the great Architect could dos 
 Its decorations were to bring, 
 Praife to the univerfal King ; 
 Who with hi$ yifits did it grace, 
 And did his bountiss in it place. 
 Great were the gifts he did confer 
 On thofe who did inhabit there ; 
 And from among them one did take, 
 Well qualifyM a, prince to make ; 
 And for a princefs, to him grants. 
 One with admirM accomplifliments $ 
 And for their fafety did provide, 
 A faithful and unerring guide, 
 Who would their happy ftate defend, 
 While they would on his aid depend. 
 But lo ! one of the giant race, 
 Oppos'd to the Lord of the place, 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY., 
 
 Who for rebellious afls was fent, 
 
 From the King's face to banifijmento 
 
 Behold this giant, full of rage, 
 
 Jo raze this kingdom doth engage. 
 
 And enters it by fallacy, 
 
 And gains the lady's chaftity 5 
 
 While (he is pregnant to her ccft, 
 
 She finds Ihs has her virtue loft : 
 
 And foon from her there did proceed* 
 
 A monfter rnoft deform'd indeed. > 
 
 No fooner is this monfter born, 
 
 Put they are in a ftate forlorn ;■■ 
 
 : The prince, and princefs, leave their thro^es^ 
 
 And the whole kingdom fadly mourns. s 
 
 This manlier, like a tyrant great, 
 
 Soon fubjugated the whole ftate, 
 
 And, with repacious fury, made 
 
 Contagion through the fyftem fpread* 
 
 Part i. 
 
 This 
 
 monfter, in each part to trace* 
 We firft muft find his dwelling place ; 
 Alfo his form ; and then the fum 
 To which his limbs and members come 5 
 Like wife dimenfions of him take; 
 Alfo his ft'rength, and where it lies. 
 And iq whzt height bis voice will rife % 
 What poifon in his nature is * 
 Alfo how deep his policies $ 
 His arms, and how with them he fights ^ 
 Ar,d vift'ries gainM by his exploits ; 
 r * ' And 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. 93 
 
 £nd then his age, how long that he 
 Alive has been, and ftill fhall be ? 
 
 Part ii. 
 
 The queftion in the fecond part. 
 Requires probation of fome art ; 
 By which the mifchief may be known 
 That's by this horrid monfter done. 
 
 Part nr. 
 
 No W let us fee if we can find 
 A per fan, in whom there is jom'd. 
 Endowments which are adequate, 
 To lay this monfter at his feet ; 
 One who by ftrength and wifdom can 
 Find out and execute a plan, 
 Which may this monfter fupercede 
 In ways which he doth proudly tread; 
 
 Part iv. 
 
 Now may fame ample way appear, 
 Which will this monfter's harm repai d 
 That he who governs, may maintain 
 His dignity without a ftain. 
 
 Th 
 
 the ANSWER. to- Part h 
 
 > place this monfter dorh i n 
 Is where the heart its ways doth lo 
 We by its fad efre&s conclude, 
 Whavis the place of his abode. 
 
 Li 
 
94 EVANGELIC POETRY.; 
 
 In Heaven it has no place at all, 
 
 Since 'tis from the nee it tends to fall § 
 
 la hell its limits has no bounds. 
 
 For all the crew its fceptre owns 
 
 It virtually on this earth dwells^ 
 
 In vegetives, and animals, 
 
 Though it effentially reigns in 
 
 The vicious hearts of fallen men; 
 
 Its form appears where'er it goes, 
 
 Among its friends, but not its foe$; - 
 
 On creatures who c f it partake, 
 
 It doth moft wretched haveck make, 
 
 And by it they thofe ibrrows feel, [dwells 
 
 Which bl ait their hopes while here they 
 
 To feek the fum, would prove in vain 
 
 Of parts and limbs it doth contain j 
 
 Its ways* and ads, in numbers refe, 
 
 Beyond what human thoughts deviie. 
 
 Ads may, by words, be muliiply'd, 
 
 Then a prcdud by thoughts be made. 
 
 Sums wrought from fums produce at lalt^ 
 
 A fem which is in numbers vaft. 
 
 Mt:n by their fins do difregard, 
 
 What God difcovers in his word - 9 
 
 His daily favours they mifufe, 
 
 While they his holy law abufe j 
 
 The Bible they do lay afide, 
 
 And their own wills they make their guide* 
 
 Though the vile turpitude of fin, 
 
 Their nai'ia! pow'xs are ftain'd within. 
 
 Sins 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. 95 
 
 Sins arc augmented when we trace, 
 The methods of God's boundlefs grace, 
 By which ^11 ought to bs inclinM 
 To ferve him with a willing mind. 
 Sin doth a vaft extention take, 
 In fad effe&s which it doth make; 
 When for it here a place was found, 
 It fpread a curfe upon the ground 
 Angels and men with torment 'fill?, 
 And ruins all things where it dwells ; 
 And firtks beneath all joy and light, 
 All thofe who are polluted by't. 
 Would we its vail: extent explore ? 
 *Tis like afea without a fhore : 
 Would we find out its pondVotis weight ? 
 •The load is found amazing great, 
 No finite power can it fuftain, 
 It gives the foul the keeneft pain; 
 All who are cruflied by its power, 
 Cannot its dreadful weight endure; 
 Nor can the heavy load remove, 
 Which finks beneath Almighty love. 
 Then we its ftrength will feek to know,' 
 By what it actually doth do. 
 Of creatures who its paths do take, 
 It doth mo ft wretched captives make ; 
 In every change, it ftrength doth gain, 
 While they its willing (laves remain. 
 How far can it that voice proclaim, 
 Which fpeaks its nature and its flume ? 
 
96 EVANGELIC POETRY. 
 
 Nor place, nor time, nor changes bound 
 
 The voice of its tremendous found. 
 
 It f peaks the guilt which finners feel, 
 
 Who dare againft God's law rebel $ 
 
 In all the fcenes which on them waif, 
 
 It fpeaks their awful, dangerous (late. 
 
 Now let us the contagion tell. 
 
 Which doth in its vile nature dwell. 
 
 Its deep infe&ion wide has fpread, 
 
 And {truck the race of Adam dead, 
 
 Nor can that natural good be found, 
 
 Which once in Eden did abound \ 
 
 And the idea is only feign'd* 
 
 Of earthly paradife regain'd. 
 
 It ftrangely doth infatuate, 
 
 By wiles profound, and deep deceit; 
 
 We may its fubtle rneafures trace, 
 
 In follies of the human race ; 
 
 It makes the fons of men believe, 
 
 The words which do their fouls deceive 1 
 
 The Tinner's mind it vainly props, 
 
 By faifc imaginary hopes 
 
 Thofe things which claim our high efteem* 
 
 lc renders with an odious name, 
 
 And treats thofe truths which are divine, 
 
 As though no light did in them ihine ; 
 
 The lav/, it fays, is too fevere, 
 
 "Which doth demand a heart fincere, 
 
 Ana in the gofpel, Chrift defpife, 
 
 Asd all which pleafes angels eyes. 
 
 Now 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. 97 
 
 Now treat of weapons it doth ufe, 
 
 And fouls immortal doth abufe ; 
 
 Luft of the fiefb, luft of the eyes, 
 
 And pride of life; poor vanities ! 
 
 But if by thefe it can't fucceed, 
 
 It lies and fights in arh'bufcade ; 
 
 It confcience then, and reafon braves, 1 
 
 fey bold efforts to be its (laves. 
 
 And with defenflve weapons, ftill 
 
 It keeps the foul, by hellifh fkill, 
 
 Fighting againft convidtion's dart, 
 
 Left it fhould pierce the linner 5 s hearty 
 
 A~d (how him that hs h undone* 
 
 Unlefs he by repentance turn ; 
 
 Or fetks to plunge him in defpair, 
 
 Hoping to-alttays hold him there : 
 
 Or elfe to get the ftorm allay'd, 
 
 Which has been by conviction made: 
 
 It fixes on fome form fecure, 
 
 On which to re3:, and (eek no more*, 
 
 Let us proceed now to go on, 
 
 To treat of battles it hath won : 
 
 In this inquiry, let us fee, 
 
 How many and how great they bei 
 
 Speak we of angels who did fa!!, 
 
 It binds damnation on them all ; 
 
 And cremures on this earth do groan, ? 
 
 Beneath the conqueft it hath won* 
 
 Alafs ! they now diverted are, 
 
 Of that which once did make them fair 3 
 
 N They 
 
98 EVANGELIC POETRY. 
 
 They go with farrow and difgrace, 
 
 In all lbs various ways they trace. 
 
 When creatures firft did ftray from Gcct s 
 
 Then it took place, we may conclude 5 
 
 That it was made, we can't pretend, 
 
 For theii-Oyn God it muft depend, 
 
 Since all created beings have 
 
 Their ftay on God, who being gave. 
 
 That it exifts, we all agree, 
 
 Therefore it is depravity 
 
 Of creatures from that re&itude* 
 
 In which they by creation flood. 
 
 It as prevation cannot ceafe, 
 
 While creatures are depraved ; fince 'tis 
 
 Nothing but reftoration can 
 
 Place reditude again in man ; 
 
 Therefore to all eternity, 
 
 Creatures depravM in mifery, 
 
 While it for their companion have. 
 
 Hence it eternally will live. 
 
 the ANSWER to Part 11. 
 
 Tok now the mif chief brought to view* 
 
 In ways this monfter doth purfue, 
 
 Its hateful nature we muft trace, 
 
 And fee how baneful are its ways. 
 
 The glory of the g^eat Supreme, 
 
 It wifiies all would difefteem ; 
 
 Acd vainly feeks to fupercedc 
 
 The end for which all things were made. 
 
 By 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. 99 
 
 By its efforts it never can 
 
 Defeat the purpofe of God's plan. 
 
 Or give him reafon to complain 
 
 That he hath done one a£l in vain ; 
 
 Since creatures, and their ads, fulfil 
 
 The plan of God's decreetive will 5 
 
 The evil which takes place by fin, 
 
 Applies to ftates creatures are in. 
 
 Creation's of no worth at si), 
 
 For God indeed, is all in all 5 
 
 Things made, Ve then snuft eftimate, 
 
 As to his glory they relate ; 
 
 Hence evil relative it found 
 
 Where fin hath fpread its deadly wound; 
 
 God's purpofe, (as it doth refpedt 
 
 Creation ) will have good effeft $ 
 
 His glory, by his creatures made, 
 
 He in his works will fee difplay'd 3 
 
 And will forever clothe with fhame 
 
 The wretch who dare defpife the fame. 1 
 
 This monfterV evils, then, are great, 
 
 As to God's glory they relate ; 
 
 God can to it no favour fhow, 
 
 For well he doth its nature know % 
 
 His glory infinitely dear, 
 
 Doth in his holy fight appear % 
 
 He knows the worth of all that joy, 
 
 Which fin is feeking to deftrcy ; 
 
 And could his enemies fucceed, 
 
 He muft molt wretched be indeed. 
 
 This 
 
i.oo EVANGELIC POETRY, 
 
 This rnonfter, all thofe evils brought, 
 With which this life is now replete ; 
 This world is now a fcene of woe, 
 And never can true peace b^ftow $ 
 Here man mufi groan in grief and pain a 
 And then he goes to duft again % 
 But future fceoes of black defpai^ 
 This rnonfter*s inj'ries will declare •> 
 Alfo how ruinous they be, 
 In fouls bound faft in mifery. 
 God's reft in glory, will be ftrife, 
 With finners who do feek his life § 
 In fpice, they &z his life do aim, 
 Who hate the glory of his name*, 
 God doth in righteoufoefs contend. 
 With Goners, who on him depend, 
 Who with the power he doth bellow, 
 Wifn they could work his overthrow* 
 Hatred againit him they difplay, 
 Becaufe ht 9 s good, and will repay 
 Fury on thofe whafe hearts poffds 
 Contempt of fpotlefs holinels. 
 God's glory, infinitely grebe, 
 Sinners, with all their hearts, do hates 
 Thus fin, as relatively vievv'd, 
 Is oppofition to all good. 
 
 The 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. 101 
 
 the ANSWER to Part in. 
 
 Now let us fee what may be faid, 
 (In the inquiry to be made) 
 For one in whom there may appear, 
 A charsdter which may declare, 
 Upon a juft, and glorious plan, 
 Glory to Gcd, and peace to man j 
 A perfon, able to afford 
 To man, the favour of the Lord 
 And in the wond'rous Icene of grace, 
 Mercy, and juftice, both take place, 
 juftice can plead, in point of la^v, 
 Sin muft its weight of vengeance draw 
 On thole who lavy tranfgreffors are, 
 That they cnuft die, not too &vere ; 
 Juft is the law, and juft the doom, 
 Which on the guilty pair is come - 9 
 Should they attempt thernfelves to clear, 
 Againft them new crimes would appear; 
 This they can't do, unkfs they fay, 
 V If we our Maker difobey, 
 Reafon appears fair on our fide, 
 To flight the law as no juft guide.** 
 If fuch a ptea as this may ftand, 
 Thus urg*d againft my juft demand, 
 The great Creator's claim is void, 
 And rebels take the place of God ! 
 The holy law doth weil exp * fs 
 God's perfect, fpotitfs hoiiriefs > 
 
 And 
 
102 EVANGELIC POETRY; 
 
 And rjghreoufnefs I muft maintain, 
 Which caa'c be void and God remain. 
 If God fliould pardon Goners, when 
 They blame his law, andjple&d for fin* 
 They in their pride would dare to fay, 1 
 cs This law no one ought to obey," 
 The law cannot its claims abate, 
 Becaufe vile creatures do it hate ; 
 It fhows the great Creator's right, 
 And curfes thofe who do it flight,, 
 Mercy with juftice well agrees, 
 In favour of fuch righteous plea*, 
 Norfetks to bring a plan to view, 
 Which law demands will difaliow | 
 Mercy and juftice freely join 
 To have the rights of juftice fhine, 
 Though they, in different ways, declare* 
 That they in fweet agreement are 5 
 Juftice fays, finnners 190ft receive 
 The fentence which ihc law doth give % 
 Mercy allows this to be true, 
 Yet doth the wretched {inner view* 
 She feeks not iinners, to teftore 
 Them to the ftate they had before; 
 Allows death's vengeance, brought by fin, 
 Shall be mads known on guilty men : 
 Wifdom makes known a vsond'rous way, 
 Which grace and juftice will difplay 5 
 In her deep couniel,.we may find, 
 A way which can retrieve mankind* 
 
 From 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. 103 
 
 From the fad ruin made by fin, 
 
 And grace io glorious triumph reign, 
 
 Th* eternal Word, God's only Son, 
 
 In eflence with his Father one, 
 
 He in creation-work difplay'd 
 
 That power by which all things were made; 
 
 In Heaven, where fin can have noplace, 
 
 We may his matchkfs glory trace ; 
 
 On earth, where fin hath fpread its (lain; 
 
 He doth its fad effects reftrain. 
 
 His image in his faints he forms, 
 
 And beautifies with grace, poor worms 5 
 
 And then he dwells in every heart, 
 
 Where he doth Hiving grace impart : 
 
 AH which isprecious in the faints, 
 
 He by his grace unto them grants. 
 
 All fcenes which truly are divine, 
 
 Do in the face of Jefus (hine ; 
 
 Refulgent rays of glorious light, 
 
 In him do centre, and unite. 
 
 The great perfections of a God, 
 
 Which blaze in luftre a!S abroad, 
 
 His work and purpofe, do proclaim 
 
 The glory of the Saviour's name. 
 
 In ftrength, invincible he reigns, 
 
 And his dear chofen flock fullains • 
 
 Aad all the havock fin hath made, 
 
 Cm never his high throne pervade. 
 
 He faves from fin's profound a by f$, 
 
 And will from death lift famts releafe j 
 
 Bkffings 
 
ic4 EVANGELIC POETRY* 
 
 Bitflings on them will.more abound, 
 Than thofe which were in Eden found*' 
 Al! rarthly things are vanity, 
 When they with Chrift compared be % 
 The weight of glory in him known* 
 Can wdgh the vafS: creation down. 
 A s he doth o'er creation reign* 
 DefpotiG power he doth maintain j 
 And in the Mediator's place, 
 He (hows his power in faving graces 
 The faving power he doth aflame, 
 Will fix the haughty finner's doom ; 
 While it doth humble fouls advance, 
 It on the proud will wrath difpenfe. 
 The power of his almighty voice, 
 Will break the grave's devouring jaws ; 
 That voice which rends the linnet's heart, 
 And makes him for his folly (mart; 
 That power which in Chrift's voice is greats- 
 Is to his faints divinely fweet ; 
 By art divine they know his voice, 
 Which proves he truly is their choice. 
 Chria's nature is all purity, 
 And in fuperiative degree ; 
 Thofe rays which fnow created light, 
 Are fnades and darknefs in his fight, 
 Creatures, who gifts of reafon (hare, 
 Confcious how weak their natures -are, 
 Confcious of folly, they proclaim 
 Their nothingntfs compared with him. 
 
 Jejut 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. 105 
 
 Jefus is wife, and can therefore, 
 The depth of every fin explore ; 
 He furely will inveftigate 
 The heart which loves and hidss deceit.' 
 In ev'ry inftance he can tell 
 The counfel of his Father's will, 
 And by his works, he doth declare 
 The fcenek which have exiftence there; 
 He, by the weapons of his word 
 Subdues, as by a flaming fword % 
 His foes will by his word fubmir, 
 In free fubje&ion at his feet. 
 When he commands the heart to yield, 
 He gains the conqueft o'er the field ; 
 Hearts to him turn, or elfe they know 
 His vengeance in their overthrow. 
 The viAories of his holy hand, 
 Which all his foes cannot withftanct,' 
 He doth with facred triumph fpread 
 To bruifeand crufli the forpent's head; 
 He over death a conqu'ror rofe, 
 And lee how wide his kingdom grows $ 
 The gofpel gives the joyful found, 
 That Jefus reigns, in glory crGwn'd ; 
 With willing mind did thoufands hear, 
 What the true gofpel doth declare : 
 He told his fervants — he did fend— 
 HfcM with them be, till time fhould ends 
 He in the truth is with them ftill, 
 And the fweet pronife will fulfil, 
 
 O 
 
 And 
 
io6 EVANGELIC POETRY^ 
 
 And bleflings on the people pour, 
 
 Till nations do his grace adore; 
 
 The gafpel makes' that Jefus known, 
 
 Who cuts the pride of princes down 5 
 
 'Till men their tribute to him bring, 
 
 Who is the great eternal King. 
 
 From everkftingwe him find, 
 
 Set up in the eternal mind ; 
 
 He will remain in glory crowned, 
 
 When years have gone their endlefs round j 
 
 And while loft finners muft fuftain 
 
 The punifhment of endiefs pain, 
 
 Triumph, and honour, him attend, 
 
 When all fix'd periods have their end* 
 
 the ANSWER to Part iv. 
 Or, the Way of Salvation from Sin, through the 
 Merits of Chrifi. 
 
 The Son of God will undertake. 
 
 And full atonement for us make \ 
 
 And will a Mediator be, 
 
 In whom all parties may agree. 
 
 Effentiaily, he is divine; 
 
 None can his right to Heav'n allign $ 
 
 His band the great creation made \ 
 
 His natural right is not confer'd $ 
 
 But facred truth gives us to fee 
 
 A foul-confirming rniftery, 
 
 That he the woman's feed did make, 
 
 That he the ferpeni** head might break. 
 
 He 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. 107 
 
 He fliows the world his Father's love, 
 
 Who fent him from the feats above, 
 
 Our nature with his own to join, 
 
 And ftill his perfon be divine : 
 
 He comes, to (Jiake the tempter's throne, 
 
 And caft the prince of darknefs down, 
 
 And fhow thofe works are falfe and vain, 
 
 Which fatan would by lies maintain. 
 
 He is to right'oufnefs a friend, 
 
 And juftly will the caufe attend, 
 
 Between the law, and finful man, 
 
 Which party may of wrong complain : 
 
 Now if the law is too fevere, 
 
 In what it doth of man require, 
 
 The Mediator will not view 
 
 It perfect, holy, juft, and true.' 
 
 See, he performs a Saviour's part; 
 
 With this law written in his heart 5 
 
 He did that right'oufncis fulfil, 
 
 In which he pieas'd his Father well ; 
 
 Though he from every fin was pure, 
 
 He dreadful fufferings did endure 1 
 
 When powVs of darknefs were the fword 
 
 To fmite the fellow of the Lord, 
 
 As he our nature did afiume, 
 
 Such loads of grief could on him come. 
 
 Though he cquld be no child of wrath, 
 
 When fmitten in the arms of death. 
 
 With mighty cries and tears he prayM, 
 
 And he was by his Father heard $ 
 
 And 
 
?g5 evangelic poetry, 
 
 And had the bkfTings he did plead, 
 
 From death by dying to be freed. 
 
 He fuffer'd as a righteous one, 
 
 For guilt and fins which w e h^d done t 
 
 He was a facrifice to God, 
 
 In his divine, atoning blood : 
 
 The life hp gave, fie took again, 
 
 And oiade the way of life mod plain ; 
 
 Full proof he of his Son fhip gave, 
 
 By riling, vidlor, o'er the grave ; 
 
 Death, which in rage had ridden long. 
 
 Hath now its gates wide open flung j ' 
 
 More than its equal, now is found, 
 
 In him who rifes to be crown'd. 
 
 He who obey'dj $nd died, and rofe, 
 
 Great honour on the law beftows ° 3 
 
 At God's right handj he has a place, 
 
 By law-fulfiiling righteoufnefs. 
 
 He by his blood doth intercede* 
 
 That blood by which he left the dead y 
 
 Though he hath gone thro* Heav'ns high 
 
 S:iS^ as a priefl: he mediates. f gates^ 
 
 Complete atonement he makes known ; 
 
 Peace flows to man, through hioi alone: 
 
 Now in a free and glorious way, 
 
 God can forgiving grace difplay 
 
 Now finners may be juftified, 
 
 By faith in him, who freely died ; 
 
 >Jow in the ^reat Redeemer's face* 
 
 The gofpel ihows the kindeft garce'. 
 
 In 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY, 109 
 
 Jn this falvation, rich and free, 
 The vileft (inner fav'd may be 5 
 They now invited are, to come, 
 For at the gofpel feaft is room. 
 Sinners, who love their finful ways, 
 Hate all this grace, which God difplays, 
 And flight the Saviour's work divine, 
 In whom his Father's love doth fftine. 
 Thofe who falvation do efteem, 
 Will make the gofpel grace their theme : 
 God's glory in this grace they view, 
 And they gdoiire its beauties too. 
 Now God is glorified, they fee $ 
 His grace and juftice will agree s 
 In feliowfhip with him they fing. 
 The glory of their gracious King. 
 His Son, his glory doth unfold, 
 Whom they by faith with joy behold ; 
 Here they their faich on him employ, 
 Which brings them glorified joy. 
 Above, where Jefus reigns on high, 
 With angels they can pleafure vie; 
 Redeemed from chains of black defpair, 
 They fing immortal glory there. 
 That joy cannot by tongues be told, 
 Which they will tafte, when they behold 
 The beauties of the Saviour's face, 
 In brighteft rays of glorious grace 5 
 They fhall in his bleft image fiiine, 
 And breathe the air of love divine 5 
 
 la 
 
fid EVANGELIC POETRf i 
 
 In love and praife they will unite 
 
 In glory cf eternal light | 
 
 Their fongs of adoration fweet, 
 
 Will all in the Redeemer meet t 
 
 "Glory unto the Father's love, 
 
 Who fent falvation from above, 
 
 In the dear perfon of the Son, 
 
 Who from the Father was made known i 
 
 Glory unto the Son be paid, 
 
 Who took our nature, and dbey'd 
 
 His Father's great and high decree* 
 
 That he fhouki Mediator be : 
 
 To praife the Holy Ghoft, we join j 
 
 We felr, we feel, his power divine. 
 
 Who did apply the jay of peace, 
 
 Before we reach'd immortal blife. 
 
 P A R T IX. 
 
 Particular TEXTS, and devout EX- 
 ERCISES, ILLUSTRATED. 
 
 Text i. God created the Heavens and the 
 Earth. Gen. i, i. 
 
 CHAOS* a rude, eonfufed mafs, 
 The offspring of creating power ; 
 
 The fcenes which nature's vifage grace, 
 The verdant -mead, the foiling flower, 
 
 The 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY; m 
 
 The rifing hills, the finking plains, 
 The fleeting clouds, and vaulted fky, 
 
 Sun, moon, and ftars, with all chcir trains,' 
 Did blended in confufion lie, 
 
 *Twas work of the eternal mind, 
 
 Inteftine tumults to compofe j 
 The elements in order find, 
 
 And every breach of nature clofe^ 
 
 The fire, affign'd to diftant Iky ; 
 
 The air 9 a {fumes a fecond place ; 
 Beneath, the ma(Ty earth muft lie, 
 
 Which water folds in coldetnbrace. 1 
 
 Great God ! what wonders of thy Ikill, 
 Doth thy almighty hand tffc£fc ? 
 
 Parts which compofe this fpacious ball 
 Speak thee a wond'rous architect. 
 
 Thy hand the fpacious Heavens did framed 
 The glorious ftrudture of the Iky ; 
 
 Angels adore thy holy name; 
 
 Beneath thy feet their crowns do lie. 
 
 Text it f O the Depth ! Romans xi. 33: 
 
 Wonders will urge the thoughts of 
 Yet fcarcely dare believe; [man. 
 
 That God can miracles unfold, 
 Is truth we muft receive. 
 
 Wonders in God all round appear, 
 In what his hands difplay 1 * 
 
 Admit 
 
It 1 2 EVANGELIC POETRY* 
 
 Admit there is a God, and then 
 Our doubts will fly away. 
 
 Thecaufe of all things without caufe,' 
 Makes other wonders ceafe; 
 
 Nothing too hard for him to do. 
 His own works do him pleafe; 
 
 His will a rule, no other law 
 Need be difplay'd to view, 
 
 To teach the righteoufnefs which we 
 Muft every day purfue* 
 
 What's marvelous, God 6otk reveal^ 
 
 , Fie (hews himfelf therein, 
 Which if we leek to comprehend, 
 The vain attempt is fin. 
 
 Reafon is weak, and God is great* 
 
 Faith is our Tweet repofe ; 
 Reafon difputes herfetf away, 
 
 If faith fhe will not ufe. 
 
 What makes- us wonder, muft be true* 
 
 Or greater wonders rile ; 
 We muft believe what God reveals, 
 
 Or own rnyftenous lies. 
 
 Text hi. The Earth mcurnetL Isa xxxm, 9. 
 
 Sorrow o'er nature's face is f pre ad, 
 Szt all her ancient grandeur dead, 
 Her defolatior; like a flood, 
 Proclaims a great, a dreadful God r 
 
 la 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. iii 
 
 In Lebanon the cedar mourns. 
 And Sharon to a defart turn?, 
 Nor CurmeFs fiow'ry, fruitful plain; 
 Shall cheer the fpreading fold again. 
 
 In thunder the Almighty cries, 
 My power and vengeance lhall arife ; 
 Lo ! valleys* tremble, mountains nod, % . 
 And earth will own an angry God. 
 
 Like chaff and fiubble are your fchemes, 
 Which you expofe to burning flames j 
 If our breach ftiall fet the pile on fire, 
 'And all your fubtle plans expire. 
 
 Your hoil into the furnace caft, 
 Like Jime fhail burn, like fmoke fhall wafte. 
 And like dry thorns your honours blaze, 
 And nations on your ruin 
 
 What I have done, ye people, hear : 
 Ye fons of men, my judgments fear s 
 The finner hangs his guilty head, 
 And hypocrites try prefence dread. 
 
 Wretches in horror and fur^rife, 
 Send forth their felf tormenting cries. 1 
 Who with devouring fire can dwell ? 
 Or burn in an eternal hell ? 
 
 Text iv. The Beloved. Eph. i. 6, 
 
 HOW great is the Redeemer** worth, 
 Who fees his Father's glory forth, 
 
 P Whea 
 
ii4 EVANGELIC POETRY; 
 
 When it appears that he alone, 
 Can for the fins of rrien atone ? 
 
 That God is good, none can difpute^ 
 He only is fo abfolute j 
 Creatures, as fucb^ can only find 
 Relation in the fupreme mind. x 
 
 Perfe&ion muft be in the plan, 
 Not wrought by angels, nor by man i 
 For fin and weaknefs do difgarce . 
 The angels, and the human race. 
 
 The Father knows, the Son he loves, 
 To love divine an equal proves; 
 His works with glory crowned are, 
 As in and for him they appear. 
 
 Infinite wifdom, power and grace, 
 Shines in and by the Saviour's face 5 
 He who the Father's image bears, 
 Centre of love, which God declares* 
 
 O glorious fcene ! here love doth fliine 
 Love infinite, is love divine; • 
 Infinite love in God we view, 
 God infinitely lov'd alfo. 
 
 The Father's love unto the Son, 
 From God, to God, doth kindly run | 
 The God- man, Chrift, the glorious way^ 
 Which doth to us this love difplay. 
 
 On high, the great Redeemer reigns, 
 His chara&er he ft ill fuftains ; 
 
 How 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. 115 
 
 How rich and pleafing is that love, 
 Which doth a conftanc fountain prove I 
 
 Text v. Corns down. Luke xix 5: 
 
 Wr FH kind and condescending grace, 
 The precious Saviour qomes ; 
 
 Glory adorns his facred face, 
 And peace his tongue affumes.' 
 
 t' Come downy Zaccheus^ from the tree. 
 
 Salvation now, I bring y 
 If you the good of it would fee, 
 
 Receive me as your King. 
 
 If you my prefence would enjoy* 
 No more attempt to climb 5 
 
 For haughtinefs will peace dcftroy 1 
 Be lpwly* and fublime. 
 
 This day unto your houfe, I will 
 
 A joyful vifit make ; 
 There I will news of pardon tell; 
 
 Salvation there partake/! 
 
 Zaccheus wifely did obey, 
 
 And found the Saviour true j 
 
 My foul, believe what Chrift doth iky; 
 And tafte fai vat ion too. 
 
 XfXT VI, 
 
nS EVANGELIC POETRY. 
 
 ,Text vi. Te wor/hipy ye know not what, 
 
 JcHN IV. 22, 
 
 How great, dear God, thy glory fhines. 
 In what thy works and word declare S 
 
 Thy character in faireft lines, 
 
 Difplay how rich thy beauties are* 
 
 Thy wondVous and all feeing eye, 
 Beholds the works we mortals do; 
 
 All things before thee naked lie, 
 
 Oae look from thee can fcan us 'through. 
 
 But yet, regardlefs of the fear, 
 Thy facred worflhip men profane \ 
 
 With lying lips, to thee draw near, 
 With hearts exploring objeds vain. 
 
 Their waad'ring thoughts do trifles chafe % 
 Their barren fouls the winds purfue $ 
 
 Nor feek, nor love they pardoning grace. 
 Nor thee* nor thy true worlhip know. 
 
 Although thy facred beauties fhine 
 All round them in their various ways, 
 
 Thy dear profusions, all divine, 
 Excite their anger, not their praife. 
 
 If in their woifliip here below. 
 
 Where all thy ways are truth and love ? 
 Men treat thy welcome vifitsfo, 
 
 They cannot worihip thee above. 
 
 In all my roving, and my rejl % 
 
 My thoughts of thes pojfejs my breajl 1 
 
 Let 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. 
 
 £*et no temptation me infnare ; 
 Can I dare Jtn 3 when God is there ? 
 
 Text vii. I will give thee Reji. 
 J Exodus xkxul 14. 
 
 In all our various ways below* 
 
 And all concerns we have, 
 Let us in God that reft purfue 
 
 Which he to Mof&s gave. 
 
 God prom i fed to the meek faint, 
 
 His prefence for a reft ; 
 When God doth fuch a blefling grant, 
 
 The loul in him is bleft. 
 
 May we that bleffed favour feek % 
 
 Alone in God 'tis found ; 
 This good we freely all may take, 
 
 And have true joy abound. 
 
 Now while we through this defart rove, 
 
 And many trials bear, 
 May jhe kind angel of God's love 
 
 Keep us from every fnare. 
 
 Towards the heav'nly Can*an*s reft 
 
 Let all our journey be 5 
 ^Xay love to Jefus fare each breaft, 
 
 While we from Egypt flee. 
 
 Though in our way, the ferpent's fling 
 
 We very often feel ; 
 The balm in Chrift will comfort bring, 
 
 And all our bruifes heal. 
 
nS EVANGELIC POETRY; 
 
 Text viii. Before all the People I will he 
 glorified. Levit. x. 3. 
 
 When God himfelf did manifeft 
 Unto the people of his choice \ 
 
 ^When often he to them expreft 
 The thunder of his mighty voice : 
 
 t When he in matchlefs glory rode ; 
 
 Ifraef, his people, then did fee, 
 That he, a fin avenging God, 
 
 Would by them glorified be. 
 
 When Aaron's fons profanely dare 
 To jealoufy the Lord provoke, 
 
 k They with their offering brought flrange 
 By fire they had a fatal ftroke. [fire, 
 
 God will get glory to his name, 
 By thofe who hate him, and rebel % 
 
 He flaming juftice will proclaim 
 In fending fianers down to helL 
 
 May we, in love, and humble fear, 
 Ourftlves but duft and alhes own * 9 
 
 By faith in Chrift alone, draw near, 
 To bow before his awful throne. 
 
 ,Text ix. He taught the Men of Succotk. 
 Judges viii. 16. 
 
 When men, by unbelief, difdain 
 The Lord of life to entertain 
 Nor for his caule and kingdom care, 
 Put for the world and felf appear : 
 
 They, 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. iijj 
 
 They, as the men of Succoth faid, 
 To Gideon, when he fought their aid* 
 * f Do you, your enemies poficfs, 
 That we fliould help you in deftrcfs ?" 
 
 But Gideon foon did let them know, 
 What they muft feel, who treat him fo$ 
 And taught them with the briVs and thorny 
 A recompence for all their fcorns. 
 
 Thus Chrift will to proud finners do*' 
 Who in the way of (corners go* 
 He will their haughtinefs requite, 
 Who his rich grace and kingdom flighty 
 
 Chrift can his kingdom well fecure, 
 Without the help of human power; 
 But thofe who will his caufe defpife, 
 Muft find his wrath againft them rife. 1 
 
 Text x. Chrift 4 died for us. Rgm. y. 8 # 
 
 MAY floods of tears fill and furprife 
 Our dry and unaffVfted eyes, 
 
 For him whom our hard hearts did wound, 
 Whom w$ in fcorn did fpit upon, 
 Who for the deeds which we had done, 
 ^ Hath by his blood aranfixn found. 
 His dying, gentle hands we fee 
 NaiPd to the crofs, that curftd tree : 
 
 Alas I our fins, what have they done \ 
 Which on the bleeding Saviour lay, 
 And made him groan his life away % 
 
 That he might for our fins atone. 
 
 Cart 
 
120 EVANGELIC F^OETRY^ 
 
 Can e'er our hearts or eyes forbear 
 A humble groan, a melting tear, 
 
 A tribute to the Saviour's pains ? 
 -Who for our crimes has bled and died J 
 Jejus ! we need no name befide 9 
 
 To fave our fouls from endlefs chainS; 
 
 From death, in all its horrid forms, 
 Nothing could fave us, dying wormSjj 
 
 But his deaf life, a rich expence : 
 And now our hearts he doth require,; 
 To make his love our true defire, 
 
 And give for faith, the joy of fenfc 
 
 Such a dear friend was never known, 
 Such love, by man^ was never flsown* 
 
 While we were rebels to our God, 
 He came, our guilty fouls to fave, 
 And as a ranfom for us, gave 
 
 The merits of his precious blood*' 
 
 T ext xi. BleJJed are ye that hunger* 
 Luke vi. 21. 
 
 Blessed, are they whole hearts afpire 
 To joy "on high, their chief defire ; 
 Whole' thirfty fouls would now be fed 
 With heavenly ftreams, and heavenly bread 
 
 When ftreams of worldly comforts fail, 
 In God they may with plea fu re dwell 1 
 His grace affords a large fupply, 
 A fountain full, is always nigh, 
 
 While 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY* Hi 
 
 "W^ile oiheri from the world would gee 
 Their peace, where fin and forrow meet, 
 The foul which craves immortal food. 
 Shall have a fulnefs oF all good. 
 
 Text xii. Madnefs is in their Hearth 
 EccL, ix. 3. 
 
 are thofe men, where are they 
 Who fought for pkafure here below, [now. 
 And vainly fperit their thoughts and care, 
 To gain pofikflions to them here ? 
 
 Can they upon the ftage be founds 
 With earthly wealth and plcafore crown'd ? 
 Could they, with mirth and riches brave, 
 Obtain a raniom from the^rave ? 
 
 Once they their hearts did proudly cheer; 
 Their haughty eyes difdainM a tear ; 
 This world did once their hearts inflame ; 
 They thought the ways of God a fhame. 
 
 They now have made unwilling flight, 
 From fcenes which once were their delight ; 
 They took unwilling, long farewell, 
 And now in endlefs daikhefs dwell. 
 
 While worms their bodies will devour, 
 Their fouls a dreadful fcene explore, 
 Confciqua of guilt, and vegeance too, 
 In chairs of everlafting woe* 
 
 But 
 
122 EVANGELIC FOETRt. 
 
 But when the flefh muft leave the grave; 
 Unwelcome union it muft have 
 Unto the foul, with it to take, 
 The torments of the burning lake. 
 
 Text xin. Wretched Man that I am. 
 Romans vii. 24, 
 
 How often doth my foul, 
 From thee, my Lord, decline ? 
 
 How oft forget my facred bond, 
 To be iatirely thine ? 
 
 Oft may my Lord complain, 
 
 That I unliable prove, 
 And from him fadly go aftray, 
 
 Who is my chiefeft love. 
 
 How weak the Meih, to (land 
 
 The bold and fubtle foe ! 
 How dangerous thofe temptations are* 
 
 Which leek my overthrow ! 
 
 Alas ! the daily grief 
 
 I on my foul do load ! 
 How feeble all my poor efforts. 
 
 To keep the heavenly road ! 
 
 Afford thy help, my Lord, 
 And keep me near thy face ; 
 
 Then fhall my lips found forth thy praife, 
 And fing redeeming grace, 
 
 What triumph grace difplays* 
 In its own worthinefs* 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. 123 
 
 By leading fouls through fcenes bdow, 
 To the bright realms of blifs ! 
 
 Text xiv. Thine Eyes (hall fee the King. 
 Isaiah xxxnr. 17. 
 
 Christ is a Saviour moft complete. 
 The richeft beauties in him meet, 
 His face, his ways, exceeding fair, 
 No beauty can with him compare. 
 
 Titles by which the angels high, 
 Each other do in praifes vie, 
 Are not too glorious to exprefs 
 The honour which he doth pofifefs. 1 
 
 Saints fee the beauty of their King, 
 And of his light and glory fing •, 
 While humbly they his grace adore,' 
 They do abhor theirfelves the more. 
 
 Chrift's beauty in his word doth Alice,' 
 With rad'ant beams and charms divine \ 
 Majeftic and attra&ive love, 
 He fhows in paradife above. 
 
 Could I with kings in greatnefs vie, 
 Thofe fcenes cannot my wants fupply 5 
 But if in Chrift I have a part, 
 He truly can delight my heart. 
 
 Text xv. 
 
124 EVANGELIC POETRY. 
 
 .Text xv. He thai hath the Son, hath Life. 
 i John, v. 12. 
 
 THOSE who, by faith, an hu'reft have 
 
 In God's eternal Son, 
 May hope for life beyond the grave, 
 
 And joys which are unknown, 
 
 Since they have him, they mull have life, 
 
 If life in him dcth dwell ; 
 In troubles here, their fouls are fafe 
 
 From fib, and fears of hell. 
 
 A nobler pris» poor man can't need, 
 
 Nor the great God beftow ; 
 Chrift to the foul is living bread, 
 
 And life immortal tcq. 
 
 All thofe who. in him have no parr, 
 
 Children of death remain 
 To him they will not give the heart 
 
 Expo&'d to dcathlefs pain. 
 
 Since Chrift is offered, and made known. 
 
 Come, and by faith embrace 
 The belt of offers, Gad's dear Son, 
 
 Now in the day of grace. 
 
 Delays are made without excufe, 
 While Chrift is not made furc % 
 
 And thofe who do his grace abufe* 
 His anger muft endure. 
 
 Text xvi. 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. 
 
 Ti: xt xvi. Bkjfed is the Man that trujieib 
 in the Lord. JlR. xvii y. 
 
 ^Blessings divine fhaii on him flow, 
 
 Who makes the Lord his only ftay • 
 In God he hopes while here below * 
 On him he rolls from day to day. 
 
 Tie like a tree (hall flourifli fair, 
 Which by nfrt fhing water ftands, 
 
 By which Her boughs fuppl.ied are, 
 While to the ftream her root extends 
 
 In times of drought he fhail be green, 
 * Nor fhail his root by heat decay ; 
 In barren times his fruit is fgen> 
 Nor fhall his feet in darknefs firay. 
 
 Chrift like a fountain will afford 
 
 His grace to thofe who on him truft ; 
 
 The boundlefs mercy of the Lord, 
 Shall well fupply and fave the juft. 
 
 Text xvii All the Days of my appointed 
 Time mil I waif, till my Change come. 
 Job xiv. 14. 
 
 J WAIT my great appointed change. 
 
 For death I know will come, 
 And all my a&ive pow'r unhinge, 
 
 And bring me to the tomb. 
 This change is fure, of vaiti concern; 
 
 None can too well prepare, 
 
 To 
 
126 EVANGELIC POETRY. 
 
 To meet the king of terrors, when 
 His furnmons we (hall 'hear. 
 
 Life, when 'tis pafc, no more can give 
 
 Supply frcm any ftore 
 Then may I heav'nly comfort have, 
 
 In life for evermore. 
 That God, who is my portion now a 
 
 1$ life beyond the grave : 
 Should death me call frcm things below 
 
 Still I may comfort have. 
 
 Text xvnr. Lo ! I come ! Psal. xl. 
 
 What bowels of eternal love 
 Did in the great Redeemer roll, 
 
 When he on a kind meflage came ? 
 See the compaffion of his foul ! 
 
 He comes ! the only Saviour comes, 
 To do a wo» k of vaft concern 
 
 An earthly body he affumes, 
 And puts a fervam's likenefs on. 
 
 The law he cheerfully obey'd, 
 
 And did its great demands fulfil j 
 
 (In form the law at Sinai had) 
 In love did do his F&thei's will. 
 
 Since Chrift fo willingly has come, 
 We from him rouft not turn away 5 
 
 We in our hearts muft give him room, 
 And cheerfully his will obey, 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. 127 
 
 Can we his lovelinefs deny, 
 
 Who is replete with truth and grace ? 
 Moft glorious in his Father's eye, 
 
 Shines the bright luftre of his face. 
 
 Tjext xix. / will publijb ths Name of the 
 Lord. Deut. xxxii, 3, 
 
 To God's great name be praife, 
 
 For all his bleffings fiiown^ 
 Let us adore his wond'rous ways, 
 
 While we his goodnefs own. 
 
 His hand is always kind ; 
 
 His power is always great ; 
 His favours we do aways find, 
 
 In this our feeble ft ate. 
 
 When he his name difpiays, 
 
 By wond'rous ads cf grace, 
 May we have hearts to praife always 
 
 And tafte the joy of peace. 
 
 How great his boundlefs love, 
 
 Which Ihows hrs holy name ! 
 May all his works incentives prove, 
 
 To celebrate his fame. 
 
 Text xx. / will not turn away from them 
 to do thtm good. Jer. xxxii, 40. 
 
 JVIOST kind and good doth God appear, 1 
 In the rich ccvVant of his grace; 
 
 He 
 
**8 EVANGELIC POETRY; 
 
 He hath made large provifion there* 
 To help his faints in ev 5 ry cafe. 
 
 He doth to them in love impart 
 His everlafting bleffings fure$ 
 
 And the kind pity of his heart . 
 Towards them, ever doth endure. 
 
 In^'them his fear he doth implant ; 
 
 They on his word with j;>y attend ; 
 In all their ways, a&d every want, 
 
 They truft their kind, immortal friend, 
 
 Their fouls are well fecm'd from ill, 
 Supported by redeeming love; 
 
 Although in trouble here they dwell, 
 True joy remains for them above. 
 
 How glorious are God's ways of grace, 
 Which all his chofen faints approve! 
 
 Becaufehe is their God always, 
 
 They walk with him in fear and love. 
 
 Text xxi Behold the King comet L 
 Zech. ix. 9. / 
 
 BEHOLD the King of Zwn comes ! 
 
 A glorious King is he ! 
 By character which he affumes, 
 
 He mud the Saviour be. 
 
 He comes, to fave his church from fin, 
 And make his gofpel known; 
 
 And the falvation which he bring?, 
 Let Zion's daughters own. 
 
 He 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. 129 
 
 trig is in this falvation juft, 
 
 In lowlinefs dcth (hine; 
 In him may all his people trufl: % 
 
 He is a Kinj> divine. 
 
 His blood a fure foundation lays 
 
 For Ziotis true it joy j 
 May a! i his fcrvansa in his praife* 
 
 Their cheerful tongues employe 
 
 When he upon a cok did ride, 
 
 Hof annas him attend; 
 And now in Heaven he doth abided 
 
 Where praifes never end. 
 
 Text xxii. Life is in his Sofa 
 1 John t , v. 2. 
 
 What foul- reviving new*, to hear> 
 That life is in the Son of God ; 
 
 That we from death may freedom have* 
 By the atonement of his blood ! 
 
 This truth may cheer each drooping mincV 
 That life is in God's blefled Son ; 
 
 Thofe who a portion in him find. 
 May have enough to live upon* 
 
 Hc„ who can fay that Chrift is his* 
 Cannot a richer word eicprds ; 
 
 Saints, by his life, are heirs of blife,' 
 Of endkfs life, and righteoufnefs. 
 
 May we receive life in the Son 1 
 By faith, life in his bleffings Jthare 5 
 
 R And 
 
1 3 o EVANGELIC POETRY; 
 
 And have our hearts whh him above," 
 And live devoted to him here. 
 
 Tzxt xxm. Hearetb^ and doeth: Hearetb, 
 and dceth not* Luk.2 vi. 47, 49. 
 
 X~Ie who hears Chrift in faith and love, 
 
 Like one who builds ftcure, 
 Shall find his building ftedfaft prove* 
 
 When floods again ft it roar. 
 
 When troubles like a temped rife, 
 
 His hopes are fix'd upon ; 
 The Lord his rock a refuge is, 
 
 A tried corner ftone. 
 
 But he who hears the gofpel found, 
 
 And doth not underftand, 
 Is like the man who fceks to found 
 
 Hi3 building on thefand. 
 
 And when the floods againft it rife, 
 
 It cannct ftand at all ; 
 The rapid (beam comes with furprife, 
 
 And it muft furely fall. 
 
 Thus hypocrites away will fade, 
 
 Who make a fpeqous fliow ; 
 Thofe trials, which true laints abide, 
 
 Will linnets overthrow. 
 
 Text xxiv. 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. 151 
 
 Text xxiv. Fear not^ link Fock. 
 Luke xii. 23. 
 
 HAPPY the (lock, which Jefus owns ; 
 tils blood for all cheir guile atones 5 
 In all their dangtr, he is nigh 5 
 His grace will all their wants iupply; 
 Chrift is a Shepherd, good and kind ; 
 Compafiioa moves his facred mind - 9 
 His people's comforts in him are ^ 
 His little flock is fafe from fear. 
 
 God's children have the beft of friends 5 
 His wealth beyond their thoughts extends % 
 Chrift, of his flock takes lpecial care ; 
 Though they are fmallj they need not fear. 
 
 As pity moves a father's breaft, 
 To give his fufPring children reft, 
 Chrift, by his ftrong and mighty arm. 
 Will well fecure his flock from harm* 
 
 God, in his gracious cov'nanr, grants 
 An heavenly kingdom to his faints & 
 The flock of Chrift is moft fecure, 
 Prote&ed by almighty power. 
 
 When ftorrnSj the Church of God invade, 
 Chrift warm her, not ro be afraid ; 
 God will his children free from grief, 
 And to Chrift's flock will fend relief. 
 
 Text xxt: 
 
132 EVANGELIC POETRY. 
 
 Text exv. To tbem gave he Fewer (o £$. 
 come the Sens of Gcd. John i. i 2. 
 
 THOSE who, by faith, the Lord embrace, 
 
 Have bleffings in the word | 
 To be partakers of free grace*. 
 
 The chofen Sons of God. 
 
 Thofe who, in heart, truly believe 
 
 On Chrift's exalted ntf&e^ 
 His glorious benefits receive. 
 
 His offices cfteea). 
 
 Great is their happinefs, who come 
 
 To God with filial fear, 
 As children in and through his Sen, 
 
 Do unto him draw nt ar. 
 
 The tokens of God's fpecial grace, 
 
 Unto his tons are giv'n ; 
 He guides them here in his good ways, 
 
 And makes them bleft in Heav'n ! 
 
 Eternal life is their reward, 
 
 Who truly Chrifi receive 
 They who receive bim as their Lard, 
 
 All bleffings in him have. 
 
 Text xxvj. BeperfebJ. 2 Cor, xiii. 11* 
 
 If we would tsfte the joys above, 
 
 Which God dcih on his faints bellow 1 
 
 We to perfedicn molt afpjre, 
 Though not attained hue bdow. 
 
 The 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. 133 
 
 The more we are conformM to God, 
 The greater happinefs we find ; 
 
 Complete obedience is true blifs, 
 Known only by a pcrfedt mind. 
 
 Truly, that muft be peace indeed, 
 
 Which from the God of peace doth come; 
 
 lie to his faints an earned gives 
 Of their eternal, blefled home. 
 
 O may the God of peace beftow 
 On us, the prefence of his grace ! 
 
 And while we fojourn here below, 
 May we enjoy his (miling face. 
 
 TfiXT xxvii. And make our Abode with him* 
 John xiv\ 23, 
 
 Jesus is altogether fair ; 
 His grace moft glorious doth appear, 
 To all whofe hearts, by love, do know 
 The beauties which his graces fhow. 
 
 The Prince of life at God's right hand, 
 An interceding Prieft doth ftand % 
 While faints by faith and vifion fing 
 The honours which proclaim him King. 
 
 Such is his condefcending grace, 
 That faints below may fee his face ; 
 To thofe who truly him obey, 
 He will his friendly light difplay. 
 
 Come, let us own him as our king ; 
 To him our willing homage bring ; 
 
 Truly, 
 
i34 EVANGELIC POETRY; 
 
 Truly, he worthily can claim 
 Our nobleft powers, to fpread his fame. 
 Behold and love, believe, admire j 
 <Let thoughts of him, our zeal infpire $ 
 Efteem his beauty, always eye 
 Eternal things above the fky. 
 
 Tixt xxviii. Behold^ here at® i* 
 2 Sam. xy, 26. 
 
 Our fovereign God let us adore 2 
 Who wifely executes his will y 
 
 May we, created by his power, 
 Our obligations to him feel. 
 
 [Though he rejeft us with a frown. 
 And for our fins his help deny ; 
 
 He has a right, we all muft own, 
 To aft, as feems good in his eye* 
 
 Thus David, when with danger preft, 
 
 To God did quietly refign j 
 Content to be with grief oppreft, 
 
 And not againft his God repine. 
 
 ;The language of his pious foul, 
 Spake the fubmiflion of a child, 
 
 ?'My Father's will PH not control, 
 But to his pleafure gladly yield. 
 
 Although he fhould me difregard, 
 
 And tread me down into the duft, 
 Jiis hand by me fhail be ador'J ; 
 rod I own entirely fa0t 
 
 May 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. 15$ 
 
 W. ay we be glad and humble too, 
 For all the dealings of God's hand ; 
 
 He resgns fupreme ; lhall we not bow 
 To him, whom none may dare withftand ? 
 
 Text xx ix. / waited patiently for the Lord. 
 
 PSAL, XL. I. 
 
 Behold the great Redeemer waits, 
 With patience on his Father's will, 
 
 In full obedience to perform 
 
 A work, which did the law fulfil. 
 
 His Father to him lends an ear, 
 And hears the crying of his Son, 
 
 And did with fpecial notice view, 
 The fpecial trials by him borne. 
 
 Though in the horrid pit he lay, 
 Yet from the grave was he reftot'd y 
 
 He who was funk in miry clay, 
 Is now advanced a glorious Lord. 
 
 And in his mouth, once fmitten mouthy 
 A fong is put with triumph new ; 
 
 A fong which doth God's love fet fourth^ 
 In the dear Saviour brought to view. 
 
 Many, thofe wonders (hall behold, 
 And freely own the Lord us great > 
 
 i^nd fear and truft bis holy name, 
 And to the Lamb with joy fubmic; 
 
 Text xx$ 
 
i$6 EVANGELIC POETRY; 
 
 Tjext xxx. He hath put a new Seng in w) 
 Mouth % Psal. xju. 3. 
 
 I WAITED with a pacientmind, 
 Saith Chrift, *till God his ear inclined* 
 
 And heard my bitter groans and cries * 
 While grief, and anguifh, fear, and pains, 
 A.ndfweat like blood pour*d from my vaitts § 
 
 Coofpire to make my forrows rife. 
 
 'Twas then in miry clay I flood, 
 Softaining the amazing load, 
 
 Of piercing grief, while cruel foes* 
 Inflead of pity, did impart 
 Their rage, to fink my bleeding heart 
 
 Deep in the horrid pit of woes. 
 
 The pit where death and darknefs reign, 
 To hold me faft attempts in vain, 
 
 When God's almighty power was there* 
 To fpoii the triumph death had made, 
 And me advance, and crown my head, 
 
 That new fongs might his praifc declare. 
 
 Many the wonders (hall behold, 
 Which God doth by his grace unfold - y 
 
 And learn to fear, and truit his names 
 They thro* the great Redeemer's blocd, 
 Obtain forgiving grace of God ; 
 
 And do his boundkfs love proclaim. 
 
 Text xxxr; 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY: ijf. 
 
 Text xxxi. Many ate the Afflitliom of \ht 
 Righteous. Psal. xxxiv. 19. 
 
 SAINTS may have great afflidions here; 
 Which may be long and prove fevere ; 
 By troubles of the flefh and mind, 
 Tempstt'ous billows they may find. 
 
 When fins, and fears, give them, furp.rife, 
 And God ftems to xtydi their cries; 
 When weak, and h^lpiefs, they rnuft ftand^ 
 Combatants with an heUifh band : 
 
 Great is their grief, their fears are great* 
 In tears they mourn, difconfolate ; 
 Their fouls in fadnefs are cafl: down, 
 Beneath their heavenly Father's frawn. 
 
 But from all trouble God wil fave 
 His chofsn ones, who to him live ; 
 Their farrows fhall bt felt no more, 
 When this tempeftuous life is o'er. 
 
 Text xxxii. Mary bath chofen that good 
 ^ part. Luke x. 42. 
 
 Come let us make the happy choice, 
 
 Which holy Mary did ; 
 Who to her bleffcd Saviour's voice 
 
 Her chief attention paid. 
 Chrift her example did approve, 
 
 When wifely (he did choofe 
 That part which he a flu res in lovs 
 
 That fhe fhould never lofe. 
 
 S It 
 
i 3 8 EVANGELIC POETRY* 
 
 It is a part which is moft good, 
 Since Chrift doth call it fo; 
 
 r And with the knowledge of a God, 
 He certainly muft know. 
 
 It is a part of more true worth 
 
 Than all created good ; 
 *T» what the Saviour purchased hath 
 
 With his moft precious blood. 
 
 The goodnefs of it is to thofe, 
 Who choice of it do make 5 
 
 ^While finners, who do it refufe, 
 True happinefs forfake. 
 
 Text xxxiii. Behold I /land at the Boorl 
 Rev. hi. 20. 
 
 Behold how Jefus condefcends, 
 
 Still waiting all the day ; 
 With an inviting voice he ftands, 
 
 And calls us to obey. 
 
 He at the door doth plead and knock, 
 
 For us to let him in ; 
 While we the heart do (hut and lock, 
 And entertain our fin. 
 
 His loving voice is fureiy fweet* 
 
 Thofe bkflkd are, who hear, 
 Whofe humble foul?, at Jefus feet, 
 
 Feel true fubmiffion there. 
 Cbrift to the humble heart will come, 
 
 With vifits of his grace* 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. 139 
 
 And as a King will it affame, 
 For his own dwelling place. 
 
 He will commune with thofe in love. 
 
 Who do him entertain \ 
 Nor will his gracious prcfence prove 
 
 To humble fouls in vain. 
 
 Text xxxiv, Confolation in Cbriji. 
 Phil. ii. i. 
 
 SWEET and cdeft'al joys, 
 
 And beauties all divine ; 
 Are in the bleft Redeemer found. 
 
 And glorioufly dofhine. 
 
 Happy the gracious foul, 
 
 Which climbs to Heaven to fee 
 
 The comely, and immortal charms. 
 Which in the Saviour be. 
 
 What glorious beams of light, 
 
 And clear majeftick rays, 
 In Chrift appears, all to invite 
 
 To joy which he difplays. 
 
 The beauties of his grace, 
 
 Cannot be fully known, 
 By faints who dwell in mortal flefh; 
 
 Nor angels near his throne. 
 
 Text xxxv. That ye love one another: 
 John xiii. 34. 
 
 When holy love infpires the bread,' 
 TThe foul has entertaining reft j 
 
 Chrift 
 
i 4 €> EVANGELIC POETRY^ 
 
 Chrift doth it on his friends enjoin^ 
 By his new law which is divine. 
 
 Not only by command, doth he 
 Require that we in love agree, 
 But by example, he doth fhow, 
 What love in his own hears could. do; 
 
 The image of his love divine, 
 I? what he doth on us enjoin 
 He, who in love his life did give, 
 Commands that we in love fhould liv&» 
 
 Let love to him prevail fupreme, 
 And then his -faints we fhail tftetm, 
 As in his image they appear, 
 The (iroDger love we to them bean 
 
 By this all men may clearly fee, 
 Thofe. who Chrift*$ chofen people be* 
 When love to Chfift unites them well* 
 And in his caufeone imereft feel. 
 
 His church on earth by love is knewn^ 
 And he no other church will own ; 
 Unlefs this mark of love they Hiow, 
 True feltowOiip they cannot know, 
 
 Tixt xxx vi. Come, ye Blejfd of my Fathr. 
 Matt. xxv. 34. 
 
 BEHOLD., and praife th* exalted Son, 
 Amidit the fpiendor Of the throne 5 
 A glorious man, a glorious God, 
 Dear in appearance and in word. 
 
 Come 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. 141 
 
 Gone, heavenly fouls, poflefs my joy 5 
 Cdeil'al praife be your employ * f 
 Employ, which gives your fouls delight, 
 Ouce known by faith, but now by fight. 
 
 You who my name did fear, and know, 
 And love did in obedience Ihow, 
 And own*d my members and my caufey 
 Here you may tafte immortal joys : 
 
 Joys, which for you were well prepa *d, 
 
 E-e earth-s (bong pillars up were reai'd, 
 Which I have purcnasM by my bbud, 
 That you might here enjoy ycur God. 
 
 How will the faints admire the love 
 
 Of JefitSi who will them approve, 
 
 And with a facred plealure own 
 
 Works, which they by his grace have done; 
 
 They by his love conftrained were, 
 To aft the love he did require ; 
 In them he owns, and loves his grace, 
 By which, with joy, they fee his face. 
 
 Text xxxvii. What lack I yet ? 
 Matt. xix. 20, 
 
 The young man vainly boa^s, that he 
 Had kept the law with care, 
 
 That from his youth, he did agree 
 With ail it did req lire. 
 
 Proudly, he thinks the law had taught 
 What he did well approve j 
 
 That 
 
tfgjf EVANGELIC POETRY. 1 
 
 That he could keep it as he ought. 
 Though deftitute of love. 
 
 But Chrift doth unto him declare. 
 
 That if he would obey, 
 He muft difpenfe with ireafure here,. 
 
 For wealth which can't decay. 
 
 J' Now you mult par: with things below^ 
 
 If perfed you would be 
 And on the poor your wealth bellow. 
 
 And come, and follow ms. M - 
 
 He then from Chrift in forrow went. 
 
 Nor did this offer choofe •, 
 *To keep his wealth was his intent, 
 
 Tho* he his foul muft lofe. 
 
 Dear Jefus^ may my mind be free. 
 
 To hearken to thy call ; 
 And part with all to follow thee. 
 
 For thou art all in all. 
 
 Text xxxvni. T o him who alone doth great 
 Wonders. Psal. cxxxvi. 4. 
 
 JMERCY and power to God alone, 
 0 Belong by uncontefted claim; 
 By him are mighty wonders done, 
 
 While mercy well difplays his name : 
 Pcaife, with his name doth well agree, 
 Whofe mercy fhines with osa jetty. 
 L The wonders which his hands perform; 
 
 Are many $ but in them we fee, 
 
 Th? ; 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. 143 
 
 The wifdom of his hand, by whom, 
 
 They all with eafc effected be; 
 Eternal wifdom, boundlef* might, 
 Appear, our homage to invite. 
 
 Thro' the expanded univerfe, 
 
 His mighty works declare his praife* 
 There's not an atom in all fpace, 
 
 But what creating power difpiays ; 
 His mercy doth with wonders fiiine, 
 And (hows his majefty divine. 
 Redemption- work, above the reft, 
 
 Excites our wonder and our praife j 
 There mercy is with power expreft, 
 
 Above the higheft angels keys; 
 The mercy of the God of power, 
 We never fully can adore. 
 
 Text xxxix. But the greateft of theft is 
 Charity, 1 Cor. xiu. i%i 
 
 How much doth charity excel ! 
 Her charms and beauties who can tell $ 
 Her name, and virtues, join to prove, 
 That (he flows from the God cf love* 
 
 She is long fuffering, and kind 5 
 From envy fhe doth free the mind ; 
 Not funk, when grief doth on her lie, 1 
 Nor puffed up, when raifed high. 
 
 In all things fhe behaves aright ; 
 A&d public good is her delight 
 
 U0 
 
144 EVANGELIC POETRY. 
 
 Nor yields to vicious paffion's reign, 
 Nor evil thoughts will entertain. 
 
 She for iniquity will grieve, 
 While truth doth pleafure to her give* 
 When fin abounds, her forrows rife, 
 But truth advanced, doth pleafe her eyes. 
 With patience, fhe all things can bear, 
 While faith, and hope, her helpers are $ 
 She knows the promifes are fure, 
 Tho' fi'ry trials fhe endure. 
 
 When light and glory fupercedes, 
 Thofe g r acious adts which now fh« needs* 
 Shvf fhall in full perfe&ion fhine, 
 In perfedt love, to things divine. 
 
 Tuxt xl. Unto him be Glory in the Church. 
 Eph. in. 21. 
 
 Let the true Church adore the Lord, 
 For grace he doth to her afford 
 'Tis by his grace his Church doth fhine, 
 If he withdraws, fhe doth decline. 
 
 *Tis the good fpirit's powerful breath, 
 Which brings her from the fhade of death % 
 When fhe in darknefs lies ebfeure, 
 His word can light and life reftore. 
 
 When Chrift is in her as a King, 
 S^e glory to her God will bring ; 
 Tributes of praife with joy fhe gives, 
 Thro 5 Chrift her Lord, by whom fhe lives; 
 
 Bkft 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY; 145 
 
 Bleft be the Lord, whofe power can well 
 Defend her from the rage of hell % 
 If gates of hell agamft her are. 
 He will to htr relief appear. 
 
 God's Zion moft ftcure fhall ftand, 
 By the prote&ion of his hand 5 
 She fafely may in hini confide, 
 Who keeps her walls on every fide; 
 
 Text xli, I will weep bitterly. Isa. xxxi, 4,* 
 
 H \RK, for 'tis Zion weeps ! 
 
 Mine ears attend her fighs, 
 And learn what melting farrows move 
 
 Her lips, to make thefe cries. 
 
 c< My heart with bitter pangs, 
 
 Beneath my forrbws bow ; 
 The night which once did give fepofe* 
 
 Is turn'd to fadnefs now. 
 
 Ye earth born friends withdraw; 
 
 Your comforts are in vain 1 
 The fpoil that's on my people brought* 
 
 Gives anguifti to my pain. 
 
 My foul is overwhelmed, 
 
 While blood the land doth drown % 
 And fuddenly the tempeft brings 
 
 My tents and curtains down. 
 Moft grievous is the wound 
 
 Which patiently I bear ; 
 *Jhr, iy. 19, 20. and x. 19,20. Isa. xn. j. 
 
 T Tho' 
 
i 4 6 EVANGELIC POETRY; 
 
 Tho' none among my fon$ are found, 
 My ruins to repair." 
 
 Text xui. Men ought always to ftay. 
 Luke iviii. i. 
 
 Afflictions make God's chndrea 
 
 Or they would furely faint, Ipray, 
 When in a fore diftreffu-g day, 
 
 A Facet's rod is font. 
 They, on their God with patience wait, 
 
 He* hears their humble cry •, 
 They to his holy will fubmir, 
 
 He with his grace is nigh. 
 Does God invite us by his grace, 
 
 To ftek his aid by prayer? 
 We may approach our Father s face, 
 
 That he our cries may near. 
 O « never may a chriftian faint, 
 
 When he to God may go 
 And leave with him each lore complaint, 
 
 And take true comfort too. 
 When troubles- bring us near to God, 
 
 Great bltffings they do prove » 
 A Father's fmiles, a Father s rod, 
 Do each, dlfplay his love, 
 
 Text xlih. Rejoice not againfi me. 
 Micah VI. 8. 
 IlNE enemies may not wjoice, 
 May Zion boldly fay j 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. 147 
 
 Rly fpuJ can triumph in the crofs, 
 In a tumultuous day. 
 
 My foes don ? c know how all their rage 
 
 Doth drive me to my reft 
 When Chrift doth on my part engage. 
 
 Their hatred makes me bleft. 
 
 "When I do fall, my hope remains, 
 
 That I again fhali rife % 
 Then joy and light, will eafe my pain?. 
 
 And cjsar the darkeft fkie3. 
 
 From God, my light, my joy doth flow* 
 
 Relief in him I find ; 
 His arm is all the ftrength I know $ 
 
 No friend, lifce him, is kind. 
 
 The light in which he leads my foul; 
 
 My labouring thoughts; compofe j 
 His hand doth all creation rule ; 
 
 His right he cannot lofe. 
 
 I in his light fuch brightnefs fee. 
 
 When I behold his face, 
 I cannot own 'tis dark with me, 
 
 Held in his kind embrace. 
 
 Text xliv. fVbat is your Life f 
 James ly. 14. 
 
 THIS life, with all her boafted joys; 
 
 Are always fleeting here, 
 A pafling fcene of vapVy toys, 
 
 Which foon jnuft dfappear. 
 
 Our 
 
148 EVANGELIC POETRY. 
 
 Our fight will fcarcfly move fo faff: 
 
 As objects here below | 
 All earthly glory foon is loft, 
 
 Juft like an empty fhow. 
 
 The thread of life, with ftrongefc ties, 
 Can't hold the parsing hand $ 
 
 When death its force with nature tries. 
 None can the ftroke withftand. 
 
 O may we well our time improve ! 
 
 The only feafongiv'n, 
 To well prepare for joy above, 
 
 Eternal life in Heav'n. 
 
 Te^txlv. H#w fhallws efcape f Hab ii. ^. 
 
 What great falvation is difplay'd, 
 By grace in God's eternal Son ? 
 
 •What overture of love is made, 
 
 By tht great God, to man undone? 
 
 God Tent his Son from manfions high, 
 Who, to this world, did make his way, 
 
 And kindly bow'd his head to die, * 
 That fov -reign grace he might difplay. 
 
 Can we behold the wond*rous Tcene, 
 And ftill our hearts be hard as (tones ? 
 
 Is that dear blood in no efieem, 
 Which only for our guilt atones ? 
 
 Can we forget a bleeding God, 
 And a/3 as the' he dy*d in vain ? 
 
 Thole, 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. 149 
 
 Thofe, who fuch love will difregard. 
 Cannot efcape eternal pain. 
 
 Text ^lvi. We walk by Faith. 2 Cor, v f. 
 
 If we would tafte pure facred joy. 
 Our fouls muft learn divine erpplo) * 
 And in that heavenly art improve, 
 Tp walk by f^ith which works by love. 
 
 Bv carnal fight thofe are rot led, 
 Who are with carnal pSeafure fad $ 
 Bat, by theadts of faith fubiime, 
 They *3p to Hea/'n for comtort climb, 
 
 With joy, they by believing tafte 
 The bounties of an heav'niy feaft ; 
 Faith in the great Redeemer'* po,v , 
 Supports them in a crying hour. 
 
 When fenfe is gone, and- tight i 
 
 Faith brings true pleafure to the mmdj 
 
 Come let it be our chief deli| 
 
 To Walk by faith and nor by fight, 
 
 Text xlvii If prudent Man foreftefh & 
 Evil. Paqv. xxn 3. 
 
 A PRUDENT man forefeea 
 Th?* Pinners dangerous cad, 
 And flies for refuge ?o that gtici 
 ' Which reigns in Chrilt out Lord. 
 
 How dangerous is the Rate, 
 In which vile finners lie, 
 
 Expofed 
 
t 5 o EVANGELIC POETR¥. 
 
 Expofed to the dreadful wrath. 
 
 Of the great God on high* 
 Yet finners will go on. 
 
 In this deftru&ive way $ 
 ^They dare provoke the God above, 
 
 And flight the gofpel day. 
 
 They will not counfel take. 
 
 By folenin warning given, 
 To make their peace with God betimes* 
 
 And be prepared for Heaven. 
 
 The' Gcd ? with awful power, 
 Will rnalce his anger known. 
 
 They will provoke his dreadful arm, 1 
 And draw his vengeance down. 
 
 Tbxt %t vi ii. With the Mind I ferve tfa 
 Law of God. Rom. vu. 25, 
 
 umbk thanks to God it due. 
 Thro* Jefus, our afcended Lord 1 
 By whom the mind doth gladly know 
 The fwcet attradtion of his word. 
 
 fTis all thro* Chrift, that we obtain 
 The pleafure of an heav'nly mind; 
 
 Grace in the heart thro* him doth reign,' 
 When to God's law it is inclin'd. 
 
 Grace in the heart doth make us choofe 
 To ferve the Lord with all our might; 
 
 But with the fltfh we do refufe 
 
 Thofe ways which give the mind delight. 
 
 The 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. 151 
 
 The fltfti is fccking to deprive 
 The foul of joy divinr !y fweet ; 
 
 The flclh doth pine, and fret, and drive, 
 When grace doth fame enlargement get; 
 
 O welcome day ! when faints ftiall leave 
 The flefti to moulder in the ground y 
 
 No more to clog the willing mind, 
 To fuch a vile companion bound. 
 
 Text xlix. The Glorious Gofpel of Chrifc 
 2 Cor. ix. 4. 
 
 Kindly the gofpel grace appears. 
 In Chr ft, who God's bleft image bears 1 
 Thafetruhs with glorious brightnefs fhine; 
 The rays of erace are all divine. 
 
 The gofpel glory (bines fo bright, 
 That thofe, who do refufe the light; 
 Are by the prince of darkoefs blind, 
 Who rules the unbelieving mind. 
 
 Ic doth appear, that they are loft, 
 Who cannot gofpel fweetnefs tafte ; 
 / Eternal darknefs they fecure, 
 Who cannot gofpel light endure. 
 
 Dsar Jcfus ! by thy powerful grace, 
 Subdue thy foes to truth and peace ; 
 And make thy glorious gofpel known, 1 
 In heart?, where fat&n has his throne* 
 
 Bs thou all glorious in the eyes 
 
 Of thofe, who now thy grace defpife 5 
 
 Thy 
 
i 5 2 EVANGELIC POETRITf 
 
 THy v'&'ry in thy truth difplay, 
 
 That blind, loft fouls, may learn the way: 
 
 Text l. Thy defire a better Country. 
 
 HtB. XT. 16. 
 
 I r was a fweet, and heav'nly mind, 
 The good old Pati'archs had, 
 
 When in their hearts, they were inclined, 
 To live as pilgrims did. 
 
 Tr^v frcm their native land did go* 
 Not knowing where they went, 
 
 "While to a place, not here below, 
 Their minds were fully bent. 
 
 With heav'nly hearts, thev had in view 
 Things of an heav'nly kind ; 
 
 They found no earthly feints below, 
 Which could delight the mind. 
 
 God did their pious ways behold, 
 
 Their a£ts of faith approve % 
 And in his covenant, to them told, 
 
 He'd be their God in love. 
 H'\ thole as fervants to him dear, 
 
 Was not afharn'd to own ; 
 A ^d for them man lions did prepare, 
 
 In prefence of his throne. 
 
 Text u, 
 
fey ANGELIC POETRY: 153 
 
 Xktl'i. IwillrejoieeintbeLord. Hab.ii1.i8. 
 
 Altho* no blobm the fig-tree gives; 
 And earth for fmiling verdure grieves, 
 Yet ih my God I can rejoice; 
 I in his will have all my choice. f 
 
 Should vines no moni their fruit afford^ 
 Nor wine be fpread upon the board ; 
 The Lord my foul can fweetly cheery 
 When his refreftiiog grace is neir. 
 
 Should olives mock the laborer's toil/ 
 And fcorn to give the cheering oil ; 
 That oil which doth from Jefus flow, 
 iVill oh my foul true joy beftow. 
 
 Should drought confume the verdant fields 
 That it no food to nature yield ; 
 Mjr foul true bread in Chrift will findi 
 The word of life will feed the mind. 
 
 Tho' from the fold the flock decay, 
 Tho* (hepberd charge be mov'd away i 
 To Chrtft, my Shepherd, I'll repair % 
 tie makes his chofen flock his care. 
 Tho' in the ftall no herd is feen, 
 To raife the hopes of worldly taeh i 
 Hope, by celeft'al profpedta ftands, 
 And taftes the fruit of diftant lands: 
 
 Text lii. What think ye of Cbrifi f 
 Matt. xxii. 43, 
 
 CoM£ thou, my foul, inquire and fee; 
 What thoughts of Chrift d6 govern thefii 
 V Mas 
 
154 EVANGELIC POETRf. 
 
 Has he thy chief, thy choiccft love ? 
 Doft thou thyfelf to him approve ? 
 Doth love to him fo warm thy breaft, 
 That thou canft choofe no other reft ? 
 Daft thou to him for help repair, 
 And find thy choiceft comforts there ? 
 
 Is he thy conftane, welcome friend, 
 Who, as thy guide, thou doft attend ? 
 Haft thou the trueft joy, when made 
 To walk the way which he did tread ? 
 
 With others canft thou friendftiip break* 
 For Chrift thy dear Redeemer's fake ? 
 And with delight the crofs embrace, 
 And think the fervice no difgrace ? 
 
 Doth it to thee relief afford, 
 
 To think and fpeak of Chrift thy Lord ? 
 
 Is it his glory, not thine own, 
 
 Which thou doft feek when all is done ? 
 
 Text liu. Watch thou in all things. 
 2 Tim. iv. 5. 
 
 M AY we in all things watchful be, 
 And ftand moft ftedfaft on our guard 5 
 
 And from enfnaring objedts flee, 
 
 Which tempt us to difpieafe the Lord. 
 
 May we be cautious with concern, 
 Left proud ambition fwell the heart ; 
 
 L?c humble lowiinefs dildain 
 
 To ait the haughty fcorncrY part. 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY, 155 
 
 In ail the duties we purfue, 
 
 This duty muft our a&ions guide, 
 To have God's glory in our view, 
 
 And watch, left (elf turn us afide.' 
 To watch our words and thoughts aright. 
 
 Requires much diligence and pain : 
 Since all we do is in God*s fight, 
 
 A conftant watch let us maintain/ 
 
 The watchful and the praying faint, 
 Who makes God's glory his. chief aim* 
 
 Will work for God, and will not faint ; 
 Work can't be loft, done for his name. 
 
 Tjext li v. That I may caufe thofe that lov$. 
 me to inherit fujbfiance* Proy. YHt. 21. 
 
 Substantial joy thofe fouls poffefs; 
 
 Who love the Lord with all their heart 1 
 Their heav'nly treafure God will blefs, 
 And in the bounties of his grace 
 
 They largely (hare a noble part* 
 Which ftiall eternity endure. 
 
 But this divine, this heav'nly joy, 
 Imply'd in union, can't be known 
 
 By thofe who do not feel that love 
 
 Which joins the foul to God above, 
 Thro' his rich grace in Chrift his Son; 
 
 Who gives believers all their peace. 
 
 Let all purfue the heav'nly prise, 
 
 The lot of thofe who love God's name, 
 
 And thus enjoy an heavily mind, 
 
 To. 
 
i$6 EVANGELIC POETRY/ 
 
 To God the only good inclined. 
 
 And make his grace a conitaat theme 9 
 ^Waiting to go to p£rfe& reli 
 
 Reft to the faints in Heav'n remains, 
 * Where perfectly God's will is done * 
 As they, in love, God's will approve, ; 
 They do enjoy What God doth love, 
 1 Joy in the heav'nly fcene made known l 
 L The (ubftance of eternal blifs. 1 
 
 $ext lv. Good News. Erov. xxv. 25; 
 
 G' ■ t p 
 OOD news the gofpel tell*, 
 "While it to man reveals 
 A pard'ning God, a Saviour kind § 
 I t f peaks of holy joys, 
 In Chrift^s inviting voice, 
 To com?, and tafte, and pleafure find, 
 
 Pardon in gofpel grace, 
 
 In the Redeemer's face, 
 Is founded freely all abroad, 
 k And in God's grace, fo free, 
 
 Signers may fayed be. 
 And fing falvation in bur God. 
 
 Men who deferve to die, 
 
 May ndw for refuge fly 
 To the exalted Saviour's arms % 
 
 A plenitude of room, 
 
 Is found for all who come •, 
 His fmil.es havelwect and powerful charms. 
 
 Let 
 
£y ANGELIC POETRY. 157 
 
 Let all from fin depart, 
 
 With an unfeigned heart, 
 Refolv'd no more to pierce the Lord j 
 
 Who'now, high on his throne, 
 
 Once for our fins did groan, 
 Now all we want he can afford. 
 
 Text lvi. Being jujlified by bis Grace; 
 Titus hi. 7. 
 
 IBeHOLD how rick h^w free, the grace, 
 Which God Ihows in the Saviour's face ! 
 He faves, he juftifies ialone, 
 |n the rich merits of his Son. 
 
 Here God makes known a glorious way, v 
 How finners, who have gone aftray, 
 May turn to him, and fo obtain 
 Freedom from fin, from fhame, and pain: 
 
 By grace, he forms the heart anew j 
 By grace, he doth our fins fubdue ; 
 He turns the rebels, by his grace, 
 To paths of holinefs and peace. 
 
 Free grace is rich, and great indeed, 
 And doth by far our praife exceed ; 
 That muft be grace which kindly grants 
 Pardon to humble penitents. 
 
 The hope of life at God's right hand,' 
 Doth on the truth in jefus ftand ; 
 Forgiving grace, foundation lays, 
 Jor fangs of cverlafting praife. 
 
 Ma^ 
 
i|8 EVANGELIC POETRY^ 
 
 May hope^ well grounded, daily rife. 
 To facred joy beyond the fkies ; 
 In God our Saviour, may we find 
 A pard'ning God, a Saviour kind. 
 
 Text lvii. Chrifi who is our Life 
 Col. iij. 4. 
 
 Christ is the life of all his faints % 
 
 They life in him obtain ; 
 His fpirit, life unto them grants 1 
 
 He for their life was flain. 
 
 In him they live, on food divine; 
 
 Which doth fupport afford 5 
 yf iih Chrift, their fouls in union joinj 
 
 In his dear flefti and blood. 
 
 k When Chrift, their life, in glory comes,; 
 
 And they with him appear, 
 Life they receive, when from their tomb$ 
 
 They his bright image bear. 
 
 L When Chrift his fplendor will difplay. 
 And faints their fears forfake, 
 
 In glories of that folemn day 
 They glorious life partake. 
 
 ^That glorious day of life and reft, 
 
 To folPwers of the lamb, 
 jWill make them all fn Jefus bleft. 
 
 For blifs they blefs his name. 
 
 Infinite life, and glory, fhow 
 The glory of the King $ 
 
 That 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. i& 
 
 That joy which all his members know, 
 Will glory to him bring. 
 
 Txst lviii. Great Wonder in HeavtK 
 Rev. xii. i. 
 
 An heav'nly fcene behold ! 
 
 See what it doth unfold ! 
 Great wonders do the Church furround $ 
 
 Her Saviour's righteoufnefs 
 
 Provides a wond'rous drefs, 
 While ihe with gofpel truth is crown'd^ 
 
 Surrounded with the light, 
 
 Like fun beams fhining bright, 
 She (hows the glory of her King j 
 
 In heav'aiy drefs fo fair, 
 
 Her lucid robes appear. 
 And praife and admiration bring; 
 
 Lo ! in this pleafing (late, 
 
 The world's beneath her feer, 
 Like Jewifh fhades, or Gentile toys* 
 
 This world is like the moon, 
 
 Unfeen at blazing noon, 
 Nor light affords, nor eye employs.' 
 
 The truth which in Chrift's name 
 
 Apoftles did proclaim, 
 Like gems doth crown the Church's head % 
 
 Thus the true Church doth Ihine, 
 
 When (he by truth divine 
 In ways of holinefs is led* 
 
 Text lix$' 
 
*6o EVANGELIC POETRY; 
 
 Text lix. Abfiain from flejhly Lufts which 
 war againft the Soul, i p£T. ii. i i. 
 
 THOSE who admire the things above. 
 
 Have fcenes of grief below j 
 They feek to feed on things they love, 
 
 Nor would they let th£m go : 
 
 But yet agaihft their fouls they find 
 Temptations bold and ftrong £ 
 
 At enemies in ranks combin'd, 
 Our lufts our ways do throng. 
 
 Our fouls would dwell oh things divine^ 
 
 And run the christian race ; 
 Our foes would all their influ'nee join* 
 
 To ftop the heav'nly pace. 
 
 To live as ftrangers here below, 
 Doth pleafe an heav'nly mind % 
 
 To vanity* and death purfue, 
 The fkfii is ftill inclinU 
 
 From flefhly luft we muft abftain,* 
 
 By fin-fiibduing grace ; 
 If in the heart they live and reign, 
 
 The foul can have no peace* 
 
 Text lx. Give, give. Prov. xxx. if 
 
 HOW is the anxious foul befool'd, 
 L To think a fever may be cool'd 
 
 With burning coals, or flaming fire ? 
 Or think the world at its requefty 
 Will freely give a fixed reft, 
 
 $nd fatuty its vaft defire ? 
 
 Let 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. tU 
 
 Let art, her fqbtle plots projeft, 
 And failing fortune then perfect 
 
 What art profoundly firft began ; 
 Let frauds and tafte their ikill improve^ 
 To give delight in worldly love, 
 
 Thefe cannot make a happy man.* 
 
 When wealth com£s by the careful handj' 
 And gold increafes like the fand, 
 
 The foul, then far from reft* would fin^ 
 Some greater good to caM her own* 
 Which is to her as yet unknown, 
 
 To feed and pleafe the reft lets mind; 
 
 Great mammotii the fool's paradife, 
 Is made a ftage of grief arid vice, 
 
 From which true joy cannot proceed i 
 Pleafure h fotJght in her in vain, 
 Her bufy fons, with toil and paini 
 
 In her can't find the good they rieedi 
 
 Text lxi. Te received the IVord cf God. 
 i Thes. xi. 13. 
 
 THANKS to the Lord b? paid* 
 
 For light and trnth difplay'd 
 In the fuccefs of his good word $ 
 
 When chofen fervants dear, 
 
 The gofpel did declare, 
 And fouls were brought to o#n the Lord, 
 
 The gofpePs facrcd plan, 
 Was not devis'd by man, 
 But God reveila this glorious grace ; 
 
 X Thofe 
 
1 62 EVANGELIC POETRY, 
 
 Thofe, who the truth believe, 
 Do Chrift by faith receive, 
 And blefs the Lord with fongs of praif*. 
 
 Thofe who rejoice in God, 
 
 Find new joy in his word 5 
 The joy, the light, is all divine ; 
 
 Truth fealed in the heart, 
 
 By God's own hand is wrought, 
 As God's own witnefs there doth fhine. 
 
 Text lxii. When wilt thou comfort me? 
 Psalm cxix. 28. 
 
 How are my eyes o'erwhelm'd in tears, 
 While for thy word they fail ? 
 
 How many are my groans and fears, 
 While gloomy thoughts prevail ? 
 
 My longing foul within me cries, 
 c< When wilt thou comfort me ? 
 
 When (hall thy light upon me rife* 
 And make this darknefs flee ? 
 
 When (hall the cordials of thy word, 
 Heal and rcfrefh my wound ? 
 
 When wilt thou help to me afford, 
 And all my fins confound ? 
 
 When fhall my eyes thy face behold, 
 
 In thy good word divine, 
 And thofe fweet myfteries unfold, 
 
 Unto this foul of mine ? 
 May I thofe true delights enjoy, 
 
 Which in thy word appear \ 
 
 Then 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. 163 
 
 Then will it be my fwect employ, 
 To feek my comfort there. 
 
 O ! may I tafte, and hunger more, 
 
 For what thou doft bellow* 
 And find the fulnefs of that ftore, 
 
 Which feeds thy faints below. 
 
 Thy word of truth, how bright it lhincs I 
 
 Thy promifes, how kind ! 
 Thy grace can pardon all my fins, 
 
 And purify my mind." 
 
 Text lxiii. Tet always njoicingl 
 2 Cor. vi. to. 
 
 Blest is the godly man, who gains 
 By all the loffes he fuftains, 
 And when he mod doth (land in need, 
 He doth upon a fulnefs feed. 
 
 When difappointments him attend, 
 He doth fucceed bed in the end, 
 And by his folly wifer grows, 
 By knowing that he nothing knows: 
 
 He doth the brighteft dawnings find, 
 In fcenes in which he is moft blind j 
 He makes the greateft progrefs, when 
 He fees his race is to begin. 
 
 He lives upon his daily breath, 
 And finds his fwetteft life in death j 
 Indeed, with joy he doth forbear 
 A&ions and ways which plcafant are. 
 
 Text lxiv; 
 
|f4 EVANGELIC POETRY. 
 
 Text lxiv, Who comfortetb us in all m 
 Tribulation. 2 Cor; j. 4. 
 
 Jn every dark and grievous' fcene, 
 
 Whic|i in my pilgrimage I find, 
 May grace triumphant reign within, 
 
 And guide and cheer my drooping mind. 
 In all my wants, I've none fo great 
 
 As thofe which do concern my foul s 
 May Chrift be truly my delight. 
 
 And all my powers and paflions rule. 
 
 When I have him, what can I need ? 
 
 Aad when without him, what have 1 1 
 He muft be rich, and free Indeed, 
 
 Who can and will spy wants f apply; 
 
 k The treafurc which to me belongs, 
 When Chrift my only portion is, 
 
 Exceeds the fame of angels tongues, 
 
 And all my thoughts and hopes furpafs: 
 
 Q may it be my conftant aim, 
 
 To peace with Chrift, my Lord,maintain ! 
 May he, whom all ougi.t to efteem, 
 
 Within my heart as fav'reign reign ! 
 
 Tixr lxv. Having a DeJIre to depart aqc^ 
 be with Chrift. Phil. i. 23. 
 
 NOTHING can raije my comforts higher. 
 Than joy in Chrift, my hearth deiire : 
 How glad, O. Lord, my fool would be, 
 Might t arife and dwell with iheel 
 
 Am 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. 165 
 
 Sm I in trouble, or in reft, 
 This is my wifh, my laft requefi^ 
 Set me from earthly trouble free, 
 Still i defire to be with thee. 
 
 J5ut how fhall I this good obtain ? 
 The flefti will prove an heavy chains 
 The Spirit wifhts to be free, 
 And in that freedom bound to thee.' 
 
 I grieve, bec^ufe I find I muft 
 Be ftiackled with this heavy duft ; 
 Might I but have my liberty, 
 Soon would I fly and be with thee. 
 
 But while it is thy bleffed mind 
 That I be to the fc>ady join'd, 
 Patience I'll make my remedy, 
 j Till t may die, and go to thee; 
 
 Text lxvl That the Power of Cbrtftmay 
 reft upon me. 2 Cor. xii. 9. 
 
 When Chrift doth grant his aid to me, 
 
 1 then can courage take; 
 ynlefs he guide me in his way, 
 
 No progrefs can I make. 
 
 When his kind love he doth impair, 
 
 And give my foul relief, 
 I find his ftrength can cheer my heart, 
 
 And dry my tears of grief. 
 
 But when my heart is cold and dull, 
 .And ft^ngfely goes aftray j 
 
 Whea 
 
166 EVANGELIC POETRY. 
 
 When love moves faintly in my foul, 
 And thoughts of Chrift decay : 
 
 Then, where can I for comfort go? 
 
 In fin, Pm fure there's none j 
 Unlefs in Chrift I comfort know, 
 
 I wiih all comfort gone. 
 But, weak, I to Chrift may repair, 
 
 And have my wants iupply'd, 
 And will improve the ftrength which ther* 
 
 He doth by grace provide. 
 
 Text lxvii. Draw near with a truelhart* 
 Heb. x. 22. 
 
 Lord, what a heart is this in me, 
 Which I attempt to bring to thee ? 
 Vile as it is, do thou it take, 
 And for thyfelf it holy make. 
 
 Scarce can I raifc my thoughts on high, 
 But foon from thee they feek to fly \ 
 Strangely I lofe the things I prize, 
 By wand'ring feet, and wandering eyes. 
 
 Would Angels, who on high abide, 
 Be free to lay their harps afide, 
 And then their hearts and tongues employ 
 In worldly fcenes and worldly joy ? 
 
 They do in happy union join, 
 To praife a Being all divine, 
 And in the heavenly fphere do move, 
 In fcenes which all excite their love. 
 
 - A" - 
 
 Lord, 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. 167 
 
 Lord, wean my heart from things below, 
 Thou who doft all my weaknefs know* 
 And when from thee I go aftray, 
 Reftore me to thy pleaiant way. 
 
 I can draw near with a true heart, 
 When thou doft truth and love impart ; 
 Unlefs thy grace my heart repair, 
 My fins will reign and dictate there. 
 
 Text lxviii. Bui I obtained Mercy. 
 1 Tim. 1. 13. 
 
 I DO by fweet experience find, 
 God in his mercy always kind : 
 Sprinkled with mercy from above, 
 My foul is all bedew'd with lave. 
 
 The greateft joy I find while here, 
 Doth in God's pard'riing grace appear % 
 Nothing fuch pleafure can afford, 
 As mercy in the love of God. 
 
 God's healing mercy through his Son, 
 Can cure the ill my fins have done | 
 My ftxameiul fins 1 can't endure; 
 In hell no pain would grieve me more. 
 
 Should ev'ry good from me depart, 
 And forrows rife to break my heart, 
 They never can make me complain, 
 If love within my heart may teign. 
 
 Should juftice doom mt down co hell, 
 Where 1 tor fin dtfervc to dwell 
 
m EVANGELIC POET&¥i 
 
 My foul for nothing there would mourn^ 
 But this* alas ! from God Tm gone. 
 I then could tell the faints on high, 
 That with them I could pleafure vie ; 
 If I true holinefs might fhare* 
 My joy with theirs might then compare; 
 
 Text lxiX. Refrefhed by tbec t Brother, 
 Philemon, 7. 
 
 GREAT is the joy the faithful find* 
 
 In a£U of mutual love, 
 When grace unites each pious mind* 
 
 Like fellowfhip above. 
 
 The fouls of faints great joy receive. 
 
 Refreshed by each other, 
 When Charity the name doth give 
 
 Of a dear Chriftian Brother* 
 
 May all, who truly love the Lord* 
 
 Li love united- be ; 
 Thus they are helpers Heaven- ward* 
 
 And in Chrift's name agree. 
 
 But when profefibrs of Chrift's name 
 
 Walk in an empty ftiow, 
 They do expofe his caufe to fliame, 
 
 True love they do not know. 
 
 When they the laws of Chrift defpife* 
 
 Nor will his ways adorn, 
 No wonder if contentions rife, 
 
 And they be trodden down. 
 
 Text £xx; 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. 169 
 
 Tixt lxx. Cleave unto the Lord. Joshua 
 xxiii, 8. 
 
 May all God*s faints, with willing minJ,' 
 
 Efteem his holy law 1 
 Then they fhall by experience find a 
 
 That he their fouls doth draw. 
 
 That love to God* which now they kno#; 
 
 Will iaft beyond the grave , 
 They forward in obedience go • 
 
 The Lord their fouls will fave; 
 
 The tokens of God's fpecial grace; 
 
 Which by the faints are known* 
 Give them true joy in his good ways; 
 
 Ways* which they gladly own. 
 
 Let willing minds in us be found, 
 Who now God's bleffmgs fhare 3 
 
 As we by him wifh to be Own'd, 
 Let us fcrve him in fear. 
 
 Cleave to the Lord* for he is good % 
 
 In him the foul is bled ; 
 Jefus has edtei'd, by his blood, 
 
 Into the heav'nly reft. 
 
 By faith, we muft cleave to him now* 
 
 If with him we would dwell; 
 Qur fouls may freely to him go , 
 
 Fie can fupport us well* 
 
 X Text lxzi; 
 
170 EVANGELIC POETRY. 1 
 
 Text lxxi. The Sentence of Death in our* 
 
 v^UICKLY muft I complete my race; 
 My fleeting days go off apace $ 
 Short is the fime of rny abode ; 
 To death I daily tread the road. 
 
 My days in hafte a^ay do flee ; 
 My tongue muft fhortiy filent be ; 
 When I behold things here below, 
 They are not long for me, I know, 
 
 How foon muft I be called away, 
 And to the duft commit thii clay ! 
 Muft leave all fading comforts here, 
 And on the ftage ^o more appear ! 
 
 Is this the date of feeble man ? 
 Why then fhould trifles, fhort and vain, 
 Pofltfs a foul which muft endure 
 When things of time lhall be no more ? 
 
 Lord, may my foul thy call obey; 
 And when the duft receives this clay, 
 May I, in elevating love, 
 Go to the joys which are above. 
 
 Text lxxii. She {hall not find her Paths. 
 Hosea II. 6. 
 
 THE needle, by magnetic powV, 
 Points to the pole, and gives the hour ; 
 And, reftlefs, turns from fide to fldr a 
 'Till lixed points become its guide. 
 
 felves. 2 Cok. i. 9. 
 
 Juft 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. 171 
 
 Juft fo the foul ii here and there, 
 PlungM in anxiety and care, 
 On things which feem to give delighr, 
 But foon are loathfome to the fight. 
 
 She would fome pleafure in them take, 
 But grief and toil they for her make-, 
 Flatter'd with hopes, both falfe and vain, 
 Her fond purfuits increaie her pain. 
 
 Weary withfeeking, back flie turns, 
 And for an abfent Gud Ihe mourns : 
 Tir'd with thefe empty toys Below, 
 She weeps to think (he fought them foV 
 
 She fees (he loft fublimer good, 
 While (he her vanities purfuM : 
 M Where is my God ?" (he then doth cry; 
 11 Unlefs I find him, I muft die." 
 
 Love, as a load (tone, touchM the foul ; 
 She points to God, as to the pole : 
 Love, by divine atcra&ion, brings 
 Her aim to be at heav'nly things. 
 
 Mod holy God, thou only arc 
 A centre for my reftlefs heart • 
 Fcam the?, the centre of my love, 
 Let me not once attempt to move. 
 
 Text lxxiii, Happy is be. Prov.xyi. 20; 
 
 HAPPY the man, whofe daily truft 
 fs on his Maker's arm alone ; 
 
 God will fupport and fave the juft ; 
 Mercy attends them from his throne. 
 
 Safety 
 
%j% EVANGELIC FOETRf. 
 
 Safety and joy will them attend, 
 
 Amid their troubles here below % 
 Their Qod, on whorn they do depend. 
 
 All good upon them will beftow. 
 Their faith will give them fweet repofe. 
 
 Which in the bleffsd God they place $ 
 'Fheir confidence they fliall not !ofe % 
 
 From God they have fupply cf grace. 
 
 Lord, grant that I may truft in thee. 
 And on thy goodnefs daily wait $ 
 
 All needed mercy fend to me j 
 
 Thy mercy, and my fins, are greatT 
 
 Thy powV is always ftilj the fame* 
 
 Thro' light and darknefs, grief and joy % 
 
 My fafcft guard is in thy arm y 
 Thy fervice is my beft employ; 
 
 Text l%xiy. Seek ibofe. Things which art 
 above. Col. hi, i. 
 
 1 O things which are above, 
 
 Let our affeftions naove, 
 Fop Cbrift, our glorious King, there reigns y 
 
 Be there, each ftrong defi<e* 
 
 Souls,which to him afpire 
 May fing hjs losfe in lofty ft*aifij|f 
 
 A vain ani empty (how, 
 Are objefts here below, 
 And to the foul may fatal proycj 
 
 True 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. 173 
 
 True pleafure for the mind. 
 Is pure, qnd well reSn'd, 
 In ftreams of endlefs joy above 
 
 Scenes of inviting grace, 
 
 In the Redeemer's face, 
 May mak? our fouls with joy explore 
 
 The manfions ChrffiT prepares, 
 
 For all his chofen heirs, 
 Who may rejoice forcverraorCt 
 
 If Heaven gives real joy, 
 
 Which will the foul employ 
 In blifs, in one eternal round, 
 
 Their fouls, while here below, 
 
 May figh, and wifti to go 
 Adhere they may walk Immanuel's ground! 
 
 Text lxxv. P offering allTbings. 2Cor.vi 10. 
 
 Nothing can more delight the mind, 
 
 When troubles do arife, 
 Than to furmount things here below, 
 
 For joy above the fkies. 
 
 Are earthly things from us withheld, 
 
 Do worldly comforts ceafe, 
 If we a portion have in God, 
 
 We then have real peace. 
 
 Thus the true fervants of the Lord, 
 
 Can in their God confide, 
 Though fading treafure of this life 
 
 May be to them deny*d. 
 
 Thofe 
 
174 EVANGELIC POETRY. 
 
 Thofe treafures which enrich the foul 
 
 Are cffVd to u* now • 
 Salvation may be had in God,- 
 
 And not in things below. 
 Now in our Saviour, Chrift the Lord, 
 
 We facredjoy may find ; 
 And in him only may be found, 
 
 Pure tieafures for the mind. 
 
 Text lxxvi. Tbey are Men wondered at. 
 ZtcH. in. 8. 
 
 My foul on every fide befet. 
 
 Lies in the duft, and mounts on high ; 
 I ftrongly feek the things I hate, 
 
 And wifh to bring my forrows nigh. 
 
 I love to fee the Saviour fnine, 
 
 And yet in darknefs choofe to go; 
 
 I pant, I long for life divine, 
 
 And ftiil the ways of death purfue. 
 
 I fee how empty all things are, 
 
 And yet with them I love to dwell •> 
 
 To Heav'n 1 fend my warm defire, 
 Yet roll in fins as black as hell. 
 
 I love to hover near my God, 
 
 And yet I loon am from him gone ; 
 
 With Chrift I make a fweet abode, 
 Ahho' his face I often fhun. 
 
 \Vith joy I meet contempt and fcorn, 
 But at reproach I foon regret j 
 
 I dare 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. 175 
 
 I dare defy the (coffer's frown, 
 Yet (landers never wifh to meet. 
 
 Text lxxvh. Seektbemnot* JeR*xi/v#5i 
 
 In things below, I plainly fee 
 How they have oft deceived me ; 
 In vain I feek to fill the mind 
 With empty chaff, and fleeting wind.; 
 
 Lord, in thy creatures thou art feen, 
 In plants and birds, and b^afts and men 5 
 Thy hand fupports them, and they fhow 
 What thy almighty pow*r caa do. 
 
 Thy uncreated pow*r around, 
 
 Hath all thy works with beauty crowa*d$ 
 
 Unto thy name \% glory due, 
 
 In all thy work* which I do vtewJ 
 
 But if I don't thy beauty fee, 
 In creatures which were made by thee f 
 Then they no beauty can afford j 
 Beauty is only to the Lord. 
 
 Men, in th^ir firss, and void of grace, 
 On things of time their hope* do place; 
 While they their hearts do thus employ, 
 They are remote from folid joy. 
 While in their hearts the world doth reign^ 
 More empty, needlefs care they gain ; 
 With things below, their minds are fed, 
 And thus are to deftru&idn led. 
 
tj6 EVANGELIC POETRY/ 
 
 Text lxxviii. I was in ibe Spirit en the 
 Lord's Day. Rev. i. io. 
 
 COME thou 5 my foul, with all thy pow*rf* 
 Bid welcome to God's bleffed day ; 
 
 ^The day ori which the Saviour rcfe; 
 This day* the tomb did him obey. 
 
 This day, the great Redeemer fhows, 
 The grave its prey can't always keep% 
 
 For he, who on this day arofe, 
 
 Is the firft. fruit cf thofe who fleep. 
 
 Did Jsfus fiiow his pow'r this day, 
 
 In rifing from his dufty bed ? 
 Will he, who is afcended high, 
 
 At laft appear to raife the dead ? 
 
 May this good day our thoughts employ* 
 In reference to an endlefs reft-, 
 
 May we efteem, with folemn joy, 
 
 This facred day which God hath blcft. 
 
 May we, while here, fome foretafte gain, 
 Of joy not found in things beiow, 
 
 And knowledge of the Lord obtain, 
 Who refurre&ion pow'r doth fhow. 
 
 We know the Saviour's pow'r divine, 
 When we by faith his glory view, 
 
 When truth, like morning rays, doth fiiine^ 
 To form our fpirits all anew. 
 
 Text lxxix^ 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. 177 
 
 Text Lxxtx. That 1 may win Cbr$. 
 PkiL. iii. 8. 
 
 Dear Jefus, how divinely fwcet 
 , Thy kind, embraces are, 
 Which ail thy welcome friends do geti 
 Who unto thee draw near. 
 
 To have communion with my Lord* 
 
 Is mod delegable ; 
 The joy thy vifits do afford^ 
 
 All interviews excel. 
 
 True loVe to thee doth cleanfe my foul^ 
 Thy beauty makes it bright • 
 
 Thy garments hem can make due whole;' 
 Thy clay reftore my fight. 
 
 A nuptial match with thee will make 
 
 My foul a virgin fair % 
 A ftroke which my hard heart will breaks 
 
 My ruins Will repair. 
 
 A frown from thee deftroys my peace; 
 
 My foul can't it endure ; 
 Yet when thy frowns are on thy face* 
 
 My foul is ftill fecure. 
 
 What I receive from thee, X prize* 
 
 I love to truft in thee ; 
 I give my all to thee likewife* 
 
 When I chy glory fee. 
 
 z 
 
178 EVANGELIC POETRY. 
 
 Text lxxx. Ajufi Man falkth /even Timef, 
 and rifeth up again. Prov. xxiv. 16. 
 
 When the bold tempter doth his moft* 
 To fhake the (landing of the juft, 
 And feeks to triumph in their fall, 
 They fhail be vidiors after all. 
 
 The tempter's boaftings all are vain, 
 Againft their falls who rife again ; 
 Though he againft them roars, yet they 
 Shall like brave champions v/in the day. 
 
 Where is the ground cf boafting, then ? 
 Doth it belong to feeble men, 
 Who have thofe falls which make them fear 
 The bold enraged tempter's war ? 
 
 The ftrength of creatures cannot claim 
 The honour of vidtorious fame, 
 Which crowned conq'rors do receive. 
 Who in the Church triumphant live. 
 
 The praife of vidl'ry all belongs 
 
 To Zion's King, in joyful fongs ; 
 
 Eternal honours to him flow, 
 
 By whom his faints their conqueft know.* 
 
 Text lxxxi. What I do , then knowji not 
 now. John xiii. 7. 
 
 LiORD, let me not difpute thy will, 
 
 Or faithfulnefs rniftrufl ; 
 I know that thou doft all things well, 
 
 And all thy ways are juft : 
 
 Although 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. 179 
 
 Although the dealings cf thy hand 
 
 May a great wonder be, 
 So that I cannot underftand 
 
 What is well known to thee. 
 
 Infinite wifdom doth perform 
 What all thy works difplay 5 
 
 Then never let a feeble worm 
 Thy precepts difobey. 
 
 Whatever, Lord, thou doft deny. 
 
 This of thee I requeft, 
 That 1 thy prefence may enjoy, 
 
 And then I fhall have reft. 
 
 If I have thee, what can caufe grief^ 
 Or make my fsul afraid ? 
 
 Thy prefence can afford relief, 
 When I am fore difmay'd. 
 
 Tixt {.xxxii, There is no Enchantment again]* 
 Jacob* Num. xxiii. 23. 
 
 How vain are all the bold efforts* 
 Which Z ion's foes do make ? ' 
 
 God will confound the crafty plots; 
 
 And meafures which they take. ] 
 
 When he appears refolv -d to favc 
 
 His people by his hand, 
 Protedtion in him they will have, 
 
 Though foes infulting ftand. 
 
 Though they appear in fpite and charm; 
 They find there is no pow'ir 
 
 u 
 
I So EVANGELIC POETRYc 
 
 In all created ftrcngtb, to harm 
 Where God doth mzkt fecure. 
 
 The Lord will fave his hidden ones* 
 And hell's defigns will blaft ; 
 
 His faithful fervants and his fon$ f 
 Will from him never c^ft. 
 
 Then let us feek that help from Ged* 
 Which he affords his faints, 
 
 That he may keep us in his road, 
 And well fupply our wants. 
 
 Tixt Lxxxm. That Cbrift mas dwzU injcut^ 
 Htarts. Eph, hi. 17, 
 
 When Je/us fills my heart with love,. 
 How facet doth all his fervice prove I 
 In anguifh, he can give me eafe j 
 In forrows, make my troubles ceafe. 
 
 Strength in him always doth remain s 
 Through him my foul can courage gain | 
 Sotne near approaches at his feet 
 Will make communion with him fweet. 
 
 He makes me tefte his love below, 
 While through this wilderhefs I go-; 
 What heart refrefhment do I find. 
 In being to his will refign'd I 
 
 If in him now fuchjoy is known, 
 When he fetid* his kind prefenre down. 
 How joyful is that bleffed plaoe' 
 Where Beav'n bonvfouUd^eH nesr his face! 
 
 O whea 
 
evangelic poetry, m 
 
 Q when (hall my poor foul be found 
 With life and endltfs pleafore crownM ! 
 Enjoy thole pleaiures well rtfin'd, 
 And leave a tempting world behind 1 
 
 Text lxxxiv, GrowinGrace. iFttAil.1%. 
 
 A Great and folemn wo* k 
 
 Attends us all our days ; 
 We many trials mud engage, 
 
 To grow in ev s ry grace. 
 
 We muft not flothful be, 
 
 Becaufe the tafk is hard ; 
 Nor by discouragements to lofe 
 
 Advances Heavenward, 
 
 But with a love fupreme 
 
 To Chrift and things divine ; 
 May we a conftant Watch maintain, 
 
 Left we in love decline. 
 
 The glorious gofpel fcene. 
 
 Invites increafing love; 
 The rightfeoufnefs of Chrift on high; 
 
 Should draw our hearti above. 
 
 Let not attainments here, 
 
 Excite us to a ftand ; 
 Put may our fouls feel always bound 
 
 To reach the heavenly land. 
 Tfhis life will foon be gdne, 
 
 And teafons be no more, 
 
 Fof 
 
i&z EVANGELIC POETRY/ 
 
 For us by grace to ferve the Lord ; 
 Come feed at grace's (lore. 
 
 ,Tixt lxxxv. Ye cannot do the Things that 
 ye would. Gal. v. 17, 
 
 LORD, fhatl the vicious feeds of hell 
 Befuffer'd in my heart to dwell ? 
 Muft fin within my foul have fway, 
 And lead my heart from thee aftray ? 
 
 Can I endure to. be a flave 
 To fin, the word of foes I have ? 
 Muft it within my heart appear 
 As king, tq reign a fov -reign there I 
 Was I for fin a fervant made, 
 That it by me fhould be obey'd ? 
 Can it in juftio? once pretend 
 1 am its fervant, or its friend ? 
 
 O God, my King, thou well deft know^ 
 That I my fervice to thee owe ; 
 Then let it be my whole employ, 
 ;To ferve my God in fear and joy, 
 
 May I within my heart poflefs 
 An ample portion of thy grace j 
 And by its working in my heart. 
 May I aft well a chriftian part, 
 
 Dear Jejus, thou alone canfl: bring 
 My foul to ferve thee as my King 5 
 Be thou my fovVeign to maintain 
 Within my heart a facred reign. 
 
 Text lxxxvjI 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. i*j 
 
 Text lxxxvi. Jgain/i fpiritual JVtckednefs: 
 
 EPH. VI. 12. 
 
 ALAS! how far my foul from God, 
 How far below its proper reft, 
 
 Were thing?, pcfieft without his love, 
 Defign'd to make a creature bleft ? 
 
 Have I purfu'd with greateft care, 
 God's love, as my true happinefs ? 
 
 Is it his glory I prefer, 
 
 To all I am, or may poffefs ? 
 
 Have I own'd Chrift, and his dear crofs, 
 
 His fervice never to forfake ? 
 May I his pure and righteous laws, 
 
 For kind inftrudfcion always take. 
 
 May I love him, who lovely is, 
 
 And lie fubmiffive to his feet, 
 And by the vifits of his grace, 
 
 Have favours from his mercy. feat: 
 
 Sweet is the grace which I do fing, 
 When Chrift is my exalted theme; 
 
 Hofanna to the glorious King, 
 
 Whofe praife the heavenly hoft proclaim} 
 
 Text lxxx vii. Ephraim cmpajfetb me about 
 with Lies. Hosea xi 12. 
 
 All thofe whofe ways are mark'd with 
 Do all their fervices defile ; ( guile, 
 
 And, Ephraim like, with a vain guife, 
 Compafs the Lord about with lies. 
 
 With 
 
rS* EVANGELIC POETIlf t 
 
 With a vain fhow, the hypocrite, 
 In facrcd things dare ufe deceit ; 
 In empty forms, will vainly try 
 To make the Lord believe a lie. 
 
 But thofe who are by grace fincer^ 
 WJth good and honed hearts appear^ 
 Though others aft by lies and frauds 
 Like Judah, they do rule with God. 
 
 They with the faints do faithf ul prove. 
 As heirs of grace they walk in lave f 
 In ways of holiriefs they're found, 
 Though fin in others doth abound. 
 
 The caule of Chrift is their concern, 
 And his religion will adorn, 
 And for the faith with zeal contend, 
 When it hath fcarce a faithful friend. 
 
 Tixt lxxxviii. Untoyou* 0 Men I I call* 
 Prov. viii. 4. 
 
 w ISDGM fends forth a moving call \ 
 Her voice proclaims it to us all ; 
 O come, and make her offers fure, 
 Left we fhould have her calls no more. 
 
 She fpread her gracious arms abroad 
 To man, a rebel to his God ; 
 She calls from fin, and endlefs woe : 
 When fhe invites, come let us go. 
 
 Let ?dl the fans of men efteem 
 
 The tidings which fhe doth proclaim ; 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. i#| 
 
 Let us the voice of Chrift regard, 
 Which doth dirtd us Heaven ward. 
 
 If we will now obey his voice. 
 
 Our fouls may in his grace rejoice % 
 
 If we refufe his call to hear, 
 
 We may of happinefs defpair. 
 
 How ftupid are the fouls of men, 
 
 While they purfue the ways of fin ? 
 
 The dang'rous ways which now thsy tread* 
 
 Down to deftru&ion daily lead. 
 
 Text lxxxix. As many as I leve> I rebuke; 
 Rlv. in. 19. 
 
 jHEAR what the great Redeemer fays, 
 Concerning his peculiar ones, 
 
 Who do that faith and love poflefs, 
 Which makes them heirs with him as Sons : 
 
 61 I'll clothe my face with fad rebukes, 
 
 And vifit thofe I dearly love ; 
 With my chaftifing, fmarting ftrokes, 
 
 I will their faith and patience prove. 8 * 
 
 And doth the Lord in wifdom fee, 
 That it is beft it fnould be fo ? 
 
 That his own children chaften'd be, 
 
 To wear* their hearts from things below ? 
 
 Will Jefus make his chofen feel 
 The ftroke of his affii&ing rod ? 
 
 Mull faints on earth in trouble dwell, 
 t Whom he hath wafhed in his blood ? 
 
 A a Then 
 
i $6 EVANGELIC POETRY; 
 
 Then let the men, who are hii foes, 
 Love God, and for their fins repent, 
 
 Left they unto eternal woe, 
 
 With right'ous frowns be quickly Tent 
 
 Text xc. Honour the King, i Pet. ii. i 
 
 JeSUS, the glorious King, 
 
 Exalted on his throne, 
 Sees cheerful faints and angels bring 
 
 Their fongs to praife his crown. 
 
 He took our feeble flefh, 
 
 A crown of joy to gain ; 
 He dy'd, he rofe, he went to blifs* 
 
 As Lord of all to reign* 
 
 By faith he trsuft be own'd, 
 Though he's a King unfeen 5 
 
 For man below he has aton'd ; 
 He muft be fervid by man. 
 
 Honour to him be paid, 
 
 Through all the earth abroad ; 
 
 By thefe whom he redeem'd and made^ 
 Be his great name ador'd. 
 
 He once appeared defpis'd, 
 
 Here he receiv'd the fcorn, 
 And now he is to honour rais*d, 
 
 Here let his fame be known. 
 
 ^Text xct t 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. 187 
 
 Tixt xci. There is no Power but of God. 
 Rom. xiii. 2. 
 
 To God fqpreme, all powV belongs. 
 Here on his footftool (hown ; 
 
 Pow'r to create, redeem, and fave, 
 Is in the Godhead known. 
 
 The Son, the glorious Lord on high, 
 
 Ordained is to reign j 
 His righteous fceptre he doth fway, 
 
 Nqr bears the fword in vain. 
 
 To be the gtorious Judge at laft, 
 
 He furely will appear ; 
 And full fubje&ion to his law, 
 
 God doth of us require. 
 
 Thofe who this Ruler's word defpife, 1 
 Which heav *niy rules contain, 
 
 Muft know they do refift that pow'r 
 Which did the King ordain. 
 
 T^ofe who againft him dare rebel, 
 
 Damnation do fecure \ 
 The great Redeemer's arm is ftrong, 
 
 Cloth'd with almighty pow'r. 
 
 Textxcii. A marvellous Thing. John ix. 30; 
 
 JlM works made known by Chrift below, 
 H2 to mankind did clearly fliow i 
 The Father fent him from above, 
 On the kind mefTage of his love. 
 
 Amazing 
 
1 88 EVANGELIC POET-RYV 
 
 Amazing guilt, thofe finners load, 
 Who dare defpife th* incarnate God | 
 He brought credentials from on hig-b> 
 And blazM the light in ev'ry eye. 
 
 O wond'raus folly of the mind ! 
 By which the (inner is inclined 
 To rays of Heaven's glory flight, 
 iind (hut his eyes againft the light. 
 
 While Jews of Mofes made their boaft, 
 They to the truth he wrote were loft, 
 jMoftS will not their honour own, 
 While they rejtft God's only Son. 
 
 Ltt none ot us, like ftubborn Jnm^ 
 The glorious light of life refufe ; 
 May truth, which doth in Jtfus falne, 
 Unite our fouU to things divine. 
 
 Test xciii. He will fave. Zeph. hi. 
 
 Let dangers come, and troubles fprifig^ 
 
 If God, my help, is near ? 
 My fpul, fecure beneath his wing, 
 
 Has nothing then to fear. 
 
 Now to the Lord, who is mod high. 
 
 My foul I do refign $ 
 Lord, 'us thy right I can't deny, 
 
 I love to have it thine. 
 
 Now* by thy grace, I own thy claim, 
 
 And unto thee will live, 
 While I ccnfefs nry (In with flume, 
 
 By which I ft rayed have. 
 
 Lord, 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. 189 
 
 Lord, thou may ft juftly hide thy face, 
 
 And leave me in defpair$ 
 But as thou halt a throne of grace, 
 
 I to thee will draw near. 
 
 Thou, who mod rich in goodnefs art, 
 Through thy beloved Son, 
 
 Can grace to wretched fouls impart, 
 And no injoftice done. 
 
 lylay it be pleafing to thy grace, 
 To fted me from thy ftore $ 
 
 Teach me the fweetntfs of thy ways, 
 That I may ferve thee more. 
 
 Tixt xciv. The Glory and Praife of God. 
 
 P&IL. I. II. 
 
 God, inftrudt my tongue to move. 
 And fpeak the wonders of thy love ; 
 
 What love, more beauty can difplay, 
 Than that eternal love of thine, 
 Which doth in the Redeemer fhine 
 
 More glorious than the morning ray ? 
 Eternal praife is due to God, 
 Sweet work to fpread his fame abroad; 
 
 Let ev*ry faint this work purfue s 
 This work of duty, and delight, 
 To which the fongs above invite, 
 
 To give the Saviour glory due. 
 
 The Father's love, well pleas'd to own; 
 k The work accompiifh'd by the Son, 
 In whom he ever took delight 5 
 
 A work 
 
i 9 o EVANGELIC POETRY; 
 
 A work to which the angels fair, 
 In all their ftrength unequal were ; 
 
 This work declares the Saviour's might; 
 
 Great God of goodnefs, and of g ace, 
 In Chrift may J behold thy face, 
 
 And thy life giving prefence grant -. 
 By him may I this favour claim, 
 JTo tafte thy love, and praife thy name. 
 
 Found in thy Son, a real faint. 
 
 Chrift's right'oufnefs can make complete 
 A wrgtch who needs thy mercy great, 
 
 Mercy, the fum of my requeft^ 
 My fins do make a wretched ftate, 
 prace can my foul at freedom fet. 
 
 And lead me to eternal reft. 
 
 Text xcv. The Word of the Lord was pre* 
 cious. i Samuel hi. i. 
 
 God* s great almighty hand, 
 
 A fure foundation lays, 
 For us to underftand 
 
 The works which fhow his praife | 
 His work difplays 
 A cheering fcene, 
 Where we may learn 
 His glorious ways. 
 
 Behold his precious word, 
 
 Here we his grace may know, 
 
 Here fee a glorious God, 
 
 Where he his love doth ihow : 
 
 " " ~ ** * Let 
 
fev ANGELIC POETRY* 191 
 
 Let hearts arife 
 
 With ftrong defire, 
 And thoughts afpire 
 
 To found his praile. 
 
 We never can purfue 
 
 A more exalted theme * 
 Here grace and glory too 
 Reveal God's holy name: 
 O fweet employ ! 
 Here we may trace 
 The ftreams of grace 
 To perfed joy. 
 
 The treafure of the word, 
 
 • Can well enrich the mindy 
 Herr, in our Saviour God f 
 Eternal life we find: 
 Vain world, be gone % 
 Be hearts above ; 
 B* Chrift our love, 
 In his word known. 
 
 Tsxtxcv*. All are of thtDujl. EccL.111.26; 
 
 JMy body form'd of thee, O Earth ! 
 
 May in thy bofom claim a reft ; 
 By thee I had a fhameful birth, 
 
 And fcenes ro pain my troubled breaftj? 
 
 If I enlargement in thee have, 
 I know thou art a prifon ftill 5 
 
 Far from the bleffings which I crave, 
 Thou canft not one good wilh fulfil. 
 
 Hovf! 
 
i 9 4 EVANGELIC POETRY/ 
 
 How many fcenes of grief and woe* 
 
 On thee I conftantly behold ! 
 How vain and tranfient all thy (how j 
 
 How faife thy hills of Ihining gold ! 
 
 fTii falfe, to fay that thou canft fait 
 The breathings of an heav'nly mind $ 
 
 All that thou haft, and all thy fruit, 
 Were never for a foul dtfiga'd, 
 
 Farewell, O Earth ! a better home 
 My heart and fervice fhall poffefs ; 
 
 My rifen Lord, once in thy tomb, 
 Can give me all true happinefs. 
 
 minimum. 
 
 Text xcvii* We alfojoy inGod. Rom.t. iU 
 
 Am I a Chriftian now become* 
 
 Is this my happy cafe, 
 To be a follower of the Lamb, 
 
 In his delightful ways ? 
 
 How (hall I praife redeeming grace* 
 
 And fing the Saviour's love I 
 In him I tafte the joy of peace, 
 
 With the great God above. 
 
 O may my heart, inflam'd with zeal, 
 
 This boundiefs grace declare ! 
 My foul, thofe matchlefs glories tell, 
 
 Which in my Jefus are f 
 
 No worth, no worth, in me is found, 
 
 That I Ihould tafte his grace, 
 And fing the Saviour's merits round ; 
 
 With joy I fee his face. 
 
 To 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. tgz 
 
 To fre his face without a cloud, 
 Will make my joy complete; 
 
 O may I fing his love aloud. 
 Before the msrey feat ! 
 
 Text xcviii. Thou canji not bear them which 
 are evil. Rev. ii. 2. 
 
 I To my Church my mind reveal, 
 That I her caufe and int'rtft feel \ 
 I bear my faints upon my mind, 
 In me they fhall protection find. 
 
 Thofe IVJimfters, who have a care, 
 To make my light and truth appear,' 
 I will encourage to purfue 
 The work which they are call*d unto*; 
 
 My laints, who do defire to fhine 
 In ways of holinefs divine, 
 I will with love their fouls inflame, 
 To well adorn a Chriftian name. 
 
 Who for my fake have grief below, 
 I do their works and patience know, 
 Who do a faithful witnefs bear, 
 Agaiaft thofe men who wicked are; 
 
 With care in fpecial, you muft try 
 The men who with a fpecious lie 
 Pretend they are fent in my name, 
 But my true gofpel don'c proclaim; 
 
 I know and love the tried fainf, 
 
 \Vho works with zeal, and does not faint \ 
 
 B b I know 
 
r 9 4 EVANGELIC POETRt; 
 
 I know the patience by you borne, 
 When you my name and caufe wiil own. 
 
 Text xcix. Te Jhall find Rejl for y our Souls. 
 
 JtR, VI, 16. 
 
 My dear Redeemer is my ftay, 
 And heav'nly light he will difplay 5 
 O may my foul, with ftrong dtfire, 
 To him, my only joy, afpire ! 
 
 How long (hall I a mourner be, 
 That I his fmiles no more can fee ? 
 That I without him walk alone, 
 And for his prefence fadly mourn ? 
 
 Ah ! foolilh heart, which leaves my God, 
 In leaving wifdom's pleafant road 5 
 Strange ! that my heart from God fhould go, 
 And fondly plunge in grief and woe ! 
 
 My God, the ftay of all my hope, 
 My love in thee may take full fcope 5 
 Be thou the fum of all my joy, 
 And be thy fervice my employ. 
 
 Some fweet devotion I can find, 
 And good employment for the mind, 
 When I to God, my Saviour, live. 
 And truft his grace alone to fave. 
 
 Text c. That tbofe which mGurn may be tx* 
 ailed to Jafety. Job v. ki. 
 
 Now let my foul arife and view 
 The fcenes of joy above, 
 
 And 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. 195 
 
 And fee if objedts here below 
 Can claim one ad of love. 
 
 How bleffed are the faints, who dwell 
 
 In that all glorious place, 
 Where harps do found,where tongues do tell 
 
 Songs of redeeming grace ! 
 
 Their fongs of higheft praife appear 
 
 Below him they adore ; 
 If mourning was not abfent ther*, 
 
 They'd mourn they praife no more. 
 
 Eternity too ftiort would be, 
 
 If it had any end, 
 To found the fongs of grace mod free 
 
 In Chrift their bleffed friend, 
 
 O muft the faints, who dwell on high, 
 
 Live all on things divine ! 
 And (hall the things below the Iky, 
 
 Engage this foul of mine ? 
 
 Text ci. He is precious. 1 Piter, ii. 7: 
 
 3MaY the Redeemer fhine, 
 
 With his tranfeendent love ; 
 May he engage this heart of mine, 
 
 To facred joy above. 
 By faith in him, may I 
 
 Receive his heav'nly aid ; 
 I only on his grace rely ; 
 
 He is my Lord and head. 
 
 7*M 
 
r 9 s Evangelic pdEf my, 
 
 Jefus % hi* name I know, 
 
 The Saviour moft complete 5 
 
 In k\\ my troubles here belo#, 
 His comforts are moft (weet* 
 
 When I enjoy his love, 
 
 I cannot let him go, 
 His vifus always quickening* prove, 
 
 No joy can cheer me fori 
 
 0 may his arms of lore 
 Surround me all my days ! 
 
 May I his faithful fervant prove* 
 In his delightful ways ! 
 
 Car) I thofe thoughts approve, 
 Which lead me from his love ? 
 
 1 cannot let true comfort go, 
 In thoughts of Ghnft above. 
 
 Text cii. What manner of Man is this? 
 Mark iv 41. 
 
 HoW precious is the Lard of love, 
 
 Whofe glory is divine I 
 How vile my treach'rous heart doth prove, 
 
 Which from him doth decline ! 
 
 How full of light doth he appear ! 
 
 More glorious than the fun ! 
 But yet my fteps fo heedlcis are* 
 
 I into darknefs run, 
 
 JJ*, a kind Shepherd always true 3 
 3^111 keep his chofen fheep * 
 
 But 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. 197 
 
 But I do often from him go, 
 And then no joy can keep. 
 
 He is the bread of life for fouls, 
 Sure and fubitantial food; 
 
 Why then do I forfake thcfe rules 
 Which he pronounces good ? 
 
 His blood can cleanfe me from my fin* 
 And wafh away my ftain; 
 
 But yet 1 am impure witnin, 
 And muft of fin complain, 
 
 Wh?!e I my glorious Lord admire, 
 
 Myfelf I will condemn, 
 That I no more to him repair, 
 
 And walk no more with him. 
 
 Text cjii. Put on the whole Armour cf God. 
 Eph. vi. 11. 
 
 Unto ourfelves, now let Us take 
 
 The armour of our God, 
 And ftand, and fight, for Jefus' fake, 
 
 If caii'd, refill to btood. 
 
 We do the Chriftian armour need, 
 
 If we intend to ftand 5 
 By it in dangers we fuccced, 
 
 Wh*n it doth us defend. 
 
 If in diftrefs, Chrift hath to US 
 
 A kind fuppdrret been, 
 Let us apply unto his grace, 
 
 To keep our fouls again. 
 
 Some 
 
x 9 8 EVANGELIC POETRY, 
 
 Some new temptation may arife, 
 
 From which we fcem fecure, 
 And when unguarded, may furprife 
 
 The (landing we thought fure. 
 The tempter, in his fubtle way, 
 
 Doth various methods take; 
 And when we once are led aftray. 
 
 True peace doth us forlake. 
 
 Text civ. "The Redemption of cur Boikfl 
 Rom. viii. 23. 
 
 o Happy hour ! O glorious day ! 
 When 1 (hall leave this tent of clays 
 And never more with fighs complain* 
 That I am fettered with this chain. 
 
 My fenfes all would a£t their part, 
 To banifh Jefus from my heart; 
 And by fome objedt they approve, 
 Make me forget my higheft love. 
 
 My appetite will prove a fnare, 
 Without my watchfulnefs and care; 
 And while that I the flefh would pleafe. 
 Then I lofe ground in wifdom's ways. 
 
 My fancy on vain obje6ts fet, 
 [Would all my mind a wand'ring get; 
 And give my conscience grief and pain; 
 With images both light and vain. 
 
 When fuch temptations do me try, 
 May I on Chrift for help rely, 
 
 And 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. 199 
 
 And my attempts fuccefsful be, 
 Through Chritt, who can do all for me. 
 
 The body muft go to the grave, 
 Before we full redemption have ; 
 The faints will bodies wear above; 
 Which will all move in perfedt love; 
 
 Text cv. Whom Ijerve. Acts xxvii. 23; 
 
 LORD, to thy glory may I live, 
 And to thee all my fervice give ; 
 I will with care thy law obferve, 
 And gladly thy good pleafure ferve; 
 
 Should grief, reproach, diftrefs and pain, 
 Attend me while I here remain, 
 May I thy glory have in view, 
 And praife thy name as thy jult due." 
 
 Lord, what are earthly things to me, 
 If I am ftill afar from thee ? 
 Where can a foul true pleafure find. 
 Which is not unto thee refign'd ? 
 
 This world, with ail its pomp and fhow; 
 Cannot delight me here below ; 
 O may I in it find a place, 
 To wifely run the Chriftian race! 
 
 My God, I to thy will fubmit ; 
 All things behind, I will forget; 
 May* I by trials be rcfin'd, 
 To things above engage my mind. 
 
 po thou this heart of mine irnprefc 
 With friendly feelings to thy grace ; 
 
too EVANGELIC POETRY* 
 
 In all the duties by roe done, 
 May love engage my heart and tongue. 
 
 Tixt cvi % 1 have waled for thy Salvation* 
 Gen. xl*x. 18 
 
 When good old j acob knew 
 
 H;S gUfs was aim ft run, 
 And that bis fervice here bclovy 
 Would fpeediiy be done : 
 
 When he unto trs fons, 
 
 Prophetic blefiings gave : 
 His faith relies on God alone, 
 
 For peace beyond the grave. 
 
 He for his Saviour God, 
 
 Had long a waiting been ; 
 With hopes in the Redeemer's bloody 
 
 He leaves a world of fin. 
 
 We all a Saviour need; 
 
 We all by faith rouft live; 
 And Jacob's God to Jacob's feed 
 
 Will great falvacion give. 
 
 Thcfe who are heirs of grace, 
 Great bleffings fhail obtain, 
 
 Who feek the God of Jacob's face, 
 Nor do they feek in vain. 
 
 Textcvii. The Joy of the Lord. Neh. vui.ro 
 
 No real plcafure can we find, 
 [Wnen vanities amufe the mind $ 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY; 26 i 
 
 We never can enjoy true peace, 
 And not live near the God of grace, 
 
 Thofe men are wretched, who don'c kno# 
 Some better good than things below \ 
 Vain is their Bsaft of all their gains 
 Of wealth acquir'd by care and pains; 
 
 The man, with whom t wi(h to vie^ 
 Is he whofe treafure is Gn high; 
 And, near the fountain of delight. 
 Enjoys the bsam* of heav'nly light. 1 
 
 But he who makes it his chief care* 
 To only for the fl:fh prepare, 
 Shall have my pity, for I kno# 
 His way will to deftrudtion go. 
 
 O may my foul by faith arift 
 Xo joy abovei, which never dies ! 
 When (hall I go to that bleft place; 
 Where Chrift unfolds his wond'rous grace i 
 
 Text cviii. That I might come e<uen to his 
 Seat I Job xxiii. 3. 
 
 I'LL go and fpread before my God, 
 
 The forrows of my mind ; 
 Til fpeak of thoughts which rove abroad. 
 
 To earthly fcenes totlin'd; 
 
 I'll pray my God to fend relief, 
 And call my wandVings home; 
 
 To lay me in his bofom fafe, 
 Where forrows cannot come. 
 
 cc hi 
 
202 EVANGELIC POETRY. 
 
 I'll reach for joy beyond the fky, 
 Where joy forever fprings, 
 
 E'en where the fool finds no annoy 
 From tranfitory things. 
 
 To tafte the joy of faving grace, 
 Which now is faintly told, 
 
 To fee the dear Redeemers face. 
 Will frefti delight unfold. 
 
 |Then while we adt a part bdow, 
 We'll feek for Chrift above, 
 
 And by his gracious vifics knuw 
 Commifnion in his love. 
 
 Text cix. Let brotherly Love continue. 
 Heb. xiii i. 
 
 Q GOD, the God of peace 1 
 
 Engage my heart above ; 
 Send down thy Spirit, and thy grace, 
 
 And cheer me with thy love. 
 
 I will my mind employ, 
 
 To do my neighbour good, 
 And pray that he may peace enjoy 
 
 In the Redeemers blood, 
 
 I'll take a feeling part 
 
 In forrows he doth bear; 
 With all who are of heavy heart, 
 
 May I a burden fliare. 
 
 My brother's wealth and fame, 
 Shall pleafure to me give * 
 
 And 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. 203 
 
 And pray, his heart may be in frame, 
 A humble faint to live* 
 
 When others fpiteful prove, 
 May I forgive the wrong ; 
 
 And may the Saviours dying love* 
 Be on my heart and tongue. 
 
 Text ex. Strong in Faith, giving Glory to 
 God, Rom. iv. 20. 
 
 I"I \PPY thofe fouls who do appear 
 Enrich'd with heav'nly giace; 
 
 There Cirifi:, in whom true glories are, 
 Reveals his glorious face. 
 
 He who has Chrift, what can he need £. 
 
 Without him, what have we ? 
 Fly to the Saviour's arms with fpeed 5 - 
 
 With gofpel terms agree, , 
 
 To have Chrift in your fouls, muft mean 
 
 That you with him unite; 
 If you would facred joy obtain, 
 
 He muft be your delight. 
 
 May joy above engage the foul 5 
 
 May Jefus be your all ; 
 May love, your kind affeftions rule} 
 
 On Chrift for mercy call. 
 
 Jefus will to the foul afford 
 
 The joy of grace divine; 
 By the redemption of his blood, 
 
 We may be free from fin. 
 
 Text cxi.~ 
 
m4 EVANGELIC POETRY. 
 
 Text cxi. He thai ferueth Cbrifc. 
 Rom xiv. 18. 
 
 TRUE joy, $nd peace, and righi^ufndij. 
 Belong to all the heirs of blifs; 
 Chrift hath fecur'd for them in Heav'n,. 
 That kingdom, which to them is gif'o,' 
 
 Heirs of this kingdom ferve their King $ 
 They cheerful fervice to him bring) 
 Their joy and ftrength is in the Lord $ 
 They in his merits have reward. 
 
 The faints beftow religious care 
 pa what Chrift*s kingdom doth declare | 
 The more they do his kingdom view. 
 The more they in his fervice do. ' 
 
 Chrifl*$ fervants only do obtain 
 The juft efteem of God and man $ 
 The works of duty none do givej. 
 Who unto Jefus do not live. d - 1 
 
 Q I may I always be employ'd 
 In the good fervice of the Lord i 
 Firm in his caufe may I abide, 
 And nothing turn my feet afide. 
 
 t TEXT cxii. Jefus was called to the Afarriagfe 
 John 11, 2, * ^ 
 
 Happy the marriage, where the Lord, 
 H s facred prefence doth afford, 
 And kindly there reveals his love y 
 
 1*01 . 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. 205 
 
 flow honourable is the gueft, 
 |^ow enterta'ning is the feraft, 
 
 Gra^M with his vifits from above ! 
 
 Where Chrift the Prince of peace is found, 
 The nuptial is with honour crown'd 5 
 
 How happy is the dove like pair, 
 Whofe hearts conforrxi'd to gofpel grace, 
 Each other in the Lord embrace. 
 
 Jointly devoted to his fear ! 
 
 |<uft to the Lord, themfelves they give* 
 Then to each other while they live * 
 
 Making religion their employ, 
 They view tins tranfient life a glance. 
 And live by faith and not by fenfe 5 
 
 Expectants for fublimer joy. 
 
 But wretched thofe in wedlock join'd, 
 Whofe hearts to Chrift no union find ^ 
 
 Abufing what they cannot ufe ; 
 Antediluvian-like, prepare 
 for their own foul* a dang'rous fnare * 
 
 Expo&'d to mifery and woes. 
 
 Th-t cxiu. The Lord cometb. JtmE, 14. 
 
 God comes in flames array'd $ 
 
 His Maj-fty difply'd, 
 Will make the guilty nations fear 5 
 
 Then would his foes retire | 
 
 To (hun devouring fire, 
 When he in glory will appear; 
 
 Sinners 
 
' 206 EVANGELIC POETRY, 
 
 Sinners with terrors aw'd, 
 
 MuR meet a ff owning Gad, 
 And ftand before his gracious face $ 
 
 The glory of the day 
 
 WiSi infidels difcnay, 
 Who have defpis'd the day of grace. H 
 
 The Saviour, who will ftand 
 
 A Judge at God's right hand, 
 In love and jvftice then proceeds 5 
 
 Then will the tribes of men 
 
 Find fcenes of blifs, or pain, 
 According to their various deeds. 
 
 Vile firiners then will know 
 
 A dreadful overthrow; 
 The Judge's fentenc? on them paft. 
 
 Forever will ab : de, 
 
 While they in Ifcame and pride 
 Will know and feel their foals are loth] 
 
 The coming of the Lorc^ 
 
 Will to the faints afford 
 A b ight and welcome fcenej 
 
 When glory in full blaze, 
 
 Will ftimulate their praife, 
 To fing Hallelujah, Amen. 
 
 Text cxiv. The Kingdom Jhall be the Lord 9 si 
 Obadiah, 21. 
 
 O HAPPY day ! when Chrift the Lor*' 
 
 His kingly pow'r fhall take, 
 And thofe who now rejefib his word, 
 
 His willing fubje&s make: 
 
 .When 
 
EVANGELIC POETRY. 207 
 
 When he who hath a glorious right 
 
 To reign as Lord of all, 
 Shall bring dear fouls with fweet delight, 
 
 To hear his heav'nly call : 
 
 When thefe to him (hall gathered be. 
 
 Who now di (per fed are ; 
 And he in heav'nly maj:fty, 
 
 In glory lhall appear : 
 
 When unto him there lhall be born, 
 
 A nation in a day, 
 And with his graces thofc adorn, 
 
 Who gofpei calls obey. 
 
 Text cxv. He rofe again the third Day. 
 1 Cor. xv. 4* 
 
 LeT praifes to the Lord, 
 Infpire each pious bread ; 
 , Let faints, this day, the wonders tell, 
 Of our Redeemer Chrift. 
 
 This fweet and blefTed day, 
 
 Chrift rais'd his facred head ; 
 No longer in the toaibto lie, 
 
 Among the fileat dead. 
 
 His friends with joy did find 
 
 Him rifen from the tomb ; 
 The grave his body had refignM^ 
 
 Free. from corruption's doom. 
 
 Come let us join the faints, 
 
 And angels, in their praife, 
 Whofe harps and tongues are never fain*, 
 
 In fonge of w ond'rous grace. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
r advertisement; 
 
 The Author cf the foregoing Work, being 
 I fenfible ( afar the Printing was nearly completed] 
 that the Books would be too bulky without bind- 
 ing* thought it befi to have them bound, the coji 
 cf which being reafonable, ( having alfo added 
 lever* pages more than were at firfi propojed) 
 and ihofe who have fubfcribed not being held t& 
 their cblization, if they cboofe to be releafed—~ 
 flatters himfelf will be a fufficient apology for 
 deviating from the firft prppofals. 
 
 ERRATA. 
 
 PAGE 10, Line 7, for reformed, read refloSdi 
 13, 21 1 for points, read paints. 
 36, 19, for reos t read roes. 
 85, i f the comma after fervants^ 
 
 place after vile % and dele the 
 comma after primes. 
 91, 8, for read //. 
 94, 17, for refe, read rife. 
 98 f 13, for prevat ion , read privatiotii 
 
 19, for While % read Will. 
 117, 23, for fare, xti&fire. 
 \ 149* 9» for carnal % read f acred. 
 
** Befidcs the Errata in the laft 
 Page, the Reader is defired to no- 
 tice the following : 
 P+age Lime Error Correct 
 14 13 can can't 
 19 39 them they 
 25 22 manner banner 
 32 18 place peace 
 40 28 joys jaws 
 56 ' 2 Uqlefa Until 
 76 5 Ark Law 
 92 in Part i. after line 5, read 
 And of his weight then mention make j 
 106 23 allign aflign 
 ibid 28 make take 
 116 17 they thy 
 ibid 23 they thy 
 135 21 fourth forth 
 
I