\jS[m ■^^>~ • *^ n^yi ':.'• ^\ ^^^^ A ^ ^^ ♦ ^^\;^ * t* *• GOSPEL, SOIVNETS? OR, SPIRITUAL. SO]\CJS. IN SIX PARTS. 1. BELIEVER'S ESPOUSALS. 2. BELIEVER'S JOINTURE. 3. BELIEVER'S RIDDLE. 4. BELIEVER'S LODGING. 5. BELIEVER'S SOLILOQUY. 6. BELIEVER'S PRINCIPLES. CONCERNING CKEATIOIV AND EEDEMPTION LAV/ AND GOSPEL — JUSTI- FICATION AND SANCTIFICATION FAITH AND SENSE HEAVEN AND EAKTH. BY REV. RAIiPH ERSKINE, LATE MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL AT DUNFERMLINE. TO WHICH IS PREFIXED, AN ACCOUNT OF THE AUTHOR'S LIFE AND WRITINGS. MIR4 CAMAM, SED VERA OANAM. BUCH. PSALM LXXVUI. FIRST PITTSBURGH EDITION. PITTSBURGH: PUBLISHED BY LUKE LOOMIS & CO. D. AND M. MACLEAN, PRINT. 1831. ; \ ADVERTISEMENT. f i the number of editions of any performance, be a mark of public approbation, Mr. Erskine's GOSPEL SONNETS have a claim to that c'istinction, and they may be ranked amongst tJiose of general esteem and usefuhiess; few books l^ave been so of .en printed in the same space of time. The present edition, it is hoped, will be fomid not less wor- t!iy of public encouragement, than those that have gone before it, as considerable attention has been paid to the correcting, by comparing it with former editions; and every thing is to be found here that has appeared in the most approved copies of the Gos- pel Sonnets. Mr. Erskine's Poems, as Dr. Br&.dbury says, are greatly to ba esteemed; and above all, for that which animates the whole, 'iio savo!' of divine and experimental knowledge- PREFACE BY THE PUBLISHER Poetical compositions, it will readily be admitted, are of a very ancient original; and very early jipecimcrs •of this kind' of writing are yet to be found on record, both in sacred* and profane history. "Writings in pocfsy have many peculiar exccHcncies in them, and particular advantages attending them: and v.'hen men, endued with poetical talents, employ them on subjects cf real impor- tance, the sparkling and flowery iuKiges, the rnr.gnificent and lofty expressions, and the striking figures and rhe- torical embellishments, add such a native grandeur, dig- nity, and majesty to the subject, that the mind is not only truly elevated, the attention gained, the affections moved, and devotion excited^ but the memory is gradu- ally prepared to retain and be benefited by them, on ac- count of the beautiful and elegant manner in which tl;e various topics are elucidated. No subject is more interesting, orcan be a fitter theme, for those vested with a pc-elical genius, than those of an evangelical nature, either directly founded upon some particular portion of sacred writ, or drawn from it by just and necessary, consequence. No writings, for just- ness of sentiment and sublimity of style, can equal or compare with these of divine inepiration: and though the mysteries of Christiaiiity, and the wonders of our holy religion, stand in no need of gay trimmings and poetical embellishments to set them off; yet such is the superior excellency of inspired poesy, that the brightest and most elevated desciiptions of a mortal pen must vail to it; and therefore says a celebrated v/riter, ' If any would * attempt to be master of true eloquence, and aim at a * proper elevation of style, let him read, with unremit- • See the Song of Moses at the Red Sea, Exodus 15;1— 21. This Song is the most ancient and sublime piece of poetry in tiie world : the images are natural — the arrangement of its ideas is beautifal — , and the strain of piety which breatlies thuough tlic whole, ^s truly evangelicai. jt / IV PBEPACE. ' ting diligence, Ioying his poetical talent to the best of purposes: l!:c ^uiijects he made choice of to handle, were of the ufniocit importance for mankind to know; his manner of treating them truly evangelical; and the spirit that breathes through them, heavenly and divine; tending to warm the heart, excite to genuine devotion, and to inspire the mind with just and proper sentiments of God and true religion. The sentiments of Dr. Bradbury, relative to our au- thor's poetical talent are very just. ' Mr. Erskine's Fo- ' ems,'' says he, ' are greatly to be esteemed, for the sweet- ' ncss of the verse, the disposition of the subjects, the el- ' egancy of the composition, and, above all, for that ' which animates the whole, the savor of divine and ex- ' perimental knowledge.'* * See his preface to some of Mr. Erskine's Sermons, printed at London, in 1738. TABliE OF CONTENTS. PART I. The Believer's Espousals. Preface, .--.-... Page 25 Chap. I. A gfeneral account of man's fall in Adam, and the remedy provided in Christ; and a particular account of man's being naturally wedded to the law as a covenant of works, ..-.-..-. 26 Sect. 1. The fall of Adam, i6. Sect. 2 Redemption through Christ, 27. Sect. 3. Man's legal disposition, 29. Sect. 4, Man's strict attachment to legal terms, or to the law as a con- dition of life, .31. Sect. 5. Men's vain attempt to seek liie by Christ's righteousness joined with their own; and legal hopes natural to all, .----.... 33 Chap. II. The manner of a sinner's divorce from the law in a work of humiliation, and of his marriage to the Lcyd Jesus Christ; or. The way how a sinner conies to be a believer, 39 Sect. 1. Of a law work, and the workings of legal pride un- der it, ib. Sect. 2. Conviction of sin and wratli carried on more deeply and effectually on the heart, 39. Sect. 3. The deeply humbled soul relieved with some .saving discoveries of Christ the Redeemer, 41. Sect. 4. The workings of the Sjjirit of faith, in separating the heart from all self-righteousness, and drawing out its consent to, and desire after Christ alone and wholly, 43. Sect. 5. Faith's vie w of the freedom of grace, cordial renunciation of all its own ragged righteou.sness, and formal acceptance of and closing with tlie person of glorious Christ, - - 46 Chap. III. The fruits of the believer's marriage with Christ, particularly gospel holiness, and obedience to the law as a rule, ......... 48 Sect. 1. The sweet solemnity of the marriage now over, and the sad effects of the remains of a legal spirit, ih. Sect. 2. Faith's victories over sin and Satan, through new and further discoveriesof Christ, making believers more fruitful in holi- ness, than all otiier pretenders to works, 50. Sect. 3. True saving faith magnifying the law, both as a covenant and rule. False faith unfruitful and ruinijig, 51. Sect. 4. Tiie believer only being married to Christ, is justified and sanctified; and the more gospel freedom from the law as a covenant, the more holy conformity to it as a rule, 54. Sect. 5. Gospel Grace giving no liberty to sin, but to holy service and pure obedience. 56 1* VI CONTENTS. Chap. IV. A caution to all against a legal spirit, especially to tJiose that have a profession without power, and learning without grace, .•>..-.. 58 i'^iAP. V. Arguments and encouragements to gospel ministers to avoid a legal strain of doctrine, and endeavor the sinner's match with Christ by gospel means, - - . 61 Sect. 1. A legal spirit the root of damnable errors, ib. Sect. '2. A legal strain of doctrine discovered and discarded, 62. .Sect. 3. Tlie hurtfulness of not preaching Christ, and distin- guisliing duly between law and gospel, 63. Sect. 4. Damna- ble pride and self-righteousness, so natural to all men, has lit- tle need to be encouraged by legal preaching, 65. Sect. 5. The gospel of divine grace the only means of converting sin- ners; and it should therefore be preaclied most clearly, fully, and freely, --..--.- 67 Chap. VI. An exhortation to all that are out of Christ, in or- der to their closing the match with him, containing also inotives and directions, ----- 71 Sect. I. Conviction offered to sinners, especially such as are wedded to the law, or self-righteous; that thej'^ niay see their need of Christ's righteousness, ih. Sect. 2. Direction given with reference to the right use of the means, that we rest not on tliese instead of Christ, the glorious Husband, in whom alone our help lies, 74. Sect. 3. A call to believe in Jesus Christ, with some hints at the act and object of faitli, 77. Sect. 4. An advice to sinners to apply to the sovereign mercy of God, as it is discovered through Christ, to the highest honor of jus- tice, and other divine attributes, in order to further their faith in him unto salvation, 80. Sect. 5. The terrible doom of un- believers that reject the gospel match, the oliered Saviour and salvation, -- 83 PART II. The Believer's Jointure. Chap. I. Containing the Privileges of the Believer that is es- poused to Christ by Faith of Divine operation, - 88 Sect. 1. The believer's perfect beauty, free acceptance, and full security, through the imputation of Christ's perfect rigli- teousness, though imparted grace be imperfect, ib. Sect. 2. Christ the believer's friend, prophet, priest, king, defence, guide, guard, help, and healer, 91. Sect. 3. Christ the believer's won- derful physician and wealthy friend, 93. Sect. 4. The be- liever's safety under the covert of Christ's atoning blood and powerful intercession, 95. Sect. 5 Tlie believer's faith and hope encouraged, even in the darkest nights of desertion and CONTENTS. VJl distress, 97. Sect. 6. Benefits accruiiifr to believers, from the offices, names, natures, and suftcrings of Christ, 99. Sect. 7. Christ's sufferings further improved, and believers called to live by faitli, both when they have and want sensible influen- ces, 101. Sect. 8. Christthebeliever'senriching- treasure, 103. Sect. 9. Christ the believer's adorning' garment, 104. Sect. 10. Christ the believer's sweet nourishment, • - - 105 CiiAP. II. Containing Marks and Characters of Believers in Christ, together with some further Privileges and grounds of Comfort to Saints, ...... 206 Sect. 1. Doubting believers called to examine themselves by marks drawn from tlieir love to him and his presence, tiieir view of his glory, and their being emptied of self-righteous- ness, &c. ih. Sect. 2. Believers described from their faith act- ing by divine aid, and fleeing quite out of themselves to Jesus Christ, 108. Sect. 3. Believers characterized by the objects and purity of tlieir desires, delight, joy, hatred, and love, dis- covering they have the spirit of Christ, 111. Sect. 4. Believ- ers in (/lirist affect his counsel, word, ordinances, appearance, full enjoyment in heaven, and sweet presence here, 113. ' Sect. 5. The true believer's humility, dependence, zeal, growth, ad- miration of free grace, and knowledge of Christ's voice, 114. Sect. 6. True believers are willing to be tried and examined. Also, comforts arising to them from Ciirist's ready supply, real sympathy, and relieving names suiting their need, 117. Sect. 7. The believer's experience of Christ's comfortable presence, or of former comforts, to be improved for his encouragement and support under hidings, 119. Sect. 8. Comfort to believ- ers from the stability of the promise, notwithstanding heavy chastisements for sin, 122. Sect. 9. Comfort to believers from Christ's relation's, his dying love, his glory in heaven, to which he will lead them through death, and supply them with all necessaries by the way, 124. Sect. 10. Comfort to believers from the text, 'Thy Maker is thy Husband,' inverted thus, Thy Hjisband is thy Maker: and the conclusion of this sub- ject, -.-.-.-.. 126 PART III. The Believer's Riddle; or, the Mystery of Faith. The Preface, showing the use and design of the Riddle, and how all fatal errors proceed from ignorance of such myste- ries, ...---..- 129 Sect. 1. The mystery of the saints' pedigree, and especially of their relation to Christ's wonderful person, 133. Sect. 2. The mystery of the saints' life, stateand frame, 140. Sect. 3. , Mysteries about the saints' work and warfare, sins, sorrows, and joys, 146. Sect. 4. Mysteries in faith's extractions, way VJll CONTENTS. and walk, prayers and answers, heights and depths, fear and love, 152. Sect. 5. Mysteries about flesh and spirit, liberty and bondage, and life and death, 162. Sect. 6. The mystery of free justification tlxrough Christ's obedience and satisfaction, 166. Sect. 7. The mystery of God the justifier; and faith justifying him, both in his justifying and condemning; or soul justification and self-condemnation, 171. Sect. 8. The myste- ry of sanctification imperfect in this life; or, the believer do- ing all, and doing nothing, 177. Sect. 9. The mystery of va- rious names given to saints; or, Tiie flesh and spirit describ- ed from inanimate things, vegetables, and sensitives, 182. Sect. 10. The mystery of the saints' old and new man further described, and the means of their spiritual life, 187. Sect. 11. The mystery of Christ, his names, natures, and offices, 194. Sect. 12. The mystery of the believer's mixed state further en., larged, and his getting good out of evil, 199. Sect. 13. The mystery of the saint's adversaries and adversities, 204. Sect. 14. The mystery of the believer's pardon and security from revenging wrath, notwithstanding his sin's desert, 209. Sect. 15. The mystery of faith and sight, 216. Sect. 16. The niys- tery of faith and works, 218. And of rewards of grace and debt, 222. The conclusion, . - . . . 225 PART IV. The Believer's Lodging. A Paraphrase upon Psalm Ixxxiv, 227. Exercise for the be- liever in his lotlging, fom-fold, 233. 1. The holy law; or, The ten commandments, ih. 2. The unholy heart the reverse of God's law, 234. 3. The glorious gospel of Christ the remedy, ib. 4. The prayer of faith exemplified, - . . 235 PART V. The Believer's Soliloquy; especially in times of Desertion, Temptation, Affliction, &,c. - - - 236 Sect. 1. The deserted believer longing for perfect freedom from sin, ib. Sect. 2. The deserted believer's prayer under complaints of j^nbflicf, darkness, deadness, and hardness, 238. Sect. 3. The believer wading through depths of desertion and corruption, 241. Sect. 4. The believer's complaint of sin, sor- row, and want of love, 242. Sect. 5. The deserted soul's pray- er for the Lord's gracious and sin-subduing presence, 244. Sect. 6. The song of heaven desired by saints on earth, ^, 246 P vRT VI. The Believer's Principles. Chap. I. Concerning Creation and Redemption; or, some of the first principles of the oracles of God, - - 249 Sect. 1. Of creation. The first chapter of Genesis compen- dized, i6. The sum of creation, 250. Sect. 2. Of redemption. CONTENTS. IX The mystery of the Redeemer's incarnation, or God manifest- ed in the flesh, the sum of redemption, ib. Sect. 3. The Re- deemer's works; or Christ all in all, and our comj)lete redemp- tion. A gospel catechism for young Christians, 252. Sect. 4. Faith and works both excluded from the matter of justifica- tion before God, that redemption may appear to be only in Christ, .---•.-.. 256 Chap. II. Concerning the law and the gospel, . • 259 Sect. 1. The mystery of law and gospel, ih. Sect. 2. The difference between the law and the gospel, 272. Sect. 3. The harmony between the law and the gospel, 275. Sect. 4. The proper place and station of the law and the gospel, in four paragraphs, 279. Paragraph 1. Tlie place and station of law and gospel in general, ib. Paragraph 2. The place and station of law and gospel in particular, 280. Paragraph 3. The gos- pel no new law; but a joyful sound of grace and mercy, 284. Paragraph 4. The gospel further described, as a bundle of good news and gracious promises. . - - . 288 Chap. III. Concerning Justification and Sanctification, their dirterence and harmony, - . - • • 288 Sect. 1. The difference between justification and sanctifica- tion, or righteousness imputed, and grace imparted, in up- wards of thirty particulars, ib. Sect. 2. The harmony be- tween justification and sanctification, - - . 293 Chap. IV. Concerning Faith and Sense, . . - 295 Sect. 1. Faith and sense natural compared and distinguish- ed, ib. Sect. 2. Faith and sense spiritual compared and distin- guished, 297. Sect. 3. The harmony and discord between faith and sense, 299. Sect. 4. The valor and victories of faith, 300. Sect. 3. The heiglits and depths of sense, 302. Sect. 6. Faith and frames compared, or faith building upon sense dis- covered, ---..---- 303 Chap. V. Concerning Heaven and earth, - • - 306 Sect. 1. The work and contention of heaven, ib. Sect. 2. Earth despicable, heaven desirable, - . . . 308 PREFACE TO THE READER, Whatrver apologies this book has formerly been prefaced with, (as to the manner in which many linos iu it are written,) shall be here altogether dropt and for- borne. I now dismiss it as it is, under the conduct of divine Providence, to take its hazard in the world; since it has already served its apprenticeship under several impressions, and gone both through kind and hard usage, through good and bad report. It never promised much to them that seek nothing but jyleasure and satisfaction to their fancy; but I have heard, that it has done some service (and I hope, through the blessing of Heaven, it may yet do more) to them that seek p7'oJit and edifica- tion to their souls. The late edition of this book at London being more full and complete than any that was formerly emitted, it is fit here to acquaint the reader, that this is printed exactly off the London copy, without any material addi- tion or alteration, except in the third part of the hooh, that comes under the nB.meoi Riddles, ox Mysteries; and part sixth, Chap. ii. Sect, i, entitled, The helievcr^ s prin- ciples, concerning the mysteries of the law and gospel: both of which (because there were several demands in this country for a new edition,) I thought fit to confirm by scripture texts, cited at the bottom of the page, for the benefit of those that are weak in knowledge and un- acquainted with the scripture.* I have directed them by a letter of the alphabet, at every branch of the sen- tence that is either seemingly or really opposite to the other unto some scripture texts, one or more, for evin- cing the truth thereof: by which means, the weakest that is willing, may come to understand the most difficult paradox, or mystery, mentioned in this work; at least so far as to see that every part of it is founded on the word * The scriptures in this edition are extended at fidl length . 18 PREFACE. of God, either directly, or by plain and necessary conse- quence. Only this general rule is to be observed, namely, that the reader always consider what is the sub- ject treated in every section or stanza: and this for the sake of the more illiterate, I shall illustrate by two examples; the one concerning the law, the other concerning the believer. The former you see Part III. Sect. vi. ver. 25. I'm not oblig'd to keep it more; Yet more oblig'd than e'er before. Here you are to remark, that as the subject spoken of is the LAAV, so the law in scripture is considered two ways, viz. both as a covenant of works, and as a rule of duty. Now, that the believer is under no obligation to the law as it is a covenant of works, or to perform obe- dience to it as a ground of justification, (which is also the subject treated in that Section,) is confirmed in the foot-notes by the following scriptures, to which you are directed by the letter (s,) Rom. 6:14, Gal. 5:1,2,3,4. Where you may see believers are said to be " not under the law, but under grace;" and exhorted to " stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made them free;" and assured, " that Christ is become of no effect to them, whosoever of them are justified by the law; they are fallen from grace." Again, that the believer is under more obligation than ever before he was justified, to yield obedience to the law as it is a rule of life, (which is the other branch of that paradox,) is con- firmed by these following texts of scripture, to which you are directed by the letter [t,) Rom. 6:1,2.15. where it is said, " Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid: how shall we that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? What then? shall we sin, be- cause we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid." From which texts, together with their con- texts, it is evident, that the believer's freedom from the law as a covenant, does not at all free him from obliga- tion to it as a rule, but superadds to the natural obliga- tion that of grace, which both argumentatively and af- fectively teaches what the law does authoritatively and preceptively, namely, " to deny ungodliness and wordly PREFACE. 13 lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world." Tit. 2:11,12. The other example I adduce, you may read. Part III. Sect. 2. verse 47, where the words are, To good and evil equal bent, I'm both a devil and a saint. Here the reader may notice, that the subject spoken of is the BELIEVER, or the saint's old and new man de- scribed, (which is part of the title of that Section,) or considered as to his unregenerate and regenerate part; in which view he is frequently spoken of in scripture; ex. gr. 1 John 3:6.9, it is said of the believer, or the person born of God, that he sinneth not. and that he cannot sin, because he is born of God: there he is spoken of as to his new nature, or regenerate part. But, 1 John 1 :8. the words are, " If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us:" where the apostle speaks of believers' unregenerate and corrupt part. Now, this being the scriptural representation of the believer, the foresaid paradox is easily proved from scripture. The first branch is, that he is equally bent to good and to evil. For the proof of this, you are directed in the foot-note to Rom. 7:21, where the apostle Paul, speaking both of his corrupt and renewed part, says, " I find a law, that when I would do good, evil is present with me." And, if you read the preceding and follow- ing context, you will find him complaining how corrup- tion bends him as far one way as grace another. The other part of the same paradox is, that the believ- er is, on these accounts, both a devil and a saint. Now, that the believer is by nature and corruption a devil, is one branch of this position here to be confirmed. That he is so by nature, is proved by the following scriptures in the fore-cited page at the bottom, John 6:70, and 8:44, compared, where Christ, speaking of some that were in a natural state, viz. of Judas and the Jews, dis- covers what is the state of all men by nature, "that they are of their father the devil, since the lusts of their fa- ther they will do; " and therefore may be called devils, as our Lord calls Judas, saying, "I have chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil." And such are be- 2 14 PEEPACE. lievers also naturally, as descendants of the first Adam^ being "children of disobedience, and children of wrath by nature, even as others," Eph. 2;2,3. And that the believer is so, not only by nature, but also by reason of remaining corruption, is proved at the foot of the same page, from James 3:15, where that apostle, speaking of strife and envy, that may be even among the children of God, (which indeed has too much taken place in all ages,) says, " This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. Again, that though the believer be by nature and corruption a devil, yet he isy by grace and regeneration, a saint, is documented also, IB the same page, from 1 Cor. 6:11, ■ "Such were some of you; but ye are sanctified," &c. In this manner, you may easily go over all the rest of the paradoxes, riddles, or mysteries, contained in this book, and find them evidently confirmed by the scrip- tures of truth, the word of God. This naight be no un° profitable exercise, but tend to lead you into the true knowledge of the gospel, to which mysteries are so es- sential, that it is designed by them, and called the wis' dom of God in a mystery, 1 Cor. 2:7; and the knowledge of which is so essential to Christianity, and so absolutely necessary to salvation, that the same apostle declares, " that if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost; " in whom the God of this world hath blinded the minds " of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious " gospel of Christ, who is the image of God^ should shine '•' unto them," 2 Cor. 6:3. Again, if you search the scriptures, you will see many more proofs for every point than I have adduced, and perhaps many much more apposite; for these only are set down at the bottom of the page that first occurred to me: yet, I suppose, though sometimes but one, and sometimes more scriptures are pointed out, they are such as sufficiently confirm the positions they relate to. But that other scriptures might have been adduced in plenty, I shall give one instance, in the paradox now mentioned, viz. that every believer, while in this world, is 6oeloved topic; in wliich he made great progress, as his productions therein do abimdantly evince. The ordinary course of philosophical and theological studies being gone through, at the college of Edinburgh, with success, he was, ia th» providence of God, called forth to appear in a public character; and being well reported of, by all who knew him, for a * dbrnwall is in the shire of Northumberland; Chirnside liep about five miles from Berwick upon Tweed, in the Scots side. i + See tlie continuation of Calaray's Life of Baxter, p. 681. LIFE OF THE AUTHOR. 19 conversation becoming tlie gospel, he was accordingly taken upon trial by the Presbytery of Dunfermline: and having finished the usual pieces of trial assigned him, to the entire satisfaction of the Presbytery, lie was by them licensed to preach as a probationer, the everlasting gospel, on the 8lh of June, 1709. In which capa- city he exercised the talents v/hich the Lord had graciously con- ferred on him, within the bounds of the said Presbytery, both in vacancies and settled congregations, to the great satisfaction of his hearers, l)oth ministers and peojtle, as- his certificate from that Presbytery, dated April 4th, 1711, expressly bears. In this sta- tion of life he did not long remain: Providence soon opened a door for him; and he got a unanimous call from the pari^liioners of Dunfermline, on the 1st of May 1711, to exercise his ministerial tfilents and abilities amongst tliem; which call was approved of by the Presbytery, on tlie day following, as regularly proceeded in. He went tliroiigh the usual pieces of trial, for ordination, prescri- bed by tiie Presbytery, with approbation; and thereupon they set him apart to the office of the holy ministry, in the collegiate charge of Dunfermline, on August 7, 1711. Under the cliaracter of a minister of the gospel, having now a pastoral relation to a particular flock, in the church universal, he " determined not to know any thing, save Jesus Christ and him crucified." He was "instant in season and out of season," in all parts of his ministerial labors, and gave himself wholly thereunto; exhorting the people under his. trust, from house to house, in the way of family visitation; examining them more publicly upon the principles of our holy religion; visiting the sick when called; and preaching the everlasting gospel, in which he had a very pleasing and edifying gift. He preached, by turns, with his colleague ev- ery Sabbath and Thursday, through the year: and afterwards, when he had none, for several years before his death, he officiated alone, very punctually both on Sabbath and week day. He delivered few extemporary preductions. His sermons were generally the fruit of diligent study, and assiduous application. For the most part he wrote all; and kept very close by his notes in the delivery, except when the Lord was pleased to carry in upon his mind, in time of preaching, some pat and apposite enlarge- ments, whereof he had no previous study, and to which he never- theless cheerfully gave way, as coming from Him, who has the tongue of the learned; who knows how to. speak a word in season to him that is weary; and who says, " it shall be given you the same hour what ye shall speak; for it is not ye^at speak, but the Spirit of your Father that speaketh in yoii^^ He was Messed with a rich and fertile invention, as appears in the agreeable and entertaining diversity,' wherewith his heads of doctrine are every where adorned. The poetical genius, with which he was happily- endowed, contributed not a little to the embellishment Of his dis- courses, with a variety of pertinent epithets and striking metaphors. His gift of preaching was both instructing and searching^ ,Few outshone him in the nervous and convincing manner whereby he confirmed the t^uth of the doctrines he insisted on; and fewer still ?0 LIFE OF THE ArXHOR. in the warm and pathetic address, in which he enforced the prac- tice of them. He peculiarly excelled in the ample and free offers of Christ he made to his hearers; and the captivating- and alluiing methods he used, for gaining their compliance, or tJieir receiving and resting on Clirist alone for their salvation, as thus freely and fully exhib- ited unto them in the gospel. On all which accounts he was just- ly esteemed, and much followed, as one of the most popular and edifying preachers of his day. During his time, sacramental solemnities, at Dunfermline, wore very much crowded; numbers of people, from several parts of the kingdom, resorting unto them: and the Lord was pleased to countenance some of these commu- nions, with signal evidences of his gracious presence and influ- ence, to the sweet and comfortable experience of many. It will easily appear to the judicious and experienced reader, in perusing his writings, that lie had as dexterous a faculty in ran- sacking the plagues of tlie heart, and describing the diversified cir- cumstances of serious and exercised souls, as if they had fully com- municated their several doubts and cases unto him; while, in the mean time, he was only unfolding the inward experience of his own soul, what lie himself felt of the workings of unbelief, and of tlie powerful influence of the Holy Spirit, in opposition thereunto; which could not but quadrate, or agree, with the operations of the self-same Spirit of God in others; lor, " as in water, face answer- eth to face, so doth the heart of man to man." This eminent servant of Jesus Christ, being exercised to godli- ness from his youth, became, by the grace of God, a " scribe in- structed into the kingdom of heaven," whom our Lord compares to "an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure, things new and old." Old invariable truths, but new illustrations of them; old experiences, the same with other saints before, but new obser- vations and improvements upon them: so that, with abundance of propriety, it may be said, that there are few perplexing doubts, or intricate cases, which the saints have, at any time been exercised with, that are not in some one or other of his sermons, ver}"^ judi- ciously solved, and distinctly elucidated, or cleared ujj. During our author's lifetime, and at the importunity of many of his acquaintances, both ministers and people, he published a ereat number of his sermons, on the most interesting subjects, which were well relished by the truly godly, and had their praises in the churches of Christ, both at homo and abroad. These, with several otliers, transcribed from his notes, were first collected to- gether after his death, and published along with his iwems, in two large volumes in folio, in the y^ars 1764 and 1765, printed in an elegant manner; and since that time, reprinted in ten large volumes octavo, for the more couveniency of readers and purcliascrs, with considerable additions and amendments. We cannot aisraiss this account of our author, without taking notice of another particular concerning him, which constitutes a very material branch of his character. He was not only deservedly esteemed as a judicious Divine, but also much respected as a Poet: and he hath favored LIFE OF THE AUTHOR. 21 the world with several excellent productions of that nature, which liave all met with a very favorable reception. His poetical talent was employed chiefly on divine subjects; he had no relish and taste for any other. In his younger years, at his leisure hours, he com- posed the following piece, which is now entitled Gospel Sonnets, or Spiritual Songs, in six parts. The usefulness of tliis poetical conipend of the revealed principles of our holy religion, for promo- ting the life of faith, comfort, and holiness, will be experienced, it is hoped, by many of the saintsof God, to the latest posterity. This piece was so well relished, that it has undergone a multitude of im- pressions; and the demand for it is as great as ever. About the year 1738, he emitted into the world his poetical par- aphrase upon the whole book of the -Soreff of Solomon; which indeed is an evangelical comment, done in a strain adapted to tiie New Testament dispensation, upon that allegorical or figurative part of holy writ. This performance has liitewise been very acceptable, and has undergone a variety of editions. By emitting the above poetical essays into the world, and some smaller performances, our author's abilities as a poet came to be known; and induced the Reverend Synod of which he was a mem- ber, repeatedly to importune him to employ some of his vacant hours in turning all the poetical passages of sacred writ into com- mon metre, of the same kind with the Psalms of David. These recommendation s he at last complied with; and his prodiictions made their appearance, under tiic title o{ Scripture Sonfrtt, selected from several passages in tlie Old Testament, which were well relished, and have now undergone several editions. Our author, besides his sermons and poems, publislied several tracts, on some points of controversy, in which he displaj^^ed his abilities as a writer; pariicuhirly an elaborate treatise, entitled. Faith no Fancy; or, a Treatise of Mental Images: a book singular- ly valuable, for the clear and perspicuous manner in wliicli he hath handled and established this important point, every way worthy of our author, and which reflected the highest honor upon him; in re- gard it hath given the greatest display of his abilities, both as a divine and philosopher, and how capable he was to exhaust any point, when he set himself to it, even in an abstract way of reason- ing: a book that effectually silenced all its opponents, and stands to this day unanswered. This faithful and laborious servant of Jesus Christ, labored suc- cessfully in the work oi the ministry, and continued publicly useful in his Master's work, till within a few days of his departure; for he preached in his own pulpit on Sabbath the 2iitli of October, 1752, and he was thereafter seized, in the end of the same month, viz. Octo- lober, 1752, witli a nervous fever, (wherein, nevertheless, he enjoy, ed the exercise of his judgment and" senses,) which lasted only for a few days, and at last was the happy messenger of freeing him from the encumbrances of an embodied state, and leading him to the world of spirits, and the regions of eternal bliss and felicity; for, on the eighth day of the fever, he fell asleep in the Lord, being Mon- day, November 6th, 1752, in the 68th year of his age, after laboring 23 LIFE OF THE AUTHOR. unweariedly and successfully in the work of the ministry, among his flock in Dunfermline, for the space of forty-two years. Mr. Erskine, our worthy author, affords room for large commendations, were we disposed to give them; his complete character is truly great, and his disposition exceedingly amiable. If he is consider- ed as to his natural endowments, he possessed many fine qualities; he had a sweet temper, a clear head, a rich invention, a lively ima- gination, and a great memory. If he is viewed as to his acquired abilities; he was well acquainted with all the useful branches of literature, necessary to adorn the scholar and the minister. If he is considered as to his office; he was a great and judicious divine, a pious evangelical preacher, and an able casuist. In short, he was not only a learned man, and an able divine, but an affectionate and familiar friend, a social companion, a devout Christian, and a burn- ing and shining light. By his death, the Church of Christ lost a great light, a heroic cha)npion for the truth, and a bold contender for the faith once de- livered unto the saints. Tlie body he was last connected with, have been deprived of a useful member, and a shining ornament to their cause. Tlie congregation he labored among lost an able, faithful minister, a laborious and successful wrestler, and a painful and diligent instructor. His family and relatives lost a true friend, an affectionate husband, a tender hearted parent, and a striking pattern of virtue. His acquaintances and intimates, an endearing brother, a social companion, and an engaging friend. Mr. Erskine was twice married. His first marriage was with Margaret Dewar, a daughter of the Laird of Lassodie, which com- menced the 15th of July, 1714. She lived about sixteen years; during which time she bore ten children, five sons and five daugh- ters: three of these sons were ministers in the Association, viz. the Rev. Messrs. Henry, John, and James; the first ordained minister at Falkirk, the second at Leslie, and the third at Stirling. All of them died in the prime of life, when they had given the world just ground to conceive high expectations of their usefulness in the church. His second marriage was with Margaret Simpson, a daughter of Mr. Simpson, writer to the signet at Edinburgh, which took place February 24th, 1732. She bore him four sons, and sur- vived himself some few years. One of his sons of this marriage is still in life, and resides at London. All his otlier children are now removed by death. AN ACROSTIC. M trcH fam'd on earth, renown'd for piety,' A midst bright seraphs now sings cheerfully. S acred thine anthems yield much pleasure here,' T hese songs of thine do truly charm the ear.* E ach line thou wrot'st doth admiration raise; R ouse up the soul to true seraphic praise. R eligiously thy life below was spent: A mazing pleasures now thy soul content. L ong didst thou labor in the church below, P ointing out Christ, the Lamb, who saves from wo, H eaven's blessedness on sinners to bestow. E RSKiNE the great! whose pen spread far abroad R edeeming love, the sole device of God; S ubstantial themes thy thoughts did much pursue; K ept pure the truth, espous'd but by a few. I ntegrity of heart, of soul serene; ^ N o friend to vice, no cloak to the profane: > E_,mploy'd thy talents to reclaim the vain. ) * Alluding to his poetical piecee- C^OSPEL. SONNETS. PART I* THE BELIEVER'S ESPOUSALS. A POEM Upon Isaiah 54:5. Thy Maker is thy Husband. PKEFACE. Hark, dying mortal, if the Sonnet prove A Song of living and immortal love, 'Tis then thy grand concern the theme to know, If life and immortality be so. Are eyes to read, or ears to hear a trust? Shall both in death be cramm'd anon with dust? Then trifle not to please thine ear and eye, But read thou, hear thou, for eternity. Pursue not shadows wing'd, but be thy chase The God of glory, on the field of grace: The mighty hunter's name is lost in vain. That runs not this substantial prize to gain. These humble lines assume no high pretence, To please thy fancy, or allure thy sense: But aim, if everlasting life's thy chase, To clear thy mind, and warm thy heart through grace. A marriage so mysterious I proclaim, Betwixt two parties of such diff'rent fame. That human tongues may blush their names to tell. To wit, the Prince of Heaven, the heir of hell ! But, on so vast a subject, who can find Words suiting the conceptions of his mind? Or, if our language with our thought could vie, What mortal thought can raise itself so high? When words and thoughts both fail, may faith and pray'r Ascend, by climbing up the scripture stair: From sacred writ these strange espousals may Be explicated in the foU'wing way. 3 26 GOSPEL SONNETS* PABT I, CHAPTER I. A GENERAL ACCOUNT OF MAN's FALL IN ADAM, AND THE REMEDY PROVIDED IN CHJRIST: AN© A PARTICULAR ACCOUNT OF man's BEING NATURALLY WEDDED TO IHE LAWv AS A COVENANT OF WORKS* Section i. The fall of Adamo Old Adam once a heav'n of pleasure found,. While he with perfect innocence was crown'd; His wing'd affections to his God could move In raptures of desire, and strains of love. Man, standing spotless, pure, and innocent, Could well the lav/ of works with works content; Though then, (nor since,) it could demand no less Than personal and perfect righteousness: These, unto sinless man were easy terms, Though now beyond the reach of wither'd arms; The legal cov'nant then upon the field, Perfection sought, man could perfection yield- Rich had he, and his progeny, remain'd, Had he primoval innocence maintain'd: His life had been a rest without annoy, A scene of bliss, a paradise of joy. But subtle Satan, in the serpent hid,. Proposing fair the fruit that God forbid, Man soon seduc'd by hell's alluring art. Did, disobedient, from the rule depart; Devour'd the bait, and, by his bold offence,. Fell from his blissful state of innocence.* Prosiraie, he lost his God, his life, his crown. From all his gloiy tumbled headlong down; Plting'd in a deep abyss of sin and wo, Where, void of heart to will, or hand to do, For 's own relief he can't command a thought. The tuta! snia of what he can is nought. He's abio only now t' increase his thrall; He can destroy himself, and that is all. *Gen. 3: 1—6 «CHAP. X. THE believer's ESPOUSALS. 27 But can the hellish brat heav'n's law fulfil, Whose precepts high surmount his strength and sHill'? Can filthy dross produce a golden beam? Or poison'd springs a salutif'rous stream? Can carnal minds, fierce enmity's wide maw, Be duly subject to the divine law? Nay, new its direful threafnings must take place On all the disobedient human race, Who do by guilt Omnipotence provoke. Obnoxious stand to his uplifted stroke. They must ingulf themselves in endless woes. Who to the living God aie deadly foes; Who natively his holy will gainsay, Must to his awful justice fall a prey. In vain do mankind now expect, in vain By legal deeds immortal life to gain: Nay, death is threaten'd, threats must have their due, X)i souls that sin must die,* as God is true. Sect. ii. Redemption through Christ. The second Adam, sov'reign Lord of all. Did, by his Father's authorizing call, From bosom of eternal love descend. To save the guilty race that him offend; To treat an everlasting peace with those Who were and ever would have been his foes. His errand, never ending life to give To them, whose malice would not let him live; To make a match with rebels, and espouse The brat which at his love her spite avows. Himself he humbled to depress her pride, And make his mortal foe his loving bride. But, ere the marriage can be solemniz'd, All lets must be remov'd, all parties pleas'd. Law righteousness reqidr''d, must be procur'd. Law vengeance threaten'd, must be full endur'd. Stern justice must have credit by the match, Sweet mercy by the heart the bride must catch. Poor bankrupt/ all her debt must first be paid. Her former husband in the grave be laid: *EzeL 1& 4 28 GOSPEL SONNETS. »AB» Bl Her present ]o\^ must be at the cost. To save and ransome to the uttermost; If all these things this suitor kind can do. Then he ntiay win her, and her blessing too. Hard terms indeed! while death's the first demand; But love is strong as death * and will not stand To carry on the suit, and make it good, Though at the dearest rate of wounds and blood. The burden's heavy, but the back is broad, The glorious lover is the mighty God.f Kind bowels yearning in th' eternal Son, He left his Father's court, his heav'nly throne:: Aside he threw his most divine array, And wrapt his Godhead in a veil of clay. Angelic armies, who in glory crown'd. With joyful harps his awful throne surround,. Down to the crystal frontier of the sky,:^ To see the Saviour born, did eager fly; -And ever since beholid with wonder fresh Their Sov'reign v.iid our Saviour wrapt in flesh. Who in his guru uid laighty love display, Restoring what he never took away,\ To God his glory, to the law its due. To heav'n its honor, to the earth its hue. To man a righteousness divine, complete, A royal robe to suit the nuptial rite. He in her favors, whom he lov'd so well. At once did purchase heav'n, and vanquish helL Oh! unexampled love! so vast, so strong, So great, so high, so deep, so broad, so long! Can finite thought this ocean huge explore, » Unconscious of a bottom or a shore? His love admits no parallel; for why? At one great draught of love he drank hell dry. No drop of wrathful gall he left behind; No dreg to witness that he was unkind. The sword of awful justice peircM his side. That mercy thence might gush upon the bride. The meritorious labors of his life. And glorious conquests of his dying strife; *Song8:6. +Isa.9:6. tLuke2:9— 14. §P8id.C9:4. CHAP. 1. TfiE Believer's e^pousais, 2S Her debt of doing, sufF'ring, both cancell'd, And broke the bars his lawful captive held. Down to the ground the hellish host he threw, Then mounting high the trump of triumph blew, Attended with a bright seraphic band, Sat down enthron'd sublime on God's right hand; Where glorious choirs their various harps employ, To sound his praises with confed'rate joy. There he, the bride's strong intercessor, sits, And thence the blessings of his blood transmits. Sprinkling all o'er the flaming throne of God, Pleads for her pardon his atoning blood; Sends down his holy co-eternal Dove, To shew the wonders of incarnate love. To woo and win the bride's reluctant heart. And pierce it with his kindly killing dart; By gospel light to manifest that now She has no further with the law to do; That her new Lord has loos'd the fed'ral tie, That once hard bound her, or to do or die; That precepts, threats, no single mite can crave. Thus for her former spouse he digg'd a grave; The law fast to his cross did nail and pin, ^ Then bury'd the defunct his tomb within, > That he the lonely widow to himself might win. ) Sect. hi. Man's Legal Disposition. But, after all, the bride's so mal-content, i No argument, save pow'r, is prevalent V To bow her will, and gain her heart's consent. J The glorious Prince's suit she disapproves, The law, her old primordial husband, loves; Hopeful in its embraces life to have. Though dead and bury'd in her suitor's grave; Unable to give life, as once before; Unfit to be a husband any more. Yet proudly she the new address disdains, And all the blest Redeemer's love and pains; Though now his head, that cruel thorns did wound, Is with immortal glory circled round; Archangels at his awful footstool bow. And drawing love sits smiling on his brow. 3* 30 GOSPEL SONNETS. PAST I- Though down he sends in gospel tidings good Epistles of his love, sign 'd with his blood; Yet lordly she the royal suit rejects, Eternal life by legal works affects; In vain the Iwing seeks among the dead,* Sues quick'ning comforts in a killing head. Her dead and buried husband has her heart, Which can nor death remove, nor life impart. Thus all revolting Adam's blinded race In their first spouse their hope and comfort place. They natively expect, if guilt them press, Salvation by a homebred righteousness: They look foi favor in Jehovah's eyes, By careful doing all that in them lies. 'Tis still their primary attempt to draw Their life and comfort from the vet'ran law; They flee not to the hope the gospel gives; \ To trust a promise bare, their mind aggrieves, v Which judge the man that does, the man that lives, j As native as they draw their vital breath, Their fond recourse is to the legal path, " Why," says old nature, in law wedded man, " Won't Heav'n be pleas'd, if I do all I cani " If I conform my walk to nature's light, " And strive, intent to practise what is right, " Thus won't I by the God of heav'n be bless'd, " And win his favor, if I do my best? " Good God ! (he cries,) when press'd with debt and thrall, " Have patience with me, and Pll pay thee aZ/."f Upon their all, their best, they're fondly mad. Though yet their all is naught, their best is bad. Proud man his can-does mightily exalts. Yet are his brightest works but splendid faults. A sinner may have shews of good, but still The best he can, ev'n at his best, is ill. Can heav'n or divine favor e'er be won By those that are a mass of hell and sin? The righteous law does num'rous woes denounce Against the wretched soul that fails but once: What heaps of curses on their heads it rears. That have amass'd the guilt of num'rous years! * Luke 26: 5. X Matthew 18: 26. CHAP. I. ■ THE believer's ESPOUSALS. 31 Sect. iv. Man's strict attachment to legal Terms, or to the law as a condition of hfe. Say, on what terms then Heav'n appeas'd will be? Why, sure perfection is the least degree, Yea, more, full satisfaction must be giv'n For trespass done against the laws of Heav'n. These are the terms: what mortal back so broad. But must for ever sink beneath the load? A ransom must be found, or die they must, Sure, ev'n as justice infinite is just. But, says the legal, proud, self-righteous heart. Which cannot with her ancient consort part, ♦' What! won't the goodness of the God of heav'n, " Admit of smalls, when greater can't be given? •' He knows our fall diminish'd all our funds, " Won't he accept of pennies now for pounds? •' Sincere endeavors for perfection take, " Or terms more possible for mankind make?'* Ah ! poor divinity, and jargon loose; Such hay and straw will never build the house. Mistake not here, proud mortal, don't mistake, God changes not, nor other terms will make. Will divine faithfulness itself deny. Which swore solemnly, Man shall do, or die? Will God most true extend to us, forsooth, His goodness, to the damage of his truth? Will spotless holiness be baffled thus? Or awful justice be unjust for us? Shall faithfulness be faithless for our sake, And he his threats, as we our precepts, break? Will our great Creditor deny himself; And for full payment take our filthy pelf? Dispense with justice, to let mercy vent? And stain his royal crown with 'minish'd rent? Unworthy thought! O let no mortal clod Hold such base notions of a glorious God. Heaven's holy covenant, made for human race, Consists, or whole of works or whole of grace. If works will take the field, then works must be For ever perfect to the last degree: Will God dispense with less? Nay, sure he won't With ragged toll his royal law affront. 32 G08PEI. SONNETS. PAKT Z. Can rage, that Sinai flames will soon despatch, E'er prove the fiery law's adequate match? Vain man must be divorc'd, and choose to take Another husband, or a burning lake. We find the divine volume no where teach New legal terms within our mortal reach. Some make, though in the sacred page unknown, Sincerity assume perfection's throne; But who will boast this base usurper's sway, ^ Save ministers of darkness, that display > Invented night, to stifle scripture day? J The nat'ralist's sincerity is naught, That of the gracious is divinely taught; Which teaching keeps their graces, if sincere. Within the limits of the gospel sphere, Where, vaunting, none created graces sing, , Nor boast of streams, but of the Lord the spring. Sinceiity's the soul of ev'ry grace. The quality of all the ransom'd race, Of promis'd favor 'tis a fruit, a clause; But no procuring term, no moving cause. How unadvis'd the legal mind confounds The marks of divine favor with the grounds, And qualities of covenanted friends With the condition of the cov'nant blends? Thus holding gospel truths with legal arms, Mistakes new covenant fruits for fed'ral terms. The joyful sound no change of terms allows. But change of persons, or another spouse. The nature same that sinn'd must do and die; No milder terms in gospel offers lie. For grace no other law abatement shews, But how law debtors may restore its dues; Restore, yea through a surety in their place, With double int'rest and a better grace. Here we of no new terms of life are told, But of a husband to fulfil the old; With him alone by faith we're call'd to wed, And let no rival *bruik the marriage bed. * Enjoy, . I. THE believer's ESPOUSALS. SS Bectt. t. Men's vain attempt to seek life by Christ's righteooft- ness, joined with their own; and legal hopes natural lo al^ But still the bride reluctant disallows The junior suit, and hugs the senior spouse. Such the old selfish folly of her mind, So bent to lick the dust, and grasp the wind. Alleging works and duties of her own May for her criminal offence atone; She will her antic dirty robe provide, Which vain she hopes will all pollutions hide. The filthy rags that saints away have flung. She, holding, wraps and rolls herself in dung; Thus maugre all the light the gospel gives. Unto her nat'ral consort fondly cleaves. Though mercy set the royal match in view. She's loth to bid her ancient mate adieu. "When light of scripture, reason, common sense. Can hardly mortify her vain pretence To legal righteousness; yet if at last Her conscience rous'd begins to stand aghast, Press'd with the dread of hell, she'll rashly patch. And halve a bargain with the proffer'd match; In hopes his help, together with her own, Will turn to peaceful smiles the wrathful frown. Though grace the rising Sun delightful sings. With full salvation in his golden wings, And righteousness complete; the faithless soul. Receiving half the light, rejects the whole; Revolves the sacred page, but reads purblind The gospel message with the legal mind. Men dream their state, ah! too, too slightly view'd. Needs only be amended, not renew'd; Scorn to be wholly debtors unto grace. Hopeful their works may meliorate their case. They fancy present prayers, and future pains Will for their former failings make amends: To legal yokes they bow their servile necks 1 And, lest soul's slips their false repose perplex, > Think Jesus' merits make up all defects. y They patch his glorious robe with filthy rags, Ajid burn but incense to their proper drags * * Habakkuk 1: 16, 34 GOSPEL SONNETS. PAET I. Disdain to use his righteousness alone, "1 But as an aiding stirr'p to mount their own; > Thus in Christ's room his rival, self, enthrone; y And vainly would, dress'd up in legal trim, Divide salvation 'tween themselves and him. But know, vain man, that to his share must fall The glory of the whole, or none at all. In him all wisdom's hidden treasures lie* And all the fulness of the Deity. ^ This store alone, immense, and never spent, Might poor insolvent debtors well content; But to hell-prison justly Heaven will doom Proud fools that on their petty stock presume. The softest couch that gilded nature knows. Can give the waken'd conscience no repose. When God arraigns, what mortal power can stand Beneath the terror of his lifted hand! Our safety lies beyond the nat'ral line, Beneath the purple covert all divine. Yet how is precious Christ, the way, despis'd, And high the way of life by doing priz'd! But can its vot'ries all its levy show? They prize it most who least its burden know: Who by the law in part would save his soui, Becomes a debtor to fulfil the whole.X Its pris'ner he remains, and without bail, Till every mite be paid; and if he fail, (As sure he must, since, by our sinful breach, Perfection far surmounts all mortal reach,) Then curs'd for ever must his soul remain: And all the folk of God must say, Amen.§ Why, seeking that the law should help afford, In honoring the law, he slights its Lord, Who gave his law fulfilling righteousness To be the naked sinner's perfect dress. In which he might with spotless beauty shine Before the face of majesty divine: Yet, lo! the sinner works with mighty pains A garment of his own to hide his stains; Ungrateful, overlooks the gift of God, The robe wrought by his hand, dy'd in his blood. » Col, 2: 3. tCoL2:9. t Gal. 5:3. §Deut. 27:26. CHAP. I. THE believer's ESPOUSALS. 35 In vain the Son of God this web did weave, Could our vile rags sufficient shelter give. In vain he ev'ry thread of it did draw, Gould sinners be o'ermantled by the law. Can men's salvation on their works be built, Whose fairest actions nothing are but guilt? Or can the law suppress th' avenging flame, When now its only office is to damn! Did life come by the law in part or whole, Bless'd Jesus died in vain to save a soul. Those then who life by legal means expect. To them is Christ become of no effect;* Because their legal mixtures do in fact Wisdom's grand project plainly counteract. How close proud carnal reasonings combine, To frustrate sov'reign grace's great design! Man's heart by nature weds the law alone, Nor will another paramour enthrone. True, many seem, by course of life profane. No favor for the law to entertain: But break the bonds, and cast the cords away. That would their raging lusts and passions stay. Yet ev'n this reigning madness may declare, How strictly wedded to the law they are; For now (however rich they seem'd before) \ Hopeless to pay law debt, they give it o'er, > Like desp'rate debtors mad, still run themselves in more, y Despair of success shews their strong desires. Till legal hopes are parch'd with lustful fires. " Let's give, say they, our lawless will free scope, " And live at random, for there is no Aope."f The law, that can't them help, they stab with hate, Yet scorn to beg, or court another mate. Here lusts most opposite their hearts divide. Their beastly passion and their bankrupt pride. InJ^passion they their native mate deface, In pride disdain to be oblig'd to grace. Hence plainly as a rule 'gainst law they live. Yet closely to it as a cov'nant cleave. Thus legal pride lies hid beneath the patch, And strong aversion to the gospel match. »GaI.2:21, 5:2,4. tJer.l6:l« 36 GosPEii sorirNETs. part i. CHAPTER n. THE MANNER OF A SINNER's DIVORCE FROM THE LAVT IN A WORK OF HUMILIATION, AND OF HIS MARRIAGE TO THE LORD JESUS CHRIST,* OR, THE WAY HOW A SINNER COMES TO BE A BELIEVER. SscnoN I. Of a Law Work, and the workings of legal pride tin- der it. So pioud's the bride, so backwardly disposed; How then shall e'er the happy match be clos'd? Kind grace the tumults of her heart must quell, And draw her heav'nward by the gates of hell. The Bridegroom's Father makes, by 's holy Sp'rit, His stern command with her stiff conscience meet; To dash her pride, and shew her utmost need, Pursues for double debt with awful dread. He makes her former husband's frightful ghost Appear and damn her, as a bankrupt lost; With curses, threats, and Sinai thunder claps, Her lofty tow'r of legal boasting saps. These humbling storms, in high or low degrees, Heav'n's Majesty will measure as he please; But still he makes the fiery law at least Pronounce its awful sentence in her breast. Till through the law* convict of being lost, She hopeless to the law gives up the ghost: Which now in rigor comes full debt to crave And in close prison cast; but not to save. For now 'tis weak and can't (through our default) It's greatest votaries to life exalt. But well it can command with fire and flame. And to the lowest pit of ruin damn. Thus doth it, by commission from above, Deal with the bride, when Heav'n would court her love. Lo! now she startles at the Sinai trump. Which throws her soul into a dismal dump, Conscious another husband she must have, Else lie forever in destruction's grave. • Galatians 2: 19. CHAP. II. THE believer's ESPOUSALS. 37 While in conviction's jail she's thus enclos'd, Glad news is heard, the royal Mate's propos'd, And now the scornful bride's inverted stir Is racking fear, he scorns to match with her. She dreads his fury, and despairs that he Will ever wed so vile a wretch as she. And here the legal humor stirs again To her prodigious loss, and grievous pain: For when the Prince presents himself to be Her husband, then she deems: Ah! is not he Too fair a match for such a filthy bride? Unconscious that the thought bewrays her pride, Ev'n pride of merit, pride of righteousness, Expecting Heav'n should love her for her dress; Unmindful how the fall her face did stain. And made her but a black unlovely swain; Her whole primeval beauty quite defac'd. And to the rank of fiends her form debas'd; Without disfigur'd, and defil'd within, Incapable of any thing but sin. Heav'n courts not any for their comely face. But for the glorious praise of sov'reign grace Else ne'er had courted one of Adam's race, Which all his children of corruption be Heirs rightful of immortal misery. Yet here the bride employs her foolish wit, For this bright match her ugly form to fit; To daub her features o'er with legal paint, That with a grace she may herself present. Hopeful the Prince with credit might her wed, If once some comely qualities she had. In humble pride, hei haughty spirit flags; She cannot think of coming all in rags. Were she an humble, faithful penitent. She dreams he'd then contract with full content. Base varlet! think she'd be a match for him, Did she but deck herself in handsome trim. Ah! foolish thoughts! in legal deeps that plod, Ah ! sorry notions of a sov'reign God ! Will God expose his great, his glorious Son, For our vile baggage to be sold and won? 4 38 ' GOSPEL SONNETS. PART I. Should sinful modesty the match decline, Until its garb be brisk and superfine; Alas! when should we see the marriage day? The hap})y bargain must flee up for aye. Presumptuous souls in surly modesty, Half saviours themselves would fondly be; Then, hopeful th' other half their due will fally Disdain to be in Jesus' debt for all. Vainly the first would wash themselves, and then Address the fountain to be wash'd more clean; First heal themselves, and then expect the balm: Ah! many slightly cure their sudden qualm. They heal their conscience with a tear of pray'r; And seek no other Christ, but perish there. O sinner! search the house, and see the thief \ That spoils thy Saviour's crown, thy soul's relief, > The hid, but heinous sin of unbelief. j Who can possess a quality that's good, Till first he come to Jesus' cleansing blood? The pow'r that draws the bride, will also shew Unto her by the way her hellish hue. As void of ev'ry virtue to commend. And full of ev'ry vice that will offend. Till sov'reign grace the sullen bride shall catch. She'll never fit herself for such a match. Most qualifi'd they are in heav'n to dwell, Who see themselves most qualifi'd for hell; And, ere the bride can drink salvation's cup, Kind Heav'n must reach to hell and lift her upt For no decorum e'er about her found. Is she belov'd; but on a nobler ground- Jehovah's love is like his nature free. Nor must his creature challenge his decree;: But low at sov'reign grace's footstool creep. Whose ways are searchless, and his judgments deep. Yet Grace's suit meets with resistance rude From haughty souls; for lack of innate good To recommend them. Thus the backward bride ATionls her suitor with her modest pride. Black hatred for his oflor'd love repays; Pride under mask of modesty displays: In pnrt would save herself; hence, saucy soul! Rejects the matchless Mate would save in whole. •CHAP. II. THE believer's ESPOUSAtS. 3© SscT. It. Conviction of sin and wrath, carried on more deeply and effectually on the heart. So proudly forward is the bride, and now Stern Heav'n begins to stare with cloudier brow; Law curses come with more condemning pow'r To scorch her conscience with a fiery show'r. And more refulgent flashes darted in; For by the law the knowledge is of sin.* Black Sinai thund'ring louder than before, Does awful in her lofty bosom roar. Heav'n's furious storms now rise from ev'ry airtk,'f In ways more terrible to shake the earth,j^ Till haughtiness of men be sunk thereby. That Christ alone may be exalted high. Now stable earth seems from her centre tost, And lofty mountains in the ocean lost. Hard rocks of flint and haughty hills of pride, Are torn in pieces by the roaring tide. Each flash of new conviction's lucid rays Heart-errors, undiscerned till now, displays: Wrath's massy cloud upon the conscience breaks. And thus menacing Heaven, in thunder speaks; " Black wretch, thou madly under foot hast trod *' Th' authority of a commanding God; *' Thou, like thy kindred that in Adam fell, \ *' Art but a law-reversing lump of hell, V " And there by law and justice doom'd to dwell." j Now, now, the daunted bride her state bewails, And downward furls her self-exalting sails; With pungent fear, and piercing terror' brought To mortify her lofty legal thought. Why? the commandment comes, sin is reviv^d,^ That lay so hid, while to the law she liv'd; Infinite majesty in God is seen; And infinite malignity in sin; That to its expiation must amount A sacrifice of infinite account. Justice its dire severity displays, The law its vast dimensions open lays. -•&om,3^20. t Wind, or quarter. Usa.2:17.19. § Rom. 7: 9, 40 GOSPEL SONNET9. TAUT 1. She sees for this broad standard nothing meet, Save an obedience sinless and complete. Her cobweb righteousness, once in renown, Is with a happy vengeance now swept down. She who of daily faults could once but prate, Sees now her sinful, miserable state. Her heart, where once she thought some good to dwell,. The devil's cab'net filled with trash of hell. Her boasted features now unmasked bare, Her vaunted hopes are plunged in deep despair. Her haunted shelter-house in bypast years Comes tumbling down about her frighted ears. Her former rotten faith, love, penitence, She sees a bowing wall, and totfring fence. Excellencies of thought, and word, and deed. All swimming, drowning in a sea of dread; Her beauty now deformity she deems. Her heart much blacker than the devil's seems; "With ready lips she can herself declare The vilest ever breath'd in vital air. Her former hopes, as refuges of lies, Are swept away, and all her boasting dies. S!!e once imagin'd Heaven would be unjust To danm so many lumps of human dust, Form'd by himself; but now she owns it true, Damnation surely is the sinner's due: Yea, now applauds the law's just doom so well. That justly she condemns herself to hell; Does herein divine equity acquit, Herself adjudging to the lowest pit. Her language, "Oh! if God condemn, I must " From bottom of my soul declare him just. " But if his great salvation me embrace, " How loudly will I sing surprising grace! " If from the pit he to the throne me raisc^ " I'll rival angels in his endless praise. " If hell-deserving me to heaven he bring, " No heart so glad, no tongue so loud shall sing. " If wisdom has not laid the saving plan, " I nothing have to claim, I nothing can. " My A^i'orks but sin, my merit death I see; "Oh! mercy, mercy, mercy! pity me." CHAP. 11. THE BELlEVER^S ES]POtrSALS. 41 Thus all self-justifying pleas are dropp'd, Most guilty she becomes, her mouth is stopp'd. Pungeat lemorse does her past conduct blame, And flush her conscious cheek with spreading shame. Her self-conceited heart is self-convict, With barbed arrows of compunction pricked; Wonders how justice spares her vital breath, How patient Heaven adjourns the day of wrath; How pliant earth does not with open jaws Devour her, Korah like, for equal cause: How yawning hell, that gapes for such a prey, Is frustrate with further hour's delay. She that could once her mighty works exalt, And boast devotion fram'd without a fault, Extol her nat'ral powers, is now bi ought down, Her former madness, not her powers, to own. Her present beggar'd state, most void of grace, Unable even to wail her woful case, Quite powerless to believe, repent, or pray; Thus pride of duties flies and dies away. She, like a harden'd wretch, a stupid stone. Lies in the dust, and cries, Undone, undone. Skct. III. The deeply humbled soul relieved with some saving discoveries of Clorist the Redeemer. When thus the wounded bride perceives full well Herself the vilest sinner out of hell; The blackest monster in the universe; Pensive if clouds of wo shall e'er disperse. When in her breast Heav'n's wrath so fiercely glows, 'Twixt fear and guilt her bones have no repose. When flowing billows of amazing dread Swell to a deluge o'er her sinking liead; When nothing in her heart is foiind to dwell, But horrid atheism, enmity and hell; When endless death and ruin seems at hand, And yet she cannot, for her soul, command A sigh to ease it, or a gracious thought, Though heaven could at this petty rate be bought; When darkness and confusion overcloud. And unto black despair temptations crowd; ■ 4 * 42 GOSPEL SONNETS. PAET 1. When wholly without strength to move or stir. And not a star by night appears to her: But she, while to the brim her troubles flow, Stands, trembling, on the utmost brink of wo. Ah! weary case! But, lo! in this sad plight. The sun arises with surprising light. The darkest midnight is his usual time Of rising, and appearing in his prime. To shew the hill from whence salvation springs. And chase the gloomy shade with golden wings, The glorious husband now unveils his face, And shews his glory full of truth and grace:* Presents unto the bride, in that dark hour. Himself a Saviour, both by price and power: A mighty Helper to redeem the lost. Relieve and ransom to the uttermost;f To seek the vagrant sheep to deserts driven. And save from lowest hell to highest heaven. Her doleful case he sees, his bowels move. And makes her time of need his time of love;1[. He shews, to prove himself her mighty shield. His name is Jesus, by his Father seal'di^ A name with attributes cngrav'd within, To save from ev'ry attribute of sin. With uiisdom sin's great folly to expose, And righteousness its chain o( guilt to loose, Sanctif cation to subdue its sway, Redemption, all its woful brood to slay.|| Each golden letter of his glorious name Bears full deliv'rance both from sin and shame. Yea, not privation bare from sin and wo, 1 But thence all positive salvations flow, > To make her icise, just, holy, happy too. y He now appears a match exactly meet To make her ev'ry way in him complete, In whom the fulness of the Godhead dwells,^ That she may boast in him, and nothing else. In gospel lines she now perceives the dawn Of Jesus' love, with bloody pencil drawn; « John 1:14. t Hebrews 7:25. t Ezekiel 16:6,8. § Matthew 1: 21. || 1 Cor. 1:30. T Col. 2: 9,10. CHAP. II. THE believer's ESPOUSALS, 4S How God in him is infinitely pleas'd, And Heav'n avenging fury wholly appeas'd: Law precepts magnifi'd by her belov'd, And ev'ry let to stop the match remov'd. Now in her view her prison gates break ope, Wide to the wall flies up the door of hope; And now she sees with pleasure unexpress'd, For shatter'd barks a happy shore of rest. Sect. iv. The workingf of the Spirit of Faith, in separating the heart from all self-righteousness, and drawing out its consent to and desire after Clirist alone and wholly. The bride at Sinai little understood ^ How these law humblings were design'd for good, > T' enhance the value of her Husband's blood. j The tow'r of tott'ring piide thus batter'd down, Makes way for Christ alone to wear the crown. Conviction's arrows pierc'd her heart, that so The blood from his pierc'd heart, to her's might flow. The law's sharp plough tears up the fallow ground, Where not a grain of grace was to be found, Till straight perhaps behind the plough is sown The hidden seed of faith, as yet unknown. Hence now the once reluctant bride's inclin'd To give the gospel an assenting mind, Dispos'd to take, would grace the pow'r impart, Heav'n's offer with a free consenting heart. His Spirit in the gospel chariot rides. And shews his loving heart to draw the Though oft in clouds his drawing pow' His love in gracious offers to her bears, In kindly answers to hei doubts and fears; Resolving all objections more or less From'former sins, or present worthlessness. Persuades her mind of 's conjugal consent, And then empow'rs her heart to say. Content. Content to be divorced from the law. No more the yoke of legal terms to draw; Content that he dissolve the former match. And to himself alone her heart attach; Content to join with Christ at any rate, And wed him as her everlasting mate; e bride's, v /'r he hides. ^ 44 ■ .. GOSPEL SONNETS. PART 1. Content that he should ever wear the bays, And of her whole salvation have the praise; Content that he should rise, though she should fall, And to be nothing', that he may be all; Content that he, because she nought could do: Do for her all her work, and in her too. Here she a peremptory mind displays, That he do all the work, get all the praise. And now she is, which ne'er till now took place, Content entirely to be sav'd by grace. She owns that her damnation just would be, And therefore her salvation must be free: That nothing being her's but sin and thrall. She must be debtor unto grace for all. Hence comes she to him in her naked case. To be invested with his righteousness. She comes, -as guilty, to a pardon free; As vile AwA filthy, to a cleansing sea: As poor and empty, to the richest stock; As weak and feeble, to the strongest rock: As perishing, unto a shield from thrall; As worse than nothing, to an all in all. She as a blinded mole, an ign'rant fool. Comes for instruction to the Prophefs school. She, with a hell deserving conscious breast, Flies for atonement to the worthy Prie^^jk She as a slave to sin and Satan, wings Her flight for help unto the King of kings. She all her maladies and plagues brings forth To this Physician of eternal worth. She spreads before his throne her filthy sore; And lays her broken bones down at his door. No mite she has to buy a crumb of bliss. And therefore comes impov'rish'd as she is. * By sin and Satan, of all good bereft. Comes e'en as bare as they her soul have left. To sense, as free of holiness within. As Christ, the spotless Lamb, was free of sin. She comes by faith, true; but it shews her want, And brings her as a sinner, not a saint; A wretched sinner, flying for her good To justifying, sanctifying blood. CUAP. II. •THE believer's ESPOUSALS. 45 Strong faith no strength, nor pow'r of acting, vaunts, But acts in sense of weakness and of wants. Drain'd now of ev'ry thing that men may call ^ Terms and conditions of relief from thrall; > Except this one, that Jesus be her all. ) When to the bride he gives espousing faith, It finds her under sin, and guilt, and wrath, And makes her as a plagued wretch to fall At Jesus' footstool for the cure of all. Her whole salvation now in him she seeks. And musing thus perhaps in secret speaks: " Lo! all my burdens may in him be eas'd; " The justice I offended he has pleas'd; " The bliss that I have forfeit he procur'd; " The curse that I deserved be endur'd; " The law that I have broken he obey'd; " The debt that I contracted he has paid: " And though a match unfit for him I be, " I find him ev'ry way most fit for me. " Sweet Lord, I think, would thou thyself impart, " I'd welcome thee with open hand and heart. ♦'•But thou that sav'st by price, must save by pow'r; " O send thy Spirit in a fiery show'r, " This cold ahd frozen heart of mine to thaw, " That nought, save cords of burning love, can draw. "O draw me. Lord, then will I run to* thee, " And glad into TTiy glowing bosom flee. " [ own myself a mass of sin and hell, " A biat that can do nothing but rebel: " But didst thou not, as sacred pages shew,* " When rising up to spoil the hellish crew, " That had by thousands, sinners captive made, "And hadst in conqu'ring chains them captive led, " Get donatives, not for thy proper gain, " But royal bounties for rebellious men, " Gifts, graces, and the Spirit without bounds, " For God's new house with man on former grounds? " O then let me a rebel now come speed, *' Thy holy Spirit is the gift I need. " His precious graces too, the glorious grant, •' Thou kindly promis'd, and I greatly want. * Psalm 18: 18. 46 GOSPEL SONNETS. PART I. " Thou art exalted to the highest place, " To give repentance forth, and ev'ry grace* '' O giver of spiritual life and breath, " The author and the finisher of faith;f " Thou husband-like must ev'ry thing provide, " If e'er the like of me become thy bride." Section v. Faith's view of the freedom of Grace, cordial rennn- ciation of all its own ragged rigliteousness, and formal accept- ance of and closing with the person of glorious Christ. The bride with open eyes, that once were dim, Sees now her whole salvation lies in him; The Prince, who is not in dispensing nice, But freely gives without her pains or price. This magnifies the wonder in her eye, Who not a farthing has wherewith to buy; For now her humbled mind can disavow Her boasted beauty and assuming brow; With conscious eye discern her emptiness, With candid lips her poverty confess. " O glory to the Lord, that grace is free, " Else never would it light on guilty me. *' I nothing have with me to be its price, " But hellish blackness, enmity, and vice." In former times she durst presuming come To grace's market with a petty sum Of duties, prayers, tears, a boasted set, Expecting Heav'n would thus be in her debt. These were the price; at least she did suppose She'd be the welcomer because of those: But now she sees the vileness of her vogue. The dung that close doth ev'ry duty clog; The sin that doth her holiness reprove. The enmity that close attends her love; The great heart hardness of her penitence, The stupid dulness of her vaunted sense; The unbelief of former blazed faith, The utter nothingness of all she hath. The blackness of her beauty she can see. The pompous pride of strain'd humility, •Acts 5:31. t Hebrews i2:2. CHAP. II. THE believer's ESPOUSALS. 47 The naughtiness of all her tears and pray'rs, And now renounces all as worthless wares; And findi':j nothing to commend herself, But what might damn her, her embezzled pelf: At sov'reign Grace's feet doth prostrate fall, Content to be in Jesus' debt for all. Her noised virtues vanish out of sight, As starry tapers at meridian light; While sweetly, humbly, she beholds at length Christ as her only righteousness and strength. He with the view throws down his loving dart, Imprest with power into her tender heart. The deeper that the law's fierce dart was thrown, The deeper now the dart of love goes down: Hence, sweetly pain'd, her cries to heav'n do flee; " O none but Jesus, none but Christ for me: " O glorious Christ, O beauty, beauty rare, " Ten thousand, thousand heav'ns are not so fair. " In him at once all beauties meet and shine, " The white and ruddy, human and divine. *' As in his low, he's in his high abode, *' The brightest image of the unseen God.* " How justly do the harpers sing above; " His doing, dying, rising, reigning love! •' How justly does he, when his work is done, " Possess the centre of his Father's throne? *♦ How justly do, his awful throne before, ** Seraphic armies, prostrate, him adore; " That's both by nature and donation crown'd, ** With all the grandeur of the Godhead round? " But wilt thou. Lord, in very deed come dwell " With me, that was a burning brand of hell? " With me, so justly reckon'd worse and less " Than insect, mite, or atom can express? " Wilt thou debase thy high imperial form, " To match with such a mortal, crawling worm? " Yea, sure thine errand to our earthly coast, " Was in deep love to seek and save the lost;\ " And since thou deign'st the like of me to wed, /* O come and make my heart thy marriage bed. " Fair Jesus, wilt thou marry filthy me? '* Amen, amen, amen; so let it be. • Hebrews 1:3. t Luke 19:10. 48 GOSPEL SONNETS. PART 1. CHAPTER III. THE FRUITS OF THE BELIEVEE's MARRIAGE WITH CHRIST, PARTICULARLY GOSPEL HOLINESS, AND OBEDIENCE TO THE LAW AS A RULE. Section i. The sweet solemnity of the marriage now over, and the sad effects of the remains of a legal spirit The match is made, with little din 'tis done, But with great power, unequal prizes won. The Lamb has fairly won his worthless bride; She her great Lord, and all his store beside. He made the poorest bargain, tho' most wise; And she, the fool, has won the worthy prize. Deep floods of everlasting love and grace, That under ground ran an eternal space, Now rise aloft 'bove banks of sin and hell, And o'er the tops of massy mountains swell. In streams of blood are towers of guilt o'erflown, Down with the rapid purple current thrown. The bride now as her all can Jesus own, And prostrate at his footstool cast her crown. Disclaiming all her forrner groundless hope, While in the dark her soul did weary grope. Down tumble all the hills of self-conceit. In him alone she sees herself complete; Does his fair person with fond arms embrace, And all her hopes on his full merit place; Discard her former mate, and henceforth draw No hope, no expectation from the law. Though thus her new created nature soars, And lives aloft on Jesus' heavenly stores; Yet apt to stray, her old adult'rous heart Oft takes her old renounced husband's pait: A legal cov'nant is so deep ingrain'd, Upon the human nature, laps'd and strain'd, That, till her spirit mount the purest clime, She's never totally divorc'd in time. Hid in her corrupt part's proud bosom lurks Some hope of life still by the law of works. CHAP. III. THE believer's ESPOUSALS. 49 Hence flow the following evils more or less; i Preferring oft her partial holy dress, > Before her Husband's perfect righteousness. ) Hence joying more in giace already given Than in her head and stock that's all in heaven. Hence grieving more the want of frames and grace, Than of himself the spring of all solace. Hence guilt her soul iiiiprisons, lusts prevail, ^ While to the law her rents insolvent fail, > And yet her faithless heart rejects her husband's bail. ) Hence foul disorders rise, and racking fears, While doubtful of his clearing past arrears; Vain dreaming, since her own obedience fails, His likewise little for her help avails. / Hence duties are a task, while all in view / Is heavy yokes of laws, or old or new: / Whereas, were once her legal bias broke, / She'd find her Lord's commands an easy yoke.^ / No galling precepts on her neck he lays, / Nor any debt demands, save what he pays By promis'd aid; but, lo! the grievous law. Demanding brick, won't aid her with a stvaw. Hence, also, fretful, grudging, discontent, \ Crav'd by the law, finding her treasure spent, > And doubting if her Lord will pay th^ rent. y Hence pride of duties too does oftei> swell, Presuming she pcrform'd so very \yell. Hence i)ride of graces and inhr/rent worth Springs from her corrupt legal/ bias forth; And boasting more a present Kith'ring frame, Than her exalted Lord's unfading name. Hence many falls and plunges in the mire, As many new conversions do require: Because her faithless heart sad follies breed, Much lewd departure from her living Head, Who, to reprove her a'/gravated crimes. Leaves her abanJorl'^J lo'herself at times; That, falling into frightful deeps, she may From sad experier).cc Iparn more stress to lay. Not on her native eflbrfs, but at length On Christ alone, her rigiiteousness and strength: Conscious, white in her works she seeks repose, Her legal spirit breeds her many woes. 5 50 ' GggPEL SONNETS. PART I, 3eot. If. Faith's victoi'ies over sin^and Satan, through new and- ikrther discoveries of Christ, making believers more fruitful in holiness than alJ otlier pretenders to works, TrtB gospel path leads heavenward; hence the fray, HelTs powers still push the bride the legal way. So hot the war, her life's a troubled flood, A field of battle, and a scene of blood. But he that once comraenc'd the work in her, Whose working fingers drop the sweetest myrrh, Will stil! advance it by alluring force, And, from her ancient mate, more clean divorcer SJince 'tis her antiquated spouse the law, The strength of sin and hell did on her draw^ Ptece-meal she finds hell's mighty force abater By ne-w recruits from her almighty Mate. Fres!; armor sent from Grace's magazine, MakotJ her proclaim eternal war with sin. The .ihivld of faith, dipt in the Surety's blood,^ Drowns l\ry darts, as in a crimson flood. The CTap a\ji's ruddy banner, lifted high^ Makes hell retire, and all the furies fly. Yea, of his glory every recent glance Makes sin dec;>y, and holiness advance. In kindncas therefore does her heav'nly Lord R-enew'd discov'ri^s of his love afford. That her enamor'd "ioul may, with the view,, Be cast into his holy mould anewi For when he manifesto his glorious grace. The charming favor of his smiling face, into his image fair transforms her soul,* And wafts her upwards to Jhe heav'nly pole^- From glory unto glory by degrees, Till vision and fruition shall "iufiice, AiKi thus in holy beauty Jesus' bride Shkiies far beyond the painted sons of pride,. Vaiij mi lit vouchers, and their subtle apes, In ;»ll their most refin'd, delusive shapes. No i.Awfi.il child is ere the marriage \)orn; Thoi)f>h therefore virtues feign'd their life adorrv. The fnii' they bear is but a spurious brood, Before this happy maniag-e be made good- " Ccr. 3;18. • CHAP. III. THE believer's ESPOITSALS. 51 And 'tis not strange; (or, from a corrupt tree No fruit divlneltf good produced can he* But, lo! the bride, graft in the living Root, Brings forth most precious aromatic fruit. When her new heart and her new Husband meet, Her fruitful womb is like a heap of wheat, Beset with fragrant lilies round about,f i All divine graces in a comely rout, > Burning within, and shining bright without. j And thus the bride, as sacred scripture saith, When dead unto the law through Jesus' death,:f And match'd with him, bears to her God and Lord Accepted fruit, with incense pure decor'd. Freed from law debt, and bless'd with gospel ease.. Her work is now her dearest Lord to please, By living on him as her ample stock. And leaning to him as her potent rock. The fruit, that each law wedded mortal brings To self accresces, as from self it springs. So base a rise must have a base recourse, The stream can mount no higher than its source. But Jesus can his bride's sweet fruit commend. As brought from him the loot, to him the end. She does by such an oflTspring him avow To be her Alpha and Omega too. The work and warfare be begins, he crowns, Though maugre various conflicts, ups and downs. Thus through the darksome vale she makes her way, Until the morning dawn of glory's day. Sect. hi. True saving faith magnifying the law both as a eovcn- ant and as a rule. False faith unfruitful and ruining. Proud nature may reject this gospel theme, And curse it as an Antinomian scheme. Let slander bark, let envy grin and fight. The curse that is so causeless shall not light,§ If they that fain would make by holy force 'Twixt sinners and the law a clean divorce, And court the Lamb a virgin chaste to wife, Be charg'd as foes to holiness of life, « Matth. 7:17,18. t Cant. 7:2. t Rom. 7:4. § Prov. 26:2, 52 GOSPEL SONNETS. PAST T. Well may they giadly suffer on this score, Apostles great were so malign'd before. Do we make void the law through faith?* Nay, why^ We do it more fulfil and magnify Than fiery seraphs can with holiest flash; Avaunt, vain legalists, unworthy trash. When as a cov''nant stern the law commands. Faith puts her Lamb's obedience in its hands; And when its threats gush out a fiery flood, Faith stops the current with her victim's blood. The law can crave no more, yet craves no less. Than active, passive, perfect righteousness. Yet here is all, yea, more than its demand, All rendered to it by a divine hand. Mankind is bound law service still to pay. Yea, angel kind is also bound t' obey. r may by human and angelic blaze Have honor; but in finite partial ways. These natures have its lustre once defac'd, 'Twill be by part of both for aye disgrac'd, Yet, had they all obsequious stood and true, They'd giv'n the law no more than homage due» Vai faith gives 't honor yet more great, more odd. The higiJ, the humble service of its God. Again, to view the holy law's command, As lodged in a Mediator's hand; Faith gives it honor, as a rule of life. And makes the bride the Lamb's obedient wife. Due homage to the law those never did. To whom th' obedience pure of faith is hid, Faith works by love,'\ and purifes the hearj.,% And truth advances in the inward part; On carnal hearts impresses divine stamps, And sully'd lives inverts to shining lamps. From Abram's seed that are most strong in faith. The law most honor, God most glory huth. But due respect to neither can be found, ^ Where unbelief ne'er got a mortal wound, > To still the virtue vaunter's empty sound. } Good works he boasts, a path he never Irode * Rom. 3: 21. t Eph. 2: 10. X GaL 5: 9. CHAP. III. THE believer's ESPOlfSALS. 53 Who is not yet the worhmanship of God,* In Jesus thereunto created new; ^ Nois'd works that spring not hence are but a shew, True faith that's of a noble, divine race, Is still a holy sanctifying grace: And greater honor to the law does share, Than boasters all that breathe the vital air. Ev'n heathen morals vastly may outshine The works that flow not from a faith divine. Pretensions high to fnith a number have, »* But, ah! it is a faith that cannot save: We trust, say they, in Christ, we hope in God: Nor blush to blaze their rotten faith abroad. Nor try the trust of whicii they make a shew, If of a saving or a damning hue. They own their sins are ill; true, but 'tis sad They never thought their faith and hope were bad^ How evident's their home-bred riat'ral blaze, Who dream they have believ'd well all their days^ Yet never felt their unbelief, nor knew Their need of pow'r their nature to renew. Blind souls, who boast of faith, yet live in sin, May hence conclude their faith is to begin. Or know they shall, by such an airy faith. Believe themselves to everlasting wtath. Faith, that nor leads to good, nor keeps from ill, ** Will never lead to heaven, nor keep from hcil. * * The body without breath is dead;"(" no less Is faith without works of holiness.:}: *• How rare is saving faith, when earth is crarnin'd «• With such as will believe, and yet be danin'd; • • Believe the gospel, yet with dread and awe » * Have never truly first believ'd the law. • * That matters shall be well, they hope too soon ' * Who never yet have seen they were undone. Can of salvation their belief be true, Who never yet believ'd damnation duo? Can these of endless life have solid faith Who never fear'd law threats of endless death? Nay, sail'd t!iey ha'a't yet to the healing shore, Who never felt their sinful, nvoful sore. * Eph. 3:9. f James 2: 26. I James 2:17.10. 5* 54 GOSPEL SOIfWETS. TAXT I. Imaginary faith is but a blind Which bears no fruit but of a deadly kind: Nor can from such a wild unwholesome root The least production rise of living fruit. But saving faith can such an offspring breed, Her native product is a holy seed. The fairest issues of the vital breath Spring from the fertile womb of heav'n-born faith; Yet boasts she nothing of her own, but brings Auxiliaties from the King of kings. Who graves his royal law in rocky hearts, And gracious aid in soft'ning showers impartsj This gives prolific virtue to the faith | Inspir'd at first by his almighty breath, \ Hence, fetching all her succors from abroad, s She still employs this mighty pow'r of God. / Drain'd clean of native pow'rs and legal aims^ No strength but in and from Jehovah claims; And thus her service to the law o'ertops The tow'ring zeal of Pharisaic fops. Sect. iv. The believer only being married to Christ, is justiiiecl and sanctified : and the more gospel freedom from the law as a covenant, the more holy conformity to it as a rule. Thtts doth the Husband by his Father's will Both for and in his bride the law fulfil: For her, as 'tis a covenant; and then In her, as 'tis a rule of life to men. First, all law debts he most completely pays, Then of law duties all the charge defrays. Does first assume her guilt, and loose her chains. And then with living water wash her stains; Her fund restore, and then her form repair, And make his filthy bride a beauty fair; His perfect righteousness most freely grant, And then his holy image deep implant; Into her heart his precious seed indrop. Which, in his time, will yield a glorious crop. But by alternate turns his plants he brings Through robbing winters, and repairing springs. Hence, pining oft, they suffer'd s^d decays, By dint of shady nights and stormy days. CRAP. HI. THE believer's ESPOUSALS. W But blest with sap, and influence from above, They live and grow anew in faith and lovej Until transplanted to the higher soil, While furies tread no more, nor foxes spoil. Where Christ the living root remains on high, The noble plant of grace can never die; Nature decays, and so will all the fruit That merely rises on a mortal root. Their works, however splendid, are but dead, That from a living fountain don't proceed; Their fairest fruit is but a garnish'd shrine, That are not grafted in the glorious Vine. Dovoutcst hypocrites are rank'd in rolls Of painted puppets, not of living souls. No offspring but of Christ's fair bride is good. This happy marriage has a holy brood. Let sinners learn this mystery to read, We bear to glorious Christ no precious seed. Till through the law, we to the law be dead.* No true obedience to the law, but forc'd, Can any yield, till from the law divorc'd. Nor to it, as a rule, is homage giv'n. Till from it, as a covenant, men be driv'n. Yea, more, till once they this divorce attain. Divorce from sin they but attempt in vain; The cursed yoke of sin they basely draw, Till once unyoked from the cursing law. Sin's full dominion keeps its native place, While men are under laiv, not under grace.'f For mighty hills of enmity won't move, Till touch'd by conqu'ring grace and mighty love. Were but the gospel secret understood; How God can pardon where he sees no good; How grace and mercy free, that can't be bought. Reign through a righteousness already wrought: Where woful reigning unbelief depos'd, Mysterious grace to blinded minds disclos'd: Did Heav'n with gospel news its pow'r convey. And sinners hear a faithful God but say: " No more law debt remains for you to pay; * Galatians 2:19. + Romans 6:14. 56 GOSPEL SONNETS. PART I. " Lo, by the loving Surety all's discharg'd," Their hearts behoov'd with love to be enlarg'd: Love, the succinct fu If Hing of the law* Were then the easy yoke they'd sweetly draw; Love would constrain and to his service move, Who left them nothing else to do but love. Slight now his loving precepts if they can; No, no; his conqu'ring kindness leads the van. When everlasting lo.ye exerts the sway, They judge themselves more kindly bound t' obey, Bound by redeeming love in stricter sense Than ever Adam was in innocence. Why now they are not bound, as formerly, To do and live, nor yet to do or die; Both life and death are put in Jesus' hands. Who urges neither in his kind commands, Not servile work their life and heav'n to win, Nor slavish labor death and hell to shun. Their aims are purer since they understood, [blood. Their heav'n was bought, their hell was quench'd with The oars of gospel service now they steer, Without or legal hope or slavish fear. The bride in sweet security can dwell, Nor bound to purchase heav'n nor vanquish hell; But bound for him the race of love to run. Whose love to her left none of these undone; She's bound to be the Lamb's obedient wife. And in his strength to serve him during life; To glorify his loving name for aye, Who left her not a single mite to pay Of legal debt, but wrote for her at large, In characters of blood, a full discharge. Henceforth no servile task her labors prove, But grateful fruits of reverential love. Section v. Gospel grace giving no liberty nor freedom to sin, but lo liolj' service and pure obedience. The glorious Husband's love can't lead the wife To whoredom or licentiousness of life; Nay, nay: she finds his warmest love within The hottest fac to melt her heart for sin. * Horaans 13: 10. CHAP. III. THE believer's ESPOUSALS. 57 His kind embrace is still the strongest cord To bind her to the service of her Lord. The more her faith insures this love of his, The more his law her delectation is. Some dream, they might, who his assurance win, Take latitude and liberty to sin. Ah! such bewray their ignorance, and prove i They want the lively sense of drawing love; > And how its sweet constraining force can move, j The ark of giace came never in to dwell, But Dagon-lusts before it headlong fell. Men basely can unto lasciviousness Abuse the doctrine, not the work of grace. Huggers of divine love in vice's path, Have but the fancy of it, not the faith. They never soar'd aloft on grace's wing, That knew not grace to be a holy thing; When pregnant she the powers of hell appals. And sin's dominion in the rnin falls. Curs'd is the crew whose antinomian dress Makes grace a cover to their idleness. The bride of Christ will sure be very loth To make his love a pillow for her sloth. Why, mayn't she sin the more that grace abounds? Oh, God forbid! the very thought confounds. When dead unto the law, she's dead to sin; How can she any longer live therein?* To neither of them is she now a slave, But shares the com|uest of the great, the brave. The mighty General, her victorious Head, Wlio broke the double chain to free the bride. Hence, prompted now with gratitude and love, Her cheerful feet in swift obedience move. More strong the cords of love to duty draw, Than hell, and all the curses of the law. When with seraphic love the breast's inspir'd, By that are all the other giaces fir'd; These kindling round, the burning heart and frame. In life and walk send forth a holy llame. * Romans 6:1,2. 58 eoSPEL 60]VNETS. PAST k CHAPTER IV. A CAUTION TO At,L AGAINST A LEGAL SPIRIT; ESPECIALLY TO THOSE THAT HAVE A PROFESSION WITHOUT POWEH, AND LEARNING WITHOUT GRACE. Why, says the haughty heart of legalists, Bound to the law of works by nat'ral twists, " Why such ado about a law-divorce? " Men's lives are bad, and would you have them worse! " Such antinomian stuff, with labor'd toil, " Would human beauty's native lustre spoil. " What wickedness beneath the covering lurks, "That lewdly would divorce us all from works? " Why such a stir about the law and grace? " We know that merit cannot now take place. " And what needs more?" Well, to let slander drop, Be merit for a little here the scope. Ah! many learn to lisp in gospel terms. Who yet embrace the law with legal arms. By wholesome education some are taught To own that human merit now is nought; Who faintly but renounce proud merit's name, And cleave refin'dly to the Popish scheme. For graceful works expecting divine bliss, And, when they fail, trust Christ for what's amiss. Thus to his righteousness profess to flee. Yet by it still would their own saviours be. They seem to works of merit bloody foes, Yet seek salvation as it we7'e* by those. Blind Gentiles found, who did nor seek nor know; But Israel lost it whole, who sought it so. Let all that love to wear the legal dress, Know that as sin, so bastard righteousness Has slain its thousands, who in tow'ring pride The righteousness of Jesus Christ deride; A robe divinely wrought, divinely won. Yet cast by men for robes that are their own. « Rom. 9 : 32. CHAP. IV. THE believer's ESPOUSALS. 59 II But some to legal works seem whole deni'd, Yet would by gospel works be justifi'd, By faith, repeniance, love, and other such These dreamers being righteous overmuch Like Uzza, give the ark a wrongful touch By legal deeds, however gospeliz'd, Can e'er tremendous justice be appeas'd, Or sinners justifi'd before that God, Whose law is perfect, and exceeding broad? Nay, faith itself, that leading gospel grace, Holds as a work no justifying place. Just Heav'n to man for righteousness imputes Not faith itself, or in its acts or fruits; But Jesus' meritorious life and death. Faith's proper object, all the honor hath. From this doth faith derive its glorious fame, Its great renown and justifying name; Receiving all things, but deserving nought; By faith all's begg'd and taken, nothing bought. Its highest name is from the wedding vote, So instrumental in the marriage knot. Jehovah lends the bride in that blest hour, TA' exceeding greatness of his mighly poiv^r,* Which sweetly does her heart consent command, To reach the wealthy Prince her naked hand. For close to his embrace she'd never stir, If first his loving arms embrac'd not her: But this he does by kindly gradual chase, Of rousing, raising, teaching, drawing grace, He shews her, in his sweetest love address, His glory as the Sun of righteousness; At which all dying glories earth adorn. Shrink like the sick moon at the wholesome morn This glorious Sun arising with a grace. Dark shades of creature rigliteousness to chase, Faith now disclaims itself, and all the train Of virtues formerly accounted gain; And counts them dung,]^ with holy, meek disdain For now appears the height, the depth immense Of divine bounty and benevolence; » Eph. 7: 16. + Phil. 3 : 7. 8. ,i 60 GOSPEL SONNETS. PART I. Amazing mercy! ignorant of bounds! Which most enlarged faculties confounds. How vain, how void now seem the vulgar charms, The monarch's pomp of courts, and pride of arms? The boasted beauties of the human kind, The pow'rs of body, and the gifts of mind? Lo! in the grandeur of Immanuel's train, All's swallowed up as rivers in the main. He's seen, when gospel light and sight is giv'n, Encompass'd round with all the pomp of heav'n. The soul, now taught of God, sees human schools Make Christless rabbi's only lit'rate fools; And that, till divine teaching pow'rfiil draw, No learning will divorce them from the law. Mere argument may clear the head, and force A verbal, not a cordial clean divorce. Hence many, taught the wholesome terms of art, Have gospel heads, but still a legal heart. Till sov'reign grace and povv'r the sinner catch. He takes not Jesus for his only match. Nay, works complete! ah! true, however odd, Dead works are rivals with the living God. Till Heav'n's preventing mercy clear the sight, Confound the pride with supemat'ral light: No haughty soul of human kind is brought To mortify her self exalting thought. Yet holiest creatures in clay tents that lodge, Be but their lives scann'd by the dreadful Judge; How shall they e'er his awful search endure, Before whose purest eyes heav'n is not pure? How must their black indictment be enlarg'd, When by him angels are with folly charg'd? What human worth shall stand, when he shall scan? O may his glory stain the pride of man. How wond'rous are the tracks of divine grace! How searchless are his ways, how vast th' abyss! Let haughty reason stoop, and fear to leap; Angelic plummets cannot sound the deep. With scorn he turns his eyes from haughty kings, With pleasure looks on low and worthless things; Deep are his judgments, sov'reign is his will, Let ev'ry mortal worm be dumb, be still. CHAP. V. THE believer's ESPOUSAIS. 61 In vain proud reason swells beyond its bound; ^ God and his counsels are a gulf profound, > An ocean wherein all our thoughts are drown'd. > CHAPTER V. ARGUMENTS AND ENCOURAGEMENTS TO GOSPEL MINIS- TERS TO AVOID A LEGAL STRAIN OF DOCTRINE, AND ENDEAVOR THE SINNEr's MATCH WITH CHRIST BV GOSPEL MEANS. Sect. i. A legal spirit the root of damnable errors. Ye heralds great that blow in name of God The silver trump of gospel grace abroad; And sound by warrant from the great I AM, The nuptial treaty with the worthy Lamb; Might ye but stoop th' unpolish'd muse to brook, And from a shrub an wholesome berry. pluck; Ye'd take encouragement from what is said. By gospel means to mak-e the marriage bed, And to your glorious Lord a virgin chaste to wed The more proud nature bears a legal svvay, The more should preachers bend the gospel way; Oft in the church arise destructive schisma From anti-evangelic aphorisms; A legal spirit may be justly nam'd The fertile womb of ev'ry error damn'd. Hence Pop'ry, so connat'ral since the fall, Makes legal works, like saviors, merit all; Yea, more than merit on their shoulder loads, To supererogate like demi-gods. Hence proud Socinians seat their reason high *Bove ev'ry precious gospel mystery, Its divine Author sta:b, and without fear The purple covert of his chariot tear. With these run Arian monsters in a line, All gospel truth at once to undermine! 6 I (52 GOSPEL SONNETS. PAET I- To darken and delete, like hellish foes, The brightest color of the Sharon Rose. At best its human red they but decry That blot the divine white the native dye. Hence dare Arminians too, with brazen face, Give man's free will the throne of God's free grace; Whose self-exalting tenets clearly shew Great ignorance of law and gospel too. Hence Neonomians spring, as sundry call The new law makers to redress our fall. I'he law of works, into repentance, faith, )s fhang'd, as tl.eir Baxterian Bible saith. Shaping the gospel to an easy law, They build their tott'ring house with hay and straw; Yet hide, like Rachel's idols in the stuff, Their legal hands within a gospel muff. Yoa, hence springs Antinoinian vile refuse, Whfise gioss abettors gospel grace abuse; lJnekill' " Why, (says the rake) what take you me to be? ) " A Turk or infidel; (you lie,) I can't^ x^ ^ " Be term'd so base, but by a sycophant;' ^ " Only I hate to act the whining saint. S »1 Tim. 1:8. tLuke 18: 11, 1"2. 66 eoSPBE SONNETS. PART J^ " f am a Christian true: and therefore bode •' It shall be well with me, I hope in God. " An't I an honest man? yea, I defy " The tongue that dare assert black to mine eye.'' Perhaps, when the reprover turns his back; He'll vend the viler wares o' 's open'd pack, And with his fellows, in a strain more big, " Bid damn the base, uncharitable whig. " These scoundrel hypocrites (he'll proudly say) " Think none shall ever merit heav'n but they; " And yet we may compete with them; for see, " The best have blemishes as well as we. " We have as good a heart (we trust) as these, " Tho' not with vain superfluous shew and blaze^ " Bigoted zealots, whose sole crimes are hid, " Would damn us all to hell; but God forbid. " Whatever such a whining sect profess, " 'Tis but a nice, morose, affected dress. " And though wc don't pretend so much as they^ " We hope to compass heav'n a shorter way; " We seek Ggd's mercy, and are all along " Most free of malice, and do no man wrong. " But whims fantastic shan't our heads annoy, " That would our social liberties destroy. " Sure, right religion never was design'd " To mar the native mirth of human kind. " How weak are those that would be thought nonsach'' " How mad, that would be righteous o'ermuch? " We have sufficient, though we be not cramm'd; " We'll therefore hope the best, let them be dama'd.** Ah, horrid talk! yet so the legal strain Lards e^en the language of the most profane. Thus dev'lish pride o'erlooks a thousand faults, ' And on a legal ground itself exalts. This DO and LIVE, though doing pow'r be lost. In ev'ry mortal is proud nature's boast. How does a vain conceit of goodness swell. And feed false hope, amidst the shades of hell Shall we, who should by gospel methods draw. Send sinners to their nat'ral spouse the law; And hiup upon the doing string to such, Who igiiorantly dream they do so much? eaXP. V. THE BELIEVER S ESPOUSALS. C7 Why, thus, instead of courting Christ a bride, We harden rebels in their native pride. Much rather ought we in God's name to place His great artill'ry straight against their face; And throw hot Sinai thunderbolts around, To burn their tow'ring hopes down to the ground. To make the pillars of their pride to shake, And damn their doings to the burning lake, To curse the doers unto endless thrall, That never did continue to do all.* To scorch their conscience with the flaming air, And sink their haughty hopes in deep despair; Denouncing Ebal's black revenging doom, To blast their expectation in the bloom; Till once vain hope of life by works give place Unto a solid hope of life by grace. The vig'rous use of means is safely urg'd. When pressing calls from legal dregs are purg'd; But most unsafely in a fed'ral dress, Confounding terms of life with means of grace. Oh! dang'rous is th' attempt proud flesh to please, Or send a sinner to the law for ease; Who rather needs to feel its piercing dart, Till dreadful pangs invade his trembling heart; And thither should be only sent for flames Of fire to burn his rotten hopes and claims; That thus disarm'd, he gladly may embrace. And grasp with eagerness the news of grace. Sect. v. The gfospel of divine grace tlie only means of converting sinners, and should be preached therefore most clearly, fully, and freely. They ought, who royal grace's heralds be, To trumpet loud salvation, full and free: Nor safely can, to humor mortal pride. In silence evangelic myst'ries hide. What heav'n is pleas'd to give, dare we refuse; Or under ground conceal, lest men abuse? Suppress the gospel flow'r, upon pretence That some vile spiders may suck poison thence? * Galatians 3:10. 68 GOSPEL SONNETS. PART I. • Christ is a stumbling block,* shall we neglect Topreach him, lest the blind should break their neck? That high he's for the fall of many set As well as for the rise,'\ must prove no let. No grain of precious truth must be supprest, Though reprobates should to their ruin wrest. Shall heav'n's coruseant lamp be dimm'd, that pays Its daily tribute down in golden rays, Because some, blinded with the blazing gleams, Share not the pleasure of the lightning beams: Let those be hard'ned, petrifi'd, and harm'd, The rest are mollifi'd and kindly warm'd. A various savor,:{: flowers in grace's field, Of life to some, of death to others yield. Must then the rose be vail'd, the lily hid, The fragrant savor stifled! God forbid. The revelation of the gospel flower. Is still the organ fam'd of saving power; Most justly then are legal minds condemn'd, That of the glorious gospel are asham'd: For this the divine arm, and only this, The power of God unto salvation is. For therein is reveaVd, to screen from wrath, The righteousness of God from faith to faith.^ The happy change in guilty sinners' case They owe to free displays of sovereign grace; Whose joyful tidings of amazing love The ministration of the Spirit prove. The glorious vent the gospel news express, Of God's free grace, thro' Christ's full righteousness, Is heav'n's gay chariot where the Spirit bides. And in his conquering power triumphant rides. The gospel field is still the Spirit's soil. The golden pipe that bears the holy oil; The orb where he outshines the radiant sun, l^he silver channel where his graces run. Within the gospel banks his flowing tide Of light'ning, quick'ning motions, sweetly glide. Received ye the Spirit, scripture saith,|| By legal works, or by the word of faith? * 1 Corinthians 1: 23. + Luke 2: 34. 1 2 Cor. 2: 16. ^Romans 1:26,27. |1 Galatians 3:2. CHAF. V. THE believer's ESPOUSALS. €9 If by the gospel only, then let none Dare to be wiser than the wisest One. We must, who freely get, as freely give The vital word that makes the dead to live. For even to sinners dead within our reach We in his living name may most successful preach- The Spirit and the scripture both agree Jointly, says Christ, to testify of me.* Tiie preacher then will from his text decline, That scorns to harmonize with this design. Press moral duties to the last degree; Why not? but mind, lest we successless be, No light, no hope, no strength for duties spring. Where Jesus is not Prophet, Priest, and King. No light to see the way unless he teach, ^ No joyful hope, save in his hlood we reach, > Nor strength, unless his i-oyal arm he stretch. J Then from our leading scope how gross we fall, ^ If, like his name, in every gospel call, > We make not him the First, the Last, the All/ j Our oflice is to bear the radiant torch Of gospel light into the darken'd porch Of human understandings, and dis])lay The joyful dawn of everlasting day; To draw the golden chariot of free grace. The darken'd shades with shining rays to chase, Till heaven's bright lamp on circling wheels be hurl'd. With sparkling grandeur, round the dusky vvorld; And thus to bring in dying mortals' sight, New life and immortality to light. f We're charg'tl to pi-each the gospel unconfin'd, To every creatvreX of the liuman kind; To call, with tenders of salvation free, All corners of the earth to come and see:^ And every sinner must excuseless make. By urging rich and poor to come and talce.\\ Ho, every one that thirsts,^ is grace's call Direct to needy sinners great and small; Not meaning those alone, whose holy thirst Denominates their soul's already blest. « John 15:9G. 5:39, 1 2 Tim. 1:10 t Mark 16:15. § Ida. 15:^2. John 1:39. 46. || Rev. 22 :17. V Isa.55 :1, 2, 70 GOSPEL SONNETS. TART 1. If only those were calTd, tlien none but saints; Nor would the gospel suit the sinner's wants. But here the call does signally import Sinners and thirsty souls of every sort; And mainly to their door the message brings, Who yet are thirsting after empty things; " Who spend their means no living bread to buy, " And pains for that which cannot satisfy." Such thirsty sinners here invited are. Who vainly spend their money, thought, and care, On passing shades, vile lusts, and trash so base, As yield immortal souls no true solace. The call directs them, as they would be blest, To choose a purer object of their thirst. All are invited by the joyful sound To drink who need, as does the parched ground, W^hose wide-mouth'd clefts speak to the brazen sky Its passive thirst, without an active cry. The gospel preacher then, with holy skill, Mustofter Christ to whomsoever will. To sinners of all sorts that can be nam'd; The blind, the lame, the poor, the half, the maim'd.* Not daring to restrict the extensive call. But opening wide the net to catch them all. No soul must be excluded that will come, Nor right of access be confin'd to some. Though none will come till conscious of their want. Yet right they have to come by sov'reign grant; Such right to Christ, his promise, and his grace, That all are damu'd who hoar and don't embrace. So freely is the unbounded call dispens'd, ' We therein find even sinners unconvinc'd; Who know not they are naked, blind, and poor,'|' ^ Counsell'd to buy or beg at Jesus door, > And lake the glorious robe, eye-salve, and golden store. ) This prize they are oblig'd by faith to win, Else unbelief would never be their sin. Yea, gospel oflers but a sham we make, If ev'ry sinner has not right to take. Be gospel heralds fortifi'd from this, •Luke 14:21, t Rev. 3:17, 18. CHAP. VI. THE believer's ESPOUSALS. 71 To trumpet grace, howe'er the gerpent hiss. Did hell's malicious mouth in dreadful shape 'Gainst innocence itself malignant gape? Then sacred truth's devoted vouchers may For dire reproach their measures constant lay. With cruel calumny of old commenc'd, This sect will ev'nj where be spolce against;* While to and fro he runs the earth across, Whose name is Adelvhon KATEGOROs.f In spite of hell be then our constant strife To win the glorious Lamb, a virgin wife. CHAPTER VI. AN EXHORTATION TO ALL THAT ARE OUT OF CHRIST; IN ORDER TO THEIR CLOSING THE MATCH WITH him: CONTAINING ALSO MOTIVES AND DIRECTIONS. Reader, into thine hands these lines are giv'n, But not without the providence of Hcav'n; Or to advance thy bliss, if thou art wise. Or aggravate thy wo, if thou despise. For thee, for thee, perhaps th' Omniscient ken Has form'd the counsel here, and led the pen. The writer then does thy attention plead, In His great name that gave thee eyes to read. Section i. Conviction offered -to sinners, especially such as ore wedded strictly to the law, or relf-rigiiteousness, tliat tliey may see the need of Christ's righteousness. If never yet thou didst fair Jesus wed, Nor yield thy heart to be his marriage bed. But hitherto art wedded to the law, Which never could thy chain'd aficctions draw From brutish lusts and sordid lover's charms; Lo! thou art yet in Satan's folded arms. ♦ Acts 28:22. t Or the accuser of tlxe brethren. 72 GOSPEL SONNETS. PART T. Hell's pow'r invisible thy soul retains His capfjve slave, lock'd up in. massy chains. O! sinner, then, as thou regard'st thy life, ^ Seek, seek, with ardent care and earnest strife, > To be the glorious Lamb's betrothed wife. y For base corrivals never let him lose Thy heart, his bed of conjugal repose. Wed Christ alone, and with severe remorse ^ From other mates pursue a clean divorce; > For they thy ruin seek by fraud or force. y As lurking serpents in the shady bow'rs Conceal their malice under spreading flow'rs,* So thy deceitful lusts with cruel spite Hide ghastly danger under gay delight. Art thou a legal zealot, soft or rude, Renounce thy nal'ral and acquired good. As base deceitful lusts may work thy smart, So may deceitful frames upon thy heart. Seeming good motions may in some be found, Much joy in hearing, like the stony ground;* Much sorrow too in ■praying, as appears In Esau's careful suit with rueful tears,t Touching the law they blameless may appear,X From spurious views most specious virtues bear. Nor merely be devout in men's esteem. But piove to be sincerely what they seem, Friends to the holy law, in heart and life, Suers of heav'n with utmost legal strife; Yet still with innate pride so rankly spic'd, Converted but to duties, not to Christ; That publicans and harlots heav'n obtain^ Before a crew so righteous and so vain. Sooner will those shake off their vicious dress Than these blind zealots will their righteousness, Who judge they have (which fortifies their pride) The law of God itself upon their side. Old nature, new brush'd up with legal pains, Such strict attachment to the law retains, No means, no motives can to Jesus draw Vain souls so doubly wedded to the law. •Luke 8:13. +Heb. 12:17. t PhU. 3:9. § Matthew 21:31. CHAr. VI. THE believer's ESPOUSALS. 73 But wouldst the glorious Prince in marriage have, Know that thy nat'ral husband cannot save. Thy best essays to pay the legal rent Can never in the least the law content. Didst thou in pray'rs employ the morning light, In tears and groans the watches of the night, Pass thy whole life in close devotion o'er; 'Tis nothing to the law still craving more. There's no proportion 'twixt its high commands, 1 And puny works from thy polluted hands; \ Perfection is the least that it demands. y Wouldst enter into life, then keep the law;* But keep it perfectly without a flaw. It won't have less, nor will abate at la^t A drop of vengeance for the sin that's past. Tell, sinful mortal, is thy stock so large As duly can defray this double charge; " Why these are mere impossibles," say'st thouj Yea, truly, so they are, and therefore now, That down thy legal confidence may fall, The law's black doom, home to thy bosom caJI. ■" Lo! I (ihe divine law) demand no less " Than perfect, everlasting righteousness; "■ But thou hast fail'd, and lost thy strength to do: " Therefore I doonj thee to eternal wo; " In prison close to be shut up for aye, *' Ere I be baffled with thy partial pay. " Thou always didst and dost my precepts break, " I therefore curse thee to the burning lake. "In God the great Lawgiver's glorious name, *' I judge thy soul to everlasting shame. " No jlesh can by the law be justijied;^''-\ Yet darcst thou thy legal duties plead? As Paul appcal'd to Cesar, wilt thou so, \ Unto the law? then to it shalt thou go, \ And find it doom thee to eternal, wo. J What! would ye have us plung'd in deep despair? Amen; yea, God himself would have you there, His will it is that you despair of life And safety by the law, or legal strife; * Matthew 21:17. tRomana 3:20. 7 74 GOSPEL S0NNET3. PAST U That cleanly thence divorc'd at any rate, His fairest Son may have a faithful mate. 'Till this law sentence pass within your breast, You'll never wed the law discharging Priest. You prize not heaven, till he through hell you draw; Nor love the gospel, till you know the law. Know thrn, the divine law, most perfect, cares For none of ihy imperfect legal wares; Dooms thee to vengeance for thy sinful state, As well as sinful actions small or great. If any sin can be accounted small, To hell it dooms thy soul for one and all. For sins of nature, practice, heart, and way, Damnation-rent it summons thee to pay. Yea, not for sin alone, which is thy shame, But for thy boasted service too so lame, Tlie law adjudges thee and hell to meet. Because thy righteousness is incomplete. As towering flames burn up the Vv'ither'd flags, So will the fiery law thy filthy rags. Sect. ii. Direction given, with reference to tlie right nse of the means, that we rest not on these instead of Christ, the glo- rious Husband, in wliom our help lies, Adam, where art thou?* Soul, where art thou now? Old art thou saying, Sir, what shall I do?'\ I dare not use that proud, self-raising strain, " Go help youiself, and God will help you then-" Nay, rather know, O Israel, that thou hast Destroyed thyself, and canst not in the least From sin nor wrath thyself the captive free, " Thy help (says Jesus) only lies in ine."^ Heaven's oracles direct to him alone; Full help is laid upon this mighty One. In him, in him complete salvation dwells; He's God the helper, and there is none else.^ Fig leaves won't hide thee from the fiery shower, 'Tis he alone that saves by price and power. Must we do nothing then, (will mockers say,) But rest in sloth till Heav'n the help convey; Pray, stop a little, sinner, don't abuse liod's awful word, that charges thee to use * Gen. 3:9. f Mark 10:17. iHos. 13:9. ^Isa. 45:22. CHAP. VI. THE BELIEVEB's ESPOUSALS. "^S Means, ordinances, which he's pleased to placo, As precious channels of his powerful grace. Restless improve all these, until from Heaven The whole salvation needful thus be given. Wait in this path, according to his call, On him whose power alone eflecteth all. Wouldst thou him wed, in duties wait, I say, But marry not thy duties by the way. Thou'lt wofully come short of saving grace, If duties only be thy resting place. Nay, go a little futther* through them all, To him whose oHice is to save from thrall. Thus in a gospel manner hopeful wait, Striving to enter by the narrow gatc:t So strait and narrow, that it won't admit The bunch upon thy back to enter it. Not only biiUiy his.'s nsay oeaee to prcs:?, But even the bunch of boasted righteousness. Muiv/, as ill the sacred page wo see, Shall strive to enfcr, hut unable be:X Because, mistaking this new way of life, They pusl) a legal, not a gospel strife: As if their duties did Jehovah bind, Because 'lis written. Seek, and ye shall Jind.^ Perverted scripture does their error fence, They read the letter, but neglect the sense. While to the woild no gospel gloss they give, Their seek nu:\ fiid 's the sam3 with do and live. Hence would they a connexion native place. Between tlieir moral [)ains and saving grace: Their nat'ral poor essays they judge won't miss, Injustice to infer eternal bliss. Thus commentaries on the word they make, Which to their ruin are a grand mistake: For through the legal bias in their breast. They scri|)ture to tiieir own destruction wrest. Why, if we seek xoeget, they gather hence: Which is not truth, save in the scripture sense. There Jesus deals with friends, and elsewhere saitb, These seekers only speed, that ask in faith .U » Song 3:1.4. + Matth. 7 :13,14 t Luke 13:24. «Matt7cl7. 1 James 1:6. 7G GOSPEL SONNETS. TA-UV T- The prayer of the wicked is abhorr'd, As an abomination to the Lord.* Their suits are sins, but their neglects no less. Which can't their guilt diminisii, but increase. They ought, like beggars, lie in grace's way; Hence Peter taught the sorcerer to pray:"j" For though mere nat'ral men's address or prayer* Can no acceptance gain as works of theirs, Nor have, as their pei-foi'mance, any sway: Yet as a divine ordinance they may, But spotless truth hath bound itself to grant The suit of none but the believing saint. In Jesus, persons once accepted, do Acceptance find in him for duties too. For He, whose Son they do in marriage take, Is bound to hear them for their Husband's sake. Hut let no Christless soul at prayer appear, As if Jehovah were oblig'd to hear: But use the means, because a sov'reign God May come with alms, in this his wonted road. He wills thee to frequent kind wisdom's gate. To read, hear, meditate, to pray, and wait; Thy spirit then be on these duties bent, As gospel means, but not as legal rent. From these don't thy salvation hope nor claim, But from Jehovah in the use of them. The boggai's spirit never was so dull. While waiting at the gate call'd Beautifxd, To hope for succor from the temple gate. At which he daily did so careful wait; But fiom the rich and charitable sort, Who to the temple daily made resort. Means, ordinances, are the comely gate, At which kind Heav'n has bid us constant wait: Not that from these we have our alms, but from The liberal God, who there is wont to come. If either we these means shall dare neglect. Or yet from these th' enriching bliss expect,. We from the glory of the king defalk, Who in the galleries is wont to walk; * Prov. 15 :9. 28:9. t Acts 8 :29. CHAP. VI. THE believer's ESPOUSALS. 7T We move not regular in duties road, But base, invert them to an idol god. Seek then, if gospel means you would essay. Through grace to use them in a gospel way: Not deeming that your duties i.re the price Of divine favor, or of paiadisc; Nor that your best efforts cmploy'd in these Are fit exploits your awful Judge to please, Why, thus you basely idolize your trash, And make it with the blood of Jesus clash. You'd buy the blessing with your vile refuse, And so his precious righteousness abuse. What! buy his gifts with filthy lumber? nay; Whoever offers this must hear him say. Thy money perish with thy soul for aye* Duties arc means, which to the marriage bed Should chastely lead us like a chamber maid; But if with her instead of Christ wo match, We not our safety, but our ruin hatch. To Cesar what is Cesar's should be given, But Cesar must not have what's due to Ileav'n; So duties should have duties' room, 'lis true, But nothing of the glorious Husband's due. ^ While means the debt of close attendance crave, Our whole dependence God alone must have. If duties' tears, our conscience pacify. They with the blood of Christ presume to vie. Means are his vassals; sliali we without grudge Discard the master, and espouse the drudge? The hypocrite, the Iv^^alist does sinj To live on duties, not on Christ therein. He only feeds on empty dishes, plates. Who dotes on means, but at the manna frets. Let never means consent thy soul at all. Without tha Husband, who is all in all.f Cry daily for the happy marriage hour; To thee belongs the mean, to him thj power. Sect. hi. A call to believe in Josus Chrisf, v/ith some hints at the act and object of lV.^Ui. Friend, is (he question on tiiy heart engrav'd,. " What shall I do to be forever sav'd'ij: » Acts 8:20. t Col. 3:3 t Acts 10:30. 78 GOSPEL SONNETS. PABT I Lo! here's a living' rock to build upon; Believe in Jesus;* and on him alone For righteousness and strength thine anchor drop» Renouncing all thy former legal hope. *' Believe (say you!) I can no more believe, " Than keep the law of works., the DO and LIVE." True; and it were thy mercy, didst thou see Thine utter want of al) ability. New covenant graces he alone can grant, Whom God has given to be the covenant;! Even Jesus, whom the sacred letters call Faith's object, author, finisher, and all; In him alone, not in thy act of faith, Thy soul believing full salvation hath. In this new covenant judge not faith to hold. The room of perfect doing in the old. Faith is not giv'n to be the fed'ral price Of other blessings, or of paradise: But Heaven, by giving this, strikes out a door At which is carried in still more and moie. No sinner must upon his faith lay stress, As if it were a perfect righteousness. God ne'er assign'd unto it such a place; 'Tis but at best a bankrupt begging grace. Its object makes its fame to fly abroad. So close it gripes the righteousness of God; Which righteousness receiv'd, is (without strife) The true condition of eternal life. But still, say you, power to believe I miss. You may; but know you what believing is? Faith lies not in your building up a tower Of some great action by your proper power, For heaven well knows that by the killing falU No power, no will remains in man at all For acts divinely good; 'till sov'reign grace, By powerful dravving virtue turn the chase. Hence none believe in Jesus as they ought, 'Till once they first believe they can do nought, Nor are sufficient e'en to form at1iovght.'\. They're conscious, in the right believing hour, Of human weakness, and of divine power. ♦Acts 16:31. tlsa.42:6. 1 2 Cor. 3:5. CHAP. VI. THE BELIEVEK's ESP0T7SALS. 79 Faith acts not in the sense of sfrcngtli and might. But in the sense of weakness acts outright. It is (no boasting arm of power or length) But weakness acting on almighty strength/'^' It is the powerless, helpless sinner's flight Into the open arms of saving might: 'Tia an employing Jesus to do all That can within salvation's compass fall,' To be the agent kind in ev'ry thing Belonging to a prophet, priest, and king; To teach, to pardon, sanctify, and save, And nothing to tlie creature's power to leave. Faith makes us joyfully content that he Our Head, our Husband, and our All should be^ Our righteousness and strength, our stock and store, Our fund for food and raiment, grace and glore. It makes the creature down to nothing fall, Content that Christ alone be all in all. The plan of grace is faith's delightful view. With which it closes, both as good and true. Unto the truth ihc mind's assent is (u]], Unto the good, a free consenting will. The Holy Spirit here the agent chief. Creates this faith, and dashes unbelief. That very God who calls us to believe, The very faith he seeks must also give. Why calls he then? say you. Pray, man, be wise; Why did he call dead Lazarus to rise? Because the orders in their bosom bear Almighty power to make the carcass hear. But Heaven may not this mighty power display. M;sttrue; yet still thou art obliged t' obey. But God is not at all obliged to stretch <.* His saving arm to such a sinful wretch. All who within salvation rolls have place> Are saved by a prerogative of grace; But vessels all that shall with wrath be crammM, Are by an act of holy justice damn'd, Take then, dear soul, as from a friendly heart. The counsel which the following line3 impart.. » 2 Cor. 12:3 90 GOSPEL SONNETS. PART I. Sect. iv. An advice to sinners to apply to the sovcrei;:^n mercy of God, as it is discovered through Christ, to the highest honor ofjustice, and other divine attributes, in order to further their faith in him unto salvation. Go, friend, and at Jehovrdi's footstool bow; Thou knowest not what a sov'reign God may do. Confess, if he commisserate thy case, 'Twill be an act of powerful sov'reign grace: Sequestrate carefully some solemn hours, To shevv' thy grand concern in secret powers. Then in the ensuing strain to God impart, And pour into his bosom all thy heairf;. " O glorious, gracious, powerful, sov'reign Lord, " Thy help unto a sinful worsr^ afford; " Who from my wretched birth to this sad hour " Have still been destitute of will and power -' To close with glorious Chrisl; yea fill'd with spite i " At thy fair darling, and thy saints' delight, > "Resisting all his grace with all my might. y " Come, Lord, and sap my enmity's strong tov/er; " O haste the marriage day, the day of power: "That sweetly, by resistless grace inclia'd, " My once reluctant be a willing mind. " Thou spak'st to being ev'ry thing we see, " When thy almighty will said. Let it he. " Nothings to beings in a moment pass: " Let tho'e be light, thou saidst; and so it was.*' " A poys'erful word like this, a migiity call, " Must say. Let there be faitl), and then it shall. " Thou seck'st my faith and flight from sin and guilt; "Give what thou seek'st, Lord; then seek what thou wilt. " What good can issue fiom a root so ill? " This heart of mine's a wicked lump of hell; " 'Twill all thy common motions still resist, " Unless with, special drawing virtue blest. " Thou call'st, but with the call thy power convey; ^ "Command me to believe, and I'll obey, ^ " Nor any more thy gracious call gainsay. j "Command, O Lord, cfTeclually command, ^ " And grant I be not able to withstand; > " Then powerless I will stretch the wither'd hand, j * Gen. 1: 3. CHAP. VI. THE BELIKVER's ESPOtTSALS. 91 " I to thy favor can pretend no claim, " But what is borrow'd from thy glorious name; "Which though most justly thou may'st glorify, •' In damning such a guilty wretch as me, . '• A faggot fitted for the burning fire " Of thine incensed everlasting ire: " Yet, Lord, since now I hear thy glorious Son, •• In favor of a race that was undone, "Did in thy name, by thy authority, " Once to the full stern justice satisfy; " And paid more glorious tribute thereunto " Than hell and all ils torments e'er can do. " Since my salvation through his blood can raise i " A revenue to justice' highest praise, > " Higher than rents, Vvhich hell for ever pays: > " These to tremendous justice nevei bring " A satisfaction equal and condign. " Hut Jcsiis our once dying God performs, "What never could by ever dying worms: " Since thus tliy thrcat'ning huv is honoi'd more " Than e'er my sins aflVon'tcd it before: " Since justice stern may grealer glory win, " By justifying in thy darling Son, " Than by condemning ev'n the rebel me; " To this device of wisdom, lo! I flee. " Let justice, Lord, according to thy wilj, " Be giorify'd with gloiy great and full; "Not now in hell where justice' petty pay " Is but extorted parcels minc'd for aye: " But giorify'd in Christ, who down has told "The total sum at once in liquid gold. " In lowest hell low praise is only won, "But justice has the highest in thy Son; " The Sun of righteousness that set in red, •' To shev; the glorious morning would succeed. *' In him then save thou me from sin and shame, " And to the highest glorify thy name. " Since this bright scene thy glories all express, " And grace as empress reigns through rightcovsness; *' Since mercy fair runs in a crimson flood, " And vents through justice Siitisfying blood: 83 GCSPEI. GOTTPJETJ. PABT I. " Not only then for mercy's sake I sue, " But for the glory of thy justice too. " And since each letter of thy name divine ^ " Has in fair Jesus' face the brightest shine, > " This glorious Husband be forever mine. J " On this strong argument so sweet, so blest, " With thy allowance, Lord, I must insist. '* Great God, since thou allovvest unworthy me " To make thy glorious name my humble plea; " No glory worthy of it wilt thou gain, > •' By casting me into the l-urning main. " My feeble back can never suit the load, •* That speaks thy name a sin revenging God. " Scarce would that name seem a consuming fire " Upon a worm unworthy of thine ire. " liut see the worthy Lamb, thy chosen Priest, •' Vv'ith jusiice' burning glass against his breast, ** Contracting all the beams of 'vcnging wrath, " As in their centre, till he burn to death. "Vengeance can never be so much proclaim'd, " By scatter'd beams among the millions damn'd. "Then, Lord, in him, me to the utmost save, " And thou shalt glory to the hichest have: "Glory to wisdo7n that contriv'd-so well! " Glory to power, that bore and bury'd hell! "Glory to holiness, which sin defac'd, " With sinless service now divinely grac'd! "Glory to justice'' sword that flarr/mg stood, "Now drunk to pleasure with atoning blood! " Glory to fn/ih, th.-.t now in scarlet clad, "Has seal'd both threats and promises with red! " Glory to mercy, now in pur])le streams, ^ " So sweetly gliding through the divine flames > •'Of other once ofiended, now exalted names! ^ " Each attribute conspires with joint embrace, 1 " To shew its sparkling rays in Jesus' face; \ " And thus to deck the crown of matchless grace.;} "But to thy name in hell ne'er can accrue "The thousandth part of this great revenue. " O ravishing contrivance! light that blinds " Cherubic gazers, and seraphic mindsl CHAP. VI. THE BELIEVEH's ESPOUSALS. 88 " They pry into tlie deep, and love to learn •♦What yet should vastly more be my concern. " Lord, once my hope most reasonless could dream "Of heaven, without regard to thy great name: '* But here is laid my lasting hope to found, " A highly rational, a divine groun;]. " 'Tis reasonable, I expect thoul't take "The way that most will for thine honor make. " Is this the plan? Lord, let me build my claim " To life, on this high glory of thy name. " Nor let my faithless heart or think, or say, " That all this glory shall be thrown away " In my perdition; which will never raise " To thy great name so vast a rent of praise. " Othen a rebel into favor take: " Lord, shield and save mo for thy glory's sake. " My endless ruin is not worth the cost, " Th'^.t so much glory be for ever lost. " I'll of the greatest sinner bear the shame, "To bring the greatest honor to thy name. " Small loss, though I should perish endless days, " But thousand pities grace should lose the praise. "O hear, Jehovah, get the giory then, " And to my supplication say, Ameh.^^ Sextt. v. The terrible doom of unbeHevcrs and rejecters of Christ, or dcspisers of the gospel. Thus, sinner, into Jesus' bosom flee, Then there is hope in Israel sure for thee. Slight not the call, as running by in rhyme. Lest thou repent for aye, if not in time. 'Tis most unlawful to contemn and shun All wholesome counsels that in metre r(m; Since the prime fountains of the sacred writ Much heav'nly truth in holy rhymes transmit- If this don't please, yet hence it is no crime To versify the word, and preach in rhyme. But in whatever moOld the doctrine lies, i Some erring minds will gospel tiuth despise > Without remeid, till Heav'n anoint their eyes. ^ These lines pretend no conqu'ring art nor skill, But shew, in weak attempts^ a strong good will 84 GOSPEL BONNETS. PA To mortify all native legal pride, And court the Lamb of God a virgin bride. If he thy conjunct match be never given, Thou'rt doom'd to hell as sure as God's in heaven. If gospel grace and goodness don't thee draw, Thou art condemn'd already by the law. Yea, hence damnation deep will doubly brace, If still thy heart contemn redeeming grace. No argument from fear or hope M'ill move, Or draw thy heart, if not the bond of love; Nor flowing joys, nor flaming tenors chase To Christ the hav'n without the gales of grace. O slighter, then, of grace's joyful sound, Thou'rt over to the wrathful ocean bound. Anon thou'lt sink into the gulf of woes, Whene'er thy wasting hours are at a close; Thy false old legal hope will (hen be lost, And with thy wretched soul give up the ghost. Then farewel God and Christ, and grace and glore; Undone thou art, undone for evermore, For ever sinking undernealh the load And pressure of a sin revcngingGod. The sacred awful text asserts, " To fall " Into his living hands is fearful thrall; "When no more sacrifice for sin remains,"* But ever living wrath, and lasting chains: Heav'n still upholding life in dreadful death, Still throwing down hot thunderbolts of wrath, As full of terror, and as manifold As finite vessels of his wrath can hold. " Then, then we may suppose the wretch to cry, ) " Oh, if this damning God would let rnc die, \ *' And not torment me to eternity! 7 " Why from the silent womb of stupid earth, "Did Heav'n awake, and push me into birth? " Curs'd be the day that ever gave me life; " Curs'd be (he cruel parents, man and wife, " Means of my being, instruments of wo; " For now I'm damn'd, I'm damn'd, and always so. ** Curs'd be the day that ever made me hear " The gospel call which brought salvation near, »Heb. 10:29,31. nd. ) CHAP. VI. THE believer's ESPOUSALS. 85 " The endless sound of slighted mercy's bell, " Has in mine ears the most tormenting knei. "Of offer'd grace I vain repent the loss, " The joyful sound with horror recognosce. " The hollow vault reverberates the sound; *' This killing echo strikes the deepest wound, " And with too late remorse does now confound. *' Into the dung-eon of despair I'm lock'd, *' Th' once open door of hope forever block'd: *' Hopeless, I sink into the dark abyss, *' Banish'd forever from eternal bliss. *' In boiling waves of vengeance must I lie? *' O could I curse this dreadful God, and die! " Infinite years in torment shall I spend, *' And never, never, never at an end! " Ah! must I live in torturing despair *' As many years as atoms in the air? *' When these are spent, as many thousand more " As grains of sand that crowd the ebbing shore? " When these are done, as many yet behind *' As leaves of forest shaken with the wind? *' When these are gone, as many to ensue *' As stems of grass on hills and dales that grew? *' When these run out, as many on the march *' As starry lamps that gild the spangled arch? *' When these expire as many millions more " As moments in the millions past before? *'When all these doleful years are spent in pain, " And multiply'd by myraids again, " Till numbers drown the thought; could I suppose " That then my wretched years were at a close, " This would afFord some ease; but, ah! I shiver *' To think upon the dreadful sound, forever! " The burning gulf, where I blaspheming lie, " Is time no more, but vast eternity. " The growing torment I endure for sin, *' Through ages all is always to begin. " How did I but a grain of pleasure sow, *' To reap an harvest of immortal wo? *' Bound to the bottom of the burning main, *' Gnawing my chains, I wish for death in vain. 8 f^S ©OSPEL SONNETS. PAHT P.. " Just doom! since I that bear the eternal load " Contemn'd the death of an eternal God. " Oh! if the God that cars'd roe to the lash " Would bless me back to nothing with a dash! ''•' But hopeless, I the just avenger hate, " Blaspheme the wrathful God, and curse my fate." To these this word of terror I direct, Who now the great salvation dare neglect * To all the Christ despising multitude. That trample on the great Redeemer's blood That see no beauty in his glorious face, But slight his offers, and refuse his grace. A messenger of wrath to none I am, But those that hate to wed the worthy Lamb» For though the smallest sins, if small can be^ Will plunge the Christless soul in misery: Yet, lo! tiie greatest that to mortals cleave, Shan't damn the souls in Jesus that believe; Because they on the very method fall That well can make amends to God for all. Whereas proud souls, thro' unbelief won't let The glorious God a reparation get Of all his lionor, in his darling Son, For ail the great dishonors they have done. , A faithless soul the glorious God bereaves Of all the satisfaction that he craves; Hence under divine hottest fury lies, And with a double vengeance justly dies. The blackest part of Tjophet is their place, Who slight the tenders of redeeming grace That sacrilegious monster Unbelief, So hard'ned 'gainst remorse and pious grief; Robs God of all the glory of his names, And ev'ry divine attribute defames. It loudly calls the truth of God a lie; The God of truth a Ziar;f horrid cry! Doubts and denies his precious words of grace^, Spits venom in the royal Suitor's face. This monster cannot cease all sin to hatch, Because it proudly mars the happy match. * Hebrews 2:3. t John SdO. <«HAP. VI. THE believer's ESPOUSALS. 67 As each law wedded soul is join'd to sin, And destitute of holiness within; So all that wed the law, must wed the curse, Which rent they scorn to pay with Christ's full purse. They clear may read thek dreadful doom in brief, Whose fester'd sore is final unbelief; Though to the law their life exactly fram'd, ^ For zealous acts and passions too were fam'd: > Yet lo! He that believes not, shall he damn'd* y But now "'tis proper on the other side, With words of comfort to address the bride. She in her glorious Husband does possess Adorning grace, acquitting righteotisness: And hence to her pertain the golden mines <0£ comfort open'd in the foU'wing lines. * John 3:18 GOSPEL SONNETS* PART II. THE BELIEVES'S JOINTUREr OR, THE POEM CO]VTi:\UEI), Upon Isaiah 54:5. Thy Maker is thy Husbands N. B. The following- lines being primarily intended for the use and edificatioQ of piously exercised soulSf and especially those of a more commen and ordinary capacity; tlie author thought fit, through the whole of the second part of this book, to continue,, as in the former editions, to repeat tliat part of the text, Thi^ Husband, in tlie last line of every verse: Because, however it tended to limit him, and restrict his liberty of words in the com- position, yet having groimd to judge, tliat this appropriating appellation still resumed, has rendered these lines formerly the more savory to some exercised Christians, to whom the name of Christ (particularly as tlieir Head and Husband) is as ointment POURED forth: He chose rather to subject himself to that re- striction, than to withhold what may tend to the satisfaction and comfort of those to wliom CHRIST is all in all; and to whom his name, as their Husband, so many various ways applied, will be no nauseotis repetition. CHAPTER I. A ^ CONTAI]>rrNG THE PRIVILEGES OF THE BELIEVER THAT I& ESPOUSED TO CHRIST BY FAITH OF DIVINE OPERATlfeN. Section u The believer'^s perfect beauty, free acceptance, and full security, through the imputation of Christ's perfect righte- ©usness, though imparted grace be imperfecta ^ O HAPPY soul, Jehovah's bride. The Lamb's beloved spouse; Strong consolation's flowing tide, Thy Husband thee allows. CHAP. I. THE BELIEVBR's JqiNTURE. 89 In thee, though like thy father's race, By nature black as hell, Yet now, so beautifi'd by grace, Thy Husband loves to dwell. Fair as the moon thy robes appear, While graces are in dress; Clear as the sun,* while found to wear Thy Husband's righteousness. Thy moon-like graces changing much, Have here and there a spot; Thy sun-like glory is not such. Thy Husband chemges not. Thy white and ruddy vesture fair Outvies the rosy leaf; For 'mong ten thousand beauties rare Thy Husband is the chief. Cloth'd with the sun, thy robes of light The morning rays outshine; The lamps of heav'n are not so bright. Thy Husband decks thee fine. Though hellish smoke thy duties stain, And sin deform thee quite; Thy Surety's merit makes thee clean, Thy Husband's beauty white. Thy prayers and tears, nor pure, nor good, But vile and loathsome seem; Yet gain, by dipping in his blood, Thy Husband's high esteem. No fear thou starve, though wants be great. In him thou art compl€te:1[ Thy hungry soul may hopeful wait, Thy Husband gives thee meat. Thy money, merit, power and pelfs Were squandered by thy fall; Yet having nothing in thyself, Thy Husband is thy all. "1^ . * Song 6:10. t Col, 2:10. 8* ■i^ ■ <". r 90 60SPSL SONNETSr PAST H. Law prec^tes threats, may both beset To crave of thee their due; But justice for thy double debt Thy Husband did pursue. V Though justice stern as much belong As mercy to a Godj Yet justice sufFer'd here no wrong. Thy Husband's back was broad» He bore the load of wrath alone, That mercy might take vent; Heaven's pointed arrows all upon Thy Husband's heart were spent. No partial pay could justice still,. No farthing was retrenchM; Vengeance exacted all, until Thy Husband all advanc'd» He paid, in liquid golden red. Each mite the law requir'd. Till with a loud ^Tis finished,* Thy Husband's breath expir'd. No process mor« the law can tent; Thou stand'st within its verge, And may'st with pleasure now present Thy Husband's full discharge. Though new contracted guilt beget New feaics of divine ire: Yet fear thou not, though drown'd in debt. Thy Husband is the payer. God might in rigor thee indict Of highest crimes and flaws: But on thy head no curse can light. Thy Husband is the cause. * John 19:30. CHAP. I. THE believer's JOINTURET. ,91 Sect, h. Christ the believer's friend, prophet, priest, king, de- fence, guide, guard, help and healer. Dear soul, when all the human race Lay welt'ring in their gore, Vast numbers in that dismal case, Thy Husband passed o'er. But pray, why did he thousands pass^ And set his heart on thee? The deep, the searchless reason was, Thy Husband's love is free. The forms of favor, names of grace, An^l offices of love, He bears for thee, with open face Thy Husband's kindness prove. 'Gainst darkness black, and error blindy Thou hast a sun and shield;* And to reveal the Father's mind, Thy Husband's Prophet seal'd, ' He likewise to procure thy peace. And save from sin's arrest. Resign '^'l himself a sacrifice; Thy Husband is thy Priest. And that he might thy will subject. And sweetly captive bring, Thy sins subdue, his throne erect. Thy Husband is thy King, Though numerous and assaulting foes, Thy joyful peace may mar, And thou a thousand battles lose, Thy Husband wins the war. Hell's forces, which thy mind appal, His arm can soon dispatch: How strong soe'er, yet for them all Thy Husband's more than match^ * Psalm 84:11, 92 GOSPEL SONNETS. PAKT II. Though secret lusts, with hid contest, By heavy groans reveal'd, And devils rage; yet do their best, Thy Husband keeps the field. When, in desertion's evening dark, Thy steps are apt to slide. His conduct seek, his counsel mark; Thy Husband is thy guide. In doubts, renouncing self-conceit, His word and Spirit prize: He never counselled wrong as yet, Thy Husband is so wise. When weak, thy refuge seest at hand, Yet cannot run the length; 'Tis present power to understand Thy Husband is thy strength. When shaking storms annoy thy heart. His word commands a calm: Of bleeding wounds to ease the smart, Thy Husband's blood is balm. Trust creatures nor to help thy thrall, Nor to assuage thy grief: Use means, but look beyond them all; Thy Husband's thy relief. If Heaven prescribes a bitter drug, Fret not with froward will; This carriage may thy cure prorogue; Thy Husband wants not skill. He sees the sore, he knows the cure Will most adapted be; 'Tis then most reasonable, sure, Thy Husband choose for thee. Friendship is in his chastisements, And favor in his frowns; Thence judge not then in heavy plaints. Thy Husband thee disowns: OHAP. I. THE believer's JOINTURE. 9S The .deeper his sharp lancet go In ripping up thy wound, The more thy healing shall unto Thy Husband's praise redound. Sect. hi. Christ the believer's wonderful physician, and wealthy friend. Kind Jesus empties whom he'll fill, Casts down whom he will raise; He quickens whom he seems to kill; Thy Husband thus gets praise. When awful rods are in his hand, There's mercy in his mind; ' When clouds upon his brow do stand. Thy Husband's heart is kind. In various changes to and fro, He'll ever constant prove; Nor can his kindness come and go^' Thy Husband's name is Love. His friends in most afflicted lot His favor must have felt; For when they're tri'd in furnace hot. Thy Husband's bowels melt. When he his bride or wounds, or heals. Heart kindness does him move; And wraps in frowns as well as smiles. Thy Husband's lasting love. In 's hand no cure could ever fail. Though of a hopeless state, He can in desp'rate cases heal, Thy Husband's art 's so great. The medicine he did prepare, Can't fail to work for good: O balsam powerful, precious, rare^ Thy Husband's sacred blood: 94 GOSPEL 60NKETS. PART II. Which freely from his broached breast Gush'd out like pent up fire. His cures are best, his wages least, Thy Husband takes no hire. Thou hast no worth, no might, no good, His favor to procure: But see his store, his power, his blood! Thy Husband's never poor. Himself he humbled wond'rously Once to the lowest pitch. That bankrupts through his poverty Thy Husband might enrich. His treasure is more excellent Than hills of Ophir gold: In telling stores were ages s})ent, Thy Husband's can't be told. All things that fly on wings of fame, Compar'd with these are dross; Thy searchless riches in his name, Thy Husband doth engross. The great Immanuel, God-man, Includes such store divine; Angels and saints will never scan Thy Husband's golden mine. He's/w/Z of grace and truth* indeed, Of Spirit^ merit, mi^t; Of all the wealth that bankrupts need Thy Husband's heir by right. Tho' heav'n's his throne,^ he came from thence. To seek and save the lost;^ Whatever be the vast expense. Thy Husband's at the cost. Pleas'd to expend each drop of blood That fill'd his royal veins. He frank the sacred victim stood; Thy Husband spar'd no pains. ♦John 1:14, -t John 3:34. tlsa.66:l. § Luke 19:10 CHAP. I. THE believer's JOINTURE. 95 His cost immense was in thy place; Thy freedom cost his thrall; Thy glory cost him deep disgrace, Thy Husband paid for all. Sect, iv- The believer's safety under the covert of Christ's atoning blood, and powerful intercession. When Heav'n proclaim'd hot war and wrath, And sin increas'd the strife; By rich obedience unto death, Thy Husband bought thy life. The charges could not be abridg'd, But on these noble terms; Which all that prize, are hugg'd amidst Thy Husband's folded arms. When law condemns, and justice too To prison would thee hale; As sureties kind for bankrupts do, Thy Husband oifers bail. God on these terms is reconcil'd. And thou his heart hast won: In Christ thou art his favor'd child, Thy Husband is his Son. Vindictive wrath is whole appeas'd, Thou need not then be mov'd; In Jesus always he's well pleas'd^ Thy Husband's his Beloved.* What can be laid unto thy charge, When God does not condemn? Bills of complaint, though foes enlarge, Thy Husband answers them. When fear thy guilty mind confounds, Full comfort this may yield; Thy ransom bill with blood and wounds, Thy Husband kind has seal'd. His promise is the fair extract Thou hast at hand to show; *Matth.3:17. 96 GOSPEL SONNETS. PART II. Stern justice can no more exact, Thy Husband paid its due. No terms he left thee to fulfil. No clog to mar thy faith; His bond is sign'd, his latter will Thy Husband seal'd by death. The great condition of the band Of promise and of bliss, Is wrought by him, and brought to hand, Thy Husband's righteousness. When therefore press'd in time of need, To sue the promis'd good. Thou hast no more to do but plead Thy Husband's sealing blood. This can thee more to God commend, And cloudy wrath dispel. Than e'er thy sinning could offend; Thy Husband vanquish'd hell. When vengeance seems, for broken laws, To light on thee with dread; Let Christ be umpire of thy cause, Thy Husband well can plead. He pleads his righteousness that brought All rents the law could crave; Whate'er its precepts, threat'nings, sought, Thy Husband fully gave. Did holiness in precepts stand, And for perfection call, Justice in threat'nings death demandl Thy Husband gave it all. His blood the fiery law did quench, Its summons need not scar: Though 't cite thee to Heaven's awful bench. Thy Husband's at the bar. This Advocate has much to say, His clients need not fear; For God the Father hears him aye, Thy Husband hath his eajf. CHAP. I. THE believer's JOINTUKB W A cause fail'd never in his hand, So strong his pleading is; His Father grants his whole demand. Thy Husband's will is his. Hell-forces all may rendezvous. Accusers may combine; Yet fear thou not who art his spouse. Thy Husband's cause is thine. By solemn oath Jehovah did His priesthood ratify: Let earth and hell then counterplead, Thy Husband gains the plea. -IBect. t. The Believer's Faith and Hope encouraged, even ia the darkest nights of desertion and distress. The cunning serpent may accuse. But never shall succeed; The ^od of peace trill Satan bruiscy Thy Husband broke his head.* Hell furies threaten to devour, Like lions robb'd of whelps": But, lo! in every per'lous hour. Thy Husband always helps. That feeble faith may never fail, Thine Advocate has pray'd; Though winnowing tempests may assail. Thy Husband^s near to aid. Though grievous trials grow apace, And put thee to a stand; Thou may'st rejoice in every case. Thy Husband's help at hand. Trust thou when in desertion dark. No twinkling star by night, No ray apjTear, no glimm'ring spark; Thy Husband is thy light. His beams anon the clouds can rent. And through the vapors run; * Rom. 16:20. ^9 GOSPEL SONNETS. PART II. For of the brightest firmament, Thy Husband is the Sun. Without the Sun who mourning go, And scarce the way can find, He brings through paths they do not know;* Thy Husband 'e-ds the Mind. Through fire and icater he with skill. Brings to a wealthy land; Rude flames and roaring floods, be stilly Thy Husband can command. When sin disorders heavy brings, That press thy soul with weight; Then mind how many crooked things Thy Husband has made straight. Still loek to him with longing eyes, Tliough both thine eyes should failj Cry, and at length, though not thy cries^ Thy Husband shall prevail. Still hope for favor at his hand, Though favor don't appear; When help seems most aloof to standi Thy Husband's then most near. In cases, hopeless-like, faint hopes May fail, and fears annoy; But most when stript of earthly props. Thy Husband thou'lt enjoy. 1/ providence the promise thwart, And yet thy humbled mind ^Gainst flope believes in hope,^ thou art. Thy Husband's dearest friend- Art thou a weakling, poor and faint, In jeopardy each hour? Let not thy weakness move thy plamt, Thy Husband has the power. Dread not the foes #iat foil'd thee long. Will ruin thee at length; * Isa, 43:19. t Rom. 6:18. CHAP, I. THE BELFEVER's JOINTURE. '5S> When thou art weak, then art thou strong; Thy Htisbarjd is thy strength. When foes are mighty, many too, Don't fear nor quit the field; 'Tis not with thee they have to do, Thy Husband is thy shield. 'Tis hard to fight against an host, Qr strive against the stream; But lo! when all seems to be lost, Thy Husband will redeem. Sect. vi^ Benefits accruing to Believers, from the offices, names, natures, and sufferings of Christ Art thou by lusts a captive Jed, Which breeds thy deepest grief? To ransome captives is his trade, Thy Husband's thy relief. His precious name is Jesus, why? Because he saves from sin?* Redemption right he won't deny Thy Husband'^s near of kin. His wounds have sav'd thee once from woes, His blood from vengeance screen'd; When heav'n and earth, and hell were foes, Thy husband was a friend: And will thy Captain now look on, And see thee trampled down; When, lo! thy Champion has the throne, Thy Husband wears the crown. Yield not, though cunning Satan bribe Or like a lion roar; The Lion strcng of Judali's tribe, Thy Husband's to the fore- And that he never will forsake;^ His credit fairrJie pawn'd; In hottest broils, then courage take. Thy Husband's at thy hand. »Matth.l:12. tHebia:5. 100 GOSPKL SONNKTS. PAST U^ No storm needs drive thee to a strait. Who dost his aid invoke: Fierce winds may blow, proud waves may beat^ Thy Husband is the rock. Renounce thine own ability. Lean to his promis'd might; The strength of Isra'l cannot lie. Thy Husband's pow'r is plight! An awful truth does here present. Whoever think it odd; In him thou art omnipotent. Thy Husband is a God. Jehovah's strength is in thy H^eaii,^ Which faith may boldly scan; God in thy nature does reside. Thy Husband is a man. Thy flesh is his, his Spirit thinef And that you both are one, One body, spirit, temple, vine,. Thy Husband deigns to own. Kind, he assum'd thy flesh and blood This union to pursue; And without eharae his brotherhood Thy Husband does avow.. He bore the cross thy crown to win»^ His blood he freely spilt; The holy One assuming sin, Thy Husband bore the guilt. Lo! what a bless'd exchange is this What wisdom shines therein! That thou might'st he made righteousnestr Thy Husband was made sin.* The God of joy, a man of grief, Thy sorrows to discuss; Pure innocence hang'd as a thiefi Thy Husband lov'd thee thus.. » 2 Cor. 5-.2L ■eHAP. I. THE believer's JOINTtTRB. 101 Brig-ht beauty had his visage mavr'd. His comely form abus'd, True rest was from all rest debarr'd. Thy Husband's heel was bruis'd. The God of blessings was a curse, The Lord of lords a drudge, The heir of all things poor in purse: Thy Husband did not grudge. The Judge of all condemned was, The God immortal slain: No favor, in thy woful cause Thy Husband did obtain. '&:cT. VII. Christ's Sufferings further improved, and Believers called to live by Faith, both when they have and want sensible influences. Loud praises sing, without surcease, To him that frankly came. And give his soul a sacrifice; Thy Husband w^as the Lamb. What waken'd vengeance could denounce, AM round him did beset; And never left his soul, till once Thy Husband paid the debt. And though new debt thou Still contract, And run in d^ep arrears; Yet all thy burdens on his back Thy Husband always bears. Thy judge will ne'er demand of thee Two payments for one debt; Thee with one victim wholly fiee Thy Husband kindly set. That no grim vengeance might thee meet, Thy Husband met with all; And, that thy soul may drink the sweet Thy Husband drank the gall. Full breasts of joy he loves t' extend Like to a kindly nurse; ^02 oospEL sonnets; part II. And, that thy bliss might full be gain'd, Thy Husband was a curse. Thy sins he glu'd unto the tree. His blood this virtue hath; For, that thy heart to sin might die,. Thy Husband suffer'd death. To purchase fully all thy good, All evil him befel; To win thy heav'n with streams of bloody Thy Husband quenched hell. That this kind day's man in one band Might God and man betroth, He on both parties lays his hand., Thy husband pleases both. The blood that could stern justice please,- And law demands fulfil, Can also guilty conscience ease; Thy Husband clears the bill. Thy highest glory is obtain'd By his abasement deep; And that thy tears might all be drain'di. Thy Husband chose to weep. His bondage all thy freedom bought. He stoop'd so lowly down; His grappling all thy grandeur brought^ Thy Husband's cross thy crown. 'Tis by his shock thy sceptre sways; His warfare ends thy strife; His poverty thy wealth conveys, Thy Husband's death thy life. Do mortal damps invade thy heart. And deadness seize thee sore? Rejoice in this, that life t' impart Thy Husband has in store. And when new life imparted seems Establish'd as a rock. Boast in the fountain, not the streams. Thy Husband is thy stock. CHAP. I. THE BELIEVEK's JOINTURE. 103 The streams may take a various turn, The fountain never moves: Cease then, o'er failing strean)s to mourn, Thy Husband thus thee proves. That glad thou may'st, when drops are gone, Joy in the spacious sea: When incomes fail, then still upon Thy Husband keep thine eye. But can't thou look, nor moan thy strait,, So dark's the dismal hour? Yet as thouVt able, cry and wait Thy Husband's day of pow'r. Tell him though sin prolong the term. Yet love can scarce delay: Thy want, his promise, all affirm, Thy Husband must not stay. Sect. viii. Christ the Believer's enri'diing Treasore.- Kind Jesus lives, thy life to be Who mak'st him thy refuge; And when he comes, thou'lt joy to see Thy Husband shall be judge. Should passing tioubles thee annoy, Without, within, or both? Since endless life thou'lt then enjoy ,^ Thy Husband pledgM his troth. What won't he, even in time, impart Tliat's for thy real gool? He gave his love, he gave his heart, Thy Husband gave his blood. He gives himself, and what should moreT What can he then refuse? If this won't please thee, ah ! how sore Thy Husband dost abuse! Earth's fruit, heav'n's dew he won't deny^ Whose eyes thy need behold: Nought under or above the sky Thy Husband will withhold. 104 GOSPEL SONNETS. PART II. Do losses grieve? Since all is thine, What loss can thee befal? All things for good to thee combine,* Thy Husband orders all. Thou'rt not put off with barren leaves, Or dung of earthly pelf; More wealth than heav'n and earth he gives, Thy Husband's thine himself. Thou hast enough to stay thy plaint, Else thou complain'st of ease; For, having all, don't speak of want, Thy Husband may suffice. From this thy store, believing, take Wealth to the utmost pitch: The gold of Ophir cannot make, Thy Husband makes thee rich. Some flying gains acquire by pains, And some by plund'ring toil; Such treasure fades, but thine remains, Thy Husband's cannot spoil. Sect. ix. Christ the Believer's adorning Garment. Yea, thou excell'st in rich attire The lamp that lights the globe; Thy sparkling garment heav'ns admire, Thy Husband is thy robe. This raiment never waxeth old, 'Tis always new and clean; From summer heat, and winter cold, Thy Husband can thee screen. All who the name of worthies bore, Since Adam was undrest, No worth acquir'd, but as they wore Thy Husband's purple vest. This linen fine can beautify The soul with sin begirt; O bless his name, that e'er on thee Thy Husband spread his skirt. * Romans 8: 28. CHAP. I. THE. BELIEVER *S JOINTTJRff. 10& Are dunghills deck'd with flowery glore,. Which SoIomon^s outvie? Sure thine is infinitely more, Thy Husband decks the &ky» Thy hands could never work the dress^ By grace alone thou'rt gay; Grace vents and reigns through righteousness^ Thy Husband's bright array. To spin thy robe no more dost need Than lilies toil for theirs; Out of his bowels every thread Thy Husband thine prepares. Sect. x. Christ the Believer's sweet Nourisbraeni.. Thy food confornrv to thine array Is heav'nly and divine; On pastures green, where angels play> Thy Husband feeds thee fine. Anoelic food may make thee fair,. And look with cheerful face: The bread of life, the double share. Thy Husband's love and grace. What can he give or thou desire, More than his flesh and blood? Let angels wonder, saints admire,. Thy Husband is thy food. His flesh the incarnation bears From whence thy feeding flows; His blood the satisfaction clears Thy Husband both bestows. The incarnate God a sacrifice To turn the wrathful tide. Is food for failh that may sutfice Thy Husband's guilty bride. This strength'ning food may fit and fence For work and war to come; Till through the cloud, some moments hence^ Thy Husband brings thee liouie* 106 GOSPEL SONNETS. PART II. Where plenteous feasting will succeed To scanty feeding here: And joyful, at the table head Thy Husband fair appear. The crumbs to banquets will give place, And drops to rivers new: While heart and eye will face to face Thy Husband ever view. CHAPTER II. CONTAINING THE MARKS AND CHARACTERS OF THE BELIEVER IN CHRIST; TOGETHER WITH SOME FAR- THER PRIVILEGES AND GROUNDS OF COMFORT TO THE SAINTS. Section i. Doubting Believers called to examine, by marks drawn from their love to him and his presence, their view of his glory, and their being emptied of self-righteousness, &c. Good news! but, says the drooping bride, Ah! what's all this to me? Thou doubt'st thy right when shadows hide Thy Husband's face from thee. Through sin and guilt thy spirit faints. And trembling fears thy fate; But harbor not thy groundless plaints. Thy Husband's advent wait. Thou sobb'st, " O were I sure he's mine, " This would give gladd'ning ease;" And say'st, Though wants and woes combine, Thy Husband would Ihee please. But up and down, and seldom clear, Enclos'd with hellish routs; Yet yield thou not, nor foster fear; Thy Husband hates thy doubts. Thy cries and tears may slighted seem. And barr'd from present ease; CHAP. n. THE believer's JOINTURE. 107 Yet blame thyself, but never dream Thy Husband's ill to please. Thy jealous, unbelieving heart, Still droops, and knows not wh^; Then prove thyself to ease thy smart, ■ Thy Husband bids thee try. The following questions put to thee, As scripture marks, may tell And shew, whale'er thy failings be, Thy Husband loves thee well. MARES. Art thou content when he's away! Can earth allay thy pants? .* If conscience witness, won't it say,.^ * Thy Husband's all thou want'st? When he is near, (though in a cross,) And thee with comfort feeds; Dost thou not count the earth as dross, Thy Husband all thou needs? In duties art thou pleas'd or pain'd, When far he's out of view? And finding him, think'st all regained, Thy Husband's always new. Though once thou thought'st, while Sinai mist. And darkness compass'd thee, Thou wast undone; and glorious Christ Thy Husband ne'er would be; Yet knowest thou not a fairer place, Of which it may be told, That there the glory of his grace Thy Husband did unfold? Where heav'nly beams inflam'd thy soul. And love's seraphic art, With hallelujahs did extol Thy Husband in thy heart. Could'st then have wish'd all Adam's race Had join'd with thee to gaze; 1^8 COSPEL SONNETS. PABT U. That viewing fond his comely face, Thy Husband might get praise? Art thou disjoin'd from other lords? Divorc'd from fed'ral laws? While with most loving gospel cords Thy Ilusbcind kindly draws? A'n't thou enlighten'd now to see Thy righteousness is naught But RAGS,* that cannot cover thee? Thy Husband so has taught. Dost see thy best performances Deserve but hell indeed? And hence art led, renouncing these, Thy- Husband's blood to plead? When strengthen'd boldly to address That gracious throne of his. Dost find thy strength and righteousness, Thy Husband only is? Canst thou thy most exalted frame Renounce, as with'ring grass. And firmly hold thine only claim, Thy Husband's worthiness. Can'st pray with utmost holyf pith, And yet renounce thy good? And wash, not with thy tears, buf .with Thy Husband's precious blood? Sect. ii. Believers described from their Faith acting by di- vine aid, and fleeing quite out of themselves to Christ. Can nothing less thy conscience ease, And please thy heart; no less Than that which justice satisfies, Thy Husband's righteousness? Dost see thy works so stain'd with sin, That thou through grace art mov'd To seeidkcceptance only in Thy Wisband, the belov'd? * Isa- 64: 6. t Vigor, or strength. -CHAP. It. THE believer's jointure. 100 Dost thou remind, that once a day Free grace did strengthen thee, To gift thy guilty soul away, Thy Husband's bride to be? Or dost thou mind the day of povv'r. Wherein he bioke thy pride. And gain'd thy heart? O happy hour! Thy Husband caught the bride! He did thy enmity subdue, Tlyr bondage sad reca!, Made thee to choose, and close pursue Thy Husband as thy all. What rest, and peace, and joy ensu'd Upon this noble choice'? Thy heart, with flow'rs of pleasure strew'd. Thy Husband made rejoice. Dost know thou ne'er could'st him embrace. Till he embraced thee? Nor ever see him, till his face Thy Husband open'd free? And findest to this very hour. That this is still the charm; Thou canst do nothing, till v/iih pow'r Thy Husbap^ shew his arm? Canst thou-ao nought by nature, art, Or any strenglh of thine, Until thy wicked, froward heart, Thy Husband shall incline. ,- A ' But art thou, though without a winor Of pow'er aloft to flee. Yet able to do evVy thing, Thy Husband strength'iiing thee? Dost not alone -at duties soik,* But foreign aid enjoy? And still iu ev'ry piece of work Thy Husband's strength employ? * Labor, wreatlo, or toil. 10 10 GOSPEL SONNETS. PART H. Thy motion heav'nly is indeed, While thou by faith dost move; And still in ev'ry time of need Thy Husband's grace improve. No common, nat'ral faith can show- Its divine brood like this; Whose object, author, feeder too. Thy Husband only is. Dost thou by faith on him rely? On him, not on thy faith? li faith shall with its object vie. Thy Husband's set beneath. I'heir hand's receiving faculty Poor beggars never view; But hold the royal gift in eye; Thy Husband so wilt thou. Faith, like a g'azing eye ne'er waits To boast in seeing pow'rs; Its o1)jcct views, itself forgets; Thy Husband it adores. It humbly still itself denies, Nor brags its acts at all; Deep plung'd into its object lies, Thy Husband is its all. No strength but his it has, and vrants, No store but his can show: Hence nothing has. yet nothing wants, Thy Husband trains it so. Faith, of its own, no might can shew. Else would itself destroy; But will for all it has to do, Thy Husband still employ. Self saviours none could ever be By faith or grace of theirs; Their fruitless toil, so high that fleC; Thy Husband's praise impairs. The seemingly devoutest deed, That would with shameless brow <;hap. II. THE belieIver's jointure. Ml His savintT trade take o'er his head, Thy Husband won't allow. Dost therefore thou to him alone Commit thy sinful soul? Knowing of thy salvation Thy Husband is the whole? Sect. hi. Believers characterized by the objects and purity of their desire, deH Are cords of love the sweetest ties To bind thee duty ways? And best thou serv'st when most thou spies Ihy Husband's beauteous rays] Didst ever thou thy pardon read In tears of untold joy? When mercy made thy heart to bleed, Thy Husband was not coy. Does pardon sweetly melt thy heart? And most embitter sin? And make thee long with dross to part^ Thy Husband's throne to win? When he arises lust to kill, Corruptions to destroy. Does gladness then thy spirit fill? Thy Husband is thy joy. Dost thou his person fair embrace Beyond his blessings all? Sure, then, thou boldly may'st through grace Thy Husband, Jesus call. What company dost thou prefer? What friends above the rest? Of all relations every where, Thy Husband is the best. Whom in the earth or heav'o dost thou Most ardently desire? Is love's ascending spark un,to Thy Husband set on fire? Hast thou a hatred to his foes. And dost their course decline? Lov'st thou his sain^, and dar'st suppose- Thy Husband's friends are thine? Dost thou their talk and walk esjteem, V/hen most divinely grave? And favor'st best when most they seent Thy Husband's Sp'rit to have? CHAP. n. THE believer's JOINTURE. 118 Sect, iv. Believers in Christ affect his counsel, word, ordinances, appearance, full enjoyment in heaven, and sweet presence here. Where go'st thou first when in a strait, Or when with grief opprest? Fleest thou to him? O happy gate. Thy Husband is thy rest. His counsel seek'st thou still prepared, Nor canst without him live? Wisdom to guide, and strength to guard, Thy Husband hath to give. Canst thou produce no pleasant pawn, Or token of his love? Won't signets, bracelets, from his hand. Thy Husband's kindness prove? Mind'st when he sent his healing word.; Which, darting from on high, Did light, and life, and joy afford? Thy Husband then was nigh. "Canst thou the promise sweet forget He dropt into thy heart? Such gladd'ning power and love with it, Thy Husband did impart. Dost thou affect his dwelling place. And mak'st it thy repair: Because thine eyes have seen, through grace^ Thy Husband's glory there? Dost love his great appearing day, Aad thereon muse with joy; When dusky shades will fly away, Thy Hjjisband death destroy? Dost long to see his glorious face Within the higher orb, Where humid sorrows losing place, Thy Husband's rays absorb? Long'st to be free from ev'ry fault, To bid all sin adieu? And mount the hill where glad thou shall Thy Husband's glory view? 10* 114 eOSPEL S0N3VETS. PART II- Life where it lives, love where it loves,, Will most desire to be: Such love sick longing plainly proves Thy Husband's love to thee. What is it best can ease thy plaint. Spread morning o'er thine ev'n? Is his approach thine heart's content. Thy Husband's presence heav'n? And when deny'd tfcis sweet relief^ Canst thou assert full well. His hiding is thy greatest grief. Thy Husband's absence hell? Let thy experience be disclos'd; If conscience answer Yea To all the queries here propos'd. Thy Husband's thine for aye. Pertain these characters to thee? Then, soul, begin and praise His glorious worthy name, for he Thy Husband is always. Sect. v. The true Believer's humility, dependence, zeal, growth, and admiration of free grace, and knowledge of Christ's voice. Perhaps a saint may sigh and say, " I fear I'm yet to learn "These marks of marriage love." Yet stay. Thy Husband's bowels yearn. Though darkness may the light obscure^ And storms surmount thy calms, Day yield to night, and thou be poor. Thy Husband yet has alms. Dost see thyself an empty brat, A poor unworthy thing, W^ith heart upon the dust laid flat? Thy Husband there does reign. Art in thine own esteem a beast. And dost thyself abhor? The more thou hast of self distaste. Thy Husband loves tbee^ more. CHAP. II. THE BELIEVER S JOINTURE. Can hell breed no such wicked elf. As thou in thine own sifjrhl? Thou'st got, to see thy filthy self. Thy Husband's purest lic^iUo Can^t find no names so I!: :.', so vile. With which thou would'st compare, But caifst thyself^ lump of hell? Thy Husband calls thee fair. When his kiiul visits make thee see He's precious, thou art vile, Then mark the hand of God with thee. Thy Husband gives a smile» He knows what visits suit thy state. And though most rare they be, It sets thee well on him to wait, Thy Husband waits on thee. Dost see thou art both poor and weak. And he both full .'::id sirong? O do not his delays mistake, Thy Husband comes ere long. Though during Sinai's stormy stay, Tliou drcad'.st tjie disiu 1 blast. And fear'st thou art a ca.~r-away, Thy Husband comes at last. The glorious Sun will rise apace, And s|)read his healing wings, In sparkling pomp of sovereign grace. Thy Husband gladness brings. Canst thou, whate'er should come of thee. Yet wish his Zion well. And joy in her prosperity? Thy Husbaqd loves thy zeal. Dost thou admire his love to some, Though thou shouldst never share? Mercy to thee will also come, Thy Husband hath to spare. Poor soul ! dost grieve for want of grace. And weep for want of love, 115 116 GOSPEL SONNETS. PART II. And Jesus seek'st! O hopeful case! Thy Husband lives above. Regretting much thy falling short, Dost after more aspire? There's hope in Israel for thy sort, Thy Husband's thy desire. Art thou well pleas'd that sov'reign grace. Through Christ, exalted be? This frame denotes no hopeless case. Thy Husband's pleas'd with thee. Could'st love to be the footstool low On which his throne might rise, It's pompous grace around to show? Thy Husband does thee prize. If but a glance of his fair face Can cheer thee more than wine; Thou in his loving heart hast place, *> Thy Husband place in thine. Dost make his blood thy daily bath? His word and oath thy stay? His law of love thy lightsome path? Thy Husband is thy way. All things within earth's spacious womb Dost but count loss and dung, For one sweet word in season from Thy Husband's learned tongue? Skill to discern and know his voice, From words of wit and art. Will clearly prove thou art his choice. Thy Husband thine in heart. The pompous words that fops admire, May vagrant fancy feast; But with seraphic harmless fire Thy Husband's burn the breast. CHAP. H. THE believer's JOINTURE. 117 Sect. vi. True Believers are willing to be tried and examined. Comforts arising to them from Clirist's ready supply, real sympathy, and relieving names, suiting their needs. Dost thou upon thy trait'rous heart Sfill keep a jealous eye? Most willing that thine inward part Thy Husband strictly tiy? The thieving crowd will hate the light, Lest stolen effects be shown; But truth desires what's wrong or right Thy Husband would make known. Dost then his trying word await, His searching doctrine love] Fond, lest thou err through self-deceit. Thy Husband would thee prove? Does oft thy mind with inward smart Bewail thy unbelief? And conscious sue from plagues of heart Thy ^usband for relief? Why doubt'st his love? and yet, behold With him thou would'st not j)art For thousand thousand earths of gold; Thy Husband has thy heart. Though darkness, deadness, unbelief. May all thy soul attend; Light, life, and faith's mature relief, , -•< Thy Husband has to send. Of ^yants annoying, why complain? Supply arises hence; What gifts he has receiv'd for men,* Thy Husband will dispense. He got tliem in's exalted state For rebels such as thou; All ther! that's necdfu', good or great, Thy Husband will allow. Thy wants he sees, thy cries he hearsj And, marking all thy moans, * Psalm 68: 18. 118 GOSPEL SONNETS. PART 11. He in his bottle keeps thy tears, Thy Husband notes thy groans. All thine infirmities him touch, They strike his feeling heart; His kindly sympathy is such, Thy Husband finds the smart. "Whatever touches thee affects The apple of his eye; Whatever harms he therefore checks, Thy Husband's aid is nigh. If foes are spar'd thy need is such, He slays them but in part: He can do all, and will do much, Thy Husband acts by art. He often for the saddest hour Reserves the sweetest aid: See how such banners heretofore Thy Husband has display'd. , Mind where he vouched his good will, Sometimes at Hermon* mount. In Jordan land, at Mizar hill; Thy Husband keeps the count. At sundry times and divers ways. To suit thy various frames, Hast seen, like rising golden rays, Thy Husband's various names? When guilty conscience ghastly star'd, jEIIOVAH-TSinKENU,'!" The Lord thy righteousness appeal 'd. Thy Husband in thy view. When in thy straits or wants extreme. Help fail'd on ev'ry side^ jEUovAH-ji:iAH:|: was his name. Thy Husband did provide. When thy long absent Lord didst moan, And to his courts repair; » Psalm 42:6. t Jer. 23:«. I Gen. 22:14. CHAP. II. THE believer's JOINTURE. 119 Then was Jehovah-shammah* known, Thy Husband present there. When thy assaulting foes appear'd In robes of terror clad, Jehovah-nissi| then was rear'd, Thy Husband's banner spread. When furies arm'd with fright'ning guilt, Dunn'd. war without surcease; Jehovati-shalomij: then was built. Thy Husband sent thee peace. When thy diseases death proclaim'd, And creature balsams fail'd, Jehovaii-rophi§ then was fiam'd; Thy Husband kindly heal'd. Thus, as thy various needs require, In various modes like these. The help that suits thy heart's desire, Thy Husband's name conveys. To the little Jlock, as cases vary. The great Jehovah shews Himself a little sanctuary,\\ Thy Husband gives the views. Sect. vii. The Believer's experience of Christ's comfortable presence, or of former comforts, to be improved for- his en- couragement and support under darkness and hidingg. DosT mind the plac^, the spot of land, Where Jesus did thee meet? And how he got thy heart and hand? N Thy Husband then was sweet. Dost mind the garden, chamber, bank, A vale of vision scem'd? The joy was full, thy heart was frank, Thy Husband much esteem'd. Let thy experience sweet declare, If able to remind; *Ezek, 48:35. t Exod. 17:15. tJudg.6:24. - ^ Exodus 15:26. 11 Eze'kiel 11:16. !20 GOSPEL SONNETS. PAKT II. A Bochiin here, a Bethel there, Thy Husband made thee find. Was such a corner, such a place, A paradise to thee, A Peniei, w'ijc."':^ f-v'o fo face Thy Husband fair didst see? There did he clear thy cloudy cause, Thy doubts and fears destroy; And on thy spirit seal'd he was Thy Husband with great joy. Could'st thou have said it boldly then, And seal'd it with thy blood? Yea, welcome death with pleasure, when Thy Husband by thee stood. That earth again should thee ensnare, O how thy heart was pain'd ! For all its fading glory there Thy Husband's beauty stain'd. The thoughts of living more in sin Were then like hell to thee; The life of heav'n did thus begin. Thy Husband set thee free. Whate'er thou found'st him at thy best, He's at thy worst the same; And in his Jove will ever rest, Thy Husband holds his claim. Let faith these visits keep in Store, Though sense the pleasure miss; The God of Bethel, as before, Thy Husband always is. In meas'ring his approaches kind. And timing his descents; In free and sov'reign ways thou'lt find Thy Husband thee prevents. Prescribe not to him in thy heart; He's infinitely wise: How oft he throws his loving dart, Thy Husband does surprise. CHAF. II. THE believer's JOINTURE. 121 Perhaps a sudden gale thee blest, While walking in thy road, Or on a journey, ere thou wist. Thy Husband looked thee broad. Thus was the eunuch fam'd (his stage A riding on the way, As he revolv'd the sacred page*) Thy Husband's happy prey. In hearing, reading, singing, prayer, When darkness compass'd thee, Thou found'st, or e'er thou wast aware, Thy Husband's light'ning free. Of heav'nly gales don't meanly think; For, though thy soul complains. They're but a short and passing blink; Thy Husband's love remains. Think not, though breezes haste away, Thou dost his favor lose; But learn to know his sov'reign way; Thy Husband comes and goes. V Don't say he's gone forever, though His visits he adjourn; For yet a little while, and lo. Thy Husband will return. In worship social, or retir'd, Dost thou his absence wail? Wait at his shore, and be not fear'd, Thy Husband's ship's a sail. Yea, though in duties sense may miss Thy soul's beloved one; Yet do not faint, for never is Thy Husband whoily gone. Though Satan, sin, earth, hell at once Would thee of joy bereave:" Mind what he said, he won't renounce, Thy Husband will not leave. »Acts 8: 27—39- 11 ];22 GOSPEL SONNETS. PART Xl, Though foes assail, and friendship fail. Thou liast a friend at court: The gates of hell shall ne'er prevail, Thy Husband is thy fort. Sect, viii. Comfort to Believers from the stability of the prot mise, notwithstanding- heavy chastisements for sins. Take well hovve'er kind wisdom may Dispose thy present lot; Tht^ugh heav'n and earth should pass away, Thy Husband's love will not. All needful help he will afford, Thou hast his vow and oath; And once to violate his word Thy Husband will be loath. To fire and floods with thee he'll down^ His promise this insures, Whose credit cannot burn nor drown? Thy Husband's truth endures. Dost thou no more his word believe, • As mortal man's, forsooth? O do not thus his Spirit grieve, Thy Husband is the Truth. Though thou both wicked art and weak, His word he'll never rue; Tho' heav'n and earth should bend and break. Thy Husband will be true. rjl never leave thee,* is his vow; Jf Truth has said the word, While Truth is truth, this word is true^ Thy Husband is the Lord. Thy covenant of duties may Prove daily most unsure: His covenant of grace for aye Thy Husbaiid does secure™ * Hebrews 13: 5^ CHAP. II. THE believer's JOINTURE. 12S Dost thou to him thy promise break, And fear he break to thee? Nay, not thy thousand crimes can make Thy Husband once to lie. He visit will thy sins with strokes, And lift his heavy hand; But never once his word revokes, Thy Husband's truth will stand. Then dream not he is chang'd in love. When thou art chang'd in frame; Thou may'st by turns unnumber'd move, Thy Husband's aye the same. He for thy follies may thee bind With cords of great distress; - To make thee moan thy sins, and raind Thy Husband's holiness. By wounds he makes thee seek his cure. By frowns his favor prize; By falls affrighting, stand more sure, Thy Husband is so wise. Proud Peter, in the dirt of vice Fell down ejccecding low; His tow'ring pride, by tumbling thrice. Thy Husband cured so. Before he suffer pride that swells, He'll drag thee througii the mire Of sins, temptations, little hells; Thy Husband saves by fire. He in affliction's mortar may Squeeze out old Adam's juice, Till thou return to him, and say, Thy Husband is thy choice. Fierce billows may thy vessel toss. And crosses curses seem; But that the curse has fled tl^p cross. Thy Husband bids thee deem. Conclude not he in wrath disowns, When trouble thee surrounds; 124 OOSPEL SONNETS. PAET II. These are his favorable frowns. Thy Husband's healing wounds. Yea, when he gives the deepest lash. Love leads the wounding hand; His stroke, when sin has got a dashj Thy Husband will remand. Sect. ix. Comfort to Believers, in Christ's relations in his dying love, his glory in heaven, to which he will lead them through death, aJid supply with all necessaries by the way. Bkhold the patrimony broad That falls to thee by line; In him thou art an heir of God, Thy Husband's Father's thine. He is of relatives a store. Thy Friend will help in thrall; Thy Brother much, thy Father more. Thy Husband most of all. All these he does amass and share. In ways that most excel: 'Mong ail the husbands ever were, Thy Husband bears the bell. Whence mn the streams of all tlyf good. But from his pierced side? With liquid gold of precious blood Thy Husband bought his bride. His blood abundant value bore. To make his purchase broad, *Twas fair divinity in gore, Thy Husband is thy God. Who pi^rchas'd at the highest price. Be crown'd with highest praise; For in the highest paradise Thy Husband wears the bays. He is of Heav'n thfe comely rose, His beauty makes it fair; Heav'n were but hell, qpuld'st thou suppose Thy Husband were "Bot there. ■OHAP. ir. THE BELIEVER^'S JOINTURE. 125 He thither did in pomp ascend; His spouse along to bring: Then Hallelujahs without end, Thy Husband's bride may sing. Ev'n there, with him for ever fix'd, His glory shalt thou see; And nought but death is now betwixt Thy Husband's throne and thee. He'll order death, that porter rude, To ope the gates of brass; For lo! with characters of blood. Thy Husband wrote thy pass. At Jordan deep, then be not scar'd, Though dismal like and broad; « Thy sun will guide, thy shield will guard. Thy Husband pav'd the road. He'll lead thee safe, and bring thee home, And still let blessings fall Of grace while here, till glory coHie; Thy Husband's bound for all. His store can answer ev'ry bill. Thy food and raiment's bought; Be at his will, thou'lt have thy fill, Thy Husband wants for nought. What can thy soul conceive it lacks? His store, his pow'r is thine; His lib'ral heart to lib'ral acts, Thy Husband does incline. Though on thy hand that has no might, He should thy task enlarge; Nor work nor warfare needs thee fright. Thy Husband bears the charge. Thou would'st, if left, thyself undo. So apt to fall and stray; But he uplifts and leads thee too: Thy Husband knows the way.. ^ U* 126 GOSPEL SONNETS. PART II. Sect. x. Comfort to Believers from the text, Thy Maker is thy Husband, inverted thus, Thy Husband is thy Maker; and the conclusion of this subject. Of light and life, of grace and glore. In Christ thou art partaker; Rejoice in him for evermore, Thy Husband is thy Maker. He made thee, yea, made thee his bride, Nor heeds thine ugly patch; To what he made he'll still abide, Thy Husband made the match. He made all; yea, he made all thine. All to thee shall be given. Who can thy kingdom undermine? Thy Husband made the Heav'n, What earthly things can thee annoyi He made the earth to be; The waters cannot thee destroy. Thy Husband made the sea. Don't fear the flaming element Thee hurt with burning ire; Or that the scorching heat torment: Thy Husband made the fire. Infectious streams shall ne'er destroy While he is pleas'd to spare; Thou shalt thy vital breath enjoy, Thy Husband made the air. The sun that guides the golden day, The moon that rules the night. The starry frame, the milky way, Thy Husband made for light. The bird that wings its airy path, The fish that cuts the flood, The creeping crowd that swarms beneath, Thy Husband made for good. The grazing herd, the beasts of prey, The creatures great and small, CHAP. ir. THE BELIEVER S JOINTURE. For thy behoof their tribute pay, Thy Husband made them all. Thine's Paul, Apollos, life, and death, Things present, things to be; And ev'ry thing that being hath, Thy Husband made for thee. In Tophet of the damn'd's resort Thy soul shall never dwell, Nor needs from thence imagine hurt, Thy Husband formed hell. Satan, with instruments of his. May rage, yet dread no evil; So far as he a creature is. Thy Husband made the devil. His black temptations may afflict, His fiery darts annoy; But all his works, and hellish trick, Thy Husband will destroy. Let armies strong of earthly gods Combine with hellish ghosts, They live, or languish, at his nods; Thy Husband's Lord of hosts. What can thee hurt? whom dost thou fear? All things are at his call. Thy Maker is thy Husband dear, Thy Husband all in all. What dost thou seek? what dost thou want? He'll thy desires fulfil. He gave himself, what won't he grant? Thy Husband's at thy will. The more thou dost of him desire, The more he loves to give: High let thy mounting arms aspire, Thy Husband gives thee leave. The less thou seek'st, the less thou dost His bounty set on high; 127 128 GOSPEL SONNETS. PART 11. But hifj-hest seekers here do most Thy Husband glorify. Wonld'st thou have grace? Well; but 'tis meet He should more glory gain. Would'st tliou have Father, Son, and Sp'rit? Thy Husband says, Amen. He'll kindly act the lib'ralGod, Devising lib'ial things; With royal gifts his subjects load; Thy Husband's King of kings. No earthly monarchs have such store As thou hast e'en in hand; But, O how infinitely more T!iy Husband gives on band! Thou h".st indeed the better part, Tie part will fail thee never: Thy H'lsband's hand, thy Husband's heart, Thy Husband's all forever. THE END OP THE POEM UPON ISA. 54:5 GOSPEIi SONNETS. PART III. THE BELIEVER'S RIDDLE; OR, THE MYSTERY OF FAITH. THE PREFACE. SHEWING THE USE AND DESIGN OF THE RIDDLE. Reader, the following enigmatic song, Does not to wiset-t nat'ralists belong: TJieir wisdom is but folly on this head: They here may ruminate, but cannot read. For tliough they glance the lines, the meaning chokes, They read the words, but not the paradox. The subject will, howe'er the phrase be blunt, , Their most acute intelligence surmount, If with the nat'ral and acquired sight They share not divine evangelic light. Great wits may rouse their fancies, rack their brains, And after all their labor lose their pains: Their wisest comments were but witless chat, Unapt to frame an explication pa* No unregen'rate mortal's best engines "" Can right unriddle these few rugged lines; Nor any proper notions thereof reach. Though sublimated to the highest stretch. Masters of reason, plodding men of sense, Who scorn to mortify their vain pretence, In this mysterious deep might plod their fili; It overtops the top of all their skill. 130 GOSPEL SONNETS. PART IJI. The more they vainly huff, and scorn to read, The more it does their foolish wit exceed. Those sinners that are sanctified in part, May read tliis riddle truly in their heart. Yea, weakest saints may feel its truest sense. Both in their sad and sweet experience. Don't overlook it with a rambling view. And rash suppose it neither good nor true. Let Heaven's pure oracles the truth decide; Renounce it, if it can't that test abide. Noble Bereans soon the sense may hit, Who found the divine depth of sacred writ, Not by what airy carnal reason saith, But by the golden line of heaven spun faith. Let not the naughty phrase make you disprove The weighty matter which deserves your love. High strains would spoil the riddle's grand intent, To teach the weakest, most illit'rate saint. That Matianaim is his proper name; In whom two struggling hosts make bloody game. That such may know, whose knowledge is but rude How good consists with ill and ill with good. That saints be neither at their worst nor best. Too much exalted or too much deprest. This paradox is fitted to disclose _^ The skill of Zion's friends above her foes; To difference, by light that heaven transmits, Some happy fools fronj miserable wits. And thus (if bless'd) it may in some degree Make fools their wit, and wits their folly see. Slight not the lliddle then, with jargon vile, Because not garnish'd with a pompous style. Could th' author act the lofty poets' part Who make their sonnets soar on wings of art. He on this theme had blush'd to use his skill, And either dipt his wings, or broke his quill. Why, thus enigma climbs such divine heights. As scorn to be adorn'd with human flights. These gaudy strains would lovely truth disgrace, As purest paint deforms a comely face. Heav'n's mysteries are above art's ornament, Immensely brighter than its brightest paint. PAftT III. THE believer's RIDDLE. 131 No tow'ring lit'rature could e'er outwit The plainest diction fetch'd from sacicd writ, By which mere blazing rhet'ric is outdone, As twinkling stars are by the radiant sun. The soaring orators, who can with ease Strain the quintessence of hyperboles, And clothe the barest theme with purest dress, Might here expatiate much, yet say the less, If w' th' majestical simplicity Of scripture orat'ry they disagree. These lines pretend not to affect the sky, Content among inglorious shades to lie. Provided sacred truth be fitly clad, Or glorious shine ev'n through the dusky shade. Mark, then, though you should miss the gilded strain, If they a store of golden truth contain: Nor undeirate a jewel rare and prime. Though wrapt up in the rags of homely rhyme. Though haughty deists hardly stoop to say, That nature's night has need of scripture day: Yet gospel light alone will clearly shew How ev'ry sentence here is just and true. Expel the shades that may the mind involve, And soon the seeming contradiction solve. All fatal errors in the world proceed From want of skill such mysteries to read. Vain men the double branch of truth divide. Hold by the one, and slight the o'.her side. Hence proud Arminians cannot reconcile Freedom of grace with freedom of the will. The blinded Papist won't discern nor see How works are good, unless they justify. Thus Legalists distinguish not the odds Between their home-bred righteousness and God's. Antinomists the saints' perfection plead, Nor duly sever 'tween them and their head. Socinians won't these seeming odds agree. How heaven is bought, and yet salvation free. Bold Arians hate to reconcile or scan, How Christ is truly God and truly man: Holding the one part of Immanuel's name, The other part outrageously blaspheme. ^^2 GOSPEL SONNETS. The sound in faith no part of truth control: Heretics own the half, but not the whole. Keep then the sacred myst'ry still entire; To both the sides of truth do favor bear, Not quitting one to hold the other branch; But passing judgment on an equal bench: The riddle has two feet, and were but one Cut off, truth falling to the ground were gone, J IS ail a contradiction, yet all true, And happy truth, if verifi'd in you. ' Go forward then, to read the lines, but stay lo read the Riddle also by the way. PAET in. SECT. T» THE BEI.IEVEr's BIBDLE. 133 ' THE RIDDLE. Sect. i. The M)'^stery of the Saints' Pedigree, and especially of their relation to Christ's wonderful person. My life's a maze of seeming traps,* A scene of miseries and mishaps;" A heap of jarring to and froes,'= A field of joys, a flood of woes.* I'm in mine own and others' eyes, A labyrinth of mysteries.'' I'm something that from nothing came,' Yet sure it is, I nothing am.s a Josh. 2.3 :1.3. And Joshua said, Know for a certainty, that the Lord your God will no more drive out any of these nations from be- fore you; but they sliall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, &c Psalm 124:7. Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers; the snare is bi-oken, and we are escaped. b Or miseries. Lam. 3:19. Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and tiic gall. v. 22. It is of the Lord's mercies that wc arc not consumed, because his compassions fail not. Psalm 101:1. I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O Lord, will I sing. c Psalm 102:10. Thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down. Psalm 109: 23. I am tossed up and down as the locust. d Hab. 3:17,18. Although the fig-tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines, the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat, the flock shall be cut off from tlie fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls; yet will I rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. e Isa. 8:18. Behold I and the children whom tlie Lord hath giv- en me, are for signs, and for wonders in Israel; from the Lord of hosts, which dwellcth in mount Zion. Zech. 3:8. Haar now, O Joshua, the high priest, thou and thy follows that sit before thee i for they are men wondered at, &.c. Psalm 61:7. I am as a won* dor unto many, but thou art my strong rciuge. f Gen. 1:1. In the beginning God cnated the heaven and the earth. Helx U :3. Through faith we under.-tand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. g Isa. 40:17. All nations before him are as nothing, and they are accounted to him less than nothing and vanity. Dan. 4: 35 All tlie inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing. I(S4 eOSTEL SONNETS. PART iXZ Once I was dead, and blind, and larae,^ Yea, I continue still the same;^' Yet wbat I was, I am no more,'' Nor ever shall be as before.* My Father lives," my father's gone,"^ My vital head both lost and won." My parents cruel are and kind,? Of one, and of a diff 'rent mind.i h Eph. 2 :1. And you hath he quickened, who were dead sr,- trespasses and sins. Rev. .3 J 7^ Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased in goods, and have need ornothijig; andknowest not that thou art wretched,- and miserable, and poor, and blmd, and na-- ked. Isa. 35:6. Tlien shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongus of the dumb sing: for in tlie wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in tlie desert. i Rom. 7:14. For we know that the law is spiritual: but I ami carnal, sold under sin, Ver. 24. O wretched mail that I am, whc shall deliver me from the body of this death? k Rom. 7:17. Now then, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwellcth in me. Ver. 20. Now if I do that I would not, it is no> more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. John 9:25. He (the blind man) answered and said. Whether he be a sinner, or no, I know not; one thing- I know, that whereas I was blind, now I see. 1 Rom. 11:29. For tlie gifts and calling of God are without re- pentance. .Ter. 32:40 And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, tiiat I will not turn away from them, to do them good^ but I will put my fea,r in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me. m Isa. 9:6. His name shall be called. The everlasting Father. Rev. 1:18. I am he that liveth, and v/as dead; and behold, I am alive for evermore. Amen, n Hos. 14:3. In thee the fatherless findeth mercy. Zeeh. 1:5 Your fathers where are they? and the prophets, do tliey live for ever? ol Cor. 15:45. It is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul^ the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. p Psalm 103:13. Like as a father pitiethliis children; so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. Isa. 43:27. Thy first father liath sin., ned, and thy teachers have transgressed against me. q Job 23:13. But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his sou! desireth, even that he doeth. Rom. 8:5. For they that are after the flesh, do mind the things of the flesh; buttficy that are after the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. Ver. 7, Because the car- aal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subj^ect to tlie law of ?3od, neither indeed can be^ «ECT. S. THE BELIEVER^S RIDDLE. 135 My father poison'd me to death/ My mother's hand will stop ray breath;^ Her womb, that once my substance gave, Will very quickly be ray grave.* My sisters all my flesh will eat/ My brethren tread rae under feet;" My nearest friends are most unkind/ My greatest foe's my greatest friend.'^ He could from feud to friendship pass, Yet never change from what he was."* r Rom, 5:12. Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by aim and so death passf'd upon all men; for that all have sinned. sGen. 3:16. Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow, and thy conception: in sorrow thou shalt bring forth chil- idren, &.c. * Psalm 146:4. Hi« breath nrncth forth, he returnefh to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish. Eecl. 2:20. All go unto one place, all arc of the dust, and all turn to dust again. t.lob 17:14. I have said to corruption, Tliou ai't my father; to the worm.. Thou art ray mother and ra}' sister. Chap. i9;26. Arid though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my ilesh sliall I see God. u Even in a moral sense, Jer. 12:10. Many pastors have destroy- ed my vineyard, they have trodden my [Tortion under foot, tliey have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness. Ezek. 34:18. Seemeth It a small thing unto you, to Jiave eaten up the good pas- ture, but ye must tread down with your feet the residue of 3'our pas- tures? and to have drunk of the dqep waters, but ye must foul the residue with your feet? V Psalm 55:12,13. For it was not an cneinj' that reproached me, then I could have borne it; n'.it'irr v/::: it ho that hated me, that did magnify himself against nv ilr-^t i • ^0, Id Iiavehid myself from him. But it was tliou, a ma . 1 .iio c - A, my gi'ide, and mine ac- tfiuaintance. Mic. 7:5,6. Tru-^ y • . ', =ri a friend, put ye not con- fidence in a guide; keep the doois oi t ly moiitii from her that lieth in thy bosom. For the son dis'ncnoreth the father, the daughter risetli up against the mother, the dau'-liter-iu-lav,' against her mo- ther-in-law; a. man's enemies are tlie men of' his own liousc. w Psalm 7-.II. God is angry with the wicked every day. 2 Cor, 5:19. God was in Ciirist, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unio them. X Mai. 3:16. For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons ■of Jacob are not consumed. Hos. 14:4. I will heal tlieir backslid- ing, I will love them freely; for mine anger is turned away from ■him. i36 OOSPEL SONNETS, ?ART 1M> He is my Father, he alone. Who is my Father's only Son.y I am his mother's son,'^ yet more, A son his mother'' never bore, But born of him,'' and yet aver His Father's sons my mother's were.*" I am dirorc'd yet marri'd still,*' With full consent against my will.* My husband present is,*' yet gone,5 We differ much, yet still are one." He is the first, the la^st, the all,* Yet number'd up with insects small.J y John 20:17. Jesus saith unto her [Mary,] Touch me not: for I Bin not yet ascended unto my Father : but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father and your Father, and to my God and yoiu- God. Isa. 9:6. Unto us a Son is given : and his name shall be called, the everlasting Father. John 1:14. And thcr Word was made flesh, and dw^elt among us (and we beheld his glo- . ry, the glory a^ of the only begotten of tlie Father) full of grace and truth. z Song 3:4. It was but a little that I passed from them, but I. foiuid him whom my soul loveth : I held him, and would not let him go, until I ha^i brought him into my mother's house, and into the chamber of her that conceived me. Ver. 11. Go forth, O ye daughters of Zion, and behold king Solomon with the crown where- with his mother crowned him in the day of his espousals, and in tl\e day of the gladness of his heart. a viz. His natural mother according to the flesh. bJohn 1:13. Which were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. c Gal. 4:26. But Jerusalem which is above, is free, which is the mother of us all. d Rom 7:4. Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of C'hrist; and that yc should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead. e Psalm 110:.3. Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power. f Mattli. 28:20. Lo, 1 am with you always, even unto the end of Uie world. g John 14:2. I go to prepare a place for you. h John 17:21. That they all may be one, as thou. Father, art in me, and I in thee; that tliey also may be one in us. IRev. 1:11. I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last. CoL 3:11. Christ is all and in all. j Psalm 22:6, But I am a worm, and no man. «KCT. 1. THE BELIEVER''s RIDDLE. 3^ The first of all things,^ yet alone, The second of the great Three-oiie^" A creature never could be be, Yet is a creature strange I see;" And own this uncreated one. The son of man, yet no man's son^" He's omnipresent all may know:* Yet never could be wholly so.p His manhood is not here and there,''' Yet he is God-man ev'ry where.. ■■ k Ck)!. Itl5,16. Who is the image of the invisible God, the first born of every creature: for by him were all things created that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers; all things were created by him, and for him. 1 1 John 5:7. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost : and these three are one. Matth. 28:18. Go ye therefore and teach .all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of tlio Holy Ghost. m John 1:2,3. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the be- ginning with God. All things were made by him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. Ver. 14. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (and we behold his glo- ry, the glory of the only begotten of tlie FatJier) full of grace and truth. n Matth. 1:23: Behold a virgin sliall he with cliild, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emma?iue!, which being interpreted is, God with us. Luke 1:34,35. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, TJic Holy Ghe.