\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, <he ancient prophets, the inspired evan-
' gelists and apostles; for their writings are an abundant
' source of all the riches and ornament of speech.'
It hath been now a long and just complaint, that poesy,
which is of a divine original, should have been so much
debased to the worst of purposes, in decorating, vice and
profanencss; and that men, endued with such a happy
talent, should so much employ it in furnishing our the-
atrical entertainments, or upon ludicrous aud profane
trifles. How happy would it have been for the world,
what an ornament to Christianity and advantage to the
church; and how honoring to themselves, as well as be-
neficial to the interests of religion, had they employed it
on evangelical and divine subjects, in pointing out the
beauties of creation, the bounty of providence, the depth
of redeeming love and grace, and the excellency and
sweetness of true religion and practical godliness!
The Kev. Mr. Eiskine, author of the following /'oems,
was happy in cia;>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 6o<A a
devil and a saint. The latter clause is what none will
deny, namely. That every true believer is a saint; for fur-
ther proof of wbich,^ you might see Acts 15:9 and 2&;18y
PREFACE. 15
&:c. But because the first clause may seem more harsh,
it may by scripture be also further evinced two vvayss
1st. In respect of the daily commission of sin he has to
challenge himself with; for the scripture says, Eccl. 7:
20, "There is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good
and sinneth not." And with this compare 1 John 3:8
*' He that committeth sin, is of the devil." Hence it is
plain, there is not a just man upon earth, but may, in
respect of the commission of sin, be called a dciul.
2dly. In respect of prevalent temptations, by which he
may be hurried into those things " that savor not of
God, but of men;" on which account Christ says to Pe-
ter, Matth. 16:23, "Get thee behind me, Satan." And
if Christ calls Peter a devil, vphom he had described as
a saint of the first magnitude, verse 17, one divinely
blessed and enlightened; what occasion may every be-
liever have to call himself a devil ! Yea, it is a part of
his faith and sanctity, to see and acknowledge with shame
before the Lord, his own devilish and desperately wick-
ed heart and nature; which a blind, self-conceited world
are ignorant of, being neither acquainted with them-
selves, nor with God and his word. However, so it is,
that the more any shall search the scripture, the more, T
hope, will they discern, not only by the texts I have quo-
ted, but from many others also, the truth and evidence
of every part of this book, however mystertous some pas-
seges of it may seem to many.
Though some of these lines may want the politeness
that can please the curious age, yet, while they stand
firm upon a scriptural foundation, none of them want
authority, and that of the highest nature, except -in the
account of mockers, and those (of whom there are too
many in our day) that are either Deists, who underval-
ue the scripture, or Atheists, who deride it: and it is sad-
ly to be regretted, that those people are hardened in
their wicked principles and practices, by some that per-
haps have a higher profession. For I have seen two
prints, one called the Groan, and another the Laugh^
wherein some lines, picked out among others, have been
exposed to ridicule: but however such gentlemen may
laugh at their own sport, and wickedly divert themselves
16 PREFACE.
with serious matters for a time, I fear their laughing
will issue in weeping forever; if God by giving them
repentance, do not make them groan to purpose, for the
evidence they thus give of either their grievous igno-
rance of the scripture, or their gross profanity, and of
their readiness to yield themselves instruments of the
devil, to promote the atheistical spirit of the age, which
is bent enough, without any such provocations, to laugh
3t every thing serious, sacred, and scriptural. This is
so palpable, without my observation upon it, and so self-
evident to all that fear God, and have had the patience
to read such prints, that I would not have thought them
worth my noticing so far, as to make this bare mention
of them, had not Providence [)ut the pen in my hand to
preface this edition, wherein scriptural proofs are ad-
ded to that part of the book.
Reader, it gives me satisfaction enough to understand,
that this book has already been useful and edifying to
some, however it is entertained by others. The gospel
itself is to some the savor of life, to others the savor of
death; to some visdom to others foolishness; to some
matter of faith, love, and comfort, to others matter of
mockery and scorn. I shall be far from thinking it any
discredit or disparagement to this book, if it meet with
the like entertainment. May the Lord of Heaven and
earth, who overrules all things, accompany it, in its
journeys abroad or at home, with his blessing to many
souls, and to his care I commend it, in the words of a fa-
mous Scots poet, upon Psalm 35:1:
Rerum sancte Opifex, ades,
Et patrocjnio protege me tuo.
Which may be adapted to the matter in hand thus.
The truth which hell may criticise^
Great God, be near to patronize.
A POEM,
DEDICATED TO THE REV. MR. RALPH ERSKINE,
BV A
LADY IN NEW-ENGLAND,
UPON
. READING HIS GOSPEL SONNETS.
ERSKINE, thou blessed herald, sound
Till sin's black empire totter to the ground;
Well hast thou Sinai's awful flames display 'd,
And rebels' doom before their conscience laid;
From sin, from self, from trust in duty fly,
Commit thy naked soul to Christ, or die.
Go on and prosper in the name of God,
Seraphic preacher through the thorny road;
The gracious Christ thy labors will reward;
His angel bands be thy perpetual guard;
Though hell's dark regions at the present hissj
The God of glory thy strong refuge is.
Mere moral preachers have no pow'r to charm,
Thy lines are such my nobler passions warm;
These glorious truths have set my heart on fire.
And while I read, I'm love and pure desire.
May the black train of errors hatch'd in hell
No longer on this globe in quiet dwell;
May more like you be rais'd to shew their shamo,
And call them by their diabolic name.
Exalt the Lamb in lovely white and red,
Angels and saints his lasting honors spread;
My trembling soul shall bear her feeble part,
'Tis he hath charm'd my soul, and won my heart.
Bless'd be the Father for electing love,
Bless'd be the Son who does my guilt remove,
Bless'd be the Dove who does his grace apply. "
Oh 1 mav I praising live, and praising die!
2*
I.IFE OF THE AUTHOR.
THE Rev. Mr, Ralph Erskine was honorably descended of
very respectable ancestors; his father, the Rev, Henry Erskine.
bein^ one of the thirty-three children of Ralph Erskine of Shef.-
field, a fan;jily of consider<able repute and standing in the county of
Merse, and originally descended from the ancient house of Mar^
Our author, and his brother, the Rev. Ebenezer Erskine, late min-
ister of the gospel at Stirling, were two of the children of the said
Rev. Henry Erskine, who was some time minister of the gospel at
Cornwall, afterwards at Chirnside;* a man eminent in his day, and
justly distinguished for his piety and firm attachment to Presby-
terian- principles: for his steadfast adherence to which, he was sub-
jected to many considerable hardships in the latter part of the last
century, during the persecuting period of Charles II. and James
Vll.t
The author of the following Poems, was born at Monilaws, in
the county of Northumberland, on Sabbath the 15th of March,
J 665, at three o'clock in the afternoon; and baptized at Chirnside on
the ."jth of April said year, by the Rev. William Violand.
He gave pretty early proofs of a great genius and fine fancy;
and several instances of a pious disposition and a solid way of re-
flecting on matters. On this account he was, by his parents, early
destined for the holy ministry, who resolved to give him a regular
and liberal education, in order to qualify him for that important
office.
When he had acquired a competent measure of grammar, and
otiier introductory parts of education, he went to the university of
Edinburgh, to complete his studies; where he went through the?
ordinary courses of Philosophy and Divinity with success; and
made a considerable progress in the branches of literature: for he
soon became a fine Grecian, an excellent Logician, and an ac-
complished Philosopher. But after having acquired such a com-
petent measure of knowledge, in these various branches of erudi-
tion, he gave himself up to tlie study of Theology, his darling and
l>eloved 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,
<mAl>. 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'<i how grace's silken latchet bincis
Her capLivcs to the law with willing minds.
Skot. n. A legal strain of doctrine discovered and discarded.
No wonder Paul the legal spirit curse,
Of fatal errors such a feeding.nurse.
He, in Jehovah's great tremendous name,
Condemns pcrvericrs of the gospel scheme.
He damn'd the sophist rude, the babbling priest
Who'd venture to corrupt it in the least;
Yea, curs'd the heavenly angel down to hell
Who, daring, would another gospel tell.*
Which crime is charg'd on these that dare dispense
The self-same gospel in another sense.
C/hrist is not preach'd in'truth but in disguise.
If his bright glory half obscured lies.
When gospel t?oldicrs, that divide the word,
Scarce brandish any but the legal sword;
While Chiist the author ef the law they press»
More than the end of it for righteousness;
Christ as a seeker of our service trace,
More than a Giver of enabling grace;
• Galatiane 1: 7,8.
CHAP. V. THE believer's ESPOUSALS. 63
The King commanding holiness they show
More than the Prince exalted to bestow:
Yea more on Chiist the sin revenger dwell,
Than Christ Redeemer both from sin and hell.
With legal spade the gospel field he delves
Who thus drives sinners in unto themselves;
Halving the truth, that should be all reveal'd,
The sweetest part of Christ is oft conceal'd.
We bid men turn from sin, but seldom say,
" Behold the Lamb thnt takes all sin away!"
Christ, by the gospel rightly understood,
Not only treats a peace, but makes it good.
Those suitors therefore of the bride, who hope
By force to drag her with the legal rope,
Nor use the drawing cord of conquering grace,
Pursue with flaming zeal a fruitless chase;
In vain lame doings urge, wi(h solemn awe,
To bribe the fury of the fiery law:
With equal success to the fool that aims
By paper walls to bound devouring flames.
The law's but mock'd by their most graceful deed,
Who wed not first the law-fulfilling Head;
It values neither !iow they wrought nor wept
Who slight the ark wherein alone 'tis kept.
Yet legalists Do, Do, with ardor press,
And with preposterous zeal and warm address
Would seem the greatest friends to holiness;
But vainly, could such opposites accord,
Respect the law, and yet reject the Lord.
They shew not Jesus as the way to bliss.
But Judas like, betray him with a kiss
or boasted works, or mere profession puft,
Law-boasters, proving but law-breakers oft.
Sect. ni. The hurtfulness of not preaching Christ, and distin-
guishing duly between law and gospel.
Hell cares not how crude h )liness be preach'd.
If" sinners' match with Christ be never reach'd;
Knowing their holiness is but a sham
Who ne'er are married to the Holy Lamb.
Let words have ever such a pious shew,
And blaze aloft in rude professor's view,
64 GOSPEL SONNETS. PAET U
With sacred aromatics richly spiced,
If they but drown in silence glorious Clirist,
Or, if he may some vacant room supj)ly,
Make him a subject only by the bye;
They mar true holiness with tickling chat,
To breed a bastard pharisaic brat.
They woluliy the gospel message broke,
Make fearful havock of the Master's flock;
Yet please themselves, and the blind mullituder
By whom the gospel's little understood.
Rude souls perhaps imagine little odds
Between the legal and the gospel roads:
But vainly men attempt to blend the two;
They differ more than Christ and Moses do.
Moses, evciugelizing in the shade, ]
iiy types the news of light approaching spreads
±i ;t from the law of works by him proclaim'd,
^o ray of gospel grace or mercy gleam'd.
By nature's light the lavt^ to ail is known,
But lightsome news of gospel grace to none.
The doing covenant now, in part or whole,
is stronjf to damn, buL wt;ak to save a soul.
1. hurts, but cannot help, but as it tends
Through mercy to subseive some gospel ends-
Law-thunder roughly to the gospel tames.
The gospel mildly to the law reclaims.
The fiery law, as 'tis a covenant,
Schools men to see the gospel aid they want;
Then gospel aid does sweetly them incline
Back to the law, as 'tis a rule divine.
Heav'n's healing work is oft commenc'd with wounds,.
Terror begins what loving-kindness crowns.
Preachers may therefore press the fiery law,
To strike the christless man with dreadful awe.
hnw threats which for his sins to hell depress.
Yea, damn him for his rotten righteousness;
I'hat while he views •the law exceeding broad.
He fain may wed the righteousness of God.
But, ah! to press law-works as terms of life,.
Was ne'er the way to court the Lamb a wife.
To urge conditions in the legal frame.
Is to renew tiie vain old covenant game..-
CHAP. V. TSE BELIEVER^S ESPOUSALS. 63
The law is good when lawfully 'tis us'd,*
But most destructive when it is abus'd.
They set no duties in their proper sphere,
Who duly law and gospel don't sever;
But under massy chains let sinners lie,
As tributaries or to Do or Die;
Nor make the law a squaring rule of life.
But in the gospel throat a bloody knife.
Sect. iv. Damnable pride and self-righteousness, so natural to
all men, has little need to be encouraged by legal preaching.
The legal path proud nature loves so well,
(Though yet 'tis but the cleanest road to hell.)
That lo! e'en these that take the foulest ways.
Whose lewdness no controling bridle stays.
If but their drowsy conscience raise its voice,
'Twill speak the law of works their native choice,
And echo to the rousing sound, " Ah. true,
*' I cannot hope to live, unless I Do."
No conscious breast of mortal kind can trace
The mystery deep of being sav'd by grace.'
Of this nor is the natural conscience skill'd,
Nor will admit it when it is reveal'd;
But pushes at the gospel like a ram.
As proxy for the law, against the Lamb.
The proud, self-righteous, })harisaic strain
Is " Blest be God, I'm not like other men;
*' I read and pray, give alms, I mourn and fast;"}"
" And therefore hope I'll get to heaven at last:
" For though from every sin I be not free
" Great multitudes of men are worse than me.
" I'm none of those that swear, cheat, drink and whore."
Thus on the law he builds his Babel tower.
Yea, e'en the vilest cursed debauchee i
Will make the law of works his very plea; >
" 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<rht, joy, hatred, and love, discovering- tliey have the
Spirit of Christ.
DosT thou his spirit's conduct wait?
And, when compar'd to this,
All worldly wisdom underrate?
Thy Husband waits to bless.
Tak'st thou his Spirit for thy guide
Through Baca's valley dry,
Whose streams of influences glide
Thy Husband's garden by?
In digging wells here by his pow'r,
Dost find it not in vain,
While here a drop and there a show'r
Thy Husband makes to rain?
Hence dost thou through each weary case
From strength to strength go on.
From faith to faith, while grace for grace
Thy Husband gives anon?
The good, the gracious work begun,
And further'd -by his strength.
Shall prosp'rous, though with wrestling', win
Thy Husband's crown at length.
Sin's pow'r and presence canst thou own
Is thy most grievous smart.
That makes thee sob, and weep alone?
Thy Husband knows thy heart.
Does love to him make thee distaste
Thy lusts with all their charms?
And most them loath'st, when most thou hast
Thy Husband in thine arms?
112' . ' GOSPEL SONNETS. PART n>
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.<t sliall come
upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee;
therefore also that Holy thing which sliall be born of tliee shall be
called the Son of God.
o Psalm 139:7,8,0,10. V/hither shall I go from thy Spirit? or,
whither shall I flee from thy presence? If 1 ascend up into heaven,
thou art tliere; If I make my bed in hell, behold thou art there. If
I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts
of the sea; even tliere shall thy hand find me, and thy right hand
«hall hold me.
p Luke 24:6. He is not here, but is risen.
q John 16:16. A little while and ye shall not see me; and agaiM
U little while and ye shall see me. because I go to the Father.
r Matth. 1:23. See letter o. Chap. 28:20. Lo, I am with you afl-
way, even unto the end of the world. ■
12*
13f GOSPEL SONNETS. PART 1IS»
lie comes and goes, none can him trace;*
Yet never could he change his place,*
But though he's good," and ev'ry where.
No good's in hell, yet he is there.'^
I by him," in him* chosen was,'
Yet of the choice he's not the cause:"
For sov'reign mercy ne'er was bought,*
Yet through his blood a vent is sought.''
In him concenter'd at his death
His Father's love,'= his Father's wratb;^
s John 3:8. The Wind bloweth where it lidteth, and IJiou hear-
est tiie sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and
whither it goeth; so is every one tliat is born of the Spirit.
t Isa. 66:1. Thus saith the Lord, Tlie heaven is my throne, and
the earth is my footstool; where is the house that ye build unto me?
and where is the place of my rest?
u Psalm 100:5. The Lord is good, his mercy is everlasting.
V Psalm 139:8. If I make my bed in heD, behold thou art there.
w As God. X As mediator,
y Eph. 1:4. According as he hath chosen us in him before the
foundation of the world, that we should be holy, and without blame
before hiai ia love.
z But hiin?p.lf the Father's first elect. Isa. 42:1. Behold my ser-
vant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth.^
Mat. 1:2 :18. Behold, my servant, whom I have c'.osen, my beloved,
in whom my soul is well pleased.
aJoim 3:16. God so loved the world, that he gave his only be-
gotten Son, &.C. Roui. 9: 11. For the children being not yet born,
neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God ac-
cording to election might stand, not of works, but of him that call-
eth. Ver. 13. It is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I
hated. Ver. 15. God saitli to Moses, I will have mercy on whom
I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will
have compassion.
bRom. 3: 24,25. Being justified fi'eely by his grace, through the
redeiiii)tion that is in Jesus Clirist; whom God hath set forth to be
a propitiation, through faitli in his blood, to declare his righteous-
ness for the remission of sins, <fec. Chap. 5 :9. Being justified by
his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. Ver. 21.
That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign
through righteousness unto eternal life, by Jesus Christ our Lord.
c.Iohn 10:17. Tlierefore doth my Father love me, because Hay
down my lite, that I might take, it again.
d Isa. 52: 10. Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put
him to grief.
SECT. I. THE believer's RIDDLE. 1^9
Ev'n he whom passion never seiz'd,*
Was then most angry when most pleas'd'
Justice requir'd that he should die,5
Who yet was slain unrighteously;"
And died in mercy and in wrath,
A lawful and a lawless death.*
With him I neither liv'd nor died.
And yet with him was crucifi'd.^
Law curses stopt his breath, that he
Might stop its mouth from cursing me.*
'Tis now a thousand years and more
Since heav'n receiv'd him; yet I know.
When he ascended up on high
To mount the throne, e'en so did I,™
Hence though earth's dunghill I embrace,
I sit with him in heav'nly place,"
e Isa. 27: 4. Fury is not in me.
f Eom. 8: 23. He spared not his own Son, but delivered him up
for us all. Eph. 5:2. Christ hath given himself for us, an offering-
and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling- savor.
g Heb. 7: 22. By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better
testament. Chap. 9:16. For wiiere a testament is, tliere must al-
so of necessity be the death of the testator. Ver. 22,23. And al-
most all things are by the law purged witli blood; and without
shedding of blood is no remission. It was therefore necessary that
the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these;
but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than
these.
h Matth. 27: 4. I [Judas] have sinned, in that I have betrayed
the innocent blood. Ver. 23. And the governor said, Why, what
evil hatli he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him
be crucified.
i Acts 2:23. Jesus of Nazareth being delivered by the determi-
nate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by
wicked hands have crucified and slain. Chap. 4:27. For of a truth
the holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, botli Herod and
Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel were
gathered together, &.c.
kGal. 2 :20. I am crucified with Christ.
1 Gal. 3: 13. Ciirist hath redeemed us from the curse of the law,
being made a curse for us : for it is written, Cursed is every one
that hangeth on a tree.
m Col. 3:1. If ye then be risen with Christ, «Se.c. Heb. 6:20.
Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, &c.
n Eph. 2: 5,6, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened
140 GOSPEL SONNETS. PART III.
In divers distant orbs I move,
Enthraird below, enthron'd above.
Skct. II. The mystery of the Saint's life, state, and frame.
My life's a pleasure* and a pain;''
A real loss, a real gain;"=
A glorious paradise of joys,""
A grievous prison of annoys.®
I daily joy, and daily mourn,'
Yet daily wait the tide's returnr^
Then sorrow deep my spirit cheers,
I'm joyful in a flood of tears."
us together with Christ, and hath raised us up together, and made
us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
a Prov. 3: 17. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her
paths are peace.
b Psalm 120:7. Wo is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell
in the tents of Kedar.
c Phil. 3: 7. But what things were gain to me, those I counted
loss for Christ. CJiap. 1:21,24. For to me to live is Christ, and to
die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my la-
bor; yet what I shall choose I wot not; for I am in a strait be-
twixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ, which
is far better : nevertheless, to abide in the flesh is more needful
for you.
d 1 Pet. 1: 8. Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though
now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeaka-
ble, and full of glory.
e Psalm 142:7. Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise
thy name.
f 1 Pet. 1: 6. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a sea-
son, (if need be) ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations.
2 Cor. 1: 4. Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may
be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort
wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. Job 30: 28. I went
mourning without the sun, &c.
g Isa. 8:17. And I will wait upon the Lord that hideth his face
from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him.
h Zcch. 12: 10. And I will pour upon the house of David, and up-
on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and suppli-
cation and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and
they shall mourn for him, as one that mourneth for his only son,
and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for
bis first born. Ezek. 36:31,32. Then shall ye remember your own
SECT. II. THE believer's RIDDLE. 141
Good cause I have still to be sad,'
Good reason always to be glad.J
Hence still my joys with sorrows meet,*
And still my teats are bitter sweet.'
I'm cross'd, and yet have all my will;""
I'm always empty, always full."
I hunger now, and thirst no more,"
Yet do more eager than beiore.p
evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall loathe your-
selves in your own sight, for your iniquities, and for your abomina-
tions. Not for your sakes do I tliis, saith the Lord God, be it
known unto: Be ashamed and confoiuided for your own ways, O
house of Israel. Hos. 12:.3,4. He [Jacob] took his brother by the
heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God,
yea, he had power over the Ang-el, and prevailed: He wept and
made supplication unto him : He found him in Betliel, and there
he s lake with us. Luke 7: 38. And [a woman which was a sinner]
sto d at his feet behind him weeping, and bogan to wash his feet
withtenrs, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kiss-
ed his teot, and anointed tlieni with tiie ointment. John 20: 15,16.
Jesus saitJi unto her, VVomnn, wJiy weepest thou? whom seekest
thou? slio supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him. Sir, if
thou hast borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and
I will take him away. Jesus saith unto her, Mary, She turned her-
self, and saith unto him, Rabboni, which is to say Master. Ver.
20. Then were the disciples glad when they saw the I/ord.
i Rom. 7:24. O wri?tchcd man that I am, who shall deliver me
from the body of this death?
j 2 Cor. 2:14. Thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to
triumph in Christ.
k 2 Cor. 6: 20. As sorrowful vet always rejoicing,
IZech. 12:10. See letter h. Psalm 126:5. They that sow in
tears, shall reap in joy. Isa. 61: 2, .3. Tlie Lord liatli sent me to
cornfoi't all that mourn: To appoint unto them that mourn in
Zion, to give unto tiiem beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourn-
ing, the garment of praise, tor the sjjirit of heaviness, (fee, Matth.
5: 4. Blessed are they that mom-n : For they shall be comforted.
m Luke 22:42. Father, iftliou be willing, remove this cup from
me: Nevertheless, not my will, but tliiiie be done. Act?-. 21:14.
And when ac [Paul] would not be persuaded, we ceased, sayiiig,
The will of the Lord be done.
n 2 Cor. 6:10. As having nothing, and yet possessing all things*
o John 6:35. And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life,,
he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on
me, shall never thirst.
p Psalm 42 :1,2. As the hart panteth after the water-brooks, so
142 GOSPEL SONNETS. PAKT III.
With meat and drink indeed I'm blest,*
Yet feed on hunger, drink on thirst. ■■
My hunger brings a plenteous store,"
My plenty makes me hunger moie.*
Strange is the place of my abode,
I dwell at home, I dwell abroad."
panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for
the living' God : When shall I come and appear belbre God? and
63:1. O God, thou art my God, early will I seek thee: my soul
thirsteth for thee, my flesh long'eth for thee in a dry and thirsty
land where no water is. And 73: 25. WJiom have I in heaven but
thee? and there is none upon eartli that I desire besides thee.
Isa. 26:8,9. Yea, in the way of thy judgments O Lord, have we
waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to tliy name, and to the
remembrance of thee. With my soul have I desired tliee in the
night, yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early.
c] John 6:35. For my flesli is meat indeed, and my blood is drink
indeed. }
r .Tob 2'):2,-^,4. Oh that I were as in'months past, as In the days
when God preserved me; wiien his candle ^liacd upon my head,
and when by his liy^ht I walked tlirouoh darknjpss; as I was in the
days of iny youth, when the secret of God was upon my tabernacle.
Psal. 77:10,11,13. I will remember the years of the rigiit hand of
the Most Higli, I will remember the works of the Lord; surely I
will reinetnher thy wonders of old. I will meditate also of all t!iy
work, and talk of tliy doings. Song 5:8. I charge you, O daugh-
ters of Jerusalem, if ye find my Beloved, tJiat ye tell him that I am
sick of'love. Chap. 8: 1. O that thou wert as my brotlier that suck-
ed the breasts of my mother! when I should find thoe without, I
would kiss thee, yea, I should not be despised.
s Matth. 5:6. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst af-
ter rigliteousness, for they shall be filled.
t 2 Cor. 5:2. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be cloth-
ed upon with our house which is from heaven. Phil. 1:23. For I
am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart and to be
with Christ; which is far better, &c. Song 2: 3,4,5. I sat down
under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet unto
my taste. Ho brought me to the banqueting-house, aiwl his ban-
ner over me wps love. Stay ine with flagons, comfort me with
apples; lor I ai'i sick of love.
u Job 4:19. How much less them that dwell in houses of clay,
whose 'bund ition is in the dust, which are crushed before the moth?
Psal. 90:1. Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all genera-
tions, and 01:1. He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most
High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 1 John 4:
16. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God, and
God in him.
SECT. I. THE believer's KIDDIE. 143
I am not where all men may see,
But where I never yet could be.^
I'm full of hell,'' yet full of heav'n;«
I'm still upright,'' yet still uneven;*
Imperfect," yet a perfect saintj"
I'm ever poor,'= yet never want.*
No mortal eye sees God and lives;''
Yet sight of him my soul revives;*"
I live best when I see most bright;^
Yet live by faith, and not by sight. "^
V Isa. 33:16. He shall dwell on high; his place of defence shall
be the munition of rocks. Eph. 2:6. And hath raised us up tog-e-
ther, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
wEccl. 9:13. The heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and
madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to
the dead.
xEph. 3:19. And to know the love of Christ, which passeth
knowledge, that yc might be filled with all the fulness of God.
y Psalm 18:23. I was also upright before him; and I kept my-
self from mine iniquity.
z Ezek. 18:25. Hear now, O house of Israel, are not your ways
unequal?
a Rev. 3: 2. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which re-
main, that are ready to die; for I have not found thy works per-
fect before God.
b 1 Cor. 2:6. Howbeit wo speak wisdom among them that are
perfect, &c.
c Psalm 40:17. But I am poor and needy, yet the Lord thinketh
upon mc.
d Psa. 23: 1. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want; and
34:10. The young lions do lack and do suffer hunger; but they
that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.
e Exod. 33:20. And he said, Thou canst not see my face, for
there shall no man see mc, and live.
f John 6: 40. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every
one which seeth the Son, and believeth on liim, may have everlast-
ing life. Chap. 20: 30. Then were the disciples glad when they
saw the Lord.
g 2 Cor. 3:18. But we all with open face beholding as in a glass
the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image, from
glory to glory, cvon as by the Spirit of the Lord. Chap. 4:6. For
God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shin-
ed in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of
God in the face of Jesus Christ.
h Gal. 2: 20. I am crucified with Christ; nevertlielees I live, yat
144 GOSPEL SONNETS. PART XIE.
I'm lib'ral,' yet have naught to spare;'*
Most richly cloth'd," yet stript and bare^'
My stock is risen by my fall;""
For, having nothing, I have all."
I'm sinful;" yet I have no sin;?
All spotted o'er,- yet whoily clean.'
Blackness and beauty both I share,
A hellish black, a heavenly fair.*
not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the
flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, w)io loved me, and gave
himself for me. 2 Cor. 5: 7. For we walk by faith, not by siglit.
i Psa. 27: 21. The wicked borrowetli, and payetli not again; but
the righteous showeth mercy, and giveth.
j Zeph. 3:12. I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted
and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the Lord.
k Isa. 61: 10. I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be
joyful in my God, for he hath clothed me with the garments of sal-
vation, he Iiath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a
bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adora-
eth herself with her jewels.
1 Ezek. 16: 7. I have caused thee to multiply as the bud of the
field, and thou hast increased and waxen great, and thou art come
to excellent ornaments; thy breasts are fasliioned, and thine hair is
grown, whereas thou wast naked and bare. Rev. 3: 17. Because
thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of
nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable,
and poor, and blind, and naked.
m Rom. 8: 28. And we know that all things work together for
good to them that love God, to them who are the called according
to his purpose.
n 2 Cor. 6:10. As having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
o Rom. 7: 14. For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am
carnal, sold under sin. Ver. 24. O wretched man that I am, who
shall deliver me from the body of this death?
p Num. 23:21. He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither
hath he seen perverseness in Israel. 1 John 3: 9. Whosoever is
born of God, doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him;
and he cannot sin because he is born of God.
q Psalm 14:3. They are all gone aside, they are altogether be-
come filthy : there is none that doeth good, no not one.
r Song 4:7. Thou art fair, my love, there is no spot in thee.
sSong 1:5. I am black, but comely, O ye daugliters of Jerusa-
lem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon. Ver. 15.
Behold, thou aft fair, my love; behold, thou art fair, thou hast doves
eyes.
SECT. II. THE Seliever's kidolz;. 145
They're of the devil who sin amain:'
But I'm of God, yet sin retain:"
This traitor vile the throne assumes/
Prevails, yet never overcomes."
I'm without guile, an Israelite;*
Yet like a guileful hypocrite;*
Maintaining truth in th' inward part,*
With falsehood rooted in my heart."
Two masters sure, I cannot serve,"
But must from one regardless swerve;
Yet self is for my master known,"
And Jesus is my Lord alone.*
1 1 John 3:8. He that commilteth sin, is of the devil; for the
devil sinneth from the beginning.
u 1 John 1:8. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive our-
selves, and the truth is not in us.
V Rom. 7:23. But I see another law in my member.s, warring-
against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the
law of sin which is in my members.
w Psalm 65:3. Iniquities prevail against mo : as for our trans-
gressions, thou shalt purge them away. Rom. 6:14. For sin shall
not have dominion over you; for ye are not under the law, but un-
der grace.
X John 1:47. Jesus saw Nathaniel coming to him, and saith of
him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile. Psalm 32:2.
Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity,
and in whose spiritthere is no guile.
y Psalm 19:12. Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou
me from secret faults.
z Psalm 51: 6. Behold thou desirest truth in the inward parts;
and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
a Matth. 15:19. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, mur-
ders, adiiltcries, fornications, thefts, false-witness, blasphemies,
b Mattli. 6: 24. No man can serve two masters : for either he
will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to tha
one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon,
c Hos. 10: 1. Israel is an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit un-
to himself; according to the multitude ofhis i'niit, he hath increas-
ed the altars; according to the goodness of his land, they havf
made goodly images. Matth. 16:24. Then said Jesus unto his
disciples, If any man will come atler me, let liim deny himself^ and
take up his cross and follow me.
d Isa 26: 13. O Lord our God, other lords beside thee have hari
dominion over us; but by thee only will we r.ia;:o mention of thy
name. John 2(1:28. And Thomas answered and said unto him.
My Lord, and ray God-
13
M6^ eOSPEl SONNETS, PART Illf*
I seek myself incessantly,*^
Yet daily do myself deny/
To me 'tis lawful evermore
Myself to love and to abhorc«
In this vain world I IJve, yet see
I'm dead to it and it to me.''
My joy is endless,' yet at best
Does hardly for a moment last."
Skct. hi. Mysteries about the Saints' work and warfare, their
sins, sorrows, and joys.
Ike work is great I'm call'd unto,"
Yet nothing's left for me to do:''
e James 4: 3. Ye ask and receive not, because ye ask amiss, thai
ye may consume it upon yonr lusts . Jer. 45:2,5, Tims saith the'
Lord the God of Israel unto thee, O Baruch. And seekest thou-
great things for Ihyselt ? Seek them not; for behold, I will bring^
ovil upon all flesh, saith the Lord: Bat thy life v/ill I give unto thee
for a prev, in all places whither thou goest-
f Matti). 16:24. See letter c.
g Lev. i9*.18. Thou shalt not avenge nor Sear any grudge against
the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thy-
self — I am the Lord. Epli, 5:29^ For no man ever yet hated his
own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the
church. John 12: 25, He that loveth his life shall loose it: and he
that loseth his life in this world, shall keep it unto life eternal-
Job 42: 6. Wherelbre I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.
h Col. o: 3. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in
God. Gal. 6:14. But God forbid that I should glory, save in the
cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified un-
to me, and I unto the world,
i John 16:22. And ye now therefore have sorrow? but I will see
you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man ta-
keth from you. 2 Thess, 2: 16. Now our Lord Jesus Christ him-
self, and God the Father, which hath loved hs, and halh given us;*
everlasting consolation, and good hope through grace, &c.
k Psalm 30: 7. Lord, by thy favor, thou hast made my mountain
to stand strong: thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubipd, Isa.-
49: 13,14. Sing,. O heavens, and be joyful, O earth; and break forth
into singing,0 mountains: for the Lord hath comforted his people,
and will have mercy upon his afflicted. But Zion said. The Lord
hatli forsaken rne, and my Lord hath forgotten me.
a Phil. 2: 12. Wlierefbre, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed^
not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absences
work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
b Phil. 2: 13. For it is God which worketh in you^ both to wilJ
SECT. in. THE BELIEVER"'s RIDDLE. 14t7
Hence for my work Heaven has prepar'd
No wages,<^ yet a great reward.*
To works, but not to working dead:*
From sin, but not from sinning freed,*
1 clear myself from no oflence,^
Yet wash mine hands in innocence,"
My Father's anger burns like fire,'
Without a spark of furious ire:-*
and to do of his good pleasure. Lev. 20: 7,8. Sanctify yourselves
therefore, and be ye holy; for I ain the Lord your God. And ye
shall keep my statutes, and do tliem: I am the Lord which sancti-
fy you.
c Rom. 6: 23. For the wages of sin is death : but the gift of God
is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Chap. 11:6. And
if by grace, then it is no more of works; otherwise grace is no
more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace; other-
wise work is no more work.
d Psalm 19: 11. Moreover, by them [the judgments of the Lord]
8S thy servant warned; and in keojnng of them there is great re-
ward. Psalm 58:11. Verily there is a reward for the righteous;
verily he is a God that judgsth in the earth,
e Rom. 7:4. Wherefore, my brethren, ye also arc become dead
to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to
another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should
bring forth fruit unto God. Gal. 2: 19. For I through the law am
dead to the law, that I might live unto God.
f 1 John 1:8. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves,
and the truth is not in us. Chap. 3:9. Whosoever is born of God,
doth not commit sin, for his seed remaineth in him; and he can-
not sin, because he is born of God.
g Rom. 7:18: Fori know, that in me (that is, in my flesh,)
dwelleth no good thing; tor to v. ill is present with me; but how to
perform that which is good, I find not.
h Psalm 26:6. I will wash mine hands in innocency; so will I
compass tliine altar, O Lord.
i 1 Kings 11:9. And the Lord was angry with Solomon, because
his heart was turned from the Lord God of Israel, which had ap-
peared unto huTi twice^
j Isa. 27:4. Fury is not in me. Chap. 54:9. For this is as the
■waters of Noah unto me : for as I have sworn that the waters ofNo-
ah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would
not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee. For the mountains shall
depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not de-
part from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be reinovedj
«aith the Lord, that hath mercy on tliee.
148 GOSPEL SONNETS. PART IIX.
Though still my sins displeasing be,*
Yet still, I know he's pleas'd with me*
Triumphing is my constant trade^"
Who yet am oft a captive led."
My bloody war does never cease,*
Yet I maintain a stable peace. »
My foes assaulting conquer me.
Yet ne'er obtain the victory;*
For all my battles lost or won,
Were gain'd before they were begun.^
I'm still at ease, and still opprest;
Have constant trouble, constant rest;*
k Hab. 1:13. Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and
canst not look on iniquity. Jer, 44:4. Howbeit, I sent unto you
(dl my servants the prophets, rising early, and sending them, say-
irtg,-0 So not this abominable thing that I hate.
Ji<Jiat^,-3;17. And lo, a voice from heaven, saying, this is my
B^royfed'Son, in whom I am we\l pleased. Rom. 5:10. When we
^eit<ej eneynies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Soa^
' c i^ 2 Cor. 2:14. Now thanks be unto God which always eauseth
as 'to triumph in Christ.
n Rom. 7: 23, But I see another law in my members, warring
against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the
law of sin, which is in my members.
o Rom. 7: 23. See letter o. 1 Tim. 6:12. Fight the good fight of
faith, &c. Gal. 5: 17. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and
tlie Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary the one to tho
other; so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
p Rom, 5:1. Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace
with God, through our Lord Jesus Chriist. Isa.54: 10. See letter j.
qRom. 7:23. See letter o. Chap. 8:37. Nay, in all these things
we are more than conquerors, through him that loved us.
r 1 Cor. 15:^7. But thanks be to God, which givetli us the vie
tory, through our Lord Jesus Christ.
s 2 Cor. 4:8. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed;
we are perplexed, but not in despair. John 16:33. These things
have I spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace, in the
world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I haVe over-
come the world. Heb. 4: 3. For we which have believed, do enter
into rest.
fiECT. in. THE believer's RIDDLE. 14S
Both clear and cIoudy,V free and bound;"
Both dead and living/ lost and found.*
Sin for my good does work and win;*
Yet 'tis not good for me to sin/
My pleasure issues from my pain;*
My losses still increase my gain-"
I'm healed even when my plagues abound,"
Cover'd with dust even when I'm crown'd:'=
tZech. 14:6,7. And it shall <;ome to pass in that day, that the
light shall not be clear, nor dark. But it shall be one day, which
-shall be known to the Lord, not day nor night; but it sliall come
to pass, that at evening time it shall be light. Mic. 7: 8. Rejoice
not against me, O mine enem}'; when I fall, I shall arise; when I
sit in darkness, the Lord shall be light unto rae, .
u John 8:36, If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye. shall
be free indeed. Acts 20; 23. The Holy Gliost witnesseth in ev-
ery city, saying, that bonds and afflictions tibide me.
V 2 Cor. 6:9. As dying, and behold we live. Col. 3:3. For ye
are dead, and your life is hid with Clirist in God.
w Matth. 18:11. For the Son of man is come to save that which
was lost. Psalm 119:176. I have gone astray like a lost sheep,
seek thy servant. Phil. 3: 9. And be found in him, not having
mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that AWhjehi' i«
through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is oi Qii'^hy
faith. ;,■;;. •/:■''> -i.^ :
X Rom. 8:98. And we know thai all things VorktesJtlifet'for
•good, to them that love God, to them who are the called' accoVdiiig
to his purpose. Chap. 11:11. I say then. Have thoy stumbled, that
they should tall? God forbid; but rather through their fall salva-
tion is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jcaloizsy.
y Psalm 89:31,32. If they break my statutes, and keep not my
commandments, then will I visit their transgressions with the rod,
and" their iniquity with stripes,
z Psalm 119.67. Before I was afflicted, I went astray: but. now
have I kept thy word. Ver. 71. It is good for me that I .have been
afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. James 1^.> ?j^ breth-
ren, count it all joy when you fall into divers. ';tertj(ptairioTi.s. ■
a Matth: 10: 39. He that loseth his life fo?. n^y sake, shall find it.
Mark 10:29,30. And Jesus answered and->said, Verily I stiy nnto
you, There is no man that left house, %ot'^l»ethren, or sisters, or fa-
ther, or mother, or wife, or children, tjrjands for nJJ'^^-eVand the
gospel's, but he shall receive 'an'hunglrSdiifo^d ptym^M'Siiis time,
houses, and brethren, and sifetfer.s, ah^uotlljsrii;' ..^d'^dllildren, and
lands, with persecutions, and in the Avorld tcyfeome, eternal life.
bRom. 7:24,25. O wretche^J .mp-n, that I' am, wiio shall deliver
me from the body of this de'atlil i, thank God, through Jesus Christ
our Lord. .*';,,
c viz. with mercy. Job 42:5,6t I have heard of thee by the fiek*-
13* . ; "'._.,
150 GOSPEL SONNETS. PAET III.
As low as death when living high,*
Nor shall I live, yet cannot die,^
For all my sins my heart is sad.
Since God's dishonor'd;' yet I'm glad.
Though once I was a slave to sin,s
Since God does thereby honor win.''
My sins are ever in his eye,*
Yet he beholds no sin in mej'
liigof the ear.- but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor
myself, and repent in dust and ashes. Ezek. 1 6: 63. That thoa
mayest remember and be confounded, and never open tliy mouth
any more, because of thy shame, when I am pacified toward thee
for all that thou hast done, saith the Lord Gk)d.
d 2 Cor. 6:9. As dying-, and behold we live.
e Heb. 9: 27. It is appointed unto men once to die. John 5: 24
Verily, verily I say unto you. He that heareth my word and be-
iieveth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not
come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Chap.
6:40. And this is the wUl of him that sent me, that every one which
seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life.
Ver. 50,51. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven,
that a man may eat thereof, and not dig. I am the living bread
which camo down from heaven; il' any man eat of this bread he-
shall live forever; and the bread that I will give is my Hesh, which
I will give for the life of the world.
f Psalm 51:4. Against tliee, thee only have 1 sinned, and done
this evil in thy sight.
g-Rom. 6:17. But God be thanl^ied, that ye were the servants of
sin; but ye have obej'ed from the heart that foi-m of doctrine whic*b
was flelivercd unto you.
hisa. 41:24. Sing, O ye heavens; for tlie Lord hath done itr
Shout ye lower parts of the earth; break forth into singing ye
mountains, O forests, and every tree therein; for the Lord hath
redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel. Eph. 1:6. To the-
praise of the glory of his grace. Ver. 12. That we should be to-
the praise of his glory.
i Rev. 3:1. I know tJiy works, that thou hast a name that thou
livest, and art dead. Ver. 15. I know thy works, that thou art
neither cold nor liot.
k Numb. 23: 21 . He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither
hath he seen perverseness in Israel. Song 4: 7. Thou art all fair»
my love, there is no spot in thee. Ezek. 16:14. And thy renown
weni forth among the heatiien for thy boauty; for it was perfect
through my comeliness which I had put upon thee, saith thie Lord
God.
SECT. III. THE believer's RIDDLE. 151
His mind that keeps them all in store,
Will yet remember them no more.^
Because my sins are great, I feel
Great fears of heavy wrath;"" yet still ,
For mercy seek, for pardon wait,
Because ray sins are very great." ;
I hope when plung'd into despair,"
I tremble when I have no fear.''
Pardon dispels my griefs and fears,'^
And yet dissolves my heart in tears.'
1 Isa. 43:25. I, even I am he that blotteth out thy transgres'
sions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. Jer,
31:34. I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sins
no more. Heb. 8:12. I will be merciful to their unrighteousness,
and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
m Ezra 9: 13,14. And after all that is come upon us for our evil
deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing tliat thou our God hast
punished us loss than our iniquities deserve, and hast given us such
deliverance as this, should we again break thy commandments, and
join in affinity with the people of these abominations'? wouldst not
thou be angry with us till thou hadst consumed us, so that there
should be no remnant nor escaping? Psa. 38:2. O Lord, rebuke
me not in thy wrath; neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.
n Psalm 25:11. For thy name's sake, O Lord, pardon mine ini-
quity; for it is great. Jer. 14:7. O Lord, though our iniquities tes-
tify against us, do thou it for thy name's sake; for our backsUdings
are many, we have sinned against thee.
o Rom. 4:18. Who [Abraham] against hope believed in hope,
2 Cor. 1:8,9. For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our
trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of
measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:
but we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not
trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead.
p Phil. 2: 12. VVherefbre, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed,
not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence;
work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, Luke 1:74.
That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the
hands of our enemies, might serve him wnthout fear,
q Matth. 9:2. Jesus said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, be of
good cheer, thy sins be forgiven thee.
r Ezek. 36:25,26. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you,
and ye shall be clean; from all your filthiness, and from all your
idols will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a
new spirit will I pat within you; and I will take away the stony
heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. Ver.
31. Then shall ye remember your owu evil ways, and your doings
152 OOSPEL SONNETS. PAHT III.
Sect. rr. Mysteries in faith's extiactions, way and walk, pray-
ers and answers, heights and depths, fear and love.
With wasps and bees my busy bill
Sucks ill from good, and good from ill:"
Humility makes my pride to grow,
And pride aspiring lays me low.*"
My standing does my fall procure,"
My falling makes me stand more sure.^
that were not good, and shall loathe yourselves in your own sight
for your own iniquities, and for your abominations. Chap. 16:63.
That thou mayest remember and be confounded, and never open
thy moath any more, because of thy shame, wlien I am pacified
toward thee for all that thou hast done, saith the Lord God.
a Rom. 2:4. Or despisest thou the riclies of his goodness, and
forbearance, and long suffering : not knowing that the goodness
of God leadeth thee to repentance? Chap. 6:1,2. What shall we
eay then? shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God
forbid; how shall we that arc dead to sin live any longer therein?
Ver. 15. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the
law, but under grace? God forbid. Chap. 8:28. And we know
that all things work together for good, to them that love God, to
them who a-e the called according to his purpose. Phil. 1:12.
But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the tilings which
happened unto me, have fallen out unto the furtherance of the gos-
pel. Psalm 119:71. It is good for me that I have been afflicted;
that I might learn thy statutes.
b 2 Cor. 12:7. And lest I should be exalted above measure,
through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a
thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I
be exalted above measure. Prov. 29: 23. A man's pride shall bring
him low; but honor shall uphold the humble in spirit. 2 Chron.
32:26. Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, (both
he and the inhabitants of .Jerusalem,) so that the wrath of the
Lord came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah.
cPsalm 30: 6,7. And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be
moved. Lord, by thy favor thou hast made my mountain to stand
strong; thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled.
d Prov. 24: 16. For a just man falleth seven times, and risethup
again. Psalm 37: 24. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cask
down; for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.
SECT. IV. THE believer's RIDDLE. 153
My poison does my physic prove,*
My enmity provokes my love.'
My poverty infers my wealth, s
My sickness issues in my health:"
My hardness tends to make me soft,'
And killing things do cure me oft.J
While high attainments cast me down,
My deep abasements raise me soon:"
e 2 Cor. 12:7,8. And lest I should be exalted above measure,
through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me
a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I
should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the
Lord thrice, that it might depart from me, Isa. 27:8,9. In measure
when it shooteth forth, thou wilt debate witli it; ho stayeth his
rough wind in the day of his east wind. By this, therefore, shall
tlie iniquity of Jacob be purged, and this is all the fruit to take
away his sin.
f Gal. 5:27. The flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit
against the flesh. Vcr. 24. And they that are Christ's have cruci-
fied the flesh, with the affections and lust.
g Rev. 2:9. I know thy poverty, but thou art rich. 2 Cor. 6:iO,
— as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
h Matth. 9:12. They that be whole need not a physician, but
they that are sick. Isa. 57:17,18. For the ini(iuity of his cove,
t<jusness was I wroth, and smote him: I hid me and was wroth,
and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart, I have seen his
ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts
unto him, and to his mourners,
i Isa. 63:17. O Lord, why hast thou made us err from thy ways?
and hardened our hearts from thy fear? Return for tliy servants'
sake, the tribes of thine inheritance.
j 2 Cor. 1:9. But we had the sentence of death in ourselves,
t);at we should not trust in ourselves, hut in God, which raiseth
the dead. Hos. 5:15. I will go and return to my place, till they
acknowledge their offence, and seek my face; in their affliction
they will seek mc early. Chap. 6:1, Come and let us return unto
the Lord; for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten,
and he will bind us up.
k 1 Pet. 5:6. Be subject one to anri;h->r, and bo clothed with hu-
mility; for God resistetli tlie proud, and givetfi grace to the hum'
ble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand cf God,
that he may exalt you in due time. Psalm 116; 6, I was brought
low, and he helped rae,
154 GOSPEL SONNETS. PART III.
My best things oft have evil brood,'
My worst things woik my greatest good."
My inward foes that me alarm,
Breed me much hurt, yet little harm."
I get no good by Ihem,* yet see
To my chief good they cause me flee."
They reach to me a deadly stroke,?
Yet send me to a living rock.*
They make me long for Canaan's banks,'
Yet sure I owe them little thanks.
1 Psalm 30:6,7. And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be
moved. Lord, by thy favor thou hast made my mountain to stand
strong : thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled. Deut. 32 :
14,1.'). Butter of kine, and milk of sheep, with fat of lambs and rams
of the breed of Bashan, and goats, with the fat of kidneys, of wheat;
and thou didst drink the pure blood of the grape. But Jeshurun
waxed fat, and kicked : thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick,
thou art covered with fatness: then he forsook the God which made
him, and lighUy esteemed the rock ol'his salvation. Psalm 106: 7.
Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt, they remember-
ed not the multitude of thy mercies, but provoked him at the sea,
even at the Red sea.
m Psalm 20:11. Thou hast turned for me my mourning into
dancing: tiiou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with glad-
ness. Rom. 8:28. Soe letter a.
n Jer. 10:19. Wo is nje for my hurt, my wound is grievous; but
I said. Truly this is a griet^ and 1 must bear it. 1 Pet. 3:13. And
who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is
*»?'«. in themselves, but much evil. 1 Pet. 2:11. Dearly beloved,
I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts,
which war against the soul. James 1:14,15. But every man is
tempted when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed.
Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin; and sin,
when it is finislied, bringeth forth death.
o Psalm 143:9. Deliver me O Lord, from mine enemies; I flee
unto thee to liide me.
pRom. 8:13. Ifye live afler the flesh, ye shall die.
q Ps.ihn 18:46,47. The Lord livetli, and blessed be my rock;
and let the God of my salvation be exalted. It is God that aveng-
eth me, and subduetli the people under me.
r Psalm 5.5: 6. And I said, O that I had wings like a dove! ibr
then would I fly away and be at rest. And 120:5. Wo is me that
I sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar. Rom. 8:
20,22,23. For he (the creature) was made subject to vanity, not
willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in
SECT. IV. THE believer's RIDDLE. 1-5&
J travel,' yet stand firm and fast;*
I run," but yet I make no haste. '^
I take away both old and new,*
Within my sight,'' yet out of view.'
My way directs me in the way,"
And will not suffer me to stray;*
Though high and out of sight it be,
I'm in the way, the way's in me."*
hope; because the creature itself also shall be delivered from th®
bondage of corruption, into the glorious liberty of the children of
God: For we know tiie whole creation groaneth, and travaileth
in pain, together until now: and not only they, but ourselves also,
which have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan
within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption
of our body.
s Heb. 11:13. And confessed that they were strtingers and pil-
grims on the earth.
1 1 Cor. 16:13. Watch ye, stand fast in the faith; quit you like
men, be strong.
u Heb. 12:1. Let us run with patience the race that is set before
us.
v Isa. 28:16. He that believeth shall not make haste.
wJer. 6:16. Thus saith the Lord, stand ye in the ways and sec,
and ask ye for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk
therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. Heb, 10:19,20. Hav-
ing, therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the
blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath consecra-
ted for us, through the vail, that is to say, his flesh.
X 1 Cor. 13: 12. For we now see through a glass, darkly; but
then face to face : now I know in part; but then shall I know, even
as I also am known,
y John 16:10. I go to my Father and ye see me no more.
z John 14:6. Jesus saith unto him, I am the way: — no man com»
eth unto the Father, but by me.
a Isa. 42:16. And I will bring the blind by a way that they
know not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known:
I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight.
These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them. Chap. 55:
4. Behold, I have given him to be a leader and commander to the
people.
bisa. 35:8. And an highway shall bo there, and a v/ay, and it
shall be called the way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over
it, but it sJiall be for tliose; the wayfaring men, though fools, shall
not err tlierein. John 15:14. Abide in me, and I in you. Chap.
17:23. I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect
in one, and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and
hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. Ver. 26. And I have de-
clared unto them thy name, and will declare it; that the love where-
with thou hast loved me, may be in them, and I in thein.
156 GOSPEL SONNETS. PART 11.
'Tis straight, <^ yet full of heights and depths;*
I keep the way," the way me keeps.'
And being that to which I tend.
My very way's my journey's end. «
When I'm in company I groan,
Because I tiien am most alone;''
Yet in my closest secrecy,
I'm joyful in my company. '
I'm heard afar,'' without a noise;
I cry without a lifted voice,'
c Matth. 3:3. This is he that was spoken of by the prophet
Esaias, saying, Tlie voice oi'one crying- in tiie wilderness, Prepare
ye the way of the Lord, make his patlis straight.
d Isa. 40:3,4. The voice of him tliat crieth in tlie wilderness,
Prepare ye the way of the Lord, malcc straight in the desert a high-
way for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every moun-
tain and hill be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight,
and the rough places plain. Chap. 42:16. See letter a. Psalm
77:13. Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary. Vcr. 19. Thy way
is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy foot-steps
are not known.
e Psalm 37:34. Wi'it on the Lord, and keep his way, and he
shall exalt thee to inherit the land.
f Psalm 121:3,4. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he
that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Is-
rael, shall neither slumber nor sleep.
g Heb. 12:22,23,24. But ye are come unto mount Sion, and un-
to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an
innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and
church of the first born, which are written in heaven, and to God
the judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to
Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprink-
ling, that speaketh better things than the blood of Abel. 1 Thess.
4: 17. Then we wliich are alive and remain, shall be caught up to-
g6ther with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and
so shall we ever be with the Lord.
h Song 1:3. Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou
feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon: for why
should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy com-
panions?
i Song 7:11,12. Come, my beloved, let us go forth into the field,
let us lodge in the villages. Let us get up early to the vineyard,
let us see if the vines flourish, whether the tender grapes appear,
and the pomegranates bud forth: for there will I give thee ray
loves.
k Psalm 20:6. Now know I, that the Lord saveth his anointed;
he will hear him from his holy heaven, with the saving strength
of his right hand.
1 1 Sam. 1:13,14,15. Now Hannah, she spake in her heart, onl;^
SECT. IV, THE SKLIEVER's RIDOLE. l--*?
Still moving in devotion's sphere,"
Yet seldom steady persevere."
I'm beard when answer'd soon or late;*
And heard when I no answer gel,p
Yea, kindly answer'd, when refus'd,"
And friendly treat, when harshly us'd.*^
My fervent prayers ne'er did prevail,*
Nor e'er of prevalency fail.*
her lips moved, but her voice was not heard; therefore Eli thought
she had been drunken. And Eli said unto her, how long wilt
tliou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee. And Hannjih
answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spi-
rit: I have drunken neither wine nor strong drink, but have pour-
ed out my soul beibre the Lord.
m 1 Thess. 5:1 'i. Pray without ceasing.
nHos. 6:4. O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah,
what shall I do unto thee? for your goodness is as a morning cloud,
and as the early dew it goeth away.
o Isa. 49:8. Thus saith the Lord, in an acceptable time have 1
heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I Jielped thee.
pMatth. 26:31). And Jesus vi^snt a littL* furtlier, and fell on his
face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this
cup pass from mo, nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.
q Psalm 23;1,2,3. My God, my God, why hast tliou forsaken
me? why art thou so tar Irom helping nic, and from the Words of
my roaring? O my God, I cry in the day time, but thou hearest
not; and in the night season, and am not silent. But thou art ho^,
O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.
r Heb. 12:5 — 10. And ye have tbrgotten the exhortation which
speaketh unto you as children, My son, despise not thou the chast-
ening ofthe Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For
whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every eon
wliom he receifbth. If ye endure chastening, God dealetli with
you as witli sons; for what son is he whom the fatlier chasteneth
not? But if ye be withcat chastisement, whereof all are partakers,
tlien are ye bastards, and i:ot sons. Furthermore, we have had
fathers of our flesh, wliicli corrected us, and we gave them reve-
rence; shall we not much rather lo in subjection to the Father of
spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us afler
their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be parta-
kers of his lioliness.
s Dan. 9:18,19. O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine
eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called bv
thy name; for we do not present our supplications before thee for
our righteousness, but for thy great mercies. O Lord, hear; O
Lord, forgive; O Lord, hoarlcen and do; defer not for thine own
sake, O my God; for thy city, and thy people are called by thy name,
t James 5: 16. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man
sruileth much.
14
lf>% 90SPEL SONNETS. PSRT ^tU
i wrestle till my strength be spent,"
Yet yield when strong recruits are sent,'^
I languish for my Husband's charms,*
Yet faint away when in his arms.*
My sweetest health doth sickness prove,"
When love rro h^aVs, Pin ;^;?k of love.*'^
I am most merry when I'm sau;^
Most full of sorrow when I'm glad;*
Most precious when I am most vile,*"
And most at home when in exile.'
•a Gen, 32:24,25. And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestle*!
1 man with liim until the breaking of the day.
V Psalm 138r3. In the day when I cried, thou answeredst me^
»nd strengthenedst me with strength in my soul. Gen, 18:32,33^
And he said, Oh let not the Lord he angry, and I will speak but
this once; Peradventnre ten shall be found there. And the Lord
went his way as soon as he had left communing with Abraham;
and Abraham returned unto his place.
w Psalm 63:2. My flesh longeth to see thy power and thy glo-
ry, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. And 27:4. One thing
have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after, that I may dwell
in the house of llie Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beau-
ty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.
X Rev. 1:17: And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead; and
he laid his right Iiand Upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I ant
tixe first and the last,
y Song 2:4,.5. He brought me to the banqueting house, and his
banner over me was love. Stay me with flagons, comfort me with
apples; for I am sick of love.
z 1 Cor. 7:10. For godly sorrow worketh repentance unto salva-
tion, not to be repented of. Eccl. 7;3. Sorrow is better than laugh-
ter; for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better,
a Prov. 14:13. Even in laughter the heart is sorrov.ful; and the
end of that mirth is heaviness.
b Job 40:4 Behold I am vile, what shall I answer thee? I will
lay my hand upon my mouth. Chap. 42:5,6. I have Iieard of thee
by the hearing of the ear; but now mine eye seeth tiice. Where-
fore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes. Jer. 31:18,19,
30. I have surely heard Ephraira bemoaning himself thus, Tliou
hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustom-
ed to the yoke; turn thou me, and I shall be turned; lor thou art
the Lord my God. Surely after that I was turned, I rr jjcnted, and
aft;er that I was instructed, I smote upon my thigh: I was asham-
ed; yea, even confounded, because I did bear the reproach of my
yo\lth. Is Ephraim my dear son, is he a pleasant child? (or since
i spake against him, I do earnestly remember him stilh therefore
tny bowels are troubled for him; I will surely have mercy upou
him, saith the Lord.
c Ezek. l:i. Now it camt to pass in the thirtieth year, in the
«BCT. IV, THE BELIEVER''5 RfODLK. 158
My base and honorable birth
Excites my mourning and my mirth,*
I'm poor, yet stock'd with untold rent,'*
Most weak, and yet omnipotent.*^
On earth there's none so- great and high,*
Nor yet so low and mean as I;*"
fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, (as I was amoog the
<;aptives by the river of Chebar,) that tlie heavens were opened, and
I saw visions of God. Rev. 1:9,10. I John, who also am your bro-
ther and companion in tribulation, and in the kinnfilorn and pa-
tience of Jesus Christy was in the isle tliat is called Patmos, tor
tlie word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ, I was in
the spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice,
as of a trumpet, &-c. John 16:32. Behold, the hour cometh, yea is
now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and
shall leave me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is
with me.
d Ezek. 16:3,4. Thus saith the Lord God unto Jerusalem, 1%
birth and thy nativity is of the land of Canaan; thy father was n.u
Amorite, and thy mother an Hittite. And as for thy nativity In
the day thou wast born, thy navel was not cut, neither wast thou
washed in water to supple thee: thou wast not salted at all, nor
swaddled at all. John 1:13. Which were born not of blood, nor of
the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. Psalm 51;
5. Baiiold J. was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother con-
ceive me. 2 Pet. 1:3. Blessed be the (iod and Father of our Lord
Jesus Clirist, which, according to his abundant mercy, hatl> begot
ten us again unto a lively hope, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ
from the dead.
e Rev. 3:17. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with
goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art
wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked. I
counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest
be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be cloti'.ed, and that
the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes
with eye-salve, that thou mayest see, Eph. 3:8. Unto me who
am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that i
should preach among tlie Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.
fJohnl5:.K Witliout me ye can do rothin"- Phil. ''••13. lean
do all^'iii.^y, through Christ whic!) ; .:..ii;;'.:)^.i.Lii me.
g Psalm 16:3. But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the
excellent, in whom is all my delight. Isa. 13:4. Since thou wast
precious in iny sight; thou hast been honorable, and I have loved
thee: theiefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.
h Eph. 3:8. See letter e. 1 Tim. 1:1.5. This is a faithful saying,
and worthy of all acceptation, that Clirist Jesus came into the
world to save sinners; of whom I am tlie cliief
1^0 tiOSPBL SOKHETS. TAUT m.
None or so foolish,' or so wisejJ
So often fall, so often rise."
I. seeing him I never saw,^
Serve without fear, and yet with awe,"*
Though love, when perfect, fear remove,"
Yet most I fear when most I love."
All things are lawful unto rae,p
Yet many things unlawful be;*
i Psalm 73:22. So foolish was I, and ignorant; I was as a beast
before thee. Prov. 30:2,3. Surely I am more brutish than any
man, and have not the understanding of a man. I neither learn-
ed wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the holy.
j 1 Cor. 1:30. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is
made unto us wisdom, &-C. Matth. 11:25,!:36. At that time Jesus
answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, liord of heaven and
earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and pru-
dent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so. Father, lor sa
it seemed good in thy sight. Chap. 13:11. Jesus answered and
said unto them. Because it is given unto you to know the myste-
ries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
k Prov. 24:16. A just man falleth seven times, and risetb up
again.
1 1 Pet. 1:8. Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom though
now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeaka-
ble, and full of glory. Heb. 11:1. Now faith is the substance of
things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
m Luke 1:74. That he would grant unto us, that we being de-
livered out of the hands of our enemies, might serve him without
tear. Heb. 12:28. Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which can-
not be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God ac-
ceptably, with reverence and godly fear.
n 1 John 4:18. There is no fear in love; but perfect love castetk
out fear, because fear hath torment; he tiiat feareth is not made
jerfect in love.
o Jcr. 33:9. And it shall be to me a name and joy, a praise and
an honor before all the nations of the earth, which shall hear all
the good that I do unto them; and they shall fear and tremble for
all the goodness, and for all the prosperity that I can procure un-
to it. Hos. 3:.5. Afterwards shall the children of Israel return,
and seek the Lord their God, and David their king, and shall fear
Uie Lord, ^r.d his goodness in the latior days»
p 1 Cor. 6:12: AU things are lawful unto me, but all things are
not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought
under the power of any.
q Exod. 20: 1,2,3, &c. And God spake all these words, saying,
I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of
Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shall have no other
gods bofbre me, &c.
«BCT. IV- THE BELIEVER^S SIDDLB. 1*1
To some I perfect hatred bear,'
Yet keep the law of love entire:"
I'm bound to love my friends,* but yet
I sin unless I do them hate:"
I am oblig'd to hate my foes/
Yet bound to love and pray for those.*
Heart love to men I'm -call'd t' impart,
Y'et God still calls for all my heart.'
I do him and his service both
By nature love,'' by nature loathe.*
r Psalm 139:21,22. Do not I hate them, O Lord, that hate thee?
ftad am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee? 1 hate
them with a perfect hatred, I count them mine enemies.
s 2 Chron, 19:2. And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer, went oat
to meet him, and said to king- Jehoshaphat, Shouldst thou help the
ungodly, and love them that hate the Lord; therefore is wratli up-
on thee frem before the Lord.
t Lev. 19:18. Thou shait not avenge, nor bear any grudge,
■against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neigh-
bor as thyself: I am the Lord.
u Luke 14:26. If any man come to me, and hate not his father,
•and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sistere, yea,
and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple..
V As tliey are the foes ef God. Judges 5:31. So let all thine en-
emies perish, O Lord; but let them that love him be as the sun
when he goetb forth in his might Psalm 17:13,14. Arise, O liord,
disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from (he wicked
which is thy sword; from men which are thy hand, O Lord, from
■men of the world, wliich have their jwrtion in tiii.s life, and whose
belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure; they are full of children,
and leave the rest of their substance to their babes.
w Mat<;h. 5: 44 But I say unto you, love your enemies, blese
them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for
them which dcspitefully use you, and persecute you.
X Matth. 19: 19. Jesus said unto him. Thou shalt love thy neigh-
.bor as thyself. Chap. 22: 37. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God
with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy niin^.
y 1 John 5:2. By this we know that we love tlie children of God,
when we love God, and keep his commandments.
z Rom. 8:7. The carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is
not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can bo. Col. 1:21.
.And you that were sometimes alienated, and enemies in your ininde
by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled.
14*
l€2 eOSPBL SO!»:VETS. TAUT 111,
Srcf. v. Mysteries about flesh and spirit, liberty and bondage,
life and death.
Much like my heart both false and true,"
I have a name both old and new.*
No new thing is beneath the sun;"=
Yet all is new, and old things gone.*
Though in my flesh dwells no good thing,"
Yet Christ in me I joyful sing.'
Sin I confess, and I deny;
For though I sin, it is not 1,5
a Jer. 17: 9. The heart is deceitful above all things, and despe-
rately wicked, who can know it? Heb. 10:22. Let us draw near
with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, having our hearts
sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with
pure water.
b Rom 9:25,26. As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my
people, which were not my people; and her, beloved, which was
not my beloved. And it shall corne to pass, that in the place
where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall
they be called, The children of the living God. Rev. 2:17. He
tliat hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the
rJiurchea. To him that overcometh, will I give to eat of the hid-
den manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a
new name written, which no man knoweth, saving he that re-
ceiveth it. Chap. 3:12. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar
in the temple of my God and he shall go no more out: and I will
write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of
my God, which is New Jerusalem, which Cometh down out of
heaven from my God, and I will write upon him my new name.
c Eccl. 1:9. The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be:
and that which is done, is that which shall be done: and there is
no new thing under the sun.
d 9 Cor. .5:17. If any man be in Christ he is a new creature;
old things are passed away, behold all things are become new.
Rev. 21:.5. And he that sat upon the throne, said, Behold, I make
all things new.
o Rom. 7:28. For I know, that in me (that is, in my flesh) dvvell-
eth no good thing; for to will is present with me, but how to per-
Ibrm that which is good, I find not.
fCol. 1:27. To whom God would make known what is the rich-
es of the glory of this mystery among the gentiles, which is Christ
in you the hope of glory.
t» Rom. 7:14 — 20. For we know that the law is spiritual; butlam
carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do, I allow not; for what
I would, that 1 do not; but what I hate, tliat do I. If tlien I do
«EeT. V, THE believer's RIDDLE. 168
I sin against, and with my will;''
I'm innocent, yet guilty still.'
Though fain I'd be the greatest saint,"
To be the least I'd be content.'
My lowness may my height evince,"
I'm both a beggar and a prince."
that which I would not, I consent unto the law that is good. Now
then, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dvvelleth in me. For I
know, tliat in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelletli no good thing; for
to will is present with me, but how to perform that which is good^
I find not. For the good that I would, I do not; but the evil which
I would not, that I do. Now, if I do that I would not, it is no
more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 1 John 3: 9. Who-
soever is born of God, doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth
in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
h Rom. 7:21 — 25. I find then a law, that when I would do good,
evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God, after the
inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring
against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the
law of sin, which is in my members. O wretched man that I am,
who sl)all deliver me from the body of this death! ItliankGod,
through Jesus Ciirist our Lord. So then, with the mind I myself
serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.
i Psalm 19:13. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous
sins, let them not have dominion over me, then shall I be upright,
and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. And 120-.
3. If tliou, Ijord, shouldst mark iniquity; O Lord, who shall stand?
k Psalm 97:4. One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I
seek after, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days
of mj' life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his
temple.
1 Psalm 84:10. For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand;
I had rather be a door keeper in the house of my God, than to
dwell in the tents of wickedness.
m Job 5:11. To set upon high those that be low; that those which
mourn may be exalted to saiety.
n 1 Sam. 2:8. The Lord raiseth the poor out of the dust, and
lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill; to set them among prin-
ces, and to make them inherit the throne of glory; for the pillars
of the earth are the Lord's and he hath set the world u])on them.
Gen. 32:28. And the angel said. Thy name shall be called no
more Jacob, but Israel; for as a jjrince thou hast power with God
and witli men, and hast prevailed. Rev. 1: 5,6. Unto him that lov-
ed us, and wasliod us from our sins in his own blood, and hath
made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to hira be
glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amcu.
164 GOSPEL SONHETS. PABT III.
With meanest subjects I appear,*
With kings a royal sceptre bear.'
I'm both unfetter'd and involv'd,'
By law condemn'd, by law absolv'd.'
My guilt condignly punish'd see,
Yet I the guilty wretch go free.*
My gain did by my loss begin;^
My righteousness commenc'd by sin;"^
My perfect peace by bloody strife;^
Life is my death, and death my life.^
o Phil. 2: 10. That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the
earth. Heb. 1: 6. And again when he bringeth in the first begot-
ten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship
him.
p Rev. 2:26,27. And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works
unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations; (and he
shall rule them as with a rod of iron : as the vessels of a potter
shall they be broken to shivers) even as I received of my Father.
q Psalm 116:16. Oh Lord, truly I am thy servant; I am thy
servant, and the son of thy handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds.
Rom. 7:23. But I see another law in my members, warring against
the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of
Bin, which is in my members.
r 1 John 3:20. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater
than our heart, and knoweth all things. Rom. S:l. There is there-
fore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who
walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Ver. 33,34. Who
shall lay any. thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that
justifieth: who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea,
rather that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God,
who also maketh intercession for us.
sGal. 3:13. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law,
being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one
that hangeth on a tree.
t Rom. 3: 23,24. For all have sinned, and come short of the glory
of Godi being justified freely by his grace, through the redemption
that is in Jesus Christ.
u Rom. 3:5. But if our unrighteousness commend the righteous-
ness of God, what shall we say? Chap. 5:20,21. But where sin
abounded, grace did much more abound: that as sin hath reigned
unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness, unto
eternal life, by Jesus Christ our Lord.
v Col. 1:20. And (having made peace through the blood of his
cross) by him to reconcile all things unto himself, by him, I say,
whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
w The life of sin is our deatii. 1 Tim. 5:6. But she that liveth
sB<rr. vr. the believer's riddle. 166
I'm (in this present life I know)
A captive and a freeman too;*
And though my death can't set me free,
It' wiH perfect my liberty.J^
I am not worth one dusty grain,
Yet more than worlds of golden gain;
Though worthless I myself endite,
Yet shall as worthy walk in white.*
Sect. vi. The mystery of free justification tlirough Christ's ob«-
dience and satisfaction.
No creature ever could or will
For sin yield satisfaction full;''
Yet justice from the creature's hand
Both sought and got its full demand.*
in pleasure is dead while she liveth. The death of Christ our life.
2 Cor. 5: 14,15. For the love of Christ constraineth us, because we
thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: and that he
died for all, that they which live, sJiould not henceforth live unto
themselves, but unto liim which died for them, and rase again.
xRoni. 7::23. Sec letter g. Chap. 8:2. For the law of the Spirit
of life, in Christ Jesus, hath made nie free from the law of sin and
death.
y John 8:36. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be
free indeed. Rev. 14:13. And I heard a voice from heaven, sayings
Unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord, from
henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their
labors; and their works do follow them. 2 Cor. 5.-4. For we that
are in this tabernacle do g^roan, being burdened: not for that we
would be unclothed, but clothed ui)on, that mortality might be
swallowed up of life.
z Gen. 32:10. I am not worthy of the least of all thy mercies,
and of all the truth which thou hast shewed unto thy servant; for
with my staff I passed over this Jordan, and now I am become two
bands. Rev. 3: 4. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis, which
hate not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in
white; for they are worthy.
a Psalm 49:8. For the redemption of their soul is precious, and
it ceaseth for ever Isa. 40:16. And Lebanon is not sufficient to
burn, nor all the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt offering.
b Psalm 40:6. Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire, mine
ears thou hast opened: burnt off"ering and sin offering hast thou not
required. Heb. 10:.5,6,7. Wherefore, when he cometh into the
world, he saith. Sacrifice and offering thou wonldst not, but o body
hast thou prepared for me: hi burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin
thou hast had no pleasure; then said I, Lo I come (in the volume
166 GOSPEL SONNETS. PART lib
Hence though I am, as well I know,
A debtor,'^ yet I nothing owe.*
My creditor has nought to say,«
Yet never had I aught to pay.'
He freely pardon'd ev'ry mite,5
Yet would no single farthing quit."
Hence ev'ry bliss that falls to me
Is dearly bought, yet wholly free.'
All pardon that I need I have,
Yet daily pardon need to crave.^
of thy book it is written of me) to do thy will, O God. Eph. 5:2.
Christ liath loved us, and hath given himself for us, an offering and
a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor.
c Matth. 6:12. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
d Rom 3: 24,25. Being justified freely by his grace, through the
redemption that is in Jesus Christ: whom God hath set ibrth to be
a propitiation, through faith in his blood, to declare his righteous-
ness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance
of God. Hob. 10: 14. For by one offering he hath perfected for
ever them that are sanctified.
e Rom. 8:33,34. Who sliall lay any thing to the charge of God's
elect? It is Christ that justifieth; who is he that condemneth? It
is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at
the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
f Rom. 5: 6. For when we were yet without strength, in due
time Christ (lied for the ungodly. Ver. 8: But God commendeth
his love towards us, in that v.'hile we were yet sinners, Christ died
for us.
g Acts 13:3!^,39. Be it known unto you therefore, men and
brethren., that through this man is preached unto you the forgive-
ness of sins: and by him all that believe are justified from all things,
from which ^^e could not be justified by the law of Moses.
h Rom. 3: 24,25. See letter d. Chap. 8:22. He spared not his
own Son, but delivered him up for us all.
i 1 Pet. 18: 19. "For as much as ye know that ye were not re.
deemed witli corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your yain
conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the
precious blood of Christ, as of a Lamb without blemish and without
spot. Eph. 1: 7. In whom we have redemption through his blood,
the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of grace. 2Tim:l,
9. Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling; not ac-
cording to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace
which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.
j Psalm 103:3. Who forgiveth all thine iniquities, who healeth
all thy diseases. And 25:11. For thy name's sake, O Lord, par-
don mine iniquity; for it is very great. Luke 11:4, And forgive
SECT. VI. THE believer's RIDDLE. 167
The law's arrest keeps me in awe,*^
But yet 'gainst me there is no law.*
Though truth my just damnation crave,"
Yet truth's engag'd my soul to save."
My whole salvation comes by this,
Fair truth and mercy's mutual kiss."
Law-breakers ne'er its curse have miss'd;
But I ne'er kept it, yet am bless'd.p
1 can't be justifi'd by it,'
And yet it can't but me acquit.'
us our sins: for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us,
Dan. 9:19. O Lord, hear; O Lord, hearken and do, defer not for
thine own sake, O my God; for thy city, and thy people, are called
by thy name.
k Psalm 119: 120. My flesh trembleth for fear of thee, and I am
afraid of thy judgments. Rom. 7:9 I was alive without the law
once; but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.
Ver. 13 : Was then that which is good made death unto me? God
forbid. But sin, that it> might appear sin, working death in me by
that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become
exceeding sinful.
1 Gal. 5:23. The fruit of the Spirit is — meetness, temperance,
against such there is no law. 1 Tim. 1:9. Knowing this, that the
law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and dis-
obedient, &-C.
m Ezek. 18: 4. The soul that sinneth, it shall die.
n 1 Tim. 1:15. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all ac-
ceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners;
of whom I am the cliief
o Psalm 85: 10. Mercy and truth are met together; righteous-
ness and peace have kissed each other.
p Gal. 3:10. As many as are of the works of the law, are under
tiie curse; for it is written, Cursed is every one tliat continueth
not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do
them. Ver. 13,14. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the
law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every
one that liangetli on a tree : that the blessing of Abraham might
come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive
the promise of the Spirit through faith.
q Rom. 3:20. Therefore by the deeds of the law, there shall no
flesh be justified in liis sight: for by' the law is the knowledge of
sin. Gal. 2:1G. Knowing that a man is not justified by the works
of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed
in Jesus Christ; that we might be justified by the faith of Christ,
and not by the work.5 of the law; for by the works of the law shall
no flesh be justified. Chap. 3:11. But that no man is justified by the
law in the sight of God, it is evident; for, the just shall live by faith.
r Rom. 8:1. There is therefore now no condemnation to them
i08 fJOSPEL SONNETS. PAHT HI.
I'm not oblig'd to keep it more,*
Yet more oblig'd than e'er before,*
By perfect doing life I find,"
Yet "do and live" no more me bind.*
• These terms no change can undergo,
Yet sweetly chang'd they are:*' for Jo;
My doing caus'd my life:"^ but now
My life's the cause that makes me do.^
which are in Christ Jesus. Ver. 3, 4. For what the law could not do,
in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in
the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condenrined sin in the flesh;
that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk
not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 Cor. 5:21. For he hath
made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be
made the righteousness of God in him. Rom. 3:26. To declare, I
say, at this time his righteousness; that he might be just, and the
justifier of him wliich believeth in Jesus.
s Rom. 6:14. Sin shall not have dominion over you; for ye are
not under the law, but under grace. Gal. 5: 1 — 4. Stand fast there-
fore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not
entangled again witli the yoke of bondage. Behold I Paul say un-
to you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.
For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a
debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no eflfect unto you,
whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
tRom. 6:1,2. What sliall we say tJien? shall we continue in sin,
that grace may abound? God forbid; how shall we that are dead
to sin, live any longer tliereiu? Ver. 15. What then? shall we sin,
because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
u Rom. 5: 17,18,19. They which receive abundance of grace,
and of the gift of righteousness, shall reign in life by one, Jesus
' (Christ. By the righteousness of one, the free gift came upon all
men to justification of life. By the obedience of one shall many
be made righteous.
V Rom. 10:5 — 9. For Moses describeth the righteousness which
is of the law. That the man which doeth those things, shall live by
them. But tlie righteousness which is of faith spcaketh on this
wise, Say not in thine heart. Who shall ascend into heaven? (that
is, to bring Christ down from above;) or who shall descend into the
deep? (that is, to bring up Cin-ist again from the dead;) but what
Baith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy
heart; that is, the word of faith which we preach. That if thoushalt
confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine
heart, that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shall be saved.
w Rom. 3:31. Do we then make void the law through faith? God
forbid; yea, we establish the law.
xRorn. 10:5. See letter v.
John 14:19. Because I live, ye shall live also. Chap. 15: i. lam
SEcr. VI, THE helieveh's riddle. 169
Though works of righteousness I store,"
Yet righteousness of works abhor,"'
For righteousness without a flaw
Is righteousness without the law.*
In .duty's way I'm hound to lie,'
Yet out of duties bound to ily:''
Hence merit I renounce with shame.*
Yet right to life by merit claim. ^
the vine, yo arc the brandies!; he that abidoth in me, and I in him,
the same brincfeth forth mucli fruit; for without me ye can do no-
thing. Rom. 7:4. Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become
dead to the law by the body of (Jhrist; that ye should bo married
to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, tliat we
should bring forth fruit unto God. Ezek, 36:27. And I will put
my spirit within you, and cause you i/} walk in my statutes, and
ye shall keep my judgments, and do them:
z Phil. 1:11. Being lllled with the fruits of righteousness, which
are by ,)esus Christ unto the glory and praise of God.
a Phil. .3: 9. And be ibund in him, not having mine own righte-
ousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith
ofCiirist, the righteousness wliicli is of God by faith. Isa. 64:6.
All our rigliteousnesscs are as filthy rags. Komans 4:6. Even as
David also describeth the blcssednes,s of the man unto whom God
imputeth righteousness without wjorks.
b Rom. 3:20,21,22. Therefore by the deeds of the law there
shall no flesh be justified in his sight; for by the law is the know-
ledge of sin. Bat now the righteousness of God without the law
is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; even
the rightcou-iuess of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto
all, and upon all them that believe; for there is no dilFerence.
c Prov. 8: 34. Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching dai-
ly at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
d Isa. 57: 12. I will declare thy righteousness, and thy works, for
they shall not profit thee. Luke 17:10. When ye shall have done
all "those things which are commanded you, say. We are unprofita-
ble servants; we have done that which was our duty to do.
e Psalm 16:2. O my soul, thou hast said unto the Lord, Thou
art my Lord; my goodness extcndeth not to thee. Ezek. 36:32.
Not for your sakes do I this, saith the Lord God, be it known unto
J0U4 be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Is-
rael.
fRora. 5: 18,19. By the righteousness of one, the free gift ciiin.-
upon all men unto justification of life. By the obedience of ono
shall many be made righteous. Isa. 45: 24,25. Surely shall one saj ,
In the Lord have I rigliteousness and strength; even to him shall
men come, and all that arc incensed against l;:u. shall be ashamed.
In the Lord shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.
15
270 GOSPEL SONNETS. FART lit-
Merit of perfect righteousness
1 never hadj® yet never miss;"
On this condition 1 have all,'
Yet all is unconditional."
Though freest mercy T implore,'
Yet I am safe on justice' score.™
Which never could the guilty free,"
Yet fully clears most guilty me."
g-Rora. 3:9,10- Wliat then? are we better than they? No, in ncs'
wisa; )or we have proved both Jews and Gentiles, that tliey are all
under sin; as it is written. There is none righteous, no not one.
Ver. 19. Now we know, that what things soever the law saith, it
saith to them wlio are under the law, that every mouth may be
stoi>jK'd, and all tiie world may become guilty before God.
h 1 ( Icr. 1:30. But of him are ye in C'hrist Josus, who of God is
made unto us — rightojoiisuess. Isa. 45:24. See letter/. Jer,23:6.
In hia days Judaii shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely; and
this is las name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR
RKiHTEOUSNESS. "
i Isa. 12:21. Tiie Lord is well pleased for his righteousness' sake;
he will magnify the law, and make it honorable. Matth. 3:15-
Thus it becomelli us to fulfil all righteousness. Ver. 17. And lo
a voice from heaven, sa5nng, This is my beloved Son, in whom I
am well pleased.
k Isa. 55:1. Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters,
and ho thatlialh no money, come ye, buy and eat; yea, come, buy
wine and milk without money, and without price. Rev. 22:17
Whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely.
1 Psalm 51:1. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy
loving kindness; according unto the multitude of tliy tender mer-
cies, blot out my transgressions.
m Rom. 3:24,25,26. Being justified freely by his grace, through
the redemption that is in Jesus Christ: whom God hath set lorth to
be a propitiation, through faith in liis blood, to declare his righte-
ousness for the remission of sins that are past, througli the forbear-
ancc of God; to declare, I say, at tJiis time his righteousness; that
lie miglit bo just, and the justi'ier of him which believeth in Jesus.
1 John 1: 9. It we confess our sins, he is faitliful and just to forgive
Jiii our rtins, and to cleanse us from all unright/!itasness:
n Exod. 24: 6,7. And the Lord passed by before him, and pro-
claimed, Tlie Lord, The Lord God, — that will by no means clear
the g'iilty,
oRoni 4:5. To Iiim that worketh not, but believeth on him that
justifieth tlie ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
*ECT. VII. THE BELIEVEE^S RIDDLE. '171
Sect. vii. The mystery of God the Justifier, Rom. 3: 56. jueti-
fied both in his justityiug and condeuiniug; or soul-justifiicatJoii
and self-condemnalioii.
My Jesus needs not save," yet must;"
He is my hope/ I am his trust.''
He paid the double debt, well known
To be all mine, yet all his own.*
Hence, though I ne'er had more or less
Of justice pleasing righteousness, ^
Yet here is one wrought to my hand^
As full as justice can demand. s
a Rom. 9:5. Christ is over all, God blessed for ever.
b John 10: 16. And other sheep I have, which are not of thi*
■fold: them also I must bring', and they shall hear my voice; and
there shall be one ibid, and one shepherd. Ver. 18. No man taketli
it [my life] from me, but I lay it down of myself: I have power
to lay it down, and I have power to take it atrain. This coinmand-
uient have I received oi'my Father. Luke 2:40. And Jesus said
xinto them, [Joseph and his mother] How is it that ye sought me'
■wist yc not that I must be about my Fatlior's business?
c Jer. 14:8. O the hope oflsrael, the Saviour thereof in time^f
trouble, &c. Chap. 17:17. Be not a terror unto me, thou art my
hope in the day ofcvil. 1 Tim. i: 1. Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ;
by tJie commandment of God our Saviour, and the Lord Jesue
■Christ, which is our hope.
d.Tohnl7:6. I have manifested thy name unto the men -,vhich
thou gavest mc out of the world; thine they were, and thou gavest
them me. 2 Tim. 1:12. I know whom I have believed; and I aiii
persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed uu-
to him against that day^
e Isa. 53: 4,5,6. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our
sorrows; yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and af-
flicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was i>ruis-
led ibr our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him,
■and with his stripes we are iiealed. All we like sheep have gone
astray; we have turned every one to his own way, and the Lord
hath laid on liim the iniquity of us all. Ver. 8. For the transgres-
sion of my people v.^as he stricken. Heb. 7: 22. by so much was
Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
f Rom. 3:9,10.19. See letter g forccited.
g Dan. 9:94. Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people, and
upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end
of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity,' and to bring in ev-
erlasting righteousness, &.c. Zecli. 13:7. Awake, O sword, a,gainet
my Shepherd, and against the man fhat is my fellow, saith the Lord
■of hosts : smite the Shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered, and
i will turn mine hand u^wn the little ones..
172 GOSPEL sonnets;^ pakt jji.
By this my Judge is more appeas'^d
Than e'er my sins his honor leasM.**
Yea, justice can't, be pleas'd so well
By all the torments borne m hell.'
Full satisfactio/i here is such,
As hell can never yield so much;.'
Though justice therelbre might me damn.
Yet by more justice sav'd 1 anu"
Here ev'ry divine property
Is to the highest set on high;^
h Rom. 5: 8 — 11. But God comniendetfi his lore towards its, in
that while we were sinners, Christ died far us. Much more ihcii.
being now justified by his hlood; Vv e shall be saved from wrath
through him. For if, wlien we were enemies, wc were reconciled
to God by the deatli of his Son; much more being reconciled, we
shall be saved by his life. And not. only so, but wc also joy in God
through our Lord Jei^us Christ, by whom wo have now received the
atonement. Heb. 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ,.
wJio, through the eternal Spirit ottered himself wilhout spot to God^
purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
i Heb. ] Oj.'jiG, \\'herefbre wlicn he cometh into the world, lie
^aitli, Sacrifice and ofiering tliou wonldst not, but a :x>dy host thoa
prepared for me; in burnt offerings and pacrifiees foy sin tliou hast
had no pleasure. Ver. 14. By one offering he hath perfected for
ever tliem that are sanctified. Vcr. 49. Of how nnich sorer pun-
ishment suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden
under foot the Son of God, and hotli connkd the blood of the cove-,
jiant whc»rcwith he was sanctified, an unJioly thing, and hatli done-
despite uiitothe Spirit of grace.
j Rom. 5:11. See letter &. Eph. 5:2. Christ hath given himself
•for us, an otiering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling sa-
vor. 1 Pet. 1:18,19. Forasmuch as ye know that yo were not re-
deemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from yourvain
conversation, received by tradition from your ifithers; but with the
precious blood of C^hrist, as of a Lamb v,-ithont blemish and withoiit
.spot. Gal. 3:1.S. Christ hath redeemed us from tiie curse of tho
law, being made a cvuso for us.
k 1 Pet. .3:18. Christ Iiath once suffered for sins,, the juf t for the
unjust, (tiiat he might bring us to God,) being put to death in the
ftesh, but quickened by the Spirit. Rom. 3;26. To declare, I say,
«t, this time liis rightooarsness; that he might be just, and the jnsti-
fier of !nm which believeth in Jezati^ 1 John 2: 2. And ho is the
propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, bat also for the s'ns
ofthe whole world. Ciiap. 4:10. Herein is love, not that we loved
God, but that he loved us» and sent his Son to be tho propitiation for
our sins.
) Rom. 3:25, WJiain God hath set forth to be & propitiatioia;
SECT, vn, ^E believer's riddle. 173
Hence God his glory would injure,
l( my salvation were not sure.™
My peace and safety lie in this.
My Creditor my Surety is,"
The judgment day I dread the less.
My Judge is made my righteousness."
He paid out for a bankrupt crew
The debt that to himself was due;
And satisfi'd himself for me,
When he did justice satisfy. »
through faith in his blood, to declare his rig-hteousness for the fo .
mission of sins tliat are past, throng-h the forbi arancc of God-
I'sahn 85:10. Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and
peace have kissed each otlier. 2 Cor. 5:18,19, And all things are
of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath
given to us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in
Christ, reconciling tho world unto himself; not imputing their tres-
passes unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of recon-
ciliation. Ver. 21, For he hath made Jiim to be sin for Us, who
knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in
him. Luke 2:14. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace,
good will towards mem
m Isa. 44:23. Sing, O ye heavens; for the Lord hath done it;
shout, ye lower parts of the earth; break fortli into singing, ye
mountains, O forest, and every tree therein; for the Lord hath re-
deemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel. Eph. 1:6. To the
praise of tlie glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted
m the beloved, Ver. 12. That we should be to the pruise of hig
glory who first trusted in Christ.
n Psalm 119:122. Be surofy for thy servant for good; let not the
proud oppress me. Heb. 7: 22. By so much v^as Jesus made a
surety of a better testament.
o 1 Cor. 1:30. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God, i*
made unto us — righteousness. Chap. 15:55,56,57. O death where
is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is
sin; and the strength of sin is tlio law: But thanks be to God,
which giveth us the victory ^through our Lord Jesus Christ.
p Zech. 13:7. Sec Ietter*ff-^Tlom. 9:5. Christ is over all, God bless-
ed for ever. Phil. 3: 6,7,§f Christ .lesus being in the form of God,
tliouglit it no robbery to be equal with tiod; but made himf^-r'of'
no reputation, and took upon him the form- of a servant, and was
made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a uian<
he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even th»
death of the cross.
15*
174 eOSPEl SOl^NETB. FAKT III.
He to the law, though Lord of it.
Did most obediently submit.'*
What he ne'er broke, and yet must die,
1 never kept, yet live must I.'
The law, which him its keeper kill'd^
In me its breaker is fulfill'd;'
He magnifi'd and honor'd more
Than sin defae'd it e'er before'
Hence though the law condemn at large,.
It can lay nothing to my charge;"
Nor find such ground to challenge me.
As Heav'n hath found to justify.''
q Ibid. Gal. 4:4,5. But when the fulness of the time was comeT
God sent forth his Son made of a, woman, made under the law, to
redeem them that were under tlie law, that we might receive the
adoption of sons,
r 1 Pet. 3:18. See letter k. 2 Cor. 5;21. See letter I. 1 John 4;
9. In this was manifested the love of God towards us, because that
God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live
through him.
s Rom. 8:3,4. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak
through the flesh, God sending his own Son, in the likeness of sin-
ful flesh, and for sin condemned sin in the fleshj that the righteous-
ness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh,
but after the Spirit.
t I.«a. 42:21. The Iiord is well pleased for his righteousness' sake;
he will maguiff the law, ;ind make it honorable. Rom. 5:18 — 21,
Therefore, as by the oftbnce of one, judgment came upon all men
to condemnation: even so by the righteousness of one, the free gift
came upon all men unto justification of life. For, as by one man's
disobedience many were made sinners: so by the obedience of one
shall mr.ny he made righteous. Moreover, the law entered, that
the offence might abound; but where sin abounded, grace did
much more abound: that as sin hath reigned unto death, even sa
inight grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life, by Jesus
Christ, our lyord.
u Rom. 8:1. There is therefore now no condemnation to thenv
•which are in Christ Jesus. Ver, 3,4. See letter s. Ver. 33,34.
Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God
that justifieth; w^ho is hfe that condemneth'? It is Christ that died,
yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of
God, who also maketh intercession for us.
v Job 33:24. Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver
him from going down to the pit, I have found a ransom. Rom.
3:25,26. Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation, through
SECT. VII. THE believer's riddle. 175
But though he freely me remit,
I never can myself acquit. '"^
My Judg-e condemns me not, I grant;
Yet justify myself I can't."
From him I have a pardon got,
But yet myself I pardon not. J'
His rich forgiveness still I have.
Yet never can myself forgive."
The more he's toward me appeas'd,
The more I'm with myself displeas'd.*
The more I am absolv'd by him,
The more I do myself condemn.''
faith in his blood, to declare Jiis righteousness for the remission of
sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; to declare, I
say, at this time, his righteousness; that he might be just, and the
justifier of him which bclieveth in Jesus.
w 2 Sam. 12:13. And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned
against the Lord. And Nathan said unto David, The Lord also
hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die. Psalm 51:2;.3. Wash
me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
For I acknowledge my transgressions; and my sin is ever before
me.
X Rom. 8: L33. See letter u. Job 9: 20. If I justify myself, mine
own mouth shall condemn me ; If I say I am perfect, it shall also
prove me perverse.
y 2 Cor. 7:1. For behold, this self same thing that ye sorrowed
after a godly sort, w^hat carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what
clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea,
what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge!
z Isa. 38:15. What shall I say? he liath both spoken unto me,
and himself hath done it: I shall go softly all my years in the bi,t.
terness of my soul.
a Ezck. 16: 63. That thou mayest remember and be confounded,
and never open thy mouth any more, because of tliy shame, when
I am pacified toward thee, for all that thou hast done, saith the
Lord God.
bLuke 13: 13,14. And the publican standing afar off, would not
lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast,
saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you this man went
down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that
exalteth himself, shall be abased ; and he that humblefh himself,
shall be exalted. Ezek- 36;31,32. Then shall ye remember your
own evil ways, and your doings, tliat were not good, and shall loathe
yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities, and for your
abominations. Nor for your sakes do I this, saith the Lord God,
be it known unto you: be ashamed and confounded for your owu
376 GOSPEL SOTIJCET9. PART IIJ.
When he In heav'n dooms me to dwell,
Then 1 adjudge mys-clf to helfj'=
Yet still I to hjs judgment 'gree.
And clear him for absolving nae."*
Thus he clears me, and I bim clear,
I justify my Justifier.*
Truys, O house of Israel, J(;r, 31:19, Surely affer that I was turn^
e<f, I rtpented; and after that I waa instructed, I smote upon my
thigh; I was ashamed, yea, even confounded, because I did bear
the reproach of my youth,
c Matth, 25: 34— 39, Then shall the King say nnto them on his
light hand. Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom
prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was an
hungered, and ye gave me meat ; I was thirsty, and ye gave nie
drink; I was a stranger, and yc took me inj naked, and ye cloth-
ed me; I was sick,, and ye visited me; I was in prison, and ye came
unto me. Then shall the righteoins answer him, saying. Lord,
when saw we thee an liungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave
Ihee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or
naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison,
and came unto thee? 1 Cor, 11:31. If wc would judge ourselves,.
we should not be judged. Luke 15:20,21, And he (the prodigal
son) arose and came to his father. But when he wds yet a great
way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell
on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him. Father,
I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more
worthy to be called thy son. Gen. 32:9,10, And Jacob said,0 God
of my Father Abraham, and God of my Father Isaac, the Lord
which saidst unto me, Return unto tliy country, and to tiiy kind-
red, and I will deal well with thee; I am not worthy of the least of
all the mercies, and of all the truth which thou hast showed untO'
thy servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan, and now I
am become two bands.
d Psalm 51:4. Against thee, thee only have I sinnedr and done
tliis evil in thy sight:- that thou mightest be justified when thou
speakest, and bo clear when thou judgest. And 11:7, The righte-
ous Lord lovetii righteousness, his countenance doth Ijehold the
apright. And 145:16,17. Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest
the desires of every living tiling. The Lord is righteous in all his
ways, and holy in all his works. Rev, 15: 3, And they sing the
song of the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, -paying. Great
and marvellous are thy works,, Lord, God Almighty; just and true
are thy ways, thou King of saints.
e Rom, 3:26, To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness;
that ho might be just, and tlie justificr of him which belie vcth in
Jesus, ' Isa, 45:21. There is no God else beside me, a just God and
a Saviour, Ver. 24, Surely shall one say, in the Lord have I righte-
•cusness and strength, Chiap. 63: 1, Who is this that cometli frons
SECT. Vin. THE believer's RIDDIB. 177
I^t him coridem or justify,
From all injustice I bim free-^
SscT, viii. Tlie mystery of sanctification imperfect in this life?
or the Believer doing all, aiid doing nothing.
Mine arms embrace my God," yet I
Had never arms to reach so high;*'
His arm alone me holds,"" yet lo,.
I hold and wilt not let him go.*
Edom, with dyed' garments fz-om BozraL? tliis that is glorious in
his apparel, travelling in tlae greatness of his strpn,'^th? I thut. speak
in rigliteousness, mighty to save. Zech. 9:9. Rejoice greatly, O
daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of .Jerusalem : behold thy
King Cometh unto thee; he is just, and having salvation, &lc.
f job 25: 4,5,6. IIovs' tlien can man I>e justified with Godi or,
how can he be clean, that is born of a woman? Behold even to the
moon, and it shincth not; yea, tlie stars are not pure hi his sights
How much less man that is a \vorm; and the son of man which is
a worm? Psalm 8":14. Justice and judgment are the habitation of
thy throne; mercy and truth sliall go belbre thy face. And 97: 2..
Clouds and darkness arc round about him; righteousness and judg-
ment are the habitation of his throne. Rom. 3: 19,20. Now we-
know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to thein who-
are under the law : that every mouth may be &top])ed, and all the
world may become guilty before God. Therefore, by the deeds of
t!;e law there sliall no fJesh be justified in Ids sight; for by the law
is the knowledge of sin. Vcr 23,24,25. For all have sinned, and
corno short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace,,
throuo'h the redemption that is in Jesas Christ: whom God hath
set forth to be a propitiation, through faith iia iiis blood, to declare
his righteousness for liie remission of sins that are past; through
the forhearanee of God. Psahii 22:2,3. O my God, I cry in the-
day time, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, avid am
not silent. But thou art holy, O thou tliat inliabitest the praises o€
Israel.
a Song 3:4. It was but a little that I jjasfscd from them,, but I,
found him wliom my soul loveth; I held him, ^nd would not let
him go, until I had brought him into m]' mother's house» and iutO'
tlie chamber of her that conceived me.
bPsahn 61:2. From the end of the earth will I cr\' unto thee,.
■w!:en my heart is overwhelmed; lead mc to tlie roek that is higher
than I,
e Psalm 63:8. My soul fblloweth hard aftf-r thee; thy right hand '
apholdcth me. Isa. 4t:10. Fear thou not, for 1 arn with thee: be
not dismayed, tor I am thy God; I will strengthen tijce, yea, I wil?
help thee, yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righte-
liQsness.
d Geu^ 32;26. And he (the angcl) said, Let me go, for the da^
17S GOSPEL SONNETS. PABT III.
I do according to his call,
And yet not I, but he does all;*
But though he works to will and do/
I without force work freely too.e
His will and mine agree full well,''
Yet disagree like heav'n and hell,'
His nature's mine,J and mine is his;"
• Yet so was never that nor this.'
I know him and his name, yet own
He and his name can ne'er be known. "
breaketh : And he (Jacob) said, I will not let thee go, except tliou
bless me.
e 1 Cor. l.S: 10. But by the grace of God I am what I am; and
his grace which was bestowed upon me, was not in vain; but I la-
bored more abmidantly than tliej' all; yet not I, but the grace of
God which was with me. Ver. 58. Therefore, my beloved breth-
ren^ be ye steadfast, unmovcable, al\\ ays abounding in the work of
tl)e Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in
the liord.
fPliil. 2:13. It is God which worketh in you, both to will and to
do of his good pleasure.
g Psalm 110: .3. Tliy people shall be willing in the day of thy
power. And 116: 16. Oh liord, trul^' I am thy servant, I am thy
servant, and the son of thy handmaid; thou hast loosed iny bonds.
h Mutth. 6:10. Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven."'
Psalm 40: 8. I delight to do thy will, O my God; yea, thy law is
within my hear*-.
i Mattli. Sh'JHjOD. A certain man had two sons, and he came to
tlie first, and said. Son, go work to day in my vineyard. He an-
swered and said, I will not, &-c. John 5:10. Ye will not come to
me, that ye might have life. Matthew 23: 37. O Jeru.<alem, Jeru-
salem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are
sent unto thee, how often would [ have gathered thy chiidien to-
gether, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and
ye would not!
j2 Pet, 1:4. Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and
precious promises; that by these ye might be partakers of the di-
vine mature.
k Heb. 2:14. Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of
flesh and blood, he also himself liliewise took part of the same.
Ver. 16. For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but
he took on him the seed of Abraham.
1 IsL 40: 17. All nations before him are as nothing, and they are
counted to him less than nothing, and vanity. To whom then will
ye liken God? or what likeness ■will ye compare unto him?
m Psalm 9: 16, They that know thy name will put their trust in
JLCT. VIII. THE believer's RIDDLE. 179
His gracious coming makes me do;
I know he comes, yet know not how."
I have no good but what he gave,"
Yet he commends the good I have;""
And tliough my good to him ascends,'
My goodness to him ne'er extends. "■
I take hold of his cov'nant free,'
But find it must take hold of me.*
thee. Prov. 30:3,4. I [Agur] neither learned wisdom, nor have the
knowledge of the holy. Who hath ascended up into heaven, or de-
scended? who hatli gathered tlie winds in liis fist? who hath bound
the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the
earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst
tell?
n Song4:lG. Awake, O north wind! and come, thou south; bkw
upon niy garden, that the spices thereof may flow out; Let my be-
loved come into his garden, and eat liis pleasant fruits. Juhn 3-8.
The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound
thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometli, and whitlier it goeth:
So isk every one that is born of the Spirit.
o 1 Chron. 29:14. And David said — But who am I, and what i.«
my people, tliat we sliould be able to offer so willingly after this
sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given
thee. 2 Cor. 3:5. Not that we are sufticient of ourselves to tliink
any thing as of ourselves: But our suihciency is of God.
p 2 Cor. 10: 18. For not he that commendeth himselt'is approved,
but whom the Lord commendeth. Rom. 12:1,2. I beseech you
therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, tlaat ye present your
bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto (iod, which is your
reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world:. but be ye
transformed by the renewhig of your mind, tliat ye nray prove what
is that good and acceptable, and perfect will of God.
q Psnlm 25:1. Unto thee, O Lord, do I lilt my soul. And 141;
2. Let )ny prayer be set Ibrtli before thee as incense: And the lift-
ing up of my hands, as the evening sacriiiee. Epli. 3: 2. In whom
[Christ Jesus] we have boldness and access witii confidence by the
faith of him. Heb. 10:19. Having therefore, brethren, bdldness to
enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, ifcc.
r Psalm 16:2. O my soul, thou hast said unto the Lord, Tiioa
art my Lord. My goodness e.vt.endeth not to thee.
s Lsa. 56:4. Thus saith the Lord mito the eunuch;? that— take
hold of my covenant, &c. Ver. 6. Also the sons of the stranger,
tiiat join themselves to the Lord, to serve him, and to love the name
of the Lord, to be his servants, every one that — taketh hold of my
covenant, &c.
t Zech. 1: G. But my words and my statutes, whicli I command-
ed my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fatiicrs'^
iSO -GOSPEL SONNETS. PART IIT..
I'm bound to keep it,"* yet 'tis bail,
And bound to keep me without fail.'^
The bond on my part cannot last"
Yet on both sides stands firm and fast.*^
1 break my bands at every shock,
Yet never is the bargain broke.'
and they returned and said, Like as the Lord of hosts thought to do
unto us, according to our ways and according to our doings, so hath
he dealt with us. Psahii 110:2,3. The Lord .shall send the rod of
thy strength out of Zion: Rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.
Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, &c, Rom. 1:
16. I am nut ashamed oithe gospel of Christ: For it is the power
of God unto salvation, to every one that believeth, to the Jew first
arid also to the Greek. 2 Cor. 2:16. — to the other we are the savor
of hiin unto life: And who is sufficient lor these tilings?
u Psalm 103:17,18. The mercy of the I.-ord is from everlasting to
everlasting upon them that fear him: and his righteousness unto
children's children: to such as keep his covenant, and to those that
remember his commandments to do them. John 17:6. I have
manifested thy name mito the men which thou gavest me out of
the world: Thine they were, and thou gavest thein me: and they
have kept thy word.
V Psalm 8:):33 — 36. Nevertheless, my loving kindness will I not
utterly tal^e from him, nor suffer my faithfulnci5s to fail. . My cov-
enant v/ill I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my
lips. Once have I sworn, by my holiness, that I will not lie unto
David. His seed shall endm-e forever, and liis throne as the sun
before me.
w Psalm 89:30,31,32. If his children forsake ray law, and walk
not in my judgments; if they break my statutes, and keep not
rny commandments; then will I visit their transgressions with tlie
rod, and their iniquity with stripes.
X Psalm 83:2,3,4. For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for-
ever; thy faitlifulricss shalt thou establish in the very heavens. I
have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David
my servant. Thy seed will I establish forever, and build up thy
throne to all generations. Ver. 28,23. M}"- mercy will I keep for
him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him. His
seed also will I make to endure for ever, and his throne as the days
of heaven. Jer. 32:40. And I will make an everlasting covenant
with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good;
but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart
from me.
y Psalm 78:37. Their heart was not right witii him, neither
were they steadfast in his covenant. Isa 54:10. The mountains
shall depart, and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not
depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be re-
niovod, saith the Lord, tJiat hath mercy on tliee.
SECTx VIII, THE SELIEVER's RIDDLE. 181
Daily, alas! I disobey,*
Yet yield ©bedienc« ev'ry day."
Vm an imperfect perfect man,''
That can do all, yet nothing can,*"
I'm from beneath,'' and from above,*
A child of wrath,' a child of love.s
A strang-er e'en where all may know?
A pilgrim, yet I no where go.**
I trade abroad, yet stay at home,-'
My tabernacle is my tomb."
a James 3:S. In many things we offend alL
a Psalm 61:8. So will I sing unto thy name for ever, that I may
daily perform my vows. Heb. 3: 13. But exhort one another dau-
ly while it is called To-day : lost any of you be hardened through
the deceitfulncss of sin.
b Psalm 37:37. Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright;
for tiie end of that man is peace. Rev, 3: 2. Be watchful, and
strengthen the tilings which remain, that are ready to die; for I
have not found thy work perfect before God,
c Phil. 4: 13. I can do all things through Christ which strength-
«neth me. . John 15:5. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that
abideth in me, and I in him, the same bring eth forth much fruit;
for without me ye can do nothing.
d John 8: 23. And Jesus said unto the Jews, Ye are from be-
neath — : ye are of this world, &c.
e Gal. 4: 26. Jerusalem which is frc^ above, is free, which is the
mother of us all, Ver. 28. Now, we,'%rethrcn, as Isaac was, are
the children of promise. John 1:13. Which wore born not of blood,
nor of the will of the flesli, nor of the will of man, but of God. And
3: 5,6. Jesus answered. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, (Nicode-
mus) Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot
enter into the kingdom of God, That which is born of the Spirit ig
spirit.
f Eph. 2:3, We — were by nature the children of wrath, even as
others. ^
gRora. 4:8.^Tlie chik'rcn of the promise are counteqJbr tho
seed.
h Heb 11:13. Those all — confessed that they were strangers and
pilgrims on the earth. 1 Pet. 2:11. Dearly beloved, I beeeec^
you as strangers and pilgrims, &,c.
i Piiil. 3:2U. For our conversation is in heaven, from whence aJ-
60 we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.
k 2 Cor. 5:1,2. For we know, tliat if our earthly house of thw
16
182 GOSPEI, SONNETS. ?ART IIS
# can be prison'd, yet abioad;
'-■' Bound hand and foot, yet walk with God.'
Sect. ix. Tlie mj^stery of various names given to the saints and
church of Christ; or the flesh and Spirit described from inanimate
things, vegetables and sensitives.
To tell the world my proper name,.
Is both my glory and my shamet"
For like my black but comely face,
My name is Sin, ray name is Grace.*^
Most fitly I'm assimilate
To various things inanimate;.
tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not
made with hands, etnrnai in the heavens. For in this we groan,
earnestly desiring to '.lO clotlitd upon with our house which is
from lieaven. Ver. 4.. For we tliat are in this tabernacle do groan^
being burdened : not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed
upon, thai mortality might be swallowed up of life.
i Acts 16:2 1,25. Tlie jailor, having received such a charge, thrust
them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
And at midnight Faui and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto
God. 2 Tim. 2:0. Wherein I suffer trouble as an evil doer, even
unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. 2 Cor. 6:4,.5. But
in all things approviug ourselves as the ministers of God, in much
patience, in afflictions, in necessities, irr-'.-distresses, in stripes, in
imprisonments, in tuie-filts, in lobors, in watchings, in fastings.
a Hos. 1:9. Then said ':iod. Call his name Lo-ammi: for ye are
not my people, and I vkiil not be your God. And 2: 1. Say ye unto
your brethren, Ammi, and to your sisters, Ruhamah. Ver, 23. And
I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy, and I
will say to them which -^^ere not my people, Thou art my people;
and tliC)''' shall say. Thou art my God,
b Song 1:5. I am black but comel}', O ye daughters of Jerusa-
lem, as^thc tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon. 1 Tim. 1:-
15. 1%is is a faithfid saj^ing, and worthy of all acceptation, that
Chris^j Jesus came mto the world to save sinners, of wliom I am
chief. Isa. 62:2,3. And the Gentiles shall see tliy' righteousness,.
and alt kings thy glory und thou shalt be called by a new nanie»
■which the mouth of the Lord shall name. Thou shalt also be a
crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal uixidem in the
hiuxd of thy <»od.
SECT. IX. THE BELIEVER^'s KIDDIE. 16-3
A stanfling lake," a running flood. "^
A fixed star/ a passing cloud. ^
A Cake unturned, nor cold, nor hot;'?
A vessel sound,'' a broken pot:'
A rising sun,' a drooping wing;*^
A flinty rock,' a flowing spring,'^
cJer. 48:11. Moab hath been at ease from his yooth, and he
hath settled on his lees, and hath not been emptied from ves.sel to
vessel, neither hath he gone into captivity^ therefore, his taste re-
mained in him, and his scent is not changed.
d Isa. 44:3. I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods
upon the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed, and my
blessing upon thine offspring.
e Dan. 12:3. And they that, be wise, shall shine as the bright-
ness of the firmament; and they that, turn many to rigteousness,
as the stars tor ever and ever — And in opposition to those caUed
wandering stars, Jude 13.
f Hos. 6 4. O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Juflah
what shall I do unto thee? for your goodness is as a morning cloud,
and as the early dew it goeth away.
g Hos. 7:8. Ephraim, he hath mixed himself among the people.
Ephraitn is a cake not turned. Rev. 3:1.5. I know thy works, that
thou art neither cold nor hot; I would thou wert cold or hot.
h Rom. 9:21. Hath not the potter power over the clay; of the
same lump to make one vessel unto honor, and another unto dis-
honor?
i Psalm 31:12. I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind : 1 am
like a broken vessel.
j Matth. 13: 43. Then shall the righteous shine forth as tiie sua,
in the kingdom of their Father.
k Psalm .55:6. And I said, O that I had wings like a dove! for
then would I fly away, and be at rest.
1 Zech. 7:12. They made tlijir hearts as an adamant stone, lest
they should hear the law, and the words which the Lord of hosts
h:ith sent in his Spirit, by tlic former prophets.
m John 4: 13,14. Jesus answered and said unto her — Whosoever
drinketh of the water that I shall give him, shall never thirst; but
the water that I shall give him, shall be in him a well of water,
springing up unto everlasting life.
n Isn. 17:'>,10. In that day shall his strong cities be as a forsa-
ken bougli, and a.i uppermost branch, which they left, because of
the children of Israel: and there sliall be desolation. Because thou
hast forgotten the God of thy salvation, and hast not been mindful
o''the rock of thy strength; therefore shalt thou plant pleasant
plants, and shalt set it with strange slips. Chap. 27:11. When the
boughs thereof are withered, they shall be broken off; the women
came and set them on fire; for it is a people of no understanding, &c.
164 GOSPEL SONNETS, PART 211.
A rotten beam," a virid stem;"
A menstruous cloth,p a roval gem;<»
A garden bart'd/ an open field;*
A gliding stream,* a fountain aeal'd^"^
Of various vegetables see
A fair and lively map in me.
A fragrant rose/ a noisome weed;"
A rotting/ yet immoital seed.''
I'm with'ring grass'' and growing corn?"
A pleasant plant/ an irksome tborn;*^
o Prov. 11:28, The righteous shall flourish as a branch. Psalm
92:12,13. The righteous shall flourisli like the palm tree; he shall
grow like the cedar in Lebanon. ^Fliose that be jiianted in the
house of the Lord, shall flourish in the house of our God.
p Isa. 30:22. Ye shall defile also the covering of thy graven
images of silver, and the ornament of thy molten images of gold;
thou shall cast tliem away as a menstruous cloth; thou shalt say
unto it, Get thee hence. Chap. 64: 6. But we are all as an imclean
thing, and our righteousnesses are as filtiiy rags.
q Isa. 62: 3. Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of
the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hands of' thy God.
r Song 4: 12. A garden enclosed is m}' sister, my spouse.
8 Matth. 14:24,25. Another parable he put forth unlo tliem, say-
ing, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed
good seed in his field; but while men slept,.liis enemy came and
sowed tares among the wheat, and went bis way.
t Song 4: 5. (My sister is) a fbmitain of gardens, a well of living
waters, and streams from Lebanon.
uSong 4:12. A spring shut up, a fomitain sealed, is my sister,
my spouse.
V Isa. 35:1. The wilderness and the solitary plaee shall be glad
for them; and the desert sliall rejoice and blossom as the rose.
w Isa. 5:4. What could have been done more to my vineyard,
that I have not done in it? wherefore, wJien I looked that it should
bring forth grapes, it brought forth wild grapes.
X Gen 3:19. In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, til!
tliou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken; for dust
thou art, and unto dust tliou shalt return.
y 1 Pet. 1:23. Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of
incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abidcth forever.
z Isa. 40:7. The grass witheretJi, the flower fadeih; because the
Spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it; surely the people is grass.
a Hos. 14: 7, They that dwell under his shadow shall return;
they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine: the scent there-
of shall be as the wine of of Lebanon.
b Isa. 5:7. The vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Is-
rael, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant
c Mic. 7:4. The best of tiiem is a brier; the most upright is
sharper than a thorn hedge.
SBCT. IX. THE BELlEVER^S RtDDtEo 185
An empty vine/ a fruitful tree;*
An humble shrub/ a cedar high.^
A noxious brier/ a harmless pine;'
A sapless twig,' a bleeding vine;*'
A stable fir,' a pliant bush;™
A noble oak," a naughty rush."
d Hos. 10:1. Israel is an empty vine, he bringetli forth fruit an.
to himself.
e Psalm 1:3. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of
water, that bringeth forth his fruit in iiis season; his leaf also shall
not wither, and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
f Ezek. 17:."), 6. He (a great eagle) took also of the seed of the
land, and planted it in a fruitful field, he placed it by great waters,
and set it as a willow tree. And it grew, and became a spreading*
vine of low stature, whose branches turned toward him, and the
roots thereof were under him; so it became a vino, and brought
forth branches, and shot forth sprigs. Ver. 24. And all the tre>3s
'of the field shall know that I the Lord have brought down the
high tree, have exalted the low tree, have dried up the green
tree, and have made the dry tree to flourish: I the Lord have spo-
ken and have done it. Mark 4:30,31. And Jesus said, Whereun-
to shall ye liken the kingdom of God? or, with what comparison
shall we compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which,
when it is sown on the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in
the earth.
g Psalm 92:12. The righteous shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
h Mic. 7:4. See letter c.
i Isa. 41:19. I will set in tlie desert the fir tree, and the pine, and
the box tree together.
j John 15:4. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot
bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, ex-
cept ye abide in me. Ver. 6. If a man abide not in me, he is cast
forth as a branch, and is withered.
k John 15:5. I am the vine, ye are the braaches : He that abi-
deth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for
without me ye can do nothing. Song 2:13. Tlic fig tree putteth
forth her green fi^s, and the vines with the tender grape give a
good smell. Ver. 1.5; Take us the foxes, the little ibxes that ejKiil
the vines; for our vines have tender grapes.
1 Isa. 55:13. Instead of tlie thorn shall come up the fir tree, and
instead of the briar shall come up the myrtle tree; and it shall be
to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut
off. And 60:13. The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir
tree, the pine tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of
jny sanctuary, and I will make the place of my feet glorious.
m Matth. 11:7. And as they departed, Jcsus began to say unto
the multitudes concerning .Tohn, What went ye out into tlie wil-
derness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?
nisa. 8:13, But yet in it shall be a tenth, and it shall return,
16*
186 GOSPfiL SONXETS. PART 115.
H
With sensitives I may compare^
While I their various nature share:
Their distinct names may justly suit
A strange, a reasonable bFute.p
The sacred page my state describes
From volatile and reptile tribes;
From ugly vipers,'' beauteous birds;"'
From soaring hosts,' and swinish herds-'
I'm rank'd with beasts of different kinds.
With spiteful tygers," loving hinds;''
And creatures of distinguished forms,
W^ith mounting eagles,* creeping worms.^
and shall be eaten; as a teil tree, and as an oak whose substance 19
in them when they cast their leaves; so tlie holy seed shall be tlie
substance thereof,
o Isa. 58:5. Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a
man to afHict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush,
and to spread sackclotli and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a
fast, and an acceptable day to the Lord?
p Psalm 73:22. So foolish was I (Asaph,) and ignorant; I was as
a beast before tliee, Prov. 30:2. Surely I (Agur) am more brutish
than any man, and have not the understanding of a man.
q Matth. 3:7. But when John saw many of the Pharisees and
Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of
vipers, &.c,
r Song 2: 1 2. The time of the singing of birds is come, and the
voice of the turtle is heard in -nr land.
s Isa. 60:8. Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves
to their windows?
t Matth. 7:6. Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither
Rast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their
feet, and tuni again and rend you. 2 Pet. 2: 22. But it is happen-
ed to them according to the true proverb. The dog is turned to
his own vomit again: and the sow that was washed, to her wallow-
ing in the mire.
u Psalm 22:16. Wnr dogs have compassed me, the assembly of
the wicked have enclosed me: they pierced my liands and my feet
Phil. 3:2. Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the
concision.
V Psalm 18:33. God maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth
me upon my high places.^ Prov. 5:19. Let her (the wife of my
youth) be as the loving hind,, and pleasant roe; let her breasts sa-
tisfy thee at all times, and be thou ravished always with her love-
~ w Isa. 40: 31. Th.cy shall mount up with wings as eagles.
X Psalm 92:6. But I am a worm, and no man. Isa. 41:14. Fear
not, tliou wurm Jacob, and ye men of Israel, &c.
ffKCT. X. THE believer's kii>dle:. 16?
A mixture of each, sort I am;
A hurtful snake/ a harmless lambj"
A tardy ass," a speedy roe;''
A lion bold,*^ a tim'rous doe»*
A slothful owl/ a busy ant;'
A dove to mourn/ a lark to chant:''
And with less equals to compare,
An ugly toad,* au angel fair.*^
Sect. x. The mysteiy of the saints' old and new man further
described; and the means of their spiritual life.
Tkmptations breed me much annoy/
Yet divers such I count all joy/
y Psalm 58:4. Tlieir poison is like the poison of a serpent; they
are like the deaf adder, that stoppeth her ear.
z John 21: 15. So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Pe-
ter, Simon son of Jona.s, lovest thou me more than these? He saith
unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith un-
to him, Feed my lambs,
a Job 11:12, Vain man would be wise, though man be born like
a wild ass's colt,
b Prov. 6:5. Deliver thyself, (my son) as a roe from the hand oT
the hunter.
c Prov. 21:1. The righteous are bold as a lion,
d Isa. 2;19. And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and
into the caves of the earth, tor fear of the Lord, and for the glory
of his Majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.
e Psalm 102: 6. I am like an owl of the desert.
f Prov. 6:6. Go to the ant, thou sluggard, consider her ways and
be wise, &.c.
g Isa. 38: 14. Like a crane or a swallow, so did I chatter; I did
mourn as a dove, mine eyes fail with looking upward; O Lord, I
am oppressed, undertake for me. Ezek. 7:16. But they that escape
of them (Israel,) shall escape, and shall be on the mountains like
doves of the valleys, all of tiiem mourning, every one for his ini'
quity.
h Song 2: 12. The time of the singing of birds is come, and the
voice of the turtle is heard in our land.
i Rom. 3: 13 — The poison of asps is under their lips. Job 40:4,
Behold, I am vile, what shall I answer theel I will lay mine haiid
upon my mouth.
k Acts 6:15. And all that sat in the council, looking steadfastly
on him (Stephen) saw his face as if it had been the face of an an-
gel. 2 Cor. 3-,18. But we all with open face, beholding as in a glass
the glory of the Lord, are changed i*to the same image, from glory
to glory, even as by the S iirit of the Lord.
a Heb. 12:11. Now no chastening for tlie present seemeth to be
188 GOSPEL SONNETS. PART III.
On earth I see confusions reel,*
Yet wisdom ord'ring all things well.'*
I sleep, yet have a waking ear;^
I'm blind and deaf yet see and hear/
Dumb, yet cry, Abba, Father plain,*
Born only once, yet born again.*"
My heart's a mirror dim and bright,*
A compound strange of day and night,J
joyous, but grievous, &,c. 1 Pet. 1:6. Wherein ye g^reatly rejoice
though now for a season, (if need be) ye are in heaviness through
manifold temptations.
b James 1: 2. My bretliren, count it all joy w^hen ye fall into di-
vers temptations.
c Psalm 82: .5. They know not, neither will they understand;
they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out
of course.
d Psalm 29:10. The Lord sitteth upon the flood: yea, the Lord
sitteth King for ever. And 89:9. Thou rulest the raging of the
sea; when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them. Rom. 8: 28.
And we know that all things work together for good, to them that
love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
e Song 5:2. I sleep, but my heart waketh; it is the voice of my
Beloved that knocketli, saying, Open to me my isister, my love, my
dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with dew, and my lucks
with the drops of night.
f Isa. 42:18,19, Hear, ye deaf, and look ye blind, that ye may
see. Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf as my messenger that
I sent? who is blind, as he that is perfect, and blind as the Lord's
servant? And 35:5. Then the eyes of tJie blind shall be opened,
and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.
g Isa. 35:6. Then shall — the tongue of the dumb sing; for in the
wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. Rom-
8:15. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to llsar;
but ye have received the spiritof adoption, whereby we cry, Abba,
Father.
h John 3:3—6. Jesus answered and said unto him, (Nicode-
mus,) Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again,
he cannot sec tlie kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him.
How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second
time into his motlier's womb and be born? Jesus answered. Veri-
ly, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of
the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which
is born of the flesh, is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit,
is spirit.
i Lam. 5:17. For this our heart is faint, for these things our eyes
are dim. Isa. 32:3. And the eyes of them that see shall not be
dim, &.C.
j Zech. 14:7, But it shall be one day which shall be known to
SBCT. X. THE believer's KIDDLE. 189
Of dung and diamonds, dross and gold;"^
Of summer heat, and winter cold.'
Down like a stone I sink and dive,™
Yet daily upward soar and thrive^"
To heav'n I fly, to earth I tend,"
Still better grow, yet never mend.p
the Lord, not day, nor night; but it sliall come to pass, that at
eveninef time it shall be light.
k Mai. 2:3. Behold, I will corrupt your seed, and spread dung
upon your faces, even the dung of your solemn feasts, and one
shall take you away with it. Phil. 3:8. Yea,doLTbtless, and I count
all tilings but loss, for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ
Jesus my Lord; for whom I. have suffered the loss of all things, and
do count them but dung that I may win Christ. Isa, 62:3. Thou
shall also be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal
diadem in the hand of thy God. Isa. 1:25. And I will turn my
hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away
all thy tin. Job 23:10. God know^th tli« way that I take; when he
hath tried me, [ shall come fortli as gold.
1 Psalm 3:i:3. My heart was hot within me; while I was musing
the fire burned. Luke 24:32. And tliey said one to another. Did
notour liearts burn witiiin us, wiiilc he talked with us by the way,
and wliile lie opened to us the scriptures? Matth. 24:12. And be-
cause iniquity shall abound, the lovo of many shall wax cold. Rev.
2:4. Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee, .because thou
hast left thy first love.
m Psalm 42: 6,7. O my God, my soul is cast down within me;
thereibre will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the
Hermonitcs, from the hill Mizar. Deep calleth imto deep, at the
noise of thy water-spouts; all thy waves and thy billows are gone
over me.
n Psalm 42: 8,9. Yet the Lord will command his ?ovJng kind-
ness in the day time, and in the night his song shall be with me,
and my prayer unto the God of my life. I will say unto God my
rock. Why hast thou fbrgotton me? Why go 1 mourning because
of the oppression of the erieiiiy? Ver. 11. Why art thou cast down,
O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within meV hope thou in
God, for I will yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance,
and my God.
o Col. 3:1,2. If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things
whicli are above, wliero Chri'^t 'jitteth on the right 'and of God.
Set your affections on things above, , L u;i i: Jiigs on the earth.
Psalm 44:25. Our soul is bowed down to the dust; our belly cleav-
eth to the earth.
p. Hos. 14:5. I will be as the dew unto Israel, he shall grow as
the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon. Ver. 7. They that dwell
under his shadow shall r..-turn, they shall revive as the corn, and
grow as the vine; the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanoa.
190 GOSPEL SONNETS. PAHT IH.
My heav'n'and glory's sure to me,
Though thereof seldom sure I be:i
Yet what makes me the surer is,
God is my glory,'' I am his."
My life's expos'd to open view,*
Yet closely hid and known to few."
Some know my place, and whence I came,
Yet neither whence, nor where I am.'
Phil. 3: 12,13,14. Not as though I hadah'eady attained, either were
already perfect; but I follow after, if that I ma}' apprehend that for
which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethroi, I count
not mj'selrto have apprehended; but thi.s one thing I do, forgetting
tiiose things which are beliind, and reaching lorth unto tliose
things which are before, I press towards the mark, for the prize of
the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Rom, 7:23,24. But I see
another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind
and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin, which is in my
members. O wretched man tliat I am, who shall deliver me from
the body of this , death?
q John 14:2,3. In my Father's house are many mansions; if it
were not so, I would have told you: I go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and
receive you unto myselli that, where I am, there ye may be also.
2 Pet. 1:10. Wiierelbre the rather, brethren, give all diligence to
make your calling and election sure. Heb. 4:1. I^et us therefore
fear, lest a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of
you should seem to come short of it.
r Psalm 3:3. But thou, O liord, art a shield for me; my glory,
and the lifter up of niine head. Isa. 60:19. The sun shall be no
more thy liglit by day, neither for brightness shall the moon give
light unto thee, but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light,
and thy God thy glory.
s Isa. 46:13. I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.
2 Cor. 8:23. Whether do any intjuire of Titus, he is my partner and
fellow-helper concerning j'ou; or our brethren be inquired ol, they
are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.
t Psalm 44: 13. Thou makest us a reproach f« our neighbors, a
scorn and a derision to them that are round about us.
u Col. 3:3 Your life is hid with Christ in God.
V John 3:9, 10. Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How
can these things be? Jesus answered and said unto liim, Art thou
a master of Israel, nnd knowest not these things? Prov. 14: 10.
The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not in.
termeddle with his joy. 1 John 4:16. and we have known and
believed the love that God hath to us, God is love; and he that
dweljeth iu love, dwelleth in God, and God in hinj.
SECT. X. THE believer's RIDDLE. 191
r live in earth, which is not odd;
But lo, I also live in God:'
A Spirit without flesh and blood,
Yet with them both to yield me food.*
I leave what others live upon,
Yet live I not on bread alone;
But food adapted to my mind,
Bare words, yet not on empty wind.^
I'm no anthropophagite rude.
Though fed with human flesh and blood;
But live superlatively fine,
My food's all spirit, all divine.*
I feast on fulness night and day,"
Yet pinch'd for want I pine away,*"
w Gal. 2:20. I am crucified with Christ: Nevertheless I live,
yet not 1, but Christ liveth in me: and the lil'e wliich I now live in
the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and
gave himself for me.
X John 4:24. God is a Spirit, and they that worship him, must
worship him in Spirit and in truth. And 6:53,54,55. Then said
Jesus unto them, (the Jews,) Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except
ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no
life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh; and drinketh my blood hath
eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh
is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.
y Matt. 4:4. But Jesus answered and said (unto the tempter,)
It is written, Man sliall not live by bread alone, but by every word
that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Jer. 15:16. Thy words
were sound, and I did eat tlicm; and thy word was unto me the
joy and rejoicing of mine heart, for I am called by thy name, O
Lord God of hosts.
z John 6:57,58. As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by
the Father; so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. T'his
is that bread which came down from heaven; not as your fathers
did eat manna, and are dead; he that eateth of this bread shall live
forever. Ver. 63. It is the Spirit that quickeneth, the flesli profit-
eth notliing; the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit and
they are life.
a Isa. 25:6. And in this mountain shall the Lord of Hosts inal«e
unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lee^, of
fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees, well refined. Ps.
1:2. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in his law dotli
he meditate day and night.
b Isa. 41:17. When the poor and needy seek water, and there
is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the Lord will iiear
192 GOSPEL SONNETS. PAKT HI.
My leanness, leanness, ah! I cry;''
Yet I'at and full of sap am I.''
As all amphibious creatures do,
I live i't InpH and watcj too;''
To good and evil equal bent,''
I'm both a devil- and a saint.''
While some men who on earth are gods*
Are with the God of heaven at odds,J
them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them. Psalm 40:17. But
I am poor and needy, yet the Lord thinketh upon me; thou art my
help and my deliverer, make no tarrying, O my God.
Isa. 24:16. From the uttermost parts of the earth have we
heard songs, even glory to the righteous; but I said, My leanness,
my leanness, wo unto me; the treacherous dealers have dealt trea-
cherously; yea, the treacherous dealers have dealt very treacher-
ously.
d Psalm 92: 13,14. Those that be planted in the house of the
Lord, shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring
forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing. And 104 :
16. The trees of the Lord are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon
which he hath planted.
c Psalm 116:9. I will walk before the Lord in the land of the
living. And 69:1,2. Save me, O God, for the waters are come in
unto my soul. I sink in deep mire, where tliere is no standing; I
am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me. And 88:
17. Thy terrors come round about me daily like water, they com-
passed me about together.
f Rom. 7:21. I find then a law, that when I would do good evil
is present with me.
, g John 6: 70. Jesus answered them, have I not chosen you
twelve, and one of you is a devil? And 8: 44. Ye are of your father
the devil, and the lustF of your father ye will do. James 3:15.
This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual,
devilish.
h 1 Cor. 6:11. And such were some of you; but ye are washed,
but ye are sanctified, but yo are justified in the name of the Lord
Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
i Psalm 82:6. I liave said. Ye are gods; and all of you are chil-
dren of the most High.
j Psahn 82:1,2. God standeth in the congregation of the migh-
ty; he judgeth among the gods. How long will ye judge unjustly,
and accept the persons of the wicked? Selali. Ver. 5. They know
not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness; all the
foundations of the earth are out of course.
SECT. X. THE BELIEVKr's RIDDLE. 193!
My heart where hellish legions are''
Is with the hosts of hell at war.^
My will fulfils what's hard to tell,
/The counsel both of Heav'n"" and hell."
Heav'n, without sin, will'd sin to be;°
Yet will to sin, is sin in me-p
. To duty seldom I adhere,'
Yet to the end I persevere.''
I die and rot beneath the clod,'
Yet live and reign as long as God.*
k Matth, 15:19. For out of the heart proceed' evil thoug-hts, mur-
:ders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.
Luke 8:30. And Jesus asked him, saying, WJiat is thy name?
and he said, Legion; because many devils were entered into him.
1 Eph. 6:12. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but
against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the
darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
m Rev. 17:17. For God hath put into their hearts to fulfil his
will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the
words of God shall be fnlfiUed.
n Eph. 2:3. Among whom also we all had our conversation in
times past^ in the lusts of our flesh, and of the mind; and were by
nature the children of wrath even as others.
o James 1: 13. Lot no man say, when he is tempted, I am tempt-
ed of God; for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth
he any man. Acts l:!."}, 16. And in those days Peter stood up in
the midst of the disciples, and said, Men and brethren, this scrip-
ture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost, by the
mouth of David, spake before concerning Judas, which was guide
to them that took Jesus. And 2: 23. Jesus of Nazareth being de-
livered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye
have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain. And
4:27,28. For of a truth, against thy holy child Jesus whom thou
hast anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with tlie Gentiles,
and the people of Israel, were gathered together, for to do whatso-
ever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to bo done.
p Hos. 5: 11. Ephraim is oppressed, and broken in judgment, be-
cause he willingly walked after the commandment. 2 Cor. 8:11,
12. Now tlierc.bre perform the doing of it; that as there was a readi-
ness to will, so there may bo a performance also out of tliat which
you have: For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted ac-
cording to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.
q Psalm llf):176. I liave gone astray like a lost sheep, seek thy
servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.
r Heb. 10: 39. But wc are not of them who draw back unto per-
dition: butof tliem that believe, to the saving of tlie soul.
s Psalm 90:3. Thou turnest man to destruction, and sayest. Re-
turn, ye cliildren of men.
t John 5:24. 'Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth mT
17
IM GOSTEX SOWPfETS. PA*RT Ut ,
Sect XI. The mystery of Christ, his names, natures, and offices
My Lord appears; awake^ my soul,
Admire his name, the Wonderful/
An infinite and finite mind;*"
Eternity and time conjoin'd.'^
' The everlasting Father' styl'd,
Yet lately bom, the virgin's child,*
Nor father he, nor mother had,
Yet full vifith both relations clad.^
His titles differ and accord,
As David's son, and David's Lord.'
word, and believeth on him tJiat sent me, hath everlasting life, and
shall not come into condeni-aation: but is passed from death unto-
hfe. Rev. 3:21. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with
me on my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with
my Father on his throne. And 22:5. And tliere shall be no night
there, and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; lor the
Lord givcth them ligiit; and they shall reign for ever and ever.
a Isa. 9:G. For unto iis a child is born, unto us a son is given, and
the government shall be upon his shoulders; and Iiis name shall be
called Wonderliil.
b Psalm 147:5. Great is onr Lord, and of great power; his un-
derstanding is infinite. Luke 2:52. And Jesus increased in wis-
<Jom and stature, and in favor with God and man.
c Gal. 4:4. But when the fiilness of the time was come, God sent
forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.
d Isa. 9: 6, For unto us a child is born — : and his name shall be
called — The everlasting Father. Mattli. 1:23. Behold, a virgin
shall be witli child, and shall bring forth a Son, and they shall call
his name Emmanuelr which being interpreted, is, God with us-
e Heb. 7:3. For this Melchisedcc — without father, without mo-
tlier, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of
life; but made like unto the Son of God, abideth a priest continual-
ly. Luke 2:48,49. And when they saw him, they were amazed;
ana ins motlicr said unto him, Son, why hast thou so dealt with us?'
behold, thy Father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he
said unto them, How is it that hs sought me?- wist 3'e not that I
must be about my Father's business?
f Matth. 22:41 — 45. While the Pharisees were gathered toge-
ther, Jesus asked Ihem, saying. What think ye ot Christ? whcse
non is he? They said unto him. The son of David. He saith unto
them, How then dotli David in spirit call him Lord, saying. The
Lord saith unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make
thine enemies my footstool? If David tlien call him Lord, how is he-
his 8on, &c.
^ECT. XI. THE believer's RIDDLT!. 1^5
Through earth and kell he conqu'ring rodf .,
The dying man, the rising God!*
My nature is corruption doons'd:''
Yet when my nature he assum'd,
He nor on hina (to dfink the brook)'
My person nor corruption took,-*
Yet he assum'd my sia and guilt,"
For which the noble blood was spilth
gMatth. 21:5. Tell je the daughters of Zion, Behold, thy King
icometh unto thee, raeek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the toal
ofan ass. Vet. 8:9. And a very gresit multitude spread tlieir gar-
ments in the wa)'; others cut down branches from the trees, and
strewed them in the way. And tlie multitude that went before and
that followed, cried, saying, Hosannah to tlie son of David : blessed
is he that cometh in the name of the Lord, Iloi^arma in the highesi.
Vor. 12. And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all
them that sold and bought in tkc temple, and overthi^w the tnble«!
of the money changers, and the seats of them that sold doves. Coi.
2:1S. And having spoiled princip.alities and powers, ho made a show
of thorn openly, triumpliing over them in it (his cross.) Rom. 4;
25. Jesus our Lord was delivered lor our offences, and was rj^ised
«gain for our justification. Epii. 4:S, Wherefore-, he (David) saJtJi,
When he . sccnded up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave
gifts unto men. Rom. 1:4. Jesus Christ our Lord, was declared h
be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness by
the resurrection fronj the dead.
h Eph. 4:'2'2. Put otf, concerning the former conversatioii, the old
man which is corrupt, according to the deceitful lusts.
i Psalm 110:7. He shall drink of the brook in the way; therefore
shall he lift up the head-v
j Rom. 3: -3. God sent his own Son, in the likeness of sinful flcKlj,
and for sin condemned sin in the flesli- John 1:14. And the Word
was made flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, the
glory as of the only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth.
Luke 1:35. And the angel answered and said unto Mary, the Ho-
ly Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall
overshadow tliee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born
of thee-, shall be called the Son of God. Heb. 2:16. For verily, be
took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed
of Abraham. And 7:26,27. For such an High Priest became us,
who is holy, harmless, iindefiled, separate from sinners, and made
higher than the heavens; who needeth not daily, as those high
priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the
people's; for this he did once, when he offered up himself.
k Isa. 5.3:5,6. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turn-
ed every one to his own way, and the Lord hath laid on him the
i« jquity of us alL 2 Cor,5: 2L God liath made Christ to be sin for
196 60SPEL SONNETS, ?AET ni.
Great was the guilt o'erflowing floods
The creature's and Creator's blood;*
The Chief of chiefs amazing came,"'
To bear the glory and the shame."
Anointed Chief with oil of joy,"
Crown'd Chief with thorns of sharp annoy.^
Lo, in his white and ruddy face
Roses and lilies strive for p}ace;i
The morning star, the rising sun
With equal speed and splendor run.' "
How glorious is the church's head.
The son of God, the woman's seed;,
us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousnass of
God in him. Matth. 20:28. The son of man eame to give his life
a ransom for many.
1 Rom. 3: 25. Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation »
through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the re-
mission of gins that are past, through the forbearance of God. Acts
20:28. Feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his
own blood. 1 Pet. 1:18,19. For as much as ye know that ye were
not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your
vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with
tlie precious blood of Christ, as of a Lamb without blemish and
without spot. 1 John 3:16. Hereby perceive we the love of God,
because he laid down his life for us.
mRev. 1:4,5. Grace be unto you, and peace from — Jesus Christ,,
who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and
the prince of the kings of the earth.
n Zech. 6: 12,13. Behold, the man whose name is the BRANCH
— he shall build the temple of the Lord, and lie shall bear the glo-
ry. Heb, 12: 2. Jesus, for the joy that was set before him, endured
the cross, despising the shame, &c.
o Psalm 45: 7. Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness,
therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness
above thy fellows.
p Matth. 27:29. And when they had platted a crown of thorns,
they put it upon his head, and a reed in his riglit hand; and they
bowed the knee before him, and mocked him; saying. Hail, King-
of the Jews.
q Song 2.1. I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys.
And 5: 10. My beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten
tliousand.
r Rev. 22: 16. I (Jesus) am the root and the offspring of David»
a.nd the bright and morning star. Mai. 4.-2. But unto you that fear
my name, shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his
wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up, as calves of the stall.
s Col. 1:18. And Christ is the head of the body, the church?
€ECT. ICI. THE BEIIEVEr's "SlDDLEo 3I>7
How searchless is his noble clan,*
The first, the last, the second man;"
With equal brightness in his face.
Shines divine justice, divine grace;^
The jarring glories kindly nteet,
Stern vengeance and compassion sweet*
God is a Spirit, seems it odd
To sing aloud the blood of God.''
Yea. hence my peace and joy result,
And here my lasting hope is built, y
•who is the beginning, the first born from the dead; tfiat in all things
he might Iiave the pre-eminence. John 3:16. God so loved the
world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth
in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life. Gen. 3:15
And I (the Lord God") will put enmity between thee and the wo-
man, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall braise thy head,
and thou shalt bruise his heel.
t Isa. 53:8. He was taken from prison and from judgment; and
who shall declare his generation^ Frov. 30: 4. Who hath ascended
up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in hie
fists? VVIio hath bound the waters in a garincnl? w!io hath estab-
lished a]l the ends of the eartli? what is his name, and wliat is his
•Son's name, if tliou canst tellT
u Rev. 1:11. I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, i
Cor. 15:45. The last Adam was made a quickening spu'it. Ver
47. The second man is the Lord from heaven.
V 2 Cor 4:6. For Gcd who commanded the light to shine out of
darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the know-
ledge of the glory of God, in the face of Jesus Christ. Rom. 3:24,
25,26. Being justified freely by his grate, through the redemption
that is in Jesus Christ: whom God hath set forth to be a propitia-
tion, through faijh in his blood, to declare his rigliteousness for the
remission of sins that are past, througli the tbrbearauce of God; to
declare 1 say at this time his righteousness; that he might be just,
and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Eph, 1:0,7. To the
praise of the glory of his grace, wlicrcin he hath made us accepted
in the beloved: in whom we have redemption through his blood,
the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of his grace.
w Rom. 5:20,21. But where sin abounded, grace did much more
abound: that as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace
reign througli righteousness Mnto eternal lilc, by .Tesus Christ our
Lord. Psalm 85:10. Mercy and truth are met togetlier, righteous-
ness and peace have kissed each otlier.
X John 4:24. God is a Spirit, and they tliat worship him, must
worship him in spirit and in truth. Acts 20:28. Feed the church
of God, which he hat!i purchased with his own blood.
y Rom. 5:1. Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace
17*
198 &OSFEL SONNETSr PAHT III,
Love through his blood a vent has sought.
Yet divine love was never bought;
Mercy could never purchas'd be.
Yet ev'ry mercy puicba&'d he.*
His triple station bro^ke my peace^
The Altar, Priest, and sacrifice;*
His triple office ev'ry thing,
My Priest my Prophet is, and King^*
This King, who only man became^
Is both the Lion and the Lamb;=
with God, tlirough our Lord Jesus Christ. Ver. 10. For if when w&
were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son;
much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his lifs. 1 Pet,
3:15. Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh
you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear
Ver. 18. For Christ hath also once suffered for sins, the just for the
unjust, (that he might bring us to God,) being put to death in the
flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.
z Rom. 5:9. Much more then being now justified by his blood,
we shall bo saved from wrath through him. Ver. 21. See letter w.
John 3:16, God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten
Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have
everlasting life, Rom, 9:15. God saith to Moses, I will iiave mercy
on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom'
I will have compassion. Ei)h. 1:3, Blessed be the God and Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual
blessings in heavenly places in Christ.
a Heb. 13:10, Vie have an altar whereof they have na right to«
eat, wliich serve the tabernacle. And 2.47, Wherefore in all
things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he-
might be a merciful and faithful high priest, in things pertaining
to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. And 9:
26. But now, once in the end of the world, hath Christ appeared
to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. '
b Acts 7: 37. This is that Moses which said unto the children,'
of Israel, A prophet sliall the Lord j'our God raise up unto you of
your brethren, like unto me; him sliall you hear. Isa. 33:22, The
Lord is our Judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our King,
he will save us,
c 1 Tim. 3:16. And without controversy, great is the mystery of
godliness; God was manifest in the flesh, &c. Rev. 5.-5,6 And
one of the elders saith nntoiue (Jolm,) Weep not; behold, the Lioii
of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, hath prevailed to open the
book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. And I beheld, and lo,
in the midst of tlie throne, and of the four beasts, and in the
midst of the elders stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven
SECT. XII. THE believer's RIDDLE, 199
A King of kings and kingdoms broad;''
A eervant both to man and God.*
This Prophet kind himself has set
To be my book and alphabet,
And ev'ry needful letter plain.
Alpha, Omega, and Amen.^
Sect. xii. The mystery of the Believer's fixed state further en»
larged; and his getting forth out of evil.
Behold, I'm all defil'd with sin;*
Yet lo, all glorious am within. *•
horns, and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent
forth into all the earth. Ver. 12. Worthy is the Lamb tliat was slain,
to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor,
and glory, and blessing.
d Rev. 19:16. And he (the Word of God) hath on his vesture
and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND
LORD OF LORDS. Isa. 37.15,16. And Hezekiah prayed unto
the Lord, saying, O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, tliat dwellcst be-
tween the cherubinis, thou art the God, even tliou alone, of all the
kingdoms of the earth, thou hast made heaven and earth. Rev. 11:15,
And the seventh angel sounded, and there were great voices in
heaven, saying. The kingdoms of this world are become the king-
doms of our Lord and of his Clirist, and he shall reign for ever and
ever.
e Matth. 15 :28. Tlie Son of man came not to be ministered unto,
but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many, Phil. 2:7,
Christ Jesus made himself of no reputation, and took upon him
the fonr. of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men, Isa,
42: 1. Behold my servant whom I uphold, mine elect, in whom my
soul delighteth. And 53:11. By his knowledge shall my servant
justify many.
f Rev. 1:8. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end-
ing, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to
come, the Almiglity. Ver. 11. 1 am Aljjha and Omega, the first and
the last; and. What tliou (John) seest, write in a book, and send it
unto the seven churches which are in Asia. And 21:6. I am Al-
pha and Omega, the beginning and the end : I will give unto him
that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. And 22:13,
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and
tlie last. And 3:14. And unto the angel of the church of the La-
odiceans, write, These things saith the Amen, the faithful and
true witness, the beginning of the creation of God, &-c,
a Isa. 64:6. But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our
righteousnesses are as filthy rags.
b Psalm 45:13. The King's daughter is all glorious within; her
clothing is of wrought gold.
800 GOSPEL SONNETS. PART III.
In Egypt and in Goshen dwell;"
Still moveless, and in motion still.*
Unto the name that most 1 dread,
I flee with joyful wings and speed.*
My daily hope does most depend
On him I daily most offend.'
All things against me are combin'd,
Yet working for my good, I findjS
I'm rich in midst of poverties,"
And happy in my miseries.'
Oft my Comforter sends me grief,
My helper sends me no relief.^
c Psalm 120:5,6. Wo is me that I sojourn in Mesech, that I
dwell in the tents of Kedar. My soul hath long- dwelt with him
that haleth peace. 16:5,6. The Lord is the portion of mine inherit-
ance, and of ray cup: thou maintainest my lot. The lines are
fallen to me in pleasant places: yea, I have a goodly heritage.
d 1 Cor. 15:58. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast,
immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch
as you know tliat your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
e Psalm 143:2. O Lord enter not into judgment with thy ser-
vant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified. Ver. 9. De-
liver me,0 Lord, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me.
f Psairn 25:11. For thy name's sake, O Lord, pardon mine in-
iquity; for it is great Jer. 14:7. O Lord, though our iniquities
testify against us, do thou it for thy name's sake; for our backsli-
dings are many, we have sinned against thee.
g- Gen. 42: 36. And Jacob their father said unto them. Me have
ye bereaved of my children; Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and
ye will take Benjamin away: all these things are against me. Rom.
8: 28. And we know that all things work together for good to them
that love God, to tliem who are tlie called according to his purpose.
h Rev. 2:8,9. And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna,
write, These things saith the first and the last, which was dead,
and is alive; I know thy works, and tribulations, and poverty, (but
thou art rich.)
i Rorn. 5: 3,4,5. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations
also, knowing, that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, ex-
perioncf>; and experience, hope; and hope maketh not ashamed, be-
cause the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts, by the Holy
Gho»t which is given unto us. 2 Cor. 12:10. Therefore I (Paul)
take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in perse-
cutions, in distresses for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then
am I strong.
j Lam. 1:16. For tliese tilings I weep, mine eye, mine eye run-
HBCT. XII. THE BELIEVEr's RIDDLE. 201
Yet herein my advantage lies,
The help and comfort he denies,"'
As seamsters into pieces cut
The cloth they into form would put.
He cuts me down to make me up,
And empties me to fill my cup.^
I never can myself enjoy,
Till he my woful self destroy;
And most of all myself I am,
When most I do myself disclaim,"*
I glory in infirmities,"
Yet daily am asham'd of these;"
neth down with water, because the comforter, that should reh'eve
my soul, is far from me. Isa. 4.5: 15. Verily thou art a God that
hidest thyself, O God of Israel tlie Saviour.
k Isa. 30:18. And therefore will the Lord wait, that he may
be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may
have mercy upon you; for tlie Lord is a God of judgment; blessed
are all they that wait for him.
1 Hos. 5: 15. I will go and return to my place, till they acknow-
ledge their offence, and seek my face; in their afHiction they will
seek me early. And G:l,2. Come and let us return unto the Lord;
for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will
bind us up. After two days he will revive us, in the third day he
will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. Psalm 107:9.f
God satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with
goodness. Luke 1:53. And Mary said. He hath filled the hungry
with good things, and tiie rich he hath sent empty away.
m Luke 9:23,24. And .Tesus said to them, If any man will come
after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and
follow me. For whosoever will save his life, shall lose it: but
whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.
Romans 8: 13. If ye live after the flesh, ye shall die; but if ye
through the spirit, do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
2 Cor. 12: 10. See letter i.
n 2 Cor. 12:9. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in ray
infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
o Psalm 73:15,16. If I say, I will sjieak thus; behold, I should
offend against the generatipn of thy children. When I thought to
know this, it was too painful for me. A d 77: 8,9,10. Is his mer-
cy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore; hath
God forgotten to be gracious; hath he in anger shut up his tender
mercies? Selah. And I said. This is my infirmity; but I will re-
member the years of the right hand of tlie Most High»
202 GOSPEL SONNETS. PART III.
Yea, all my pride gives up the ghost,
When once I but begin to boast. »
My chemistry is most exact,
Heaven out of hell I do extract:'
This art to me a tribute brings
Of useful out of hurtful things. ■■
I learn to draw well out of wo,
And thus to disappoint the foe;'
Tiie thorns that in my flesh abide,
Do prick the tympany of pride.*
By wounding foils the field I win.
And sin itself destroys my sin:"
p Isa. 45:24,25. Surely, shall one say, in the Lord have I righte-
ousness and strength: even to him shall men come, and all that are
incensed against him, shall be ashamed. In the Lord shall all the
seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory. Psalm 44:6. I will not
trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me. Ver. 8. In God
we boast all the day long; and praise thy name for ever. Selah.
q Jonah 2: 1,2. Tlien Jonah prayed unto the Lord his God out
of the fish's belly, and said, I cried, by reason of mine' affliction
unto the Lord, and he. heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I,
and thou heardst my voice. Ver. 3. Then I said, I am cast out of
thy siglit; yet I will look again toward tliy holy temple. Matth.
15:26,27,28. But Jesus answered and said [unto the woman of Ca-
naan,] It is not meet to take the children's bread, and cast it to
dogs. And she said. Truth, Lord; yet the dogs eat of the crumbs
which fall from their master's table. TJien Jesus answered and
said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as
thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.
Psalm 42; 6,7,8. O my God, my soul is cast down within me: there-
fore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the
Hcrmonitcs, from the hill Mizar. Deep calleth unto deep, at the
noise of thy water spouts; all thy waves and thy billows are gone
over me. Yet the Lord will command his loving kindness in the
day-time, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my pray-
er unto the Ciod of my life.
r Rom. 5: 3,4,5. See letter i.
s Mic. 7:4. Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: When I
fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light
unto me.
t 2- Cor. 12:7. And lest I should be exalted above measure,
through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a
8ECT. XII. THE BELIEVEr's RIDDLE. 203
My luats break one another's pate,
And each corruption kills its mate.^
I smell the bait I feel the harm
Of corrupt ways and take th' alarm.
I taste the bitterness of sin,
And then to relish grace begin."
thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I
.should be exalted above measure.
u Rom. 8:35.37. Wiio shall separate us from the love of Christ?
shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or naked-
ness, or peril, or sword? Nay, in all these things we are more than
conquerors, through him that loved us. Psalm G5:3. Iniquities
prevail against me; as for our transgressions, thou slialt purge
them away. 2 Chron. 32.-24,25,26. In those days Hezekiah was
Bick to the death, and prayed unto the Lord; and he spake unto him,
and he gave him a sign. But Hezekiah rendered not again, ac-
cording to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was lilted up;
therefore there was wrath upon liim, and upon Judah and .Jerusa-
lem. Notwithstanding, Hezekiah humbled liimself for the pride of
his heart, (both he and tlie inhabitants of Jerusalem,) so tiiat the
wrath of tiie Lord came not upon tliem in the days of Hezekiah.
V Rom. 7 :7,8,9. What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God
forbid. Nay, I had not known sin but by the law: for I had not
known lust, except tlie law had .said. Thou sljalt not covet. But
sin taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all
manner of concupiscence. For without the law, sin was dead.
For I was alive without the law once; but when the commandment
came sin revived, and I died. Ver. 11. For sin, taking occasion by
the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me. Ver. 13. Was
then that which is good made deatli mito me? God forbid. But sin
that it might appear sin, working death in me by tiiat which is
good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sin-
ful. Where you see the siffht and feeling of sin, killed self. John
9:39,40,41. And Jesus said. For judgment I am come into this
world; that they which see not, might see; and that they which see,
might be made blind. And some of the Pharisees wliich were
with him, heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also?
Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind ye should have no sin: but
now yc say. We see; therefore your sin remaineth. Psalm 59.-11.
Slay them not, lest my peoi>le forget? scatter them by thy power;
and bring them down, O Lord our shield. Matth. 2G:33,34. Peter
answered and said unto him. Though all men shall beoifended be-
cause of thee, yet will I never be offended. Jesus said unto him.
Verily I say unto thee, that this nigiit before the cock crow, thou
shalt deny me thrice. Ver. 75. And Peter remembered the words
of Jesus which he said unto him. Before tiie cock crow, thou shalt
deny me thrice. And lie went out, and wept bitterly.
204 GOSPEL SONNETS. PART III.
I hear the fools profanely talk,
Thence wisdom learn in work and walk:*
I see them throng the passage broad,
And learn to take tLe narrow road.^
Sect. xiii. The mystery of the Saints' adversaries and adversities.
A LUMP of wo affliction is;
Yet thence I borrow lumps of bliss,*
w Rom. 6:21. What fruit had ye theji in those things, whereof
ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. Psalm
19:11. Moreover, by them (the judgments of the Lord) is thy
servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
And 73:17,18,19. Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then tm-
derstood I their end. Surely thou didst set them in slippery places;
thou castedst them down into destruction. How are they brought
into desolation as in a moment; they are utterly consumed
with terrors. .Ter. 2:19. Tliine own wickedness shall correct thee,
and thy backslidings shall reprove thee; know therefore and see,
that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the Lord
thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord God of
hosts.
X Job 21:13,14,15. They sjiend their days in wealth, and in a
moment go down to the grave. Therefore they say unto God, De-
part from us; for we desire not tlie knowledge of tliy ways. What
is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should
we have if we pray unto him? Eph. 4:20,21,22. But ye have not
so learned Christ; if so bo that ye have heard him, and been taught
by him, as the truth is in Jesus; that ye put off, concerning the
former conversation, the old man, which is corrupt, according to
the deceitful lusts. And 5:6,7,8. Let no man deceive you willi vain
words; for because of these things comcth the wrath of God upon
the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with
them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now ore ye light in
the Lord; walk as children of light. Ver. 11. And have no fellow-
ship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove
them.
y Matt. 7: 13,14. Enter ye in at the strait gate; for wide is the
gate, and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many
there be which go in thereat; because strait is the gate, and narrow
is the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
a Heb. 12: 11. Now no chastening for the present sccmeth to be
joyous, but grievous; nevertheless, afterward it yieldetli tjic peace-
able fruit of righteousness, unto them which are exeiciscd thereby.
James 1:12. Blessed is the man that endureth temptatioH: for
when he is tried he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord
bath promised to them that love hira.
SECT. XIII. THE believer's KIDDLE. 205
Though few can see a blessing in't,
It is my furnace and my mint.''
Its sharpness does my lusts dispatch;"=
Its sud '-^nness alarms my watch,''
its bitterness refines my taste,
And weans me from the creature's breast.*
Its weightiness does try my back,
That faith and patience be not slack. *^
It is a fanning wind whereby
I am unchaff'd of vanity. ^
A furnace to refine my grace,*"
A wing to lift my soul apace;'
Hence still the more I sob distresf.
The more I sing my endless rest.'
b Isa. 31:!). And he (the Assyrian) shall pass over to his /""'^'^S'
hold for fear, and his princes sliall bo afraid of the ensigMi '''•itii
tiie Lord, whose fire is in Zion, and Jiis furnace in Jerusa&n--
Psalm 4.5:5. Thine arrows are sJiarp in the heart of th*" king's
enemies; wherehy the people fall under thee.
d Mark 13:.9.5,36,37. Watch ye tlicrefore, (for ye.-<now- not
when the master of the house cometh: at even, or at Ti'dnijrht, or
at the cock crowing, or in the morning,) lest coming-''U'l'^6nly, he
find you slecjang. And what I sa}-^ unto you, I say r-'^o ''^^U Watch.
eJer. 2:l!i. See letter w forocited. And 4:lf Thy way and
thy doings have jirocurcd those tilings unto thee ''^'^ ^^ *^'iy wick-
edness, hecausc it is bitter, because it reachctli into thine heart.
f James 1:2,3,1. My brethren, count it all yj when ye fall into
divers temptations: knowing tiiis, that the trying cf your fai^i
worketh patience. But lot patience have her perfect work, that
ye may be perfect and onti.e, wiinting nothing.
g Isa. 27:8,;). In measure wjien it sho(/eth foK", thou wilt de-
bate with it; he stayeth his rougii wind i'l tlv day of his east
wind. By tiiis therefore shall tlie iniquity of J-cob be purged, and
this is all the fruit to take away his sin.
h. Mai. 3:3. And he (the messenger of tlv '^ovenant) shall sit as
a refiner and purifier of silver; and he shalTurify the sons of Levi,
and purge tlicin as gold and silver, that*'''-'}' "^'^J o^^r ""to the
Lord an otTering in righteousness.
i Psalm 143:9. Deliver me, O Lord ^^om mine enemies: I flee
unto thee to hide me.
j 2 Cor. 4:16,17. For which cai/« we faint not, but thoifgh our
outward man perish, yet the inward '"»" •* renewed day by day
19
206 GOSPEL SONNETS. PART lU-
Mine enemies that seek my hurt,
Of all their bad designs come short;*^
They serve me fully to my mind.
With favors which they ne'er designed.*
The fury of my foes makes me
Fast to my peaceful refuge flee;"
And ev'ry persecuting elf
Does make me understand myself."
Their slanders cannot work my shame/
Their vile reproaches raise my name;!"
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for
us a far more exceeding', and eternal weight of glory.
k Psalm 33:10. The Lord bringeth tlie counsel of the heathen,'
to nought : he niaketh tlie devices of the people of none effect.^
! Gen. 50 '.SO. And Joseph said unto his brethren — As for yoUj
>) thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring
to-jass, asi it is this day, to save much people alive.
n. Psalm 55: 23. But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into
thCpi4 of destruction; bloody and deceitful men shall not live out
haluhdr days; but I will trust in thee,
n JlSw zin, Isa. 49:24. Who gave Jacob for a spoil, and Israel to'
the roUyers? did not the Lord, he against whom we have sinned"*
for they Vould not walk in his ways, neither were they obedient
unto his ^.. My duty, 2 Sam.. 16:11,12. And David said to Abi-
shai, and t6^|} ]^[^ servants, Behold my son which came forth of
my bowels, sMjeth my life; how much more now may this Benja-
mite do it; let\,j^ alone, and let him curse: for the Lord hath bid-
den him. It m!w ^ ^];^^^ tlje Lgj-d will look on mine affliction, and
that the Lord wilfvequite me good for his cursing this day. Mic.
7:8,9. Rejoice not aijrainst me, O mine enemy: when I fall I shall
arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a hght unto me.
I will bear \he indigr,ation of the liord, because I have sinned
against him, uitil he jilead my cause, and execute judgnicnt for
me: he will bi-.ng me forth to the light, and I shall behold his
righteousness. My safety, Psalm 9:9,10. The Lord also will be a
retuge for the opjressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And they
that know thy na^g, will put their trust in thee. Ver. 16. The
Lord IS known V tlr judgj^g^j. ^hich he executeth: the wicked is
snared in the work of^jy o^^jj jjj^jj^g Hijrgaion. Selah.
o Psalm 26:1314. I- I have heard th^e standei- of manv, fear
was on every side, whik^jgy ^^^^^ counsel together against me,
,they devisea to take ay/ay .^y nfe. But I trusted in thee, O Lordj
I said, 1 hou art my God.
p 1 Peter 4: 14. If ye be rep^a^ied for the name of Christ, happy
SECT. Xin. THE BELIEVEH*S RIDDLE. 2B7
In peace with Heav'n my soul can dwell,
Ev'n when the)' damu me down to helLi
Their fury can't the treaty harm,''
Their passion does my pity warm;"
Their madness only calms my blood:*
By doing hurt they do my good."
are ye; for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you; on
their part he is evil spoken of^ but od your part he is glorified.
q Numk 23>7,8. And Balaam took up his parable and said, Ba-
lak the king of Moab hath brought me from Aram, out of the moun-
tains of the east, saying, Conic, curse me Jacob, and <;onie defy
Israel. How shall I curse whom God hath not cursed? or how
shall I deSy, whom the Lord hatii not defied^ Ver. 23. Surely there
is no encliantraent against Jacob, neitlier is tiiere any divination
against Israel : according to this time it shall be said of Jacob, and
of Israel, Wiiat hath God wrought?
r Prov. 26:2. As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by fly-
ing, so the curse causeless shall not come.
s 1 Pet 3:8,9. Finally, be ye all oi' one mind, having compas-
sion one of another, love as brethren, be piiiful, be courteous; not
rendering evil for evil, or railing for nailing; but contrariwise,
blessing: knowing that ye are tliereunto called, that }'e should in-
herit a blessing.
t Psalm 6'):12,13. They that sit in the gate soeak ag.ainst me;
and I was the song of the drunkards. But as for me, my prayer
is unto thee, Lord, in an acceptable time: O God, lu the multi-
tude of thy mercy hear me; in the truth of thy salvation.
uGen. 50:20. "See letter l forecitcd, Esther 9:20—25. And
Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews
that were in all the provinces of the king Ahat^uerus, both nigh
and far, to stablish this among them, that tiiey should keep the
fourteenth day of the month of Adar, and the fiftecntli day of the
.«ame 3'early: as the days wherein the .Tews rested Irom their ene-
mies, and the month which was turned unto tliem from sorrow to
joy, and from mourning into a good day; that iJiey should make
them days of feasting and joy, and of .sending jwrtions one to an-
other, and gifts to the poor. And the Jews undertook to do as
they had begun, and as Mordecai liad written unto them. Be-
cause Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagile, the enemy of
all the Jew.s, had devised against the.TcAvsio destroy them, and
had cast Pur, (that is Uie lot) to consume them, and to destroy
them; but when Esther came before the king, he commanded by
Jetters, that his wicked device which he devised against the Jews,
should return upon his own head, and tliat he ajid his sojib should
he banged on the gallows.
208 GOSPEL SONNETS. PART 112.
They are my sordid slaves I wot;
My drudges, though they know it not;'
They act to me a kindly part.
With little kindness in their heart."^
They sweep my outer house when foul,
Yea, wash my inner filth of souh*
V. Jer. 25:8,9. Therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts, Becaasc
ye have not heard my words, beliold I will send and take all the
families of the north, saith the Lord, and Nebuchadnezzar the
king of Bab3rlon, my servant, and will bring them against this
land, and against the inhabitants thereof, and against all these na-
tions round about, and will utterly destroy them, and make them
an astonishment, and an hissing, and perpetual desolations. Ver. 12>
And it shall come to pass, when seventy years are accomplished,
that I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation, saith the
Lord, for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans, and will
make it perpetual desolations. Isa. 10:5,6. O Assyrian, the rod
of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation. I
will send him against an hypocritical nation; and against the peo-
ple of my wrath will I give him a charge to take the spoil, and to
take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.
Yer. 12. Wherefore it shall come to pass, that when the Lord hath
performed his whole work upon mount Zion, and on Jemsalem, 1
will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and
the glory of his high looks. And 44:24.28. Thus saith the Lord
thy Redeemer, and he that formed thee frojn the womb, I am the
I/ord — that saith of Cyrus, he is my shepherd, and shall perform
all my pleasure, even saying to .Jerusalem, Thou shalt be builtj
and to the temple, Thy foundutions shall be laid. And 45:1.
Thus saith the Lord to his anointed, to Cyras, whose right hand
I have holden, to sub(hie nations before him; and I will loose the
loins of kings to oi)en before him the two leaved gates, and the
gates shall not be shut. Ver. i. For Jacob my servant's sake, and-
T-irael mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name; I have
sirnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.
w Matth. 5:10,11,12. Blessed are tliey which are persecuted for
righteousness' sake; tor theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed
are ye when men shall revile you and persecute }'ou, and shall
say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice,
and be exceeding glad: for great is yoiu- reward in heaven; for so
persecuted they the prophets which were before yoii. Luke 6:22,
23. Blessed are ye when men shall hate you, and when they shall
separate you from their compan}^ and shall reproach you, and
cast out your name as evil, tor the Son of man's sake. Rejoice ye
in that day, and leap for joy: for behold your reward is great in
heaven; fur in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.
Sect. xtv. the beitevek's KiTUfCE. 209
They help to purge away my blot,
For Moab is my washing poU^
Sdct. XIV, The mystery of the Believer's pardon and security
from revenging wrath, notwithstanding Jiis sins' desert.
I THOUGH from condemnation free,
Find such condemnables in me,
As make more heavy wrath my due
Than falls on all the damned crew."
But though my crimes deserve the pit,
I'm no more liable to it:
'Remission seaPd with blood and death.
Secures me from deserved wrath.""
X Isa. 4:3,4,5. And it shall come to pass, that he that is left m
Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy,
even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem;
when the Lord rliail have washed away tiie filth of the daughters
of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the
midst thereof, by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burn-
ing. And tire Lord will create upon every dwelling place of mount
Zion, and upon her assemblies a cloud, and smoke by Jay, and the
shining of a flaming fire by night; for upon all the glory shall be
a defence. And 27:9. By tliis therefore shall the iniquity of Ja-
cob be purged, aixl this is all the fruit to take away his sin; when
he maketh all the stones of the altar as chalk stones that are beat-
en in sunder, the groves and images shall not stajid up.
y Psalm 68: 8. Moab is my wash pot, &c.
a Rom. 8;L There is therefore now no condemnation to them
"which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but alter
the Spirit. And 7:18. For I know that in me, (that is, in my f^esh)
■dwelleth no goodthing; for to will is present with me, but how tt-
perform that which is good, I find not. 1 Tim. h 1.5,16. This is a,
faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, tliat Christ Jesus
came into the world to save sinners; of wliom I am tlie chief.
Howbeit, for this cause I obtained mcTcj', that in me first, Jesus
•Christ might shew forth all long sufi'eriiig, lor a pattern to them
which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
b Gal. 3: 13. (lirist haith redeemed us from the curse of the law,
being made a curse for us; for it is Tvritten, Cursed is every one
that hangeth on a tree. Rom. 5:9. Much more then being now
justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wratli through him.
Eph. 1: 7. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the
forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.
18*
210 GOSPEL SONNETSr FART 155-
And having now a pardon free.
To hell obnoxious cannot be,
Nor to a threat^ except anent*
Paternal wrath and chastisement,"
My soul may oft be filFd indeed
With slavish fear and hellish dread,"^
This from my unbelief does spring,* .
My faith speaks out some better things
Faith sees no legal guilt again,
Though sin and its desert remain:^''
Some hidden wonders hence result:
I'm full of sin, yet free of guilt. s
* About.
c Thess, 1:10. And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he
raised from the dead, even Jesus which delivered us from the
v/rath to come. Isa, 54:9,10. For this is as the waters of Noali
unto me; for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no
more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth
with thee, nor rebuke thee. For the mountains shall depart, and
the hills be removed; but my kindness sliall not depart from thee,
neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord,
that hath mercy on thee. Psalm 89:30 — 33. If his children for-
sake my law, and walk not in my judgments^ if they break my
statutes, and keep not my commandmenth-; then will I visit their
transgression with the rod, and tlieir iniquity m ith stripes. Nev-
ei'thelcss my loving kindness will I not utterly take from him, nor
suffer my faithfulness to fail.
d Matt. 14:26. And when the disciples saw Jesus walking on
tlic sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried
uiit for fear.
e Mark 4:40. And Jesus said unto his disciples, Why are ye bo
fearful? how is it that you have no faith?
f Rom. 7:6. But now are we delivered from the law, that being
dead wherein we wore held; that we should serve in newness of
spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. Chapter 8:3,4, For
what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the fleshy
God sending liis own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for
sin, condemned sin in tlie flesh; that the righteousness of the law
might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the
Spirit.
g Rom. 4: 14. For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am
carnal, sold under sin. Chapter 8:33,34 Who shall lay any thing
to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth, who is he
SECT. XIV. THE believer's RIDDLE. 211
Guilt is the legal bond or knot,
That binds to wrath and vengeance hot;''
But sin may be where guilt's away.
And guilt where sin can never stay.
Guilt without any sin has been,
As in my surety may be seen;
The elect's guilt upon him came.
Yet still he was tiie holy Lamb.'
Sin without guilt may likewise be.
As may appear in pardon'd me:
For though my sin, alas! does stay.
Yet pardon takes the guilt away:J
Thus free I am, yet still involv'd;
A guilty sinner yet absolv'd:''
Though pardon leave no guilt behind,
Yet sin's desert remains I find.^
thai condemneth? It is Ciirist that died, yea, rather, that is risen
again, who is even at the rig-lit hand of God, wlio also makoth in-
tercession for us.
h Deut. 27:26. Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words
of tiie law to do them: and all the people shall say. Amen. Rom,
1:18. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all
ungodliness, and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in
nnrig-htcousness.
i Isa. .53:6. The Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us alL
Heb. 7: 26. For sucii an higli priest became us, who is holy, harm-
less, undt'filed, separate from sinners. '
j Roin. 7; 24 O wretched man that I am: who shall deliver me
from the body of this death? Acts 13:.38,39. Be it known unto you
therefore, men and brelju-en, tiiat through this man is ))reachcd unto
you the forgiveness of sins: and by him all that believe are jus-
tified from all things from which ye could not be justified by the
law of Moses.
k Rom. 3: 19. Now we know that what things soever the law
saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth
may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
Ver. 23,24. For all have sinned, and co)ne short of the glory of God;
being justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is
in Jesus Christ.
1 Rom. 4: 6,7,8. Even as David also dcscribeth the blessedness
of the man unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose
212 GOSPEL SONNETS. PART III.
Guilt and demerit differ here,
Though oft (heir names confounded are,
I'm guilty in myself always,
Since sin's demerit ever stays."
Yet in my Head I'm always free
From proper guilt affecting me;
Because my Surety's blood cancell'd
The bond of curses once me held."
The guilt that pardon'd did divorce,
From legal threat'nings drew its force:"
But sin's desert that lodges still,
Is drawn from sin's intrinsic ill.?
Were guilt nought else but sin's desert.
Of pardon I'd renounce my part:
sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not
impute sin. Psalm 51:3,4. For I acknowledge my transgression;
and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only have I sin-
ned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified
when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. And 143: 2.
O Lord, enter not into judgment with thy servant; for in thy sight
can no man living be justified.
m Rom. 7: 13,14. Was then that which is good, made death un-
to me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working
death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment
might become exceeding sinful. For we know that the law is
spiritual; but I am carnal, sold under sin. Eph. 5:6. Let no man
deceive you with vain words; for because of these things cometh
the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
n Rom. .5:1. Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace
with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Ver. 9. Much more then
being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath
through him. Ver. 11. And not only so, but we also joy in God,
througii our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we liave now received
the atoiTcment.
o Gal. 3:10. For as many as are of the works of the law, are
under the curse; for it is written, Cursed is every one that contin-
ueth not in all tilings which are written in the book of the law to
do them. Ver. 13. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the
law, being made a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every
one that hangeth on a tree.
p Psalm 51:4.. See letter I forecited. Luke 15:18. I will arise
and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned
against heaven and before thee.
SBCT. Xrv. THE BELIEVEr's RIDDLE. 21 S
For were I now in heaven to dwell,
I'd own my sins deserved hell.i
This does my highest wonder move
At matchless justifying love,
That thus secures from endless death
A wretch deserving double wrath.''
Though well my black desert I know,
Yet ['m not liable to wo;
While full and complete righteousness
Imputed for my freedom is.*
q Luke 15:1!), — And am no more worthy to be called thy son.
Rev. 5: 4. And I [John] wept much, because no man was found
worthy to open, and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
Ver. 9. And tliey sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to talce
the book, and to open the seals thereof; for tliou wast slain, and
hast redeemed us to God by thy blood, out of every kindred, and
tongue, and people, and nation. Ver. 11,12,13. And I beheld, and
I heard the voice of many angels round tlie throne, and the beasts,
and the eldeis; the number of them was ten tlionsand times ten
thousand, and tliousands of thousands; saying with a loud voice.
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power, and riches,
and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.
And every creature wliich is ia heaven, and on the earth, and un-
der tiie earth, and such as are in tlie sea, and all that are in them,
lienrd 1. saying, Blessing, and lienor, and glory, and power b(^ un-
to him that sitleth upon the throne, and unto the I,amb for ever
and ever.
r Rom. 7:94,95. O wretched man that I am: who shall deliver
me from the body of this death? 1 thank God, throngii Jesus Christ
our Lord. Chap. 8:1. There is therefore now no condemnation to
tJiem which are in Ghrist Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but
after the Sjiirit. 1 Tim. 1:13. Wlio v.-as before a blasplienier, and
a persecutor, and injurious. But I obtaimd mere}', because I did
it ignorantly, in unl)e!icf. Ver. 15,1^,17. This is a faithful sayings
and worthy of all acceptation, tliat Christ Jesus en me into the world
to save sinners; of wliom I am the chief. Ilowbeit, for this cause
I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth
all long-sufFering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter
believe on hiw» to life everlasting. Now unto the King eternal,
• immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor, and glory, for
ever and over. Amen.
s 1 Cor. 1:30 But of him are yc in Christ Jesus, who of God is
made unto us — rigliteousness — and rcdemi)tion. 2 Cor. 5:21. God
hath made Christ to be sin for us, who knew uo sin; tliat we might
SI 4 " GOSPEL SONNETS. PAHT III.
Hence my security from wrath
As firmly stands on Jesus' death,*
As does my title unto heaven
Upon his great obedience given."
The sentence Heaven did full pronounce,
Has pardon'd all my sins at once:
And even from future crimes acquit.
Before I could the facts commit.^
I'm always in a pardon'd state
Before and after siji;* but yet,
be made the righteousness of God in him. Rom. 4:11. And he
[Abraham] received the sign of circumcision, a seal of tlie righte-
ousness of the faith, which he had yet being uncircumcised: that
he might be the fatlicr of all tliem that heheve, though they be not
circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also.
Ver. 22 — 25. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteous-
ness. Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was im-
puted to him; but for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we be-
lieve on hhn that raised up Jesus oiu- Lord from the dead, who
was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justi-
fication.
t Rom. 5:9. Much more then, being now justified by his blood,
we shall be saved from wrath through him.
u Rom. 5:17,18,19. — They which receive abundance of grace,
and of the gift of righteousness, shall reign in life by one, Jesus
Christ. — By the righteousness of one, the free gift came upon all
men unto justification of life. — By the obedience of one shall many
be made righteous. Ver. 21. Grace reigns through righteousness
unto eternal life, by Jesus Christ our Lord.
V Psalm 103:3. Bless the Lord, O my soul, — who forgiveth all
thine iniquities; who healcth all thy diseases. 2 Cor. 5:19. God
was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing
their trespasses unto them. Ver. 21. See letter s forecited. Dan.
9:24. Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people, and upon
thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of
sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in ever-
lasting righteousness. Isa. 54:10. For the mountains shall depart,
and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from
thee, neither sliall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the
Lord, that hath mercy on thee. Heb. 8: 12. For I will be merci-
ftil to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities
will I remember no more.
w Rom 8:1. There is therefore now no condemnation to them
which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after
the Spirit Ver. 33,34,35.37,38,39. Who shaU say any thing to
SECT. XIV. THE believer's RIDDLE. - 215
That vainly I presume not hence,
I'm seldom pardon'd to my sense. ^
Sin brings a venge.ance on my head,
Though from avenging wrath I'm freed.*"
And though my sins all pardon'd be,
Their pardon 's not applied to me.».'
Thus though I need no pardon more,
Yet need new pardons every hour,*
In point of application free;
Lord, wash anew, and pardon me.
the cliarge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth: who is he that
condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea, rather that is risen again,
who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh interces-
sion for us. Wlio shall separate us from the love of Clirist, shall
tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or
peril, or the swordV Nay, in all these things we arc more than
conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that
neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers,
nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor
any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of
God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
X Psalm. 2.5:11. For thy name's sake, O Lord, pardon mine ini-
quity; for it is great. And 51:8,9. Make me to hear joy and
gladness: that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide
thy face from my sins; and blot out all mine iniquities. Ver. 12.
Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy
free spirit.
y Psalm 99:8. Thou answeredst them, O Lord our God: thon
wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of
their inventions. 1 Thess. 1:10. And to wait for his Son from
heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which deliver-
ed us from the wrath to come.
z Psalm 35r.3. O Lord, say unto my soul, I am thy salvation.
And 85: 8. I will hear what God the Lord will s;>eak; for he will
speak peace unto his people, and to his saints; but let them not
turn again to folly. Matth. 9:2. And behold they brought to him a
man sick of the ))alsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith,
said unto the sick of the palsy, Son be of good cheer, thy sins be
forgiven thee.
* Matth. 6:12. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debt.
ors. 1 John 1: 7,8. If we walk in the light, as God is in the light,
we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ
his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say, that we have no sin,
w« deceive ourselves, and \he truth is not in us.
216 GOSPEL SONNETS. PART til.
Srct. XV. The mystery of Faith and Sight, of which more,
Part vi. Chap. vi.
Strange contradictions me befal,
I can'l believe unless I see;^
Yet never can believe at all,
Till once I shut the seeing eye.""
When sight of sweet experience
Can give my faith no helping hand,"
The sight of sound intelligence
Will give it ample ground to stand.''
I walk by faith, and not by sight,<=
Yet knowledge does my faith resound/
Which cannot walk but in the light,^
Ev'n when experience runs aground.''
a John 6:40. And this is the will of hiin that sent me, that every
one which sceth tlie Son, and believetli on him, may liave everlast-
ing life
b John 20:29. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast
seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen,
and yet have believed.
c Isa. 8:17. And 1 will wait upon the Lord that hideth his face
from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him. Chap. 50: 10.
Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obcyeth the voice of
his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him
trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God.
d Eph. 1:L5 — 19. Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith
in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, cease not to give
thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; that the
God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto
you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, in the knowledge of him;
the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may
know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the
glory of his inb.eritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding
greatness of his power to us-ward vviio believe, according to the
working of his mighty power, &.c. 2 Cor. 4:6. For God who
commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our
hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God, in
the face of Jesus Christ.
e 2 Cor. 5: 7. For we walk by faith, not by sight.
fJohn 2:11. This beginning of miracles, did Jesus in Cana of
Galilee, and manifested fortli his glory; and his disciples believed
on him.
g Psalm 9:10. And they that know thy name will put their trust
in thee.
h Psalm 37:14. Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and he
shall strengthen thine heart; wait, I say, on the Lord.
SECT. XV. THE BELIEVER's RIDDLE. 217
By knowledge I discern and spy-
In divine ligiit the object shown;'
By faith 1 take and close apply
The glorious object as mine own.^
My faith thus stands on divine light,
Believing what it clearly sees;'
Yet faith is opposite to sight.
Trusting its ear, and not its eyes."
Faith list'ning to a sweet report,
Still comes by hearing, not by sight;"
Yet is not faith of saving sort,
But when it sees in divine light.*
In fears I spend my vital breath,
In doubts I waste my passing years;^
Yet still the life I live is faith.
The opposite of doubts and fears.*
i 2 Cor. 3: 18. But we all with open face, beholding as in a glass
lite glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image, from glo-
ry to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
k John 1: 12. But as many as received him, to tliem gave he
power to become the sons ol'God, even to tliem tliat believe ou his
name.
I Gal. 1:16. But when it pleased God — to reveal his Son in me,
that 1 might j)rcach him among the Heathen; iinmediately I con-
ferred not with flesh and blood.
m Eph. 1: 1.3. In Christ ye also ti-iisted after that ye heard the
word of truth, the gospel ol'your salvation.
u Rom. 10 17. So then, faith cometli by hearing, and hearing by
the word of God.
o Psahn 3G:7. How excellent is thy loving kindness, O God!
therefore tlie children of men put their trust under the shadow of
til}' wings. Ver. '). For with tliee is the Ibuntain of life; in ihy
light shall we sc(^ light.
p Psalm 77:3,4. I remembered God, and was troubled: loom-
plained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Sclah. Thou boldest
mine eyes waking; I am so troubled that I cannot speak. John
20:2.'). But Thomas said unto the other disciples, Except I shall
see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the
print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not bc-
iive. Luke 21:21. We trusted that it had been he which should
have redeemed Israel.
q Gal. 2:20. I am crucified with Christ: Nevertheless I live; yet
not I, btit Christ liveth in mc : and the life whicli I now live in the
flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave
himself for me. Mark 5:36. As soon as Jesus hearu tlie word that
19
21 ft GOSPEL SONNETS, PART IJI^
'Tween clearing faith and clouding sense,
I walk in darkness and in light.''
I'm certain oft, when in suspense,
While sure by faith and .not by sight.*
Sect, xvi. Tlie mystery of Faith and Works, and rewards ofGrase
and Debt.
I. OF FAITH AND WORKS.
' He that in word offendeth not,
Is call'd a perfect man I wot;"
Yet he whose thoughts and deeds are bad,-
The law perfection never had.**
I am design'd a perfect soul,
Ev'n though I never kept the whole
was spoken, he saith i\nto the ruler of the synagogue^Be not afraid,
only believe. Matth. 8:26, And Jesus saith unto his disciples.
Why are ye so learlul, O ye of little faith? Chap. 14:31. And Je-
sus said unlo Peter, O tliou of little faith, wherefore didst thou
doubt 1
r Job 29: 1,2,3. Moreover, Job continued his parable, and said.
Oh thnt I were as in months past, as in the days when God pre-
served me: when his candle shined upon my head, and when by
his light I walked through darkness. Psahn 112:4. Unto the up-
right there ariseth liglit in the darkness.
si Pet. 1:8. Whom liaving not seen, ye love; in whom though
now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable,
and full of glory. Rom. 4:18 — 21. Abraham against liope, believ-
ed in hope, that he might become \hc father of many nations; ac-
cording to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. And be^
ing not weak in faith, he consfdercd not his own body now dead,
when ho was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness
of Sarah's womb. He staggered not at the promise of God through
unboliet'; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being
fully persuaded, that what he had promised, he was ai)Ie also to
perform- Psahn 89:36 — 3!). His seed shall endure for ever, and
his throne as the sun before me. It shall be established forever a»
the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven. .Selaii. But thou
haat cast ofi" and abhorred, thou hast been wroth with thine an-
ointed. Thou hast made void the covenant of thy servant; tiiou
hast profaned his crown, by casting it to the ground.
a James 3:2. If any man offend not in word, the same is a per-
fect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
b James 2:10. For whosoever shall keep the whole taw, and yet
offend ia one point, he is guilty of all.
SECT. XVI. THE BELIEVER'*S RIDDLE. 21©
Nor any precept;" for 'tis known
He breaks them all, that breaks but one/
By faith I do perf«cti^n claim,*
By works I never grasp the name:'
Yet without works my foith is nought,*
And thereby no perfection brought.
Works without faith will never speed.*
Faith without works is wholly dead;'
Yet I am justifi'd by faith,
Which no law works adjutant hath.J
c Rom. 4:5,6. To hitn tliat vorkcfli not^ but bclieveth on him
thatjuHtifieth the uno;odly, his faith is counted for righteo-asness.
Even as David also dcscribeth the blessedness of the man unto
whom God iniputeth riirhteousness without works. Job 1: 1. There
was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job, and that man
was perfect and uprifjht, and one that feared God, and eschewed
evil. Psalm 71:16. I will ^o in the strength of the Lord God; I
will make mention of thy righteousness, even of tliine only. Eccl,
7: 20. For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and
sinneth not.
d James 9:10: See letter b.
e Pliil. 3: 9. I count aU things but dung, that I may wm Christ,
and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is
©f the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righ-
teousness which is of (ilod by faith.
f Gal. 2:16. Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of
the law, but by t he faith of Jesus Christ; even we have believed in
Jesus Christ; that we might be justitied by the faith oiX^hrist, and
not by the works of the law; for by the works of the lav? shall no
ficsh be justified.
g James 2:14. What doth it profit, mj' brethren, though a man
say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him ?
h Heb. 11:6. V/ithout faith it is impossible to please God: for he
that Cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a reward-
cr of them that diligently seek him. Rom. 24:23. Whatsoever is
not of faitli, is sin.
i James 2: 17. Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead being
alone. Ver. 26. For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith
without works is dead also.
j Rom. 3:21,22. But now the righteousness of God without the
law is manifested, being witB.essed by th(! law aud the pj'ophets;
even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ
unto all, and upon all tiiem that believe; for there is no diifercnce.
Chap. 4:4,5,6. Now to him that worketh, is the reward not reckon-
ed of grace, bat of debt. But to hiiu that worketli not, but btliev-
220 «ospEL soynzTs. pakt hi.
Yea, Gospel works no help can fend,*^
Though still they do my faith attend:'
Yet faith by works is perfect made,
And by their presence justifi'd."
But works with faith could i>ever vie,
And only faith can justify:"
eth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for Ti«;h-
teousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the
man unto whom God imputeth riohteousness witliout works.
k Phil. 3: 4 — 9. If any other man thinketh th^t he liatli whereof
he might trust in the flesh, I more: — touching the righteousness
which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to nie^
those I counted loss lor Ciirist. Yea doubtiess, and I count all
things but loss, for the excellency of the knowledge ofC'hrist Je-
sus my Lord: for whom I liave suffered the loss ot a>l tilings, and
do count them but dung, that I may win (Jhrist, and be found in
him, not having mine own righteousness, whicii is of the law, but
that which is through the faith of Christ, the rigliteousness wJiich
is of God by faith. Isa. 64:6. But we are all as an unclean thing,.
and all our righteousnesses are as filtliy rags. Hos. 13:9. O Isra-
el, thou hast destroyed thyself, but in me is thine help. Isa. 45:
24,25. Surely, shall one say, in the I^ord have I rigiileoasness and-
strength : even to him shall men come, and all that are incensed
against him shall be ashamed. In tlie Lord shall all the seed of
Israel be justified, and sliall glory.
1 Tit. 3:8. This is a faithful saying, and tliese things I will that
thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might
be careful to maintain good works: these things are good and pro-
fitable unto men. James 2:18. Y<^a, a man may say, Thou hast
faith, and I have vi'^orks; show me thy taith without thy works and
i will show thee my faith by my works.
m James 2:21,22. Was not Abraham our father justified by
works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest
tliou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith
made jwsrfect? Ver. 24. Ye see tljen how tliat by works a man is
justified, and not by faith only.
n Rom. 4:16. Therefore it is of faith, that it miglit be hy grace;-
to the end tlje promise might be sure to all the seed. Titus 3:
4 — 7. But after that the kindness and love of God oar Saviour to-
ward man appeared, not by warksof righteousness, which we have
done, but according to his mercy he saved us by the washing of
regeneration, and renewing oftlie Holy Ghost: which he shed on
us abundantly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour; that being justi-
tied by his grace, we should be made heirs aceording to the hope
of eternal life. Acts 10:4.3. To him gave all tlie prophets witness^
that through his name, whosoever believeth on him, shall receive
rernission of sins.
«BCT. XVI. THE believer's KIBBLE, 221
Yet still my justifying faith;
No justifying value hath,"
Lo, justifying grac« from heav'n
Is foreign ware, and freely giv'nKf
And saving faith is well content
To be a mere recipient.*
Faith 's active in my sanctity:'
But here its act it will deny,«
And frankly own it never went
Beyond a passive instrument,*
o Gal, 3;21,22. Is the law then against the promises of God'
God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have
given life, verily righteousnuss should have been by tlie law. But
the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise h)' faith
of Jesus Christ may be-given to tjiem that believe. Lake 22:31,
32. And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired
to have j'ou, that he may sift you as wheat, but I have prayed for
thee, that thy faith fail not; and when thou art converted, strengtlu
en thy bretliren. 2 Cor. 3:5. Not that we are sufncient of our-
selves, to think any thing of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of
God. Chap. 12:.5. Of such an one will I glory; yet of myself I will
3iot glory, but in mine infirmities,
p Rom. 5: 16,17. The free gift is of many oftences unto justifica-
tion. They which receive abundance of grace, and of the gift of
righteousness, shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. Chap 3:24
Being justified freely by his grace, through the redemption fiiat is
jn Jesus Christ.
q Rom. 5:11, And net only so, but wc also joy in God, tJirough
our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atone-
ment. Ver. 17. See letter jj.
r Gal. 5:6. For in Jesus Christ, neither circumcision availeth any
thing, nor uncircumcision, but faith which worketh by love. Actg
15:9. ^od put no diiferencc between us and them, purifying their
hearts by faith. Chap, 20:18. To open tlieir eyes, and to turn
them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto
God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance
among them which arc sanctified by faith tliat is in me.
«* Rom. 4:16. Therefore it is of i'aith, that M might be by grace.
Chap. 11:6. And if by grace, then it is no more of works; other-
wise grace is no more grace.
t Eph. 2:8,9. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that
not of yonl-sclves: it is the gift of God: not of works; lest any man
should boast. 1 Cor. 4:7. For who niakeih thee to ditier from
another? a&d what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now il
thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory as if tliou hadst not re-
19*
223 GOSPEL SONNETS. PART I11»
I iabor much like holy Paul;
And yet not I, but grace does all,'"^
1 try to spread my little sails.
And wait for pow'rful moving gales.'
When pow'r's convey'd, I work; but see>
'Tis still his pow'r that works in me.
! am an agent at his call,
Yet nothing am, for grace is alL"
II. OF REWARDS OF GRACE AND DEBT.r
In all my works I still regard
The recotnpense of full reward;^
ceived it? Heb. 11:11. Through faith also Sarah herself received
strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she
was past age, because she judged him faithful who liad promised*
Ver. 17. By faith Abraham, when he was triedy offered up Isaa^
and he that had received the promises, otfered up his only begotten
Son. Ver. 19. Accounting that God was able to raise him up^
even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
Ver. 35. Women received their dead raised to life again; and
others ware tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might
obtain a better resurrection.
u 1 Cor. 15:10. But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his
grace which was bestowed upon me, was not in vain; hut I labored
more abundantly than they all; yet not I, but the grace of God
which was with me.
v Psalm 71:16. 1 will go in the strength of the Lord God: I will
make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only. Song 4:16.
Awake, O north wind, and come, thou south, blow upon my garden,
that the spices thereof may flow out.
w Phil. 3:12,13. Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always
obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my
absence; work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
For it is God that worketh in you both to will and to do ol'his good
pleasure. Gal. 2:2(). I am crucified with Christ: Nevertheless I
live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life wliicii I now
live in the flesh, I live by the fiith of the Son of God, who loved
me, and gave hirnseli" for me. 2 Cor. 12: 9. And the Lord said un-
to me. My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made
perlect in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, will I rather glory in
my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
X Heb. 11:24,2.5,26. By faith Mose;;, when he was come to years,
refused to be called the son of Pharrt'ih's daughter; choosing r.ither
to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the plea-
SECT. XVI. TUE believer's RIDDLE. 22S
Yet such rny working is withal,
I look for no reward at all.'
God's my reward exceeding great,
No lesser heav'n than this I wait;*
But Where's the earning work so broad.
To set me up an heir of Godl"
Rewards of debt, rewards of grace,
Are opposites in every case;''
Yet sure I am they'll both agree
Most jointly in rewarding me.=
Though hell's my just reward for sin*
Heav'n as my just reward I'll win,*
sure ofsin for a season; estoemingf the reproach of Christ greater
riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he iiad respect unto tlie re-
Compense of the reward.
y 1 Tim. 1:9. God hath saved us, and called us with an holy
calling, not according to our works, but according to his own pur-
pose and grace whicli was given us in Christ Jesus, before the
world began. Titus 3:5. Not by works of righteousness, which
we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us by the wash-
ing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.
z Gen. 15:1. After these things the word of the Lord came unto
Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram; I am thy shield, an^
thy exceeding great reward. Psaira 73: 25,26. Whom have I in
heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside
thee. My flesh and my heart faileth; but God is the strength of
my heart, and my portion for over.
a Ezf k. 36:32. Not for your sakcs do I this, saith the Lord God,
be it known unto you; be ashamed and confounded for your own
ways, O house of Israel. Rom. 8: 16,17. The Spirit itself bearetli
witness with our spirit, that we are the cliildren of God. And if
children, then heirs: heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ.
b Rom. 4: 4. Now to him that worketh, is the reward not reck-
oned of grace, but of debt.
c Psalm 58:11. Verily there is a reward for the righteous; verily
he is a God that judgcth in the earth. Isa. ^2:11. Behold the Lord
hath procluimod unto the end of the world. Say ye to the daughter
of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with
him, and his work before him.
d Rom. 6:21. What fruit had ye then in those things, whereof
ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. Ver. 23.
The wages of sin is death. Eph. 5:6. Let no man deceive you
with vain words; for because of these things cometh the wrath of
224 GOSPEL SONNETS. PART HI.
Both these my just rewards I know,
Yet truly neither of them so.*
Hell can't in justice be my lot,
Since justice satisfaction got;''
Nor heaven in justice be my share,
Since mercy only brings me there. s
Yet heaven is mine by solemn oath,
In justice and in mercy both:''
God upon the children of disobedience. Gal. .3:10. For as many
as .arc of the works of the law, are under the curse; for it is writ-
ten, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which
are written in the book of the law to do them.
e Gal. .3: 13,14. Christ hath redeemed us from tlie curse of the
law, being made a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every
one that hangeth on a tree; that the blessing of Abraham might
come upon the Gentiles through Christ; that we might receive the
promise of the Spirit through faith. Eph. 1:13,14. In Christ also
aflcr that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of pro-
mise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption
of the purchased possession, unte the praise of his glory. Rom. 5 :
21. Grace reigns througji righteousness unto eternal life, by Jesus
Christ our Lord. And 6:23. The gift of God is eternal life through
Jesus Christ our Lord.
* Through the.se opposite voices of law and gospel.
'f Rom. 3:25, 2G. Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation,
through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the re-
mission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; to
declare, I say, at this time his righteousness, that he might be just,
and the justifier of him which believeth in .Tesus.
g Rom. 9:15,16. God saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom
I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will
have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him
that runneth; but of God that sheweth mercy. Tit. 3:4 — 7. But af-
ter that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man ap-
peared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but ac-
cording to his mercy he saved us by the washing of regeneration,
and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly
through Jesus Cliristour Saviour; that being justified by his grace,
we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
h Psalm 89:35,36. Once have 1 sworn by my holiness, that I
will not lie unto David. His seed shall endure for ever, and his
throne as the sun before me. Heb. 6:17,18. Wherein God willing
more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability
of his covmsel, confirmed it b}' an oath; that by two immutable
things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a
SECT. XVI. THE BELIEVEr's RIDDLE. 22^
And God in Christ is all my tiu«t,
Because he's merciful and just.'
CONCLUSION.
Here is the riddle, where's the man
Of judgment to expound?
For masters fam'd that cannot scan,
In Israel may be found.'*
We justly those in wisdom's list
Established saints may call,
Whose bitter sweet experience blest
Can clearly grasp it iiU.''
Some babes in grace may mint* and mar,
Yet aiming right succeed:'^
strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the
hope set before us. Psahii 89: 14. Justice and jndg-nient are the
habitation of thy throne; mercy and truth sliall go before thy face.
Ver. 16. In thy name sliall they rejoice all the day; and in thy
righteousness shall they be exalted. Ver. 24. But my faillilulness
and my mercy shall be witliin him [David my servant] and in thy
name shall his liorn be exalted. Ver. 28. My mercy will I keep
for him for evernicre, and my covenant shall stand fast with bim.
i Heb. 2:17. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made
like unto his brethren; that he might be a merciful and faitliiul
high priest, in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for
the sins of the people. 1 John 1: 6.8,9. If we wallc in the liyht, as
God is in the light, we have iellowship one with another, and the
blood of Jesus Clirist the Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say
that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in
us. It' we confess our sins ho is faithful and just to forgive us our
sins, and to cleanse us from all unrigiitcousnes.-.
a John 3: 10. Jesus answered and said unto Nicodemus, Art
thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? v
b Matth. 11:25. At that time Jesus answered and said, T thank
thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast bid
these things from the v;ise and prudent, and hast revealed them
unto biibes. And 13:11. J^^us an.nveied ^^i ! s:»d unto 'i<s disci-
ples, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the
kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
* Essay.
c I Cor, 3:1,2. And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as
iJ26 GOSPEL SONNETS. PART III.
But strangers they in Israel are,
Who not at all can read."*
unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ,
have fed you with milk, and not with meat; for hitherto ye were
not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. Heb. 5: 12;13,14.
For wlien ibr the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that
one teach 3'ou again which be the first principles of the oracles of
God, and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong
meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of
righteousness; for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them
that are of full age, even those who, by reason of use, have their
senses exercised to discern both good and evil. And 6: 1. There-
fore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on
unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from
dead works, and of faith towards God, &c. 1 John 2: 12,1.3. I
write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you
for his name's sake. — I write unto you, little children, because ye
have known the Father.
d 2 Cor. 4:3,4. But 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 gospe! of
Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
GOSPfcL. SONNETS.
PART IV.
THg
BELIEVER'S LODGING AND INN WHILE ON EARTH;
OR,
A rOEM AND PARAPHRASE UPON PSALM 84.
Ver. I. How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts'.
Jehovah, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
Sole Monarch of the universal host.
Whom the attendant armies still revere.
Which in bright robes surround the higher sphere;
Whose sovereign empire sways the hellish band
Of ranked legions in the infernal land;
Who hold'st the earth at thy unrivall'd beck,"
And stayest proud forces with an humbling check;
Ev'n thou whose name commands an awful dread,
Yet deigns to dwell with man in very deed;
O what refreshment fills the dwelling place
Of thine exuberant unbounded grace!
Which with sweet power does joy and praise extort,
In Zion's tents, thine ever lov'd resort:
Where gladd'ning streams of mercy from above
Make souls brim full of warm seraphic love.
Of sweetest odors all thy garment smells; i
Thy dismal absence proves a thousand hells, >
But heavens of joy are where thine honour dwells, y
Ver. 2. My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the
Lord: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.
Therefore on thee I centre my desire.
Which veh'niently bursts out in ardent fire^
228 GOSPEL SONNETS. PART. IV.
Deprived, ah! I languish in my plaint,
My bones are feeble, and my spirits faint.
My longing soul pants to heboid again
Thy temple fill'd with thy majestic train;
Those palaces with heavenly odor strew'd.
And regal courts, where Zion's King is viewed:
To see the beauty of the highest One,
Upon this holy mount, his lofty throne:
Whence virtue running from the living H^ad
Restores the dying and revives the dead:
For him my heart with cries repeated sounds,
To which my flesh with echo loud rebounds
For him, for him, who life in death can give, ^
For him, for him, whose sole prerogative >
Is from and to eternity to live. y
Ver. 3. Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a
nest for herself, wliere she may lay her young, even thine altars,
O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.
Alas! how from thy lovely dwellings I,
Long banish'd, do the happy birds envy;
Which, choosing thy high altars for their nest,
On rafters of thy tabernacle rest!
Here dwells the sparrow of a chirping tongue,
And here the swallow lays her tender young;-
Faint sacrilege, they seize the sacred spot.
And seem to glory o'er my absent lot.
Yet sure I have more special right to thee
Than all the brutal hosts of earth and sea;
That Sovereign at whose government they bow,
Is wholly mine by his eternal vow;
My King to rule my heart and quell my foes, ^
My God t' extract my well fiom present woes, >
And crown with endless glory at the close. )
Ver. 4. Blessed are they that dwell in thy house; they will be still
praising thee.
O happy they that haunt thy house below,
And to thy royal sanctuary flow:
Not for itself, but for the glorious One,
Who there inhabits his erected throne' ^'
PART IV. THE believer's LODGING. 229
Others pass by, but here their dwelling is!
O happy people crown'd with bays of bliss!
Bless'd with the splendid lustre of his face,
Bless'd with the high melodious sound of grace.
That wakens souls into a sweet amaze,
And turns their spirits to a harp of praise,-
Which loudly makes the lower temple ring
With hallelujahs to the mighty King:
And thus they antedate the nobler song ^
Of that celestial and triumphant throng, >
Who warble notes of praise eternity along. • j
Ver> 5. Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee : —
What weights of bliss their happy shoulders load,
Whose strength lies treasur'd in a potent God?
Self drained souls, yet flowing to the brim.
Because void in themselves, but full in him.
Adam the first discuss'd their stock of strength,
The second well retriev'd the sum at length;
Who keeps't himself a surer hand indeed,
To give not as they list, but as they need.
When raging furies threaten sudden hanns.
He then extends his everlasting arms;
When satan drives his pointed fiery darts,
He gives them courage and undaunted hearts
To quell his deadly force with divine skill,
And adds new strength to do their Sovereign's will;
When sore harass'd by some outrageous lust;
He levelling its power unto the dust
Makes saints to own him worthy of their trust.
Ver. 6. In whose heartsare the ways of them, who passing throug'li
the valley of Bacca, make it a well : the rain also fiUeth the pools.
Such heav'n born souls are not to earth confin'd,
Truth's highway fills his elevated mind:
They, bound for Zion, press with forward aim,
As Isra'l's males to old Jerusalem.
Their holy piith lies through a parched land,
Through oppositions numerous and grand.
20
{
s> will;
2W GOSPSL SONIVETS. PART I^'-
Traversing scorched deserts, ragged rocks,
And Bacca's wither'd vale, like thirsty flocks:
Yet v/ith unshaken vigor hanfieward go,
Not mov'^d by all opposing harms below.
They digging wells on this Gilboa top.
The vale of Achor yields a door of hope:
For Heav'n in plenty does their labor crown,
By making silver show'rs to trickle down;
Till empty pools imbibe a pleasant fill, ^
And weary souls aie heart'ned up the hill, >
By massy drops of j,oy which down distil, y
Ver. 7, Tiiej go from strength to strengtli^ every one of thera in &
oa ajjpeareth before God.
Thus they, refreshed by superior aid,
Are not defatigatsd nor dismay'd;
Because they are, O truth of awful dread!
As potent as Jehovah in tli«ir Head.
Hence they shall travel with triumphant minds,
In spite of ragged paths and boist'rous winds.
The roughest ways their vigor ne'er abates,
Each new assault their strength redintegrates.
When they through mortal blows seem to give o'er,
Their strength by intermiting gathers more.
And thus they, with unweary'd zeal endu'd.
Still as they journey have their strength renew'd?
So glorious is the race, that once begun,
Each one contends his fellow to outrun;
Till all uniting in a glorious band,
Before the Lamb's high throne adoring stand,
Ahd harp his lofty praise in Zion land,
Ver. 8. O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer : give ear, O God of
Jacob.
Great God of num'rous hosts, who reigns alone
The sole possessor of th' imperial throne;
Since mental tastes of thy delicious grace
So sweetly relish in thy holy place.
This )u^ the subject of my tabled prayer^
4
yWBT tV. THE believer's I.ODGINO. 231
To have the vision of thy glory there.
O let my cry pierce the ethereal frame,
And naercy's echo follow down the same*
Omnicient Being, favor njy desire.
Hide not thy goodness in paternal ire;
Why, thou hast given in an eternal band
To Jacob and his seed thy royal hand,
And promised by thy .sacred Deity, ^
His King and covenanted God to be: >
Therefore ray hopes are ceistred all in thee, y
Ver. 9- Behold, O God, eur shield, and look upon the flLce of tbine
anomted.
Omnipotent, whose arnaor none can wield
Zion's great buckler and defensive shield;
Thy pure untainted eyes cannot behold
Deformed mortals in their sinful mould:
Unless their names be graved on the breast
Of Zion'^s holy consecrated Priest.
When they his white and glorious garment wear.;
Then sin and guilt both w/holjy disappear;
Because o'erwheimed in the crimson flood,
And ocean of a dying Surety's blood:
They also, vested with his radiant grace;
Reflect the lustre of his holy face.
They're not themselves now, but divinely trim,
For wholly what they are, they are in iKm*
And hence Jehovah's all discerning eye i
Cannot in them espy deformity. \
Then look on him, Lord; and in him on me. y
Vcr. 10- For a day iiithy courts is better than a thousand: 1 had
rather be a dcor keeper in the house of my God, than to dwell
in tlie tents of wickedness.
Mati I possess, as thy domestic child,
The house that by Jehovah's name is styl'd".
For royal glories deck those courts of thine,
Which with majestic rays so brightly shine,
That should my mind present an eartJj of gold
232 GOSPEL son:vets, paet rv.
As full of wordly joys afe earth can hoH:
Sweet grace so fills thy house, I'd grudge to spare
One moment here, for thousand ages theie.
No earthly object shall my love confine.
That Being which possesses all, is mine.
My spirit therefore rather would embrace
The meanest office in his holy place.
And by the threshold of his house within.
Than sit in splendor on a throne of sin,
In Jesus' courts I'd choose the lowest place.
At his saints' feet, so I might see bis face.
Yea, tho' my lamp of outward peace should burn 1
Most brightly, yet I would incessant mourn, >
While in a tyicked Mesech i sojourn, j
Ver. 11. For the Lord God is a sun and shield : the Lord' will give
grace and glory; no good thing will lie wi^iliold from tliem that
walk uprightly.
For God the Lord, whose courts I love to haunt.
Is ev'ry thing that empty souls can want:
A sun for light, a shield for strength; yea, more,
On earth he gives his grace, in heav'n his glore.
This radiant sun, of life and light the source;
Scatters the shades by circumambient course;
Yea, guides bemisted souls with heartsome beams,.
And gloriously irradiating gleams.
This massy shield is polish'd bright with power,.
For helping weaklings in a per'lous hour.
Here's all that weary travellers would have,
A sun to cherish, and a shield to save.
Grace also here is given t' adorn the soul„
And yield to glory in the heav'nly pole.
All divine treasure to the saint is due;
Nothing's deny'd, if truth itself be true.
The treasure is so vast it can't be told;
Nothing that God can give, will God withhoM*
To whom he doth his saving grace impart,
To them he gives himself, his hand, his heart?
Uprightness too of heart and life does fall
Uato their share, who having him, have alL
PAETTV. THE BEITEVES S IfOTSGmG. 533
In them the ^ace he gives, he still regards;
Cfives holiness, and then his gift rewards.
For to his own upright and divine brood i
He's bound to grant ev^n all that's great and good, >
By's own sure word, firia oath, and sacred blood. \
Ver. 12. O Loro of hosts, 'Messed is the man that trusteth in thee.
O then, Jehovah, God of armies strong,
To whom the powers of earth and heav'n belongs
How vastly blessed is the fixed man«
Who by a firm fiduciaJ boldness can.
Through grace and strength dispensed from above,
S6 sweetly scan the height of divine love,
As to derive his comfort wholly thence,
And on this rock to found his confidence!
Whose faith has rear'd up for a firm abode
A stable building on a living Gk)d?
Who, spoil'd of human props both great and small.
Does choose a tri-une deity for all?
What scrolls of bliss are in this All enroll'd;
Is too sublime for seraphs to unfold.
Sist, human wisdom, in a deep amaze! i
Let rapid floods of life his glory raise, >
Ti^l time be <lrown'd in his eternal praise. )
A fourfold Exercise for the Believer in his Lodging
OH earth.
I, THE HOLY LAW,
OR,
The Teu Commandments, Exod. 20:3—17.
1. N<5 God but me thou shalt adore.
2. No image frame to bow before.
3. My holy name take net in vain.
4. My sacred sabbath don't profane,
5. To parents render due respect.
6. All murder shun, and malice check..
2Q*
234 GOSPEL SONNETS. PART IV:.
7. From filth and whoredom base abstainj
8. From theft and all unlawful gain.
9. False witness flee, and slandering spite;
10. Nor covet what's thy neighbor's right.
H. THE UNHOLY HEART, THE DIKE.CT OPPOSITE TO 000%
fiOLY AND BIGHTEOUS LAW, Rom. 7:14,
The knowledge of sin by the kw, Rom. 3:20,
1. My heart's to many god^ a sjiave;
2. Of imagery an hideous cave.
3. An hoard of God dishon'ring crimesj
4. A waster base of holy times;
5. A throne of pride and self-conceit;
6. A slaughter house of wrath and hate;
7. A cage of birds and thoughts unclean;
8. A den of thieves and frauds unseen;
9. A heap of calumnies unspent;
10. A gulph oj" greed and discontent,
III. THE GLORIOUS GOSPEL,
C^irist the ejid of €he La\^ for Righteousness, Rom. 10:4; and the
absolute need of this remedy infulrdd from the premises.
Hence I conclude, and clearly see.
There's by the law no h(e for me;
Which damns each soul to endless thrall
Whose heart and life fulfil not all.
What shall I do^ unless for bail
I from the law to grace appeal?
She reigns through Jesus' righteousness.
Which, giving justice full redress,
On grace's door this motfo grav'd,
'Let sin be damn'd, and sinners sav'd.*
O wisdom's deep mysterious wayl ^
Lo, at this door I'll waiting stay, v
Till sin and hell bolh pass away. y
PART IV. THE believer's LODGING. 235
But in this bliss to shew my part, ^
Grant, through thy law grav'd on my heart, >
My life may shew thy graving art. y
IV. THE PRAYER OF FAITII.
Which may be conceived in the following words of a certain
author:
Sim tuus in vita, tua sint mea funera, Christe;
Da, precor, imperii sceptra tenere tui.
Cur ctenim moriei7s, tol vulncra sa;va tulisti,
Si non sum regni portio parva tui?
Cur ligido latuit tua vita inclusa sepulchro,
Si non est mea mors morte fugata tua?
Ergo mihi certam pra^stcs, O Christe, salutemj
Meque tuo lotum sanguine; Christe, juva.
WHICH 1L\Y BE TIJUS ENQf^ISHED:
Jesus, I'm thine in life and death,
Oh let me conquering hold thy throne^^
Why shar'd the cross thy vital breath.
If not to make me share thy crown?
Why laid in jail of cruel grave,
If not thy death from death me (roe'!
Then, Lord, insure the bliss I crave,
Seal'd with thy blood, and succor me.
OOSPEL SONNETS.
P^RT V.
THE BELIEVER'S SOLILOQUY,
ESPECIALLY IN TIMES OF DESERTION, DISTRESS, AFPLJC-
TION, &C.
Sect. i. The deserted Believer longing for perfect freedom from
sin.
Ah mournful case! what can afford
Contentment when an absent Lord
Will now his kindness never prove
By smiles of grace nor lines of love?
What heart can joy, what soul can sing,
While winter overruns the spring!
I die, yet can't my death condole;
Lord, save a dying, drooping soul:
In pain, yet unconcern'd I live.
And languish when I should believe.
Lord, if thou cease to come and stay,
My soul in sin will pine away.
In sin, whose ill no tongue can tell,
To live is death, to die is hell;'
O save, if not from thrall's arrest.
Yet save me. Lord, from siri at least.
This for his merit's sake I seek.
Whose blood and wounds do mercy speak;
Who left the rank of glorious choirs,
And heavenly flowers for earthly briers.
Our Samson took an holy nap
Upon our feeble nature's lap;
SECT. I. THE believer's SOLILOaUY' 237
He, wamrring in a pilgrim's weed,
Did taste our griefs to help our need.
Earth's fury di^ upon him light;
How black was Herod's cruel spite,
Who, to be sure of murdering one,
Lest he be spar'd did pity none!
Hell hunts the babe a few days old
That came to lifle Satan's fold;
All hands pursued him even to death,
That came to save from sin and wrath.
O mercy ignorant of bounds.
Which all created thought confounds!
He ran outright a saving race
For them that unto death him chase.
O sin, how heavy is thy weight
That press'd the glorious God of might!
Till, prostrate on the freezing ground,
He sweat his clotted blood around!
His hand the ponderous globe does prop.
This weight ne'er made him sweat a drop;
But when sin's load upon him lies,
He falls, and sweats, and groans, and dies.
Alas! if God sink under sin.
How shall the man that dies therein!
How deeply down, when to the load
He adds the slighted blood of God?
Lord, let thy fall my rise obtain,
Thy grievous shame my glory gain;
Thy cross my lasting crown procure.
Thy death my endless life insure.
O send me down a draught of love.
Or take me hence to drink above;
Here Marah's water fills my cup,
But there all griefs are swallowed up.
Love here is scarce a faint desire.
But there the spark's a flaming fire.
238
GOSPEL SONNETS. PART. V.
Joys here are drops that passing flee,
But there an overflowing sea.
My faith that sees so darkly here,
Will there resign to vision clear;
My hope, that's here a weary groan,
Will to fruition yield the throne.
Here fetters hamper freedom's wing,
But there the captive is a king;
And grace is like a buried seed
But sinners there are saints indeed.
Thy portion here's a crumb at best.
But there, the Lamb's eternal feast;
My praise is now a smother'd fire,
But there I'll sing and never tire.
Now dusky shadows cloud my day.
But then the shades will flee away;
My Lord will break the dimming glass,
And shew his glory face to face.
My numerous foes now beat me down,
But then I'll wear the victor's crown;
Yet all the revenues I'll bring
To Zion's everlasting King.
Sect, ii The deserted Believer's prayer under complaints of un-
belief, darkness, deadness, and hardness.
What means this wicked, wand'ring heart?
This trembling ague of my soul?
Would Jesus but a look impart.
One look from him would make me whole.
But will he turn to me his face.
From whom he justly did withdraw?
To me that slighted all that grace
I in my past experience saw?
Lord, for thy promise sake, return.
Apply thy pard'ning, cleansing blood;
Look down with pity on a worm.
With covenant mercy do me good.
SECT. II. THE bellievbr's SOLILOaUV. 239
When thy free Spirit the word applies.
And kindly tells me thou art mine,
My faithless sinking heart replies,
Ah, Lord! I wish I could be thine.
My faith's so 'nighted in my doubts,
I cast the offer'd good away;
And lose, by raising vain disputes,
The wonted blessings of the day.
Was e'er one press'd with such a load.
Or picrc'd with such an unseen dart:
To find at once an absent God,
And yet, alas! a careless heart?
Such grief as mine, a griefless grief.
Did ever any mortal share?
A hopeless hope, a lifeless life,
Or such unwonted careless care?
'Tis sad. Lord ! when for night's solace,
Nor moon, nor starry gleams appear;
Yet worse, when in this dismal case
My heart is harden'd from thy fear.
■ 'Twas not because no showers did flow
Of heavenly manna at my door;
But by my folly I'm into
A worse condition than before.
Come, Lord, with greater pow'r; for why,
Mine sure is not a common case:
Thou offerest to unvail; yet I
Do scarce incline to see thy face.
Such languid faint desires I feel
Within this wicked stupid heart;
I should, I would, but that 1 will
I hardly dare with truth assert.
to be free of that vile wrack.
That basely keeps me from my God !
1 flee from thee, Lord; bring me back
By tender love, or by thy rod.
In paths of righteousness direct,
New proofs of thy remission give;
240 GOSPEL SONNETS. PART V.
Then of thy name I'll mention make
With grateful praises while I live.
On banks of mercy's boundless deep,
With swifter ease I'll soar and sing,
Than kings of feathered hosts, that sweep
The oozy shore with easy wing.
But if thy mind omniscient know
I'm for this absent bliss unfit.
Give grace to hate my sins, and to
Their righteous punishment submit.
But let me ne'er thy Spirit lack.
That by his aid my prayers may come
Before him, who can wisely make
Ev'n distance lead his people home.
Deep wisdom can my soul prepare
By present woes for absent bliss.
By acid griefs that now I share.
He can convey the joys I miss.
Who all from nothing's womb disclos'd,
Can make th' amazing product cease;
With him our order is confus'd.
By him confusion brings forth peace.
Then, Lord, ne'er let me basely spurn
Against thy searchless unknown ways;
But magnify thy work, and turn
My groans and murmurs into praise.
■ Let me submissive, while I live,
Thy awful justice own with fear;
Yet pensive let me never grieve
Thy tender mercy by despair.
Since though by sin I foully swerv'd,
And lewdly from my glory fell,
I'm chasten'd here and not reserv'd
To feel the weight of sin and hell.
Thy high right hand's once joyful daya
In my distress I'll call to mind;
And own that all thy darkest ways
Will clearly prove thee good and kind.
SKCr. in. THE BELIEVEK's SOLILOQtTY. 241
Sect. hi. The Believer wading through deeps of desertion and
corruption.
Lord, when thy face thou hid'st,
And leav'st me long to plore,
I faithless doubt of all thou didst
And wrouffht'st for me before.
No marks of love I find,
No grains of grace, but wracks;
No track of heav'n is left behind,
No groans, no smoking flax.
But say, if all the gusts
And grains of love be spent.
Say, Farewell Christ, and welcome lustsi
Stop; stop: I melt, I faint.
Lord, yet thou hast my heart,
This bnrgain black I hate,
I dtuo not, cannot, will not part
Wiih thee at such a rate,
Once, like a father good.
Thou didst with grace perfume;
Wast thou a father to conclude
With dreadful judge's doom?
Confirm thy former deed.
Reform what is defil'd;
I was, I am, I still abide
Thy choice, thy charge, thy child.
Love-sea!s thou didst impart, ^
Lock'd up in mind I have;
Hell cannot rase out of my heart
What Heav'n did there engrave.
Thou once didst make me whole
By thy almighty hand:
Thou mad'st me vow and gift ray soul;
Both vow and gift shall stand.
But, since ray folly gross,
My joyful cup did spill,
21
24:2 GOSPEL SONNETS. iPABT V.
Make me the captive of thy cross.
Submissive to thy will.
Self in myself I bate,
That's matter of my groan;
Nor can I rid me from the mate
That causes me to moan.
frail, inconstant fleshl
Soon trapt in ev'ry gin;
Soon turn'd, o'erturn'd, and so afresb
Plung'd in the gulf of sin,
Shall I be slave to sin,
My Lord's most bloody foe!
1 feel its pow'i-ful svray within.
How long shall it be sol
How long. Lord, shall I stay?
How long in Mesech l>ere?
Dislion'ring thee from day to day,
Whose name's to me so dear?
While sin. Lord, breeds my grief.
And makes me sadly pine;
With blinks of grace, O grant relief.
Till beams of glory shine.
Sect. iv. Complaint £>f sin, sorrow, and want of lovs
Ip black doom by desert should go.
Then, Loid, my due desert is death;
Which robs from souls immortal joy.
And fron> their bodies mortal breathe-
But in so great a Saviour,
Can e'er so base a worm's annoy
Add any glory to thy pow'r,
Or any gladness to thy joy?
Thou justly raay'st me doom to deaths
And everlasting flames of fire;
But on a wretch to pour thy wrath
Can never sure be worth thine ire-
^iECT. til. THE believer's SOLILOQUY. 24ic
Since Jesus the atonement was,
Let tender mercy me release;
Let him be umpire of my cause.
And pass the gladsome doom of peace.
Let grace forgive and love forget
My base, my vile apostacy;
And temper thy deserved hate
With love and mercy towards me.
The ruffling winds and raging blasts
Hold me in constant cruel chase;
They break my anchors, sails, and masts.
Allowing no reposing place.
The boist'rous seas with swelling floods.
On every side against me fight;
Heav'n, overcast with stormy clouds.
Dims all the planets' guiding light.
The hellish furies lie in waii,
To win my soul into their pow'r;
To make me bite at ev'ry bait,
And thus my killing bane devour.
I lie enchain'd in sin and tbyall,
Next border unto black despair,
Till grace restore, and of my fall
The doleful ruins all repair.
My hov'ring thoughts would flee to glore,
And nestle safe above the sky;
Fain would my trembling ship ashore
At that sure anchor quiet lie.
But mounting thoughts are haled down
With heavy poise of corrupt load;
And biust'ring storms deny with frown
An harbor of secure abode.
To drown the wight that wakes the blast,
Thy sin-subduing grace aiford;
The storm might cease, could I but cast
This troubJous Jonah overboard.
244 GOSPEL SONNETS. PART T>
Base 6esh, with fleshly pleasures goin'd,
Sweet grace's kindly suit declines:
When mercy courts rne for its friend,
Anon my sordid flesh repines.
Soar up, my soul, to Tabor hill,
Cast off' this loathsome pressing load;
Long is the date of thine exile,
While absent from the Lord thy God.
Dote not on earthly weeds and toys,
Which do not, cannot suit thy tastet
The flowers of everlasting joys
Grow up apace for thy repast.
Sith that the glorious God above
In Jesus bears a love to' thee;
How base, how brutish is thy love
Of any being less than he?
Who for thy love did choose thy grie^
Content in love to live and die:
Who lov'd thy love more than his life.
And with his life thy love did buy.
Since then the God of richest love
With thy poor love enamor'd is,
How high a crime will thee reprove
If not enamor'd deep with his?
Since on the verdant field of grace
His love does thine so hot pursue;
Let love meet love with chaste embrace^
Thy mite a thousand (old is due.
Rise, love, thou early heaven, and sing,
Young little dawn of endless day:
I'll on thy mounting fiery wing
In joyful raptures melt i:v/ay»
Sbct. v. The deserted soul's prayer for the Lord's gracious
and sin-subduing presence,
Kind Jesus, come in love to me,
And make no longer stay;
SECT. V. THE believer's SOLTLOatnF. 1245
Or else receive my soul to thee,
Thai breathes to be away.
A Lazar at thy gate I lie,
As well it me becomes,
-For children's br^ad asham'd to cry:
O grant a dog the crumbs.
My wounds and rags my need proclaim.
They needful help insure:
My wounds bear witness that I'm lame^
My rags that I am poor.
Thou many at thy door dost feed
With mercy when distrest;
O wilt thou not shew an alms deed
To me among the rest?
None else can give my soul relief,
None else can ease my moan,
But he whose absence is my grief:
All other joys be gone.
How can I cease from sad complaint,
How can I be at resti
My mind can never be content
To want my noble guest.
Drop down, mine eyes, and never tire.
Cease not on any terms,
Until I have my heart's desire.
My Lord within mine arms.
My heart, my hand, my spirits fail.
When hiding off he goes;
My flesh, my foes, my lusts prevaiij
And work my daily woes.
When shall I see that glorious sight
Will all my sins destroy?
That Lord of love, that lamp of light.
Will banish all annoy?
O could I but from sinning cease.
And wait on Pisgah's hill,
21*
246 GOSPEL SONNETS. PABT» T.
Until I see hrtn face to face,
Then should my soul be still.
But since corruption cleaves to me
While I in Kedar dwell;
O give me leave to long for thee^
For absence is a hell.
Thy glory should be dear to me,
Who me so dear hast bought:
O save from rend'ring ill to thee
For good which thou hast wrought.
With fear I crave, with hope I cry,
Oh promis'd favor send;
Be thou thyself, though changeling I
Ungratefully offend.
Out of thy way remove the lets,
Cleanse this polluted den;
Tender my suits, cancel my debts^
Sweet Jesus, say Amen-
Sect. vi. The Song of Heaven desired by Saints on EartSu
Aurora vails her rosy face
When brighter Phoebus takes her placej
So glad will grace resign her room
To glory in the heav'nly home.
Happy the company tliat's gone
From cross to crown, from thrall to thronej:
How loud they sing upon the shore,
To which they sail'd in heart before!
Bless'd are the dead, yea, saith the word,-
That die in Christ the living Lord,
And on the other side of death
Thus joyful spend their praising breath:-
" Death fiom all death has set us free,
" And will our gain for ever be;
"Death loos'd the massy chain of w©^
** To let the mournful eaptives go*
SECT. VI. THE believer's SOLILOQUY. 247
•' Death is to us a sweet repose;
" The bud was op'd to show the rose;
" The cage was broke to let us fly,
" And build our happy nest on high.
" Lo, here we do triumphant reign,
" And joyful sing in lofty strain:
" Lo, here we rest, and love to be,
" Enjoying more than faith could see.
" The thousandth part we now behold,
" By mortal tongues was never told;
♦' We got a taste, but now above
" We forage in the fields of love.
" Faith once stole down a distant kiss,
" Now love cleaves to the cheek of blissj
" Beyond the fears of more mishap
" We gladly rest in glory's lap.
" Earth was to us a seat of war,
" In thrones of triumph now we are.
♦' We long'd to see our Jesus dear,
•' And sought him there, but find him here.
" We walk in white without annoy,
" In glorious galleries of joy:
*'Andcrown-d with everlasting bays,
" We rival Cherubs in their praise.
*' No longer we complain of wants,
♦' We see the glorious King of saints,
•' Amidst his joyful hosts around,
"With ail the divine glory crown'd.
*' Wo see him at his table head
" With living water, living bread,
" His cheerful guests incessant load
" V/ith all the plenitude of God.
'^ We see the holy flaming fires,
" Cherubic and seraphic choirs;
" And gladly join with those on high,
*♦ To warble praise eternally.
248 GOSPEL SONNETS. PART V.
' Glory to God that here we came,
' And glory to the glorious Lamb.
' Our light, our life, our joy, our all
'Is in our arms, and ever shall.
'Our Lord is ours, and we are his;
' Yea, now we see him as he is:
' And hence we like unto him are,
' And full his glorious image share.
' No darkness now, no dismal night,
' No vapor intercepts the light;
' We see for ever face to face,
'The highest Prince in highest place.
' This, this, does heav'n enough afford,
'We are forever with the Lord:
' We want no more, for all is given;
' His presence is the heart of heav'n."
While thus I laid my list'ning ear
Close to the door of heav'n to hear;
And then the sacred page did view,
Which told me all I heard was true;
Yet shew'd me that the heav'nly song
Surpasses ev'ry mortal tongue,
With such unutterable strains
As none in fett'ring flesh attains:
Then said I, " O to mount away,
" And leave this clog of heavy clay!
" Let wings of time more hasty fly,
" That I may join the songs on high."
GOSPKL SONNETIS.
PART VI.
THE BELIEVER'S PRINCIPLES,
CONCERNING
1. CREATION AND REDEMPTION. 2. LAW AND GOS-
PEL. 3. JUSTIFICATION AND SANCTIFICATIOJNT,
4. FAITH AND SENSE. 5. HEAVEN AND EARTH.
CHAPTER I.
THE believer's PRINCIPLES CONCERNING CREATION AND
redemption; or, some of the first principles of
the oracles of god.
The first chapter of Genesis compcndized; or, the first Seven
Days' Work, from the following Latin lines Englished :
Prima dies coelum, et teiram, lucemque, creavit.
Altera disteiulit spatiuin, discrimen aquarum-
Tertia secerneiis undas, dat graniina terris.
Quarta creat solem et lonam, coDlestiaque astra.
Quinta dcdit pisces, eadem genus omne voiaiitum.
Sexta ttdit pecudes, hoiniiicra quoque quem Deus ipse
C'ondidit; inde operis requics lux septima i'ulsit.
IN ENGLISH thus:
1. The first day hcav'n, earth, light, Jehovah sent.
2. The next a water sund'ring firuiament.
3. Tiie third made dry land spring with flow'ry pride.
4. The fourth set up bright lamps time to divide.
5. The fil'th brought swimming tish and flying fowl.
6. The sixth, earth's herds, and man to bear the rule.
7. The seventh brought forth no more, yet bro't the best,
The lab'ring creatures' and Creator's rest.
250 GOSPEL SONNETS. PART VI.
OR thus:
The first day at Jehovah's word,
Did heav'n, and earth, and light afford.
The next, a firmament so wide
As might the waters' course divide.
The third, severing land from seas,
Made earth produce herbs, grass, and trees.
The fourth, sun, moon and stars of light,
Set up to rule the day and night.
The fifth made fish in depths to move,
And fowls to fly in aii above.
The sixth all earthly beasts did bring,
And man to be the creatures' king.
The seventh, of all these days the best,
Was made for God and man to rest.
Redemption work doth bring again
The first of these to be the main.
Fetching new heav'ns and earth in sight.
And immortality to light.
Since, then, the first is now the best.
Keep well this pledge of endless rest.
THE sum: of creation.
All things from nothing, to their Sov'reign Loid
Obedient rose at his commanding word.
Fair in his eye the whole creation stood;
He saw the building and pronounc'd it good.
And now each work (while nature's fabric stands)
Loud for its wise and mighty Lord demands
A rent of praise, a loud and lofty song.
From ev'ry rational beholder's tongue.
Sect. ii. Of Redemption. The mystery of the Redeemer's in-
carnation; or God manifested in the flesh. i Tim. 3:1 6. John
1:14.
What though the waters, struck with dread,
Rise up and form a pyramid?
SECT. II. THE believer's PRINCIPLES. 251
Though floods should gush from rocks and stones,
Qr living souls fiom wither'd bones?
To hear of an incarnate God
Is yet more wonderful and odd;
Or to behold how God most high
Could in our nature breathe and die.
What though the bright angelic forms
Degraded were to crawling worms?
These creatures were but creatures still,
Transform'd at their Creator's will.
Though creatures change a thousand ways,
It cannot such amazement raise,
Nor such a scene as this display,
The eternal Word a piece of clay.
God-man a strange contexture fix'd;
Yet not confused nor commix'd;
Yet still a mystery great and fresh,
A Spirit infinite made flesh.
What though when nothing heard his call.
Nothing obey'd and brought forth all!
What though he nothing's brood maintain,
Or, all annihilate again?
Let nothing into being pass,
Or back again to what it was?
But, lo! the God of beings here,
As turn'd to nothing doth appear.
All heav'n's astonish'd at his form,
The mighty God became a worm.
Down Aiian pride to him shall bow,
He's Jesus and Jehovah too.
THE SUM OF REDEMPTION.
With haughty mind to Godhead man aspir'd;
With loving mind our manhood God desir'd;
Man was by pride from place of pleasure chas'd,,
God man by love in greater pleasure plac'd.
252 eOSPEL SONNETS. PART VI.
Man seeking to ascend procured our fall,
God yielding to descend remov'd our thrall:
The Judge was cast, the guilty to acquit.
The Sun defac'd to lend the shades the light.
^ECT. III. THE REDEEMER S WORK.
OR,
Christ all in all, and our complete Redemption.
A GOSPEL CATECHISM FOR YOUNO CHRISTIANS,
Qves. Kind teacher, may I come to learn
In this abrupt address,
By framing questions that concern
My endless happiness?
Ans. Yea, child; but if you'd learn to run
The great salvation race.
Know that the name of Christ alone
Can answer ev^y case,
Q. By sin, my God and all is lost,
O where may God be found?
A. In Christ; for so the Holy Ghost
Shews by the joyful sound.
Q. But how will God with sinful me
Again be reconcil'd?
A. In Christ, in whom his grace to thee
And favor is reveal'd.
Q. O how shall I a sharer prove.
And see his glorious grace?
A. In Christ the image of his love,
And brightness of his face.
Q. '^^ 'lers shall I seek all divine store,
Ai)d without fail obtain?
A. In Christ, in whom for ever more
His fulness doth remain.
ss«!^ ni, THE believek's principles. S53
Q' But how shall T escape and flee
Til* avenging- wrath of God?
At In Christ, who bore upon the tree
That whole amazing load,
Q. Alas! I'm daily apt to stray,
How shall I heav'n-ward make?
A' Through Christ the cortsecrated way,
Designed for thee to take.
Q, Ah! where '9 my title, right, or clairs! .
To that eternal bliss?
A. In Christ alone, that glorioas nanse.
The Lord our righteousness- j,^
Q. But who unfit can enter tliere.
Or Brith such nasty feet?
A' Christ by his blood presents thee fair.
His Spirit makes thee meet.
Q. But may'nt my spirit, weak as grass, "
Fail ere it reach the length? ^
A. Jesus, the Lord thy rigbteousneas,
Will be the Lord thy strength.
Q. May'nt hellish hosts, and wicked foesr
Sore by the way molest?
A. Christ is a friend to bridle those,
And give the weary rest.
Q. May 'nt guilty conscience loudly braodj
Aiwl all my comfort chase?
A. Christ with a pardon in his hand
Can show his smiling face.
Q. But how can divine mercy vent,
Where sins are great and throng?
A, Christ is the channel with descent
That mercy runs along.
Q. But may not justice interpose,
And stand in mercy's way?
A. Jesus did all the debt thou ouea
To divine justice pay.
35-1 OOSPEL SONNETS,. PART vf:
Q. Where eball mine eyes the pardon spy^
Unto ray saving good?
A. In Christ's free pronuse see it lie.
In his atoning blood.
Q. What ground have I to trust and say^
The promise is not vain?
J.. In Christ the promises are Yea,
In him they are Amen.
Qt But whorr is Christ himself, O whe^e^
With promises so sweet?
A. Christ's in the promises, and there
Thy faith and he niay meet,
Q. Is Christ in them, and they in Christ?
How shall I this descry?
A. His blood and S|)irit therein list
To seal and to apply,
Q. *Gainst legal fiery threats of wratb^
Pray, what defence is best?
A. Christ's full obedience ey'd by faith;
There should the guilty rest,
Q. But how shall faith be had? Alas!
I find 1 can't believe.
A. Christ is ihe author of that grace>.
And faith is his to give^
Q. Ah! when may faiihless I expect
He'll such a bliss b{ (]\ieath?
A. He vt-ill of unbelief convict,
And pave the way for faith,
Q. Repentance must attend, but whencis
Shall I this grace receive?
^ A. Christ is exalted as a prince
All needful grace to give.
Q. How can so vile a lump of dust
Heart-holiness expect?
A. Christ by his holy Spirit must
Thig gradual change effect-
■*?»£nPo XIIv THE BELLIEVEK's PBINCII'UM. ^5S
Q. How shall I do the works aright
I'm daily bound unto?
A. Christ in thee, by his Spirit's might,
Woiks both to will and do.
Q. How shall my maladies be bcal'd,
So sore molesting me?
A. Christ is the gr(!at Physician scal'd
The Lord that healeth thee.
^. By prayer I ought to seek his face,
This course how 9!i;ill 1 drivel
A. 'Tis Christ alone that has the grace
And sp'rit of prayer to give.
"Q. S;ilvation-M'ork is great and high,
Alas! what shall I do?
A. Christ as the Aljiha thereof eye,
And the Omega too.
Q. What p'llar then is most secure
To build my hope uppa?
A. Christ only the founJation sure.j
The living corner stone.
^. When I'm with black pollution stain^'dl.
How shall 1 cleansed be?
A. Christ is a fountain for that end
Set open wide for thee.
Q. What shall I do when plagues abound^
With sorrows, grief^, an<l fears?
A. Christ has a balsam for thy wounds,
A bottle for thy tears.
Q. But is Uiere any help for one
That utterly is lost?
A. Christ saves from sin, and he alone;,
Ev'n to the uttermost.
4i. But where shall I be safe at last
From hell and endless death?
A. Christ is a refuge from tlie blast
Of everlasting wrath.
Q. But mayn't er'n natural death to me
Become a dreadAii thing?
A. Christ by his death in love io thee
Did every death unstiog.
^- Why, Sir, is Christ the whole you saj*
No answer else I fiad. * ' ^
A. Because, were Christ our all away.
There's nothing left behind.
<2- How can he ajiswer every case.
And help in every thrall?
A. Because he is the Lord of grace,
Jehovah, all in all.
Q. How is he present to supply.
And to relieve us thus?
A. Becaase his glorious jiame is nig&,
Immaniue!, God with us.
Q^ Has he alone all power to save,
is nothing left to man?
A- Yea, without Christ we nothing have.
Without him nothing can.
Q, Mayn't some from hence tske latitude
And room their lusts to please;
II Christ do ail, then very good.
Let us take cainal easel
A. Christ wiU in flaming vengeance come.
With fury in his face.
To damn ijis foes that dare presume,
And thus abuse his gra.ce-
SeiCT- IV. Faith and Works both excluded from the matler of jus-
tification before God, that ledemptioH may ap]>eair to be oiily m
Christ.
Who dare an holy God address,
With an unholy righteousness?
Who can endure his awful probe»
Without perfection for their robe?
^TBCT, IV. THE BELIEVER's PRINCIPLES. 2^7
None could his great tribunal face,
Were faith itself their fairest dress:
Faith takes the robe, but never brags
Itself has aught but filthy rags.
JFaith claims no share, and works far less.
In justice-pleasing righteousness;
The servant were to be abhorr'd,
Would claim the glory of his lord.
Blasphemous unbelief may claim
The praises of the worthy Lamb:
But faith disciairaing all its best,
Not on itself,4)ut Christ, will rest.
I'm sav'd and justifi'd by faith, *"
Which yet no saving value hath;
Nor e'er pretends to save from thrall
But in its object has its all.
'Tis Christ alone saves guilty me,
And makes my right to life so free.
That in himself it stands alone:
Faith takes the, right, but gives me none.
I dare not act with tJiis intent,
For acts of mine to draw the rent;
Nor do good works witjj this design.
To win the crown bj Works of mine.
I'd thus the pripmis'd grace forsake,
Nor Jesus for my Saviour take:
Yea, this would dreadfully presume;'
And work mine own eternal doom.
Presumption cannot rise more high,
I'd make the truth of God a lie.
The God of truth a liar too!
What more mischief could Satan do!
Why, I'd discredit God's record
Concerning Jesus Christ the Lord,
His glorious and eternal Sou,
Whose blood has life eternal v/on.
22*
2S8 60SPEL SOTCNETS. PABJT VJ»
In him, says God, this life I give.
In him shall therefore men believe,
My gift embracing in their arms:
None shall be sav'd on other terms.
Vain man must stoop and freely take,,
Or else embrace a burning lake;
Proud nature must submit to grace,,
And to the divine righteousness.
In vain on works our hope is built.
Our actions nothing are but guilt:
The best obedience of our own.
Dare not appear before his throne.
What finite worm can bear the load.
The fury of an angry God?
What mortal vigor can withstand
The vengeance of his lifted handl
The law can never save us now.
To dainn is all that it can do.
Heaven casts all righteousness of Gur3;
The law of works is out, of doors.
No merit, money, more or less.
Can buy the gifts of righteousness.
O may I take what Heaven does givei
Jehovah help me to believe;
And in that righteousness to trust.
Which only makes a sinner just.
And then, the truth of faith to prove,.
Lord, make my faith to work by love*
CHAP. II. THE BELIEVEK'^S FKINCIFLES. 259
CHAPTER II.
THE BBLIEVEK^S PRINCIPLES, CONCERNING THE LAW
AND GOSPEL™
PARTICULARLY,
1. The Mystery, 1
IVZhSIZT: Of,h.W.nd Gospel
4. The Place and Station, J
Sect. i. The Mystery af Law and Gospel.
V Though law-commands and goapel-grace
Agree in mutual joint embrace,*
Yet law and gospel in a shock
Can never draw an equal yoke.''
The law of works, the law of grace.
Can't stand together in one place;
The brighter scene destroys the dark,
As Dagon fell before the ark."
a Rom. 3:31. Do we then rrtake void the law thrcirjg^h faith? '
God forbid; yea, we establish the law. Gal. 3:21. Is the taw then
against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a
law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should
have been by the law.
b Psalm 130:3,4. If thou Lord should mark iniquities, O Lord,,
who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou
inayest be feared. Ver. 7,8. Let Israel hope in the Lord: for with
the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption.
And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities. And 143:2.
O Lord, enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy
sight, shall no man living be justified. Ver. 8. Cause me to hear
thy loving kindness in the morning, for in thee do I trust: cause
jnc to know the way wherein I should walk, for I lift up my soul
anto thee.
c Rom. 16:14,15. Sin shall not have dominion over you; for ye
are not under the law, but under grace. What then?" shall we sin,
because we are not undier the law, but under grace? God forbid.
Chapter 7:4,5,6. Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead
to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to
another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should
bring forth fruit nnfo God. For when we were in the flesh, the
motions of sins which were by the law did work in our members
260 GOSPEL SONNETS. PART VI.
They harmonize like marri'd pairs,*
Yet are at odds, and keep not squares:^
As mercy stands from merit far,
Tiie letter and the spirit jar.'"
The law does gospel comforts harm,
The gospel breaks the legal arai;?
Yet both exalt each other's horn,
And garlands bring their head to adorn,^
I through the law am dead to it,
To legal works and self conceit;'
to bring forth fruit unto death. But now we are delivered from
tlie law, that being dead, wherein we were held; that we should
serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
2 Corinthians 3: 7 — 10. But if the ministration of death, written
and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel
could not behold the face of Moses, for the glory of his coun-
tenance, whicli glory was to be done away; how shall not the
ministration of tlie Spirit, be rather glorious? For if the ministra-
tion of condenmation be glory, much more doth the ministration
of righteousness exceed in glory. For even that which was made
glorious, hath no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that
excelleth.
d Gal. 3: 24. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring
us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
e Rom. 11:6; And if (election be) by grace, then is it no more
of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of
works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more
work.
f 2 Cor. 3: 6. The letter kiileth, but the spirit giveth life,
g Heb. 2:15. And deliver them who through fear of death were
all their life time subject to bondage. Pliil. 3:7,8,9. But what
things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Clirist. Yea,
doubtless, and I count all things but loss, for the excellency of the
knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord; for whom I have suffered the
loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win
Christ, and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness,
which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ,
the righteousness whicli is of God by faith.
h Gal. 2:19. For I through the law am dead to the law, that I
might live unto God.
i Rom. 7: 6. But now we are delivered from the law, that being
dead wherein we were held, that we sliould serve in newness of
spii-it, and not in the oldness of the letter, Vcr. 9. For I was alive
CHAP. II. THE believer's PRINCIPLES. 262
Yet, lo! thiough gospel grace I live,
And to the law due honor give.-*
The law great room for boasting makes,
But grace my pride and boasting breaks;*^
Yet all my boasts the law do kill,i
And grace makes room to boast my fill.™
The gospel makes me keep the law"
Yet from its painful service draw;"
It does all law demands fulfil, p
Yet makes them wholly void and null.i
without the law once; but when the commandment came, sin re-
vived, and I died.
j Rom. 7:4. Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to
the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to an-
otJier, eron to him who is raised from the dead, that we should
bring forth fruit unto God. And 10:4. Christ is the end of the
law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
k Rom. 3:27. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what
law? of works? Nay; but by the law of faith.
1 Rom. 3: 19. Now we know that what things soever the law
saith, it saith to them who arc under the law; tliat every mouth
may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before-
God.
m 1 Cor. 1:29,30,31. That no flesh should glory in his presence^
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us
wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
that according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in
the Lord.
n Titus 2:11,12. For the grace of God that bringeth salvation
hath appeared to all men; teaching us, that denying ungodliness
and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly^
in this present world.
o Gal. 5:1. Standfast therefoie in the liberty wherewith Christ
hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of
bondage.
p Rom. 8: 3,4. For what the law could not do, in that it was
weak through the flesh, God did, sending his own Son, in the like-
ness of sinful flesh, and for sin condemned sin in the flesh; that the
righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not af-
ter the flesh, but after the Spirit.
q Rom. 6:14. Sin shall not have dominion over you; for ye are
not under the law, but under grace. Gal. 4:4,5. But when the
fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son made of a wo-
man, made under the law, to redeem tliem that were under the law-
262 GOSPEL SONNETS. PAET TI.
The gospel gives me no command,''
Yet by obeying it I stand,' ,
To strict obedience though it call,*
Does bind to none, but promise all."
The law does strict commandment give
That I the gospel news believe;'^
But yet it teaches no such thing,
Nor e'er could gospel tidings bring.*"
When I the gospel truth believe,
Obedience to the law I give,^
And when I don't the law* observe,
I from the gospel method swerve. ^
r Gal. 3:8. And the scripture foreseeing- that God would justify
the Heathen through faith preached before the gospel unto Abra-
ham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.
e Mark 16:16. He that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved.
t 1 Thess. 1:7,8. The Lord Jesui shall be revealed from heaven,
with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them
that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus
Christ.
u John 3:17. God sent not his Son into the world to condemn
the world; but that the world through him might be saved. And
12:47. And if any man hear my words and believe not, I judge
him not; for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.
Heb. 8: 10,11,12. For this is tlie covenant that I will make with the
house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws
into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to
them a God, and they shall be to me a people. And tJiey shall not
teach every man his neigiibor, and every man his brother, saying,
Know the Lord; for all shall know me from the least to the great-
est. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins
and their iniquities will I remember no more.
v John 3:18. He that believeth on him is not condemned; but he
that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not be-
lieved in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
w Rom. 10:5. For Moses describeth the righteousness which
is of the law. That the man which doeth these things shall live by
them. And 3:l9. Now we know that what things soever the
law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every
mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty be-
fore God.
X John 3:18. He that believeth on him is not condemned.
* Viz. As it is a rule.
y Titus 2:11,12, See letter n forecited.
OHAP. II. THE believer's PRINCIPES. 8^8
Yet, if I do the law obey,t
I am not in the gospel way,*
Which does no new obedience draw,"
Yet is the gospel no new law.**
As precepts to the law belong,
Yet in the gospel field are throng. *=
Curs'd every gospel slighter is,'*
Yet all its office is to bless."
It from the law has power to kill,'
Yet saving does its power fulfil. s
t Viz, As it is a covenant.
z Gal 5:3,4. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised,
that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no
effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are
fallen from grace.
a Rom. 16:25,25. — The mystery which was kept secret since
the world began — now is made manliest, and by tlie scriptures of
the prophets, according to the coininandment of the everlasting
God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith,
b Gal. 3:21. Is the law then against the promises of God! God
forbid: for i/tliere had been a law given which could have given
liio, verily righteousness should have been by the law.
c Matth. 5:17 — IB. Think not that I am come to destroy the law
or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily
I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle
shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled, &.c. Psalm
11!): 96. I have seen an end of all perfection; but thy command-
ment is exceeding broad.
d Heb. 10:26 — 2.). For if we sin wilfully after that we have re-
ceived the knowledge of the truth, there remaincth no more sacri-
fice for sins, bul a certain learlul looking for of judgment and fiery
indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised
Moses' law, died witliout mercy, under two or three witnesses: of
how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought wor-
thy, who hath trodden under toot the Son of God, and hath counted
the blood of the covenant wherewith he was sanctified, an unlioly
thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? Chap. 12:25.
See that ye refuse not him that speaketh; tor if they escaped not
who refused liim that spake on earth, much more shall not we es-
cape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven.
e Rorn. 15:2 ). And I am sure that when I come unto you, I shall
como in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel ot Christ. And 3:
26. Unto you first, God having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to
Wesa you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.
864 GOSPEL SONNETS. PA.RT VI.
No savor but of life it hath,''
Yet most the savor is of death.'
Weakness perfection doth exclude,
The law is perfect, just, and good;"
Yet can it nothing perfect make,
But all the comers to it break. ^
Strength to the gospel does belong,
Mighty through God it is, and strong:"
It to the law does strength emit,
Yet 'tis the law gives strength to it.
f John 3:18. — He that believth not, is condemned already, be«
cause he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son
of God. Mark 16:16. He that believeth not shall be damned.
Heb. 2: 3. How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?
g Eph. 1:13. In Christ ye also trusted after that ye heard the
word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. 1 Tim. 1:15. This is
a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus
came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the chief.
h Phil. 2: 16. Holding forth the word of life, &c. 2 Tim. 1:1.
Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God, according to
the promise of life, which is in Christ Jesus. Ver. 10 — Our Sa*
viour Jesus Christ hath abolished death— and hath brought life
and immortality to light through the gospel.
i 2 Cor. 2:26. To the one were the savor of death unto death,
&c.
k Psalm 119:96. I have seen an end of all perfection; but thy
commandment is exceeding broad. Rom. 7: 12. Wherefore the
law is holy; and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
Heb. 7:19. For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in
of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
1 Heb. 7:19. See letter k. Chap. 10:1. For the law having a
shadow of good things to come; and not the very image of the
things, can never, with those sacrifices which they offered year by
year continually, make the comers thereunto perfect.
m Rom. 1:16. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for
it is the power of God unto salvation, to every one that believeth,
to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 2 Cor. 10:4,.5. For the
weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God,
to the pulling down of strong holds: casting down imaginations
and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of
God and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of
Chicist.
scHAP. n. THE believer's peinciples. 265
The gospel gives the law, I see,
Sufficient strength to justify;"
Yet. may 1 say, in truth it is
Tiie law that gives the gospel this;*
For as the law no sinner clears, •
But who the gxjspel gamient wears;
So none are justih'd by grace,
Unless the law demands have place.'"
Again the law, which yet seems worse,
Gives gospel news condemning forcc;'»
Yet they are news that never can,
Nor never will condemn a man.""
n Rom. 8:1. Tliere is therefore now no condemnation to them
■Wiiicli are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after tlie flesh, but after
the Spifit. Vcr. 3,4. For what the law could not do, in that it was
weak through the flesh, God did, sending- his own Son, in tlie like-
ness of sinful flesh, and for sin condemned sin in the flesh; that
the riglitcousness of tiie law might be fulfiUcd in us, who walk not
after llie flesh, but after the Spirit.
o Rom. 3:31. Do we tlien make void the law through faith?
God forbid; 3'ea, we establish the law. Chap. 10:4. For Christ is
the end of the law for righteousness to every one that belie veth.
p Rom. 3:11).23. Now we know that what things soever the law
saith, it saith to tlieui who are under the law; that every mouth
may be stojiped, and ail flio world may become guilty before God.
Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified
in his siglit; for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the
righteousness of God without the law is manifested, beirg wit-
nessed by tiie law and tliC prophets; even the righteousness of
God winch is by faith of .Tesus Christ unto all, and upon all them
that believe; for there is no diflerence. Chap. 5:19. By the obe-
dience of one shall many be made righteous. Ver. 21. Grace
reigns through righteousness unto eternal life, by Jesus Christ our
Lord.
q John 3:18: He that belicveth on him is not condemned; but
he that bclieveth not, is condemned already, because he hath not
believed iu the name of the only begotten Son of God.
r Luke 2:10, 11. And the angel said unto them (the shepherds,)
Fear not; for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which
shall be to all ))cople. For unto you is born this day in the city
of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. John 3:17. For
God sent not his Son into the world, to condemn the world; but
that the world through him might be saved. Chap. 12:47, And
23
266 ©OSPEL SONNETS. PART VI.
Dread threat'nings to the law pertain,*
Not to the gospel's golden chain:'
Yet all law threats and Sinai's ire
To gospel grace are walls of fire,"
The righteous law assaileth none
Of Adam's guilty race, sa^e one;'^
Who, being guilty, for this cause
By God's just law condemned was.''
Yet free of guilt it did him see;
Hence fully clear'd, and set him free.*
if any niai) hear my words, and believe not, I judg-e him not: for
I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.
s GaL 3:1U. For as many as are of the works of the law, are un-
der the cur.se; tor it is written, Curyed is every one that continu-
eth not u) all things which are written in the book, of the law to do
fhem«
t Acts 13: 26. Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abra-
ham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of
this salvation sent.
u Mark 16:16. He that beheveth not, shall be damned. Heb
2:3. How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation? Chap
10:26—99. See letter d forecited.
V Rom. 5:19. For as by one man's disobedience many were
made shiners: so by tlie obedience of one siiall many be made
righteous. JoJin 17: 4, I have glorified thee on the earth: I have
finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
w Isa. .53:6. The Iiord hath lard on him the iniquity of us all.
Gal. 3:13. Clirist hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, be-
ing made a curse for us : for it is written. Cursed is every one that
hangeth on a tree.
X Heb. 7;26. For such an high priest became us, Avho is holy,
harmlcs--, uiidofiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than
the heavens. Dan. 9:24. Seventy weeks are determined upon thy
people, and upon thy holy city, to fink«h the transgression, and to
make an end of sins, and lo make reconciliation for iniquity, and
to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and
prophooj^ and to anoint the most holy. 1 Tim. 3:16. And without
controvers}', great is the mystery of godliness: God was mauite.st
in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen oi' angels,. preached ante the
Gentile.s, believed on in the world, received up into glory. Ro»u
2:13. For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but th'^
doers of the law shall be justified. Isa. .50:8. He is near that jun-
titieth ms, who will contend with me? let us stand together,, who
AS mine adversary? let him come near to me.
CHAP. II. THE believer's PRfNOrPLEa.
Yet had not guilt his soul invoIvM,
By law he could not been absolv'd.''
But he withal coRdemn'd and spoil'd
The law of works, which him assail'd;*
And now the law is (in these viewiv)
The marrow of the gospel news.*
The law can justify no man
That is a sinner,'' yet it can
Thus favor sinful men, and free
The chief of sinners, guilty ine:'^
y 2Cor. 5;21, God hath made Christ to be sin lor ns, who linew
Tio sin; that we might be made tiie rijrhteoasness of God in him,
1 Pet. 3:lfc*. Ciirist hath once 'buffered for sins, the just for the un-
just, (tliat lie miglit bring us to God) being put to death in the
flesh, but quickened by the Spirit,
zCol, 2:14,15. Blotting out the hand writhig of ordinances that
was against us, Tv-hich was contrary to us, and toolt it out of the
way, nailing it to his cross, and liaving spoiled principalitie;-; anii
powers, "he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in
it. Rom. 8:3. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak
through the flesh, God did, sending his own Son, in the likeness of
sinful flesh,^ and for sin condeumed sin in tlie flesh.
aRoin. 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness,
to every one that bclicveth. Isa. 4;^; 24 Surely shall one say, In
the Lord have I righteousness and strengtli. Jer. 23:6. In hi«
days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely; and this
is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGH-
TEOUSNESS.
b Rom. 3: 19,20. Now we knew that wiiat things soever the
law saith, it saith to them who are under the law, that every mouth
may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty beibre God.
Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified
in his sight; for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
e The law of works, as fulfilled by Christ, can and does so,
Rom. 8: 3. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak
tlu'ough the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sin-
ful flesli, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: tliat the righte-
ousness of the law miglit be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the
flesh, but aiter the Sjiirit. Ver. 33,34. Who shall lay any thing
to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth; who is he
that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risera
again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh in-
tercession lor us.
268 eospEi so?f]VET9. part vu
The gospel too acquitted none
That have not put perfection on/
And yet it cleareth none, I grant.
But those who all perfection want."
Those that with gospel clearance meet,.
Must by the law be found complete;'
Yet never could, again I grajit^
The gospel justify a saint.s
All perfect persons it cmitrols,'*
And justifies ungodly souls;'
d Rom. 3:21,22. But now the righteousness of God without the
law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and tlie proplieti*;.
even the ris^hteousness of God which is by faith of Jcsns Christ
unto all, and ujion all them that believe, for there is no difference..
e Rom. 4:5. To him that worketh not, but belie^eth on him that
justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for rigliteousness.
f 1 Cor. 1:30. But of him are ye in Christ .Icsus, who of God i»
made nnto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and
redemption. Col. 2: 10. And ye are complete in Mm, which is the
head of all princijiality and power.
g Matth. i); 13 — I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners
to repentance. Rom. 3: 10. There is none righteous, no, not one.
Chap. 9: 30,31,32. What shall we say thcnf That tlie Gentiles
which followed not after righteousness, hare attained to righteous-
ness, even the righteousness which is of faith; but Israel which
followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the
law of righteousness. Wherefore? because they sought it not by
faith, but as it were by the works of the law. Chap. 10:3. Israel
being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establisii
their own righteousness, have not submitted themscbes unto the
righteousness of God. 1 Tim. 1:1.5. This is a faithfvil saying, and
worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to
save sinners; of whom I am chief.
h Matth, 21:31. Jesus saith unto them, (tiie Pharisees) Verily I
say unto you, that the publicans and the harlots go into the king-
dom of God before ^ou. Luke 18:9 — 14. And Jesus spake this
parable unto certain which trusted in tbemselves that they were
riffhteous, and despised others: Two men went np into the temple
to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a Publican. The Piiar-
isee stood and prayed tbus with himself: God, I thank thee that I
am not as other men are, extortioners, vrnjust, adulterers, or even
as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give titJies of all that
I possess. And the publican standing afar off, would not lift up so
much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon hb breast, sajing»
■€HAP. 11. THE BEMEVaiR'e PEINCSPLBSo
Yet still no man its grace partakes,
But whom it truly godly makes.J
The law withstands the gospel path,*
Which yet its approbation hath;^
The gospel thwarts the legal way,™
Yet will approve the law for aye.*
God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you this man went down t©
his house justified rather than the otlier; for every one that exaltetb
himself, shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself, shall be ex-
alted, Ver. 21,22. And he (the ruler) said. All these have I kept
from my youth up. Now when Jesins heard these things, he said
iinto him, Yet lackest thou one thing-; sell all that thou hast, and
-distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven,
and come, follow me.
i Rom. 4:5,6. To him that workelh not, but believeth on him that
justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even
as David also describeth the blessedness of the man unto whom
God imputeth righteousness without works.
j Tit. 2:11 — -14. The grace of God that bringeth salvation, hath
appeared to all men; teaching us, that denying ungodliness, and
v/orldly lusts, we should live sober!)', righteously and godly in this
present world; looking for that hloHsed hope, and the glorious ap-
pearing of the great God, even oar Saviour Jesus Christ ; who gave
himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and
purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Chap. 3: 4,5. After that the kindness and love of God our Saviour
toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we
have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing
of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost. Ver, 3. This is
a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constant-
ly, that they which have believed in God, might be careful to
maintain good works: these things are good and profitable unt©
men,
k 1 Cor. 15:56. — The strength of sin is the law. Rom. 6: 14.
Sin shall not^'have dominion over you; for ye are not under the law,
but under grace. Chap. 10:3. Israel being ignorant of God's
righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteous-
ness of God.
I Isa. 42:21. The Lord is well pleased for his righteousness'
sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honorable. Matth,
3:17. Audio, a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son,
iu whom I am well pleased.
m Rom. 9:31,32,33. But Israel which followed after the law
of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousnees.
Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, bat as it were by
tlie works of the law; for they stumbled at U»at stuipbling stono^
23*
270 GOSPEL SONNETS. PART VI.
Hence though the gospel's comely frame
Doth openly the law condemn:"
Yet they are blind who never saw
The gospel justify the law.?
Thus gospel grace, and law commands^
Both bind and loose each other's hands:
They can't agree on any terms, i
Yet hug each other in their arms.""
Those that divide them cannot be
The friends of truth and verity;'
as it is written, Beliold I lay in ZicHi a stumblinjr stone, and a rock
of offence; and wliosoever believcth on him shall not, be ashamed.
n Rom. 7 :7. What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God for-
bid. Nay, I had not known sin but by {he law; for I had not
known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. Ver. 10.
And the commandment which, was Ordained to life, I found to be
unto death. Ver. 12. Wherefore the law is holy; and the com-
mandmeul, holy, and just, and good.
o Rom. 5:5 — 9. For Moses doscribeth the righteousness which
is of the law, that the man which doetli these things, shall live by
them. But the righteousness wliicli is of faith spcaketli on this
wise. Say not in thine heart. Who sJiali ascend into heaven? (that
is, to bring down C'hrist from above:) or, who shall descend into
the dee])? (tliat is to bring up Ciirist again from the dead.) But
wiiat saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in
thy heart; that is, the word of faith wliicli we preach. That if thou
shalt confess with tliy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe
in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt
be saved.
p Rom. .3: .31. Do we then make void the law through faith? God
forbid : yea, we establish the law.
q Gal. 4:21J26. Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do
ye not hear the law? For it is written, that Abraliam had two
sons; the one by a bond-maid, the other by a free woman. But he
who was of the bond-woman was born after the flesh; but he of the
free woman was by promise. Which things are an allegory; for
those are the two covenants; tiie one from the mount Sinai, which
gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. For tliis Agar is mount
Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem, which now is, and is
in bondage with her children. But Jerusalem which is above is
free, which is the mother of us all.
r Psalm 84:10. Mercy and truth are met togetlier; rigliteousness
and peace have kissed each other.
s Mat. 13:22. Wu unto you. Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites;
CHAP. II. THE believer's PRINCIPLES. 271
Yet those that dare confound the two,
Destroy them both, and gender wo.*
This paradox none can decypher,
That plough not with the gospel-heifer.
for ye pay tithe of mint, and anise, and cummin, and have omitted
the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith; these
ouglit ye to liave done, and not to leave the other undone. Rom. 2:
23. Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the
law dishonorest thou God? Ver. 25,26. For circumcision verily
profiteth notliing, if thou keep the law; but if tliou be a breaker of
the law, th}' circumcision is made uncircumcision. Therefore, if
the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his
uncircumcision be counted for circumcision? Matt. 19: 6. What
God liath joined together, let no man put asunder. Chap. 3:15.
And Jesus answering, said unto him, (Jolin,) Suffer it to be so now:
for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suf-
fered him. Chap. 5: 17. Think not that I am come to destroy the
law or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. Ver,
19,20. Whosoever therefore sliall break one of these least com-
mandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in
the kingdom of heaven; but whosoever shall do, and teach them,
the same shall be called great in tlie kingdom of heaven. For I
say unto you. That except your righteousness, shall exceed the
righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case en-
ter into the kingdom of heaven. 1 John 5:6. This is he that came
by water and blood, even Jesus (.^hrist; not by water only, but by
water and blood; and it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because
the Spirit is truth.
t Gal. 1:6,7,8. I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him
that called you into tlie grace of Christ, unto another gospel; which
is not another; but there be some tliat trouble you, and which per-
vert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from hea-
ven preach any other gospel unto you, than that which we have
preached unto you, let him be accursed. Zeph. 1:4 — I will cut off
— ver. 5 — them that worship, and that swear by the Lord, and that
swear by Malcham. Acts 15:7. And when tJicre had been much
disputing, Peter rose up and said unto them. Men and brethren,
ye know tliat a good while ago, God made choice among us, that
tlie Gentiles by njy mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and
believe. Ver. 10,11. Now therefore, why tempt ye God to put a
yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fatliers nor
we were able to bear? But we believe, that through the grace of
the Lord Jesus Christ, we shall be saved, even as they. Gal. 5:1.
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us
free, and be not entangled again in the yoke of bondage. Ver. 4.
Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justi-
fied by the law; ye are fallen from grace.-
272 GOSPEL SONNETS. PART. VI.
Sect. ii. The difference between the law and the Gospel
The law, supposing I have all,
Does ever for perfection call;
The gospel suits my total want,
And all the law can seek does grant.
The law could promise life to me,
If my obedience perfect be:
But grace does promise life upon
My Lord's obedience alone.
The law says, Do, and life you'll win:
But grace says, Live, for all is done;
The former cannot ease my grief,
The latter yields me full relief.
By law convinc'd of sinful breach,
By gospel grace I comfort reach:
The one my condemnation bears,
The other justifies and clears.
The law shews my arrears are great,
The gospel freely pays my debt:
The first does me the bankrupt curse,
The last does bless and fill my purse.
The law will not abate a mite,
The gospel all the sum will quite:
There God in threat'nings is array'd;
But here in promises display'd.
The law and gospel disagree.
Like Hagar, Sarah, bond and free:
The former's Hagar's servitude,
The latter Sarah's happy brood.
To Sinai black, and Zion fair.
The word does law and grace compare.
Their cursing and their blessing vie
With Ebal and Gerizzim high.
The law excludes not boasting vain,
But rather feeds it to my bane:
p. rr. THE believer's principles. 273
But gospel grace allows no boasts,
Save in the King, the Lord of" hosts.
The law still irritates my sin.
And hardens my proud heart therein;
But grace's melting power renc,ws,
And my corruption strong subdues.
The law with thunder, Sinai like.
Does always dread and terror speak,
The gospel makes a joyful noise,
And charms me with a still, calm voice.
The legal trumpet war proclaims.
In wrathful threats, and fire, and flames:
The gospel pipe, a peaceful sound.
Which spreads a kindly breath around.
The law is weak through sinful flesh,
The gospel brings recruits afresh;
l^he first a killing letter wear's.
The last a quick'nrng spirit bears.
The law that seeks perfection's height,
Yet gives no strength nor offers might;
But precious gospel tidings glad,
Declare where all is to be had.
From me alone the law does crave,
What grace aflirms in Christ 1 have:
When therefore law pursuits enthrall,
I send the law to grace for all.
The law bring-s terrors to molest,
The gospel gives the weary rest:
The one does flags of death display,
The other shews the living way.
The law by Mo^-es was exprest.
The glorious gospel came by Christ:
The first dim nature's light may trace.
The last is only known by grace.
The law may rouse me from my sloth
To faith and to repentance bolhi
274 GOSPEL SONNETS. PAET VI.
And though the law commandeth each
Yet neither of them can it teach,
Nor will accept for current coin
The duties which it does enjoin;
h seeks all, .but accepts no less
Than constant, perfect righteousness.
The gospel, on the other hand,
Although it issue no command,
But strictly view'd, does whole consist.
In promises and offers blest;
Yet does it many duties teach.
Which legal light could never reach:
Thus faith, repentance, and the like,
And fire that gospel engines strike.
They have acceptance here through grace,
The law affords them no such place:
Yet still they come through both their hands
Through gospel teaching, law commands.
The law's a house of bondage sore,
The gospel opes the prison door:
7'he first me hamper'd in its net,
The last at freedom kindly set.
The precept craves, the gospel gives;
While that me presses, this relieves;
And or affords the strength I lack,
Or takes the burden off my back.
The law requires on pain of death;
The gospel courts with loving breath:
W liile that conveys a deadly wound,
This makes me perfect, whole, and sound.
There viewing how diseas'd I am,
I here perceive the healing balm:
Alllicted there with sense of need,
But here refreshed with meet remede.
The law's a charge for what I owe;
The gospel my discharge to show:
CHAP. 11. THE believer's pkinciples. 275
Tlie one a scene of fear doth ope;
Tlie other is the door of hope.
An angry God the law reveal'd;
The gospel shows hitn reconcil'd:
l^y that I know he was displeas'd;
Bv this I see his wrath appeas'd.
The law thus shows the divine ire,
And notliing but consuming lire.
The gospel brings the olive branch,
And blood the burning fire to quench.
Tlie law still shows a fiery face;
The gospel shows a throne of grace:
There justice rides alone in state;
But here she takes the mercy seat.
IN SUM.
Lo! in the law Jehovah dwells,
But Jesus is conceal'd !
Whereas the gospel's nothing else
But Jesus Christ revcul'd.
Sect. hi. Tlie harmony betwixt the Law and the Gospel
The law 's a tutor mucli in vogue,
To gospel grace a pedagogue;
The gospel to the law no less
Than its full end for righteousness.
Wiien once the fiery law of God
Has chas'd me to the gospel road;
Then back unto the holy law
Most kindly gospel grace will draw.
When by the law to grace I'm srhool'ii;
Grace by the law will have me rul'd:
Hence, if I don't the law obey,
I cannot keep the gospel way.
When I the gospel news believe,
Obedience to the law I give:
276 GOSPEL SONNETS. PAKT VI.
And that both in its fed'ral dress,
And as a rule of holiness.
Lo! in my Head I render all
For which the fiery law can call;
His blood unto its fire was fuel,
His Spirit shapes me to its rule.
When law and gospel kindly meet,
To serve each other both unite:
Sweet promises, and stern commands,
Do work to one another's hands.
The divine law demands no less
Than human perfect righteousness;
The gospel gives it this and more,
Ev'n divine righteousness in store.
Whate'er the righteous law require,
The gospel grants its whole desire.
Are law commands exceeding broad?
So is the righteousness of God.
How great soe'er the legal charge,
The gospel payment's equal large:
No less by man the law can bray
When grace provides a God to pay.
The law makes gospel banquets sweet;
The gospel makes the law complete:
Law suits to grace's store house draw;
Grace decks and magnifies the law.
Both law and gospel close combinCj
To make each other's lustre shine:
The gospel all law breakers shames;
The law all gospel slighters damns.
The law is holy, just, and good;
All this the gospel seals with blood,
And clears the royal law's just dues
With dearly purchas'd revenues.
The law commands me to believe;
The gospel saving faith does give;
CHAP n. THE BEUEVKR^S PRINCIPUM. 877
The law enjoins me to repent;
The gospel gives my tears a vent.
What in the gospel mint is coinM,
The same is in the law enjoin*d;
Whatevei gospel tidings teach^
The law's authority cloth reach.
Here join the law and gospel hands.
What this me teaches t^at commands?
What virtuous forms the gospel please
The same the law doth authorize.
And thus the law commandment seals
Whatever gospel grace reveals:
The gospel also for my good
Seals all the law demands with blood.
The law most perfect still remains.
And evVy duty full contains:
The gospel its perfection speaks,
And therefore gives whate'er it seeks.
Next, what by law Vm bound unto.
The same the gospel makes me do:
What preeeptively that can crave.
This efft'ctively can engrave.
All, that by precepts Heav'n expects.
Free grace by promises effects:
To what the law by fear may move.
To thai the gospel leads by love.
To run, to work, the law commands;
Tl>e gospel gives me leet and hands:
The one requires that I obey;
The other does the power convey.
What in the law has duty's place.
The gospel changes to a grace:
Hence legal duties therein nam'd,
Are herein gospel graces fam'd.
The precept checks me when I stray;
The promise holds mc in the way:
That shows my folly when I roam,
And this most kindly brings me home.
24
279F GOSPEL SONNETS. PART Yt.
h^vf threats and precepts both, I see,
With gospel promises agree;
They to the gospel are a fence,
And it to them a maintenance.
The law will justify all those
Who with the gospel ransom close;
The gospel too approve for aye
All those that do the law obey.
The righteous law condemns each man,
That dare reject the gospel plan;
The holy gospel none will save,
On whom it won't the law engrave.
When Christ the tree of life I climb,
1 see both law and grace in him:
In him the law its end does gain;
In him the pioraise is Amen.
The law makes grace's pasture sweety
Grace makes the law ray sav'ry meat;
Yea, sweeter than the honey comb,
When grace and mercy bring it home-
The precepts of the law me show
What fruits of gratitude I owe;
But gospel grace begets the brood,
And moves me to the gratitude.
Law terrors pause the putrid sore;
And gospel grace applies the cure;
The one ploughs up the fallow ground.
The other sows the seed around.
A rigid master was the law,
Demanding brick, denying straw;
But when with gospel tongue it sings^
It bids me fly, and gives me wings.
Both law and gospel close unite,
Are seen with more solace,
Where truth and mercy kindly meet.
In fair Imraanuel's face.
CHAP. IT. THE believer's PBINCIPLEB. 1^79
Sect. iv. The proper Place and Station of tho Law an«| tkje
Gospel.
Note. — That in the four Ibllovi^injr paragraphs, as well as in tbft
three preceding- sections, by Law, is mostly understood the doc-
trine of the Covenant of Works; and by Gospel, the doctiioe of
the Covenant of Grace.
Paragraph i. The Place and Station of Law an^ Goept.i in
general.
When we the sacred record view,
Or divine Test'ments Old and New;
The matter in most ptiges fix'd
Is law and gospel inteimix'd.
Yet few, even in a learned age
Can so resolve the sacred page,
As to discern with equal eye,
Where law, where gospel sever'd lie.
One divine text with douhle clause
May speak the gospel's voice and law's;*
Hence men to blend them both are apt,
Should in one sentence both be wrapt.
But that we may the truth pursue,
And give both law and grace their due,
And God the glory there display'd;
The foU'wing rules will give us aid.
* Ex. gr. Lev. 20:7,8. Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye
holy: for I am the Lord your God. And ye shall keep my statutes,
and do thera: I am the Lord which sanctify you. 1 John 4:7.
Beloved, let us 1-ove one another: for love is of God; and every on*
that lovcth, is born of God, and knoweth God. Rom. 5:2L That
as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign throujrfa
righteousness unto eternal lile, by Jesus Christ our Lord. Chap.
6:23. For the wages of sin is death: but the gift of Gofl is eternal
life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Mark 16: L*), 16. And he said
unto them. Go ye into all the worlds and preach the gospel to every
creitture- He that belie veth and s baptized, shall be saved; but h«
that believeth not, shall be damned. John 3: 18. He that beli«v-
€th on him, is not condemned: but he that believeth n'oit, JB con-
demned already; because he hath not believed on tlie narac «f IIm:
only begotten Son of God, &.c.
.i^-
280 frOSPEL aOJfJTETS. VAUT Ifl.
Where'er in sacred writ we see
A word of grace or piomise free,
With blessings dropt for Jesus' sake;
We these for gospel news may take.
But where a precept strict we find
With promise to our doing join'd,
Or threal'ning with a wrathful frown;
This as the law we justly own.
PAaAORAPR. II. The Place and Station of the Law and Gospel in
particular: Where the difference is noted botwij;! the Gospe?
larg-ely viewed in its dispensation, and strictly in itseli; and be-
twixt the gospel and faith receiving it.
WocLDST thou distinctly know the sound
Of law and grace, then don't confound
The dispensation with the grace:
For these two have a distinct place.
The gospel thus dispens'd we see,
'Believe and thou shalt saved he;'
If not, thou shah be damn'd to helly
And in eternal torments dwell.
Here precepts in it are dispensM,
With threat'nings of damnation fcnc'rf;
The legal sanction here takes place,
That none may dare abuse free gnice*
Yet nor does that command of faith.
Nor this tremendous threat of wrath.
Belong to gospel strictly so;
But to its dispensation do.
The method of dispensing here.
Does law and gospel jointly bear;
Because the law's subservient
Unto the gos|)ers bless'd intent.
Precepts and threat'nings both make way;
The gospel blessings to convey;
Which differs much (though thus dispons'tl)
From laws and threats whereby 'tis feuc'd-
* Believe, and thou shalt saved be,'
Is gospel, but improperly;
'ik
CHAP It. THE believer's PRlNCrPtBg. 281
Yet safely men may call it thus,
Because 'tis so dispens'd to us.
But sure, the gospel news we sing
Must be some other glorious thing,
Than precepts to believe the same,
Whatever way we blend their name.
The gospel treasure's something more
Than means that do apply the store:
Believing is the method pav'd,
The gospel is the thing believ'd.
The precious thing is tidings sweet
Of Christ a Saviour most complete,
To save from sin, and death, and wiath;
Which tidings tend to gender faith.
Faith comes by hearing God's record
Concerning Jesus Christ the Lord,
And is the method Heav'n has blest
For bringing to the gospel rest.
The joyful sound is news of grace.
And life to Adam's guilty race.
Through Jesus' righteousness divine,
Which bright from faith to faith does shine,
The promise of immortal bliss
Is made to this full righteousness:
By this our right to life is bought;
Faith begs the right, but buys it not.
True faith receives the offer'd good,
And promise seal'd with precious blood;
It gives no title to the bliss,
But takes th' entitling righteousnesd,
This object great of saving faith,
And this alone the promise hath;
For 'tis not made to faith's poor act,
But is the prize that faith does take;
And only as it takes the same,
It bears a great and famous name;
For self, and all its grandeur, down
It throws, that Christ may wear the crowDr
But if new laws and threats were all
That gospel properly we call,
24*
282 GOSPEL SONNETS. paet vr.
Then were the precept to believe.
No better news than ' do and live.'
If then we won't distinguish here,
We cloud, but don't the gospel clear;
We blend it with the fiery law.
And all into confusion draw.
The law of works we introduce,
As if old merit were in use.
When man could life by doing win,
Ev'n though the work by grace were done.
Old Adam, in his ignorance,
Deriv'd his power of doing hence:
As all he could was wholly due;
So all the working strength he knew.
Was only from the grace of God,
Who with such favor did him load:
Yet was the promise to his act.
That he might merit by compact.
No merit but of paction could
Of men or angels e'er be told;
The God-man only was so high
To merit by condignity.
Were life now promis'd to our act,
Or to our works by paction tack'd;
Though God should his assistance grant,
'Tis still a doing covenant.
Though heav'n its helping grace should yield,
Yet merit's still upon the field;
We cast the name, yet still 'tis found
Diaclaim'd but with a verbal sound.
If one should borrow tools from you,
That he some famous work might do;
When once his work is well prepar'd.
He sure deserves his due reward;
Yea justly may he claim his due.
Although he borrow'd tools from you:
Ev'n thus the borrow'd strength of grace
Can't hinder merit to take place.
From whencesoe'er we borrow powers^
If life depend on works of ours;
CHAP. rr. THE believer's principles. 283
Or if we make the gospel thus
In any sort depend on us;
We give the law the gospel place,
Rewards of debt the room of grace;
We mix Heav'n's treasures with our trash,
And magnify corru})ted flesh.
The new and gospel covenant
No promise to our works will grant:
But to the doing of our Head,
And in him to each gospel deed.
To godliness, which is great gain,
Promise is said to appertain:
But know, lest you the gospel mar.
In whom it is we godly are.
To him and to his righteousness
Still primar'ly the promise is;
And not even to the gracious deed.
Save in and through the glorious Head.
Pray let us here observe the odds.
How law and grace take counter roads;
The law of works no promise spake
Unto the agent, but the act.
It primar'ly no promise made
Unto the person, but the deed;
Whate'er the doing person sh^.r'd,
'Twas for his deed he had reward.
The law of grace o'erturns the scale.
And makes the quite reverse prevail;
Its promise lights not on the deed,
But on the doing person's head;
Not for his doing, but for this.
Because in Christ his person is:
Which union to the living Prince,
His living works and deeds evince.
Good fruits have promise in this view,
As union to the Branch they shew;
To whom the promises pertain.
In him all yea, and all Amen.
Observe, pray: for if here we err.
And do not Christ alone prefer.
284 GOSPEL SONNETS. PART VI.
But think the promise partly stands
On our obeying new commands;
Til' old cov'nant place to woiks we give,
Or mingle grace with Do and Live;
We overcloud the gospel charms
And also bieak our working arms.
More honor to the law profess,
But giving more we give it less.
Its heavy yoke in vain we draw,
By turning gospel into law.
We rob grace of its joyful sound.
And bury Christ in Moses' ground:
At best we run a legal race
Upon the field of gospel grace.
Paragraph hi. The Gospel no new Law, but a joyful sound of
Grace and Mercy.
Law Precepts in a gospel mould,
We may as gospel doctrine hold;
But gospel calls in legal dress,
The joyful sound of grace suppress.
, Faith and repentance may be taught,
!A.nd yet no gospel tidings brought;
If as mere duties these we press.
And not as parts of promis'd bliss.
If only precepts we present,
Though urg'd with strongest argument,
We leave the wak'ned sinner's hope
In darkness of despair to grope.
The man whom legal precepts chase,
As yet estrang'd to sov'reign grace, i^
Mistaking evangelic charms.
As if they stood on legal terms.
Looks to himself, though dead in sin.
For grounds of faith and hope within;
Hence fears and fetters grow and swell,
Since nought's within but sin and hell.
But faith, that looks to promis'd grace.
Clean out of self the soul will chase,
To Christ for righteousness and strength,
And find the joyful rest at length.
CHAP. II. THE BELTEVEn's PRINCIPLES. 286
Proud flesh and blood will startle here,
And hardly such report can bear,
That Heav'n all saving store wiil give
To them that work not, but believe.
Yet not of works, but 'tis the race
Of faith, that it nriay be of grace;
For faith docs nothing but agree
To welcome thi? salvation free.
" Cotne <lown, Zaccheus, quickly come,
"Salvation's brought untoithy home;
"In vain thou climb'st the legal tree;
" Salvation freely comes to thee.
" Thou dreaui'st of coming up to terms;
" Come down into my saving arms;
" Down, down, and get a pardon free,
"On terms already wrought by me.
" Behold the blessings of my blood,
" Bouglit for thy everlasting good,
" And freely all to l)e convey'd
" Upon the price already paid. *^
" I know thou hast no good, and see
" I cannot stand on terms with thee,
"Whose fall has left thee nought to claim,
" Nor aught to boast but sin and shame."
The law of heavy hard commands
Confirms the weak'ned sinners bands:
But grace proclaims relieving news,
And scenes of matchless mercy shows.
No precept clogs the gospel call,
But wherein grace is all in all; *
No law is here but that of grace,
Which brings relief in ev'ry case.
The gospel is the |)ron)ise fair
Of grace, all ruins to re[)air,
And leaves no sinner room to say,
" Alas! this debt I cannot pay;
"This grievous yoke I cannot bear,
"This high deiiKuid I cannot clear."
Grace st0f)s the mouth of such complaints.
And store of full supply presents.
286 GOSPEL SONNETS. PART VI.
The glorious gospel is (in brief)
A sov'reign word of sweet relief;
Not clogg'd with cumbersome commands,
To bind the soul's receiving hands.
'Tis joyful news of sov'reign grace,
That reigns in state through righteousness,
To ransom from all threat'ning woes,
And answer all commanding do's;
This gospel comes with help indeed,
Adapted unto sinners' need:
These joyful news that suit their case
Are chariots of his drawing grace:
'Tis here the Spirit powerful rides.
The fountains of the deep divides;
The King of glory's splendor shows,
And wins the heart with welcome news.
Paragraph iv. The Gospel further described, as a bundle of
Good News and Gracious Promises.
The fiist grand promise forth did break
In threats against the tenipting snake:
So may the gospel in commands;
Yet nor in threats nor precepts stands:
But 'tis a doctrine of free grants
To sinners, that they may be saints:
A joyful sound of royal gifts,
To obviate unbelieving shifts:
A promise of divine supplies.
To work all gracious qualities
In tiiose who, pronest to rebel,
Are only qualiti'd for hell.
Courting vile sinners, ev'n the chief,
It leaves no cloak for unbelief;
But ev'n on gross Manasseh's calls,
On Mary Magdalen's and Saul's.
'Tis good news of a fountain ope
For sin and filth; a door of hope
For those that lie in blood and gore,
And of a salve for ev'ry sore.
Glud news of sight unto the blind;
Of light unto the darken'd mind;
\
CWAP. II. THE believer's PRINCIPLES. 287
Of healing to the deadly sick;
And mercy both to Jew and Greek.
Good news of goUi to poor that lack;
^ Of raiment to tlie naked back;
Of binding to tiie wounds that smart;
And rest unto the weary heart.
Glad news of freedom to the bound;
Of store all losses to refund;
Of endless life unto the dead;
And present help in time of need.
Good news of heav'n, where angels dwell,
To those that well deserved hell;
Of strength too weak, for work and war,
And access near to those afar-
Glad news of joy to those that weep,
And tender care of crip[)le shrep;
Of shelter to the soul pursu'd,
And cleansing to the hellish hu'd:
Of floods to sap the parched ground,
And streams to run tlie desert round;
Of ransom to the captive caught,
And harbor to the found'ring yacht:
Of timely aid to weaiy groans;
Of joy restor'd to broken bones;
Of grace divine to graceless preys,
And glory to the vile and base:
Of living water pure, that teems
On fainting souls refreshing streams;
' Of gen'rous wine to cheer the strong,
And milk to feed the tender young;
Of saving faith to faithless ones;
Of soft'ning grace to flinty stones;
Of pardon to a guilty crew.
And mercy free, where wrath was due.
Good news of welcome, kind to all
That come to Jesus at his call;
Yea, news of drawing power, when scant,
To those that fain would come, and can't.
Glad news of rich mysterious grace,
And mercy meeting ev'ry case;
28^ GOSPEL SONNETS.
Of store immense all voids to fill,
A'nd free to whomsoever will:
Of Christ exalted as a Prince,
Pardons to give and penitence;
Of grace o'ercoming stubborn wills,
And leaping over Bether hills.
Faith comes by hearing these reports;
Straight to the court of grace resorts,
And free of mercenary thought,
Gets royal bounty all for nought.
Faith's wing within the clammy sea
Of legal merit cannot fly.
But mounting mercy's air apace.
Soars in the element of grace.
But as free love the blessing gives
To him that works not, but believes;
So faith, once reaching its desire,
Works hard by love, but not for hire.
CHAPTER III.
YHE believer's principles CONCERNING JUSTIFICATIOK
AND SANCTIFICATION; THEIR DIFFERENCE AND HARMONY.
Skct. I. The difference between Justification and Sanctiflcationj
or righteousness imputed and grace imparted; in upwards of
thirty particulars,*
' Kind Jesus spent his life to spin
My robe of perfect righteousness;
But by his Spirit's work within
He forms my gracious holy dress.
* Note. TTiat (metri causa) Justification is here sometitAg cx-
pressed by the words imputed grace, justifying grace, rig^lfoas*
ness, &.C. Sanctijication by the names, imparted grace, grace, gra-
ces, holinoss, sanctity, &c.; which the judicious will easily under-
stand.
miAT. in. THB believkr's pniNwrLEs. 2Si*
lie as a priest me justifies,
His blood does roaring conscience still;
But as a King- he sanctifies.
And subjugates my stubborn will.
H^, justifying by his merit,
///(yw^es to 7?tc his riohtoousness;
But sanctiCyirig- by his Spirit,
Infuses in vie saving grace.
My justifying righteousness
Can merit by condignityj >
But nothing with my strong^t grace
Can be'deserv'd by naughty me.
This justifying favor sets ,
The guilt of all my sin remote j
But sanctifying grace deletes
The Jilth and blackness of its blot.
By virtue of this righteousness,
Sin can't condemn nor justly brand:
By virtue of infused grace,
■5 Anon it ceases to command.
The righteousness which I enjoy,
Sin's damning- power will wholly stay;
And grace im[>arted will destroy
Its ruling domineering sway.
The former is my Judge's act
Of condonation full and free:
The latter, hi:^ commenced fact.
And gradual work advanc'd in me.
The former's instantaneous,
The moment that 1 first believe:
The latter is, as Heav'n allows.
Progressive while on earth I live.
The first will peace to conscience give,
The last the filthy heart will cleanse;
The first effects a relative,
The last a real inward change.
The former j)ar(Zy/is every sin.
And conn's me righteous, free, and just;
The latter quiche ns grace within,
And mortifies my sin and lust.
25
^M ^SOSI-Et SONNETS.-
Imputed grace entitles me
Unto eternal happiness;
Imparted grace will qualify
That heav'nly kingdom to possess.
My litchteousness is infinite,
Both subjectively and in kind;
My holiness most incomplete,
And daily wavers like the wind.
Swlasting is my ovter dress.
It never wears nor waxes old;
My inner garb of grace decays
And fades, if Heav'n do not upliolcL
My righteousness and pardon is
At once most perfect and complete,'
But sanctity admils degrees,
i>oes vary, Hnctuate and fleet.
Heace fix'd, my righteousness divine
No real change can undergo;
But all my graces wax and wane,
By various turnings ebb and flow*
I'm by the first as righteous now
An e'er hereafter I can be:
The last will to perfection grow,
Keav'n only is the full degree.
7'he first is eqval, wholly given,
And slii^Mtihe same in ev'ry saint:
The last, unequal and unev'n,
Whilst some enjoy what others want.
My righteousness divme-iis fresh,
For ever pure and heav'nly both;
My sanctity is partly fesh.
And justly termVi a menstr''ous cloih,
' My rinhteousness { magnify,
'Tia my trium[)hani hjfty flag:
But pois'd with this, my sanctity
Is nothing but a filthy rag.
I glory in my righteousness,
And loud extoJ it with my tongue;
But all my grace compav'd with this,
1 underrate as loss and dung.
CHAP. III. THE BET.T»^^t;H's PSfNe-IPLBW. 5i9I
By justifving- grace, I'm apt
Of divine favor free to boast;
By holiness, I'tn partly shap'd
Into his imago I had lost.
The first to divine justice pays
A rent to still the furious storm;
The last, to divine holiness
Instructs mo duly to conform.
The first does quench the fiery law,
Its rioid cov''nant fully stay;
The last, its rule .embroider'd draw,
To deck my heart, and gild my way.
The subject of my righteousness
Is Christ himself my glorious Head;
But I the subject am of grace,
As he supplies my daily netd.
The matter of the former' too
Is only Clirist's obedience dear;
But lo, his helping me to do
Is all the work and matter here.
1 on my righteousness rely
For Hcav'n's acceptance free, and win;
But in this matter must deny
My grace, ev'n as I do my sin.
Though all my graces precious are,,
Yea, perfect also in desire;
They cannot stand before thj>- bar
Where awful justice is uppire:
But, in the robe thajp^jirist did spin,
They are of gr^Si and high request;
They have acceptance, wrapt within
My elder Brother's bloody vest.
My righteousness proclaims me great
And fair, ev'n in the sig-ht of Go+t;
But sanctity's my main offset
Betore the gazing world abroad.
More jusfify'd I cannot be
By all my most religious acts;
But these increase my sanctify,
Tliat's still atteaded with defects.
292 60STEL SOWJOtTS. PART VI.
My righfeoMsnoss Jhe safest ark
'Midst ev'ry threat'ning flood will be:
My graces but a leaking bark
Upon a stormy raging sea.
I see in justifying grace
God's love to me does ardent burn;
But by imparted holiness
I, grateful, love for love return.
My righteousness is that which draws
My thankful heart to this respect:
The former then is first the cause.
The latter is the sweet effect.
Christ is in justifying me.
By name. The Lord m^ righteousne^;
But, as he comes to sanctify.
The Lord my strength and help he i*..
In that I have the •patient''^ pjaee.
For there Jehovah's act is all;
But in the other, I'm through grace
x\n agent working at his call.
The first does slavish fear forbid.
For there his wrath revejjging ends'
The last commands my JiJial dread,
For Jiere paternal ire attends-
The former does annuJ my wo,
By God's judicial sentence ])ass'd;
Yhe latter m^j^kes my graces grow.
Faith, love, flwientance, and the rest..
The first does divine pard'ning love
Sf ost freely manifesPtil^; nie;
The last makes shinij^g graces, ,prove
Mine int'rest in tiie pardon liee.
My soui in justifying grace
Does full and free acceptance gain;
In sanctity I heav'nward pre-ss,
By sweet assistance I obtain.
The first declares Tm free of debt,,
Aiid nothing left for me to pa}-;
The last makes me a debtor yet.
But helps to pay it ev'ry day^
«HAP. III. THE believer's l>niNCIPLEl8. 29^
My righteousness, with wounds and blood,
Discharsr'd both iaw and justice' score;
Hence, with the debt of gratitude
I'll charge myself for evermore,
Sect. ii. The Harmony between Justification and Sanetifjcation,
He who me decks with righteousness.
With grace will also clothe;
For glorious Jesus came to bless
By blood and water both.
That in his righteousness I trust,
My sanctity will show;
Though graces cannot make me ju^i.
They show me to be so-
All those who, freely justifi'd,
Are of the pardon'd race,
Anon are also sanctifi'd
And purifi'd by grace.
Where justice stern docs justify.
There holiness is clear'd;
Heav'n's equity and sanctity
Can never be sever'd.
Hence, when mv soul with pardon deck\].
Perceives no divine ire,
Then holiness I do affect ^mnUlk-"^^**^
With passionate desire: ••
His justifying grace^ 4s such
As wafts my soul to heav'n:
1 cannot choose but love liitn muct),
Who much has me forgiven.
The sun of righteousness that brirjgs
Remission in his rays,
The healing, in his golden wings
Of light and heat, conveys.
Wherever Jesus is a Priest,
There will he be a King;
He that assoils from sin's arrest,
Won't tolerate its reign.
25*
294 GOSPEL SONNETS. TASiT TI.
The title of a precious grace
To faith may justly fall,
Because its open arms embrace
A precious Christ for all.
From precious faith a precious strife
Of precious virtues flow;
A precious heart, a precious lifo^
And precious duties too.
Wherever faith does justify,
It purifies the heart:
The pardon and the purity
Join hands and never part.
The happy state of pardon doth
An holy life infer:
In subjects capable of both
They never sunder'd were.
Yet in defence of truth must we
Distinctly view the twain;
That how they differ, how agree;:
We may in truth maintain.
Two natures in one person dwell.
Which no division know,
in our renown'd Immanuel,
Without confusion too.
Those that divide them grossly err,,
Though yet distinct ihey be:
Those who confvsion hence infer,
Imagine blasphemy.
Thus righteousness and grace we must
Nor sunder nor confountl;
Else holy peace to us is lost,
And sacred truth we wound.
While we their proper place maintain.
In friendship sweet they dwell;
But or to part or blend the twain.
Are errors hatch'd in hell.
To separate what God does join,
Is wicked and profane;
To mix and mutilate his coin.
Is damnable and vain»
CHAr. rvr niE kelikver's principles. 296
Though plain distinction must take place.
Yet no division here,
Nor dark confusion; else the grace
Of both will disappear.
Lo! errors gross on ev'ry side
Conspire to hurt and woundf
Antinomists do them divide.
And legalists confound.
C5HAPTER IV.
THE believer's PRINCIPLES CONCERNING FAITH ANP
SENSE.
1. Of Faith and Sense Natural,
2. Of Faith and Sense Spiritual.
3. The Harmony and Discord between Faith and Sense.
4. The Valor and Victories of Faith.
5. The Heights and Depths of Sense.
6. Faitli and Frames compared; or, Faith building upon Sense
discovered.
Sect. I. Faith and Sense Natural, compared and distinguished.
When Abram's body, Sarah's womb,
Were ripe for nothing but the tomb,
E.\ceeding old, and wholly dead,
Unlike to bear the promis'd seedj
Faith said, / shall an Isaac see:
No, no, said sense, it cannot be:
Blind reason, to augment the strife,
Adds, How can death engender life?
My heart is like a rotten tomb.
More dead than ever Sarah's womb;
O! can the promis'd seed of grace
Spring forth from such a barren place?
Sense gazing but on flinty rocks,
My hope and expectation chokes:
But could I, skili'd in Abram's art,
O'erlook my dead and barren heart;
296 GOSPEL SONNETS. PAHT VI.
And build my hope on nothing less
Than divine power and faithfulness;
Soon would I find him raise up sons
To Abram, out of stocks and stones.
Faith acts as busy boatmen do,
Who backward look and forward row;
It looks intent to things unseen,
Thinks objects visible too mean.
Sense thinks it madness thus to steer,
And only trusts its eye and ear;
Into faith's boat dare thrust its oar,
And put it further from the shore.
Faith does alone the promise eye;
Sense won't believe unless it see;
Nor can it trust the divine guide,
Unless it have both wind and tide.
Faith thinks the promise sure and good;
Sense doth depend on likelihood;
Faith ev'n in storms believes the seers;
Sense calls all men, even prophets, liars.
Faith uses means, but rests on none;
Sense fails when outward means are gone,
Trusts more on probabilities,
Than all the divine promises.
It i'ests u{)on the rusty beam
Of outward things that hopeful seem;
Let these its ymport sink or cease,
No promise then*can yield it peace.
True faith, that's of <*^kvi'ie brood,
Consults not base witlin^fe and blood;
But carnal sense, which ever errs.
With carnal reason still confers.
What! won't my disciples believe .-.
That I am risen from the grave?
Why will they pore on dust and death,
And overlook my quick'ning breath?
Why do they slight the word I spake?
And rather sorry counsel take
With death, and with a powerful grave,
l( they their captive can relieve?
CiHAP. IV. THE BETIEVER's PRINCIPLES. 207
Sense does inquire if tombs of clay
Can send their guests alive away;
But faith will hear Jehovah's word,
Of life and death the sov'reign Lord.
Should 1 give ear to rotten dust,
Or to the tombs confine my trust;
No resurrection can f see;
For dust that Hies into mine eye.
What! Thomas, can't thou trust so much
To me, as to tliy sight and touch?
Won't thou believe till sense be guide,
And thrust its hand into my side?
Wiiere is thy faith, if it depends
On nothing but thy finger-ends?
But blcss'd are they the truth who feel
By faith, yet neither see nor feel.
;<f:; r. ii. Faith and Sense Spiritual, compared and distingnisliecf.
Whoro also the Difference between (Jic Assurance of Faith, aud
the Assurance of Sense.
The ceitainty of faith and sense
Wide difler in experience;
Faith builds upon. Thus saitJi the Lord:
Sense views his vwrk, and not his wordo.
God's word without is faith's resort,
Ilis work tritMn doth sense support.
By faith w"e trust him without pawns,
By sense we handle with our hands.
By faith the word^^^, truth's rcceiv'd.
By sense we luioW we have belie v'd.
Faith's certain hy fdvcial acts.
Sense by its evidential facts.
Faijito credits the divine report,
SenW to his breathings makes resort:
That on his woi-d of grace will hang'.
This on his Spirit ivitnessing.
By faith I take the Lord for mine,
By sense I feel his love divine:
By that I touch his garment hem.
By this firid virtue thence to stream*
29S GOSPEL SONNETS. Pj
By faith I have mine all on hand,
By sense I have some stock in hand:
By that some vision is be^un,
By this 1 some f 7' uit ion win.
My faith can fend ev'n in exile,
Sense cannot live without a smile.
By faith I to his promise fly,
By sense I in his bosom lie.
Faith buil«is upon the truth of God,
That lies within the promise broad;
But sense upon the truth of grace
His hand within my heart did place.
Thus Christ's the object faith will eye,
And faith's the oiiject sense rnaj see:
Faith keeps the truth of God in view.
While sense the truth of faith may shew.
Hence faith's assurance firm can stand,
When sense's in the deep tnay strand:
And faith's persuasion full prevail,
Wht n comfortable sense may fail.
I am assur'd when faith's in act,
Thoujrh sense and feeling both I lack:
And thus mysterious is my lot,
I'm oft assur'd when 1 am not;
Oft piere'd with racking- doubts and fears
Yet faith these brisinbles never bears;
But unbelief that < uts my breath.
And sto|)s the languiioo of my faith.
Clamors of urd)eliev ingji^ars,
So frequcntlv disturb mine ears,
I cannot iiear what faith would say,
Till once the noisy clamors stay.
And then will fresh experience find, '^
When faith gets leave to speak its mind,
The native language whereof is,
My Lord, is mine, and I am his.
Sad doubtings compass me about.
Yet faith itself could never doubt;
For, as the sacred volume saith,
Much doubting argues little faith.
^'
•HAp, IV. THE BELIEVER ri PKINCIPLES. o^jj
Tlie doubts and feiirs that work my grief,
Flow not from faith l)ul unbelief;
For faith, whene'er it acteth, cures
The plague of doubts, and ine assures:
But when mine eye of faith's asleep,
I dream of drowning in the deep:
But as befals the sleeping eye,
'I'hough sight remain, in cannot ^ee;
The seeing faculty abides,
Though sleep from active seeing hides:
So faith's alluring powers endure
Ev'n when is ceases to assure.
There's still persuasion in my faith,
Ev'n when I'm fill'd with fears of wrath;
The trusting habit still remains,
Though slumbers hold the act in chains.
TW assuring faculty it keej)s,
Ev'n when its eye in darkness sleeps,
Wrapt up in doubts; but when it wakes,
It rouses up assuring acts.
Sect. hi. The harmony and discord between Faith and Sen^e;
how they lielp, and how they laar each other.
Though gallant faith can keep the field,
When cow'rdly sense will fly or yield;
Yet while I view their usual, path,
Sense often stands and falls with faith.
Faith ushers in sweet peace and joy,
Which further hearfehs faith's employ:
Faith like the head, and sense the heart,
Do nujtual vigor fresh impart.
When lively faith and feeling sweet,
Like dearest darlings, kindly meet,
They straight each other help and hug
In loving friendship close and snug.
Faith gives to, sense both life and breath,
And sense gives joy and strength to faith;
"O now," says faith, " how fond do 1
" In sense's glowing bosom liel"
GOSPEX SONNETS. PAHT V I.
Their mutual kindness then is such,
That oft they doating too too much,
Embrace each other out of breath;
As ^sop hugg'd his child to death.
Faith leaping- into sense's arms,
Ailur'd with her bewitching charms,
In hugging these, lets rashly slip
The prop^ object of its gripe.
Which being lost, behold the thrall !
Anon faith loses sense and all;
Thus unawares cuts sense's breath,
While sense trips up the heels of faith.
Her charms assuming Jesus' place,
While faith's lull'd in her soft embrace;
Lo! soon in dying pleasures wrapt,
Its living joy away is snapt.
Sect. vi. Tlie valor and victories of Faith.
By faith T unseen Being see
Forth lower beings call,
And say to nothing. Let it be,
And nothing hatches all.
By faith 1 know the worlds were made
By God's great word of might;
IIow soon, Let there be light, he said,
That moment there was light.
By faith I soar and force my flight.
Through all the clouds of sense;
I see the glories out of sight,
With brightest evidence.
By faith I mount the azure sky.
And from the lofty sphere, ^
The earth a little mote espy, j,
Unworthy of my care. ,
By faith I see the unseen things, ^)
Hid from all mortal eyes;
Proud reason stretching all its w^ings, J
Beneath me flutt'ring lies.
By faith I build my lasting hope \
On righteousness divine; %
CHAP. IV, THE believer's PRINCIPLES. 301
Nor can I sink with such a prop,
Whatever storms combine.
By faith my works, my righteousness,
And duties all I own
But loss and dung; and lay my stress
On what my Lord has done.
By faith I overcome the world,
And all its hurtful charms; |^
I'm in the heav'nly chariot hurl'd '"
Thiough all opposing harms.
By faith 1 have a conqu'ring power
To tread upon my foes,
To triumph in a dying hour,
And banish all my woes.
By faith in midst of wrongs I'm riglit,
In sad decays I thrive;
In weakness I am strong in might,
In death I am alive.
By faith I stand when deep I fall,
In darkness I have light;
Nor dare I doubt and question all
When all is out of sight.
By faith I trust a pardon free.
Which puzzles flesh and blood;
To think that God can justify,
Where yet he sees no good.
By faith I keep my Lord's commands,
To verify my trust;
I purify my heart and hands,
And mortify my lust.
By faith my melting soul repents,
When pierced Christ appears;
M_v heart in grateful praises vents.
Mine eyes in joyful tears.
By faith I can the mountains vast
Of sin and guilt remove;
And them into the ocean cast,
The sea of blood and love.
By faith I see Jehovah high
Upon a throne of grace;
26
302 GOSPEL S0NNET8. TART VI.
I see him lay his vengeance by,
And smile in Jesus' face.
By faith I hope to see the Sun^
The light of grace that lent,
His everlasting circles run,
In glory's firmament.
By faith I'm more than conqueror^
Ev'n thqjjigh I nothing can.
Because lis^t Jehovah's powder
Before me in the van.
By faith I counter-plot my foes.
Nor need their ambush fear;
Because my life-guard also goes
Behind me in the rear.
By faith I walk, I run, I fly,
By faith I suffer thrall;
By faith I'ni fit to live and die.
By faith I can do all.
Swrr. V. The Heights and Depths of Sense.
Whem Heav'n me grants, at certain times,
Amidst a powerful gale,
Sweet liberty to moan my crimes,
And wand'rings to bewail;
Then do I dream my sinful brood,
Drown'd in the ocean main
Of chrystul tears and crimson blood,
Will never live again.
I get my foes beneath my feet,
I bruise the serpent's head;
I hope tije vict'ry is complete,
And all my lusts are dead.
How gladly do I think and say,
When thus it is with me.
Sin to my sense is clean away,
And so shall ever be.
But ah! alas! th' ensuing hour
My lusts arise and swell.
They rage and reinforce their power,,
With new recruits from bell.
>«RAP. IV. THB BELI]EVER's PRINCIPLES. 303
Tho' I resolv'd and swore, through grace.
In very solemn terms,
1 never should my lusts embrace.
Nor yield unto their charms;
Yet such deceitful friends they are,
While 1 no danger dream,
I'm snar'd before I am aware,
And hurry'd down the stream.',
Into the gulph of sin anon,
I'm plunged head and ears;
Grace to my sense is wholly gone,
And I am cliain'd in fears;
Till straight my Lord with sweet aurprigc
Returns to loose my bands,
With kind compassion in his eyea.
And pardon in his hands:
Yet thus my life is nothing else
But heav'n and hell by turns;
My soul, that now in Goshen dwells,
AnoD in Egypt mourns.
Rect- n. Faith and Frames compared: or, Faith building vpon
Sense discovered.
Faith has for its foundation broad
A stable rock on which I stand,
The truth and faithfulness of God;
All other grounds are sinking sand.
My frames and feelings ebb and flow;
And when my faith depends on them,
It fleets and staggers to and fro,
And dies amidst the dying frame.
That faith is surely most unstay'd,
Its stagg'ring can't be counted strange.
That builds its hope of lasting aid
On things that every moment change-
,^ But could my faith lay all its load
On Jesus' everlasting name
Upon the righteousness of God,
And divine truth that's still the same:
S04 GOSPEL SONNETS. PAKT VI.
Could I believe what God has spoke,
Rely on his unchanging love,
And cease to grasp at fleeting smoke,
No changes would my mountain move.
But when, how soon the frame's away,
And comfortable feelings fail;
So soon my faith falls in decay,
And unbelieving doubts prevail:
This proves the charge of latent vice,
And plain my faith's defects may show
I build the house on thavviilg ice.
That tumbles with a melting snow.
When divine smiles in sight appear,
And I enjoy the heav'niy gale;
When wind and tide and all is fair,
I dream my f;iith shall never fail;
My heart will false conclusions draw,
Th;it strong my mountain shall reinaiD,
That in my faith there is no flaw,
I'll never luM'er doubt again.
I think the only rest I take,
Ts God's unfading word and name;
And fancy not my faith so weak,
As e'er to trust a fading frame.
But, ah! by sudden turns I see
My lying heart's fallacious guilt,
And that my faith, not firm in me.
On sinking sand was partly built:
For, lof when warming beams are gone.
And shadows fall; alas! 'tis odd,
I cannot wait the rising Sun,
I cannot trust a hiding God:
So much my faith's assistance seems
Its life from fading joys to bring,
That when I lose the dying streams, "*
I cannot trust the living spring.
When drops of comfort quickly diy'dy
And sensible enjoyments fail: f
When cheering apples are deny'd
Then doubts, instead of faith, prevaiL
otijLP IV. THE believer's frinoiples. 305
But why, thougli fruit ho snatch'd fiom ine,
Should I distrust the glorious Root;
And still affront the standing Tree,
By trusting more to falling fruit? v.
The smallest trials may evince
My faith unfit to stand the shock,
That more depends on fleeting sense,
Than on the fix'd eternal Rock.
The safest ark, when floods arise, .
Is stable truth that changes not:'
How weak's my faith, that more relies
On feeble sense's floating boat!
For when the fleeting frame is gone,
I straight my state in question call;
I droop and sink in deeps anon,
As if my frame were all in all.
But though I miss the pleasing gale,
And Heav'n withdraw the charming glance,
Unless Jehovah's oath can fail.
My faith may keep it countenance.
The frame of nature shall decay.
Time changes break her rusty chains;
Yea, heav'n and earth shall pass away;
But faith's foundation firm remains.
Heav'n's promises so fix'dly stand,
Engrav'd with an immortal pc n^
In great ImmamteV s mighty h^^fr^"^
All hell's, attempts to razJ^TO^vain
Did faith with none but triitn advise.
My steady soul would move no more,
Than stabla^iiils when tempests rise,
Or solkr'rocks when billows roar,
my faith the counsel hears
present sense and reason blind,
/av'ring spirit then appears
feather toss'd with ev'ry wind.
Je legs of faith unequal crook:
Thus mine, alas! uneven stand,
Slse 1 would trust my stable Rock,
Not fading fiames and feeble sand.
26*
SQ6 GOSPEL SONNETS. PAET Vl»
I would, when dying comforts fly,
As much as when they present were,
Upon my living joy rely,
Help, Lord, for here I daily err.
CHAPTER V.
THE believek's principles concekning heaven and
EARTH.
Sect. i. The Woi-k and Contention of Heaven.
In heav'nly choirs a question rose,
That stirr'd up strife will never close.
What rank of all the ransorn'ri 'Pce
Owes highest praise to sov'reign grace?
Babes thither caught from womb and breast,
Claim'd right to sing above the rest;
Because they found the happy shore
They never saw nor sought before.
Those that arive at riper age
Before they left the dusky stage,
Thought grace deserv'd yet higher praise.
That wash'd the blots of num'rous days.
Anoo*fhe" wlttt more close began,
What praising narp should lead the van?
And which of grace's heav'nly peers
Was deepest run in her airears?
" 'Tis I, (said one,) 'bove all my. race,
" Am debtor chief lo glorious grace."
"Nay, (said another,) hark, I trow, "'
" I'm more obiig'd to grace than you.
" Stay, (said a third,) I deepest chare
"In owing praise beyond compare:
" The chief of sinners, you'll allow,
" Must be the chief of singers now.'*
" Hold, (said a fourth,) I here protest
" My praises must outvie the best;
caiAP. V. THE believer's principles. 307
" For I'm of all the human race
" The highest miracle of grace."
" Stop, (said a fifth,) these notes forbear,
" Lo, I'm tlie greatest wonder here;
" For I of all the race that fell,
" Desorv'd the lowest place in hell."
A soul that higher yet aspir'd,
With equal love to Jesus fir'd,
" 'Tis mine to sing the highest notes
"To love, that wash'd the foulest blots."
"Ho, (ery'd a mate,) 'tis mine I'll prove,
" Who sinn'd in spite of light and love,
" To sound his praise with loudest bell,
" That sav'd me from the lowest hell.
" Come, come, (said one,) I'll hold the plea,
"That highest praise is due to me:
" For mine, of all the sav'd by grace,
"Was the most dreadful, desp'rate case.'*
Another rising at his side.
As. fond of praise, and free of pride,
Cry'd, " Pray give place, for I defy,
" That you should owe more praise than I:
"I'll yield to none in this debate;
" I'm run so deep in grace's debt,
" That sure I am, I boldly can
" Compare with all the heav'nly clan."
Quick o'er their heads a trurrympin^e,
" Your songs my very hegit" nave spokej?
" But ev'ry note you heife propale,
" Belongs to me beyond you all."
The list'iiing i^lTions round about
With sweet resentment loudly shout;
" W liat voice is this, comparing notes,
~^hat to their song chief place allots?
e can't allow of such a sound,
hat you alone have highest ground
'p sing the poyaltics of. grace;
e claim the. same adoring place."
at! will no rival singer yield
e has a match upon the field?
^
SOS eOSPET. SONNETS. 1
"Come, then, and let us all agree
"To praise upon the highest key."
Then jointly all the harpers round
In mind unite with soieinn sound.
And strokes upon the highest string,
Made all the heav'nly arches ring:
Ring loud with hallelujahs high,
To him that sent his Son to die;
And to the worthy Lamh of God,
That lov'd and rimsWd them in his blood.
Free grace was sov'reign empress crown'd
In pomp, with joyful shouts around;
Assisting angels clapp'd their wings.
And sounded grace on all their strings.
The emulation round the throne
Made prostrate hosts (who ev'ry one
The humblest place their right avow)
Strive who should give the lowest bow.
The. next contention without vice
Among the birds of paradise,
Made every glorious warbling throat
Strive who should raise the highest note.
Thus in sweet holy humble strife,
Along their endless, joyful life,
Of Jesus all the harpers rove.
And sing the wonders of his love.
Their jjBfcli^aakc.-; them all unite
In raptures n- ' < lely sweet
So great the : j.:^\ ornvp the base.
Melodious music fills ^ -u ,.i ^.
Sect u. Eartli despicable, Heaven ' i,_ :.
There's nothing round the spacious ea
To suit niy vast desires;
To more refin'd and solid mirth
My boundless thought aspires.
Fain would I leave this mournful place/?
This music duJl, where none 'Ijfc
But heavy notes have any grace, W
And mirth accents the moan.
./
CHA¥. V. THE EELIEVER's PRINCIPLES. 309
Where troubles tread upon reliefs,
New woes with older blond;
When rolling storms and circling griefs
Run round without an end;
Where waters wrestling with the stones,
Do tight themselves to foam,
And hollow clouds with thund'ring groans
Discharge their pregnant womb:
Where eagles mounting meet with rubs
That dash them from tJie sky:
And cedars shrinking into shrubs,
In ruin prostrate lie:
W^here sin, the author of turmoils,
The cause of death and hell,
TJie one thing foul that all things foils,
Does most befriended dwell.
The purchaser of night and wo,
The forfeiture of day.
The debt that ev'ry man did owe,
But only God could pay.
Bewitched ill, endorsed with hope,
Subscribed with despair:
Ugly in death when eyes are ope,
Though life may paint it fair.
Small wonder that I droop alone
In such a doleful place:
\Vhen lo, my dearest friend is gone
My Father hides his face.
And though in words I seem to show
The fawning poet's style.
Yet is my pla>nt no feigoed wo;
I languish in exile.
I long to share the happiness
Of that triumphant llirong,
That swim ia seas of boundless bliss
Eternity along.
When but in drops here by the way
*!'' Free love distils itself,
1 pour contempt on hil s of prey.
And heaps of worldly pelf.
310 GOSPEL SONNETS. PART Y».
To be amidst my little joys,
Thrones, sceptres, crowns, and kings,
Are nothing else but little toys,
And despicable things.
Down with disdain earth's pomp I thrust,
Bid tempting wealth away:
Heaven is not made of yellow dusty
Nor bliss of glitfring clay.
Sweet was the hour I freedom felt
To call my Jesus mine;
To see his smiling face, and melt
In pleasures all divine.
Let fools an heav''n of shades pursue,
But I for substance am:
The heaven I seek is likeness to
And vision of the Lamb:
The worthy Lamb with glory crown'd
In his august abode;
Enthron'd sublime, and deck'd around
With all the pomp of God.
I long to join the saints above.
Who, crown'd with glorious bays.
Through radiant files of angels move,
And rival them in -praise:
In praise to JAH, the God of love,
The fair incarnate Son,
The holy co-eternal Dove,
The good, the great Three-one.
In hope to sing without a sob
The anthem ever new,
I gladly bid the dusty globe.
And vain delights, Adieu.
SMOKING SPIRITUAIIZED. 811
The following Poem, the second part of which was wrote by Mr.
Erskine, is liere inserted, as a proper subject of Meditation tp
Smokers of Tobacco.
SMOKING SPIRITUALIZED.
IN TWO PARTS.
The first Part being an old Meditation upon Smoking Tobaciio; the
second a new addition to it, or Improvement of it
PART I.
This Indian weed now wither'd quite,
Though green at noon, cut down at night.
Shows thy decay;
All flesh is hay.
Thus think, and smoke tobacco.
The pipe, so lily like and weak,
Does thus thy mortal state bespeak.
Thou art e'en such,
Gone with a touch.
Thus think, and smoke tobacco.
And when the smoke ascends on high,
Then thou behold'st the vanity
Of worldly stuft;
Gone with a puff.
Thus think, and smoke tobacco.
And when the pipe grows foul within^
Think on thy soul defil'd with sin;
For then the fire
It does require.
Thus think, and smoke tobacco.
And seest the ashes cast away;
Then to thyself thou mayest say,
That to the dust
■_ Return thou must.
Thus think, and smoke tobacco.
312 SMOKING SPIRITUALIZED.
PART II.
Was this small plant for thee cut down''
So was the Plant of Great Renown;
Which mercy sends
For nobler ends.
Thus think, and smoke tobacco.
Doth juice medicinal proceed
From such a naughty foreign weed?
Then, what's the power
Of Jesse's flower?
Thus think, and smoke tobacco.
The promise, like the pipe, inlays,
And by the mouth of faith conveys
What virtue flows
From Sharon's Rose.
Thus think, and smoke tobacco.
In vain th' unlighted pipe you blow;
Your pains in outward means are so,
Till heav'nly fire
Your hearts inspire. *
Thus think, and smoke tobacco.
The smoke, like burning incense, towers:
So should a praying heart of yours
With ardent cries
Surmount the skies.
Thue think, and smoke tobacco -
FINIS,
r
'7^t^^
,y
'%
*4lSt.
1205 03059 0580
UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY
A A
001 426 609
Restoring and I^ki skrvlng the Sirtit -
friend who hnd read the followins; valuab'e item ..
information but who had forrrotten which v/sy
"io rub his eyes," for loss of sight by age, request* d
H9 yesterday to rc-publiah th'e process. It is as f^l-
■F,r 7iear Sigkteflnefii — Close the M^es and pr^'s s
the linjfers gently from the nose outw^I, nc.-n s th c
eyes. This flattens ihe pupil and thus Ifn.-'hp.n s
or extends tiie angle of -viMon. This should be
done several times a day, till short sightddncss 1 3
overcome. •
For loss of sight by age, such es requires m-^eni-
fying; glasses, pass the finders, or towel from the
outer corner or the eyes inwardly above nnd be- ■
low the cve'>alls, pressiniT gently against thani. —
This rounos them up, and preserve? or restores tha '
sight. ' •
It has been already said that this is nothing new.
The venerable J'>hn Quincy Adam<3 preserved his
nthtin this way, in iuli vi^or, tr, the day of his
ieaih. He told Lawyer Ford, of L'ti^cpster, who
wore glasses, that if he uonid mf<:tip;48tft hiseyfs
>A'ith his fineers, fmm their exfen;al ang^e inward-
'v he would soon be able to di-p.-jise v/ith gif^fses.
Ford tried it, and fccn restored bis sight per'ec !y,
'tnd has &ince preserved it by the continuance of thU
practice.
((w-
%l
\.