THORNTON & Sc Booksellers, ii The Broai Oxford. Divine Mifcellanies ; OR, SACRED POEMS. IN TWO PARTS. PART I. Sacred to Chriftian Devotion and Piety, CONSISTING OF HYMNS and DIVINE MEDITATIONS, Upon various Subjects and Occafions Cfciefly from tbe A U T H O R's own Experience. PART II. Sacred to pra&ical Virtue and Holinef?, Containing three EPISTLES. I. A pradical PARAPHRASE on the TEN COMMANDMENTS. Humbly addrefs'd to the Church of England, upon their excellent Order of Reading them. II. The CHRISTIAN WARFA RE ; Or, a ferious Exhortation to Virtue and Piety : Humblf addrefs'd to the Proteftant DilTcaters. III. The Divine Original and primitive Beauty of CHRISTIANITY. Set forth in the Birth, Life, Sufferings, Drath, Refcrreftion and Afcenfion of our LORD and SAVIOUR J E S U* S CHRIST-, And the Life and Conduct of his APOSTLES : Humbly addrefs'd to all ProfeiTors of Chriftianity, for their holy Imitation. Written in plain and eafy Language, For the Delight'and Improvement of all Lovers of DIVINE POETRY; By J A M E S M A X \Y E L L. COLL. iii. 1 6. Teaching and admonishing one another in Pfalms and Hymns, and f pi ritual Songs, finging with Grace ia. yaur Hearts to tlte Lord. BIRMINGHAM: Printed for the AUTHOR, by T. WARREN, jun. MDCCLVl. O F T H E Subfcribers Names. 0060090* H & Rev - Mr - William Adam, ){( )& Bed-worth. Dr. Thomas Afprey, Olney. r - Thomas JEton, Mr. John Andrews, Market-Harburough. Mr. Jofeph Auftin, Ki elder minfter 2 Book?. Mrs. Mary Avarill, Broadway. Mr. Simon Anfel, 'Ditto. Mr. Thomas Afhwin, Compton-Scorpion. B The Rev. Mr. Mofes Browne, Vicar of 0/ &affo 2 Books. The Rev. Mr. Brabant, Slortjbm. The Rev. Mr. Brown, Kettering. Mr. John Barnfly:, Cberingsoortk. Mifs Barnfly. A 2 SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. Mr. Nathaniel Barber, Walfal. Mr. Thomas Earner, Nottingham. Mr. Thomas Baldwin, Barchtjlon. Mr. William Baylifs, Gutting. Mrs. Elizabeth Baylifs. Mr. Robert Baylis, Farmcott. Mr. Richard Bailey, Stow. Mr. Robert Baskervile, Warwick. Mr. Richard Beal, Hooknorton. Mr. Samuel Becker, Greet. Mr. Michael Billings, Hinklty, 2 Books. Mr. John Bezely, Stratford-upon~Avw. Mr. William Brooks, Straton. Mr. John Braccy, ZHtcbford. Mr. George Boyce, Halford. Mr. John Brown, Birmingham, Mr. Bridge, Tfafcttftfrff. Mr. Benjamin Busby, Morton-in-marjh. c The Right Honourable Lady Clinton, 2 Books. Mis. Chapman, Market-Harborough. Mr. John Clandge, }\in. Tottenham Mr. Benjamin Claridge, Wbicbford. Mr Joftph Clark, Dudley. Mr. John Clark, Longborough. Mr. JofepHCotrerell, fen.Walfat. Mr. Jofeph Corterell, jun. Mrs. Collins, Warwick. Mr. Thomas Cornmel, Watford. Mr. Thomas Collett, 'Toddtnbam. Mr John Collctt, SUBSCRIBERS NAMES Mr. Thomas Cox, Mderbury. Mr. Jofeph Cooper, Eve/bam. D Henry Dowler, Efq. The Rev. Mr. Davis, Fairfor^ Mr. George Davis, Birmingham. Mr. Thomas Dawfon, Cirencefter. Mr. William Douglas, Worcefter, 14 Books. Mr. John Dobfon. Mr. Benjamin Drantot, Northampton Mr. James Dixon, 'Pebworth. Mr. Francis Dunn, Kidderminfter. E The Rev. Mr. Edge, Stourbrifye. The Rev. Mr. Evans, Fox fox, 3 Books. Mr. John Ebfworth, Whitinton. Mr. Thomas Edwardly, iVeftbrom-ivifh. Mr. Adam Euait, KiMerminfter, z Books^ F William Fauquire, Efq. The Rev. Mr. Fawcett, KidJerminJler. Mr. John Freeman, Littterwortb. Mr. Edward Freeman, Sffsford, Mr. John Faulks, Afton-magna. Mrs. Sarah Franklin, "Ditto. Mrs. Elenor Fletcher, Sroadmafton. G The Rev. Mr. Graham, Tewkesbury. The Rev. Mr. Grant, Wellingborough. Mr. Jofeph Garrat, .Attleborough. Mr. Thomas Gafcogne, Blockfojn. A 3- SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. Mr. Samuel Gauding, Walfal. Mr. Richard George. Witifey Mrs. Gaffe, Heoknortoi. Mr. William Gaffe, ftitto. Mr. Heniy Gillet, Sftsford Mr. John Gill, Birmingham Mr. Francis Grove, Hitcott Mr. Piercy Grove, jun. Mr. Hugh Gutrie H The Rev. George Hampton, A. M. The Rev. James Hervey, A.. M. The Rev. Mr. Hamfon, Nottingham The Rev- Mr. John Heywood, 'Porttrfpery M r . H arx is, Husbands- S of worth Mr. John Hall, Wigging on Mr. John Hall, Hooknorron Mr$. Elizabeth, Haycock, Wedensbury Mrs. Mary Haywaid, Bourton on the Hill Mrs. Ann Harvey, Cafiomb Mr. Benjamin Hand*, Warwick. Mr. John Hand, Birmingham Mr. Thomas Hardyman, CampJea Mr. William Halford, Stefnel Mr. John Hawks, Kidderminfttr Mr. Jofeph Habbis, Slower bridge Mrs Mary Hefter, Little few Mrs. Mary Hiberdine of Swarford, z Books Mrs. Hannah Hill, Lutterivortb Mr. Thomas Hill, Kiddermintter Mr. Juram Hidfon, I SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. Mrs. Edith Hiron, Cafiomb Mr. Charles Hook, Fairford Mr. James Horton, Birmingham Mr. James Horfeman, Sfoiv Mr. William Holloway Mr. Abel Humphreys, Birmingham Mr. William Huckell, Blockfom Mr. Samuel Huckvale, Overnorton Mr. Jonathan Hulls, CamfJen Mr. William Hu\l,Olney J The Rev. Mr. Johnfon, Cirencefter The Rev. Mr. Jenkins, Brom/grove The Rev. Mr. David Jones, Walfal Mr. John Jackfon, Lend-on Mrs. Johnfon, Kidderminfter Mr. Stephen Jarret, Cberington Mr. Samuel Johnfon, Cirencejter t 6 Books K The Rjev. Mr. King, Wclford Mr. John Kenady, Kidder mi after Mr. Thomas Kendal, Birmingham Mr. Edward Kettley, 2)ttto Mrs. Elizabeth Kettle, Sbiffton Mr. Jofeph King, Attleburough Mr. John Kilpack, Sbipfton. L Mr. Michael Lakins, Birmingham Mr. John Latham, 2)itto Mr. Benjamin Lane, 'Ditto Mrs. Ann Lea, Wimflon A3 SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. Mr. Jofeph Lomas, London Mr. Samuel Lomas, Nottingham Mr. \YiJliam Lowe, 'Ditto Mr. NYilliam Logan, 7 Books M The Honourable Mrs. 12 Books Mr. Abraham Madock, 2 Books Mr. John Mallabone, Attleborough Mr. John Maxwell, Btftxingbam Mr. Samuel Maxwell Mr.- William Miller, 'Birmingham Mr. Job Margret, Mr. Thomas Miles, Mr. Robert Mofely, Birmingham Mr. Thomas Mofely, Walfal Mr. Thomas Mofely, Slccktic N Mr. Skiner Newham, Nottingham Mr. Jonathan Newham, ditto Mr. Jacob N orris, Walfal o Mr. James Orr P The Rev. Mr. Jofhua Parry, Cireticefter The Rev. Mr. Porter, Nottingham Mr. Thomas Parks, WeJHwmivicb Mr. John Patton, Slccklie Mr. Nicholas Penn, Kidderminjter ^ Books Mr. Jofeph Peyton, BlockJit, Mr. John Perry, Olney Mr. Thomas Pearce, SUBSCRIBERS NAMES, Mr. Richard Pearfon, Oppernorton Mr. James Peart, Worcester Mr. Richard Piercy, Bed-ivortb 2 Books Mr. Thomas Piercy,. ditto Mr. William Pike Stourftridge Mr. Robert Purfer, Hitcott R The Rev. Mr. Radford, Nottingham, 2 Books* The .Rev. Mr. Ryland, Majter of a Boarding- School Warwick The Rev. Mr. Romaine Mr. Thomas Radway, Cirencefier Mr. Daniel Rhaben, Olney. Mr. John Richardfon, Kiddermirifter t 7 Books Mrs. Roberts, 2 Books Mr. Robert Robins, dfton-magra Mr. Edward Robinfon, Shipflon Mr. Edward RobbinSj Birmingham' Mrs. Ann Record, WtjtbfMWDicb Mr. Samuel Rudgard, Nottingham' Mr. Thomas Rooker, Birmingham s The Rev. Mr. Selwyn, Blocklit Mr. Richard Saman, Wigginton Mr. Samuel Sanders, Bed'vortb Mr. John Scott, Birmingham Mrs. Ann Sharman, Stanivay- Mr. William Slingsby, Jttleborcugfr Mr. John Smith, Warwick Mr. Thomas Smith, Birmingham Mr. Ambrofe Southern, Bedtvortb Mr. Thomas Simons, Barington Mr. Jofiah Stockall, Kidderminfier A 5 SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. 1 Mrs. Ann Stroud, Vreftbury T Robert Tracy Efq. The Honourable Mrs. Tracy The Rev. Mr. Taylor, Qyenton The Rev. Mr. Tolley Northampton The Rev. Mr. Turner, Birmingham Mr. Robert Taylor, Banbury Mr. William Terbet Mr. Jofeph Thornton, Harburougb Mr. W illiam Timmes, Cherington Mr. Edward Tolley, Stowerbridge Mr. George Tutin, Nottingham Mr. Richard Tutin, 'Ditto Mr. William Tutin, 'Birmingham u Mr. George Underbill, Elmirigton Mrs. Venor, fen. War-wick Mr. Venor jun. ditto Perfons unknown 6 Books w The Rev. Mr. Wetherell, University College, Oxon 2 Bocks The Kev. Mr. W 7 ild, Birmingham The Rev. Mr. Williams, 'Tro'vcbridge The Rev. Mr. Williams, Ccrjbam The Rev. Mr. Whitmore, Hoofworton Mr. Benjamin Watfon, Bromfgrove : ir. John Watfon, Kidderminfar Mr. Thomas Walton, Birmingham Mrs. Mary Walker SUBSCRIBERS NAMES Mrs. Lydia Wefton, Srmjgrove Mr. Thomas Whatcott, Slocklit Mr. John Wheatcroft, IDitchford Mr. Jofeph Williams, Kidderminfter Mrs. Williams, ditto Mr. James White, dftonmagna Mr. William Whitford jun. Evejham Mr. Anthony Whitehead, Longbitrougfi Mrs. Mary Whitehead, Warwick Mrs. Elizabeth Wilks, Slocklie Mr. Charles Wilfon, Dudley Mr. Jofeph Wood, Nottingham, 2, Book? Mr. William Wood, Barton Mrs. Jane Wood, ditto. THE To the Subscribers. Gentlemen^ Ladies and Others, have, by your generous Subfcrtytions, encouragd the Publication of this Wort: TB E G leave to return you my hum- ble and hearty Thanks for this Favour : But I am very forry that I have tried your Patience fo long, tho' it was what I could in no wife help; and I have alfo made feme Additions to the Book as a grateful Acknowledgment of my Obliga- tion to you : Therefore I hope that it will now with the Blefling of GOD, make you an ample Amends for generoufly encouraging ^his mean, tho* well defign'd Performance. ^-,id that you may be well rewarded for this and every other pious and generous Aft, not only in this Life, but that which is to come, is the fervent Prayer of your fmcere Wellwilhcr in 0>rijl y Aid moft obliged humble Servant ',. J* M, THE P R E F ACE T is a Thing not only cuftoma- ry, but alfo necefTary to fill fome Pages at the Beginning of a Book, with an EPISTLE to the Reader, commonly calL ed, the PREFACE, wherein the AUTHOR gives (or ought to give), his der fome Account of his Performance. And therefore I ftiall (with the Blefling of GOD) follow this common, and commendable Rule ; hoping that all my candid Readers will take the Pains to perufe it with an unprejudicM Mind j for I am fenfible that it is a Thing too common among Readers to overlook the Preface, and go on to read the other Parts of the Book in an irregular Manner, without carefully obfer- ving the AUTHOR'S Meaning,, 'till they come to Something ambiguous, or difagreeable to their Tafte 5 and then with a prejudic'd Mind they threw afide the Book refolving never to look in it more, without it is with a Defign to cavil : And PREFACE. And then they defame the Book with Loads of Reproach to every one they meet, wh'ch hinders their own and others profiting by it : Whereas if they had with an impartial and unprejudicM Mind, open to Conviction, carefully read the Preface and the Reft of the Book in a regular Manner, they might have found it both edifying and entertaining j and both they and their Friends might have received great Benefit by it Now let fuch confider what Injury they do themfelves and otheis hereby. This have I faid, not only becaufe 1 am afraid of their doing fo by this mean Performance of mine, but alfo to convince People of this gene- ral Error : And if they do fo by other eminent Authors, I may well expeft that they will do fo by me ; for I have been already inform'd that ma- ny are prejudic'd againft my Underftanding be- fore they fee my Performance becaufe of the Defpicablenefs of the Author. Many (I am told) are ready to fay, "How can fuch a one do any M Thing that is worth our Notice? a poor illiterate * Mechanic ! Ah ! tis meer Nonfenfe ! I would not pretend to encourage fuch a one." But ftay, my Friends, be not too hafty in your Cen- fures, but let me prevail with you to lay afide all Prejudice, and to judge with Candour and that not only for my fake but for your own and others 5 for 1 am certain that many have deprived them- felvea and others o-f the Benefit they might other- Ways PREFACE. frays kave received from many an excelent Dif- e^urfe thr-o Bigotry and a prejudic'd Spirit. I fKalt or.ly mefttion two remarkable Inftances of thisia Seriptare, i The Greeks, they counted the Preaching of the Crofs of CHRIST Fooliflinefs,, feecaufe it was not adcrn'd with Human Wit and Learning, i Cor. i 22 23. 2 The Jews, How they were prejudic'd a- gainft our LORD JESUS CHRIST, becaafe of his mean Apearance, Birth, and Parentage, and want of Human Learning? tho* he manifefted his Divine Authority, Wifdom, Power and Goodnefs, by fur- prizing Miracles, fuch as was never wrought be- fore, and which was effectual for convincing o- thers 3 yet when he came into his own Country and taught in their Synagogues, in fo much that they were aftonifhed at him, yet they faid with Con- tempt, Whence bath this Man this Wifdom, and tbefe mighty works? Is not this the Carpenter's Son ? Is not his Mother called Mary ? And his Brethren James, and Jofes, and Simon, and Ju- das ? and his Sifters are they not all with us ? Whence tfien hath this Man all theft things ? Jin& they were offended at him. And J ESUS faid unto them, A Trophet is not without Honour fave in his own Country, and in his own Houfe. And he did not many mighty works there becaufe cf their Unbelief. MAT. xiii, 5410 the End, MARK vi. 3, 4. Thus? The PREFACE. Thus, my Friends, I hope I have made good my Aflertion, and have /hewn fome of the bad Erfe&s of a Prejudiced Mind, fuffer me now to give you a brief Account of this my weak Per- formance. In the firft Part (which confifts of Hymns and divine Meditations) I hope ferious Chriftians (of every Denomination) may find fomewhat enter- taining both in their folitary Meditations, and focial Converfations, and Devotions, tho' it be not adorn'd with fuch lefty Flights of Thought, nor fuch elevated Language as may be found in the Works of many of our fublime Authors in this polite Age. Nor is my Aim fo much to tickle the Ear of the Polite, as to affeft the Heart of the Seri- ous. And 1 have labour'd to have my Language plain, and decent; my Meaning obvious and clear to common Underftandings j my Judgment ortho- dox, both practical and evangelical j my Verfe fmooth and agreeable, and moftly in Pfalm Mea. fures; tho' they were never defign'd for public \Vorfhip5 yet they will go in the common Pfalm Tunes, of long, and /horr, and common Metres, and may be fung or read, as the Reader pleafes. This Part you will find moftly experimental, as is faid in the Title Page: And this (I hope) will render it the more acceptable to all exper rienc'd Chriftians. The fecond Part, which confifts chiefly of praftical Exhortations, and Admonitions, 1 hope that. Tke PREFACE. that thi*s (with the Blefling of GOD) may be made ufeful for awakening, convincing, and converting Sinners, and for building up Belie- vers in their moft holy Faith. And that it may anfwer this good End, I have (as much as poffi- ble) avoided all needlefs Controverfy 5 fo that 1 am perfuaded that 1 have given no juft Offence to any fincere Chriftians of any Denomination ; for I have made the Word of GOD my Rule thro* the Whole. And therefore 1 hope that no feri- ous Chriftians will defpife the Work becaufe of the meanefs or Unworthinefs of the Author 5 for it is GOD that worketh in us, both to will and to do of his own good Pleafure. PHIL. ii. 13. And you know that he often makes ufe of the meaneft Inftruments to do his greateft Works. Witnefs the Apoftles, who were moft of them but mean Fiihermen, yet did he make ufe of them to publilh his Gofpel, and to reform a rude ftubborn and rebellious World, and eftabli/h a new Religion in it ; and that, in Opposition to all the potent Rulers, learned Rabbles, and Philofophers. And did he not make the Chil- dren in the Temple fing Hofanttabs to CHRIST while the learned Priefts and Scribes blafphemM his Name? And had I look'd back into the old Teftament 1 might have brought numerous Proofs of this. To inftance a few, I ftiall refer my Readers to GOD'S wonderful Dealings with ) Mofgs, Gidiw, 2)avtd t and dfflQS* Thefe are P R E F A C E. are fufficient Proofs of GOD'S making ufe of mean Inftruments, for effecting his wonderful Works, and celebrating his Praifes. And thus is made manifeft what was fpoken by the great Apoftle Waul. i COR. i. 27. GOD hath cbo- fen the foolijh 'Things of this World^ to confound the wife j and the weak Things of the ivorlil> to confound the Things which are mighty. There- fore, my Friends, defpife the Author how you will, but defpife not this Work 'till you have carefully perus'd it with an unprejudic'd Mind : And if you find any Thing in it inconfiftant with the divine Oracles, rejeft it , but if it be nowife inconfiftant therewith, you ought not to defpife it tho* it be not polifh'd with the Rules of Art. And if you find any Thing here that by the Grace of GOD is made ufeful to you, give unto him the Glory, who hath made ufe of fo poor an Inftrumept for your Good: And I think you will have the greater Reafon to adore his infinite Power and Goodnefs, who hath manifefted his Grace in fo fingular a manner j for if GOD hath made an Inftrument of me to manifeft the Power of his Grace, I think he never made ufe of a weaker Inftrument. But let none therefore def- pife his Work upon this Account 5 for when a great Operation is perform'd with poor Inftru- ments, the greater Praife is due to the Operator. And you may remember what the great Apoftle Taul faid. I. COR. i. 17. CHRIST fent me to frtacb Ue PREFACE. f reach the Go/pel : Not with Wtfdom of Words , I ell tie Crofi of CHRISfJbould be made of none Effett. And in another Place he compares the Minifters of the Gofpel to earthen Veffels. II. Con. iv. 7. 'But iv e have this tfreafure in earthen Veffels^ that the Excellency of the Tower may be ofGO'D, and not of us. But let none think here that I glory in my own Weaknefs, and defpife human Learning : No, my Friends, far be it from me, 1 only aim to magnify the Grace of GOD j for I have Nothing but what I have received. But here ic may probably be expected that I fhould give fome Account how I came by this Talent : And this I fhall do with as much gen- uine Brevity as I can. cr, the Juftice and Goodnefs of GOD. XI. Mechanical Exercife applied to devotion and 'Piety ; or the Weaver's Meditations. MED. I: On the Uncertainty of Life. 27 MED. II. Bewailing my own Unconflancy. 29 MED. III. Exciting to ^Diligence in 'Duty. 31 MED. IV. Contentment. 33 XII CONTENTS. XII. A Song of Traife to God for his innumera. ble Mercies to Soul and Body. 34 XIII. T'ke Struggling* of Flefo and Spirit. 38 XIV. Hypocrify common to all', or, the Weak- nefs of faith lamented, 42 XV. *The Happinefs of Go/pel Enjoyments ; or the firfl Fruits of Heaven. Written in the Tojl- fcript of a Letter to a Friend. 46 XVI. tte Believer's Triumph, over the Troubles of this Life. Written in the Toft fir ipt of a Letter, to my honoured 'Parents in Scotland, about the Beginning of that unnatural Re- bellion, 1745, 49 XVII. Another 'Pojlfcript of a Letter, to my honoured Tarents and Friends in Scotland, 1746, before the Rebellion was qutWd, 50 XVIII. The Vleafure of'Publick Worjbip. From ffalms Ixxxiv. i, 2, 10, 7, 12. 51 XIX. A Song of cr, a Song cfPraife jor the Go/pel. Jfaiah, xlii. 6, 7. 87 XXXI. r A Song of Traije to God for a plentiful Crop anA a fine Harvejl, after & very long and f roily Spring, and wet Summer. 1754. lot SXXVH1. the convinced Sinners Reflection an& *> Refotutlon* J CONTENTS. Refolution. 103 Tte Fall -and Recovery of Alati. i :6 Remarks 113 XL. On the Four laft things, j 16 I. Death. ib. 'Poftfcript. A jborr Elr.zv on the 'Death of Mr. (~reor?e Grove, an / 120 II. Judgment. 121 III. Heaven. 127 IV. Hell. 131 Epitaphs. 137 I. On Mr. John Simons, an Acroftic. ib. II. On Mr. George Grove, the Irfant befcr; mentioned. ib.- III. On Mr. Jofeph Barber, an Jr.fant, 'ixko dt- parted this Life, Kov. IQ. 175?. 138 'Tie ^Author's Apology to the Clerpy of the Church of England. 139 Epijlle I. Yhe Introduction. 147 A ( Prattical i Paraphrc.Je cut he Yen Commandments Humbly addres'd to the Church of England. 148 A Serious Reflection upon the Whole. 205 Epiftle II. 'The Chriflian Warfare: or a Strieus Exhortation to Virtue and *Piety, Humbly addrefs'd to the Troteftant < Dij)~enters. 213 yjbt Author's Apology, to the "JDiffentin^ Ji'ti- nifters. ib. The Introduction. 219 Seftion I. ffie Nature c-fthe Chrijlian n r arfare 322 E R. E R R A T A. Page 14. Line 8. for vindicatate, read vindicate. P. 21. L. ii. for alpiercing, read All -piercing. P. 24. L. 17 for Emanuely read Immanuel. P. 43. I/. 2 read All-feeing. P. 44. L. ; read rev'rence. tb. L. ii read All-piercing. P. 62. L. 7 for you, read ye. P. 85. L. 15. for cue, read due. P. no. 20. read hearken 'd. P. 114. 1. ii. for beft, read Reft. P. 116. juft under the rumng Title inftead of XXXIV. read XL. There are feveral Overfights in the Pointing which 1 hope the Reader willcorreft for himfclf, If more Miftakes my Readers find,- Let them correft with candid Mind, And this will prove them Men of Senfe, "While Carpers fhew their Ignorance : For fome illnatur'd Critics try How many Faults they can defcry, And then for Wits to get a Name, Againft the Author they exclaim. But let them, who fo quick can 'fpy Each Mote that's in their Brother's Eye, Mind (whilft cenforioufly they frown) To caft the Beams out of their own. THE THE INVOCATION I. TERNAL King, who reign'ft on high Supreme o'er all Authority : 'Tis Condefcenfion infinite In thee, to ftoop to Worlds of Light, To fee what's done above the Sky, "Where mighty Angels proftraje lie Before thy Face, while they adore Infinite Wifdom, boundlefs Pow'r. II. They count it too, a Pleafure fweef, To caft their Crowns beneath thy Feet, "While they the mighty Theme renew Of Praife to thee their Maker due: Yet all the higheft Notes they raife, Can ne'er advance thy boundlefs Praife, More than it was ere Time began, Or Duft was falhion'd into Man. III. But, LORD, what Condecenfion then Is this in thee, to ftoop to Men, And to accept of humble Praife, From fuch unworthy Worms as thefe ! B This 2 ttc INVOCATION. This ftrikes my Soul with fweet Surprize, And fuffers Faith and Hope to rife Toward thy Throne, with humble Lays, And weak Attempts to fpeak thy Praife. IV. Yea, LORD, thou alfo doft beftow Celeftial Gifts on Men below ; Therefore to Thee mine Eyes I lifr, From whom proceeds each peifecl Gift : Endue me, LORD, with heav'nly Skill Rightly to guide my {lender Quill 5 Infpire my Heart, enforce my Lays, To celebrate thy wond'rous Praife. V. I ask none of the feigned Nine, To make my Mufe with Luftre ihine 5 Thofe heathen Fiftions I abhor, But thy celeftial Aid implore : To thee I look with humble Face ; O! fill me with thy heav'nly Grace, Till I'm prepar'd to dwell on high, And praife thy Name more perfectly. VI. Then /hall I with unfainting Tongue Praife Thee with fweet celeftial Song, Arr.ongft thy bright redeemed Choir Eternally, and never tire : My Heart and Tongue lhall then unite To praife thy Name with fweet Delight 5 "Yea, a]l my inward Pow'rs fliall join, And ev'ry Strain be Love divine. DIVIN E Divine Mifcellanies ; O R, SACRED POEMS. PART I. Sacred to Chriftian Devotion and Piety. I, T'be 1>ivhu Original of POETRY tr and pr-oved , the Abnfe of it lament ed^ and the Innocency cfit defended, By Way of INTRODUCTION. I. "ITT H E K firft the Heav'n-born Mufe began ' V Her facred Wings to try, She was the toremoft in the Van To praife the Deity. II. Delightful in JEHOVAH'S Eye, Her own almighty Sire 5 Employ 'd, his Name to magnify, Amidft the heavenly Choir. B 2 Thus 4 DIVINE MISCELLANIES, [Part I. III. Thus like a Nymph divinely bright The Mufe at firft did fhine : Man's Soul fhe ravifti'd with Delight, In Raptures all divine. IV. But now, alafs, with Grief I fea This heavenly Gift abus'd, By Sons of bafe Impiety, To vicious Purpofe us'd. v. They take of this celeftial Fire To kindle helli/h Flames ; And thus they pleafe their loofe Defire, With vile licentious Themes. VI. Hence fome of ferious Minds fuppofe That this celeftial Ait, "Was ne'er defign'd for fuch as thofe, \Vho are of pious Heart. VII. Thus doth the Mufe ftill lofe Renown 3 Her Worth is little priz'd : Between the Critic and the Clown, Shc*s fhamefully defpisM. VIII. Yet on her fvveet, delightful Wing, She bears celeftial Lays 5 "While Saints adore their heavenly King, Or Angels fing his Praife, JESUS! Sacred to Chriftian Devotion and Piety* 5 IX. JESUS ! thy wond'rous dying Love, Shall ftill employ the Mufe, While each redeemed Soul above, This matchlefs Scene reviews J X. Angels fhall join their grateful Sftrains, To celebrate thy Praife, Who wond'ring faw thy bleeding Veins, "With Horror and Amaze ! XI. And thus through all Eternity The Heav'n-born Mufe lhall fing, Raptures of fweeteft Harmony, To GOD, th' eternal King. XII. The Wonders of redeeming Love, Shall be her choiceft Theme : This all the ranfom'd Souls above r Shall joyfully proclaim. II. Attempt ting to fraife GOD, ami imploring bis Affi fiance.. I. '"TOtheemy GOD, I'd humbly A facred Song of folemn Praife But, ah, how vain is this Defign, Without thy Influence divine ! B 3 6 DIVINE MISCELLANIES, [Part I. II. A Tree fprung from degenerate Root, Can bear no good, no wholfome Fruit, Till took from the wild Olive Wood, And new ingrafted in the Good. 111. Juft fuch am I by nat'ral Courfe, By Nature wild, by Practice worfe, Till took from the wild Olive Tree, And new ingrafted, LORD, in thee ! IV. I fprung from Nature's Wildernefs, And, LORD, without renewing Grace, Can neither think nor fpeak one Word, Kor do one A.61 to pleafe my LORD ! V. But, LORD, I totally refign Myfelf to Influence divine ! O let thy Spirit on me blow, And make the Seeds of Grace to grow ! VI. Infpire my Jlfafe ; inftruS my Tongue 5 Aflift my weak advent'rous Song j And let thofe/rf/ff? and humble Lays Prove inftrumental to thy Praife. VII. Then let my Soul on Wings of Love Rife near thy glorious Throne above, And all my Pow'rs /hall join to raife, An everlafting Song of Praife. I'll Sacred to Chriftian Devotion and Piety. 7 viii. I'll fing the Wonders thou haft done: Thy Love in CHRIST, thy darling Son : The Wonders of renewing Grace That fitted Worms for thine Embrace. IX. Tea, with thy brighteft Saints I'll vie, To praife the boundlefs Myftery, That GOD fhould manifefted be In Flejbj to fet the Rebels free. III. ^Drawing near to tie throne of Grace, by a Mediator. An H Y M N. I. I T H holy Fear and humble Awe, LORD, I approach thy Throne of Grace, And all my humble Hopes I draw From JESU'S perfeft Righteoufnefs. II. Without his Righteoufnefs array'd, "Who dares approach thine aweful Throne ? Tremble, my Soul, and be afraid, If thou haft not this Raiment on. III. Fierce Thunderbolts at thy Command, Would dafti me, LORD, to endlefs Fire, Should I before thy Juftice ftand Without this rich, divine Attire. But 8 DIVINE MISCELLANIES, [Part I. IV. But thanks to thy forgiving Grace, Thro* JESU'S rich atoning Blood, I may by Faith approach thy Face, Kor dread the Fury of thy Rod. V. Come then, O fweet celeftial Dove, And clothe me with this Robe divine I Do thou my filthy Rags remove : Self-Righteoufnefs 1 now refign. VI. Inborrow'd Strength and Righteoufnefs, I would before my GOD appear ; For in mine own (I muft confefs) I hope for no Acceptance there. VII. O then, my Soul, adore the "Grace, And Goodnefs of thy dying LORD, That f'jffer'd in the Sinner's Place, And Heav'nly Hopes again reftor'd ! VIII. O! praife the great eternal THREE, Who join'd, the Captives to reftore'! Come, all ye humble Souls, with me This matchlefs Scene of Love adore. IX. Let's boldly now approach the Throne, To plead the Merits of that Blood, That does for all our Guilt atone, And gives us free Accefs to GOD. IV. A Sacred to Chriftian Devotion and Piety. 9 IV. A Morning HYMN. I. AW A KE, my Soul, with thankful Voice, In fweet celeftial Lays : Let all thy inward Pow'rs rejoice, To iing thy MAKER'S Praife. II. My Soul, adore that watchful Eye, And that Almighty Hand, That turn'd the num'rous Dangers by, That did around thee ftand ! III. This Night what Judgments might have fell Upon my guilty Head ! My Soul might have been fent to Hell 1 My Fleih among the Dead! IV. Or raging Flames, or dreadful Storms, Have laid my Duelling wafte : Or Midnight Fears in various orms, Might have difturb'd my Reft. V. But I fecurely laid me down, And did in Safety fleep : My gracious GOD! thy Hand alone My feebU Frame did keep! What lo DIVINE MISCELLANIES, [Parti, VI. What /hall I render, LORD, to thee For Favours fo divine ? I here devote myfelf to be, Dear LORD ! for ever thine. VII. My Soul and Body 1 commit Into thy faithful Hand : For what thy \Vifdom feeth fit, I ftill prepared Hand. VIII. Conduft and guide me all my Days, Until my Jaft Remove ; Then take me up to fing thy Praife, In thy bleft Courts above. V. An Evening H Y M N. I. now, my Soul, and meditate The Favours of the Day ; And at thy great CREATOR'S Feet Thy thankful Homage pay. III. Think, O my Soul, what thou doft owe To thy CREATOR'S Love, That did another Day allow, Before thy laft Remove. But Sacred to Chriftian Devotion and Piety .' n III. But think, if this fhould be the laft That thou on Earth muft have, Ere thy frail Body muft be caft Into the gloomy Grave. IV. Think, O my Soul, where thou muft dwell, "When thou haft dropt thy Clay 5 Down in the dreadful Lake of Hell, Or mount to endlefs Day! V. 'Tis Time this great Concern to know Before thou fhut thy Eyes, And to what Region thou muft go, When this frail Body dies ! VI. O! then in hafte for Refuge fly To JESU'S wounded Side, And by true Faith thereon rely, Thy num'rous Crimes to hide ! VII. Thence Blood and Water both did flow, To cleanfe and juftify : Thy Spirit, LORD, on me beftow, This Balfam to apply. VIII. Then fprinkl'd with atoning Blood, I'll give mine Eyes to Sleep - r And truft thy Providence, my GOD, My deeping Duft to keep. VI. iz DIVINE MISCELLANIES, [Part I. VI ^//EJACULATION on* Lord's Day Morning. HO W would my Heart rejoice, To hear my Neighbours fay, " Come, let us hear our Maker's Voic " With chearful Hearts to Day ! II. " Let's all with one Accord " Approach his facred Place, " To meet our condefcending LORD, " With Meffages of Grace. III. ** He'll meet us with a Smile, " And bid us welcome there, " If we with Hearts refin'd from Guile, " To hear his Word draw near." IV. FATHER! thy Spirit fend, To work in us this Frame : JESUS ! our kind atoning Friend, Our Hope is in thy Name. V. Come, O celeftial DOVE, Thy quickning Pow'rs impart, W'ith holy Zeal, and Faith and Love, Fill ev'ry fluggifh Heart. VI- Then fhall we joyful ling Thy Praife O LORD our GOD! We'll celebrate our HeaVnly KING, fpread his Name abroad. Sacred to Chriftian Devotion and Piety. 1 VH. On the CAMMOM1LE. j4 Similitude of the CHURCH. I. GEE how the Camm&mile is fpread, So thick upon the Ground 5 And ftill the more thereon we tread, The more it does abound. II. But if it's not oppreft and trod, It foon declines and dies 5 Domeftick Weeds does then corrode, And it in Ruin lies. III. Juft fo the Church in every Age, When Perfecutors roar, And all the powers of Hell engage, The Righteous to devour. IV. The more they ftrive to break their Peace, With their malicious Spite, Their Faith and Love, and every Grace, Shine more divinely bright. V. They love each other's Face to fee, And every Clamour dies, Expecting every Hour to be A bloody Sacrifice. VI 1 4. D i v i N E MISCELLANIES, [ Part 1. VI. Then in their Trouble and their Grief, Unto the LORD they Cry, " Send us, O LORD, fom^ quick Relief, " Before thy Servants die ! VII. *' See how our Foes infult Aloud, " And Triumph in our Shame : " Arife, O LORD! confound the Proud, And vindicatate thy Name. VIII. * { Then fhall our thankful Lips declare " Thy Wonders in our Days, " And teach our Seed (with faithful care) " To Celebrate thy Praife. " IX. The LORD looks with a gracious Eye Upon their fore Diftrefs ; And fends Deliv'rance from on high, Ev'n in the \Yildernefs. X. " Thefe Wolves (faith he) that would Deftroy " .My Sheep, or make them flee, " Are but the Hunters 1 employ, " To bring them back to me. XI. . .*' "When ye were Wand'ring -far from me, " Thefe were the Rods 1 us'd, " To bring you back, and make you fee ye my Grace abus'd. XII. Sacred to Chriftian Devotion and Piety $ m XII. " Yet will I make your Enemies " To know that I am GOD 5 " And they fhall feel (to their furprize) " The Fury of my Rod. XIII. " If Faithfully ye fear my Natwe r " And love my holy Laws, ** Ye ftiall not be expos'd to Shame '-, " I'll vindicate your Caufe. XIV Oh! the rich Goodnefs of the LORD! How wond'rous are his Ways! Let Saints in every Age record The Mercies of their Days. XV. He gives them Reft on ev'ry Side, And makes th' Oppreffor ceafe j Then Malice, Envy, Strife and Pride,. Do but the more increafe ! XVI. The Love of many waxeth cold 5 Lukewarmnefs does begin 5 While there's no Wolf difturbs the Fold, But thofe that breed within. REFLECTION I. AN D is not this our dreadful Ca'fe, Here, in thefe BritiJh-Lands? Have we not thus abus'd GOD'S Grace, And broke his juft Commands? C a II. Hatfe i.6 DIVINE MISCELLANIES, [Part L II. Hath he not giv'n fweet Reft and Peace To us on ev'ry Side ? And have nnt we thus turn'd his Grace To Wantonefit and 'Pride ? III. Think What Deliv'rances he wrought In our fore Father's Days, Their Foes and all their Schemes he brought To Shame and foul Difgrace.. IV. Navies' he funk, dark Plots reveal'd, And Armies flrong he broke : His Churches Breaches oft he heal'd, And eas'd her heavy Yoke. V. And like wife in thefe later Years, Hath he his Arm made bear j Subdu'd our Foes, retnov'd our Fears, And made our Souls his Care. VI. He alfo makes our fruitful Field Produce a large increafe 5 So that we are with Plenty fill'd, * Amidft the Wildernefs. VII. Nor are thefe Bleffings of the Ground The btft that GOD beftows, We hear his Go/pel's joyful Sound, \Vhe,ie fweet Salvation flows., VUl Sacred to Chriftian Devotion and Piety. if VIII. With what a lib'ral Hand hath he His Favours here beftow'd! But, ah, what bafe Returns have we Made to the LORD our GOD! IX. Dues not Intemp'rance, Luft, and Pride Moft fhamefully abound? Malice, and Spite on ev'ry Side,. And Envy fpr'ead around"? X. 'Prophaneyiefs like a mighty Stream Along our Streets run down ! Againft their Maker Men blafpheme, For all his Kindnefs fhoym ! XI. Alafs ! what bafe Ingratitude, We render to our GoD, For all his Favours kind and good, He hath on us beftow'd. XII. Tet ftill we reft and fleep fecure, Becaufe his Vengeance ftays 5 As if his Patience would indure,, . Becaufe his Wrath delays. XI11. Juft fo the Jews in antient Timer (His only chofen Flock) Did long (with their repeated Crimes) Their gracious GoD provoke. c 3 . j8 DIVINE MISCELLANIES, [Part I. XIV. Yet tho' they Nat'ral-Bratiches were, And Children of his Love 5 Jnftice would them no longer fpare, But, did them clean remove. XV. And made their Enemies pofTefs Their Land, fo richly ftor'd 5 Becaufe they did his Laws tranfgrefs. Nor would believe his Word. XVI. Now they muft wander here and there, Through all the Earth abroad $ That ev'ry one may fee and fear The Juftice of a GOD. XVII. And fince the LORD would not them fpare, Who fprung from ^frr'am's Stock j What better can we hope to fare, If we his Hand provoke ? XVIII. Are we not like wild Olive Sougts Ingrafted in their Place? On whom the LORD our GOD beftows Abundance of his Grace. XIX. Then let us humbly hear and fear, And tremble at his Word j And never more prefume to dare The Vengeance of the LORD* XX, Sacred to Chriftian Devotion and Piety, rg XX. Churches abroad in Ruins lie That firft receiv'd the Word 5 And will the LORD pafs Britain by, If we provoke his Sword? XXI. Oh ! no ! tho* Mercy long hath flay'd, His juft avenging Rod 5 Let's think how we have err'd and ftray'd,, And have provok'd our GOD! XXII. Come, let us fearch and try our Ways, And turn unto tie LORD! And humbly beg forgiving Grace, According to his Word. XXIII. Come, let us all before his Throne 4 Pour out our fervent Cries j And plead the Merits of his SON, Where all his Treafure lies. XXIV. Let's give him Reft by Night nor Day, 'Till he in Mercy hears, And turns his dreadful Wrath away And calms our gloomy Fears. XXV. Then, then the great JEHOVAH will I With us make his Abode ; And this fhall be a chofen Ifle Unto the LORD our GOD. XXVL XXVI. But if his Goodnefs will not melt Our ftubborn frozen Hearts j Then we for all our heinous Guilt Muft meet our due Deferts. xxvir. And who can ftand before the Face Of this Almighty LORD, "When to avenge his injur'd Grace He whets his glitt'ring Sword ! XXVIII. Tremble, my Soul, to think on this, And no more dare rebell : Traitois he drove from higheft Blifs Down to the lowefl Hell. XXIX. O, that we all may "Warning take, Each darling Sin to hate ! Grant this, O LORD, for JESU'S Sake, Btfore it be too late. VIII. "Profe/brs excited to Piety, and Sinners TO Repentance : From feveral SCRIPTURES. A L L ye who dare profefs To bear the Christian Name, Let nothing that's unclean poflefs A Dwelling in your Frame. II. SacreA to Chriftian Devotion and Piety. 21 II. Let all your Thoughts be pure. And all your Words be true j And let your Actions all procure Bright Characters for you. III. Let your Example Ihine In all Men's Sight fo fair, That all may own the Stamp divine That is imprinted there* IV. Think on the facred Ties, By which your Souls are bound j And think upon th' alpiercing Eye That fees you all around. V. Think on that awful Day That haftens on apace,, When Heatfn and Earth /hall pafs away Before the Ju&gfs Face. VI. Think on thofe Words, Well donej* Which lhall by Chrifl be fpoke To ev'ry true and faithful One Belonging to his Flock. VII. " Come, ye belov'd of GOD, " I'm come to fet you free $ * Ye have the Paths of Duty trod, Now you ihall reign with me." 2Z DIVINE MISCELLANIES, [Parti. VIII. O ! what tranfporting Joys This will to Saints afford, To hear their 'dear Redeemer's Voice Invite them to his Board ! IX. But, O ! the cutting Words That Hypocrites muft hear ! 'T^ill pierce their Hearts like flaming Swords With Horror and Defpair. X. " Depart from me ! depart ! " Ye Hypccrites, and dwell *' With Devils (this is your Defert) " Down in loweft Hell. " XI. O Sinners, Warning take ! O Saints, be drawn by Love f Sinners, behold the fiery Lake ! Saints, view the Crowns above ! XII. O/ may this kind Advice Be on your Hearts impreft, By him who makes the Simple wife, And gives the Weary Reft! XIII. Come, O celeftial Dove, Thy Influence impart/ *Tis thou muft make the Wheels to move, And quicken ev'ry Heart. XJV Sacred to Chriftian Devotion find Piety. XIV. Abundantly impart Thy kind enliv'ning Grace/ Then fhall we run with chearful Hearr, Nor tire, nor lofe the Race. IX. T'be diftinguijhing love of GOD ; 0r, An- gels punijfj'd and Men Javed. I. DOWN from their native Skies Th' apoflate Angels fell j And Thunder-Bolts of largeft Size Perfu'd them down to Hell/ II. There do the Traytors lie, Bound with immortal Chains / And muft thro' all Eternity, "Where boundlefs Horror reigns. III. Juftice did on them feize With fierce revengful Breath : No Ranfom's offer'd to appeafe For them it's dreadful Wrath. IV. But, Oh! the matchlefs Grace Of GOD the fov 'reign LORD, That pity'd Man's rebellious Race t Who difobey'd his Word/ 24 DIVINE MISCELLANIES, [Part I. V. For Men he freely fent His dear beloved SON, To bear their dreadful Puniftiment, And for their Guilt atone. VI. Oh/ the amazing Love That filled the SAVIOUR'S Heart! That made him leave his Throne above, To die for Man's Defert. VII. For poor unworthy Worms Of jfdam's fallen Race, "What "Wonders his rich Love performs/ His rich abundant Grace. VIII. The Law would not abate One Afite, but all muft die, Except a Ranfom infinite Would Juftice fatisfy. IX. Then, lo, Emanuel comes With Piry in his Eyes, And Man\ frail Nature he affumes, And in their flead he dies. X. Now fee him rife again, At GOD'S Right-Hand he ftands, And pleads the Merits of his Pain, And their Releafe demands. Xf. . Sacred /o-Chriftian Devotion And . Piety. 25 XI. O ! Love beyond Degree ! Be Heav'n and Earth amaz'd, To fee him bleeding on the Tree, For finful Worms abas'd/ XII. Thus did the Father give His ^Darling, to redeem All 'Penitents that do believe Unfeinedly on Him. XIII. But, O celeftial Dove, Thy quickening Pow'rs impart! And with true Faith, and heav'nly Love, Fill my degen'rate Heart. XIV. Elfe all this Love's in vain To poor unworthy, me, Unlefs I'm truly born again, And fan&ified by thee. XV. My bafe corrupted #?//, And all it's Powers controul 5 And with thy heav'nly Graces fill My vile polluted Soul. XVI. Then with thy new born Race Of Worjhippers on high, I'll join to praife Redeeming Grace Thro' all Eternity. D X. The 26 DIVINE MISCELLANIES, [Parti. X. The fame ; or, the Jufticc and Good- nefs of GOD. I. O W N from the Top of heav'nly Blifs Th' apoftate Angeh fell 5 And Juftice doom'd the trayt'rous Race Down to the loweft Hell. II. So on the Top of earthly Blifs, Lo, our firft Tarents ftood , But foon they loft their Taradtfe, By Sin againil their GOD. III. So Juftice alfo doom'd our Race To HelPs infernal Pit, Except a SAVIOUR in our Place Would pay the utmoft Mite. IV. But, Oh ! for ever be ador'd The Riches of his Grace, Who fent a SAVIOUR and reftor'd Our guilty fallen Race \ V. JESUS the everlafting GOD, Whom ^Angel-Minds adore, Affum'd our Flejh, and fhed his Shod, Our Ruin to reftore ! VI- Sacrtd to Chriftian Devotion and Piety. 27 VI. Juftice did lay it's dreadful Stroke Upon his guilrlefs Head ! He bore the Curfe, the legal Toke In finful Mortal's flead! VII. For this, ye Saints for ever raife Your thankful Voices high; And fing your great REDEEMER'S Praife, Thro' all Eternity. XL MECHANICAL EXERCISE Ap$1>ie> 34 DIVINE MISCELLANIES, [Part I. VI. LORD, if I'm thine, and thou art mine, What can my Soul defire befide ! All other Things I now refign, If thou confent I'm fatisfy'd. VII. But, LORD, my Truft is in thy Name ; I dare not truft my own falfe Heart, To keep in this celeflial Frame, If thou, my GOD, my All, depart. V1IJ. Imprifon me in thine Embrace, Nor let my Faith e'er lofe thy Sight, 'Till I ihall fee thee Face to Face, fn Realms of everlafting Light. XII. A S O N G of Praife to G o D for bis innumerable Mercies to Soul and Body. I. T ORD, the rich Favours of thy Hand Should 1 attempt to number o'er, I might as eafy count the Sand That crouds upon the ebbing Shore. II. 'Twas thou, my GOD, my Being gave, And ftamp'd thine Image on my Frame : And ev'ry Gift that I receive, Thou art the Giver of the fame. III. While Sacred to Chriftian Devotion and Piety. 35 irr. While in the Secret Womb I lay, Thy Hand did form each fev'ral Part: My Subftance thou didft then furvey, And finifh'd with unerring Art. IV. My tender Life thou then didft fpare, Before I to the Light did come > And 1 was caft upon tby Care, Ev'n from my tender Mothers Womb. V. My num'rous Wants on ev'ry Side, Before I could the fame exprefs, My GOD, thy gracious Hand fupply'd, And fuccour'd me in all Diftrefs. VI. Thus thro* my tender Infant Age, Thy Hand hath been my Guard and Guide 3 And ftill thro' Life's advancing Stage, Thy Mercies have been multiply 'd. VIL And what innumerable Snares, Seen, and unfeen have t efcapt, Thro' thefe my few revolving Years, Becaufe thy Hand me fafely kept. vnr. For thefe thy temp'ral Favours, LORE, I owe eternal Thanks to thee ; But when 1 read thy holy Word, Still greater Miracles 1 fee, IX. Here 36 DIVINE MISCELLANIES, [Part I. IX. Here I'm inform'd how Adam fell, And did thy holy Law tranfgrefs 5 And thereby was condem'd to Hell, Both he, and all his future Race. X. And here I'm told how thou haft fent Thy Son to fuffer in the Place Of all who truly do repent, Believe, and truft the Plan of Grace. XI. By thefe thy glorious Myft'ries, LORD, Which thus thou haft reveal'd to me, My finking Hopes thou haft reftor'd, That I thy Face in Peace might fee. XII. Again I would adore thy Grace, That did reftrain my wand'ring Feet, "When 1 the Paths of Sin did trace, So dangerous, and yet fo fweet ! XIIL Oft haft thou made my Confcience fpeak, And check my bafe corrupt Defires, "When I thy holy Laws did break \Vith vile licentious youthful Fires I XIV. But ah, how often have I broke Thy holy Laws, my folemn Vows ! And from my Neck /hook oft" thy Yoke, And did the Road to Ruin chufe. XV. LORD, Sacred to Chriftian Devotion and Piety. 37* XV. LORD, hadft thou left me thus to run In the broad Path I lov'd fo well, I might have long ere now been gone Down to the dark Abyfs of Hell ! XVI. LORD, I adore thy matchlefs Love, That check'd my vicious Pow'rs fo ilrong 5 But when I join thy Saints above, My Soul fhall raife a fweeter Song. XVII. But, LORD, thou know 'ft my Strength is frail; My wand'ring Feet are prone to flray ; Corruptions oftentimes prevail, And drag me Hill the downward Way. XVIII. O let thy Spirit guide me Hill In Paths of Truth, in Paths of Grace, '"fill I upon thy holy Hill Shall ft and compleat in Right eoufnefs. XIX. Then /hall 1 join thy glorious Throng Of Saints upon the heav'nly Shore, And with unfainting Heart and Tongue, Thy matchlefs Love in CHRIST adore. XX. Oh / could I then devife a Song Proportionable to thy Love> It would furpafs each heavenly Tongue, And ev'ry golden Harp above. E XIII. The 38 D i v i K E M i s c E L L A N I E s, [Part I. XIII. The STRUG G LINGS of FJe/b and Spirit. I. ALAS, LORD, how my feeble Soul Doth totter to and fro j Unftable as the Waters roll, When ftormy Tempefts blow ! II. Sometimes I think the Monfter Sin Shall lord it here no more : And then I joyfully begin On Wings of Faith to foar. III. My chearful Soul does then rejoice To wing its heav'nly Way : The LORD is then its only Choice, My joyful Heart can fay. IV. Thus, LORD, when thou doft on me fliine, With Beams of heav'nly Giace j All other Loves I can refign, And thee alone embrace. V. Then fill'd with Joys divinely fweet, I hope 1 never more Shall yield to Sin, whofe bafc Deceit Imangled me before. VI. Bur, Sacred to Chriftian Devotion and Piety. 39 VI. But, ah, how foon I grow fecure, And think all Danger's o'er : I think my Standing is fo fure, That I ihall fall no more. VII. But, ah, how foon my rifing Flight Is dallied down again ! My Day is turned into Night, My Pleafure into Pain. VIII. Into the Gulph of Sin again, I'm plunged Head and Ears! And then there's nothing doth remain, But gloomy Doubts and Fears. IX. When e'er I think myfelf moft fafe, Then is my Danger moft: Straight comes an overwhelming Wave, And all my Strength is loll. X. Then am I fill'd with Fear and Grief: Sad State thu I am in ! "While Doubts and Fears and Unbelief, Still aggravates my Sin. XI. But, O, the Goodnefs of the LORD! How wond'rous great to me, He fpeaks a kind reviving Wordj And fets the Captive fr^e. E 2 XII. Thus 40 D i v i N E MISCELLANIES, [ Part 1. XII. Thus quicken'd by his gracious Word, My Soul revives again : Forever bletfed be the LORD, "Who thus removes my Pain. XIII. Then I my bafe Ingratitude, "With hearty Grief deplore / Bccaufe I've fin'd againft my GOD, Myfelf I do abhor. XIV. Then Sin in it's own native Hu3, Appears before mine Eyes ; And I with humble Giief review My pall Iniquities. XV. Then I refolve with all my Heart, Never to ftray again : Kever from rhee, my GOD, to part, But conilant Watch maintain. XVI. The Thought of finning any more, Seems "worfe than 1)eatk to me : This Traytor $, LORD, I abbor That hath offended thee. XVII. Then lo, I think the Serpent\ Head I've got beneath my Feet/ My vicious Lufts are now all dead : The Vid'ry is compleat ! XVIII. But Sacred to ChriiHan Devotion and Piety. 4* XVIII. But ah, how quickly I forget My folemn Voivs and T'ies, When Sin does me again befet With all its Subtleties. XIX. My ftrongeft Efforts then I find Too weak to Hand its Wiles : It fteals upon my fickle Mind, And all my Pow'rs beguiles. XX. Thus am I daily brought to fee How feeble, LORD, I am, My Strength depends alone on thee, My Hope is in thy Name. XXI. Look down, LORD, with a gracious Eye, And Pity on me take : Pafs all my Black Offences by, For my dear JESU'S Sake. XXII. And let thy Spirit guide my Feet In Paths of Righteoufnefs, . Till I fhall reach the golden Street, And Stand before thy Face. XXIII Then fhall I with nnwav'ring Heart Thy Praifes, LORD, proclaim, With Saints and Angels bear a Part, To magnify thy Name. E 3 Oh 42 B i v 1 N E MISCELLANIES, [Part I. XXIV. Oh, with what Tranfports fhall I tell Thy wond'rous \Yoiks above ; My Soul redeero'd from Sin and ////, By Wifdom, To-iv'r and Zoiv / XXV. To praife the glorious Three in One, My thankful Soul Jhall vie With thofe fweet Si tigers round thy Throne, Thro' all Eternity. XIV. Hypocrify common to all ; or Weaknefs of FAITH lamented. ! 'jiv'i '/at -(t ^ .ib'X A LAS/ how, weak is all our Faith In our CREATOR GOD ! How we deferve his dreadful Wrath, And his avenging Rod- II. 'NYhen we approach before the Face Of our fuperiour Worms, How caretully we ftrive tu place Our "Words, and Modes and Forms. IJJ, We fear left we, let (lip. a Word, That may offend their Ear: And left our Manners feem abfurd, We take abundant Care. IV. Now Sacred to Chriftian Devotion and Piety: 43 IV. Now did we but as firm believe That GOD'S alfeeing Eye, Did all our Thoughts, Words, Deeds perceive, And that continually: V. And that we muft ere long be brought Before his awful Bar y To give Account of each vain Thought, And Word, and Aclion there : VI. Then how fincere and uprightly Sould we ourfelves demean, Before the LORD, whofe holy Eye Abhors the fmalleft Sin. VI I. Should we not then confounded lie, And blu/h before his Face; , And be afham'd to lift an Eye Toward his holy Place? VIII. But, ah, how carelefly can we Approach his Throne of Grace ; Becaufe our carnal Eyes can't fee J Our great CREATOR'S Face. JX. But, if we were now to appear Before an earthly King* Our Suit to oft'er to his Ear, For fome important Thing : X. Then 44 DIVINE MISCELLAK IE s, [Pan I . X. Then with what Diffidence and Fear, Should we approach his Throne ! And with what low Submiflion there, Make our Petition known. XI. Thus partially we rev 'ranee more Our fellow Worms of Clay, Than ev'n the LORD, whofe fov'reign Pow'r The Univerfe doth fway. XII. Put, ah, what bafe Hyfofrify y Is this before the LORD ! Before whofe quick alpiercing Eye, All Falfhood is abhor'd. XIII. Alas! alas! what faithlefs Worms, Are all our fallen Race, How we th* old Serpent's Will perform, And well deferve his Place ! XIV. Remove our flupid Madnefs, LORD, And bafe ingratitude 5 Then (hall we love thy Holy Word More than our daily Food. XV. O! were our Faith ftrong as our Senfe, How chearful fhould we run In thy Commands! not flee from thence ; Thy Will, LOKD, ftiould be done. XVI. Sacred to Chrjflian Devotion and Piety. 45 XVI Objefts of Senfe attraft our Eyes, "With fair deceitful Toys 5 And Things unfeen we then defpife, Ev'n everlafting Joys. xvir. Nay, LORD, thy Threat'nings too are vajn, To make our Spirits move ; V* Hie dead and faithlefs we remain, We neither fear nor love. xvm. Quicken our droufy Faith, O LORD ! Make all the Wheels to move ; Then ihall we run with one Accord, And work with filial Love. XIX. O! fend thy fweet celeftial DOVE, Our Spirits to enflame j Then ihall we no more faithlefs prove, But love and fear thy Name. XX. 'Till Faith /hall be exchang'd for Sight, Upon the heav'nly Shore 5 Then fhall we gaze with fweet Delight, Our Hearts prove falfe no more. xxr. Then perfect Love /hall fill the Place That Faith was in below : Our Souls fhall praife thy matchlefs Grace, And no Mifgivings /how. XV. The 46 DIVINE MISCELLANIES, [Part I. XV. The Happinefs ofGofipd Enjoyments; Or, tbefirft 'Fruits of HEAVEN. Written in the Tofifcript of a L E T T E R to a Friend. I. C\ Happy People, where the LORD Unveils his fmiling Face ! Where he reveals his favirg Word, And iheds abroad his Grace. II. This is the higheft Scene of Blifs We Mortals can enjoy : The Dawn of hsav'nly Mirth, it is Where PJeafures never cloy. m. Then let us thankfully improve His Grace fo richly Hied 3 And never more prefume to rove From CHRIST our living Head' IV. O let us never reft at Eafe Upon this earthly Clod, But ftill prefs on from. Grace to Grace, 'Till we approach our GOD. V. 'Till we /hall fee him Face to Face, With all his Glories on, And dwell in that delightful Place Before his glorious Throne. VI. There Sacrel to Chriftun Bcrotrtn ' ZTLl !>Uty\ 47, There /hall we range th' ftberial Thofe glorious Realms above ! There /hall we breath celeftial Strains, And ev'ry Thought be Love. VII. There with the dngeh we /hall fing, And with the Saints /hall praife, JESUS, our 'Prophet, (Priefl and Kin^ In everlafting Lays. VIII. Nor /hall the fweet Employment tire, Or e'er give Caufe of Pain j But at the Height of fweet Deiire We ever /hall remain. JX, O happy Time ! when /hall it be! When /hall our Soul afpire To that delightful Company, And help to fill the Choir. X. O, may thefe Thoughts cheer up our Minds, -And bear our Souls above Thefe high and rough tempeft'ous "Winds, That would disburb our Love, Xf. O! who wouJd not defpife the Toys, And Vanities on Earth, To be partakers of thefe Joys, Ev'n eveilafting Mirth. XII. Who 84 DIVIE MISCELLANIES, [Part I XII. "Who would not fuffer any Pains, And bear a Crofs with Joy, That fees the Reft which there remains Laid up for Saints on high ? XIII. Nay, who would not for JESU'S Sake (Were no Reward in View) Lay down their Lives ev'n at the Stake, Their faithful Love to fhew ! XIV. Small were this Love compar'd with his Ten Thoufand Lives to give, "Who for his bitter Enemies Did die that they might live. XV. O, wond'rous Love beyond compare, Let ev'ry Soul admire. And thofe that hope therein to fhare Still imitate it nigher. XVI. Now may the GOD oi