FROM THE LIBRARY OF REV. LOUIS FITZGERALD BENSON, D. D.

BEQUEATHED BY HIM TO

THE LIBRARY OF

PRINCETON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

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Go

L£ p- &*SJ£l>Q. W'A

PEL SONMSf M

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SPIRITUAL SON

IN SIX PARTS.

IV. The BSlrlvfe .

Lodging.

V, The IJELIEVl'R' • SOLILOQUY. °t

VI. The i^li; erV?

PRINCIPLE s-.

I. The Believer's

Espousals.

II. The Believer's

Jointure. "Ill* The Believer's Riddle.

CONCERNING,

Creation and Redemi

Law and GofpcU J\r

Ju/iification ' a ad %^'llU&P;40 1936

iw/6 and fc»>, V£ <^

Heaven and E(?rf;b.\f -Vv^'V/

„ TH't FJtFTH EDITIO; With lara;e Additions a^d "reat Im?b

By RALPH ERSKINE, M. A

s?sr-3c<8fts<Z

L 0 N D 0 ' hT: Prated,

Philadelphia: Re-printed and yJ L\ Franklin, \n Market- /Ir§et% J740

THE

PREFACE to the Reader,

READER,

\ f | * HERE having been feveral ImpreJJions of -*- this Book at Edinburgh, and fotne of them without my Knowledge •, a?id very incorrecJ ; I was the more eafly induced to yield to the earnejl Dejirs ofjuch as urged me to allow its being reprinted at Lon- don. Yet being unwilling it jhould be pubiijh'd tbere> under all the Difadvantages of a homely Scotifa Rhime, which I never expecled was to fpread fo far, and make fuch apublick Appearance in the World ; therefore as I reckon d my f elf very much obliged to the Gentleman, who inclined to be the Publijher, that he did not ad- venture to reprint any of the former Copies', wit ^ acquainting me of his Defign, and defirirg to hiow^ if * I had any Corrections ur Amendments to moke upon it: Jo if it now come abroad 3 (as I hope it dees) t& more Advantage than formerly , it is muck Giving to hi; Kindnefs and Civility., in craving my Conjent, and riv- ing me an Opportunity (which I have taken for feme Months) of putting it into fuch order, es any /pare Hour, amidjl my other weighty Work, would uihiu.

I do not intend, by any Corrections 1 ha*se made uton this Book, to a£t the part of the lefty Poet, nor to ajfccl what is calPd the Sublime ; / knezv fuch is the Deficiency of my poeiical Genius, tho' it had. been cultivated by Art and Application, which I never had l.Tme for ; that I never thought myfclf capable of any Production of this jort . fitted for pkajing the critical - A 2 * Palate

iv PREFACE.

Palate of a learned Age, or gratifying thofc of a polite Education. And therefore thefe Lines were never framed with that Dtfign, but meerly for the Benefit of vulgar Capacities, and of the common fort of People, that make up the Generality of Chrijlian Congregations \ hoping they ?n;ght tend, either to the Inftruclion of the Ignorant and Illiterate, to whom the Gofpel is much hid ; or to the Edification of the Serious and Exercifed, to whotn the Goj'pel, even in its mojl flmple Drefs, is a joyful Sound.

Yet judging it pojjible alfo, thefe Lines may contri- bute to reclify feme Miflakes about the Gofpel that may take Place, even among thofe that are fuperior to ethers in many Parts of Literature : And not knowing \into whole Hands thefe Sonnets might fall, I have en- deavour din this Edition to make fuch Corrections and Amendments, which I hope will render them fill ob- vious to the Vulgar, and not altogether naufeous to the Learned. And therefore as I have attempted to purge them from a great many ExpreJJions, which I thought were more mean and flat than could well agree with jthe Tafie of the Intelligent ; fo I have .made many of the Lines to run more fmooth than formerly, 4 and in- ^ ter mixed many Phrafes, that are more poetical ; for * which end, ere I wrote out this Edition I have glanced here and there at the Writings of fome that I know- are at prefent famotfs for Poefy : But I own the Life and Spirit of that Art in them is more amiable to me, than imitable by me ; and that neither my Time nor Talent can allow me to follow them. Tho' I hope the following Lines are not the worfe that I have obferved how far thefe lofty Performances of theirs do exceed the Efforts of an uncultivated Genius, and how much their Vigour and Vivacity may be wanting, even when feme of their* Phrafes or Metaphors are adopted.

However, if the Subjecl Matter of the following Lines Jhall commend itfelf to the Hearts of the Set ious^

and

PREFACE. v

emd the Book through the Blejfing cfGodtendtoftrread the Light and Knowledge of the Go/pel of Chrift, and. to draw immortal Souls to him, my principal Defig-i therein is garnd. Tho' I have made many Additions,, yet I have impaired nothing of the Mutter .contai??*d in the former Edition. Many, yea mojl, of the Lines Jland as they were before ; and tho' they Jhould not be capable to fatisfy thofe of a refined Tajle, yet Ijhall he eafy, if they he clearly intelligible to all, andjuftly offenfive to none.^ Mean time I heartily wijh, that thofe Readers, who chief y affeel Pclitenefs of Language and lofty Strains, would endeavour, if ihefe Lines can- not gratify their Fancy, to improve them to the Benefit of their Souls ', for if the latter can be reached, they will the more eafily difpenfe with the former.

1 he former Editions had a great many Sections with- out any Title, except ivhat zuas general in the Begin- ning of the Chapter. This Defect I have here fupplyd by fuch Titles to every Seel ion, as give a View of the main Subj eel -Matter thereof: on the account of which, together with the Amendments, Enlargements, and Additiot^ here made, I hope- the Book may be more ac- ceptable and adapted for Edification than formerly : tho* I oivn the former Editions have met with a more kind Reception among ferious Chrijiians than ever I expected; which alfo has prompted me to pf$ it now into the beji Order, that my Time and other Affairs would allow \ in the Throng whereof I was urged exceedingly again and Again to haft en it forward. And perhaps it is better, that I have not had occafeon to be/low upon it all the Time and Pains I could have wi/Jjed? fmce it i$ probable, in attempting to make it more unexceptionable and agreeable to thoje of a critical Eye, I might readily have made it lefs intelligible andfrviccable <& others, for whom it vjas principally defigned.

Tbefirfl Part of this Book is chiefly, anjsf™* firft

Place to be attended to, as the Foundati^mCi {Gr™*d-

4. 3 fVork

vi PREFACE.

Work of the refl, and containing the great End and Defign of the Gofpel, with Reference unto Sinners, which is to divorce them from the Law, and betroth them unto Christ, that being dead to the Law by the Body of Christ, they may be married to another, even to him who is rais'd from the dead, that they may bring forth Fruit unto GOD, Rom. vii. 4. Then has a Gofp el- Minijler gained his great Point among his Peo- ple, when he can fay with the Apoftle, 2 Cor . xi . 2. I have efpoufed you to one Hufband, that I may prefent you as a chafte Virgin to Christ. Here then is the Ground-Work of all true praclical Religion and Holi- neis, for ''till Aden be dead to the Law, they cannot live tin to God, Gal. ii. 19. And ''till they be married to Chrift, they cannot bring forth Fruit unto God, as we fee in the above-cited Rom. vii. 4. And except they be in Chrift by the Truth of Faith, .and abide in him by a Life of Fait % they cannot bring forth Fruit ac- ceptable unto God, John xv. 4, 5. Let the Reader then, that would be wife unto Salvation, and would ivijh to be happy in a Match to all Eternity, or jointured for another World, that would live godly /;zChristJesus here, die in him, and live forever with him hereafter ; make it his chief Care to hav&faving Acquaintance with the great Gofpel-Match fet bforejjim in the firjl Part of this Book, -ff do not expecl any other Part of the Book will be read profitably, or comfortably, by thofe that have no due Concern about this leading Point.

The Gofpel-Co?Jif or ts treated of in the fecond Part will- leave no true Reli/h, but with thoje that are efpoufed unto Chrift, a?id to whom only God's Jtrong Confuta- tions belong, Heb. vi. 18.

Tiie Gofpel- Myjleries treated in the third Part will

hd-^eno Beauty but in the Eyes of Chrift'i Bride, or

$ elixirs, to whom it is given to know the Afyjleries

*f t'je J*-'<rdom of Heaven, while to others it is not

■^^'*atu -iii. 11, 4nd to whofe enlighten' d Minds,

Great

PREFACE. v,

Great is the Myftery ofGodlinefs, I Tim. iii. 1 6. God manifefted in the Flefh, &c. Thofe that laugh at the Myfteries of the Go/pel, under the Notion of myjlical Divinity ', and make them Matter of Sport and Ridi- cule, have reafon to fear, left they be joining Hands ivith profane Mocker s, whofe Bands fall be made fir ong. TVe may know, that as divine Myfteries are treated^ fo is the Gofpel, unlefs we have forgot that to preach the Gofpel is to fpeak the Wifdom of God in a My- ftery, i Cor. ii. 6.

Again, Gofpel-Ordinances, that are commended in the fourth Bart of this Bock under the Title of the Be- lievers Lodging, will not be amiable, but to thofe, who being acquainted with Chrift, and efpoufed to him, do love the Habitation of his Houfe, and the Place where his Honour dwells, Pfal. xxvi, 8. and where they fee his. Power and Glory, rPfal. Iviii. 2.

Gofpel- Exercife and Heart-Work, whereof feme/ Pieces are touched in the fifth Part, and in the Clcfe \ of the fourth, will have little place but among thofe Souls, that are betrothed unto Chrift, whofe Heart* fanclifying, Kin-conquering, and Soul-comforting Pre- fence, is their Life, and whofe great Concern in his Abfenceis, O that I knew where I might find him! Job xxiii. 3.

Finally, Gofpel Truths and Principles fpoke of in the fixth and lafl Part of the Book, will be truly received and entertained by none, but thofe that are the Bride, the Lamb's Wife, the Woman clothed with the Sun, having the Moon under her Feet, and upon her Head the Cruwn of twelve Stars, Rev. xiL 1. Such onlyi know the Truth as it is in Jefus, Eph* iv>.2i; and receive the Love of the Truth that they may be faved, 2 Theff. ii. 10. Thofe therefore will read the ether Paris of this Book to moft Edification and 'Com 'fort, who are favingly acquainted with that fir in.. I Marriage- Rdation to Chrift, which h iheSubjtft ofthefirft Part.

Some

viii PREFACE.

Some Chapters of thefixth Part of thefe Sennets are calculated 7?iainly for pointing out the Difference be- tween Law and Gofpel, J unification and Sanclification, Faith and Senfe ; which I have the more largely ivfijhd upon, becaufe I apprehend, that the more People have their Minds fpiritually and evangelically enlightened, fo as to have juji and diftincl Apprehenfions of thefe Sub- jects, the more will the Life of Holinefs and Comfort take place in them ; and the Life of glorious Liberty and F ' ee- ^om both from the- Power of Corruption, and the Pre- valency of mental Confufeon, Dijcouragcment, and Dc- fpondency^ as our Lord J e(us fey s, John viii. 32. Ye ihall know the Truth, and the Truth fhall make you free. Many Chri/tians are kept in great Bondage, partly hy legal Dcclrine, ana partly by their own legal Difpo- * fition, both much owing to dark and confused Apprehen- fwis of thefe weighty Points ; and particularly of the Difference beivoeen the Covenant of Works, and that of Grace, or between the Law and the Gofpel.

I fall only further advertife the Reader, lefl he alledge anylnconfijiency between the Subjecl fpoke of Part 6. Ch. 4. Sedt. 2. concerning Faith, its benig the very Op- ■po fit e of Doubts and Fears', and Se<5t. 6. of that fame Chapter, concerning Faith building upon Serfe, that there is no real Odds, if you confder, that in fome Jerfes of the former Seclion, Faith is fpoken of in the abftracT3 and in its own Nature, and thus it is oppefie to, and excludes all unbelieving Doubts ; but the latter f peaks of it in the concrete, and as it is attended with the woful Mixture of contrary Principles. 'Thus when a Believer is in Scripture defined as Juch abjhaclly, and with Reference to his new Nature or regenerate Part, it is faid he finneth not, yea cannot fin, 1 fohn hi. 6, 9. but when he is viewed in a compounded Senfi, to affert he has no Sin, is to contradict God and his Truth j 1 John i. 8, 10.

PREFACE. ix

/ have direcled the Reader only to a very few of the Scriptures referred to in this Book, otherwife every Page might have been full of f acred Texts i feme of them are pointed out by a different Character, and ferious Readers ivill know Scripture7Language %uithout any fuch Direction.

I am far frGm thinking thefe Lines will be plea fing to every one that Jloall read them, fince the Mould and Frame of many of them is far from pie a fing my [elf only Tm not ajham'd of the Subjeel. The Title 1 have given to the Book is a fhort Indication of my own Judgment about it : for on the one Hand, when I conjidered the Manner, wherein much of it is written, and hswfar true Poefy is in my Opinion fuperior thereto, I thought it Prejumption in me to give it any lofty ''Title, and that it was enough if it pafl under the Name of Sennets ;* yet on the other Hand, the Matter contained therein being generally fe great Evangelical Myfteries, as are not below the Study of elecl Angels in Heaven, I Pet. i. 12. far lefs below the Confederation of the mojl intelligent Minds and elevated Thoughts of Men, under whatever Denomination on Earth ; I thought I might prefume to diftinguijh them from all idle and profane Scribbles under that Name, by the high Adjunct and Epithet of Gofpel-Sonnets.

Reader, it is a Matter of fmall Moment, either to me or toyourfelf, what your Thoughts Jha 11 be of this Performance, or the Author thereof \ hut it is a Mat- ter of vaft Confequence what Jball be your Thought, Ejlimate, and Valuation of the Truths here prefented to your View. If the Applaufe of the Learned had been the Author $ Scope in this Book, perhaps he had never fuffer'd it to fee the Light ; let him therefore decreafe, as he Jloall and ought, but let Chrift and his Truth increafe. Tide Time is hajlning, wherein you and Ifnallftand before his awful Tribunal, and lexpecl to j~eecr meet vjith few of you, that are or Jball be, the

Pleaders,

x PREFACE.

Readers,' till that Day which will declare every Man's Work, if if be Wood, Hay-, and Stubble, or Gold, Silver, and precious Stone, that he builds upon the Foundation, which is the Lord him/elf-, for other Foun- dation can no Man lay, than that is laid, which is Jefus Chrift, I Cor. iii. u, 12, 13. It will therefore be your Wifdom in the View of that great Day of Ac- counts, and I would hefeech you by the Coming of our Lord Jefus Chrift, and by our gathering together unto him, 2 TheiF. ii. 1. that in reading thefe Lines, you would ferioufy confider and fee, if they can any way contribute, either to your fir ft Building, or further Pro- grefs upon thai fur e Foundation God has laid in Zion ; that fo you and I both meeting by Faith here, in this true and only Centre of fpiritual Reft, we may then meet together joyfully, and adore him for all the Means if Edification, that ever he was pleafed to lay in our way.

I hope the main Defign of this Book is what 1 take to be the main Scope of the Go/pel itfelf namely to ex- clude all Self -Confidence, and ft a in the Pride of Man , to bring in Self-Denial, and exalt the Glory of Chrift, to^ extol his Right eoufnefs, by ivbich he has magnify' 'd the Law, and made it honourable, to exhibit fuch a Way of Salvation to Sinners, as fiall moft advance the Honour of all the divine Perfetlions, which fnine moft brightly in the Face and Ptrfon of Jefus Chrift ; and to bring Men to fuch a true and lively Faith of the Free- Grace and Mercy of God in Chrift, as will be the only folid Root and Spring of true Peace, Heart-Holi- nefs, and practical Godlinefs, according to thefe and the like Scriptures, Rom. v. 1. Acts xv. 9. Tit. fi. 1 1, . 12. and lii. 5, 6, 7, 8. With Reference to thefe Sub- jecls of evcrlafting Moment and eternal C077jequen.ee, it is certainly J af eft for you to choofe that fide, that favours Salvation, not of the Free- Will of Man, nor of Works, but of the Free-Will of God \ and of Grace ;

and

PREFACE. xi

and that Part, that deprepfes Self and Self-Righteouf- nefs U the low eft, and exalts Chrift and his Righ- teoufnefs to the higheft ; that fo you may not have your Mind and Opinion to change, perhaps too late, when you come to die, or appear before the azvful Tribunal cf an infinitely ju/i and holy God,-whofe impartial Trial nothing will Jiand, that wants his. own dhnne Stamp, Hence the immediate Vieivs of Death and fudgmeni have made many Oppofers of the Doctrine cf Grace in their Lives, own it as the bejl Divinijy in their loft Agonies, and turn with Bellarmine from the Merit of Works in Man, to the Mercy of God in ^ Chrift. That the following Lines maybe bleffed of God, for the fpi- ritual Profit and Edification of many, and for advan- cing & Life of Faith, Holinefs, and Comfort in all fe~ rious Readers, is the earnejl Prayer of him, vjho defires to account it his Honour to be,

A Servant of Jesus Christ,

„ And of your Faith in him,

R.L

A TABLE of the Gospel Sonnets.

i . ' . -

/ PARTI.

The Believer's Espousals.

Preface. Pjge i

C^KAP. I. A general Account of Man's Fall in A Jam, and the ,, Remedy provided in Chrift, and a particular Account of Man\s being naturally wedded to the Law as a Covenanc of Works. a

Seel. I. Toe Fall of Adam. jb.

Seel. 2. Rede ption thro' Chrift. 4

Seer. 2. Mans legal Difpofition. 6

Sect. 4. Mansjlricl Attachment to legal Term!, or to the Law as a Condition of Life. %

Seel. 5. Man's vain Attempt tofeekLife by Chrift'j Rightcoufnefs, joind<u'ith their own, and legal Hopes natural to all. II

CHAP. II. The Manner of a Sinners Divorce from the Law in a Work of Humiliation, and of his Marriage to the Lord J ejus Chriji ; or the Way how a Sinner comes to be a Believer. 15

SeJt. I. Of a Law-Work, and the Workings of legal Pride under it. ib. SefL 2. Conviction of Sin and Wrath carried on more deeply and tffcnually on the Heart. 18

5<ct. 3. The deeply bumbled Soul relieved with fame javing Discoveries of Cnrift the Redeemer, 21

Seel. 4. The Workings of the Spirit of Faith in feparatin? the He:trt f,: i Self-Rhhteoufnefs, and drawing out its Confent to andDefire afttr Chritt al:ne and 'wholly. 23

Seel. J. Faith's View of the Freedom of Grace, cordial Renunciation of off its own ragged Rigbte ufnefs and for, >. a I Acceptance of andclofwg writ* the Perfoti of glorious Chri'ft. 27

CHAP. II. The Fruits of the Believer's Marriage with Chrif, parti- ci..J, Gofpel-Holinefi :nd Obedience to the Law as a Rule. 29 Sefl. I. Qhe fwe-t Sole nity of the Marriage now over, and the fad JZjjcSs df &e Re ains of a legal Spirit. 29

~S*cl. 2. Faith" s Vi claries over Sin and Satan through new and Difcovrrjes of Chrift, making Believers more fruitful in Holi- nefs th.:* all .her Pretenders to Works. 32

Seel. 9 ir;<e faving Faith magnifying the Law both as a Covenant andajfuie. Fulfe Faith unfruitful and ruining. 34

•_. The Believer only, being married to Cbrift, is ju ft fed and .:', and the more Go/pel- Freedom fo>t the Law as a Covenant, the rrnre cly Conformity to it as a Rule. 37

-. (, [pel-Grace giving no Liberty to Sin, but to holy Service

40 CHAP.

The T A B L E xiii

CHAP, IV. A Caution to all againft a lesal Spirit,' efpecially to thofe that have a Profefiion without Power, and Learning with out Grsce. 41

CHAP. V. Arguments and Encouragement to Gcipel-Mini ere to avoid a legal Strain of Doctrine, and endeavour the Sinner's Match with Chrifi by Golpel-Means. 45

Seft. 'I. A le?al Spirit the Root of damnable Errors. ib»

( Seel. 2. A legal Strain cf Doctrine difovered and discarded. 47

SeCt. 3. The Hurtfulnefs of not preaching Chrift, and diftinguijhing

duly between Law and Gcfpel. 4S

Sect. 4. Damnable Pride and Self-Rightecufnefs fo natural to all

Men. has little need to be encouraged by legal Preaching. 50

Sect. 5. The GoCpel of divine Grace the only Means of converting

Sinners, and therefore foould be preach" dmoft clearly , fully and freely. 55

CHAP. VI. An Exhortation to all that are out of Chrifi , in order

to their clofing the Match with him, containing alfo Motives and

Directions. 57

Se£t. 1 . Conviction offered to Sinners, efpeclally fuch as are wedded

firiSly to the Laiv or Self- Righteous, that they r ay fee their Need of

Chrift'i Right eoufmfs. 58

Se£t. 2. Directions given with Reference to the right Ufe of the

Means, that toe reji not on thefe infead of Chrift the glorious Rujband3

in whom alone our Help lies. 61

Secl. 3. A Call to believe in Jefus Chrift, with form Hint at the

Aa of Faith. 6%

Seel:. 4. An Advice to Sinners to apply to thefevereign Mercy of God,

as it is difcoverd, through Chrift, to the I rgbeja Honour ofju/iice, ar'd

other divine Attributes, in order to further their Faith in him wr.t<t

Salvation. / 6j

Se£l. 5. The terrible Doom of Unbelievers that reject the Gc/pel-

Match, the offer d Saviour and Salvation, 7 1

PART II. The Believer's Jointure.

CHAP. I. Containing the Privileges of the Believer that is.eipcufed

to Chrift by Faith of divine Operation. -1%

Se£l. 1. The Believers perfetl Beauty, free Acceptance and full Security through the Input at ion of Chrift' s perfect Righteoufnefs, though in.parted Grace be imperfect. %*

Seft. 2. Chrift the Believer's Friend, Prophet, Brief, King, Defence,- Guide, Guard, Help and Healer. J Si

Sect. 3. Chrift the Believer s. wonderful Phjfician and wealth* Friend. ' ■ %\

Seel. 4. The Believer s Safety under the Covert of Chrift '5 atoning Blood and powerful Inter ceffion. %%

SecL 5. The Believers Faith and Hope encouraged even in the darkefr , Nights of Defertion and Diftrefs. ga

Sect. b. Benefits accruing to Believers from the Offices, Names, &mm^Stipring$ofSU]&, AX

Sect,

xlv The TABLE.

Se£t. 7. Chrift'j Sufferings further improved, and Believers calVdto live by Faith, both when they have and ivant fenfble Influences. 9 5

Se£l. 8. Chrift the Believers inrichiw Treafure. 98

Seft. 9. Chrift the Believers adorning Garment. 99

Seft. 10. Chrift the Believer's fwset Nourijhrvent. loo

CHAP. II. .Containing Marks and Chandlers of Believers in Chrift,

together with fome farther Privileges and Grounds of Comfort to

the Saints. 102

Seft. 1. Doubting Believers called to examine tlemf elves by Marks drawn fro-n their Love to him and his Prefence, their View of his Glory, and their being emptied of Self-Ri'jhteoufnefs, &c. ib.

Se£t. 2. Believers defer i fr d from their Faith acling by divine Aid, Jind flying quite out of theif elves to Jefus Chrift. ic$

Seft. 3- Believers charaEterifed by the Ob] eels and Purity of their Defire, Delight, jfoy, Hatred and Love, difcovering they have the Spirit of Chrift. . 10S

Sea. 4. Believers in Chrift affect his C ur.fel, Word, Ordinances, Appearance, full Enjoyment in Heaven, and fweet Prefence here. ill

Sett. 5. The true Believer s Humility, Dependance, Zeol, Grczvth, Admiration of free Grr.ee, and Knowledge of Chrift' 5 Voice. 113

Seft. 6. "True Believers are willing to be tried and examined* Alfo Comforts arifing to them from Chrift' J ready Supply, real JSjmfatbyi and relieving Names fuiting their Needs. 116

Se£t. 7. The Believers Experience of Chrift1.? comfortable Prefrce, 9r of former Comforts, to bei.rprov dfor his Encouragement and Support under Darknefs and Hidings. 120

Seft. 8. Comfort to the^Belie-ers from the Stability of the Pro- ifef notiuithftanding heavy Chafti Cements for Sir. 12,3

Seft. 9. Co fort to tie Believers few Chrift^ Relations, his dying Love, his Ghry in Heaven, to which be will lead them through Death, and fupply them wit Varies by the Way. . 126

Sedl. 10. Comfort to Bplfevers from the T?xt, Thy Maker is thy Hufband, inverted thus, Thy Hufoand is thy Maker j and the Con- chfion of this Suljefi. 12S

PART III. 'The Believer's Riddle, or the My fiery of Faith.

The Prelate, fhewing the Ufe and Defign of the Riddle, and how all fatal Errors proceed from- Ignorance of fuch Myfteries. 132

Sea. 1. The Myftery of the Saint's Pedigree, and efpecially of bis

Relation to CI Per/on. *3*>

Sea. • J u's Life, State and Frame. _ 139

Sect a about the Si and Warfare, Sins, Sor-

rows tin J Joys. I+I

Sea. . . ! in Faith's ExtraBicns, Way and Walk, Prayers

t„dA 'eights and Depths, Fear and love. 143

■:.s about Flefi and Spirit, Liberty and Bondage, Lift a 1 I4;>

Sect,

The TABLE. x*

Se<£t. 6. The Myftery of free Juftification through Chrift' 's Obedience* and Satisfaction. 14.J

Sect. 7. ~T>6<? Myftery of God the Jujiifer and Faith jttftifying him, both in his juftifying and condemning : Or Soul-Juftif cation and Self- Ccndemnation. 149

Sect. 8. The Myftery of San Eiifi 'cation itnperfecl in this Life : Or the Believer doing all, and doing nothing. 15 1

Sect 9. The Myftery of 'various Names given to Saints : Or the Flejb and Spirit defcrib' d from Inanimate Things, Vegetables and Senf fives. 153

Sect. 10. The Myftery of the Saints old and new Man further de- fer ib'd, and the Means of their spiritual Life.- 1 55

Sect. 11. The Myftery of Chrift, his Names* Natures andOffices. 157

Sect. 12. The Myftery of the Believers mixed State further enlarged, and his getting Good out of Evil. 159

Sect. 13. The Myftery of the Saint' s Adverfaries and Adverfties. 161.

Sect. 14. The Myftery of the Believer s Pardon and Security from revenging Wrath, notivithftanding his Sin s Defert, l6z

S£ct. 15. The Myftery of Faith and Sight. 165

Sect. 16. The Myftery of Faith and Works. 167

And of Rewards of Grace and Debt. 168

The Conclufon. 169

PART IV. The Believer's Lodging.

A Paraphrafe upon Pfalm 84. i*&

Excerafe for the Believer in his Lodging, four -fold. I77

1. The holy Laiv, or the ten Commandments. 377

2. The unholy Heart, the Reverfe of God's Law. 178

3. The glorious Gofpel of Chrift , the Remedy. ib. 4 The Prayer of Faith', exemplified. 179

PART V.

The Believer's Soliloqy,

Especially in tiir.es of Defert ion, Temptation, AfJiclion, &c. i£q

Sect. I. The deferted Believer longing for perfeB Freedom from f1*' ib.

Sect. 2. The deferted Believer'' sprayer under Complaints, of Unbelief, Darknejs, Deadnefs and Hardnefs. jg-,

Sect. 3. The Believer ivading through Deeps of Defert in: e.nd Corruption. «

Sect. 4. The Believer's Complaint of Sin, Sorrow, and ivant of

S,ect. 5. The deferted Soul's Prayer for the Lord's gracious and-fin- fubaumg Preface. ° *

_ £"cr. 6. The Song of Heaven defred by Saints on Earth. 104

PART

xvi The TABLE.

PART VI.

The Believer's Principles.

CHAP. I. Concerning Creation and Redemption, or fome of the

raft Principles of the Oracles of God. 19S

Sect. I. Of Creation. The Jirfi Chapter of Genefis compendifed. ib. The Su-n of Creation. 2co

Sect. 2. Of Redemption, the Myjiery of the Redeemer s Incarnation,

9r God ' ntomifefted in the Flejb. 20 1

The Sum of Redemption. 202

Sect. 3. The Redeemer's Work, or Chriir. all in all and cur con pleat

Redemption. ' A Gofpcl-Catechifm for young Chriftians. ib.

Sect. 4. Faith and Works both excluded from the Matter of Jufiifi-

cation before God, that Redemption v.ay appear to be only in Chriit. 208

CHAP. II. Concerning the Law and the Gofpel.

Sect. I. The My fery of Law and Gofpel. 211

Sect. 2. The Difference between Laiv and Gofpel. 216

Sect. 3. The Harmony between Laze and Co/pel. 22d

Sect. 4. The proper Place and Station of the Laiv and the Gofpel,

in four Paragraphs. 22 5

Paragraph 1. The Place and Station of Law and Gofpel in

general. ib*

P.- r;\ g. 2 . The Place and Station of Law and Gofpel in particular. 226 Patfag. 3. The Gofpel no new Law, but a joyful Sound of Grace and

M'-ry. - 232

Paiag. 4. The Gofpel further defcrifrd as a Bundle of good News

end cjcic.ous Pro >:ifes. 235

CHAP- HI» Concerning Juftification and Sanctification, their Dif- ference and Harmony. 238 Sect, 1. The Differerce between Juftification and SanCtif, cation, or Imputed and Grace imparted, in upwards of thirty

Particulars'. ib.

Sect. 2. The Harmony between Juftification and Sanclifatlion. 245-

CHAP. IV. Concerning Faith and Senfe. 248'

Sect. 1. Faith and \ Senfe natural cov.par d and difiinguijo a. ib. Sect. 2. Faith and Setfe fpiritual compard and diflinguiffd. 25 1 Sect, 3. The Harmony and D.fcord between Faith and Senfe. 254 "Sect. 4. The Vah-ur and Viclories of Faith. 255

Sect. 5. The Heights and Depths of Senfe. 258

Sect. 6. Faith and Frair.es compared, of Faith building upon Senfe

di\.. otoer*d. 260

CHAP. V. Concerning Heaven and Earth. 264

Sect. 1. The Work- and Contention of Heaven, ib.

Sect. 2. Earth defpicable, Heaven dejirable, iC8

m

GOSPEL

GOSPEL SONNETS

j

OR

SPIRITUAL SONGS.

PART I.

ft Beiiever's Espousals;

POEM upon Isaiah liv. Maker is thy Hufband.

PREFACE.

5- Thy

TJARK, dying Mortal ! if the Sonnet prove ** ■*■ A Song of living and immortal Love, yTis then thy grand Concern the Theme to know. If Life and Immortality be fo. Are Eyes to read, or Ears to hear, a Truji ? Shall both in Death be cramntd anon with Duji ? Then trifle not to pleaje thine Ear and Eye, But read thou, hear thou, for Eternity. Purfue not Shadows wing'd, but be thy Chafe, The God of Glory on the Field of Grace : The mighty fjunter^ Name is lojl in. vain, That runs not this fubftantial Prize to gain* TJ?efe humble Lines affume no high pretence, To pkafe thy Fancy or allure thy Senfe j

B But

2 GOSPEL SONNETS.

But aim, if everla fling Life's thy Chafe,

To clear thy Mind* and warm thy Heart through Grace,

A Marriage fo ?nyfierious I proclaim, Betwixt two Parties of fuch different Fame, That human Tongues may blujh their Names to tell, To wit, the Prince ^Heav'n, the Heir 0/HelH But, on fo vafl a Subjecl, who can find Words fuiting the Conceptions of his Mind? Or if our Language with our Thought could vie, IVlmt mortal Thought can raife itfelffo high ? When Words and Thoughts both fail, may Faith and

Pray'r Afcend by climbing up the Scripture-Stair : From Sacred Writ tbefe flrange Efpoufals may Be explicated in ike following Way,

CHAR I.

A General 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 Cove- nant of Works.

SECT. I.

^Fall«/ADAM.

f\LT) Adam once a Heav'n of Pleafure found, ^^ While he with perfect Innocence was crovvn'd : His wing'd Affections to his God could move.

In Raptures of IMre, and Strains of Love.

Mao

Part I. The Believer's Efpoufals. 3

Man {landing fpotlefs, pure and innocent, Could well the Law of Works with Works content j Tho' then, (nor fince) it could demand no lefs Than perfonal and perfect Righteoufnefs : Thefe unto finlefs Man were eafy Terms, Tho" now beyond the reach of wither'd Arms. The legal Cov'riant then upon the Field, Perfection fought, Man could Perfection yield. Rich had he, and his Progeny, remained, Had he primeval Innocence maintain'd : His Life had been a Reft without Annoy, _ A Scene of Blifs, a Paradife of Joy. But fubtle Satan, in the Serpent hid, Propofing fair the Fruit that God forbid, Man foon feduc'd by Hell's alluring Art, Did, difobedient, from the Rule depart, Devour' d the Bait, and by his bold Offence Fell from his blifsful State of Innocence, Proftrate, he loft his God, his Life, his Crown, From all his Glory tumbled head-long down, Plung'd in a deep Abyfs of Sin and Woe, Where, void of Heart to will, or Hand to do, For's own Relief he can't command a Thought; The total Sum of what he can is nought. He's able only now t encreafe his Thrall, He can deftroy himfelf, and this is all. But can the Hellifh Brat Heav'n's Law fulfil? - Whofe Precepts high furmount his Strenth and Skill. - Can filthy Drofs produce a golden Beam ? Or poifon'd Springs a falutif'rous Stream ? Can carnal Mrnds, fierce Enmity's wide Maw, Be duly fubjecl: to the divine Law ? Nay, now its direful Threat' nings muft take place* | On all the difobedient Human Race, I Who do by Guilt Omnipotence provoke, (^Obnoxious ftand to his uplifted Stroke ;

B % They

4 GOSPEL SONNETS.

They muft ingulf themfelves in endlefs Woes, Who to the living God are deadly Foes ; Who natively his holy Will gainfay, Muft to his awful Juftice fall a Prey. In vain do Mankind now expect, in vain By legal Deeds immortal Life to gain : Nay, Death is threaten'd, Threats muft have their

Due, Or Sculs that fin muft die, as God is true.

SECT. II.

Redemption through Christ.

*TP H E Second Adam, Sov'reign Lord of All,

* Did by his Father's authorizing Call, Frcm Bofom of Eternal Love defcend, To fave the guilty Race that him offend ; To treat an everlafting Peace with thole, Who were and ever would have been his Foes. His Errand, never-ending Life to give To them, whofe Malice would not let him live. To make a Match with Rebels, and efpoufe The Brat which at his Love her Spite avows. Himself he humbled to deprefs her Pride, And make his mortal Foe his loving Bride. But ere the Marriage can be folemniz'd, All Lets muft be remov'd, all Partie^pleas'd. Law-Righteoufnefs requird muft be procur'd, Law-Vcnge.mce threaten' V7, muft be full endur'd r Ste n J itice muft have Credit by the Match, Swet Mercy by the Heart the Bride muft catch. Poor Bankrupt ! All her Debt muft firft be paid, Her former Hwfband in t,h« Grave be laid i-

Her

Part I The Believer's Efpoufals. 5

Her prefent Lover muft be at the Coft, To fave and ranfom to the uttermoft. If all thefe Things this Suitor kind can do, Then he may win her, and her Bleiling too. Hard Terms indeed ! While Death's the firit Demand, But Love is ftrong as Death, and will not ftand, T<? carry on the Suit, and make it good, Tho' at the deareft Rate of Wounds and Blood. The Burden's heavy, but the Back is broad, The glorious Lover is the mighty God. Kind Bowels yearning in th' eternal Son, He left his Father's Court, his heav'nly Throne : Afide he threw his moft divine Array, And wrapt his Godhead in a Veil of Clay. Angelick Armies, who in Glory crown'd, With joyful Harps his awful Throne furround, Down to the cryftal Frontier of the Sky, To fee the Saviour born did eager fly -, And ever fince behold with Wonder frefli Their Sov'reign and our Saviour wrapt in Flefh, Who in this Garb did mighty Love difplay, Reftoring what he never took away, To God his Glory, to the Law its Due, To Heav'n its Honour, to the Earth its Hue. To Man a Righteoufnefs divine, complete, A royal Robe to fuit the Nuptial Rite. He in her Favours whom he lov'd fo well, At once did purchafe Heav'n, and vanquifh Hell: Oh unexampl'd Love ! So vail, fo ftrong, So great, fo hj^h, fo deep, fo broad, fo long ! Can finite Thought this Ocean huge explore, Unconfcious of a Bottom or a Shore ? His Love admits no Parallel \ for why, At one great Draught of LovgJie drank Hell dry. No Drop of wrathful Gall he left behind, : No Dreg to witnefs that he was unkind.

B 2 The

6 GOSPEL SONNETS.

The Sword of awful Juftice pierc'd his Side, That Mercy thence might gum upon the Bride. The meritorious Labouis of his Life, And glorious ConqueiTs of his dying Strife, Her Debt of Doing, Suffering, both cancell'd, And broke the Bars his lawful Captive held. Down to the Ground the Hellifli Hofts he threw, Then mounting high, the Trump of Triumph blew, Attended with a bright feraphic Band, Sat down enthron'd fubiime on God's Right-Hand ; Where glorious Choirs their various Harps employ, To found his Praifes with confed'rate Joy. There he, the Bride's ftrong Interceflbr fits, And thence the Bleffings of his-Blood tranfmits, Sprinkling all o'er the flaming Throne of God, Pleads for her Pardon his atoning Blood ; Sends down his holy co-eternal Dove, To fhew the Wonders of incarnate Love. To woo and win the Bride's reluctant Heart, And pierce it with his kindly killing Dart : By Gofpel-Light to manifeft that now She has no farther with the Law to do, That her new Lord has loos'd the fed'ral rTye> That once hard bound her or to do or die. That Precepts, Threats, no fingle Mite can crave: Thus for her former Spoufe he digg'd a Grave, The Law fail to his Crofs did nail and pin, -}

Then bury'd the Defunct his Tomb within, C

That he the lonely Widow to himfelf might win. 3

SECT. III.

Marfs Legal Difpofition.

PUT, after all, the Bride's fo malecontent, ~> ■*-' No Argument, fave Power, is prevalent, To bow her Will, and gain her Heart's Confent. ^

The

Part I, The Believer's Efpoufals. ;

The glorious Prince's Suit (he difapproves, The Law her old primordial Hufband loves ; Hopeful in its Embraces Life to have, Tho' dead and bury'd in her Suitors Grave ; Unable to give Life, as once before j Unfit to be a Hufband any more. Yet proudly fhe the new Addrefs difdains, And all the bleft Redeemer's Love and Pains. Tho' now his Head, that cruel Thorns did wound, Is with immortal Glory circled round ; Archangels at his awful Footftool bow, And drawing Love fits fmiling on his Brow. Tho' down he fends in Gofpel-Tidings good Epiftles of his Love, fign'd with his Blood : Yet lordly fhe the royal Suit rejects, Eternal Life by Legal Works affects ; In vain the Living feeks among the Dead, Sues quick'ning Comforts in a killing Head. Her dead and bury'd Hufband has her Heart, Which can nor Death remove, nor Life impart. Thus all revolting Adam's blinded Race, In their firft Spoufe their Hope and Comfort place. They natively expecl:, if Guilt them prefs, Salvation by a home-bred Righteoufnefs : They look for Favour in Jehovah's Eyes, By careful doing all that in them lies. 'Tis ftill their primary Attempt to draw Their Life and Comfort from the veteran Law ; They fly not to the Hope the Gofpel gives, ~>

To truft a Promife bare, their Minds aggrieves, > Which judge the Man that does, the Man that lives, ^ As native as they draw their vital Breath, Their fond Recourfe is to the Legal Path. Why, fays old Nature in law- wedded Man, " Won't Heav'n be pleas'd, if I do all I can ? 4 If I conform my Walk to Nature's Light, u And ftrive, intent to praclife what is mht ?

B4 . ~"Thus,

$% GOSPEL SONNETS.

*< Thus, won't T by the God of Heav'n be blefs'd,

*c And win his Favour, if I do my beft ?

*' Good God ! (he cries) when prefs'd with Debt

and Thrall, *{ Have Patience with me9 and F 11 pay thee all! * Upon their All, their Beft, they're fondly mad, Tho' yet their All is naught, their Beft is bad. Proud Man his Can-does mightily exalts, Yet are his brighter!: Works but fplendid Faults. A Sinner may have Shews of Good, but ftill The beft he can, even at his beft, is ill. Can Heav'n or divine Favour e'er be win, By thofe that are a Mafs of Hell and Sin ? The righteous Law does numerous Woes denounce, Againft the wretched Soul that fail but once : What Heaps of Curfes on their Heads it rears, ' J'hat have amafs'd the Guilt of numerous Years !

* Matth. xviii. 26.

SECT. IV.

Mart '« ftricl Attachment to legal Terms, or to the Law as a Condition of Life.

CAY, on what Terms then Heav'n appeas'd will be? *^ Why, fure, Perfeclion is the leaft Degree. Yea more, full Satisfaction muft be given For Trefpafs done againft the Laws of Heaven. Thefe are the Terms ; what mortal Back fo broad, But muft for ever fink beneath the Load. A Ranfome muft be found, or die they muft, Sure, even as Juftice infinite is juft. But, fays the legal, proud, felf-righteous Heart, Which cannot with her ancient Confort part, " What ! won't the Goodnefs of the God of Heaven * fc Admit of Smalls when greater can't be given ?

"He

Pa rt I. the Believer's Efpmfals. ' §

*VHe knows our Fall diminifh'd all our Funds,

" Won't he accept of Pennies now for Pounds ?

<c Sincere Endeavours for Perfection take,

ci Or Terms more poffible for Mankind make ? *

Ah 'I poor Divinity, and Jargon loofe,

Such Hay and Straw will never build the Houfc*

Miftake not here, proud Mortal, don't miftake,

God changes not, nor other Terms will make.

Will divine Faithfulnefs itfelf deny,

I Which fwore folemnly Man fhall do or die ? Will God moft true extend to. us forfooth, His Goodnefs to the Damage of his Truth ? Will fpotlefs Holinefs be baffled thus ? Or awful Juftice be unjuft for us ? Shall Faithfulnefs be faithlefs for our Sake, And he his Threats, as we his Precepts break? Will our great Creditor deny himfelf ? And for full Payment take our filthy Pelf? Difpenfe with Juftice, to let Mercy vent? And ftain his Royal Crown with miniih'd Rent I Unworthy Thought ! O let no mortal Clod Hold fuch bafe Notions of a glorious God.

* Heaven's holy Cov'nant made for human Race, Confifts, or whole of Works, or whole of Grace. If Works will take the Field, then Works muft be For ever perfecl: to the laft Degree : Will God difpenfe with lefs ? Nay fure, he won't With ragged Toll his royal Law affront. Can Rags that Sinai Flames will foon difpatch, E'er prove the fiery Law's adequate Match ? Vain Man muft be divorc'd, and choofe to take Another Hufband, or a burning Lake.

We find the divine Volume no where te^ch, New legal Terms within our mortal Reach. Some make, tho' in the facred Page unknown, Sincerity 'aflu me Perfusion's Throne:

But

io GOSPEL SONNETS.

But who will boaft this bafe Ufurper's Sway, J «cave Minifters of Darknefs that difplay Invented Night to ftifle Scripture-Day ? 3

The Naturalifts Sincerity is nought, That of the Gracious is divinely taught, Which Teaching keeps their Graces, if fincere, Within the Limits of the Gofpel Sphere, Where vaunting, none created Graces fing, Nor boaft of Streams, but of the Lord, the Spring, Sincerity's the Soul of every Grace, I

The Quality of all the ranfom'd Race. Of promis'd Favour 'tis a Fruit, a Claufe, But no procuring Term, no moving Caufe. How unadvis'd the legal Mind confounds The Marks of divine Favour with the Grounds, And Qualities of covenanted Friends With the Condition of the Cov'nant blends ? Thus holding Gofpel-Truths with legal Arms, Miftakes new Cov'nant Fruits for Fed'ral Tern^fc The joyful Sound no Change of Terms allows, \* But Change of Perfons, or another Spoufe. The Nature fame that finn'd mull do and die ; \

No milder Terms in Gofpel-Offers lie. For Grace no other Law- Abatement fhews, /

But how Law- Debtors may reftore its Dues ; Reftore, yea, through a Surety in their place, With double Intereft and a better Grace. Here we of no new Terms of Life are told, But of a Huiband to fulfil the old ; With him alone by Faith we're call'd to wed, And let no Rival * bruik the Marriage -Bed.

* Enjoy.

SECT.

Part L The Believer's EJpoufals. 1 1

SECT. V.

Mens vain Attempt to feek Life by Christ's Righ- teoufnefs, joirfd with their own j And legal Hopes natural to all.

ID UT flill the Bride relu&ant difallows

*J The junior Suit, and hugs the fenior Spoufe

Such the old felfifh Folly of her Mind,

So bent to lick the Duft, and grafp the Wind,

Ailedging Works and Duties of her own

May for her criminal Offence atone ;

She will her antick dirty Robe provide,

Which vain fhe hopes will all Pollutions hide.

The filthy Rags that Saints away have flung,

She holding, wraps and rolls herfeif in Dung,

Thus maugre all the Light the Gofpel gives,

Untoiier natural Confort fondly cleaves.

Tho' Mercy fet the Royal Match in view,

She's loth to bid her ancient Mate adieu.

When Light of Scripture, Reafon, common Senfe,

Can hardly mortify her vain Pretence

To legal Righteoufnefs ; yet if at laft

Her Confcience rous'd begins to ftand aghaft,

Prefs'd with the Dread of Hell, fhe'l! rafhiy patch,

And halve a Bargain with the profer'd March :

In hopes his Help together with her own

Will turn to peaceful Smiles the wrathful Frown.

Tho' Grace the Rifing Sun delightful iings,

With full Salvation in his golden Wings,

And Righteoufnefs complete, the faithlcfs Soul,

Receiving half the Light, rejects the whole ;

Revolves the lacred Page, bat rend- purblind

The Gefpei-MeUage with a legal MinV;.

Msn

12 GOSPEL SONNETS,

Men dream their State, ah ! too too flightly view'd, Needs only be amended, not renew'd, Scorn to be wholly Debtors unto Grace. Hopeful their Works may meliorate their Cafe. They fancy prefent Pray'rs and future Pains, Will for their former Failings make amends : To legal Yokes they bow their fervile Necks, ^ And left foul Slips their falfe Repofe perplex, >-

Think Jesus' Merits make up all Defects. J They patch his glorious Robe with filthy Rags, And burn but Incenfe to their proper Drags. Difdain to ufe his Righteoufnefs alone, ^

But as an aiding Stirr'p to mount their own ; >- Thus in Chrift's room his Rival Self enthrone, 3 And vainly would, drefs'd up in legal Trim, Divide Salvation 'tween themfelves and him. But know, vain Man, that to his (hare mull fall The Glory of the whole, or none all. In him all Wifdom's hidden Treafures lie, And all the Fulnefs of the Deity. This Store alone, immenfe, and never fpent, Might poor infolvent Debtors well content ; But to Hell-Prifon juftly Heav'n will doom Proud Fools that on their petty Stock prefume. The fofteft Couch that gilded Nature knows, Can gfve the waken'd Confcience no Repofe. WThen God arraigns, what mortal Power can (land Beneath the Terror of his lifted Hand ? Our Safety lies beyond the natural Line, Beneath a purple Covert all Divine. Yet how is precious Chrifr, the Way, defpis'd, And high the Way of Life by Doing priz'd ? But can its Votaries all its Levy fhow ? They prize it molt, who leaft its Burden know : Who by the Law in part would fave his Soul, Becomes a * Debtor to fulfil the whole.

Its * Gal, v. 3.

Part I. The Believers Efpoufals. i§

Its Prifoner he remains, and without Bail,

fTill every Mite be paid ; and if he fail,

(As fure he muft, fince by our finful Breach,

Perfection far furmounts all mortal Reach)

Then curft for ever muft his Soul remain ;

And all the Folk of God muft fay, Amen*

Why, feekingthat the Law fhould help afford;

In honouring the Law, he flights its Lord, \

Who gives his Law- fulfilling Righteoufnefs,

To be the naked Sinner's perfect Drefs ;

In which he might with fpotlefs Beauty fhine,

Before the Face of Majefty 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.

In vain the Son of God this Web did weave, Could our vile Rags fufHcient Shelter give. In vain he every Thread of it did draw, Could Sinners be o'ermantled by the Law. Can Men's Salvation on their Works be built, Whofe faireft Actions nothing are but Guilt I Or can the Law fupprefs th' avenging Flame, When now its only Office is to damn \ Did Life come by the Law in part or whole, J31eft Jesus died in vain to fave a Soul. Thofe then who Life by legal Means expect, To them is Christ become of no effect ; Becaufe their legal Mixtures do in fact Wifdom's grand ProjecT: plainly counteract. How clofe proud carnal Reafonings combine, To fruftrate Sovereign Grace's great Defign ? Man's Heart by Nature weds the Law alone, Nor will another Paramour enthrone.

True, many feem by Courfe of Life profane, No Favour for the Law to entertain ;

But * Dwtx xxvii. 26.

i4 GOSPEL SONNETS.

But break the Bands, and caft the Cords away, That would their raging Lufts and Pafiions flay : , Yet even this reigning Madnefs may declare, How ftric"t.ly wedded to the Law they are ; For now (however rich they feem'd before) ^

Hopelefs to pay Law-Debt, they give it o'er, / Like defp'rate Debtors mad, ftill run themfelves^ in more, )

Defpair cf Succefs fhews their ftrong Defires, 'Till legal Hopes are parch'd in luftfu; Fires. " Let's give (lay they) our lawlefs Will free Scope, <c And live at random, for there is no Hope * The Law that can't 'em help, they ftab with Hate, Yet fcorn to beg, or court another Mate. Here, Lufts moft oppofite their Hearts divide, Their beaftly Paflion, and their bankrupt Pride, In Pafton they their native Mate deface, In Pride difdain to be oblig'd to Grace. Hence plainly, as a Rule 'gainft Law they live, Yet clofely to it as a Cov'nant cleave. Thus legal Pride lies hid beneath the Patch, And ftrong Averfion to the Gofpel-Match.

jer. xviii. 12.

CHAP.

Part I. The Believer's Efpoufals. 15

CHAP. II.

The Manner of a Sinner's Divorce from the Law in a Work of Humiliation, and of his Marriage to the Lord Jesus Christ 5 Or the Way how a Sinner comes to be 2 Believer.

* ' ■■ »»»

SEC T. t

Of a Law-Work, and the Workings of legal Pride

under it*

CO proud's the Bride, fo backwardly difpos'd,

^ How then mall e'er the happy Match be clos'd f

Kind Grace the Tumults of her Heart muft quell,

And draw her Heav'nward by the Gates of Hell.

The Bridegroom's Father makes by's holy Sp'rit

His ftern Command with her ftiffConfciencemeet ;

To dafh her Pride, and fhew her utmoft need,

Purfues for double Debt with awful Dread.

He makes her former Hufband's frightful Ghoft

Appear and damn her, as a Bankrupt loft,

With Curfes, Threats, and Sinai Thunder-claps,

Her lofty Tower of legal Boafting faps.

Thefe humbling Storms in high or low Degrees,

Heaven's Majefty will meafure as he pleafe 1

But ftill he makes the fiery Law at leaft

Pronounce its awful Sentence in her Breaft,

'Till through the Law * convic~b of being loft,

She hopelefs u the Law give, up the Ghoft ;

Which Gal, iu 19.

i6 GOSPEL SONNETS.

Which now in Rigour comes full Debt to crave,

And in clofe Prifon caft -, but not to fave. i

For now 'tis weak, and can't (through our Default)

Its greater!: Votaries to Life exalt.

But well it can command with Fire and Flame,

And to the loweft Pit of Ruin damn.

Thus doth it, by Commiflion from above,

Deal with the Bride, when Heav'n wou'd court her

Love. Lo ! now fhe ftartles at the Sinai Trump, Which throws her Soul into a difmal Dump. Confcious another Hufband fhe muft have, Elfe die for. ever in Deftru&ion's Grave.

While in Conviction's Jail fhe's thus inclos'd, Glad News is heard, the Royal Mate's propos'd. And now the fcornful Bride's inverted ftir, Is racking Fear, he fcorn to match with her. She dreads his Fury, and defpairs that he Will ever wed fo vile a Wretch as fhe. And here, the legal Humour flirs again To her prodigious Lofs and grievous Pain : For when the Prince prefents himfelf to be Her Hufband, then fhe deems; Ah ! is not he Too fair a Match for fuch a filthy Bride ? Unconfcious that the Thought bewrays her Pride* Even Pride of Merit, Pride of Righteoufnefs, Expecting Heav'n fhould love her for her Drefs ; Unmindful how the Fall her face did ftain, 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 j 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 Praife of Sovereign Grace, C E!fe ne'er had courted ojie of Adaris Race, 3

Which

Part L The Believers KJpoujals. If

Which all as Children of Corruption be,

Heirs rightful of immortal Mifery.

Yet here the Bride employs her foolifh Wit,

For this bright Match her ugly Form to fit ;

To daub her Features o'er with legal Paint,

That with a Grace {lie may herfelf prefent.

Hopeful the Prince with Credit might her wed,

If once fome comely Qualities fhe had.

In humble Pride, her haughty Spirit flags,

She cannot think of coming all in Rags.

Were fhe a humble, faithful Penitent,

She dreams he'd then contract with full content.

Bafe Varlet ! thinks (he'd be a Match for him,

Did fhe but deck herfelf in handfome trim.

Ah foolifh Thoughts ! in legal Deeps that plod,

Ah forry Notions of a Sovereign God !

Will God expofe his great, his glorious Son,

For our vile Baggage to be fold and won I

Should finful Modefty the Match decline,

Untill its Garb be brifk and fuperfine ;

Alas ! when mould we fee the Marriage-Day,

The happy Bargain muft flee up for ay*

Prefumptuous Souls in furly Modefty,

Half Saviours of themfelves wou'd fondly be*

Then hopeful th'other half their Due will fall,

Bifdain to be in Jefus' Debt for all.

Vainly they firft wou'd wafh themfelves, and then

Addrefs the Fountain to;be wafh'd more clean ;

Firft heal themfelves, and then expect: the Balm ;

Ah ! many flightly cure their fudden Qualm.

They heal their Confcience with a Tear or Pray'i .

And feek no other Chr'tft^ but perifh there.

O Sinner, fearch the Houfe, and fee the Thief -y

That fpoils thy Saviour's Crown, thy Soul's relief, >

The hid, but heinous Sin of Unbelief. .>

Who can poflefs a Quality that's good,

'Till iuft he come to Jefus* deanting Blosd }

C Tkc.

iS GOSPEL SONNETS.

The Power that draws the Bride, will alfo {hew* Unto her by the way her hellifh Hue, As void of every Virtue to commend, And full of every Vice that will offend. 'Till Sovereign Grace the fullen Bride fhall catch, She'll never fit herfelf for fuch a Match. Mofl qualify'd they are in Heaven to dwell, Who fee themfelves molt qualify'd for Hell ; And ere the Bride can drink Salvation's Cup, Kind Heaven mull reach to Hell, and lift her up : For no Decorum e'er about her found Is file belov'd, but on a nobler Ground. ^Jehovah's Love is like his Nature free, Nor muft his Creature challenge his Decree. But low at Sovereign Grace's Footftool creep, Whofe Ways are fearchlefs, and his Judgments deep. Yet Grace's Suit meets with Refiftance rude From haughty Souls ; for lack of innate Good To recommend them. Thus the backward Bride Affronts her Suitor with her modeft Pride. Black Hatred for his offer'd Love repays, Pride under Mafk of Modefty difplays ; In part wou'd fave herfelf, hence faucy Soul ! Rejects the matchlefs Mate would fave in whole.

SECT. II.

Conviclion of Sin and Wrath, carried on more deeply and effectually on the Heart,

CO proudly forward is the Bride, and now

^ Stern Heaven begins to ftare with cloudier Brow,;

Law-Curfes come with more condemning Power,

To fcorch her Confcience with a fiery Shower,

And more refulgent Flafhes darted in ;

For by *he Law the Knowledge is of Sin* \

Black * Rom, Hi, 20.

Part I. The Believer's EfpoUfals; t$

Black Sinai thundering louder than before,

Does awful in her lofty Bofom roar,

Heaven's furious Storms now rife from every %Airth^

In ways more terrible to /hake the Earth f j

bcfill Hanghtinefs of Men be funk thereby ',

'That Chrift alone may be exalted high.

Now fbble Earth feems from her Centre toft,

And lofty Mountains in the Ocean loft.

Hard Recks of Flint, and haughty Hills of Pride*

Are torn in pieces by the roaring Tide.

Each Flam of new Conviction's lucid Rays

Heart-Errors undifcern'd 'till now difplays,

Wrath's mafly Cloud upon the Confcience breaks,

And thus menacing Heaven, in Thunder fpeaks ;

6C Black Wretch, thou madly under-foot hath trod

" Th'Authority of a commanding God ;

" Thou, like thy Kindred that in Adam fell,

" Art but a Law-renverfing Lump of Hell,

ce And there by Law and Juftice doom'd to dwell.

Now, now, the daunted Bride her State bewails,

And downward furls her felf-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 fo hid, while to the Law fhe liv'd $

Infinite Majefty in God is feen,

And infinite Malignity in Sin :

That to its Expiation muft amount* '

A Sacrifice of infinite account.

Juftice its dire Severity difplays,

The Law its vaft Dimenllons open la^S;

She fees for this broad Standard nothing meet,

Save an Obedience finlefs and complete.

Her Cob-web Righteoufnefs once in Renown/

Is with a happy Vengeance now fwep. down.

C 2 She

* Wind. f lfa% ia, 17, 19,

2C GOSPEL SONNETS.

She who of daily Faults could once but prate,

Sees now her finful, miferable State.

Her Heart, where once fhe thought fome Good t#

dwell, The Devil's Cab'net fill'd with Tram of Hell, Her boafted Features now unmasked bare, Her vaunted Hopes are plung'd in deep Defpak, Her haunted Sheiter-houfe in by-pah: Years, Comes tumbling down about her frighted Ears. Her former rotten Faith, Love, Penitence, She fees a bowing JVall^ a tottering Fence. Excellencies of Thought, and Word, and Deed, All fwimming, drowning in a Sea of Dread : Her Beauty now Deformity fhe deems, Her Heart much blacker than the Devil feems, With ready Lips fhe can herfelf declare, The vileft ever breath'd in vital Air. Her former Hopes, as Refuges of Lies, Are fwept away, and all her Boafting dies. She once imagin'd Heav'n would be unjuft, To damn fo many Lumps of human Dull: Form'd by himfelf j but now fhe owns it true, Damnation furely is the Sinner's Due : Yea, now applauds the Law's juft Doom fo well, That juftly ihe condemns herfelf to Hell \ Does herein divine Equity acquit, Herfelf adjudging to the loweft Pit. Her Language, " Oh! If God condemn, I muft *c From bottom of my Soul declare him juft. ** But if his great Salvation me embrace, <c How loudly will I fing furprifing Grace ? •* If from the Pit he to the Throne me raifep ** I'll rival Angels in his endlefs Praife, 4< If Hell-deferving me to Heaven he bring, " No Heart fo glad, no Tongue fo loud fhall iing- •' If Wifdom has not laid the faving Plan, *' I nothing have to cl&jm, I nothing can.

Part I. The Believer's Efpoufals, it

f( My Works but Sin, my Merit Death I foe, ss Oh !. Mercy, Mercy, Mercy \ pity me." Thus aH felf-j unifying Pleas are dropp'd, Mo'ft Guilty '{he becomes, her Mouth is ftopp'd. Pungent Remorfe does her paft Conduct blame, And flufh her confcious Cheek with fpreading

Shame. Her felf-conceited Heart is felf-eonvicl:, With barbed Arrows of Compunction prick'd : Wonders, how Juftice fpares her vital Breath, How patient Heav'n adjourns the Day of Wrath, How pliant Earth does not with open Jaws Devour her, Korah-Yike, for equal Caufe ; How yawning Hell that gapes for fuch a Prey, Is fruftrate with a further Hour's delay, She that could once her mighty Works exalt, And boafi Devotion fram'd without a Fault ; Extol her natural Powers, is now brought down* Her former Madnefs, not her Powers, to own. Her prefent beggar'd State, moft void of Grace, Unable even to wail her woful Cafe, Quite powerlefs to believe, repent, or p/ay, Thus Pride of Duties flies and dies away. She, like a harden' d Wretch, a ftupid Stone, JLies in the Duft, and cries, Undone, Undone.

SECT. III.

The deeply humbled Soul relieved with fome faving bifcoveries gf Christ the Redeemer*

WHEN thus the wounded Bride perceives full well Herfelf the vileft Sinner out of Hell, The blackeft Monfter in the Uniyerfe 5 Penfive if Clouds of Wee fhall e'er difperfe.

C3 Whep j

22 GOSPEL SONNETS.

When in her Bread Heav'n's Wrath To fiercely glows, 'Twixt Fear and Guilt her Bones have no repofe. When flowing Billows of amazing Dread, Swell to a Deluge o'er her finking Head ; When nothing in her Heart is found to dwell, But horrid Atheifm, Enmity and Hell ; When endlefs Death and Ruin feem at hand, And yet fhe cannot for her Soul command A Sigh to eafe it, or a gracious 1 'bought , Tho* Heav'n could at this petty Rate be bought. When Darknefs and Confufion overcloud, And unto black Defpair Temptations croud ; When wholly without Strength to move or flir, And not a Star by Night appears to her : But fhe, while to the Brim her Troubles flow, Stands trembling on the utmpft Brink of Woe. Ah weary Cafe : But lo ! in this fad Plight The Sun arifes with furprifing Light. The darker! Midnight is his ufual Time Of riling nnd appearing in his Prime. To fhew the Hills from whence Salvation fprings, And chafe the gloomy Shades with golden Wings* The glorious Hufband now unveils his Face, And mews his Glory full of Truth and Grace ; Prefents unto the Bride in that dark Hour, HimMf a Saviour, both by Price and Power : A mighty Helper to redeem the Loft, Relieve and ranfom to the uttermoft. To feck the vagrant Sheep to Defarts driven, And fave from lowed Hell to higheft Heaven. Her doleful Cafe he fees, his Bowels move, And make her Time of Need his Time of Love, He fhews, to prove himfelf her mighty Shield, His Name is JESUS, by his Father feal'd j A Name with Attributes engrav'd within, To fave from every Attribute of Sin.

With

Part I. The Believer* s Efpoufals. 2%

With TVifdom Sin's great Folly to expofe,

And Right eoufnefs its Chain of Guilt to loofe,

Sanclifcation to fubdue its Sway,

Redemption all its woful Brood to flay.

Each golden Letter of his glorious Name,

Bears full Deliv'rance both from Sin and Shame.

Yea, not Privation bare from Sin and Woe, O

But thence all pofitive Salvations flow, P"

To make her wife,jujl, holy, happy too. -X

He now appears a Match exactly meet,

To make her every way in him complete,

In whom the Fulnefs of the Godhead dwells,

That ihe may boafr. in him, and nothing elfe.

In Gofpel-Lines fhe now perceives the Dawn

Of J ejus'' Love with bloody Pencil drawn ;

How God in him is infinitely pleas'd,

And Heav'n's revenging Fury whole appeas'd :

Law-Precepts magnify'd by her Belov'd, '

And ev'ry Let to flop the Match remov'd.

Now in her View her Prifon-gates break ope,

Wide to the Walls flies up the Door of Hope,

And now fhe fees with Pleafure unexprefs'd

For fhatter'd Barks a happy Shore of Reft.

SECT. IV.

The Workings of the Spirit of Faith in feparating the Heart from . all Self -Right eoufnefs, and drawing out its Confent to, and Deftre after CHRIST alone and wholly,

*TTHE Bride at Sinai little underftood, <

*- How thefe Law-Humblings were defign'd /

for good, r*

T* enhance the Value of her Hufband's Blood. >

C 4 The

*4 GOSPEL SONNETS.

The Tower of tottering Pride thus batter' d downa Makes way for Chriil alone to wear the Crown. Conviction's Arrows pierc'd her Heart that fo, The Blood from his pierc'd Heart to her's might

flow. The Law's fliarp Plough tears up. theFaliow-Ground* Where not a Grain of Grace was to be found, Till ftraight perhaps behind the Plough is iown, The hidden Seed of Faith as yet unknown. Hence now the once reluctant Rride's inclin'd To give the Gofpel an ajj'enting Mind, Difpos'd to take, would Grace the Pow*r impart^ Heav'n's Offer with a free confcnting Heart. His Spirit in the Gofpel-Chariot rides, And (hews his loving Heart to draw the Bride's > Tho' oft in Clouds his drawing Pow'r he hides. His Love in gracious Offers to her bears, In kindly Anfwers to her Doubts and Fears, Refolving all Objections more or lefs From former Sins, or prefent Worthleflhefs, Persuades her Mind of 's conjugal Confent, And then impowers her Heart to fay, Content. Content to be divorced from the Law, No more the Yoke of legal Terms to draw. Content that he difTolve the former Match, And to himfelf alone her Heart attach. Content to join with Chrijl at any rate. And wed him as her everlafting Mate. Content that he fhou.ld ever wear the Bays* And of her whole Salvation have the Praife. Content that he mould rife, tho' fhe mould fa#, And to be Nothing, that he may be All. Content that he, becaufe fhe nought can do^ Do for her all her Work, and in her too. Here fhe a peremptory Mind difplays, That he do all the Work, get all the Praife.

A*d

Part I. The Believer's Efpufah. t$

And now fhe is^ which ne'er till now took place, Content intirely to be fav'd by Grace. She owns that her Damnation juft would bes And therefore her Salvation muff, be free : That nothing being hers but Sin and Thrall, She muft be Debtor unto Grace for All.

Hence comes fhe to him in her naked Cafe? To be inverted with his Righteoumeis. She comes as guilty u to a Pardon free 5 As vile zndjihby to a cleanfingSea : As poor and empty, to the richeft Stock ; As weak and feeble, to the ftrongeft Rock : As perifhing, unto a Shield from Thrall \ As worfe than Nothing to an All in All. She, as a blinded Mole, an ignorant Fool, Comes for Inftruction to the Prophet's School, §he, with a Hell-deferving confcious Breaft, Flees for Atonement to the worthy Priefi. 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' j To this Phyfician of eternal Worth, She fpreads before his Throne her filthy Sore, And lays her broken Bones down at his Door. No Mite me has to buy a Crumb of Blifs, And therefore comes impoveriuVd as me is. ^ By Sin and Satan of all Good bereft, ^

Comes e'en as bare as they her Soul have hft. To Senfe, as free of Holinefs • within, As Cbri/l, the fpotlefs Lamb, was free of Sin. §he comes by Faith, true ; but it fhews her Wanf^ And brings her as a Sinner, not a Saint, A wretched Sinner flying for her Good To Juftifying, Sanctifying Blood. Strong Faith noStrength nor Power of acting vaunts^ But acts in Senfe «f Weaknefs and of Wants.

Drain'd

±6 GOSPEL SONNETS.

Drain'd now of every Thing that Men may call -j Terms and Conditions of Relief from Thrall ; C Except this one, that Jesus be her All. 3

When to the Bride he gives efpoufing Faith, It finds her'under Sin and Guilt and Wrath, And makes her as a plagued Wretch to fall At Jefus' Footftool for the Cure of All. Her whole Salvation now in him {he feeks, And mufing thus perhaps in fecret fpeaks.

" Lo ! all my Burdens may in him be eas'd ; " The Juftice I offended he has pleas' d j " The Blifs that I have forfeit he procur'd ; " The Curfe that I deferved he endur'd ; " The Law that I have broken he obey'd ; " The Debt that I contracted he has paid : " And tho' a Match unfit for him I be, " I find him every Way raoft fit for me.

" Sweet Lord, I think, wouldft thou thy felf impart, " I'd welcome thee with open Hand and Heart ; cc But thou that fav'fl by Price, muft fave by Power ; *c O fend thy Spirit in a fiery Shower, " This cold and frozen Heart of mine to thaw, " That nought, faveCords of burning Love, can d raw. " O draw me Lord, then will I run to thee, " And glad into thy glowing Bofom flee. " I own myfelf a Mafs of Sin and Hell, " A Brat that can do nothing but rebel : " But didji thou not, as facred Pages fhew,* <c (When rifing up to fpoil the Hellifh Crew, " That had by Thoufands, Sinners captive made, " And hadft in conquering Chains them captive led) <c Get Donatives, not for thy proper Gain, <c But Royal Bounties for rebellious Men, " Gifts, Graces, and the Spirit without Bounds. <c For God's new Houfe with Man on firmer Grounds,

0

* Pfal. lxviii. 18.

Part I. The Believers Efpouf ah. 27

" O then let me a Rebel now come fpeed,

<< Thy holy Spirit is the Gift I need.

cc His precious Graces too, the glorious Grant,

" Thou kindly prcmis'd, and I greatly want.

" Thou art exalted to the higheir. Place,

*' To givs Repentance forth-, and every Grace.

" O Giver of Spiritual Life and Breath,

" The Author and the Finijher of Faith ;

<c Thou, Hufoaud-like, muft every Thing provide,

" If e'er the like of me become thy Bride."

SECT. V.

Faith's View of the Freedom of Grace, cordial Renun- ciation of all its own Ragged Right eoufnefs, and Formal Acceptance of and Clofeng with the Ferfon of Glorious Christ.

'"jTHE Bride with open Eyes that once were dim5 "7 Sees now her whole Salvation lies in him ; The Prince, .who is not in difpenfing nice, But freely gives without her Pains or Price. This magnifies the Wonder in her Eye, Who not a Farthing has wherewith to buy -9 For now her humbled Mind can difavow Her boafled Beauty and affirming Brow, "With confcious Eye difcern her Emptinefs, With candid Lips her Poverty confefs. •' O Glory to the Lord that Grace is free, <4 Elfe never would it light on guilty me. <c I nothing have v/ith me to be its Price, ■ c But hellifh Blacknefs, Enmity and Vice. In former Times fhe durft prefuming come, To Grace's Market with a petty Sum Of Duties, Prayers, Tears, a boafted Set, Expecting; Heaven would thus be in hej D&bt. ' to Thefe

2$ g/ost^el sonnets.

TLefe were the Price, at leaft (he did fuppofe,

She'd be the welcomer becaufe of thofe :

But now fhe fees the Vilenefs of her Vogue,

The Dung that clofe doth every Duty clog,

7 'he Sin that doth her Holinefs reprove,

The Enmity that clofe attends her Love,

The great Heart- hard nefs of her Penitence,

The ftupid Dulnefs of her vaunted Senfe,

The Unbelief of former blazed Faith,

The utter Nothingnefs of all fhe hath.

The Blacknefs of her Beauty me can fee,

The pompous Pride of ftrain'd Humility,

The Naughtinefs of all her Tears and Prayers y

And now renounces All as worthlefs Wares ;

And finding nothing to commend herfelf,

But what might damn her, her embezled Pelf ;•

At Sovereign Grace's Feet does proftrate fall,

Content to be in Jefus' Debt for All.

Her noifed Virtues vanifh out of Sight,

As ftarry Tapers at Meridian Light ;

While fweetly, humbly fhe beholds at length,

Chrift, as her only Righteoufnefs and Strength.

He with the View throws down his loving Dart,

Impreft 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 fweetly pain'd, her Cries to Heaven do flee ;

f* O none but Jefus^ none but Chrtfl for me !

xc O glorious Chriji^ O Beauty, Beauty rare !

Ki Ten Thoufand Thoufand Heav'ns are not fo fair,

ic In him at once all Beauties meet and fhine,

*' The White and Ruddy, Human and Divine,

*c As in his low, he's m his high Abode,

*c The brighteft Image of the unfeen God.

<c How juftly do the "Harpers fing above,

u His Doing, Dying, Rifing, Reigning Love.

- - « How

Part L The Bel: ever9 s Efpufals. 29

Xc How juftly does he$ when his Work is done, *c PofTefs the Centre of his Father's Throne ? " How juftly do his awful Throne before, " Seraphick Armies proftrate, him adors ; ic That's both by Nature and Donation crvwn'd, *c With all the Grandeur of the Godhead ^ound F " But v/ilt thou, LojjJ, in very deed com - dwell] et With me, that was a burning Brand of T 11 f ** With me fo juftly reckon'd worfe and leis *' Than Infect, Mite, "or Atom canexprefs? *' Wilt thou debafe thy high Imperial Form, *' Was in deep Love to feek and fave the Loft:: " To match with fuch a mortal, crawling Worm f " Yea, fure thine Errand to our Earthly Coaft, " And fince thou deign'ft the like of me towed, " O come and make my Heart thy Marriage-Bed, *c Fair Jefas, wilt thou marry filthy me ! *' Amen, Amen, Amen 3 fo let it be.

CHAR III.

The Fruits of the Believer's Marriage with C h k- ist, particularly Gofpel - Holinefs and Obedience to tht Law as a Rule.

S EC T. L

Tlot fiuect Solemnity of the Marriage now over, and the fad Effetts of the Remains of a legal Spirit.

'"FH E Match is made, with little Din 'tis done* -*- But with great Power, unequal Prizes won. The Lamb has fairly won his worthlefs Bride j 3H her great Lord, and all his Store beiide.

He

5o GOSPEL SONNETS.

He made the pooreft Bargain, tho' moft Wife, And She the Fooi, has won the worthy Prize.

Deep Floods of everlafting Love and Grace, That under Ground ran an Eternal Space, Now rife aloft 'bove Banks of Sin and Hell, And o'er the Tops of maiTy Mountains fwell. In Streams of Blood are T#wers of Guilt o'erflowri* Down with the rapid purple Current thrown.

The Bride now, as her All can Jefus own, And proftrate at his Footilool caft her Crown, Difclaiming all her former groundlefs Hope, * While in the Dark her Soul did weary grcne. Down tumble all the Hills of Self-conceit, In him alone fhe fees herfelf complete ; Does his fair Perfon with fond Arms embrace, And all her Hopes on his full Merit place ; Difcard her former Mate, and henceforth draw" No Hope, no Expectation from the Law.

Tho' thus her new-created Nature foars, And lives aloft on Jefus* heavenly Stores ; Yet apt to ftray, her old aduk'rous Heart Oft takes her old renounced Husband's part : A legal Cov'nant is fo deep ingrain'd Upon the human Nature laps'd and {lain'd, That 'till her Spirit mount the pureft Clime* She's never totally divore'd in Time. Hid in her corrupt Part's proud Bofom lurks, Some Hope of Life ftill by the Law of Works.

Hence flow the following Evils more or lefs ; -y Preferring oft her partial holy Drefs, C

Before her Hufband's perfect Righteoufnefs. j>

Hence joying more in Grace already gi\ en, Than in her Head and Stock that's all in Heaven. .

Hence grieving more the want of Frames and Grace, Than of himfelf the Spring of all Solace.

Hence *

Part I. The Believer's Efpoufals. 31

Hence Guilt her Soul imprifons, Lufts prevail, ,

While to the Law her Rents infolvent fail, /

And yet her faithlefs Heart rejects her Hufband's^

Bail. >

Hence Scul-Diforders rife, and racking Fears, While doubtful of his clearing part Arrears. Vain dreaming, fince her own Obedience faii6, His likewife little for her Help avails.

Hence Duties are a Talk, while all in View Is heavy Yokes of Laws, or old or new : Whereas, were once her legal Biafs broke, She'd find her Lord's Commands an eafy Yoke. No galling Precepts on her Neck he h.\ s, Nor any Debt demands, fave what he pays By promis'd Aid : But lo ! the grievous Law Demanding Brick, won't aid her with a Straw.

Hence alfo fretful Grudging, Difcontent, ->

Crav'd by the Law, finding her Treafure fpent, C And doubting if her Lord will pay the Rent. 3

Hence Pride of Duties too does often fwell9 Prelum ing fhe perform'd fo very well.

Hence Pride of Graces and inherent Worth, Springs from her corrupt legal Biafs forth j And boafling more a prefent withering Frame, Than her exalted Lord's unfading Name.

Hence many Falls and Plunges in the Mire, As many new Converfions do require : Becaufe her faithlefs Hearts fad Follies breed. Much lewd Departure from her living Head, Who to reprove her aggravated Crimes, Leaves her abandon'd to herfelf at Times ; That falling into frightful Deeps, fhe may From fad Experience learn more Strefs to lay, Not on her native Efforts ; but at length 3n Chrift alone, her Righteoufnefs and Strength : ^onfcious while in her Works me feeks Repofe, rler legal Spirit breeds her many Woes.

SECT,

32 GU^^iii, 5UNJNJ1TS.

SECT. It

Faith's Victories over Sin and Satan, through new and farther Difcoverisi of Christ, making Believers more fruitful in HoUnefs than all other Pretenders to Works.

HTH E Gofpel-Path leads Heavenward, hence -■* the Fray,

Hell-Powers ftill pufh 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 onee commene'd the Work in her, Whofe Working Fingers drop the fweeteft Myrrhe* Will ftill advance it by alluring Force, And, from her ancient Mate, more clean divorce i Since jtk her antiquated Spoufe the Law, The Strength of Sin and Hell did on her draw. Piece-meal (he finds Hell's mighty Force abate, By new Recruits from her Almighty Mate. Frefh Armour fent from Grace's Magazine, Makes her proclaim Eternal War with Sin. The Sliield of Faith dipt in the Suretv's Blood* DroWns fiery Darts, as in a crimfon flood. The Captain's ruddy jBanner lifted high, Makes Hell retire and all the Furies fly. Yea, of his Glory every recent Glance, Makes Sin decay, and Ho'inefs advance. In Kindnefs therefore does her heav'nly Lord Renew'd Difcovefies of his Love arrord, That her enamour'd Soul may with the View, Be caft into his holy Mould anew : For when he manifefts his glorious Grace, The fmiling Favour of his .fmiling Face,

Intt

P a R t -I . The Believers EfpGufals. j 3

Into his Image fair transforms her Soul,* And wafts her upward to the Heav'nly Pole, From Glory unto Glory by Degrees, Till Vifion and Fruition (hail fafEce, And thus in holy Beauty Jefu? Bride Shines far beyond the painted Sons of Pride, Vain Merit- Vouchers, and their fubtle Apes^ In all their moft refin'd, delufive (napes. No lawful Child is e'er the Marriage born, Tho' therefore Virtues feign'd their Life adorn* The Fruit they bear is but a Ipurious Brood, Before this happy Marriage be made good. And 'tis not ftrange, for from a corrupt 'Tree No Fruit divinely good produced can be. But lo, the Bridegraft in the living Root, Brings forth moft precious aromatick Fruit. When 'her new Heart and her new Hufband meet* Her fruitful Womb is like a Heap of Wheats Befet with fragrant Lillie's round about, j| All divine Graces, in a comely Rout, Burning within, and (tuning bright without. And thus the Bride, as facred Scripture faith, When dead unto the Law thro' Jefus' Death, % And matched with him, bears to her God and Lord Accepted Fruit with Incenfe pure decor' d. "reecl from Law-debt, and bled: with Gofpel-eafe, rier Work- is now her deareft Lord to pleafe, By living on him as her ample Stock, \nd leaning to him as her petent Rock. The Fruit, that each Law- wedded Mortal brings, To Self accreafes, as from Self it fprings. o bafe a Rife rnuft have a bafe Recourfe, Hie Stream can mount no higher than its Source;, >ut yefus can his Bride's fweet Fruit commend, is brought from him the Root, to him the End. D She

yfe* 2 Cor. iii. 18, || Cant, vif. 2, % &nl- v^«4'

34 GOSPEL SONNETS*

She does by fuch an Offspring him avow, To be her ALPHA and OMEGA too. The Work and Warfare he begins, he crowns, Tho', maugre various Conflicts, Ups and Downs, Thus, thro' the darkfom Vail fhe makes her Way, Until the Morning Dawn of Glory's Day.

SECT. III.

True faving Faith magnifying the Law, both as a Covenant and a Rule. Falfe Faith unfruitful and ruining.

T3ROUD Nature may reject this Gofpel Theme, -"- And curfe it as an Antinomian Scheme. Let Slander bark, let Envy grin and fight, The Curfe that is fo caufelefs {hall 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 chafte to Wife, Be charg'd as Foes to Holinefs of Life, Well may they fuffer gladly on this Score, Apoftles great were fo malign'd before. Do we make void the Lavj through Faith ? nay; why, We do it more fulfil and magnify, Than fiery Seraphs can with holieft Flam ; Avant, vain Legalifts, unworthy Trafh.

When as a Cov'nanf ftern the Law commands, Faith puts her Lamb's Obedience in its Hands : And when its Threats gu(h out a fiery Flood, Faith flops the Current with her Victim's Blood. The Law can crave no more, yet craves no lefs, Than active, paflive, perfect Righteoufnefs. Yet here is all, yea more than its Demand, All render'd to it by a Divine Hand.

Mankin<

Part I. The Believer's Efpoufals. %g

Mankind is bound Law-fervice ftill to pay, Yea Angel-kind is alfo bound t'obey. It may by Human and Angelick Blaze Have Honour, but in finite partial Ways. Thefe Natures have its Luftre once defac'd. 'Twill be by part of both for ay difgrac'd,. Yet had they all obfequious flood and true, They'd given the Law no more than Homage due. But Faith gives't Honour yet more great, moreodd^ The high, the humble Service of its God.

Again to view the holy Law's Command, As lodged in a Mediator's Hand j Faith gives it Honour, as a Rule of Life, And makes the Bride the Lamb's obedient Wife. Due Homage to the Law thofe never did, To whom th' Obedience pure of Faith is hid. Faith works by Lovei and purifies the Hearty And Truth advances in the inward Part ; On carnal Hearts imprefTes divine Stamps, And fully'd Lives inverts to mining Lamps. From Abrarrfs Seed that are moft ftrong in Faith, The Law moft Honour, God moft Glory hath. But due Refpect to neither can be found, -^

Where Unbelief ne'er got a mortal Wound$ C To ftill the Virtue- vaunter's empty Sound. 3

Good Works he boafts, a Path he never trodj Who is not yet the Workmanfoip of God s * In Jefus thereunto created new, Nois'd Works that fpring not hence are but a Shew* True Faith that's of a noble divine Race, Is ftill a holy, fanclifying Grace ; And greater Honour to the Law does fliare* Tr.an Boafters all that breathe the vital Air. E'en Heathen Morals vaftly may out-mine The Works that flow not from a Faith divine*

D 2 Pretenfjons

* Eph> ii. 10*

36 GOSPEL SONNETS.

Pretenfiofts high to Faith a Number have, But ah ! it is a Faith that cannot fave : " We truji, fay they, in Chrift, we hope in God, Nor blulh to blaze their rotten Faith abroad. Nor try the Truit. of which they make a Shew, If of a Saving or a Damning Hue. They own their Sins are ill ; true, but 'tis fad They never thought their Faith and Hope were bad. How evident's their hpme-bred nat'ral Blaze, Who dream they have belie v'd well all their Days ; Yet never felt their Unbelief, nor knew The Need of Power their Natures to renew ! Blind Souls that boafl of Faith, yet live in Sin. May hence conclude their Faith is to begin : Or know they fhall, by fuch an airy Faith, Believe themfelves to everlafting Wrath. Faith that nor leads to good, nor keeps from ///, Will never lead to Heav'n, nor keep from Hell. The Body without Breath is dead ; * no lefs Is Faith without the Works of Holinefs. Haw rare is faving Faith, when Earth is cramm'd, With fuch as will believe and yet be damn'd ; Believe the Gofpel, yet with dread and awe Have never truly hrft believ'd the Law. That Matters fnall be well, they hope too foon, Who never yet have feen they were undone. Can of Salvation their Belief be true. Who never yet believ'd Damnation due ? Can thefe of endlefs Life have folid Faith, Who never fear'd Law-Threats of endlefs Death ? Nay, fail'd they ha'nt yet to the healing Shore, Who never felt their finful, woful Sore.

Imaginary Faith is but a Blind, That bears no IJruit but of a deadly kind ; Nor can from/^ch a wild unwholfom Root, The leaft Produdion rife of living Fruit.

Bufp

* Jam, Vv, 26.

Part I. The Believer's Efpoufals. 37

But faving Faith can fuch an Offspring breed, Her native Product is a holy Seed. The fairefl IfTues of the vital Breath, Spring from the fertile Womb of Heav'n-born Faith , Yet boafts fhe nothing; of her own, but brings Auxiliaries from the King of Kings, Who graves his royal Law in rocky Hearts,' And gracious Aid in foft'ning Showers imparts : Thus gives prolific Virtue to the Faith, Infpir'd at firft by his almighty Breath. Hence fetching all her Succours from abroad, She ftill employs this mighty Power of GOD. Drain'd clean of native Powers and legal Aims, No Strength but in and from Jehovah claims. And thus her Service to the Law o'ertops The towering Zeal of Pharifaick Fops.

SECT. IV.

Tfje Believer only, being married to Christ, is jujtified and fanclified ; and the more Gofpel Free- dom from the Law as a Covenant, the more holy Conformity to it as a Rule.

THUS doth the Hufband 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, Firft all I^aw-Dcbt he moil completely pays, Then of Law-Duties all the Charge defrays. Does firft a flu me her Guilt, and loofe her Chains, \nd then with living Water warn her Stains \ ■ler Fund reftore, and then her Form repair, \nd make his filthy Bride a Beauty fair ; lis per feci: Righteoufnefs moft freely grant, \ud then his holy Image deep implant.

D 3 Iniq

38 GOSPEL SONNETS.

Into her Heart his precious Seed in-drop, 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 fuffer fad Decays, By dint of fhady Nights and ftormy Days. But bleft with Sap, and Influence from above, They live and grow anew in Faith and Love ; Until tranfplanted to the higher Soil, Where Furies tread no more, nor Foxes fpoil. While Chrift, the living Root, remains on high, The noble Plant of Grace can never die ; Nature decays, and fo will all the Fruit That meerly rifes on a mortal Root. Their Works, however fplendid, are but dead, j That from a living Fountain don't proceed ; Their faireft Fruit is but a garnifh'd Shrine, That are not grafted in the glorious Vine. Devouteft Hypocrites are rank'd in Rolls Of painted Puppets, not of living Souls.

No Offspring but of Chrift's fair Bride is good, This happy Marriage has a holy Brood. Let Sinners learn this Myftery to read, >

We bear to glorious Chrift no precious Seed, C 'Till through the Laiv, 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 given, Till from it, as a Covenant, Men be driven. Yea more, till once they this Divorce attain, Divorce from Sin they but attempt in vain -, The curfed Yoke of Sin they bafely draw, 'Till once unyoked from the curfing Law. Sin's full Dominion keeps its native Place, While Men are under Law* not under Grace.]*

Fo W

* Gal. u. 19. ■\Rm* vii J4i

Part I. The Believer's Efpoufals. 39

For mighty Hills of Enmity won't move,

'Till touch'd by conquering Grace and mighty Love,

Were but the Gofpel-fecret underftood, How GOD can pardon where he fees no Good ; How Grace and Mercy free, that can't be bought, Reign through a Righteoufnefs already wrought : Were woful reigning Unbelief depos'd : Myfterious Grace to blinded Minds difclos'd : Did Heav'n with Gofpel-news its Power convey, -^ And Sinners hear a faithful God but fay, C

ic No more Law-Debt remains for you to pay ; 3

Lo, by the loving Surety all's difcharg'd, Their Hearts behoov'd with Love to be enlarg'd : Love, the iuccincl: fulfilling of the Law, Were then the eafy Yoke they'd fweetly draw, Love would conftrajn and to his Service move Who left them Nothing elfe to do but Love, Slight now his loving Precepts if they can, No, no, his conquering Kindnefs leads the Van,

When everlafting Love exerts the Sway, They judge themfelves more kindly bound t'obey, Bound by Redeeming Grace in ftricter Senfe, Than ever Adam was in Innocence. Why now they are not bound as formerly. To Do and Live, not yet to Do or Die ; 3oth Life and Death are put in Jesus' Hands, Who urges neither in his kind Commands, ^ot fervile work their Life and Heaven to win, STor flavifh labour Death and Hell to fhun. Their Aims are purer, fince they underftood^ Their Heaven was bought, their Hell was quench'd

with Blood. The Oars of Gofpel-Service now they freer, Without or legal Hope or flavifh Fear.

The Bride in fweet Security can dwell, far bound to purchafe Heaven5 nor vanquiih Hell: «

But

40 GOSPEL SONNETS.

But bound for him the Race of Love to run, Whofe Love to her left none of thefe undone ; She's bound to be the Lamb's obedient Wife, And in his Strength to ferve him, during Life j, To glorify his loving Name for ay, Who left her not a iingle Mite to pay Of legal Debt ; but wrote for her at large Jn Characters of Blood a full Difcharge. Henceforth no fervile Tafk her Labours prove, But grateful Fruits of reverential Love.

SECT. V.

Qofpel-Grace giving no Liberty nor Freedom to Sin, but to holy Service, and pure Obedience.

THE glorious Hufband's Love can't lead the Wife To Whoredom or Licentioufnefs of Life : Nay, nay, fhe finds his warmeft Love within, The hotteft Fire to melt her Heart for Sin. Hit- kind Embrace is ftill the ftrongeft Cord, To bind her to the Service cf her Lord. The more her Faith infures this Love of his,. The more his Law her Delectation is. Some dream, they might, who this AlFarance win^ Take Latitude and Liberty to fin. Ah ! fuch bewray their Ignorance, and prove, -^ They want the lively Senfe of drawing Love, C And how its fweet conftraining Force can move. ^ The Ark of Grace came never in to dwell, But Dagon- Lufls before it headlong fell. Men bafely can unto Lafcivioufnefs Abufe the Doctrine, not the Work of Grace. Huggers of Divine Love in Vice's Path, £tave but the Fancy cf it, not the Faith.

The>

Part I. Tbe Believer's Efpoufals. 41

They never foar'd aloft on Grace's Wing:, That knew not Grace to be a holy Thing 2 When regnant fhe the Powers of Hell appales. And Sin's Dominion in the Ruin falls, ©urft is the Crew, whole Antinomian Drefs Makes Grace a Cover to their Idlenefs. The Bnde of Chrift williure be very loth, To make his Love a Pillow for her Sloth. Why, may'nt fhe fin the more that Grace abounds? Oh, God forbid ! the very Thought confounds. When ted unto the Law, fhe's dead to Sin, How can fhe any longer live therein ? To neither of them is {he now a Slave, But mares the Conquer! of the Great, the Brave, The mighty General, her victorious Head, Who broke the double Chain to free the Bride. Hence prompted now with Gratitude and Love, Her chearful Feet in fwift Obedience move. More ftrong the Cords of Love to Duty draw, Than Hell and all the Curfes of the Law. When with Seraphick Love the Bread's infpir'd, By that are all the other Graces fir'd ; Thefe kindling round, the burning Heart and Frame In Life and Walk fend forth a holy Flame.

CHAP. IV.

A Caution to all againft a legal Spirit ; es- pecially to thofe that have a Profeffion with- ' put Power, and Learning without Grace.

7HY, fays the haughty Heart of Legalifls, Bound to the Law of Works by natural Twifts,

** Why

42 GOSPEL SONNETS.

" Why fuch ado about a Law-Divorce ?

" Men's I A /esare bad,and would you have'em worfe ?

" Such Antinomian Stuff with labour'd Toil,

w Would human Beauty's native Luftre fpoil.

" What Wickednefs beneath the Covering lurks,

C{ That leudly would divorce us all from Works ?

■* Why fuch a Stir about the Law and Grace ?

w 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 lifp in Gofpel-Terms, Who yet embrace the Law with legal Arms. By wholfom Education fome are taught, To own that human Merit now is naught ; Who faintly but renounce proud Merit's Name, And cleave refin'dly to the Popifh Scheme. For graceful Works expe&ing divine Blifs, And when they fail, truft Chrift, for what's amifs. ' Thus to his Righteoufnefs profefs to fly, Yet by it ftill would their own Saviours be. They feem to Works of Merit bloody Foes, Yet feek Salvation at it were * by thofe, Blind Gentiles found, who did nor feek nor know, But Ifra'I loft it whole who fought it lb.

Let all that love to wear the legal Drefs, Know that as Sin, fo daftard Righteoufnefs Has {lain its Thoufands, who in tow' ring Pride The Righteoufnefs of Jesus Christ deride. A Robe divinely wrought, divinely won, Yet caft by Men for Rags that are their own.

But fome to legal Works feem whole deny'd, Yet would by Gofpel- Works be juftify'd, By Faith, Repentance, Love, and other fuch -y Thefe Dreamers being Righteous overmuch, £►

Like Uzza give the Ark a wrongful Touch. 3

By

* Rom, ix, 32.

Part I. The Believer's Efpcufals: 4j

By legal Deeds however gofpeliz'd,

Can e'er tremendous Juftice be appeas'd ?

Or Sinners juftify'd before that God,

Whcfe Law is perfect, and exceeding broad r

Nay, Faith itfelf, that leading Gofpel-Grace,

[Holds as a Work no juftifying Place.

IJiift Heav'n to Man for Righteoufnefs imputes

[Not Faith Itklfy or in its Acls or Fruits.

But Jefus' meritorious Life and Death,

Faith's proper Objecr, all the Honour hath.

From this does Faith derive its glorious Fame,

Its great Renown and juftifying Nams ;

Receiving all things, but deferving nought ;

By Faith all's begg'd and taken, nothing bought.

Its higheft Name is from the Wedding Vote,

So inftrumental in the Marriage-Knot.

Jehovah lends the Bride in that bleft Hour,

77/ exceeding Greatnefs of his mighty Power.

Which fweetly does her Heart-confent' command,

To reach the wealthy Prince her naked Hand,

For clofe to his Embrace fhe'd never ftir,

If fir ft his loving Arms embrsc'd not her :

But this he does by kindly gradual Chafe,

Of roufing, railing, teaching, drawing Grace,

He (hews her in his fweeteft Love- Add refs,

flis Glory as the Sun of Righteoufnefs.

At which all dying Glories Earth adorn,

ghrink like the fick Moon at the wholfom Morn.

This glorious Sun arifing with a Grace,

Dark Shades of Creature Righteoufnefs to chafe,

Faith now difclaims itfelf, and all the Train -y

Of Virtues formerly accounted Gain -, C

And counts them Dung, with holy, meek Diftlain.3

For now appears the Height, the Depth immenfe

Of divine Bounty and Benevolence ;

Amazing Mercy ! ignorant of Bounds !

Which laoft enlarged Faculties confounds.

How

^

44 GOSPEL SONNETS.

How Vain, how void now feem the vulgar Charms, The Monarch's Pomp of Courts, and Pride of Arms? The boafred Beauties of the Human Kind, The Powers of Body, and the Gifts of Mind ? Lo ! in the Grandeur of bmnawePs Train, All's fwalk>w'd up as Rivers in the Main. He/s feen when Gofpel-Lightand Sight is given, Encompafs'd round with all the Pomp of Heav'n.

The Soul now taught of God, fees human Schools Make^Chrifllefs Rabbles only literate Fools ; And that 'till divine Teaching powerful 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 wholfom Terms of Art, Have Gofpel-Heads, but {till a legal Heart. 'Till Sovereign Grace and Power the Sin^ier catch, He takes not Jefus 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 fupernatural Light j No haughty Soul of human Kind is brought To mortify her felf-exalting Thought.

Yet holieft Creatures in Clay-Tents that lodge, Be but their Lives fcann'd by the dreadful Judge; How mail they e'er his awful Search endure, Before whofe purefl Eves Heav'n is not pure ? How muft their black Indictment be enlarg'd, When by him Angels are with Folly charg'd ? What human Worth (hall ftand, when he {hall fcan ? O may his Glory {lain the Pride of Man.

How wondrous are the Tracks of Divine Grace, How fearchlefs are his Ways, how vaft til Abyfs ? Let haughty Reafon ftop, and fear to leap ; Angelick Plummets cannot found the Deep'.

With

IP art L The Believers Efpciifals. 45

[With Scorn he turns his Eyes from haughty Kings, [With Pleafure looks on low and worthlefs Things 5 iDeep are his Judgments, fovereign is his Will, ■Let every mortal "Worm be dumb, be frill. ■In vain proud Reafon fwells beyond its Bound, ~y I God and his Counfels are a Gulf profound, >

J An Ocean wherein all our Thoughts are drown'd.^

C H A P. V.

Arguments and Encouragements to Gofpel- Miniflers to avoid a legal Strain of Doc- trine, and endeavour the Sinner's Match with Christ by Gofpel-means.

SECT. I.

A legal Spirit the Root of damnable Errors.

\7 E Heralds great, that blow in Name of God * The filver Trump of Gofpel-Grace abroad ; And found by Warrant from the great I AM, The Nuptial Treaty with the worthy Lamb : Might ye but ftoop th' unpolifhM Mufe to brook* And from a Shrub an wholfom Berry pluck ; Ye'd take Encouragement from what is faid, ~j By Gofpel-means to make the Marriage-Bed ; v And to your glorious Lord a Virgin chaile to wed. j

The more proud Nature bears a legal Sway, The more fhould Preachers bend the Gofpel-way : Oft in the Church arife deftructive Schifhrs From anti- evangelick Aphorifms 1

46 UOSr^L, SONNETS.

A legal Spirit may bejuftly nam'd

The fertile Womb of every Error damn'd.

Hence Popery fo connatural fince the Fall, Makes legal Works like Saviours merit all j Yea, more than Merit on their Shoulder loads* To fupererogate like Demi-gods.

Hence proud Socinians feat their Reafon high, 'Bove every precious Gofpel- My fiery, Its divine Author flab, and without Fear The purple Covert of his Chariot tear.

With thefe run Arian Monfters in a Line, All Gofpel-Truth at once to undermine \ To darken and delete like hellifh Foes, The brigheft Colour of the Sharon Role. At beft its human Red they but decry That blot the divine White, the native Dye.

Hence dare Arminians too with brafen Face, GiveMan'sFree-willtheThroneofGod'sFree-Grace Whofe felf-exalting Tenets clearly fhew Great Ignorance of Law and Gofpel too.

Hence Neonomians fpringj as fundry call The new Law-makers to redrefs our Fall. The Law of Works into Repentance, Faith^ Is chang'd, as their Baxterian Bible faith. Shaping the Gofpel to an eafy Law, They build their tott'ringHoufe with Hayand Straw Yet hide like Rachel's Idols in the Stuff Their legal Hands within a Gofpel-MufF.

Yea, hence fprings Antlnomlan vile Refufe, Whofe grois Abbettors Gofpel-Grace abufe ; Unfkill'd how Grace's filken Latchet binds Her Captives to the Law, with willing Minds.

s £ C T

Part I. The Believers &JpouJals. 47

SECT. IL

A legal Strain of Doctrine difcovered and dif carded,

NO wonder Paul the legal Spirit curfe, Of fatal Errors fuch a feeding Nurie. ! He in Jehovah's great tremendous Name, I Condemns Perverters of the Gofpel-Scheme. ! He damn'd the Sophift rude, the babling Prieft i Would venture to corrupt it in the leaft ; Yea, curft the heavenly Angel down to Hell, That daring would another Gofpel tell. * Which Crime is charg'd on thefe that dare difpenfe The felf-fame Gofpel in another Senfe.

Chrijl is not preach'd in Truth, but in Difguife, If his bright Glory half abfconded lies. When Gofpel-Soldiers, that divide the Word, Scarce brandifh any but the legal Sword. While Chrijl the Author of the Law they prefs5 More than the End of it for Righteoufnefs •> Chrijl as a Seeker of our Service trace, More than a Giver of enabling Grace. The King commanding Holinefs they fhow, More than the Prince exalted to beftow ; Yea, more on Chrijl the Sin-Revenger dwell. Than Chrijl Redeemer both from Sin and HelL *With legal Spade the Gofpel Field he delves. Who thus drives Sinners in unto themfelves ; Halving the Truth that mould be all revealed The fweeteft Part of Chrijl is oft conceal'd. We bid Men turn from Sin, but feldom fay? Behold the Lamb that takes all Sin away f Chrijl by the Gofpel rightly underftpod, - Not only treats a Peace, bnt makes it good.

ThQfc

* Gal i, 7; 8.

48 GOSPEL SONNETS;

Thofe Suitors therefore of the Bride, who hope

By force to drag her with the legal Rope,

Nor ufe the drawing Cord of conqu'ring Grace,

JPurfue with flaming Zeal a fuitlefs Chafe ;

In vain lame Doings urge, with folemn Awe,

To Inbe the Fury of the fiery Law :

With equal Succefs to the Fool that aims

By paper Walls to bound devouring Flames.

The Law's but mock'd by their mofr graceful Deed,

That wed not ftrft the Law-fulfilling Head ;

It values neither how they wrought nor wept,

That flight the Ark wherein alone 'tis kept.

Yet Legal ills, DO, DO, with Ardour prefs, ""?

And with prepoft'rous Zeal and warm Addrefs, ?-

Would feem the greatefr. Friends to Hoiinefs : ^

But vainly (could fuch Oppofites accord)

Refpecl: the Law, and yet reject the Lord.

They fhew not Jefus as the Way to Blifs,

But Judas-XikQ betray him with a Pvifs

Of boafted Works, or meer ProfefTion puftj

Law-Boafters proving but Law-Breakers oft.

SECT. III.

'the Hurtfulnefs of not preaching Christ, and dijihigiiifilng duly between Law and Gofpel.

\~-\ ELL cares not how crude Hoiinefs be preach'd,

*- ■* If Sinners Match with Chri/i be never reach'd $

Knowing their Hoiinefs is but a Sham,

Who ne'er are marry'd to the Holy Lamb.

Let Words have never fuch a pious fhew,

And blaze aloft in rude Profeflbr's View,

W'ith facred Aromaticks richly fpic'd,

If they but drown in Silence glorious Cbriji -9

Or,

J*O.T L The Believer's Efpoufak. -49

Or, if he may fome vacant Room fupply, Make him a Subject only by the by. They mar true Holinefs with tickling Chat, To breed a Baftard Pharifaick Brat. They wofuily the Gofpel- Meffage broke, Make fearful Havock of the Matter's Flock ; Yet pleafe themfelves and the blind Multitude, By whom the GofpeFs little underitood.

Rude Souls perhaps imagine little Odds Between the Legal and the Gofpel Roads, But vainly Men attempt to blend the two ; They differ more than Chrift and Mofes do. Mofes evangelizing in a Shade, By Types the. News of Light approaching fpread^ But from the Law of Works by him.proclaim'd^ No Ray of Gofpel-Grace or Mercy gleam'd. By Nature's Light the Law to all is known, But lightfom News of Gofpel-Grace to none. The Doing Cov'nant now in part or whole^ Is ftrong to damn, but weak to fave a Soul. It hurts and cannot help, but as it tends Through Mercy to fubferve fome Gofpel Ends, Law-Thunder roughly to the Gofpel tames, The Gofpel mildly to the Law reclaims. The fiery Lav/ as 'tis a Covenant, Schools Men to fee the Gofpel- Aid they want ; Then Gofpel- A id does £we,Qt\y them incline Back to the Law as 'tis a Rule divine. Heav'n's healing work is oft commenc'd with wounds. Terror begins w!\a$ Loving-kindness crowns. Preachers may therefore prefs the fiery Law, To ftrike the Chriftlefs Man with dreadful Awe, Law- Threats which for his Sins to Hell deprefs, Yea damn him for his rotten Righteoufnefs 1 That while he views the Law exceeding broad, He fain may wed the Righteouiaeis of Ggd,

E But

1

5o GOSPEL SONNETS.

But ah ! to prefs Law-worksas Terms of L'fea Was ne'er the Way to court the Lamb a Wife. To urge Conditions in the legal Frame, Is to renew the vain old Cov'nant Game. The Law is good when lawfully 'tis us'd. But moft deftru&ive when it is abusyd. They fet not Duties in the proper Sphere, Who duly Law and Gofpel don't fevere, But under mafly Chains let Sinners lie, As Tributaries, or to DO or DIE. Nor make the Law a fquaring Rule of Life, But inthe-Gofpel-Throat a bloody Knife.

SECT. IV.

Damnable Pride and S e If- Right eoufnefs fo natural t§ all Men^ has little need to be encouraged by Legal Preaching.

^TpHE Legal Path proud Nature loves fowell, *■ (Tho' yet 'tis but the cleaneft Road to Hell) That lo ! e'en thefe that take the fouleft Ways, Whofe Lewdnefs no controlling Bridle flays ; If but their drowfy Confcience raife its Voice, aTwill fpeak the Law of Works their native Choice And echo to the roufing Sound, " Ah true ! 66 I cannot hope to live, unlefs. I DO." No confcious Breafr.. of mortal Kind can trace

e Myftery deep of being fav'd by Grace. Of this nor is the natural Confcience fkill'd * Nor will admit it, when it is reveal'd i But pufhes at the Gofpel like a Ram, As Proxy for the Law, againft the Lamb.

The proud felf- righteous Pharifaick Strain Is, « Bleft be God I'm. not like other Men ;

Part I. The Believer* s Efpoufals, g*

** I read and pray, give Alms, I mourn and faft, ec And therefore hope I'll get to Heav'n at laft : % 6 For tho* from every Sin I be not free, *' Great Multitudes of Men are worfe than me, uPmnoneof thofe that fwear^ cheat, drink and

• I

tobe?>

Thus on the Law he builds his Babel Tower*

Yea even the vileil curfed Debauchee, Will make the Law of Works his very Plea u Why, (fays the Rake) what take you me *' A Turk or Infidel (you lye) I can't -y

*' Be term'd fo bafe, but by a Sycophant > C

*c Only I hate to acl the whining Saint. 3

* ' I am a Chriftian true, and therefore bode, " It (hall be well with me, I hope in God. " An't I an honefr. Man ? yea, I defy, *c The Tongue that dare affert 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, P Bid damn the bafe, uncharitable Whig. Cf Thefe fcoundrel H) pocrites (he'll proudly fay) " Think none fhall ever merit Heav'n but they. *' And yet we may complete with them^ for fee " The beft have BJeinifhes as well as we. " We have as good a Heart (we truit) as thefe, " Tho' not their vain fuperfluous Shew and Blaze* *e Bigoted Zealots, whole foul Crimes are hid, " Would damn us all to Hell, but God forbid. " Whatever fuch a whining Seel profefs, *4 'Tis but a nice, rnorofe, afFe&ed Drefs. *' And tho' we don't pretead fo much as they, " We hope to compafs Heav'n a filorter Way ; *c We feek God's Mercy, and are all along <c Mofl: free of Malice, and do no Man wrong. <c But Whims phantaflick fha'n't our Heads annoy* *' That would our ibcial Liberies deftroy,

E 2 ,■ H £wr%

1

$i GOSPEL SONNETS.

" Sure, right Religion never was defign'd, " To mar the native Mirth of Human Kind. *c How weak are thofe that would be thought nonfuch! <c How mad, that would be righteous overmuch ! <6 We have fufficient, tho' we be not cramnl'd : *c We'll therefore hope the bcft, let them be damnM."

Ah horrid Talk ! yet fo the legal Strain Lards even the Language of the niJ Profane, Thus dev'lifh Pride o'erlooks a thoufand Faults, And on a legal Ground itfelf exalts. This DO and LIVE, tho' Doing Power be loft, In every Mortal is proud Nature's Boaft. How does a vain Conceit of Goodnefs fwell And feed falfe Hope amidfr. the Shades of Hell f Shall we who mould by Gofpel Methods draw, Send Sinners to their natural Spoufe the Law > And harp upon the Doing String to fuch, Who ignorantly dream they do fo much ? Why, thus inftead of courting Chriji a Bride, We harden Rebels in their native Pride.

Much rather ought we in God's Name to place His great Artillery ftraight againfl their Face j And throw hot Sinai Thunder- bolts around, To burn their tow'ring Hopes down to the Ground. To make the Pillars of their Pride to fhake, And damn their Doings to the burning Lake. To curfe the Doers, unto endlefs Thrall, That never did continue to do all. * To fcorch their Confcience with the flaming Air, And fink their haughty Hopes in deep Defpair j Denouncing EbaH black revenging Doom, To blaft their Expectation in the Bloom ; *Till once vain Hope of Life by Works give Place, Unto a folid Hope of Life by Grace.

The vig'rous Ufe of Means is fafely urg'd, When prefling Calls from legaj Dregs are purg'd ;

*GW. iii. I«r

Part I. The Believer's Ffpoufals. 53

But rnoft unfafely in a Federal Drefs, . Confounding Terms of Life with Means of Grace. Oh dang'rous is th' Attempt proud Flefh to ple^fe, Or fend a Sinner to the Law for Eafe ; Who rather needs to feel its piercing Dart, 'Till dreadful Pangs invade his trembling Heart 5 And thither mould be only fent for Flames Of Fire to burn his rotten Hopes and Claims ; That thus difarm'd, he gladly may embrace, And grafp with Eagernefs the Mews of Grace.

SECT. y.

The Gofpel of Divine Grace the only Means of con- vening Sinners, and Jhould be preached therefore moji clearly, fully and freely,

TFIEY ought, who royal Grace's Heralds be, To trumpet loud Salvation full and free 5 Nor fafely can, to humour mortal Pride, In Silence evangelick Myfteries hide. What Heav'n is pleas'd to give, dare we refufe, Or under Ground conceal, left Men abufe ? Supprefs the Gofpel- Flower upon Pretence, That fome vile Spiders may fuck Poifon thence ? Christ is a Stumbling- Block, fhall we neglect To preach him, left the Blind mould break theirNecks? That high he's for the Fall of many fet As well as for the Rife, muft prove no Let. No Grain of precious Truth muft be fuppreft, Though Reprobates mould to their Ruin wreft. Shall Heav'n's corufcant Lamp be dimm'd, that pays Its daily Tribute down in golden Rays ? Becaufe fome blinded with the blazing Gleams, Share not the Pleafure of the lightning Beams.

E a Let

54 GOSPEL SONNETS.

Let thofe be harden'd, petrifvT'd and harm'd, The reft aremollify'd and kindly warm'd. A various Savour, * Flowers in Grace's Field, Of Life to fome, of Death to others yield. Muft then the Rpk be vail'd, the Lily hid, The fragrant Savour ftifl'd ? God forbid.

The Revelation of the Gofpel Flower, Is ftill the Organ fam'd of faving Power ; Moftjuftlv then are legal Minds condemn'd, That of the glorious Gofpel are amam'd : For this the Divine Arm, and only this IThe Power of God unto Salvation is f For therein is reveal' d to fcreen from Wrath, The Righteoufnefs of God from Faith to Faith. The happy Change in guilty Sinners Cafe, They owe to free Difplays of Sov'reign Grace ; Whofe joyful Tidings of amazing Love, The Miniftration of the Spirit prove. The glorious Vent the Gofpel-News exprefs, Of God's freeGrace, thro' Chrift's full Righteoufnefs> Is Heav'n's gay Charjot where the Spirit bides, And in his conqu'ring Power triumphant rides. The Gofpel Field is ftill the Spirit's Soil, The Golden Pipe that bears the holy Oil. The Orb where he outfhines the radiant Sun, The filver Channel where his Graces run. Within the Gofpel Banks his flowing Tide Of light'ning, quick'ning Motions fweetly glide, | J Received ye the Spirit , Scripture faith, % By legal IVorks^ or by the Word of Faith* If by the Gofpel only, then let none Dare to be wifer than the wifeft One.

We muft who freely get, as freely give. The vital Word that makes the Dead to live.

* 2 Cor. ii. 16. f Rom. i. l6a 17. I G&L iii, 2»

For

•Part I. The Believer's Efpoufals. $$

■For ev'n to Sinners dead within our reach,

* We in his living Name may molt fuccefsful preach.

The Spirit and the Scripture both agree j Jointly (fays Christ) to teftify of me. [The Preacher then will from his Text decline, [That fcorns to harmonize with this Delign ; IPrefs moral Duties to the laft Degree, [Why not, but mind left we iuccefslefs be. [No Light, no Hope, no Strength for Duties fpring, [Where Jesus is not Prophet, Pried and King. No Light to fee the Way unlefs he teach, ~)

No joyful Hope fave in his, Blood we reach, V

N"o Strength unlefs his royal Arm he ftretch. S

Then from our leading Scope how grofs we fall ! ~y [f, like his Name, in every Gofpel Call, V

We make not him the Firjf, the Lqft^ the AIL ->

Our Office is to bear the radiant Torch 3f Gofpel- Light, into the darken'd Porch, ^)f human Underilandings, and difplay The joyful Dawn of everlafting Day ; To draw the golden Chariot of free Grace, The darkened Shades with mining Rays to chafe, Till Heaven's bright Lamp on circling Wheels be

hurl'd, With fparkljng Grandeur round the dusky World } \nd thus to bring, in dying Mortals fight, Siew Life and Immortality to Light. We're charg'd to preach the Gofpel unconfin'd, ro every Creature of the Human Kind, To call, with Tenders of Salvation free, Ul Corners of the Earth to come and fee .* ^nd every Sinner moft excufelefs make, >y urging Rich and Poor to come and take.

Ho every one that thirjls, * is Grace's Call )irecl to needy Sinners great ancj fmalls

E4

* Ifa. lv. i, 20

Net

56 GOSPEL SONNETS.

Not meaning thofe alone, whofe holy Thirft Denominates their Souls already bleff. If only thofe were call'd, then none but Saints ; Nor would the Gofpel fute the Sinners Wants. But here the Call does fignally import Sinners and thirlty Souls of every fort ; .And mainly to,their Door the MefTage brings, Who yet are thirfting after empty Things. Wkofpend their Means, no living Bread to buy, And Pains for that which cannot fatisfy. Such thirlty Sinners here invited are, WTho vainly fpend' their Money, Thought and Care, On palling Shades, vile Lulls and Trafh fo bafe, As yield immortal Souls no true Solace. The Call directs them as they would be blelt, To choofe a purer Object of their Thirft. All are invited by the joyful Sound, To drink who need, as does the parched Ground, Whofe wide-mouth'd Clefts fpeak to the brafen Sky, Its paliive Thirfr, without an active Cry. The Gofpel-Preacher then with holy Skill, Muft offer Christ to whofoever will, To Sinners of all forts that can be nam'd ; T(ie blind, the lame, the poor, the halt, the maim'd. Not daring to refine"! th' extenfive Call, t

But opening wide the Net to catch 'em all. No Soul mull: be excluded that will come, Nor Right of Accefs be confin'd to fome. Tho' none will come till confeious of their Want, Yet Right to come they have by fov'reign Grant -, Such Right to Chrijt, his Promife and his Grace, That all are damn'd who hear and don't embrace. So freely is th' unbounded Call difpens'd, We therein find even Sinners unconvine'd ; Who know not they are naked, blind and poor,* •"?

Counferd to buy or beg at Jefus' Door, ■rfn<l take the glorious Robe, Eyefcrlv^arJgoUtnStore. - * Rev, iii, J;, 18. ' Tl*

Fart I. The Believers izjpotqats. 57

This Prize they are oblig'd by Faith to win, ■ Eife Unbelief would never be their Sin. Yea, Gofpel-Offers but a Sham we make, If every Sinner has not Right to take.

Be Gofpel Heralds fortify'd from this, To trumpet Grace howe'er the Serpent hifs. Did Hell's malicious Mouth in dreadful Shape 'Gainft Innocence itfelf malignant gape ? Then facred Truth's devoted Vouchers may, For dire Reproach their Aleafures conitant lay. With cruel Calumny of old commenc'd, This Sefl will every where be /poke againft. While to and fro he runs the Earth acrof9, Whofe Name is Adelphon katcgoros* In fpite of Hell be then our conftant Strife Tc win the glorious Lamb a Virgin Wife.

CHAP. VI.

An Exhortation! to all that are out of Christ; in order to their doling the Match with him : Containing alfo *Motives and Directions.

13 Eader, into thine Hands thefe Lines are given,, •*-*" But not without the Providence of Heaven ;. Or to advance thy Blifs, if thou art wife, Or aggravate thy Woe, if thou defpife. For thee? for thee, perhaps th' Omnifcient Ken Has form'd the Counfel here, and led the Pen, The Writer then does thy Attention plead, In his great Name that gave thee Eyes to read.

SECT.

* 7 be Accuftr of th brethren*

5$. GOSPEL SONNETS.

S E C-T. I.

■Conviclicn offer* d to Sinner j, efpecially fuch as are wedded ftriRly to the Law, or f elf-righteous, that they may fee their Need of Christ'* Righteouf nefs.

TF never yet thou didft 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 Affections draw,, From brutilh Lufts and fordid Lovers Charms \ Lo ! thou art yet m Satan's folded Arms. Hell's Power invifible thy Soul, retains, His captive Slave, lock'd up in'maily Chains. O Sinner then, as thou regard'ft thy Life, Seek, feek with ardent Care and earneft Strife, To be the glorious Lamb's betrothed Wife. For bafe Corrivals never let him lofe Thy Heart, his Bed of conjugal Repofe. Wed Chriji alone, and with fevere Remorfe Frcm other Mates purfue a clean Divorce ;' For they thy Ruin feek, by Fraud or Force. As lurking Serpents in the fhady Bowers, Conceal their Pv^alice under fpreading Flowers j So thy deceitful Lufts with cruel Spite, Hide ghaftly Danger under gay Delight. Art thou a legal Zealot foft or rude, jRenounce thy natural and acquired Good. As bafe deceitful Lufts may work thy Smart, So may deceitful Frames upon thy Heart. -Seeming good Motions may in fome be found, Much Joy in Hearing, like the ftony Ground ; Much Sorrow too in Praying, as appears In Efau's careful Sute with rueful Tears.

Touching

3 art I. *fhe Believer's Efpcufels. ^

Vouching the Law, they Blamelefs may appear^ «Yom fpurious Views moil fpecious Virtues bear. tcr meerly be devout in Mens Efteem, But prove to be fmcereiy, what they feem, "riends to the holy Law, in Heart and Life, ■uers of Heav'n with utmoft legal Strife, fet {till with innate Pnie fo rankly fpic'd Converted but to Duties, not to Ckrlft, That publicans and Harlots Heav'n obtain^ 3efore a Crew fo righteous ^nd fo vain, Sooner will thofe (hake oft their vicious Drefs, Than thefe blind Zealots will their Righteoufnefs, iVho judge they have (which fortifies their Pride) The Law of God it felf upon their fide. 31d Nature new-brufh'd-up with legal Pains, >uch frric~l Attachment to the Law retains, slo Means, no Motives can to Jefus draw Vain Souls, fo doubly wedded to the Law.

But would'ft the glorious Prince in Marriage have5 Cnow that thy natural Hufband cannot fave. Thy beft ElTays to pay the legal Rent, Jan never in the leaft the Law content. Didfr. thou in Prayers employ the Morning Light, n Tears and Groans the Watches of the Night, ?afs thy whole Life in clofe Devotion o'er ; Tis nothing to the Law frill craving more. There's no Proportion ?twixt its high Commands y \nd puny Works from thy polluted Hands ; £

Perfection is the leaft that it demands. _ 3

Would'Jt enter into Life then, keep the Law, 3ut keep it perfectly without a Flaw, .t wo'nt have lefs, nor will abate at lafr. k Drop of Vengeance for the Sin that's paft. Tell, linful Mortal, is thy Stock fo large Us duly can defray this double Charge ? * Why, thefe are rneer Impoilibles" (fay ft thou.) Tea, truly fo they are ■ and therefore now,

That

60 GOSPEL SONNETS.

That down thy legal Confidence may fall,

The Law's black Doom home to thy Bofom call.

*c Lo ! I (the Divine Law) demand no lefs,

<c Than perfect, everlafting Righteoufnefs ;

** But thou hair faii'd, and loll thy Strength to DO

M Therefore I doom thee to eternal Woj

u In Prifon clofe to be fhut up for ay,

<c E'er I be bafiled with thy uartial Pay.

*" Thou always didlt and dofl my Precepts breaks

*' I therefore curfe thee to the burning Lake.

*'■ In God the great Lawgiver's glorious Name.

*6 1 judge thy Soul to everlafting Shame.

No Flejh can by the Law be j'ujiijied,

Yet dareft thou thy legal Duties plead ?

As Paul appeaPd to Cejar, wilt thou (a

Unto the Law ? then to it malt thou go,

And find it doom thee to eternal Wo.

What would you have us plung'd in deep Defpair ? Amen, yea God him fe'lf would have you there. Hi? Will it is that you deTpair of Life, Ai:d Safety by the Law or legal Strife ; That cleanly thence divore'd at any Rate,

aireft Son may have a faithful Mate. 'Tiii this Law-Sentence pafs within your BreafT, You 11 never wed the Law-difcharging Prieft. You prize not Heav'n 'till he thro' Hell you draw, Nor love the Gofpel 'till you know the Law.

Know then, the divine Law moft perfect, cares For none of thv imperfect legal Wares ; Dooms thee to Vengeance for thy finful State, As well as finful Actions fmall or great. If any Sin can be accounted fmall, To Hell it dooms thy Soul for one and all. For Sins of Nature, Piadice, Heart and Way, Damnation-Rent it fummons thee to pay. Yea not for Sin alone which is thy Sham^, But for "thy boafied Service too, fa lame,

The

''art' I. The Believer's Efpoufds. 61

rhe Law adjudges Hell and thee to meet, tecaufe thy Righteoufnefs is uncomplete. Vs tow'ring Flames burn up the wither'd Flags, ,o will the fiery Lav/ thy filthy Rags.

SECT. IL

Direction given with reference to the right Ufe of the Means , that vje reft not on thefe in/lead of Ch r 1ST the glorious Hufiand, in whom our Help lies.

DAM, where art thou f Soul, where art thotf" now ?

)h, art thou faying, Sir, what Jhall I do ? <lare not ufe that proud felf-raifing {train,. to help yourfelf and God will help you then. '^ay -rather know, O Ifra'I, that thou haji Oeflrofd thy/elf a|i.d*canit not in the leait from Sin nor WrifS thyfelf the Captive frees, tyy Help (fays Jesus) only lies in me. 'leav'n's Oracles direct to him alone, mil Help is laid upon this mighty One. n him, in him complete Salvation dwells, le's God the Helper, and ihere'is none elfe. fig-leaves won't hide thee from the fiery 3howci¥ Lis he alone that faves by Price and Power.

Muft we do nothing then (will Mockers fay) 5ut reft, in Sloth 'till Heav'n the Help convey t 'ray, ftop a little, Sinner, don't abufe jod's awful Word, that charges thee to ufe vleans, Ordinances, which he's pleas'd to places- is precious Channels of his pow'rful Grace, ieftlefs improve all thefc, until from Heaven, The whole Salvation needful thus be given. vVait in this Path, according to his Call, h* hjm wWe Fewer atone effe&eth all,

Would^il

62 GOSPEL SONNETS.

Would'it. thou him wed, in Duties wait, I fay* But marry not thy Duties by the way. Thou'lt wofully gome fhort of laving Grace, If Duties only be thy RefKng-place. Nay, go a little farther throug-i them all, To him whofe Office is to fave from ThralL Thus in a Gofpel-manner hopeful wait, Striving to enter by the narrow Gate ; So (trait and narrow, that it won't admit The Bunch upon thy back to enter it. Not only bulky Lufts may ceafe to prefs, But even the Bunch of boarted Righteoufhefs/

Many, as in the facred Page we fee* Shall firive to enter ', but unable be : -Becaufe miftakingthis new Way of Life, They pufh a legal, not a Gofpel-Strife : As if their Duties did Jehovah bind, Becaufe 'tis written, feek and yc foall find. Perverted Scripture does their Juror fence* They read the Letter^ but neglect the Senfe, While to the Word no Gofpel-Glofs they givfc*- Their^i and^Ws the fame with do and live, ILnce would thev a Connexion native place, Between their moral Pains and faving Grace i Their nat'ral poor EfTays they judge won't mifs In Juftice to infer eternal Blifs.

Thus Commentaries on the Word they make* Which to their ruin are a grand Miilake, For through the le^al Biafs in their Breaft, They Scripture to their own DefcxudHon wrefL Why, if we feek we get , they [v. ther hence ; Which is not Truth, fave in the Scripture-Senfe. There J ejus deals with Friends, and elfewhere faith, Thefe Seekers only fpeed that qfk in Faith, *lhe Prayer of the Wicked is abhorr'dy As an Abomination to the Lord*

Theit

Part I. The Believer's Efpmfals. 6%

Their Suits are Sin, but their Negletls no lefs,

Which can't their Guilt diminifh, but increafe.

They ought, like Beggars, lie in Grace's Way?

Hence Peter taught the Sorcerer to pray ;

For tho' meer nat'rai Mens Addrefs or Payers,

Can no Acceptance gain as Works of theirs,

Nor have, as their Performance^ any Sway ',

Yet as a divine Ordinance they ma

But fpotlefs Truth has bound itfelf to grant

The Suit of none, but the believing Saint.

In Jefus Perfons once accepted., do

Acceptance find in him for Duties too.

For he whofe Son they do in Marriage take.

Is bound to hear them for their Hufband's fakg.

But let no Chriftlefs Soul at Pray'r appear, As if Jehovah were oblig'd to hear : But ufe the Means, became a Sov'reign God May come with Alms in this his wonted Road. He wills thee to frequent kind Wifdom's Gate* Yo read, hear, meditate, to pray and wait. Thy Spirit then be on thefe Duties bent, As Gofpel -Means, but not as legal Rent. From thefe don't thy Salvation hope nor claim. But from Jehovah in the u{e of them. The Beggar's Spirit never was fo dull, While Waiting at the Gate call'd Beautiful ; *- To hope for Succour from the Temple- Gatev At which he daily did fo careful wait ; But from the rich and charitable Sort, . Who to the Temple daily made Refort. Means, Ordinances, are the comely Gate, At which kind Heav'n has bid us conftant wait : Not that from thefe we have our Alms, but front The lib'ral God, who there is wont to come.. If either we thefe Means mall dare neglect, Qr yet from thefe Ui' enriching Blifs expect,

We

6-4 GOSPEL SONNETS.

We from the Glory of the King defalk, Who in the Galleries is wont to walk, We move not regular in Duty's Road, But bafe, invert them to an Idol-God.

Seek then, if Gofpel-Means you would eflay, Through Grace to ufc them in a Gofpel-way : Not deeming that your Duties are the Price Of divine 'Favour, or of Paradife ; Nor that your heft Efforts' employ'd in thefe, Am fit Exploits your awful Judge to pleafe. Why, thus* you bafely idolize your Tram, And make it with the Blood of Jesus clam. You'd buy the Blefling with vour vileRefufe, And fo his precious Righteoufnefs abufe. What ! buy his Gifts with filthy Lumber ! nay, ~p Whoever offers this, muft hear him fay, £r

Thy Money perifl) with thy Sad for ay. J

Duties are Means which to the Marriage-Bed, Should chaftly lead us like a Chamber-Maid j But if with her inftead of Chrift we match, We not our Safety, but our Ruin hatch. To Cefar^ what is Cefar's mould be given, But Cefar muft not have what's due to Heaven : So Duties mould have Duty's Room, 'tis true, But nothing of the glorious Hufband's Due. While Means the Debt of ciofe Attendance cravey Our whole Dependance God alone muft have. If Duties, Tears, our Gonfcience pacify, They with the Blood of Chrift prefume to vie. Means are his VaiTals, (hall we without grudge1 Difcard the Mafter, and efpoufe the Drudge \ The Hypocrite, the Legalift does fin, To live on Duties, not on Chrift therein. He only feeds on empty Dimes, Plates, Who dotes on Means, but at the Manna frets. Let never Means content thy Soul at all, Without the Hufband, who is all in alL

Cry

Part I. *fbe Believer's Efpoufats. 6$

Cry daily for the happy Marriage-Hour.

To thee belongs the Mean, to him the Power.

SECT. III.

A Cell to believe in Jesus Christ, with fome Hint at the Aft and Object of Faith.

PRiEND, is theQueftiqn on thy Heart engrav'd*

■*■ What Jhall I do to be forever fav' d ?

Lo ! here's a living Rock to build upon >

Believe in Jefus ; and on him alone -

For Righteoufnefs and Strength, thine Anchor drop*

Renouncing all thy former legal Hope.

" Believe (fay you J lean no more believe,

" Than keep the Law of Works,the DO and LIVE*

True, and it were thy Mercy, didft thou feea

Thine utter Want of all Ability.

New Cov'nant Graces he alone can grant,

Whom God has given to be the Covenant \

E'en Jefus, whom the facred Letters call

Faith's Object, Author, Finifher, and all $

In him alone, not in thy AS: of Faith,

Thy Soul believing full Salvation hath.

In this new Cov'nant judge not Faith to hold*. The Room of perfect Doing in the Old. Faith is not given to be the fed'ral Price Of other Bleffings, or of Paradife : But Heav'n, by giving this, ftrikes out a Door^ At which is carried in ftill more and more. No Sinner muft upon his Faith lay Strefs. As if it were a per feci: Righteoufnefs. God ne'er affign'd unto it fuch a Place, Tis but at beff. a bankrupt begging Grace, [ts Object makes its Fame to fly abroad, jo clofe it gripes the Righteoufhefs of God,

F Whish

66 GOSPEL SONNETS.

Which Righteoufnefs receiv'd, is (without Strife) The true Condition of eternal Life.

But ftill (fay you) Power to believe I mifs. You may ; but know you what Believing is ? Faith lies not in your building up a Tower, Of fome great Action by your proper Power. For Heav'n well knows, that by the killing Fall, JSo Power, no Will remains in Man at all For Acts divinely good ; 'till fov'reign Grace By powerful drawing Virtue turn the Chafe. Hence none believe in Je/us, as they ought, ~>

'Till once they firft believe they can do nought q Nor are fufficient een to form a 'thought. ^

They're confcious in the right believing Hour, Of human Weaknefs, and of divine Power. Faith acts not in the Senfe of Strength and Might, But in the Senfe of Weaknefs acts out-right. It is (no boafting Arm of Power or Length) But Tf^eaknefs afting on Almighty Strength. It is the powerlefs, helplefs Sinner's Flight Into the open Arms of faving Might, *Tis an employing J 'ejus 'to do all, That can within Salvation's Compafs fall ; To be the Agent kind in every thing, Belonging to a Prophet, Prieft, and King; To teach, to pardon, fan£ti fy. and fave, And nothing to the Creature's Power to leave. Faith makes us joyfully content, that he Our Head, our Husband, and our All fhould be, Our Righteoufnefs and Strength, our Stock and Store^ Our Fund for Food, and Raiment, Grace, andGlore, It makes the Creature down to nothing fall, Content that Chriji alone be all in all.

The Plan of Grace is Faith's delightful View, With which it clofes both as Good and True, Unto the Truth, the Mind's AJjent is full^ ^Unto the Ggod a free (onhnting Will*

The,

Part I. The Believers hjpoujalsi by

The Holy Spirit here the Agent chief, Creates this Faith, and dafhes Unbelief. ■ That very God who calls us to believe, The very Faith he feeks, muft alfo give. Why calls he then ? (fay you) pray, Man be wife 5 ; Why did he call dead Lazarus to rife ? Becaufe the Orders in their Bofom bear Almighty Power to make the Carcafe hear. i But Heaven may not this mighty Power difplay I iMoft true : yet ftill thou art oblig'd t'obey, But God is not at all oblig'd to ftretch His faving Arm to fuch a fmful Wretch. All who within Salvation-Rolls have place, Are fav'd by a Prerogative of Grace : But Veflels all that fliall with Wrath be crammM* Are by an A& of holy JufHce damn'd. Take then, dear Soul, as from a friendly Heart, The Counfel which the following Lines impart.

SECT. IV.

\Jtn Advice to Sinners to apply to the Sovereign Mercy of 'God \ as it is dij cover d through Christ, to the higheji Honour of Jujlice and other divine Attri- butes, in order to further their Faith in him unts Salvation.

GO, Friend, and at Jehovah's Footftool bow, Thou know'ft not what aSov'reignGodmay do* Confefs, if he commiferate thy cafe, 'Twill be an Act of powerful Sov'reign Grace. Sequeftrate carefully fome folemn Hours, To fue thy grand Concern in fecret Bowers. Then in th'enfuing Strain to God impart, And pour into his Bofom all thy Heart.

" O glorious, gracious, powerful, Sovereign Lord, " Thy Help unto 2 fmful Worm afford ;

F 2 " "Wh#

63 GOSPEL SONNETS.

46 Who from my wretched Birth to this fad Horn (C Have frill been deftitute of Will and Power, " To clofe with glorious Chrift\ yea fill'd with fpite <c At thy fair Darling, and thy Saints Delight, < c< Refitting all his Grace, with all my Might. \ " Come, Lord, and fap my Enmity's ftrong Tower " O hafte the Marriage-Day, the Day of Power cc That fweetly by refiftlefs Grace inclin'd, €i My once reluctant be a willing Mind. " Thou fpak'ft to Being, every Thing we fee, " When thy Almighty Will faid, Let it bey " Nothings to Being in a Moment pafs, " Let there be Lights thoufaidji, and fo it was. u A pow'rful Word like this, a mighty Call, ** Muft fay, let there be Faith, and tnen it mall. " Thou feek'ft my Faith, and flight from Sin & Guilt M Give what thou feek'ft, Lord, then feek wha

thou wilt. " What Good can ifTue from a Root fo ill, <c This Heart of mine's a wicked Lump of Hell > <c 'Twill all thy common Motions ftill refift, *' Unlefs with fpecial drawing Virtue Melt. <c Thou calls, but with the Call thy Powe* convey; 1 u Command me to believe, and I'll obey, >

" Nor any more thy gracious Call gainfay.' -

V Command, O Lord,- effectually command, ~\ *' And grant I be not able to withftand, ** Thenpow'rlefs I will ftretch the wither'dHand. -

" I to thy Favour can pretend no Claim, " But what is borrow'd from thy glorious Name " Which tho' moft juftly thou may'ft glorify, ■* In damning fuch a guilty Wretch as me, -< A Faggot fitted for the burning Fire <c Of thine incenfed everlafting Ire : " Yet, Lord, fince now I hear thy glorious Son,. w In favour of a Race that was undone,

"Di

Part I. The Believers Efpoufals. 69

-" Did in thy Name, by thy Authority, " Once to the full ftern Juftice fatisfy ; ' " And paid more glorious Tribute thereunto, " " Than Hell and all its Torments e'er can do. "^ " Since my Salvation thro' his Blood can raife >■ ** A Revenue to Juftice' higheft Praife, J ,

" Higher than Rents, which Hell for ever pays : " Thefe to tremendous Juftice never bring " A Satisfaction equal and condign. *c But Jesus our once dying God performs " Wh&t never could by ever-dying Worms : *' Since thus thy threat'ning Law is honour'd more, " Than e'er my Sins affronted it before : 8 Since Juftice ftern may greater Glory won, fi By juftifying in thy darling Son, <c Than by condemning even the Rebel me ; • *c To this Device of Wifdom, lo ! I flee. *v Let Juftice, Lord, according to thy Will, Be glorified with Glory great and full, Not now in Hell, where Juftice' petty Pay I Is but extorted Parcels minc'd for ay : "But glorified in Christ, who down has told,

The total Sum at once in liquid Gold. >L'C In loweft Hell low Praife is only won, c But Juftice has the higheft in thy Son, i The Sun of Righteoufnefs that fet in Red, c To fhew the glorious Morning would fucceed,

In him then fave thou me from Sin and Shame, * And to the higheft glorify thy Name. " Since this bright Scene thy Glories all exprefs, And Grace as Emprefs reigns thro' Righteoufnefs i 1 Since Mercy fair runs in a crimfon Flood, And vents through Juftice fatisfying Blood .* Not only then for Mercy's fake I fue, But for the Glory of thy Juftice too,

F 3 <l And.

yo GOSPEL SONNETS.

*' And fince each Letter of thy Name divine, *c Hes in fair Jefus Face the brighteft Shine, *c This glorious Husband be for ever mine.

f* On this ftrong Argument fo fweet, fo bleft, <c With thy Allowance, Lord, I mud infift. <c Great God, fince thou allow'ft unworthy me, *' To make thy glorious Name my humble Plea ; *e No Glory worthy of it wilt thou gain, <e By calling me into the burning Main. *c My feeble Back can never fuit the Load,% *' That fpeaks thy Name a Sin-revenging God. *c Scarce would that Name feem a confuming Fire, *' Upon a Worm unworthy of thine Ire. ** But fee the worthy Lamb, thy chofen Prieft, <c With Juftice' Burning-Glafs againft his Breaft, *' Contracting all the Beams of venging Wrath, ci As in their Centre, 'till he burnt to Death. tc Vengeance can never be fo much proclaim'd, <c By lcatter'd Beams among the Millions damn'd, **■ Then, Lord, in him me to the utmofl fave, *' And thou fhalt Glory to the higheft have : tl Glory to Wifdom that contriv'd fowell ! *f Glory tq Power that bore and buried Hell ! *' Glory to Hdinefs which Sin defae'd, *' With finlefs Service now divinely grae'd ! <c Glory to JuJIici Sword that flaming ftood, *' Now drunk to Pleafure with atoning Blocd. <c Glory to Truth that now in Scarlet clad, <c Has feaPd both Threats and Promifes with Red. *' Glory to Mercy now in purple Streams, *c So fwcetly gliding thro' the divine Flames <4 Of other once offended, now exalted Names. *' Each Attribute confpires with joint Embrace, <c To fhew its fparkling Rays of Jefus Face ; *' And thus to deck the Crown of matchlefs Grace. ** But to thy Name in Hell ne'er can accrue c'- The thoufanclth part of this great Revenue.

iPart I. The Believer's Efpoufals. Ji

" O ravifhing Contrivance f Light that blinds " Cherubick Gazers and Seraphick Minds. ' They pry into the Deep, and love to learn, ' What yet fhould vaftly more be my Concern. " Lord, once my Hope moil: reafonlefs could dream " Of Heav'n, without Regard to thy great Name :

But here is laid my lafting Hope, to found " A highly rational, a divine Ground. 'Tis reafonable, I expect thou' It take The Way that moil will for thine Honour make. Is this the Plan ? Lord, let me build my Claim To Life, on this higfy Glory of thy Name. Nor let my faithlefs Heart, or think, or fay, That alll this Glory fhall be thrown away In my Perdition ; which will never raife, *' To thy great Name fo vaft a Rent of Praife. *' O then a Rebel into Favour take ; ** Lord, fhield and fave me for thy Glory's fake, *' My endlefs Rum is not worth the Coft, *c That fo much Glory be for ever loft. *' I'll of the greateft Sinner bear the Shame, " To bring the greateft Honour to thy Name. f c Small Lofs, tho' I fhould perifh endlefs Days, " But thoufand Pities Grace fhould lofe the Praife, " O hear, Jehovah, get the Glory then, " And to my Supplication fay Amen.

SECT. V.

The terrible Doom of Unbelievers, and Rejeffors of Christ, or Defpifers of the GofpeL

HTHUS, Sinner, into J efus Bofom Ree,

■*■ Then there is Hope in Ifrael fure for thee. Slight not the Call,, as running by in Rhime, Left thou repent for ay, if npt in Time.

?Tis

yi GOSPEL SONNETS,

'Tis moft unlawful to contemn and fhun, All wholfom Counfels that in Metre run ; Since the prime Fountains of the facred Writ, Much heavenly Truth in holy Rhimes tranfmit : If this don't pleafe, yet hence it is no Crime To verfify the Word, and preach in Rhime. But in whatever Mould the Doctrine lies, ~p

Some erring Minds will Gofpel-Truth defpife ?- Without Remede, 'till Heav'n anoint their Eyes.-* Thefe Lines pretend no conq'ring Art nor Skill, But fhew in weak Attempts a ftrong Good-will, 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 Kell, as fure as God's in Heaven, If Gofpel-Grace and Goodnefs don't thee draw, Thou art condemn'd already by the Law. Yea hence Damnation deep will doubly brace, If ftill thy Heart contemn redeeming Grace. No Argument from Fear or Hope will move, Or draw thy Heart, if not the Bond of Love : Nor flowing Joys, nor flaming Terrorg chafe To Chrift the Haven, without the Gales of Grace, O Slighter then of Grace's joyful Sound, Thou'rt over to the wrathful Ocean bound. Anon thou'lt fink into the Gulf of Woes, Whene'er thy wafting Hours are at a Clofe. Thy falfe old legal Hope will then be loft, And with thy wretched S&ul give up the Ghoft. Then farewel (Wand Chrifl^ and Grace and Glore; Undone thou art, undone for evermore. For ever finking underneath the Load And Prefl'ure of a Sin-revenging God. The facred awful Text afferts, To fall Jfito his living Hands is fearful Thrall^ JVhen no more Sacrifice for Sin remains^ Jut everliving Wrath and Jailing Chains.

Jieaven

Part I. The Believer's Effoufals. ^

Heaven ftill upholding Life in dreadful Death, Still throwing down hot Thunderbolts of Wrath, As full of Terror, and as manifold, As finite Veffels of his Wrath can hold.

Then, then we may fuppofe the Wretch to cry,^ <c Oh, if this damning God would let me die, > | And not torment me to Eternity ! j

ff: Why from the filent Womb of ftupid Earth, " Did Heav'n awake, and pufh me into Birth ? " Curft be the Day that ever gave me Life, " Curft be the cruel Parents, Man and Wife, | Means of my Being, Inftruments of Woe, I For now I'm damn'd, Pmdamn'd, and always fo» " Curft be the Day that ever made me hear x The Golpel-Call, which brought Salvation near. | The endlefs Sound of flighted Mercy's Bell, f Has in mine Ears the moft tormenting Knell. F Of offer'd Grace I vain repent the Lofs, 6 The joyful Sound with Horror recognofce. c The hollow Vault reverberates the Sound, ~> 6 This killing Echo ftrikes the deepeft Wound, $* ' And with too late Remorfe does now confound. 3 6 Into the Dungeon of Defpair Fm lock'd, c Th'once open Door of Hope for ever block'd : ' Hopelefs, I fink into the dark Abyfs, Banifh'd forever from eternal Blifs, 6 In boiling Waves of Vengeance muft I lie ? " O could I curfe this dreadful GOD and die ! ■ ' Infinite Years in Torment (hall I fpend> *' And never, never, never at an End. c Ah ! muft I live in torturing Defpair, t i\s many Years as Atoms in the Air. 6 When thefe are fpent, as many Thoufands more, " As Grains of Sand that croud the ebbing Shore. 4 When thefe are done, as many yet behind, P As Leaves of Forefts iliakea with the Wind. .

« When

*"74 GOSPEL SONNETS.

" When thefe are gone, as many to enfue,

<c As Stems of Grafs on Hills and Dales that grew,

*c When thefe run out, as many on the March,

<c As ftarry Lamps that gild the fpangled Arch.

*c When thefe expire, as many Millions more,

** As Moments in the Millions paft before.

u When ail thefe doleful Years are fpent in Pain,

*c And rnultiply'd by Myriads again.

f| 'Till Numbers drown {he Thought ; could I fup*

" pofe, <c That then my wretched Years were at a Clofe, *' This would afford fome Eafe ; but ah ! I fhiver " To think upon the dreadful Sound, For ever. <c The burning Gulf, where I blafpheming lie, *cIs Time no more, butvaft Eternity. "The growing Torment I endure for Sin, *c Thro' Ages all is always to begin. <c How did I but a Grain of Pleafure fow, *f To reap an Harveft of immortal Woe ? *' Bound to the Bottom of the burning Main, *c Gnawing my Chains, I wifh for Death in vain, cc Juft Doom ! fmce I that bare th'eternal Load, ** Contemn'd the Death of an eternal God. *' Oh if the God that curft me to the Lafh, <c Would blefs me back to Nothing with a Dam : *' But hopelefs I the juft Avenger hate, *' Blafpheme the wrathful God, and curfe my Fate.'*

To thefe this Word of Terror I direct, Who now the great Salvation dare negleS : To all the C£r//?-defpifing Multitude, That trample on the great Redeemer's Blood ; That fee no Beauty in his glorious Face, But flight his Offers and refufe his Grace. A MefTenger of Wrath to none I am, But thofe that hate to wed the worthy Lamb. For tho' the fmalleft Sins, if fmall can be, Will plunge the Cbrijilefs Soul in Mifery,

Yet

Part I. Tae Believer** Efpcufals, 75

Yet lo, the greater! that to Mortals cleave,

Sha'nt damn the Souls in J ejus that believe s

Becaufe. 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 Honour, in his darling Son,

For all the great Difhonours they have done,

A faithlefs Soul the glorious God bereaves.

Of all the Satisfaction that he craves.

Hence under diyine hotteft. Fury lies,

And with a double Vengeance juftly dies.

The blacked: Part of lophet is their Place,

Who flight the Tenders of redeeming Grace.,

That facrilegious Monfter Unbeliefs

So harden'd 'gainft Remorfe and pious Grief,

Robs God of all the Glory of his Names,

And every divine Attribute defames.

It loudly calls the Truth of God a Lye,

The God of Truth a Lyar, horrid Cry !

Doubts and denies his precious Words of Grace*

Spits Venom in the Royal SuitGr*s Face.

This Monfter cannot ceafe all Sin to hatch,

Becaufe it proudly mars the happy Match.

As each Law-wedded Soul is joln'd to Sin,

And deftitute of Holinefs within ;

So all that wed the Law, mult wed the Curfe,

Which Rent they fcorn to pay with ChriJFs full Purfe.

They clear may read their dreadful Doom in brief,

Whofe fefrer'd Sore is final Unbelief :

Tho' to the Law their Life exactly fram'd y

For zealous Acts and Paflions too were fam'd, >•

Yet lo j He that believes not? Jhali be damn'd. 3

But now 'tis proper on the other Jide^

With Words of Comfort to adefrejs thg Bride.

76 GOSPEL SONNETS.

She in her glorious Hufband does pojfefs Adorning Grace^ acquitting Right eoufnefs : And hence to her pertain the golden Alines Of Comfort opend in the following Lines.

r*r»T 7k** rr+y* ^*}*r. ~***f

mwrnmrn

<qr ^

GOSPEL

GOSPEL SONNETS,

O R,

SPIRITUAL SONGS.

PART II.

<Tbe Believer's Jo i n t u r e : O B;

fbe POEM continued upon Isaiah iiv. 5* Thy Maker is thy Huiband.

N. B. The following Lines being primarily intended for the Ufe and Edification of pioujly exercifed Souh9 and efpecially thofe of a more common and ordinary Capacity j the Author thought fit , thro'' the whole of this fee ond Part of the Book, to continue as in the former Editions, to repeat that Part of the Texty Thy Hufband in the laft Line of every Verfe ; becaufe however it tended to limit him; and reftrui his Liberty of Words in the Compojition ; yet having ground to judge that this appropriating Compellation Jlill re fumed, had rendered thefe Lines formerly the more favoury to fame exercifed Chrijtians, to whom the Name of Christ {particularly as their Head ond Hufband) is as Ointment poured forth : He choft ratk$r tQ fabjefi himfelf U that Refiricliony

than

7* GOSPEL SONNETS.

• than to withold what may tend to the Satisfac- tion and Comfort of thofe to whom Christ is all in all ; and to whom his Name, as their Hufiand, fo many various Ways applied, will be no naufeous Repetition.

.

CHAP. I.

Containing the Privileges of the Believer that is efpoufed to Christ by Faith of Divine Operation.

SECT. I.

The Believer's per feci Beauty, free Acceptance, and full Security ihro> the Imputation of 'Christ's perfeel Rlghteoufnefs, tbo* imparted Grace be tmperfecl.

i.

/""\ Happy Soul, ^Jehovah's Bride. ^^ The Lamb's beloved Spoufe, Strong Confolation's flowing Tide Thy Hufband thee allows.

2.

In thee, tho' like thy Father's Race

By Nature black as Hell ; Yet now fo beautifyM by Grace,

Thy Hufband loves to dwell.

3- Fair as the Moon thy Robes appear,

While Graces are in Drefs : Clear as the Sun, while found to wear

Thy Huiband's Righteoufnefs,

'art II. the Believer's Jointure. 79

4- Thy Moon-like Graces changing much.

Have here and there a Spot :

rhy Sun-like Glory is not fuch,

Thy Hufband changes not.

5- Thy white and ruddy Vefture fair,

Outvies the rofy Leaf 5 For 'mong ten thoufand Beauties rare^

Thy Hufband is the Chief.

6. Cloth'd with the Sun, thy Robes of LighS

The Morning Rays outfhine ; The Lamps of Heav'n are not fo bright,

Thy Hufband decks thee fine,

. 7-

Tho' hellifh Smoke thy Duties ftain,.

And Sin deform thee quite : Thy Surety's Merit makes thee clean,.

Thy Hufband's Beauty white.

8. Thy Pray'rs and Tears, nor pure, nor good#

But vile and Iothfom feem ; Yet gain by dipping in his Blood,

Thy Hufband's high Eileem.

*>■ No fear thou ftarve, tho' Wants be great>

In him thou art "omplete : Thy hungry Soul may hopeful wait,

Thy Hufband gives thee Meat.

1 a. Thy Money, Merit, Power, and Pelf,

Were fquander'd by thy Fall -s Yet having nothing in thy felf, 1 Thy Huifcmd is thy All.

So GOSPEL SONNETS.

II.

Law Precepts, Threats may both befet

To crave of thee their Due ; But Juftice for thy double Debt,

Thy Hufband did purfue*

12. Tho' Juftice ftern as much belong,

As Mercy to a God : Yet Juftice fufTer'd here no Wrong,

Thy Hufband's Back was broad.

He bore the Load of Wrath alone. That Mercy might take vent ;

Heav'n's pointed Arrows all upon Thy Hufband's Heart were fpent,

14. No partial Pay cou'd Juftice ftill,

No Farthing was retrenched j Vengeance exacted all, until

Thy Hufband all advanc'd.

He paid in liquid golden Red$

Each Mite the Law requir'd, 'Till with a loud 'Tis finijhed,

Thy Hufband's Breath expir'd,

16. No Procefs more the Law can tent >

Thou ftand'ft without its Verge, And may'ft at Pleafure now prefent

Thy Hufband's full Difcharge.

Though new-contracted Guilt beget

New Fears of divine Ire ; Yet fear thou not, tho' drown/d in Debt*

Thy Hufband is the Payer,

Part II. The Believer's Jointure. 8t

1 8. God might in Rigor thee indite

Of higheft Crimes and Flaws ; But on thy Head no Curfe can light,

Thy Hufband is the Caufe.

SECT. II.

Ch RisT the Believer's Friend, Prophet, Priejl, King^ Defence ', Guide, Guard, Help and Healer,

P%EAR Soul, when all the human Race Ip Lay welt'ring in their Gore, Vaft Numbers in that difmal Cafe Thy 'Hufband patted, o'er.

2. Jut pray, why did he Thoufands pafs^

And fet his Heart on thee ? The deep, the fearchlefs Reafon was,

Thy Hufband's Love is free.

3« rhe Forms of Favour, Names of Grace,

And Offices of Love1, |Ie bears for thee ; with open Face

Thy Hufband's Kindnefs prove;

4- Gainft Darknefs black, and Error blind, I Thou haft a Sun and Shield ; ind to reveal the Father's Mind, Thy Hufband Prophet fczl'd.

le like wife, fo procure thy Peace,

And fave from Sin's Arreft, Lefts; n'd himfelf a Sacrifice ;

Thy Hufbarid is thy Prieft,

G ^

82 GOSPEL SONNETS.

6. And that he might thy Will fubject,

And (weeily captive bring, Thy Sins fubdue, his Throne erect,

Thy Hufband is thy King.

7- Tho' num'rous and aflaulting Foes

Thy joyful Peace may mar ; And thou a thoufand Battles lofe,

Thy Hufband wins the War.

8. Hell's Forces which thy Mind appall,

His Arm can foon difpatch ; How ftrong foe'er, yet for them all

Thy Hufband's more than Match.

9- Tho' fecret Lufts with hid Conteft,

By heavy Groans reveal'd,

And Devils rage ; yet do their heft,

Thy Hufband keeps the Field.

When in Defertion's Evening dark,

Thy Steps are apt to Aide, His Conduct feek, his Counfel mark7

Thy Hufband is thy Guide.

1 1. In Doubts, renouncing Self-conceit,

His Word and Spirit prize, He never counfeli'd wrong as yet,

Thy Hufband is fo wife.

12. •

When weak, thy Refuge feeft at hand*

Yet cannot run the length -, *Tis^ prefent Power to underftand

Thy Hufbaad is thy Strength,

'[art II. The Believers Jointure. ' Sj>

When ffcaking Storms annoy the Heart,

His Word commands a Calm : When bleeding Wounds, to eafe thy Smart,

Thy Hufband's Blood is Balm.

>uft Creatures, nor to help thy Thrall,

Nor to affkage thy Grief ; Ffe Means, but look beyond them all^

Thy Hufband's thy Relief.

: Heav'n prefcribe a bitter Drug^

Fret not with froward Will ;• [flis Carriage may thy Cure prorogue^

Thy Hufband wants not Skill.

16. ^e fees the Sore, he knows the Cure

Will molt adapted be ; Pis then moft reafonable, fure,

Thy Hufband choofe for thee;

_. . . I7-

nendfhip is in his Chaftifementsj And Favour in his Frowns ; hence judge not then in heavy Plaints5 Thy Hufband thee difowns.

18.

'he deeper his fharp Lancet go

In ripping up thy Wound, he more thy Healing fhall unto

Thy Hufband's Praife redound*

stci\

f 2

84 GOSPEL SONNETS. . SECT. III.

Christ the Believer's wonderful Pbyjician, and t Wealthy Friend,

i. TZ^IND Jesus empties whom he'll fill,- •"=- Cafts down whom he will raife ; He quickens whom he ieems to kill, Thy Hufband thus gets Praife.

2.

When awful Rods are in his Hand,

There's Mercy in his Mind ; When Clouds upon his Brow do ftand.

Thy Hufband's Heart is kind.

|-

In various Changes to and fro,

He'll ever conftant prove ; Nor can his Kindnefs come and go,

Thy Hufoand's Name is LOVE.

4»

His Friends in moft aiHided Lot,

His Favour moll have felt ; For when they're try'd in Furnace hot, Thy Hufband's Bowels melt.

When he his Bride, or wounds or heals,

Heart- Kindnefs does him move ; And wraps in Frowns as well as Smiles,

Thy Hufband's lafting Love.

6. In's Hand no Cure could ever fail

Tho' of a hopeiefs State ; He can in defp'rate Cafes heal*

Thy Hufband's Art's fo great.

i?art II. The Believer's Jointure.- 85

7- The Medicine he did prepare, Can't fail to work for good ; l D Baifam powerful, precious, rare, Thy Hufband's iacred Blood j

8. Which freely from his broached Breaft,

Gufh'd out like pent-up Fire ; His Cures are beft, his Wages haft,

Thy Hufband takes no Hire.

[ 9-

Thou hail no Worth, no Might, no Good,

His Favour to procure ; But fee his Store, his Power, his Blood,

Thy Hufband's never poor. 10. Himfelf he humbled wondroufly,

Once to the loweft Pitch, That Bankrupts, thro' his Poverty,

Thy Hufband might enrich.

1 1.

His Treafure is more excellent

Than Hills of Ophir Gold : In telling Store were Ages fpent,

Thy Hufband's can't be told.

12.

All Things that fly on Wings of Fame,

Compar'd with this are Drofs ; For fearchlefs Riches in his Name,

Thy Hufband doth engrofs.

The great IMMANUEL, God-Man,

Includes fuch Store divine -, Ange::. and Saints will never fcan

Thy Hufband's golden Mine.

G 3 *4*

36 GOSPEL SONNETS.

i4.

He's full of Gr?xe and Truth indeed,

Of Spirit, Merit, Might ; Of all the Wealth that Bankrupts need

Thy Hufband's Heir by Right,

Tho' Heav'n's his Throne, he came from thencq

To feek and fave the Loft ; Whatever be the van: Expence

Thy Hufband's at the Colt.

16. Pleas'd to expend each Drop of B1oq4,

That nll'd his royal Veins, He frank the facred Victim flood,

Thy Hufband fpar'd no Pains.

. lJ' His Coft immenfe was in thy Place,

Thy Freedom coft his Thrall ;

Thy Glory coft him deep Difgrace,

Thy Hufband paid ^or all.

SECT. IV.

The Believer's Safety under the Covert ^/Christ', atoning Blood and powerful Inter ceffion.

I.

WHEN Heav'n proclaim'dhotWar and Wrath, And Sin increas'd the Strife ; By rich Obedience unto Death Thy Hufband bought thy Life.

2.

The Charges could not be abridged,

But on thefe noble Terms ; Which all that prize arehugg'd amidft

rny Hufband's folded Arms.

'art IL The Believer's Jointure. 87

3- When Law condemns, and Juftice too

To Prifon would thee hale ; As Sureties kind for Bankrupts do9

Thy Hufband offers Bail.

4-

God on thefe Terms is reconcil'd,

And thou his Heart haft won ; In Chriji thou art his favour'd Child, -

Thy Hufband is his Son.

Vindictive Wrath is whole appeas'd,

Thou need'ft not then be mov'd $ Jn Jesus always he }s well pleas1 dy

Thy Hufband's his Belov'd.

6.

What can be laid unto thy Charge,

When God does not condemn ? pills of Complaint tho' Foes enlarge,

Thy Hufband anfwers them.

7- \

When Fear thy guilty Mind confounds,

Full Comfort this may yield ; Thy Ranfom-Bill with Blood and Wounds, Thy Hufband kind has feal'd.

8. His Promife is the fair Extract:,

Thou haft at hand to fhew ; Stern Juftice can no more exact,

Thy Hufband paid its Due.

9-

No Terms he left thee to fulfil,

No Clog to mar thy Faith ; His Bond is fign'd, his Latter- Will

Thy Hufband feal'd by Death.

19:

88 GOSPEL SONNETS.

10.

The great Condition of the Band

Of Promife and of Blifs, Is wrought by him, and brought to hand,

Thy Hufband's Righteoufnefs.

1 1. When therefore preft in Time of Need

To fue the promis'd Good, Thou haft no more to do but plead

Thy Hufband's fealing Blood.

12. This can thee more to. God commend,

And cloudy Wrath difpel; Than e'er thy Sinning could offend.

Thy Hufband vanquifh'd Hell.

When Vengeance feems for broken Laws

To light on thee with Dread ; Xet Chrift be Umpire of thy Caule,

Thy Hufband well can plead.

14. He pleads his Righteoufnefs, that brought

All Rents the Law could crave ; Whate'er its Precepts, Threat'nings, fought,

Thy Hufband fully gave,

-". . . *5'

Did Holinefs in Precepts ftand,

And for Perfection call, Juftice in Threat'nings Death demand, Thy Hufband gave it all.

16,. His Blood the fiery Lav, did quench,

Its Summons need not fear ; Tho 'c cite thee to Heav'n's awful Bench,

1 ny Hufband's at the Bar.

'M

Part II. The Believer9 s Jointure. $9

l7- This Advocate has much to fay,

His Clients need not fear ; For God the Father hears him ay^

Thy Hufband hath his Ear.

18. A Caufe fail'd never in his Hand,

So ftrong his Pleading is ; His Father grants his whole Demand,

Thy Hufband's Will is his.

19. Hell Forces all may rendezvous,

Accufers may combine; "? et fear thou not, who art his Spoufe,

Thy Hufband's Caufe is thine.

20. By folemn Oath JEHOVAH did

His Priefthood ratify 5 Let Earth and Hell then counterplead,

Thy Hufband gains the Plea.

SECT. V.

The Believer's Faith and Hope encouraged even in the darkeji Nights of Defertion and Dlftrefs.

1. *TpHE cunning Serpent may accufe^ ■*■ But never fhall fucceed ; The God of Peace will Satan bruifey Thy Hufband broke his Head.

2.

Hell-Furies threaten to devour,

Like Lions robb'd of Whelps : But, lo ! in ev'ry perilous Flour,

Tiiy Hufband always helps.

go GOSPEL SONNETS,

3- That feeble Faith may never fail,

. Thine Advocate has pray'd ; Tho' winnowing Tempefts may aflail, Thy Hufband's near to aid.

n

Tho* grievous Trials grow apace,

And put thee to a ftand ; Thou mayft rejoice in every Cafe,

Thy Hufband's Help at hand.

Truft, tho' when in Defertion dark,

No twinkling Star by Night, No Ray appear, no glimmering Spark,

Thy Hufband is thy Light.

6. His Beams anon the Clouds can rent,

And thro' the Vapours run ; For of thy brighteft Firmament

Thy Hufband is the Sun.

?\ Without the Sun who mourning goy

And fcarce the Way can find ;

He brings thro* Paths they do not know^

Thy Hufband leads the Blind.

8. ^through Fire and Water he with Skill

Brings to a wealthy Land,y Rude Flames and roaring Floods, BE STILL,

Thy Hufband can command.

9'

When Sin Diforders heavy brings,

That prefs thy Soul with Weight ; Then mind how many crooked things. Thy Hufband has made ftrait.

Par^ II. %he Believer's Jointure.

IO.

Still look to him with longing Eyes,

Tho both thine Eyes mould fail : Cry, and at length, tho' not thy Cries,

Thy Husband mail prevail. 1 1. Still hope for Favour at his Hand3

Tho' Favour don't appear ; When Help feems moft aloof to fland,

Thy Husband's then moil: near.

12.

In Cafes hopelefs-like, faint Hopes

May fail, and Fears annoy ; But moft when ftript of earthly Props,

Thy Husband thpu'lt enjoy.

If Providence the Promife thwart,

And yet thy humbled Mind ?Gainft Hope believes in Hope, thou ar$

Thy Husband's dearefi Friend.

Art thou a Weakling poor and faint,

In Jeopardy each Hour ? Let not thy Weaknefs move thy Plaint,

Thy Husband ha^s the Pow'r.

15.

Dread not the Foes that foil'd thee long,

Will ruin thee at length : When thou art weak, then art thou ilrong3

Thy Husband is thy Strength.

16. When Foes are mighty, many too,

Don't fear, nor quit the Field ; 'Tis not with thee they have to do,

Thy Husband is thv Shield.

9*

*7-

52 GOSPEL SONNETS.

17- 'Tis hard to fight againft an Hoft, y

Or ftrive againft the Stream ; But lo, when all feems to be loft,

Thy Hufband will redeem.

SECT. VI.

Benefits accruing to Believers from the Offices, Names, Natures, and Sufferings of Christ.

i.

ART thou by Lufts a Captive led, •**- Which breeds thy deepeft Grief ? To ranfom Captives is his Trade, Thy Hufband's thy Relief.

2.

His precious Name is Jesus, why ?

Becaufe he faves from Sin ; Redemption-Right he wo'nt deny,

Thy Hufband's near of Kin.

His Wounds have fav'd thee once from Woes, His Blood from Vengeance fcreen'd ;

When Heav'n and Earth and Hell were Foes, Thy Hufband was a Friend :

% And will thy Captain now look on,

And fee thee trampled down l

When, lo, thy Champion has the Throne,

Thy Hufband wears the Crown.

5; Yield not, tho' cunning Satan bribe,

Or like a Lion rear ; The Lion ftrong of Judab's Tribe, Thy Hufband's to the-fore.

6,

IpaIv-1 II. The Believer's Jointure. 95

6.

And that he never will f or fake y

His Credit fair he pawned ; In hotted Broils then Courage take,

Thy Hufband's at thy Hand.

7- No Storm needs drive thee to a Strait,

Who doit his Aid invoke ; Fierce Winds may blow, proud Waves may beat|

Thy Hufband is thy Rock*

8. Renounce thine own Ability,

Lean to his promis'd Might 9 The Strength of If ra el cannot lye,

Thy Hufband's Power is plight.

9- An awful Truth does here prefent,

Whoever think it odd ; In him thou art omnipotent,

Thy Hufband is a God.

10. -JEHOVAH's Strength is in thy Head,

Which Faith may boldly fcan ; God in thy Nature does reiide,

Thy Hufband is a Man.

11. Thy Flefh is his, his Spirit thine ,

And that you both are one, One Body, Spirit, Temple, Vine,

Thy Hufband deigns to own.

12,

Kind, he aflum'd thy Flefh and Blood,

This Union to purfue ; ^Vnd without Shame his Brotherhood,

Thy Hufband dges avow.

94 GOSPEL SONNETS;'

13.

He bore the Crofs thy Crown to win^

His Blood he freely fpilt ; The Holy-One afluming Sin,

Thy Hufband bore the Guilt.

Lo, what a bleft Exchange is this \

What Wifdom mines therein ! That thou mighfjt be made Righteoufnefs^

Thy Hufband was made Sin. .

♦ "5- The God of Joy a Man of Grief,

Thy Sorrows to difcufs : Pure Innocence hang'd as a Thief^ Thy Hufband iov'd thee thus.

16. Bright Beauty had his Vifage marr'd,

His comely Form abus'd : True Reft was from all Rtft debarr'd^

Thy Hufband's Heel was bruis'd.

The God of Bleflings was a Curfe,

The Lord of Lords a Drudge : The Heir of all Things poor in Purfe^

Thy Hufband did not grudge.

18. The Judge of all condemned was,

The God immortal flain : No Favour in thy woful Caufe,

Thy Hufband did obtain.

sect.

A rt II. ?he Believer's Jointure. 95

SECT. VII.

^HRISt'j Sufferings further improv'd, and Believers called to live by Faith^ both when they have and want fenfible Influences.

1.

LOUD Praifes fing without Surceafe, To him that frankly came, \nd gave his Soul a Sacrifice, Thy Hufband was the Lamb*

2. What waken'd Vengeance could denounce,

All round him did befet 5 And never left his Soul till once

Thy Hufband paid the Debt.

%-

And tho' new Debt thou ftill contract,

And run in deep 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 free

Thy Husband kindly fet.

That no grim Vengeance might thee meet,

Thy Husband met with all , And that thy Soul might drink the Sweet,

Thy Husband drank the Gall,

o6 GOSPEL SONNETS.

6. Full Breafts of Joy he loves t* extend,

Like to a kindly Nurfe ; And that thy Blifs migh* full be gain'd,

Thy Hufband was a Curfe.

7- Thy Sins he glued unto the Treej

His Blood this Virtue hath ; For that thy Heart to Sin might die,

Thy Hufband fufrer'd Death.

8. To purchafe fully all thy Good,

All Evil him befel; To win thy Heav'n with Streams of Blood,

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 pleafes both.

10.

The Blood that could flern Juftice pleafe,

And Law-Demands fulfil, Can alfo guilty Confcience eafe ;

Thy Husband clears the Bill.

1 1.

Thy higheft Glory is obtain'd^

By his Abafement deep ; And that thy Tears might all be drain'd,

Thy Husband chofe to weep.

12.

His Bondage all thy Freedom bought,

He ftoop'd fo lowly down ; His Grappling all thy Grandeur brought,

Thy Husband's Crofs thy Cwwn.

U*

art II. The Believer's Jointure/ gy

Tis by his Shock thy Sceptre fways,

His Warfare ends thy Strife, [is Poverty thy Wealth conveys,

Thy Husband's Death thy Life.

H- )o mortal Damps invade thy Heart,

And Deadnefs feize thee fore ? ilejoice in this, that Life t'impart,

Thy Husband has in ftore.

ind when new Life imparted feems

Eftablifh'd as a Rock : ioait. in the Fountain, not the Streams, | Thy Husband is thy Stock,

1 6. lie Streams may take a various turn,

The Fountain never moves : >afe then o'er failing Streams to mourn, ! Thy Husband thus thee proves.

17-

hat glad thou may'fl:, when Drops are. gone,

Joy in the fpacious Sea : Vhen Incomes fail, then flill upon - ! Thy Husband keep thine Eye*

1.8.

lut can't thou look, nor moan thy Strait,

So dark's the difmal Hour ? 7et as thou'rt able, cry, and wait

Thy Husband's Day of Power.

"ell him, though Sin prolong the Term,

Yet Love can fcarce delay : "hy Want, his Promife, all affirm,

Thy Husband muft. not flay.

H SECT,

Q8 gospel sonnets.

SECT. VIII.

Christ the Believer's enriching Treafure. t.

KIND Jefus lives thy Life to be, Who mak'ft him thy Refuge : And when he comes, thou'lt joy to fee, Thy Husband mall be Judge.

.2. Should pafUng Troubles thee annoy,

Without within, or both, Since endlefs Life thou'it then enjoy,

Thy Huiband pledg'd his Truth.

3:

What won\t he, e'en in time, impart,

That's for thy real good ? He pave his Love, he gave his Heart,

Thy Husband gave his Blood.

4- He gives himfe!f, and what mould more ?

What can he then refufe ?

If this vvon't pleafe thee, ah how fore

Thy Husband dofi abufe !

Earth's Fruit, Heav'n's Dew he won't deny,

Whofe Eyes thy Need behold : Nought under or above the Sky,

Thy Husband will withhold.

6. Doft LofTes grieve ? Since all is thine*

What Lois can thee befall ? M things for good to thee combine 9

Thy Husband grders all.

Part II. The Believers jointure* ' c$

7- Thou'rt not put off with barren Leaves,

Or Dung of earthly Pelf ; More Wealth than Reav'n and Earth he gives,

Thy Husband's thine himfelf. :

8, Thou haft enough to May thy Plaint,

Elfe thou compiam'il of Eafe ; For having all, don't fpeak of want,

Thy Plus band may fuffice.

9\

From this thy Store, believing, take

Wealth to the u.tmoft pitch : The Gold of Opbir cannot make, Thy Husband makes thee rich.

10.

.Some, flying Gains acquire by Pains,

And fome by plund'ring Toil ; Such Treafure fades, but thine remains, Thy Husband's cannot fpoil.

SECT. IX.

Christ the Believer's Adorning Garment

i.

'V'EA, thou exceJ'ft In rich Attire, •*■ The Lamp that lights the Globe ; Thy fparkling Garment Heav'ns admire, . Thy Husband is thy Robe.

2.

This Raiment never waxes old,

'Tis always new and clean : From Summer Heat, and Winter Cold,

Thy Husband can thee fkreen, H 2

100 LrUSFl^.L, £> U JN IN 11 T 5.

3- All who the Name of Worthies bore,

Since Adam was undreft, No Worth acquir'd, but as they wore

Thy Husband's purple Veft.

4- This Linnen fine can beautify,

The Soul with Sin begirt ;

O blefs his Name that e'er on thee

Thy Husband fpread his Skirt.

Are Dunghills deck'd with Flowery Glore,

Which Solomo?t's out- vie ? Sure thine is infinitely more,

Thy Husband decks the Sky.

6.

Thy Hands could never work the Drefs ;

By Grace alone thou'rt gay. Grace vents and reigns, through Righteoufnefs,

Thy Husband's bright Array.

To (pin thy Robe no more doft need,

Than Lillies toil for theirs ; Out of his Bowels ev'ry Thread,

Thy Husband thine prepares.

SECT. X.

Christ the Believer's fweet Nourijhmenu

i. HPHY Food, conform to thine Aray„ **- Is heav'nly and divine ; QnPaftures green, where Angels play, Thy Husbaad feeds thee fine.

Part II. Tbe Believer's Jointure, 101

r. Angelick Food may make thee fair,

And look with chearful Face ; The Bread of Life, the double Share,

Thy Hufband' s Love and Grace.

3- What can he give, or thou defire,

. More than his Fleih and Blood ? Let Angels wonder, Saints admire, Thy Hufband is thy Food !

.4- His Flefh the Incarnation bears.

From whence thy Feeding flows ;

His Blood the Satisfaction clears,

Thy Hufband both bellows.

Th' incarnate God a Sacrifice,

To turn the wrathful Tide, Is Food for Faith -, that may fuiKce

Thy Flufband's guilty Bride.

6.

This ftrength'ning Food may fit and fence,

For Work and War to come ; 'Till through the Croud fome Moments hence,

Thy Hufband bring thee home,

7v' Where plenteous Feaiting will fucceed

To fcanty Feeding here : And joyful at the Table-head,

Thy Hufband fair appear.

8.

Then Crumb, to Banquets will give place,

And Drops to Rivers new : While Heart and Eye will Face to Face

Thy Huiband ever view.

H :*> ^uaw ,-

ioz GOSPEL SONNETS, CHAP. II.

Containing the Marks and Chara&Vs of the Believer in Christ, together with fome farther Privileges and Grounds of Comfort to the Saints.

SECT. I.

Doubting Believers called to examine, by Marks drawn from their Love to him arid his Prefence, their View of his Glory, and their being emptied of Self Right eoufnefsj &c.

I.

/^OOD News \ but fays the drooping Bride3 A3 Ah ! what's all this to me ? Thou doubt'rt. thy Right when Shadows hide Thy Husband's Face from thee.

2.

Through Sin and Guilt thy Spirit faints,

And trembling fears thy Fate : But harbour not thy groundlefs Plaints,

Thy Husband's Advent wait.

3- Thou fob'ft, cc O were I fure he's mine,

This would give glad'ning Eafe ;" And fay'ft, though Wants and Woes combine,

Thy Husband would thee pleafe.

4< But up3 and down, and ieldom clear,

Inclos'd with helliih Routs ; Yet yield thou not, nor fofter Fear,

Part IX. "the Believer's Jointure. 103

Thy Cries and Tears may flighted feem,

And barr'd from prefent bale ; Yet blame thyfeif, but never dream,

Thy Husband's ill to plea fe. 6. Thy jealous unbelieving Heart,

Still droops and knows not why ; Then prove thyfeif, to eafe thy Smart,

Thy Husband bids thee try.

7- The following Queftions put to thee,

As Scripture Marks, may tell . And fnew, whatever thy Failings be,

Thy Husband loves thee well.

MARKS.

RT thou content when he's away r Can Earth allay thy Pants ? If Confcience witnefs, won't it fay, Thy Husband's all thou wants t

A

When he is near (though in a Crofs)

And thee with Comfort feeds ; Doff, thou not count the Earth as Drofs,

Thy Husband all thou needs ?

I-

In Duties art thou pleas'd or pain'd,

When far he's out of view : And finding him, think'ff. all regain'd,

Thy Hu^Dand always new ?

4. TJ' m once thou thought'lt, while Sinai Mi&

i Darknefs coinpafs'd thee, Th m waff undone ; and glorious Chrift 1 '"hy Husband ne'er would be.

104 GOSPEL SONNETS.

5- Yet know' ft thou not a fairer Place,

Of which it may be told, That there the Glory of his Grace

Thy Hufband did unfold ?

6. 'Where heavenly Beams inflam'd thy Soul,

And Love's feraphick Art, With Hallelujahs did extol

Thy Hufband in thy Heart.

7- Could'ft then have wifn'd all Adam's Race

Had join'd with thee to gaze ? That viewing fond his comely Face,

Thy Hufband might get Praife ?

8. Art thou disjoin'd from other Lords ?

Divorc'd from fed'ral Laws ? While with moft loving Gofpel-Cords,

Thy Hufband kindly draws ?

9-

A'nt thou enlighten'd now, to fee

Thy Righteoufnefs is nought

But Rags that cannot cove* thee ?

Thy Hufband fo has taught.

io. po'fl fee thy bert Performances

Deferve but Hell indeed ? And hence art led, renouncing thefe,

Thy Hufband's Blood to plead ?

I T.

When ftrengthen'd boldly to addrefs

That gracious Throne of his, J)ofi find thy Strength and Rigjitcoafiw

Thy iiuxband only is \

Part II. The Believer's Jointure, lof

12.

Can'fl thou thy moft exalted Frame

Renounce, as withering Grafs, And firmly hold -thine only Claim, v Thy Hufband's Worthiness ?

13- Can'ft pray with utmoff. holy *Pith,

And yet renounce thy Good ? And warn not with thy Tears, but with

Thy Hufband's precious Blood ?

* Vigor or Strength.

SECT. II.

Believers defcribed from their Faith atting by divine. Aid^ and flying quite out of themf elves to Christ.

/"*AN nothing lefs thy Conscience eafe, ^ And pleafe thy Heart ; no lefs Than that which Juflice Satisfies, Thy Hufband's Righteoufnefs ?

, 2.

Doft fee thy Works fo ftain'd with Sin, That thou through Grace art mov'd,

To feek Acceptance only in Thy Hufband, the Belov'd ?

3- Do'ft thou remind, once on a-day

Free Grace did ftrengthen thee, To gift thy guilty Soul away, Thy Hufband's Bride to be ?

(. .ft thou mind the Day of Power, erdn he broke thy Pride, ain d . Heart ? O happy hour ! I '...} Hufband caught the Bride! • -

io6 GOSPEL SONNETS. $<

He did thy Enmity fubdue,

Thy Bondage fad recal, Made thee to choofe, and clofe purfue,

Thy Husband as thy All.

6. What Reft, and Peace, and Joy ei\(iidf

Upon this noble Choice ? - Thy Heart with Flowers of Pleafure ftrew'd,

Thy Husband made rejoice.

7- Doft knew thou ne er could'ft him embrace

'Till he embrace^ thee ? Nor ever fee h\j&y-Jti\\ his Face

Thy Husband .open'd free ?

m 8.

And findeft to trfis very Hour,

That this is ftill the Charm ; Thou can'ft do nothing, 'till with PowV

Thy Husband fhew his Arm ?

9- Can'ft thou do nought by Nature, Art,

Or any Strength of thine,

Until thy wicked fro ward Heart,

Thy Husband (hall incline ?

io. But art thou, though without a Wing

Of Power aloft to flee, Yet able to do every thing,

Thy Husband ftrength'ning thee ?

1 1. Doft not alone at Duties fork,

But foreign Aid enjoy ? And ftill in every piece of Work,

Thy Husb and's Strength employ,

it.

Part II. fbe Believer's Jointure, toy

12.

Thy Motion heav'nly is indeed,

While thou by Faith doft move ; And ftill in ev'ry time of need,

Thy Husband's Grace improve.

13-

No common natural Faith can (hew.

Its divine Brood like this ; Whole Objea, Author, Feeder too,

Thy Husband only is.

.14: Doft thou by Faith on him rely ?

On him not on thy Faith ? If Faith fhall with its Object vie,

Thy Huiband's fet beneath.

Their Hands receiving Faculty,

Poor Beggars never view ; But hold the royal Gift in Eye,

Thy Hufband fo wilt thou. 16. Faith, like a gazing Eye, ne'er waits

To boaft its feeing Powers ; Its ObjecT: views, itfelf forgets,

Thy Hufband it adores.

Vfc

It humbly ftill itfelf denies,

Nor brags its Acls at all 5 Deep plung'd into its Object lies, Thy Hufband is its all.

18. No Strength but his it has, and vaunts,

No Store but his can mow ; Kence nothing has, yet nothing wants,

Thy Hufband trains it fo.

*o$ GOSPEL SONNETS.

19. Faith, of its own, no Might can fhew,

Elfe would itfelf deftroy ; But will for all it has to do,

Thy Hufband ftill employ.

20. Self-Saviours none could ever be,

By Faith or Grace of theirs ; Their fruitlefs Toil fo high that flee,

Thy Husband's Praife impairs.

21. The feemingly devouteft Deed,

That would with fhamelefs Brow, His faving Trade take o'er his head,

Thy Husband won't allow,

22. Doft therefore thou to him alone

Commit thy finful Soul ? Knowing of thy Salvation

Thy Husband a is the whole ?

SECT. III.

Believers characlerifed by the Objecls and Purity of their Defire, Delight, Joy, Hatred and Love, difcovering they have the Spirit of Christ.

1 . p\OST thou his Spirit's Conduft wait ? -"^ And when compar'd to this, All worldly Wifdom under-rate I Thy Hufband waits to blefs,

2. Talc ft thou his Spirit for thy Guide,

Through Baca's Valley dry, Whofe Streams of Influences glide

Thy Husbands Garden by I

Part II. *Fhe Believer's Jointure. %o%

In digging Wells here by his Power,

Doff find it not in vain ? While here a Drop, and there a Show'r,

Thy Hufoand makes to rain r

4- Hence doft thou through each weary Cafe,

From Strength to Strength go on, From Faith to Faith, while Grace for Grace,

Thy Husband gives anon I

5- • The good, the gracious Work begun,

And further'd by his Strength, Shall profp'rous, tho' with Wreftling, win

Thy Husband's^ Crown at length.

6.

Sin's Power and Prefence can'ft thou own,.

Is thy moft grievous Smart, That makes thee fob and weep alone £

Thy Husband knows thy Heart.

7-

Does Love to him make thee diftafte

Thy Lufts with all their Charms ? And moft them loath'ft, when moft thou haft

Thy Husband in thine Arms ?

8. Are Cords of Love the fweeteft Ties,

To bind thee Duty-ways ? And beft thou ferv'ft, when moft thou 'fines

Thy Husband's beauteous Rays I

9- Didft ever thou thy Pardon read

In Tears of untold Joy ?

When Mercy made thy Heart to bleed,

Thy Husband was not coy.

$io GOSPEL SONNETS.

IO.

Do Pardons fweetly melt thy Heart ?

And moft embitter Sin ? And make thee long with Drofs to part,

Thy Hufband's Throne to win ?

1 1.

When he arifes Lufts to kill,

Corruptions to deftroy, Does Ghdne(s then thy Spirit fill ?

Thy Husband is thy Joy.

12. Doft thou his Peribn fair embrace

Beyond his Bleflings all ? Sure then thou boldly may 'ft through Grace

Thy Husband J ejus call.

What Company doft thou prefer ?

What Friends above the reft ? Of all Relations every where,

Thy Husband is the beft.

14. Whom in the Earth or Heaven doll thou

Moft ardently defire ? Is Love's afcending Spark unto

'Yhy Husband fee on fire ?

**'

Haft thou a Hatred to his Foes,

And doft their Courfe decline ? Lov'ft tho;i his Saints, and dar'ft fuppofe Thy Husband's Friends are thine ? 16. Doft thou their Talk and Walk efteem,

When moft divinely grave ? And favour'ft beft when moft they feem Thy Husband's Sp'rit to have ,?

SECT*

P a rt II . The Believer's Jointure. lit

SECT. IV.

Believers in Christ affecl his Ccunfel, Word, Ordi» nances. Appearances, full Enjoyment in Heav'n9 and Jive et Pre fence here. i.

XTJ HERE go'ft thou firft when in a Strait*

* ▼ Or when with Grief oppreft ? Flee'ft thou to him ? O happy Gate,

Thy Hufband is thy -Reft.

|;

His Counfel feek'ft thou ftill prepar'd,

Nor can' ft without him live? Wifdom to guide, and Strength to guard.

Thy Hufband hath to give.

3- Can'ft thou produce no pleafant Pawn,

O r Token of his Love ? Won't Signets, Bracelets, from his Hand

Thy Kufband's Kindnefs prove ?

4- Mind'ft when he fent his healing Word,

Which darting from on high,

Did Light and Life, and Joy afford ?

Thy Hufband then was nigh.

Can'ft thou the Promife fweet forget)

He dropt into thy Heart ? Such gladning Power, and Love with it,

Thy Hufband did impart.

6. Doft thou affecT: his Dwelling-place,

And mak'ft it thy Repair ; Becaufe thine Eyes have ken thro' Grace,

• Thy Hufbani's Glory there ? ' f,

ii2 LrUbr^L SONNETS,

Doft love his great appearing Day,

And thereon mufe with Joy ; When dufky Shades will flee away,

Thy Husband Death deftroy ?

8. Doft long to fee his glorious Face

Within the higher Orb, Where humid Sorrows lofing Place,

Thy Husband's Rays abforb ?

9-

Long' ft to be free of every Fault,

To bid all Sin adieu f And mount the Hill, where glad thou fhalt

Thy Hufband's Glory view ? io. Life where it lives, Love where it loves,

Will moil defire to be. Such Love-ficlc Longing plainly proves

Thy Hufband's Love to thee.

What is it beft can eafe thy Plaint, Spread Morning o'er thine Ev'n ?

Is his Approach thy Heart's Content, Thy Hufband's Prefence Heav'n ?

12.

And when deny'd this fweet Relief,

Ca.nft thcu afiert full well, His Hiding is thy greater!: Grief,

Thy Hufband's Abfence Hell ?

Let thy Experieuce be dilclos'd ; .

If Confcience anfwer Yea To all the Queries here propos'd,

Thy Hufband's thine for ay.

**■

Part II. The Believer's Jointure-, 113

H- Pertain thefe Characters to thee ?

Then Soul, begin and praife His glorious worthy Name, for he

Thy Husband is always.

SECT. V,

The true Believer's Humility, Dependance, Zeal9 Growth, Admiration of free Grace, and Knowledge cf Christ'* Voice.

\.

"OErhaps a Saint may figh and fay^

-*- " I fear I'm yet to learn

" Thefe Marks of Marriage-Love," yet ftay,

Thy. Husband's Bowels yearn. 2. Tho' Darknefs may thy Light obfcure,

Aid Storms fur mount thy Calms, Day yield to Night, and thou be poor,

Thy Husband yet has Alms.

3- Doft fee thy felf an empty Brat,

A poor unworthy Thing ? With Heart upon the Duft laid flat,

Thy Husband there does reign.

4- Art in thine own Efteem a Beaft,

And doft thy felf abhor ? The more thou haft of Self -diftafte,

Thy Husband * loves thee more.

Can Hell breed no fuch wicked Elf,

As thou in thine own fight ? Thou'il got to fee thy filthy Self,

Thy Husband's pureft Light,

ii4 GOSPEL SONNETS.

6.

Can'ft find no Names fo black, fo vile, With which thou would'fl compare,

But call'ft thy felf a Lump of Hell ? Thy Hufband calls thee fair.

7- When his kind Vifits make thee fee,

He's precious, thou art vile,

Then mark the Hand of God with thee,

Thy Hufband gives a Smile.

8. He knows what Vifits fuit thy State,

And tho' moft rare they be, It fets thee well on him to wait,

Thy Hufband waits on thee.

9- Doft fee thou art both poor and weak,

And he both full and ftrong ? O don't his kind Delays miftake,

Thy Hufband comes ere long.

10.

Tho' during Sinai* s ftormy Day,

Thou dread'fl: the difmal Blaft, And fear'fl thou art a Caft-away,

Thy Hufband comes at laft.

1 1.

The glorious Sun will rife apace,

And fpread his healing Wings, In fparkling Pomp of fov reign Grace,

Thy Hufband Gladnefs brings.

12.

Can'fl thou, whate'er mould come of thee,

Yet wifh his Zion well, And joy in her Profperity ?

Thy Hulband loves thy Zeal,

Part II. She Believers Jointure* rig

i3- Doft thou admire his Love to fome,

Tho* thou moulds never mare I Mercy to thee will alfo come,

Thy Hufband hath to fpare. 14. Poor Soul ! doft grieve for Want of Grace,

And weep for want of Love, And Jesus feek'ft ? O hopeful Cafe,

Thy Hufband lives above.

fat Regretting much thy falling fhort,

Doft after more afpire ?

There's Hope in Ifrael for thy Sort,

Thy Hufband's thy Defire.

16. Art thou well-pleas'd that fov'reign Grace,

Through Christ exalted be ? This Frame denotes no hopelefs Cafe,

Thy Hufband's pleas' d with thee.

17- Could'ft love to be the Footftool low,

On which his Throne might rife, , Its pompous Grace around to mow ?

Thy Hufband does thee prize.

18. If but a Glance of his fair Face*

Can chear thee more than Wine ; Thou in his loving Heart haft place,

Thy Hufband place in thine.

19. Doft make his Blood thy daily Bath ?

His Word and Oath thy Stay ? His Law of Love thy lightfome Path I

Thy Hufband is thy Way.

I % 20*

n6 GOSPEL SONNETS.

20.

All Things within Earth's fpacious Womb,

Doft count but Lofs and Dung, For one fweet Word in Seafon from

Thy Hufband's learned Tongue ?

21.

Skill to difcern and know his Vpice

From Words of Wit and Art, W'ill clearly prove thou art his Choice,

Thy Husband thine in Heart.

22.

The pompous Words that Fops admire,

May vagrant Fancy feaft ; But with Seraphick harmlefs Fire, .

Thy Husband's burn the Breaft.

SECT. VI.

True Believers are willing to be tried and examined. Comforts arifing to them from Christ '5 ready Supply^ real Sy??ipathy, and relieving Names, fuiting their Needs.

1.

r> OST thou upon thy trait'rous Heart -*-^ Still keep a jealous Eye ? Moft willing that thine inward Part, Thy Husband ftriaiy try ?

2. The thieving Croud will hate the Light,

Left ftol'n Effeas be mown : But Truth deiires what's wrong or right

Thy Husband would make known.

3- Doft then his trying Word await,

His fearching Do&rine love ?

Fond, left thou err through Self-Deceit,

Thy Husband would thee prove ?

Part II. The Believer's Jointure. u

4- Doft oft thy Mind with inward Smart

Bewail thy Unbelief ? And confcious fue from Plagues of Heart,

Thy Husband for Relief I

5- "Why doubt' ft his Love ? and yet behold

With him thou would'ft not part, For Thoufand Thoufand Earths of Gold,

Thy Husband has thy Heart,

6. Tho' Darknefs, Deadnefs, Unbelief,

May all thy Soul attend ; Light, Life, and Faith's mature Relief,

Thy Husband has to fend,

7- Of Wants annoying, why complain ?

Supply arifes hence, What Gifts he has received for Men^

Thy Husband will difpenfe.

8. He got them in's exalted State,

For Rebels fuch as thou ; All then that's needful, good, or great.

Thy Husband will allow.

9- Thy Wants he fees, thy Cries he hears ;

And marking all thy Moans, He in his Bottle keeps thy Tears,

Thy Husband notes thy Groans, io. All thine Infirmities him touch,

They flrike his feeling Heart j His kindly Sympathy is fuch,

Thy Husband finds the Smart,

I 3 ii

ii8 GOSPEL SONNETS.

II.

Whatever touches thee, affects

The Apple of his Eye ; Whatever Harms he therefore checks,

Thy Hufband's Aid is nigh. 12. If Foes are fpar'd, thy Need is fuch,

He flays them but in part : He can do all, and will do much,

Thy Hufband acts by Art.

13. He often for the faddeft Hour

Referves the fweeteft Aid : See how fuch Banners heretofore

1 hy Hufband has difplay'd.

Mind where hevouched his Good-will,

Sometimes at Hennon * Mount : In Jordan Land, at Mizar Hill,

Thy Hufband keeps the Count.

At fundry Times, and divers Ways,

To fuit thy various Frames, Haft feen, like rifmg golden Rays,

Thy Hufband's various Names. 16. When guilty Confcience ghaftly ftar'd,

Jehovqh '"fjidkenu f, The Lord thy Righteoufnefs appeared,

Thy Hufband in thy View.

When in thy Straits or Wants extreme,

Kelp fail'd on every fide, Jehovah Jireh || was his Name,

Thy Husband did provide.

18,

*P/! xlii, 6. f Jer, xxiii. 6. | Gen, xxu\ 14,

Part II. The Believer9 s Jointure. . 119

18. When thy long abfent Lord didft moan,

And to his Courts repair ; Then was Jehovah * Shammah known,

Thy Hufband prefent there.

When thy afTaulting Foes appear'd,

In Robes of Terror clad, Jehovah NlJJi f then was rear'd,

Thy Hufband's Banner fpread.

20. When Furies arm'd with fright'ning Guilt,

Dun'd War without Surceafe \ Jehovah Shalom % then was built,

Thy Hufband fent thee Peace.

21. When thy Difeafes Death proclaim'd,

And Creature-Balfams fail'd, Jehovah Rophi || then was fam'd,

Thy Hufband kindly heal'd.

22. Thus as thy various Needs require,

In various Modes like thefe, The Help that fiiits thy Heart's Defire,

Thy Hufband's Name conveys. 23. To th' little Flock as Cafes vary,

The great Jehovah fhews Himfelf a littU.Sancluary **,

Thy Hufband gives the Views.

1 4 SECT,

*Ezek. xlviii. 35. fExod. xvii. 15. XJudg. vi. 24, Exod, xv, 26. ** Exek, xi, 16,

120 GOSPEL SONNETS.

SECT. VII.

The Believer's Experience of Christ'* comfortable Prefence^ or of former Comfort s, to be improved for his Encouragement and Support under Darknefs and Hidings.

i.

F^OST mind the Place, the Spot of Land, -*^ Where Jesus did thee meet? And how he got thy Heart and Hand ? Thy Hufband then was fweet. 2. Dofl mind the Garden, Chamber, Bank,

A Vale of Vifion feem'd ? Thy Joy was full, thy Heart was frank, Thy Hufband much efteem'd.

3- Let thy Experience fweet declare,

If able to remind ; A Bochim here, a Bethel there,

Thy Hufband made thee find.

4- Was fuch a Corner, fuch a Place,

A Paradife to thee,

A Peniel, where Face to Face,

Thy Hufband fair didft fee \

5- There did he clear thy cloudy Caufe,

Thy Doubts and Fears deftroy ; And on thy Spirit feal'd he was,

Thy Hufband with great Joy ? 6. Pould'n1 thou have faid it boldly then,

And feal'd it with thy Blood ? Yea welcome Death with pleafure, when

Thy Hufband by thee flood.

Part II. *the. Believer's Jointure, ixi

7-

That Earth again fhould thee enfhare,

O how thy Heart was pain'd. For all its fading Glory there, Thy Hufband's Beauty ftain'd.

8. The Thoughts of living more in Sin,

Were then like Hell to thee ; The Life of Heav'n did thus begin,

Thy Hufband fet thee free.

9- Whate'er thou found'ft him at thy befl,

He's at thy wcrft the fame ;

And in his Love will ever rejl^

Thy Hufband holds his Claim.

io. Let Faith thefe Vifits keep in Store,

Tho' Senfe the Pleafure mifs ; The God of Bethel as before,

Thy Hufband always is.

ii.

In meafuring his Approaches kind,

And timing his Defcents ; In free and fov'reign Ways thou'lt find

Thy Hufband thee prevents.

12.

Prefcribe not to him in thy Heart,

He's infinitely wife. How oft he throws his loving Dart,

Thy Hufband does furprize.

Perhaps a fudden Gale thee blcft,

While walking in thy Road ; Or on a Journey e'er thou wift,

Thy Hufband look'd thee broad,

14-

122 GOSPEL SONNETS.

14.

Thus was the Eunuch fam'd, (his Stage

A riding on the Way, Ashe revolv'd the facredPage,)

Thy Hufband's happy Prey.

In Hearing, Reading, Singing, Pray'r,

When Darknefb compafs'd thee, Thou found'ft or e'er thou waft aware,

Thy Hufband's Light'ning free.

16. Of heav'nly Gales don't meanly think,

For tho' thy Soul complains They're but a fhort and paffing Blink,

Thy Hufband's Love remains.

Think not, tho* Breezes hafte away,

Thou doft his Favour lofe ; But learn to know his fovereign Way,

Thy Hufband comes and goes.

18. Don't fay he's gone for ever, tho*

His Vifits he adjourn ; For yet a little while, and lo

Thy Hufband will return.

'9 In Worfnip focial, or retir'd,

Doil: thou his Abfence wail ? Wait at his Shore, and be not fear'd,

Thy Hufband's Ship's a-fail.

20. Yea, tho' in Duties Senfe may mifs

Thy Soul's beloved one ; Yet do not faint, for never is Thy Hufband wholly gone.

2U

>art II. 7be Believer's Jointure, I2|

21. Tho' Satan, Sin, Earth, Hell, at once,

Wou'd thee of Joy bereave ; Vlind what he faid, he won't renounce,

Thy Hufband will not leave. 22. Tho' Foes aflkil, and Friendftiip fail,

Thou haft a Friend at Court ; The Gates of Hell fhall ne'er prevail,

Thy Hufband is thy Fort.

SECT. VIII.

Comfort to Believers from the Stability of the Pro* mife9 notwithjianding heavy Chajlifements for Sin, t, 'T'AKE well howe'er kind Wifdom may -*■ Difpofe thy prefent Lot ; Tho' Heaven and Earth fhould pafs away, Thy Hufband's Love will not.

2. All needful Help he will afford,

Thou haft his Vow and Oath ; And once to violate his Word,

Thy Hufband will be loth*

3- To Fire and Floods with thee he'll down,

His Promife this enfures, Whofe Credit cannot burn nor drown,

Thy Hufband's Truth endures.

4- Doft thou no more his Word believe,

As mortal Man's Forfooth ? O do not thus his Spirit grieve,

Thy Hufband is the Truth.

124 GOSPEL SONNETS.

Tho* thou both wicked art and weak,

His Word he'll never rue ; Tho' Heaven and Earth fhould blend and break,

Thy Hufband will be true.

6. Til never leave thee is his Vow ;

If Truth has faid the Word, While Truth is Truth, this Word is true,

Thy Hufband is the Lord.

7- Thy Covenant of Duties may

Prove daily moft unfure : His Covenant of Grace for ay,

Thy Hufband does fecure.

8. Doft thou to him thy Promife break,

And fear he break to thee ? Nay, not thy thoufand Crimes can make,

Thy Hufband once to lye.

9; He vifit will thy Sins with Strokes,

And lift his heavy Hand ; But never once his Word revokes, Thy Hufband's. Truth will ftand.