I 'll more prepare And on Religion then attend with warmer Care On these my God was Born on these he Dy'd On these he Rose on these in Flame On us the Spirit gently came On these their Lord his valiant Martyrs try'd Up then my Soul awake arise Reach tow'rd the Goal grasp at thy kindred Skies I shall found so employed be blest And in a nobler Trust and fuller Glories rest XIX O that I had Wings like a Dove ENough enough in this vain World I find To disengage my wandring Mind To wean me from the Joys below And Anchoret or Hermit grow A thousand Follies here assault me round A thousand noisy Tales my Thoughts confound I want a little time for me Of Silence and of Privacy Where I my humble Heart might raise To sing my great Creator's lofty Praise And there with undiscover'd Tears begin To cleanse my self from hateful Sin Fain would I meditate on what 's to come A while before I 'm summon'd home Fain would I exercise my Mind A while on that long Life behind How should I act Blest Saints of old withdrew To Woods and Rocks and Caves from human View There they enjoy'd themselves and there With humble Prayers and Lives severe Had quiet Sleeps and peaceful Dreams And Vertues were their lively Fancies Themes There they converst with God and learnt to dwell With him who was Invisible But what are meaner Saints My Saviour too From noisy Crouds to Mountains flew And there in lonesome Silence pray'd And thence his Heavenly Sermons made Would I with him to just Perfection rise With Truth forgot the careless World surprize He who a while reserv'd has been May be with greater Safety seen He safely speaks who Silence chose He governs best who best Subjection knows Obedience is by him most kindly nurst Who was himself obedient first When thro a lonesome wild or silent Grove Secur'd by Innocence I rove There where no bloody Tyrants reign Nor cruel wrested Laws restrain Where I sole King my self at large command And only at my own Tribunal stand Yet my Creator's every where And he 's my holy Guardian there He 's still my Fear my Master still And I his Laws with utmost Care fulfil No holy Hermit in his Cell can lie More humble more devout than I. Yet tho I rest or wander where I please Temptations oft upon me seize Tho parted from the noisy Rout Hell's Gloomy Prince can find me out Nor could my Saviour from his Strokes be free When in his solitary Privacy Yet when alone I spend my Time In Extasies and Fights sublime And dream Celestial Visions roul In glorious Order thro my raptur'd Soul Temptations may redeem my languid Sense From Pride and sinful Confidence O could I quit the World and worldly Toys It s vain Solicitudes and Joys How would my harmless Conscience rest All quiet in my peaceful Breast But can I e're to such Attainments rise Till Grief for Sin break thro my mournful Eyes Till to my lustful Follies I At thousand bleeding Wounds can die And in my humble private Cell Long with my self in silent Sorrows dwell So I indeed above the World below May rise and better stronger grow When from my Lord the baffled Fiend retir'd And all his cruel Hopes expir'd Convinc'd his deadly Enemy True God not Man alone must be Straight at his Feet Angelick Armies kneel'd With Hymns of Praise for that triumphant Field So when in private Silence I My hellish Tempters Arts defy And Scripture-Light and constant Tears Wash out my Stains and guide my fading Years My God will my endear'd Companion be And Angels always wait on me What can I gain below but empty Toys A wretched World and sensual Joys Where all to ruine and betray Black Lusts their horrid Charms display Where shortliv'd Joys to tedious Woes succeed And Terrors on the wounded Conscience feed Were all things mine that All would be But visionary Vanity Look up my Soul then Pardon crave And let vain Men their vainer Longings have Be Christ but thine his Peace around thee dwell Thou l't love the darkest Cave and hug the loneliest Cell XX. A broken and a contrite Heart O God thou wilt not despise Wouldst thou improve my Soul With Fear Before thy God's all-piercing Eyes appear Retrench thy Mirth thy wandring Sense restrain Esteem a contrite Heart thy noblest Gain Contrition that vast Treasure shews Which vain Desires and careless Manners loose It 's strange that thoughtless Men can bear Such Shews of Mirth when wretched Exiles here And such dire Woes such mighty Dangers near Fools oft with an undecent Grin Throw Ashes o're those glowing Coals within And fain would with an ill-tim'd Laughter hide Those cruel Pangs their tortur'd Souls divide Give me when with true Mirth I 'm blest A peaceful Conscience in a peaceful Breast Happy 's the Man who mourning goes Who off the Weight of guilty Conscience throws And can his Soul to holy Grief compose Ne're for a Mass of Business strive Nor into great Mens dangerous Secrets dive Look first at home first give thy Counsels there And ne're cast down for worldly Frowns appear Grieve for thy Sins against thy God Or when awry thy wandring Steps have trod Crosses on Earth are better far Than all that Mirth our foolish Thoughts prepare When we build Castles in the fleeting Air. For Joys I 'll sow the fruitful Seed And with salt Tears the swelling Ocean feed Till rising Tides with briny Floods shall kill Those noisome Weeds which now my Fancy fill That happy Desolation past Fresh springing Joys shall crown my Soul at last Tears from the Sense of Sin will rise Contrition send the failing Springs supplies And draw sweet Dews of Comfort from the Skies Think how thy Life like Lightning flies How every Hour thy languid Nature dies Think on those dreadful Pains of Hell beneath Those lingring Tortures that immortal Death And wouldst thou hug the Viper still Whose deadly Sting will all thy Comforts kill Wipe off thy Sins at last for Shame In thy cold Breast blow up the sacred Flame And thy reforming Life by Deeds reform'd proclaim XXI Man is born to Trouble us the Sparks fly upward WEll then I 've search'd the wretched World around I 've search'd it thro and nothing else have found But constant Doubts and constant Woes I see how miserable others are I feel my self just lost in black Despair While endless Doubts my tedious Years compose I 've seen a mighty Prince enthron'd His Head with Gems embrac'd By suppliant crouding Vassals own'd And all th' Applauses of the Vulgar grac'd Yet Cares sate thicker on his clouded Brows Than Diamonds and rack'd his tortur'd Soul Dark Plots could all his midnight Slumbers rouse And Rebels all his glaring Bliss controul But he who to his Maker flies Above these earthly Fears above the World can rise Yet thoughtless Fools the pompous World adore And only covet its perplexing Store And raise alas
their envious Eyes To dunghil Worms with mighty Treasures blest To worthless Sots with gaudy Glories drest Or who to Honours or to Scepters rise But he who 's envi'd ne're can find That strange Felicity But growing Cares distract his Mind And Beggars more enjoy themselves than he My very Life 's but one extended Woe My Meat my Drink my Sleep my waking Hours My Rest my Labours all uneasy grow And baffle all my Soul 's superiour Powers Could I Love 's holy Flames attain Life would be vile to me and Life's Corruptions vain Wo to the Wretch whose Dulness ne're could know The Miseries of fading Life below Wo to the Wretch whose sordid Soul For mean and transitory Joys can slight The blissful Regions of immortal Light And still on Earth in common Ordure roll Ah mad ah unbelieving Fools In carnal Wisdom great In better things mere senseless Tools Who drudg but ne're can find the monstrous But far more wise those holy Saints of old Look'd on their sinking Lives with nobler Scorn Their Expectations as their Faith grown bold To Heaven on Wings of bright Affection born Nor could the Toys which here they saw Their large aspiring Souls from unseen Glories draw Rise then my Soul no more thy Task delay Employ the present Light the certain Day Up rife put off the Day no more Now now 's the time to work the time to fight The Time to set thy Thoughts and Actions right Delays can but increase the dreadful Score What tho fierce Flames and angry Seas Oppose thy sacred Rest O let no darling Error seize Or tyrannize within thy captive Breast Shake off thy Sloth for shame attack this Foe Throw off thy Sins and Innocence pursue 'T was only Sin diseas'd our Lives below And robb'd us of our Crowns and Garlands due O on thy Maker's Mercy wait Till he thy Living Death to Deathless Life translate Thinke o're thy State on Earth How strangely frail How soon Hell's Follies o're thy Thoughts prevail To day perhaps thy Lips confess Thy mighty Sins with Floods of streaming Tears Tomorrow Hell his sanguine Trophies rears And Sins again thy weak Resolves oppress O then with humble Meekness all Thy yielding Weakness see How that in one short Hour may fall Which might the Work of toiling Ages be Ah wretched I if grown so quickly cold Ah wretched I to drowse in careless Rest As if secure I could the Garland hold Tho not with one poor Grain of Goodness blest Up try the mighty Work again If Hopes of bettering Life or stronger Grace remain XXII It is appointed for all Men once to die SEE where the naked Mormo stands See how his pointed Dart the World commands The meager Sceleton with dismal Glare Shoots thro the pestilential Air Lays Heaps on Heaps around and I Before to morrow's Sun may die Dull that I am hard-hearted Wretch to dream Of lasting Joys and Pleasures here Shine dearest God! and let one glorious Beam Of heavenly Light my gloomy Conscience clear I so prepar'd for Death may be And from my Sins and from thy Anger free To Day I 'm unprepar'd I know But shall I fit for Death to Morrow grow To Morrow's but a wild uncertain thing And may as little Wisdom bring Nor can the longest Life be sure It can repenting Thoughts procure I 've been a Christian long but still retain An unreform'd unchristian Mind Death may be dreadful and attending Pain But I more Woes in longer Life may find O may I now with daily Care And watchful Eyes for Death foreseen prepare To day my youthful Neighbour di'd And for Death's Summons I 'll to day provide I see to day but can't be sure my Sight Shall reach the next approaching Night I see the Night but never may Survive to meet the dawning Day O mayn't a sudden Death my Soul surprize When it goes off its needful Guard Death with an unimagin'd Swiftness flies No Art can its impetuous Wings retard Then I an inward Change may see And Sloth tho past my greatest Grief may be I 'm truly Wife and Blest if I Live but as well as I could wish to die If my great Soul could earthly Joys despise And to the Heights of Vertue rise If I to Discipline could bow And by my Works Repentance show Could I to God with swift Obedience fly And my dear wretched Self abjure Could I but for my blest Redeemer die And for his Love the Racks and Flames endure Much I while blest with Health may do But can't in Death those happy Works pursue Perhaps I think a Sickness might Reform my Manners and enlarge my Sight Make me review my self and straight repent And be at once an Innocent Yet I in Sickness oft have pray'd A thousand solemn Vows I 've made But still I live the same no more improv'd Than modish Travellers may come Who have long Years thro' many Countries rov'd And only brought their shameless Vices home Now now 's the time the welcome Day O don't for better Season vainly stay Rouze then my Soul thy Thoughts engage On what thy daily Weaknesses presage Fears for a time an Antidote may prove And thy eternal Fears remove Thy Fears of present Death prevent Thy everlasting Punishment Live now that when his Summons Death shall give We to unfading Joys may fly Die to the World that we to Christ may live And thou unclog'd ascend above the Sky Let 's now the rebel Flesh chastise That we may then with blest Assurance rise What canst thou dream of lengthning Days When nothing here below unalter'd stays How many have those foolish hopes deceiv'd Of Breath by sudden Strokes bereav'd This Man by some swift Bullet dies That drown'd beneath the Ocean lies This dash'd in pieces that just choakt expires Another's in his Sports destroy'd Sword Plagues attempted Thefts outragious Fires Make all their Dreams and vast Intendments void So Life an empty Shadow flies And when Death summons languid Nature dies Rouse then at last be active now Thy Neck to thy Celestial Labours bow When Death once parts us two our Hopes are vain New Overtures of Grace to gain And if our own Endeavours fail The Prayers of others can't prevail Now while Time lasts grasp at Eternal Wealth Now now encrease thy sacred Store Secure betimes thy own Immortal Health Thy God thy Saviour and his Aids implore And when thou shalt thy Fetters leave They 'l Thee to thy great Master's Joys receive Live then but as a Stranger here And unconcern'd with worldly things appear Be light be free from Cares above the Skies O raise thy long-expecting Eyes That when thy Days on Earth are past Thy Mansions there may ever last With Prayers with flowing Tears O seek the Place Where Glories all their Beams display With endless Groans O seek thy Saviour's Face And upward soar to reach that gladsome Day Where thou with Saints shalt rest above Wrapt in th' Embraces of Eternal Love XXIII And after
that the Judgment CAnst thou Ah wretched Sinner canst thou still Obey thy own distemper'd Will Canst thou who fear'st an angry Prince's Brow Thy self in Sins against thy Lord allow Hark the dreadful Trumpets sound How they rend the trembling Ground Hark how pale Ghosts Fiends with dismal Shrieks Cries From their Infernal Caverns rise And look with Horror on the flaming Sky And to the rolling Rocks tumbling Hills for Shelter fly See where obedient Angels raise the Bar Where God his great Assizes holds Who sees and scans thy private Sins as far As both the Poles in sunder are Where neither Bribes nor feign'd Excuse Can blind the Judg or Wisdom's Search abuse While his Impartial Doom thy monstrous Guilt unfolds What wouldst thou helpless Creature do What Methods would thy thoughtless Soul pursue Canst thou alone escape the dreadful Test Or in thy Sins without disturbance rest Or will some subtle Advocate appear And plead for and acquit thee there Poor silly Hopes and senseless Dreams On Earth thy humble Cries thy speaking Tears May reach thy mighty Maker's Ears Repentance here begun betimes May cleanse thy ingrain'd Sins thy foulest Crimes But Death for ever bars bright Mercy 's smiling Beams Think'st thou the gloomy Flames of darksome Hell Will only Purgatory prove And when thy Soul in endless Chains shall dwell Thy crying Guilt thy endless Chains remove It 's true indeed thy Sufferings there Shall dark and hideous as thy Sins appear Insatiate Fiends there with their pointed Prongs And fiery Goads and burning Tongues Shall rouze thy tortur'd Soul Thy Glutton Appetite the Pangs shall feel Of Thirst and Hunger Whips of flaming Steel Shall all thy barbarous Thoughts controul Black Streams of burning Pitch and purple Flame Shall there the Wanton Leacher tame The Envious Wretch with many a painful Scowl Thro the waste Shades of hellish Torments howl But still O still shall thy distracted Soul In never-wasting Flames and livid Sulphur roll But what are Flames and Sulphur to Those long unutterable Pains To damn'd Delinquents due Hot Streams may fail and bluest Flames expire But Hell's Immortal Rack disdains The Bounds of Time nor canst thou dream How inconceivably extream The Torments are from Intellectual Fire Think if thou canst O think what dreadful weight Almighty Fury on a Ghost may fling Think with what Woes a dark despairing State Must the distracted Conscience sting There Woes bring Woes and Tortures Tortures breed And Pains and Anguish Pains and Anguish feed Plagues follow Plagues Curses on Curies roar Rage blows up Fury tho enflam'd the more Horrors on Horrors tumble Hells on Hells And the sad Soul first-born of Light Once with internal Glories bright In heavy thickning endless Darkness dwells No short-liv'd Beam can ever find the way To tortur'd Souls from their Congenial Day No Glimpse of Joy in Hell can find a room Or rend th' impenetrable Gloom No Rest no Respit not one single Now Can Vengeance for their Ease allow The damn'd Associates can't one Thought engage In Prayers or Wishes for an end of Woes No Plant of Hope in that waste Region grows But Rage to Malice Malice turns to Rage Could Days could Months could rolling Years Could Time's last running Sands one Moment show From whence one Drop of Hope might flow The blackest Fiend might wipe his scalding Tears But when a thousand fatal Years are told Ten thousand more are still for Pains enroll'd Millions of Millions then enhance the Score And when they 'r past but clear the way for more For ever still that dismal Hell must be And vast as the wide Bounds of vast Eternity What tho Repentance now to thee A tedious Work appears In Hell one Minute shall more dreadful be Than all the Penance of a thousand Years Repent poor Sinner then no more delay No more put off the necessary Day So thou among the Blest at last shall stand And like a Judg the trembling World command Tho mean on Earth and despicably poor The Great the Proud shall there thy Doom endure Then those who scorn'd thy Vertues here Shall at the Bar confus'd appear Admire thy Wisdom and their own despise Which more a Bubble than a Crown could prize Thy Griefs shall then be acceptable found With Favours as with Patience crown'd A Conscience pure obedient innocent A Soul with humblest things content Devotion holy Works shall serve thee more Than worldly Wit or all the Miser's Store Thy Saviour gain'd shall more of Blessings bring Than all the Joys which here from mighty Conquests spring Shouldst thou poor Wretch in Ease and Wealth increase And all the Smiles of flattring Peace Should Sycophants beneath thy Footstool bow And all their Service to thy Greatness vow What Blessing 's this when thou shalt quit the Field And Life to Death's Approaches yield What 's Wealth within the silent Grave Or who 's the Dead-man's humble Slave Only thy Love to God the Test can bear All other Treasures fly like empty Air That Love pulls out Death's mortal Sting Death can't to thee the Fears of Vengeance bring Thou canst unmov'd the Bar and Pit behold In thy Redeemer's Merits bold Approach thy Judg and with a smiling Brow Before his awful Glories bow Till by thy Saviour's tenderest Loves embrac'd With Robes of flowing Joys and Crowns of Glory grac'd XXIV Cease to do Evil learn to do Well I To my Lord have now my self resign'd His Service has engag'd my thoughtful Mind I 've broke the Charms of this deceitful World No more in common Storms or Tempests hurl'd Rise then my Soul O rise to things above O serve thy Lord with watchful fervent Love Vain are thy Vows thy best Resolves are vain If thou thy old thy groveling Thoughts retain On Zeal's bright Wings O to his Bosom fly With Angel-Bands in cheerful Service vie Let no Resistance beat thy Courage down Take up the Cross and thou shalt gain the Crown Here thou may'st mourn there Joys eternal flow Work here there Peace and boundless Pleasures grow Be thou my Soul to sacred Practice true He 'll more than pay the promis'd Glories due Rouse rouse thy Hopes if thou the Wreath wouldst wear But thy Presumption still repress with humblest Fear Perhaps uncertain Doubts distract thee here To know if thou in Good shalt persevere That is thou 'ldst have some Oracle declare How weak thy Thoughts how vain thy Fancies are But were thy Question throughly satisfi'd How wouldst thou then thy flowing time divide Wouldst thou be careful should thy Industry More active then or more illustrious be Do now the same sweet Comforts then shall rise And Strength inform thee from the smiling Skies Leave future things to God's superiour Care And strive to know what his Prescriptions are Search through his Laws and all thy Life shall be Divine and thou from Fears and torturing Passions free What tho the Work be hard the Task severe And various Terrors round Heaven's Ways appear He 's only brave
thy heavy Lashes bore And inward Pangs and outward Woes Great Physician Lord of Souls Thou whose Hand our Hearts controuls None above and none below Can such Wounds and Balms bestow Thou to Hell canst cast me down Thou my Life with Health canst crown All the Sufferings laid on Me All my Comforts flow from Thee In thy blest Hands Dear Father I Beneath thy Rod's Correction lie Lash cut me deep that I may be In all submissive Lord to Thee Make me Obedient Humble Meek That I thy Will alone may seek My Self I yield my All to Thee Here not hereafter punish Me Thou knowst my Conscience throughly Lord Each brooding Thought each winged Word Past Present Future Matters lie At once before thy piercing Eye Thou my Interest only knowst What to purge my Rust it cost Let me Lord thy Subject be Work thy Pleasure Lord on Me Ne'r despise Me ne'r neglect Me Nor for Nature's Taint reject me I thy Jurisdiction own I to Thee am throughly known Lord teach Me what I ought to know And Love to lovely things to show To praise what only pleases Thee True Worth in what thou lovest to see While what Thou hat'st grows vile to Me. Let me never judg by sight Nor in empty Tales delight Wisdom's Methods let me learn And superiour Things discern From those little Toys below And thy Laws exactly know Mens Senses oft in Judgment fail And Toys on Earthy Minds prevail Who only grasp at what they see And scorn Invisibility Who tho the Rabble lift them high May still in common Ordure lie For when Cheats the Cheaters praise When the Vain their Fellows raise When the Blind conducts the Blind When the Weak's a Guide design'd All 's Deceit from first to last All their Praise an empty Blast For a Man's repute should be Only as He 's priz'd by Thee LI. Who hath despis'd the Day of small things Christ MY Son Tho now thy inward Flames supreamly shine Thy Prayers are Raptures and thy Flights Divine Yet Nature's Weakness oft will Lure thee down And Life's rough Cares thy soaring Fancies drown The Heart still of its mortal Load complains And needs must groan beneath its slavish Chains Since cramp'd so oft when it attempts the Skies And would to heavenly things and lofty Subjects rife With humble Thoughts then Holy Works pursue Till coming I thy smother'd Flames renew With heavenly Dews refresh the drowthy Plains Bless thee with Peace break thy weighty Chains Thy Heart enlarg'd thro Scripture-Vails shall rove And Thou to run my holy Ways shall love Till sure what e're thy present Sufferings are They can't with heavenly Bliss and future Crowns compare LII I have born Chastisement I will not offend any more Believer LORD I 'm unworthy of thy Comforts thy Love And thou mayst justly from my wreched Heart remove Vast Seas of flowing Tears could never make me pure My great my crying Sins might all thy Plagues endure But boundless Goodness Lord and Mercy lives with Thee And thy supporting Hand thy fading Creatures see Thou mak'st my drooping Soul thy wondrous Comforts know And find how far they pass our weak Attempts below What can I do my God to gain thy heavenly Grace So slow to Penitence so swift in Satan's Race I nothing Lord can plead if thou my Crimes survey But Hell and hellish Flames must all my Guilt repay I know I merit Lord thy utmost Hate Scorn Nor can my Name among thy Holy Saints be born Harsh tho the Reckoning prove I must the Test endure If I 'd thy Mercies Springs thy Comforts Streams procure What shall I say when at thy dreadful Bar accus'd What can a Sinner plead with inward Guilt confus'd I 've sinn'd great God I 've sinn'd O Mercy Mercy show O let my Eyes a while with unfeign'd Waters flow E're I to Death's black Shades the Lands of Darkness go A contrite humble Heart thy Bar for Sin demands In true Repentance all our hope of Pardon stands That stills those rugged Storms which o're the Conscience roll Our dying Gifts repairs shields the trembling Soul From Judgment 's dreadful Flames till delug'd round with Sweets The Soul its smiling God in Love's Embraces meets A contrite Heart to Thee 's a nobler Sacrifice Than all those Odours which from fuming Incense rise Sweet as those fragrant Oils which wash'd thy sacred Feet And as it 's humble must thy constant Favours meet Thy Arms a Refuge sure from Hellish Rage appear And our Pollutions all thy flowing Mercies clear LIII Love not the World neither the Things of the World Christ MY Smiles are pure my Son unmix'd with those Poor Comforts which inferiour Things disclose Wouldst thou obtain them Cast thy Clogs aside Thy Self within thy private Chambers hid There with thy God not Men Discourses nod Thy Mind and Conscience there with Sighs unfold Laugh at the World that sweet Recess prefer Before a King 's invidious Character For Mine and worldly Loves thou ne'r canst find A Time of leisure or an easy Mind From fondest Friends and Earth's Incumbrance free There thou mayst dedicate thy self to Me And like a Stranger and a Pilgrim move Thro' wastful Desarts here to Canaan's Rest above With what strange Joys that happy Man may die Whose Thoughts discharg'd from Earth's Engagements lie Words can't express nor curious Arts descry The real Saint the World's Concerns will leave And chiefly fears Self should Himself deceive Subdue thy Self thou'lt soon the World subdue That Conquest only is a Conquest true He who his sensual part by Reason guides Then with his Reason to his Lord subsides O're Earth o're himself a King triumphant rides Wouldst thou reach this Then like a Man begin And lay the Ax close to the Roots of Sin Heâ— down Self-love and every Thought inclin'd â—o vulgar Blisses or the Creature-kind Self-love alone the Little World confounds That master'd Peace the quiet Heart surrounds How few compleatly to themselves can die Their Bird-lim'd Wings no gallant Heights can fly But here in common Cares entangled lie But those who would at large converse with Me Must from deprav'd unruly Passions be And from their darling selves and Creature-Comforts free LIV. The natural Man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God Christ MY Son Nature and Grace in all their Steps attend Soft is their Motion and oppos'd their End Only by men of inward Light perceiv'd Most aim at Good but are alas deceiv'd Sly Nature has a thousand Arts and Snares And only for its own Delights prepares Grace is sincere and all that 's ill declines Cheats none but all for God and Godlike Works designs Death Sufferings and Subjection Nature hates Grace struggling Lust with holy Art rebates Fain would be humble and would fain obey And not at large in fleshly Desarts stray Love's Discipline and on its Good would rest And for his sake it self of Self divest Nature for Pleasure seeks and seeks for Gain Grace only
would the Publick Good maintain Nature seeks Honour with exalted Eyes While Grace its Honours due to God alone applies Nature Confusion and Reproaches fears Grace Shame with Pleasure for its Saviour bears Nature loves Slothfulness and lazy Rest Grace thinks it self in constant Labours blest Nature must have the Gay the Brisk the Fair And will against the Poor the Mean declare But Grace in honest humble Things delights And neither old nor homely Garments slights Nature loves present Things and lawless Gains And of the smallest Loss or Wrong complains Grace loves eternal things a Loss can bear And for a Scandal scorns to spend a Tear Has fix'd its Treasures high above the Skies And thither nobly rais'd with eager swiftness flies Sharp Nature grasps at All ne'r gives but takes And Private Interest its Idol makes Grace kind and free no private Interest makes And pleas'd with little rather gives than takes Nature at little Creature-Comfort flies Loves Wandrings inborn Lusts and Vanities Grace draws to God and Good the World abjures The Blush for roving innate Lusts endures Nature for outward sensual Joys enquires Grace Comfort only from its Lord desires And tow'rds a God unseen unseen Delights aspires Nature walks all in profitable ways Gives as it Fancies either Votes or Praise But all its Merits with exactness weighs Grace at its God its sole Rewarder aims Nor more of temporary Pleasure claims Than what may serve to feed pure Loves eternal Flames Nature of Friends and great Relations proud Proclaims its Honours and its Birth aloud And fawns on Greatness when with Wealth endow'd Grace seeks no worldly Friends but loves its Foes No worth in Place or Birth but Verue knows And with poor faithful Innocence will close The Rich the Mighty the Deceitful Slights The Good to Godlike Excellence excites Nature with Want sinks down no Want pure Grace afrights Nature it self regards it self defends Grace by good ways to God its Source ascends Proudly on no inherent Good presumes Nor high above the wiser World assumes But all its vigorous apprehensive Wit Will to its God and Wisdom's Test submit Nature would Secrets know and News would hear And much in-strange Experiments appear Loves Admiration much and gapes for Praise Grace seeks Novelties nor curious Ways Grace knows the World corrupt poor remains No new no real lasting Good contains Grace shows us how we may our Lusts restrain Vain Compliments and pompous Words disdain True inward Worth conceals with humble Eyes And to God's Honour all its Means applies Would have that God and not it self be prais'd Whose Goodness all its Force from less than nothing rais'd Grace is a Beam of God's superiour Light Bright Emanation from a Fountain bright Election's Seal Pledg of Eternal Rest Parent of heavenly Loves which warm the Breast And when it Rebel-Nature's Force subdues God yet will more and greater Grace infuse Till in the Man within his sacred Form renews LV. Ye were by Nature the Children of Wrath But by Grace ye are saved Bel. THOU hast Dear God created Me Thy Image and thy Son to be Send Me O send Me needful Grace And I 'll thy saving Health embrace Then I 'll Nature's Force subdue Which would Sin and Death pursue I find a carnal Law within Which leads my Captive Soul to Sin Against my better Thoughts rebels Till Grace the struggling Fury quells And the bright spreading Flame my inward Gloom dispels I want thy Grace thy wondrous Grace To check malignant Nature's Race Nature in Adam fail'd of old From thence the dire Infection roll'd And what was Perfect once and Pure Must now Corruption's Chains endure Nature to its self resign'd Is to all that 's ill inclin'd And with noblest Qualities Like a Spark in Ashes lies This is our boasted Sense around Envelop'd with a Gloom profound Knows Good and Ill and False and True But can't its wiser Thoughts pursue Since of Light from Faith deriv'd And of soundest Loves depriv'd Hence Lord thy Laws my Soul delight Thy Precepts Holy Just and Right Teach Me from every Sin to fly But ah my Body slavishly To Sin 's not Reason's Rules submits And when e're in wiser Fits I some nobler End propose Wayward Nature backward goes All my Thoughts abortive prove And I lose my Heart and Love Hence I Perfection's Way can see And what my Works and End should be But by Corruption's weight opprest Still in common Weakness rest To Good inclin'd for Grace I call To Try to Hold to Finish All. I All when that assists can do Without it nothing Good pursue Dear heavenly Gift God's welcome Smile Without which Nature's Gifts are vile Art Wealth Strength Beauty Language Sense From Grace alone their Worth commence Good and Bad partake of those Love from Grace abundant flows Both the Saint's bright Crown compose Both the Paths of Life disclose Love the greatest Grace excels Prophecies and Miracles Knowledg Faith and Hope may fail But holy Love will in a future World prevail Blest Heavenly Grace which canst the Poor In Mind with Godlike Vertues store Canst humble both the Rich and Great O come in Me O take thy Seat My Breast with Heavenly Comforts fill And in thy Soul thy Sweets distil O grant me Favour Lord with Thee Should Nature's Gifts defective be Thy Grace would prove enough for Me. Possest by Grace I scorn to fear The Tempter's Arts or Sufferings here In Grace my Courage Lord is laid That gives Me Comfort sends Me Aid Quells ray trembling Enemies And out-wits the worldly Wise Truth 's Mistress Queen of Discipline Solace of Mourners Beam Divine Bold Conqueror of Doubts and Fears Devotion 's Nurse Parent of Tears Meer rotten Wood or Stubble I Without it worthless useless lie Lord by thy preventing Grace Guide my Sublunary Race For Jesus sake my Soul embrace Till I in holy Works my whole Enjoyment place LVI This is the Way walk in it Christ SO far my Son as Thou thy self canst leave So far may I thy pious Vows receive Leave all without and inward Peace secure Leave Self within and of thy God be sure With perfect Self-denial yield to Me From base Reluctance and from Murmurs free Lo I the Life the Truth the certain Way Come follow Me and my Commands obey Without the Way thou canst not go Without the Truth canst nothing know Nor live without the Life below I am that Way which thou shouldst still pursue I am that Truth to which Submission's due I am that Life which must thy Life renew I am that safest Way which leads thee right Truth undeceiving Truth supreamly bright Pure blest unmade Eternal Life and Light Walk but in Me and thou the Truth shalt know And from Encumbrance free to Life immortal go Keep my Commands if thou wouldst Life obtain Believe Me if thou real Truth wouldst gain Put All things off if Thou wouldst perfect be Deny thy Self if thou wouldst follow Me For endless Bliss thy present Life despise Be lowly
Thy Longings nothing could on Earth suffice Should'st thou but miss thy Maker there Thro Me alone in Price thy Blessings rise I all the noblest Gifts endear And canst thou dream large Hecatombs Should satisfy what God requires Think'st Thou I feed on what consumes With noisom Stench and in material Fires No I thy Self Dear Soul thy All command Give then O give thy Self to Me I leave my Body in thy faithful Hand I offer'd all my Self for Thee Dearly I 'm sure I purchas'd Thee Give then O give thy Self to Me But give it freely or the Gift will be A poor unworthy Sacrifice If I must only have a Part in Thee No happy Union thence can rise A Free-Will-Offering finds a place With God and to thy Self assures Vast Liberty and wondrous Grace Which none while of himself too fond procures I 've said Vnless a Man his All forsake He 's no Disciple fit for Me And wouldst thou one of my Attendants make From all inferiour Service free Wouldst Thou my blest Disciple be Give then O give thy Self to Me IX Offer unto God Thanksgiving and pay thy Vows unto the Most High Believer WHAT e're this Lower World contains Dear Lord is Thine And since a Free-Will-Offering Favour gains I here to Thee my Self resign Lord with a Heart sincere I freely offer up my Self to Thee My faithful Service and obsequious Fear A Sacrifice of Praise to be When I thy Self Dear Lord receive And round thy Table smiling Angels wait O don't my glorious Hopes deceive But let it be New Life to Me Let Me thy heavenly Grace thy Loves participate My Sins Dear Lord for Love of Thee I sacrifice Those Sins with which from early Infancy I durst offend thy sacred Eyes Lo at thy Altars here I cast them all O let thy burning Love Consume them Lord my sinful Conscience clear And all the Stains of Sin remove That Grace which Sin had lost before That Grace of which my Self my Self bereav'd O to my Soul Dear God restore Smile Lord on Me And let Me be To thy immortal Kiss thy boundless Peace receiv'd I 've sinn'd I 'm lost Lord what shall I For Pardon do I 'll at thy Feet with deep Confession lie And all my Tears for Guilt renew Atone my God for Me To Thee I 'll offer up unceasing Cries I 'll offer up unceasing Prayers to Thee Look down O look with gracious Eyes I hate my Sins I hate them All Lord I repent indeed I mourn and grieve O save Me from a future Fall My Sins pass o're Wash out my Score My Soul with Blood redeem'd with precious Blood relieve I here for Mercy Lord resign My Self to Thee O don't repay those black Deserts of Mine But in thy Goodness deal with Me My fairest Actions here Poor weak alas I offer up to Thee O let 'um grateful in thy Sight appear Adorn'd with Life and Sanctity My Soul for nobler Actions wing And Me a senseless Brute a worthless Slave By thy all-prudent Conduct bring To that blest Place Where well-us'd Grace Shall all the bright Rewards of full Perfection have Lord at thy Feet I humbly lay My just Desire For Friends Relations Benefactors pray And all who my Relief require For them thy Aids dispose From Pains from Dangers from Afflictions free Let them thy dear reviving Smiles disclose And sing their grateful Hymns to Thee Where others Lord have injur'd Me Where I have injur'd others O forgive O let our numerous Failures be All gently past And we at last In mutual Charity and God's Embraces live Lord let our doubtful Hearts be free From Jealousy From Wrath from Malice all those Crimes which we Oft in each others Tempers see And let thy Grace remove What e're Distrust in Christian Souls can raise Or Charity confound or murder Love Or Nature's crasy State betrays Mercy we Mercy Lord implore On needy Souls thy Mercy Lord bestow And Grace from thy unbounded Store Till happy we May live with Thee Where endless Mercy reigns and boundless Pleasures flow X. Not forsaking the Assembling of your selves together as the Manner of some is Christ WOuldst Thou thy Passions utmost Rage command Wouldst Thou against infernal Malice stand More watchful yet and stronger grow Here the Springs of Mercy flow Here I every Grace bestow Here my Servants kindly know Oft at my Altars oft prepar'd appear And oft thou 'lt meet thy mighty Saviour there Hell knows what Strength my Flesh and Blood can give And tries a thousand Means and Ways And all his subtle Art displays To make the doubtful Soul in pinching Hunger live When for my Supper pious Souls are drest They 'r oft by Hell's delusive Wiles distrest He 'll still among my Sons appear Scatter Care and sensless Fear And tho I my self am near Try to make Disturbance there Scorn then his Terrors tho deform'd and foul And let Himself beneath the Burden howl Let neither Sloth nor Coldness ravish Thee Hell's Malice nor imposing Art Enslave or turn thy yielding Heart When it on joyful Wings should fly to feast with Me. He 'll tell Thee Holy Cheat He 'll tell Thee there Thy Preparations should be more severe But Thou hast ne'r confest thy Sin Never let Repentance in Never cleans'd thy self within And wouldst now in vain begin If this be true fly dearest Soul O fly And at my Feet with deep Contrition lie Before my Priest thy Follies humbly lay He bears my sacred Character And his absolving Hands confer True Life on contrite Souls and Comforts cloudless Day Throw off Hell's Poison from thy fainting Soul Sins Burden from thy drooping Conscience roll Fly then dear Soul O fly to Me I 'll thy happy Shelter be Set Thee soon from Bondage free Fly dear Soul O fly to Me Name not to Morrow that 's a tedious Day Now now thy own Internal State survey Don't with some stupid Brutes my Feast forbear Lest They more firmly ty'd should be To save themselves and honour Me But let those Vows renew'd my sacred Feast endear How low's their Love's and their Devotion 's Tide Who can so soon from their Engagements slide How dear how truly welcom 's He Who preserves his Conscience free Lives in Faith and Purity And is always fit for Me Sometimes thy Soul 's touch'd with an awful Fear Or may for some important Cause forbear But if encroaching Sloth thy Heart detain O shake it quickly off and I Will to thy fervent Bosom fly And thou shalt Loves renew'd and glowing Fervours gain If justly absent let thy chearful Will Thy eager Thoughts approach my Altars still Live so adorn'd with Innocence Lively Faith and heavenly Sense As may leave Thee no pretence With Attendance to dispense But when the Son of God assum'd the Man When his dear bloody Death thy Life began When He shook off Death's Chains and climb'd the Skies When He the glorious Spirit sent New Loves for Loves renew'd present And let Devotion 's Flames with
greater Brightness rise But He who waits for none but Festivals Between them oft to Sin remisly falls Then happy 's He and truly wise Who by constant Exercise Can to such a temper rise Duty can't his Heart surprize Come then but Antient Prudent Rules obey Abhor the busy Fools fantastick Way Break not the Churches Peace but wisely wave Thy whymsied Schemes for Publick Good Who cuts the Banks le ts in a boundless Flood Nor can the frighted Boor his drowning Pastures save XI Search the Scriptures Lord evermore give us this Bread Believer DEarest Jesus kindest Lord What Sweets that happy Soul may taste Who feeds with Thee at thy immortal Board That Board where Sinners only fast Where Thou thy Self art All Meat Drink Inviter Waiter Principal More lov'd by faithful Souls and more desir'd Than all those glittering Toys by carnal Fools admir'd Ah! how pleasant Lord and sweet Should Tears of Holy Sorrow be How should I love to wash thy sacred Feet And prove a Magdalen to Thee But where 's that flagrant Mind Where can I Sorrow's Holy Fountains find My Heart should fall in Tears in Flames should rise Since Thou art here indeed and seen by faithful Eyes Lord my sinful dazling Sight Can't thy full Beams of Glory bear Nor could the World subsist should all the Light Of thy Majestic Brows appear It 's wondrous Goodness all That God beneath my Cognizance should fall That I should him in holy Signs adore Before whose Servile Form bright Angels bow'd before O may I contented prove To live and walk in Faith's pure Light Till that Eternal Day shall dawn above And Shades and Figures take their flight When that great Day mail shine Then glorious Saints shall bask in Beams Divine View all the Godhead's dark Abyss and see That Word made Flesh of old engulph Eternity When I read those Wonders o're Scarce inward Joys can please my Mind I scorn what e're I saw or heard before Till I thy glorious Face can find O witness Lord for Me No Comfort I no Rest can find but Thee And since thy Face no Mortal Eyes can view Let me that future Bliss with Patient Love pursue Thus the Saints enthron'd with Thee Th' Effects of Faith and Patience found My Faith My Hope 's the same O may I be By Faith with equal Glories crown'd By their Examples I Soar with an active Faith to reach the Sky My Rules my Comforts Lord thy Scriptures are And my declining Hopes thy Flesh and Blood repair Life a wretched Load would be If we no Light no Food could meet But Lord thou mak'st thy Flesh a Feast for me Thy Word a Lamp to guide my feet Oh these I sweetly live Light to my Soul thy sacred Writings give And When I at thy Altars Lord appear I find the Bread of Life the great Elixir there These th' Exchequer-Tables are Where all the Churches Treasure lies To This pure Souls for Holy Food repair To That to clear their Cloudy Eyes That thro Faith's perfect Ways And thro the Vail to th' holiest Place conveys Blest be my Jesus Light of endless Light Whole Servants wandring Souls to Wisdom's Springs invite Blest O blest be thy great Name Dear Maker dear Redeemer who Couldst Love immense to sinking Worlds proclaim Yet not a Paschal Figure show But wouldst thy Self appear Expose thy Flesh the faithful Heart to chear Pour Healthful Sweets into the saving Bowl While joyful Angels wait around the thirsty Soul O how glorious is the Seat By Thee to happy Priests assign'd Who still when they thy awful Words repeat Thy Efficacious Presence find And daily feast on Thee How clean their Hands how pure their Hearts should be Good Works should their untainted Hands employ Their Lips be Love's sweet Springs their Hearts the Thrones of Joy Thus to Priests their Lord declares I 'm all Essential Holiness O Ye who wait on my Divine Affairs The same accepted Grace express O with a single Eye With Modest Looks approach the Mystery Your Hands unspotted to those Altars raise Where God at Your Request his wondrous Love displays O may We to Priesthood rais'd Thy Gracious Influences find For Holy Lives and pure Devotions prais'd And to internal Peace refin'd And tho our Lives may fail O let our Tears above our Crimes prevail While We with humbler Souls and warmer Love In all thy sacred Ways with swift Obedience move XII He who Eats and Drinks unworthily Eats and Drinks his own Damnation Christ I Love the Pure and Holiness bestow I love within a well-purg'd Heart to rest Up then my kind Approaches know Know who designs to be thy glorious Guest A rise thy noblest Room prepare Let it be furnish'd well and large and fair I with a glorious Train design To eat the Paschal Lamb with Thee And can thy Heart embrace a Guest Divine Who would a constant Inmate be Purge then that Old fermenting Poison well And let no Darling Sin within thy Bosom dwell Cast off the Follies of a sinful Age And all the vicious modish Rout exclude Thy Sins with bitter Tears engage And fly O fly the Godless Multitude The Lover when his Mistress come With costly Arras hangs his fairest Rooms And hopes his nice expensive Care May to her Eyes his Flames declare But know shouldst thou a thousand Years enjoy And all thy busy Thoughts employ The Preparation of a thousand Years To what my Justice claims a small Proportion bears Thou 'lt feed before Me but the Privilege Not thy Deserts but Grace and Mercy gave Nor would a starving Slave alledg Desert should He a rich Man's Bounty crave And at his Table feasted He Could but submissive there and thankful be Come then Dear Soul but not of Course Approach but not compelled by Force O come with holy Love and awful Fear And at my Marriage-Feast appear I call Thee I invite Thee freely I At thy submiss approach will all thy Wants supply Praise God when I Devotion 's Grace bestow Praise not thy Merits but my Mercy praise If thy Devotions colder grow Thy Prayers thy Sighs importunately raise Cease not thy Prayers and Tears till I With rilling Grace thy thirsty Soul supply Thou need'st Me I 've no want of Thee Nor can thy Knees advantage Me I come to better thy Defective Mind Thou com'st a Smiling God to find thou 'dst fain be One with Me thy Grace renew And with reviving Flames a hoiler Life pursue Don't then my offer'd Grace my Favours slight But thy poor Heart with utmost Pains prepare Him whom thy Soul adores invite And grasp and hold Him with a faithful Care But ne're in Preparations rest Nor when the Feast is past unguard thy Breast Be careful when the Banquet 's o're As when a Guest design'd before He toils as much who would his Post maintain As He who Wealth at first would gain The Heart still kept will but prepare it more And add new Floods of Grace to those imbib'd before What can