6 When these are done, as many yet behind 'As leaves of foreft fhaken with the wind? When these are gone, as many to enfue As ftems of grace on hills and dales that grew? When these run out, as many on the march As ftarry lamps that gild the fpangled arch? 'When thefe expire, as many millions more 'As moments in the millions paft before? When all these doleful years are spent in pain, And multiply'd by myriads again, (pofe • Till numbers drown the thought; could I fup"That then my wretched years were at a clofe, This would afford some ease: but, ah! I fhiver To think upon the dreadful found, for ever! The burning gulph, where I blafpheming ly Is time no more, but vaft eternity... 6 The growing torment I endure for fin, • Oh! if the God that curs'd me to the lash, Who now the great falvation dare neglect*:. That trample on the great Redeemer's blood A meffenger of wrath to none I am, That well can make amends to God for all.. Of all his honour, in his darling Son, · And with a double vengeance juftly dies. So hard'ned 'gainst remorfe and pious grief, So all that wed the law, muft wed the curfe, Which rent they fcorn to pay with Chrift's full purfe. * John v. 10. 2 They clear may read their dreadful doom in But now 'tis proper, on the other fide, John iii. 18. GOSPEL SONNETS. PART II. The BELIEVER'S JOINTURE; The POEM continued Upon ISAIAH liv. 5. Thy Maker is thy Hufband. N. B. The following lines being primarily intended for the use and edification of piously-exercised fouls, and especially thofe of a more common and ordinary capacity; the author thought fit, through the whole of this fecond part of the book, to continue, as in the former editions, to repeat that part of the text, Thy Hufband, in the last line of every verfe: becaufe, however it tended to li mit him, and reftrict his liberty of words in the compofition, yet having ground to judge, that this appropriating compellation ftill refumed, has rendered thefe lines formerly the more favoury to fome exercifed Chriftians, to whom the name of CHRIST (particularly as their Head and Hufband) is as ointment poured forth: he chofe rather to subject himself to that restriction, than to with-bold what may tend to the Jatisfaction and comfort of thofe to whom CHRIST is all in all; and to whom his name, as their Husband, fo many various ways applied, will be no naufens repetition. CHAP. I. Containing the PRIVILEGES of the Believer that is espoused to CHRIST by faith of divine operation. SECT L The BELIEVER's perfect beauty, free acceptance, amd full fecurity, through the imputation of CHRIST's perfect righteousness, though imparted grace be imperfect. Happy foul, JEHOVAH's bride, Strong confolation's flowing tide, In thee, though like thy father's race, Yet now fo beautify'd by grace, Thy Hufband loves to dwell. Thy fun-like glory is not fuch, Thy Hufband changes not. For 'mong ten thousand beauties rare Thy Hufband is the chief. |