For these he conquers, or more bravely die ON THE RESURRECTION. The various joints resume their ancient seats, ON YOUTH. Fragrant the rose is, but it fades in time: First to our God, we must with rev'rence boy, ON DESIRE. From my beginning, may th' almighty powers Blessings bestow in never-ceasing showers; Oh! may I happy be, and always blest! Of ev'ry joy, of ev'ry wish possess'd ! May plenty dissipate all worldly cares. And smiling peace bless my revolving years! ON MORTALITY. From stately palaces we must remove, ON HONEST LABOUR. Go to the plough or team; go hedge or ditch, Some honest calling use, no matter which; Be porter, postman; take the lab'ring oar: Employment keeps the bailiffs from the door: Though thou be mean, thy frugal industry, Depend upon it, shall rewarded be ÓN HEAVEN. Heaven is our guard, and innocence its care, ON AN ACTIVE LIFE. Happy is he, the only happy man, Who out of choice, does all the good he can;. MISFORTUNES ADVANTAGEOUS. ON CHRIST OUR LIFE. The grave shall not confine, nor hell receive, The panting flocks retire with hasty strides, To shun Sol's piercing summer-scorching beam, Beneath a rural shade, just by where glides The murm'ring rivulet and crystal stream: As bleating lambkins dread the summer's sun, The man that's truly wise all sin would shun. ON THE SCRIPTURES. Let sacred writings always be admir'd, Whose holy penman truly were inspir'd; Through all succeeding times, both worst and best, They have run down, and borne the strictest test. A spirit there, in ev'ry line we see, Of hope, love, joy, and immortality. ON A COMPETENCY. Let me, O God, my labours so employ, That I a competency may enjoy; I ask no more than my life's wants supply, ON THE FALL OF MAN. Man was by heaven made to govern all, ON THE SCEPTIC. No providence the sceptic will allow, Then let th' ungrateful mortal tell me, how His tender infancy protection found, And how his childhood was with safety crown'd; How through his youth he came to manly years, Through many dangers, which he sees and fears! THE GOOD OF EVIL. One week's extremity may teach us more But suff'ring ill, brings sorrow, wo, and tears On all occasions to declare the truth, Is doubled in reality thereby, And he that to this vice becomes a slave, Rashness and haste make all things insecure; The farmer hastes to gather home his corn, Secures his haystack with a sturdy prop, With joyous care deposits in the barn, What labour gave him, autumn's golden crop. From hence we find indulgent nature's good, ON TROUBLE. The happiest man that ever breath'd on earth, ON THE ALMIGHTY POWER, The lofty concave of the vast expanse, Could never be the effect of giddy chance; Those beauteous and amazing globes of light, No power could make, that was not infinite; But when he spake, each atom of this frame, From the dark womb of empty nothing came. TRIFLE NOT IN DEVOTION. Whither thou go'st conceive, and to what end, For sinful are their gifts, who neither know ON DEATH. When we have once resign'd our sinful breath, (For we can die but once) then after death Th' immortal soul immediately goes To endless joys, or everlasting woes, Wise then's the man, who labours to secure His passage safe, and his reception sure. CHRIST ON THE CROSS. way, Ye wand'ring travellers, that pass this Stand still awhile, these agonies survey: And on result of serious thoughts declare, If ever sorrows might with mine compare, But God, in mercy, hath decreed this cup, Most willingly, therefore, I drink it up. LIVE TO DIE. You, whose fond wishes do to heaven aspire, Who make those blest abodes your sole desire; If you are wise, and hope that bliss to gain, Use well your time, live not an hour in vain: Let not the morrow your vain thoughts employ, But think this day the last you shall enjoy. He that will not help himself, shall have help from nobody. A S a wagoner was driving his team, his wagon sunk into a hole, and stuck fast. The poor man immediately fell upon his knees, and prayed to Hercules that he would get his wagon out of the hole again Thou fool, says Hercules, whip thy horses, and set thy shoulders to the wheels; and then if thou wilt call upon Hercules, he will help thee. The interpretation. Lazy wishes never do a man any service; but if he would have help from God in the time of need; let him not only implore his assistance, but make use of his own best endlea Yours. |