When he is near, (though in a cross),
And thee with comfort feeds;

Dost thou not count the earth as dross,
Thy Husband all thou needs?

In duties art thou pleas'd or pain'd,
When far he's out of view?

And finding him, think'st all regain'd,

Thy Husband always new?

Tho' once thou thought'st, while Sinai mist
And darkness compass'd thee,

Thou wast undone; and glorious Christ
Thy Husband ne'er would be:

Yet know'st thou not a fairer place,
Of which it may be told,

That there the glory of his grace,

Thy Husband did unfold?

Where heav'nly beams inflam'd thy soul,

And love's seraphic art,

With hallelujahs, did extol

Thy Husband in thy heart.

Could'st then have wish'd all Adam's race

Had join'd with thee to gaze;

That viewing fond his comely face,
Thy Husband might get praise?

Art thou disjoin'd from other lords?
Divorc'd from fed'ral laws?

While with most loving gospel cords
Thy Husband kindly draws?

A'n't thou enlighten'd now to see
Thy righteousness is naught
rags, *that cannot cover thee?

But

Thy Husband so has taught.

Dost see thy best performances

Deserve but hell indeed?

And hence art led, renouncing these,
Thy Husband's blood to plead ?

When strengthen'd boldly to address
That gracious throne of his,

Dost find thy strength and righteousness,

Thy Husband only is?

Canst thou thy most exalted frame

Renounce, as with'ring grass,

* Isa. Ixiv. 6.

And firmly hold thine only claim,
Thy Husband's worthiness?

Canst pray with utmost holy pith,*
And yet renounce thy good?

*

And wash, not with thy tears, but with
Thy Husband's precious blood?

SECTION II.

BELIEVERS DESCRIBED FROM THEIR FAITH ACTING BY DIVINE

AID, AND FLEEING QUITE OUT OF THEMSELVES TO CHRIST.

CAN nothing less thy conscience ease,

And please thy heart; no less
Than that which justice satisfies,
Thy Husband's righteousness?

Dost see thy works so stain'd with sin,
That thou through grace are mov'd

To seek acceptance only in

Thy Husband, the Belov'd?

Dost thou remind, that once a day
Free grace did strengthen thee,

* Vigor or strength.

To gift thy guilty soul away,

Thy Husband's bride to be?

Or dost thou mind the day of pow'r,
Wherein he broke thy pride,

And gained thy heart? O happy hour!
Thy Husband caught the bride!

He did thy enmity subdue,

Thy bondage sad recall,

Made thee to choose, and close pursue

Thy Husband as thy all.

What rest, and peace, and joy ensu'd

Upon this noble choice?

Thy heart, with flow'rs of pleasure strew'd,

Thy Husband made rejoice.

Dost know thou ne'er could'st him embrace,

Till he embraced thee?

Nor ever see him, till his face

Thy Husband opened free?

And findest to this very hour,

That this is still the charm;

Thou canst do nothing, till with pow'r
Thy Husband show his arm?

Canst thou do nought by nature, art,

Or any strength of thine,

Until thy wicked, froward heart,
Thy Husband shall incline?

But art thou, though without a wing Of pow'r aloft to flee,

Yet able to do ev'rything,

Thy Husband strength'ning thee?

Dost not alone at duties fork,*
But foreign aid enjoy?

And still in ev'ry piece of work
Thy Husband's strength employ?

Thy motion heav'nly is indeed,
While thou by faith dost move

And still in ev'ry time of need
Thy Husband's grace improve.

No common, natʼral faith can show
Its divine brood like this;
Whose object, author, feeder too,

Thy Husband only is.

* Labor, wrestle, or toil.