Page 43. line 27. from the top, for with read
74. line 15. for creative read created 76. line 29. for the feat read these at 91. line 4. for work read way 93. line 16. for away read a way 100. line 22. for hapless read hopeless 105. line 5. for faith read faid
110. line 15. for value read do not value 118. line 4. for which read with which 160. line 30. for more more read more and
175. line 25. for ftawed read ftarved 183. line 31. for go the read go to the 189. line 6. for fpurn read fpur 213. line 9. for under read unto 222. line 19. for turn read trust 237 line 18. for know read know not 244 line 5. for profanify read profanity 269 line 26. for fad read glad 282. line 34. for the read the 283. line 36. for haye read have 299. line 33. for big read beg 301 line 15. after kick against add him 347. line 2. after these add burdens 360. line 15. for oppofed read offered
[To fill up the four remaining pages, rather than give a part of next Sermon, we have taken the liberty to infert the following practical piece of Poetry, which, we flatter ourfelves, will be acceptable to our readers.]
The SOUL'S EXPOSTULATION with itself, for want of Love TO CHRIST.
WHY all this darkness in my mind, And deadness in my heart?
The caufe of all, I clearly find,
Is chiefly on my part.
Sure this eftrangement from my God Much ignorance doth prove;
Such wand'ring of my thoughts abroad Does argue little love.
O! think on him who did redeem Thy foul from fin and woe, Let him have only thy efteem, Say to all lovers, Go.
And never let à filthy luft,
Or a religious one, Compete with him; count all but duft, And fay to them, Begone.
But let thy love on him be fix'd, Whofe love was fix'd on thee, Who drank a cup of wrath unmix'd, Thy foul from wrath to free.
A duty's but a fplendid fault, If thereon thou doft reft;
O! then, renounce them; never halt Till thou haft won dear Christ.
O thou! my wicked wand'ring heart, No better than a Lot,
Thou doft with fuch an object part, And doft on nothings doat.
O meditate on him a while! Thy thoughts let fixed ftand On him who ne'er did thee beguile, To whom thou gav'ft thy hand. Yea, I conjure thee, O my foul, Ne'er from his paths to fwerve, But give him thy affections whole, For he doth them deserve.
When thou an hateful object wast, And didft deferve his ire,
He chofe thee, and o'er others paft, That thou might'ft him desire. Yea, that he might thy love attract, And gain thine heart's esteem, Thy fins were laid upon his back; Thus he did thee redeem.
And being burden'd with thy guilt, Upon him vengeance fell; Defertion, and God's wrath he felt, hell.
Which was a very
He to death's stroke himself did yield, Thy enmity to flay;
His fide was pierc'd, yet he was mild, That love might have a way.
Thus having purchas'd peace on earth; That he might it maintain,
He did afcend to heav'n with mirth, And there he doth remain,
Where, as thine Advocate, he ftill Thy num'rous caufes pleads, Ile doth prefent his Blood and Will, And for thee intercedes.
All this he does thy love to win, O! this believe and fee; When thou waft all a lump of fin, Chrift gave himself for thee.
Hence, when he calls thee in his word, "Give me thy wicked heart," Soul, echo thou, "Take it, O Lord, It is my worst, best part."
Sound Reason even does declare, That Chrift thy heart fhould have, For in thy Christ, and only there, Is what thy foul should crave. Now, foul, do not thyself delude In this momentous cafe;
Try if thou fafely canft conclude Thou haft this heav'nly grace. Art thou affected with a sense Of enmity and ill?
Then plainly this doth evidence True love, though it be chill.
And is it ground of grief to thee
Thou canst not love him more Be fure, if confcience anfwer, Yea, There is fome love in ftore.
When inbred fin in thee does stir, Thou doft not it allow;
His hand, which drops the fweetest myrrh, Thy plagues will all fubdue.
When by his rivals thou doft fee His crown pull'd from his head, Does this occafion grief to thee? Then here is love indeed! ·
When in a precept he does fhine, And duty does appear, Then to obey thy foul's on wing, If only he draws near.
When in a threat'ning of the law Thy foul his voice does hear, Then to offend thou stand'st in awe, Love cafts not out this fear.
And if his promise and thy case Do fweetly harmonise, Art thou amazed at his grace?
Then love's in exercife.
Doft thou his person prize above All things that he doth give? Well, then, this evidence doth prove Thou in his love doft live.
If he withdraw at any time,
Thou can't contented be; When thy defire is towards him, Then his is towards thee.
When thou his image doft behold On any foul pourtray'd,
Doft thou esteem it more than gold? Then love's in thee display'd.
« PreviousContinue » |