AN PREFA C E. pur N experimental acquaintance with our bleffed Lord and Saviour Jefus Chrift, being the greatest happiness of the believer; every thing which has a tendency to increase it, must be the defire of every gracious foul; for this pose the Divine Poems, and Journal, were fent to the prefs. When firit committed to writing they were not intended for public perufal; * but the Lord's thoughts are not as man's thoughts, neither are his ways as man's ways: that which was done in fecret, is now by his over-ruling hand made manifeft unto the believing World. "Deep in unfathomable mines, He treasures up his bright defigns, "And works his fov'reign will." The name of Chrift being as ointment poured forth through every page; I doubt not, but enemies will arise up against it as well as against the authorefs: * It is neceffary to obferve, that this Publication was in the Prefs before the Authorefs was made acpuainted with it. iv PREFACE. this is expected, but fuch will not overcome, the promife of God running thus; Ifa L iv. 17. No weapon that is formed against thee fhall profper; and every tongue that fhall rife against the in judgement, thou fhalt condemn. The fnarling critic will pleafe not to interfere, but let the religious World, for whom it is intended; approve, or disapprove, as God fhall teach them by his Spirit. I do not here intend to write a large encomium on a few pages, but to offer a few Obfervations. 1. Chrift is exalted and felf debafed. Our bleffed Lord and Mafter! who is the brightness of his Father's glory, and the exprefs image of his perfon; is adored as the true God, refled on as the fure foundation, looked unto as the only object for true and faving faith; fed upon as the bread of life, and fled unto as the only refuge; worldly grandeur is looked upon with contempt, the frowns of earthly friends endured, finful ways avoided. and the world renounced with all its va nities nities and allurements; felf, proud felf, is declared to be truly fulfifh; defirous of its own glory, but yet having nothing to boat: this fame felf is put in its proper place, and acknowledged to be a poor. helplefs, naked, miferable, and wicked creature. 2 They are expreffive of a foul breathing after Chrift. Pfal. xlii. i. As the hart panteth after the water brooks, fo thirfteth my foul after thee O God; whereever there is a real fpirit of prayer, it breaks out in words expreffive of the greateft felf abhorrence! and need uttered with humility, and yet with a familiarity that evidences it to be the spirits work. A foul enquiring after the privileges of zion's children, will ever do thus: Judas (not Ifcariot) spoke in this manner when he cried out John xiv. 22. Lord how is it that thou wilt manifeft thyfelf unto us, and not unto the world? So fure as the foul puts up fuch petitions and in fuch a manner, it receives an anfwer: comfort, joy and peace flow in as a river, and the foul is filled with heaven! with love. "Pray'r i vì PREFACE. "Pray'r was appointed to convey 3. That fcripture is fulfilled, Pfal. xlvi, i. |