Could I believe what God has fpoke, And unbelieving doubts prevail: That tumbles with the melting fnow. When divine fmiles in fight appear, And I enjoy the heav'nly gale; When wind and tide and all is fair, I dream my faith fhall never fail: My heart with falfe conclufions draw, That ftrong my mountain fhall remain; That in my faith there is no flaw, I'll never never doubt again. I think the only rest I take, Is God's unfading word and name; I cannot trust a hiding God. That when I lose the dying streams, My faith unfit to ftand the fhock, And Heav'n withdraw the charming glance; Unleis JEHOVAH's oath can fail, My faith may keep it countenance. Did faith with none but truth advise, Or folid rocks when billows roar. A feather tofs'd with ev'ry wind. Help, Lord, for here I daily err. CHAP. V. The BELIEVER'S PRINCIPLES Concerning SECT. I. The Work and Contention of Heaven. N heav'nly choirs a queftion rose, IN That firr'd up ftrife will never close, What rank of all the ranfom'd race Owes highest praife to fov'reign grace? Babes thither caught from womb and breaft Claim'd right to fing above the reft; Because they found the happy fhore They never faw nor fought before. Those that arrive at riper age Before they left the dusky stage, Thought grace deferv'd yet higher praise, What praifing harp fhould lead the van? 66 Stop, (said a fifth,) these notes forbear, "Lo! I'm the greatest wonder here ; "For I of all the race that fell, "Deferv'd the lowest place in hell." A foul that higher yet afpir'd, With equal love to Jefus fir'd, "'Tis mine to fing the highest notes "To love, that wash'd the fouleft blots." "Ho! (cry'd a mate,) 'tis mine I'll prove, "Who finn'd in fpite of light and love, "To found his praife with loudest bell, "That fav'd me from the loweft hell." "Come, come, (faid one,) I'll hold the plea, "That highest praise is due by me; "For mine, of all the fav'd by grace, "Was the most dreadful, defp'rate cafe." Another rifing at his fide, As fond of praife, and free of pride, Cry'd, "Pray give place, for I defy, "That you fhould owe more praife than I: "I'll yield to none in this debate; "I'm run fo deep in grace's debt, "That fure I am, I boldly can Compare with all the heav'nly clan," Quick o'er their heads a trump awoke, Your fongs my very heart have spoke ; "But ev'ry note you here propale, Belongs to me beyond you all." The lift'ning millions round about With fweet refentment loudly fhout; "What voice is this, comparing notes, "That to their fong chief place allots? "We can't allow of fuch a found, "That you alone have highest ground "To fing the royalties of grace; "We claim the fame adoring place. What! will no rival-finger yield He has a match upon the field? "Come, then, and let us all agree "To praise upon the highest key." Then jointly all the harpers round In mind unite with folemn found, And ftrokes upon the higheft fring, Made all the heav'nly arches ring: Ring loud with hallelujah's high, To him that fent his Son to die; And to the worthy Lamb of God, That lov'd and wafb'dhem in his blood. Free grace was fov'reign emprefs crown'd In pomp, with joyful fhouts around: |