JEHOVAH-NISSI* then was rear'd,
Thy Husband's banner spread.

When furies arm'd with frightening guilt,
Dun'd war without surcease;
JEHOVAH-SHALOM† then was built,
Thy Husband sent thee peace.

When thy diseases death proclaim'd,
And creature-balsoms fail'd,
JEHOVAH-ROPHI|| then was fam'd,
Thy Husband kindly heal'd.

Thus, as thy various needs require,
In various modes like these,
The help that suits thy heart's desire
Thy Husband's name conveys.

To th' little flock, as cases vary,
The great JEHOVAH shews
Himself a little sanctuary§,

Thy Husband gives the views.

SECTION VII.

The believer's experience of Christ's comfortable presence, or of former comforts, to be improved for his encouragement and support under darkness and hidings.

OST mind the place, the spot of land,
Where Jesus did thee meet?

D°

And how he got thy heart and hand?

Thy Husband then was sweet.

*Exod. xvii. 15.

Exod. xv. 26.

† Judg. vi. 24.

§ Ezek. xi. 16.

Dost mind the garden, chamber, bank,
A vale of vision seem'd ?

Thy joy was full, thy heart was frank,
Thy Husband much esteem'd.

Let thy experience sweet declare,
If able to remind;

A Bochim here, a Bethel there,
Thy Husband made thee find.

Was such a corner, such a place,
A Paradise to the,

A Peniel, where face to face

Thy Husband fair didst see?

There did he clear thy cloudy cause,
Thy doubts and fears destroy;
And on thy spirit seal'd he was
Thy Husband with great joy.

Couldst thou have said it boldly then,
And seal'd it with thy blood!
Yea, welcome death with pleasure, when
Thy Husband by thee stood?

That earth again should thee insnare,
O how thy heart was pain'd!

For all its fading glory there
Thy husband's beauty stain'd.

The thoughts of living more in sin
Were then like hell to thee;
The life of heav'n did thus begin,
Thy Husband set the free.

Whate'er thou foundst him at thy best,
He's at thy worst the same;
And in his love will ever rest,
Thy Husband holds his claim.

Let faith these visits keep in store,
Though sense the pleasure miss;
The God of Bethel, as before,
Thy Husband always is.

In meas'ring his approaches kind,
And timing his descents;

In free and sov'reign ways thou❜lt find
Thy Husband thee prevents.

Prescribe not to him in thy heart,
He's infinitely wise.

How oft he throws his loving dart,
Thy Husband does surprise.

Perhaps a sudden gale thee blest,
While walking in thy road;
Or on a journey ere thou wist,
Thy Husband look'd thee broad.

Thus was the eunuch fam'd (his stage
A riding on the way,

As he revolv'd the sacred page)
Thy Husband's happy prey.

In hearing, reading, singing, pray'r,
When darkness compass'd thee,
Thou foundst, or e'er thou wast aware,
Thy Husband's light'ning free.

Of heav'nly gales don't meanly think : For, though thy soul complains, They're but a short and passing blink; Thy Husband's love remains.

Think not, though breezes haste away, Thou dost his favour lose ;

But learn to know his sov'reign way, Thy Husband comes and goes.

Don't say
he's gone for ever, though
His visits he adjourn;

For yet a little while, and lo,
Thy Husband will return.

In worship social, or retir'd,

Dost thou his absence wail?
Wait at his shore, and be not fear'd,
Thy Husband's ship's a-sail.

Yea, though in duties sense may miss
Thy soul's beloved One;
Yet do not faint, for never is
Thy Husband wholly gone.

Though Satan, sin, earth, hell at once,
Would thee of joy bereave;

Mind what he said, he won't renounce,
Thy Husband will not leaye.

Though foes assail, and friendship fail,
Thou hast a friend at court;
The gates of hell shall ne'er prevail,
Thy Husband is thy fort.

SECTION VIII.

Comfort to believers from the stability of the promise, notwithstanding heavy chastisement for sin.

TAKE well howe'er kind Wisdom may,
Dispose thy present lot;

Though heav'n and earth should pass away,
Thy Husband's love will not.

All needful help he will afford,
Thou hast his vow and oath;

And once to violate his word

Thy Husband will be loth.

To fire and floods with thee he'll down,
His promise this insures,

Whose credit cannot burn nor drown:
Thy Husband's truth endures.

Dost thou no more his word believe,

As mortal man's, forsooth?

O do not thus his Spirit grieve,

Thy Husband is the Truth.

Though thou both wicked art and weak,
His word he'll never rue;

Though heav'n and earth should blend and break,
Thy Husband will be true.

I'll never leave thee, is his vow;

If Truth has said the word,

While truth is truth, this word is true,

Thy Husband is the Lord.

Thy covenant of duties may
Prove daily most unsure:
His covenant of grace for aye
Thy Husband does secure.

Dost thou to him thy promise break,

And fear he break to thee?
Nay, not thy thousand crimes can make
Thy Husband once to lye.

He visit will thy sins with strokes,
And lift his heavy hand;
But never once his word revokes,
Thy Husband's truth will stand.

Then dream not he is chang'd in love,
When thou art chang'd in frame;