"When these are done, as many yet behind
"As leaves of forest shaken with the wind?
"When these are gone, as many to ensue
"As stems of grass on hills and dales that grew?
"When these run out, as many on the march
"As starry lamps that gild the spangled arch?
"When these expire, as many millions more
"As moments in the millions past before?
"When all these doleful years are spent in pain,
"And multiplied by myriads again,
"Till numbers drown the thought; could I suppose
"That then my wretched years were at a close,
"This would afford some ease: but, ah! I shiver
"To think upon the dreadful sound, for ever.
"The burning gulph, where I blaspheming lie,
"Is time no more, but vast eternity.
"The growing torment I endure for sin,
"Thro' ages all is always to begin.
"How did I but a grain of pleasure sow,
"To reap a harvest of immortal woe?
"Bound to the bottom of the burning main,
"Gnawing my chains, I wish for death in vain.
"Just doom! since I that bear th' eternal load
"Contemn'd the death of an eternal God.
"O, if the God that curs'd me to the lash,
"Would bless me back to nothing with a dash !
"But hopeless I the just avenger hate,
"Blaspheme the wrathful God, and curse my fate."
To these this word of terror I direct,
Who now the great salvation dare neglect ;
To all the Christ despising multitude,
That trample on the great Redeemer's blood;
That see no beauty in his glorious face,
But slight his offers, and refuse his grace.
A messenger of wrath to none I am,
But those that hate to wed the worthy Lamb.
For tho' the smallest sins, if small can be,
Will plunge the Christless soul in misery :
Yet, lo, the greatest that to mortals cleave
Shan't damn the souls in Jesus that believe;
Because they on the very method fall
That well can make amends to God for all.
Whereas proud souls thro' unbelief won't let
The glorious God a reparation get
Of all his honour in his darling Son,
For all the great dishonours they have done.
A faithless soul the glorious God bereaves
Of all the satisfaction that he craves;
Hence under divine hottest fury lies,
And with a double vengeance justly dies.
The blackest part of Tophet is their place,
Who flight the tenders of redeeming grace.
That sacrilegious monster, unbelief,
So hard'ned 'gainst remorse and pious grief,
Robs God of all the glory of his names,
And ev'ry divine attribute defames.
It loudly calls the truth of God a lie,
The God of truth a liar; horrid cry!
Doubts and denies his precious words of grace,
Spits venom in the royal suitor's face.
This monster cannot cease all sin to hatch,
Because it proudly mars the happy match.
As each law-wedded soul is join'd to sin,
And destitute of holiness within ;
So all that wed the law, must wed the curse,
Which rent they scorn to pay with Christ's full purse.
They clear may read their dreadful doom in brief,
Whose fester'd sore is final unbelief:
Tho' to the law their life exactly fram'd,
For zealous acts and passions too were fam'd;
Yet, lo! He that believes not shall be damn'd.
But now 'tis proper on the other side,
With words of comfort to address the bride.
She in her glorious Husband does possess
Adorning grace, acquitting Righteousnes :
And hence to her pertains the golden mines
Of comfort op'ned in the following lines.
THE BELIEVER'S JOINTURE :
The POEM continued upon ISAIAH LIV. 5. "Thy Maker is thy Husband."
N. B. The following lines being primarily intended for the use and edification of piously exercised souls, and especially those of a more common and ordinary capacity; the author thought fit, through the whole of this Second Part of the book, to continue, as in the former editions, to repeat that part of the text, 'Thy Husband,' in the last line of every verse: because, however, it tended to limit him, and restrict his liberty of words in the composition, yet having ground to judge that this appropriating compellation, still resumed, had rendered these lines formerly the more savoury to some exercised Christians, to whom the name of Christ (particularly as their Head and Husband) is as ointment poured forth; he chose rather to subject himself to that restrictiou, than to with-hold what may tend to the satisfaction and comfort of those to whom Christ is all in all; and to whom his name, as their Husband, so many various ways applied, will be no nauseous repetition.
Containing the privileges of the believer that is espoused to Christ by faith of divine operation.
The Believer's perfect beauty, free acceptance, and full security, through the imputation of Christ's perfect righteousness, though imparted grace be imperfect.
Happy soul, Jehovah's bride,
The Lamb's beloved spouse,
Strong consolation's flowing tide
Thy Husband thee allows.
In thee, tho' like thy father's race,
By nature black as hell;
Yet now, so beautify'd by grace,
Thy Husband loves to dwell.
Fair as the moon thy robes appear,
While graces are in dress :
Clear as the sun, while found to wear
Thy Husband's righteousness.
Thy moon-like graces, changing much,
Have here and there a spot;
Thy sun-like glory is not such,
Thy Husband changes not.
Thy white and ruddy vesture fair
Outvies the rosy leaf
For 'mong ten thousand beauties rare
Thy Husband is the chief.
Cloth'd with the sun, thy robes of light
The morning-rays out-shine;
The lamps of heav'n are not so bright,
Thy Husband decks thee fine.
Tho' hellish smoke thy duties stain,
And sin deform thee quite;
Thy Surety's merit makes thee clean,
Thy Husband's beauty white.
Thy pray'rs and tears, nor pure, nor good,
But vile and loathsome seem;
Yet gain, by dipping in his blood,
Thy Husband's high esteem.
No fear thou starve, tho' wants be great,
In him thou art complete;
Thy hungry soul may hopeful wait,
Thy Husband gives thee meat.
Thy money, merit, pow'r and pelf,
Were squander'd by thy fall;
Yet, having nothing in thyself,
Thy Husband is thy all.
Law precepts, threats, may both beset
To crave of thee their due;
But justice for thy double debt
Thy Husband did pursue.
Tho' justice stern as much belong
As mercy to a God;
Yet justice suffer'd here no wrong,
Thy Husband's back was broad.
He bore the load of wrath alone,
That mercy might take vent;
Heav'ns pointed arrows all upon
Thy Husband's heart were spent.
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