That facrilegious monster, Unbelief, So hard'ned 'gainst remorfe and pious grief, So all that wed the law, muft wed the curfe, Which rent they fcorn to pay with Chrift's full purse. Though to the law their life exalted fram'd, But now 'tis proper, on the other fide, * John v. 10. } GOSPEL-SONNETS. PART II. The BELIEVER'S JOINTURE: OR, The POEM continued on ISAIAH liv. 5. Thy Maker is thy Husband. N. B. The following lines being primarily intended for the ufe and edification of piously-exercised fouls, and especially those of a more common and ordinary capacity; the Author thought fit, through the whole of this fecond 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 verfe; because, however it tended to limit him, and reftrict his liberty of words in the compofition; yet, having ground to judge, that this appropriating compellation, ftill refumed, had rendered these lines formerly the more favoury to some exercised Christians, to whom the name of CHRIST (particularly as their Head and Hufband) is as ointment poured forth; he chose rather to subject himself to that reftriction, than to with-hold what may tend to the fatisfaction and comfort of those to whom CHRIST is all in all; and to whom his name, as their Husband, fo many various ways applied, will be no naufeous repetition. CHA P. I. Containing the PRIVILEGES of the Believer that is espoused to CHRIST by Faith of divine Operation. SECT. I. The BELIEVER's perfect Beauty, free Acceptance, and full Security, through the Imputation of CHRIST's perfect Righteousness, though imparted Grace be imperfect. Happy foul, JEHOVAH's bride, The Lamb's beloved fpoufe; Strong confolation's flowing tide, Thy Hufband thee allows. In thee, though like thy father's race, By nature black as hell; Thy Hufband loves to dwell. Thy moon-like graces, changing much, Thy white and ruddy venture fair For 'mong ten thoufand beauties rare Cloth'd with the fun, thy robes of light The lamps of heav'n are not fo bright, Though hellifh fmoak thy duties ftain, Thy Surety's merit makes thee clean, Thy pray'rs and tears, nor pure nor good, But vile and lothfome feem; Yet gain, by dipping in his blood, No fear thou flarve, though wants be great, Thy money, merit, pow'r, and pelf, Law-precepts, threats, may both befet * Song vi. 8. + Col. ii. 10: Though juftice ftern as much belong Yet juftice fuffered here no wrong, Yet fear thou not, though drown'd in debt, Thy Hufband is the payer. God might in rigour thee indite Of highest crimes and flaws; SECT. II. CHRIST the Believer's Friend, Prophet, Prieft, King, Defence, Guard, Help, and Healer. DEAR foul, when all the human race Lay welt'ring in their gore, Vaft numbers in that difmal cafe, But, pray, why did he thoufands pass, The deep, the fearchlefs reafon was, * John xix. 30. And offices of love, He bears for thee, with open face, Thy Husband's kindness prove. And that he might thy will fubje&, And devils rage; yet, do their beft, His conduct feek, his counfel mark, In doubts, renouncing felf-conceit, When weak, thy Refuge feeft at hand, Pfalm lxxxiv. II, |