But, Saviour, let me taste thy grace With every fleeting breath, And through that heaven of pleasure pass To the cold arms of death. Then I could lose successive souls Fast as the minutes fly; So billow after billow rolls, To kiss the shore, and die. A SIGHT OF CHRIST. The substance of the following copy, and many of the lines, were sent me by an esteemed friend, Mr. W. Nokes, with a desire that I would form them into a Pindaric Ode; but I retained his measures, lest I should too much alter his sense. ANGELS of light, your God and King surround, Once I beheld his face, when beams divine Broke from his eyelids, and unusual light Wrapt me at once in glory and surprise. My joyful heart, high leaping in my breast, While he appears, no other charms can hold Or draw my soul, asham'd of former things, Which no remembrance now deserve or name, Though with contempt; best in oblivion hid. But the bright shine and presence soon withdrew; Down from his palace, nor my longing soul This sight I ne'er can lose; by it I live: I live, I'm strong, and now eternal life Beats quick within my breast; my vigorous mind Counsels of peace betwixt the Almighty Three, With vast amaze, I see the unfathomed thoughts, Of God's own heart, in which he ever rests. Here the beginning and the end of all I can discover; Christ the end of all, O that the day, the joyful day, were come, When the first Adam from his ancient dust, Crown'd with new honours, shall revive, and see Jesus his Son and Lord; while shouting saints Surround their King, and God's eternal Son Shines in the midst, but with superior beams, And like himself. Then the mysterious word, Long hid behind the letter, shall appear All spirit and life, and in the fullest light Stand forth to public view; and there disclose His Father's sacred works, and wondrous ways. Then wisdom, righteousness, and grace divine, Through all the infinite transactions past Inwrought and shining, shall with double blaze Strike our astonish'd eyes, and ever reign Death, and the tempter, and the man of sin, Now at the bar arraign'd, in judgment cast, Shall vex the saints no more; but perfect love And loudest praises perfect joy create, While ever-circling years maintain the blissful state. LOVE ON A CROSS, AND A THRONE. Now let my faith grow strong, and rise, See where he languish'd on the cross; If I behold his bleeding heart, Or if I climb the eternal hills Where the dear Conqueror sits enthroned, How shall a pardon'd rebel show I hate the sins that cost thy blood. I hold no more commerce with hell, A PREPARATORY THOUGHT FOR THE LORD'S SUPPER. AN IMITATION OF ISAIAH, LXIII. 1, 2, 3. WHAT heavenly Man, or lovely God, |