And undisturb'd seclusion, where
Jehovah she can honor and adore; (9)
To His high name unfettered can raise,
The hallow'd anthem to resound His praise.
Truth, ever faithful to the Great Supreme,
To vice aversion constantly has shewn ;
By prudence taught, from wickedness has fled,
Lest its temptations might to ruin lead;
But not be hid from lov'd society,
Nor least deprived of that liberty
So sweet to all.
Is christian freedom! what can make it bend
To be imprison'd, or prescribed a space
Where to be govern'd by a beastly race
Of Baal's prophets that the mind allure
To thoughts licentious, and to deeds impure?
Nought. Christian conscience struggles to be free,
And unrestrain'd enjoy her liberty,
To worship as she will the God she loves,
Him, Who such freedom gave and still approves;
Who, by His word reveal'd, has plainly shewn,
How to distinguish what is right from wrong;
In pious hearts spiritually has fix'd
The leading truth to happiness annex'd.
O gracious Saviour! comfort of the soul,
Her lasting hope, and her eternal all,
Thou voice of God; unfading Light Divine,
What beauties are in man Thou makest shine!
Director of unerring rectitude,
Sole source of comfort and beatitude,
'Tis Thou restrain'st, prevent'st, each evil thought,
Mak'st the good man by intellects set right,
Inspir'st with confidence, before him set'st,
Another world where all his hopes shall rest;
Then anxious send'st him by due care to seize
The means that gain the everlasting prize!
Thou shew'st his very self, tell'st he is vain,
A sinful subject in a realm of pain,
Th' unstable tenant of a passing day,
Who's fond of here, but hence must flee away,
And to another world must soon begone,
As God not made him for this earth alone
That this life's his probative time, which o'er,
He must strike anchor on another shore;
Yet giv'st him consolation, let'st him see
Hereafter will be an eternity;
So fill'st his mind with high desire to rise
To know the God all-worthy of his praise,
And how to Him his supplications send,
His strong desires and earnest wishes bend.
What tells him that his body must remain
Death's portion but awhile, then rise again?
What, that his soul, his strong immortal part,
Though from her prison forc'd to separate,
Yet at a future day, to him unknown,
Shall once again her long-lost partner join,
And, faithful to her God, ne'er more to see,
A world of pain, nor sink in lasting wo?
Thy gospel, Lord, reveal'd by Thee to him,
Unerring makes these cheering wonders known.
Celestial Brightness! how thy preachers rest
On Thee their prospects!—Are by Thee imprest
With ardent zeal, true love, and strong desire
To serve Thy cause; and never to aspire
At pompous titles, power or luxury,
But humbly tread the path assign'd by Thee!
How pious, meek, complaisant, are they seen!
To poor and rich their conduct is the same;
They no distinction make, but that they know
Is truly made by thy unerring law.
How pleas'd with virtue to associate,
Still shunning vice, or wealth with pride elate!
Ah, holy men, true priests of the Most High,
What honor, what respect, is due to you!
No worldly grandeur can attract your care,
No vile temptations your chaste hearts ensnare ;
At banquets court not foremost to be set,
You shun the place where revelling is met ;
At home, abroad, each passing day and hour,
You strive to honor Him, whom you adore;
Your duty love, it anxiously attend,
And let not vanities attract the mind.
You feel the Saviour sends you forth to preach
His holy word, His true religion teach;
That you're the chosen shepherds of His flock,
Appointed by Him His to watch and keep;
Of this neglective should you ever prove,
Such negligence you fear He will reprove;
And ne'er forget that He denounces wo,
On those who may His special trust betray.
You'll not approach His altars and declare,
"Tis for His service solely you come there
To be ordain'd His priests, when well you know
'Tis for a living only there you go;
But heartily detest such blasphemy,
Such selfish lies, and foul hypocrisy.
You know your work is sinners to reclaim
And captive souls free from the bonds of sin;
And happy feel when, by your ministry,
The flocks you guide renounce impiety.
Are no enthusiasts; your's not feigned zeal,
Your doctrine's sound and all effusions real.
"Tis ev'ry one attracts your past'ral care,
You Christ, the Saviour, openly declare;
That He salvation purchased for all,
Who will obey his gracious gospel-call:
You to be friends all faithful christians prove,
And all mankind your charity and love.
No persecutors of a diff'rent creed,
Nor vile abettors of a vicious deed,
But indiscriminate true gospel preach,
Not worldly gain, a heavenly prize your search;
Continue thus, till pass'd your mortal days,
Then flee to worlds where prayer is lost in praise;
Enraptur'd, there your glorious Master see,
And hear Him mildly thus with pleasure say,
Approach your Lord, ye faithful, you are mine,
"Accept in heaven an everlasting throne;
"As the reward of your fidelity,
"Here rest with Me in elevated joy !"
Long ere the gospel was reveal'd to man,
A type of these was faithful Abraham.
This holy patriarch, by impulse divine,
Internal was convinc'd, some future time,
Jehovah would most graciously display
His love to man; and he most clearly saw
Redemption at a distance; though the veil
That hid its glory, did its beams conceal,
As yet was not remov'd, he knew it would,
He knew 'twas promis'd, and on that reli'd.
This stedfast faith produc'd that holiness,
Which was accepted at the throne of grace;
Jehovah told him that his seed should be
Select and num'rous, taught their God to know;
He might depend for certain that through him,
The great Messiah mortal would become,
Appear on earth, to bless and sanctify
All mankind who would on his word rely.
The holy men of old so fam'd for faith
Saw mercy streaming from this glorious truth:
How patient Job, so by affliction tri'd,
'Midst all his torments, stedfastly reli'd
On a Redeemer, and declar'd he knew
He liv'd; and, though then veil'd from mortal view,
Yet cloth'd with heav'nly wisdom should be seen
On earth to make Jehovah's councils known.
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