Of all his honour in his darling Son, So all that wed the law, must wed the curfe, Which rent they scorn to pay with Chrift's full purse. They clear may read their dreadful doom in brief, Whofe fefter'd fore is final unbelief: Though to the law their life exactly fram'd, For zealous acts and paffions too were fam'd: But now 'tis proper on the other fide, PART II. THE BELIEVER'S JOINTURE: OR, THE POEM CONTINUED, UPON ISAIAH liv. 5. Thy Maker is thy Hufband. N. B. The following lines being primarily intended for the ufe and edification of pioufly exercised fouls, and especially thofe of a more common and ordinary capacity; the author thought fit, through the whole of the fecond part of this book, to continue, as in the former editions, to repeat that part of the text, Thy Hufband, in the last line of every verfe: because, however it tended to limit him, and restrict his liberty of words in the compofition, yet having ground to judge, that this appropriating appellation ftill refumed, has rendered thefe lines formerly the more favoury to fome exercised Chriftians, to whom the name of Christ (particularly as their Head and Hufband) is as ointment poured forth; he chofe rather to fubject himself to that restriction, than to withhold what may tend to the fatisfaction and comfort of thofe to whom Christ is all in all; and to whom his name, as their Husband, many various ways applied, will be no nauseous repetition. fo CHAP. I. Containing the Privileges of the Believer that is espoused to Chrift by faith of divine op eration. SECT. I. The Believer's perfect beauty, free acceptance, and full fecurity, through the imputation of Chrift's perfect righteoufnefs, though imparted grace be imperfect. HAPPY foul, Jehovah's bride, The Lamb's beloved spouse; In thee, though like thy father's race, Fair as the moon thy robes appear, * Clear as the fun, while found to wear Thy moon-like graces, changing much, Thy white and ruddy vefture fair For 'mong ten thousand beauties rare Cloth'd with the fun, thy robes of light Though hellifh fmoke thy duties ftain, Thy Surety's merit makes thee clean, Thy prayers and tears, nor pure, nor good, But vile and loathfome feem; Yet gain, by dipping in his blood, No fear thou ftarve, though wants be great, Thy hungry foul may hopeful wait, Thy Hufband gives thee meat. Thy money, merit, power and pelf, Law precepts, threats, may both befet To crave of thee their due ;' But justice for thy double debt Though juftice ftern as much belong Yet juftice fuffer'd here no wrong, Thy Husband's heart were spent. No procefs more the law can tent; Though new contracted guilt beget Yet fear thou not, though drown'd in debt, God might in rigour thee indite * John xix. 30. I SECT. II. Chrift the believer's friend, prophet, priest, king, defence, guide, guard, help, and healer. DEAR foul, when all the human race But pray, why did he thousands pass, The forms of favour, names of grace, He bears for thee, with open face 'Gainst darkness black, and error blind, Thy Husband is thy Prief. And that he might thy will fubject, Though numerous and affaulting foes Thy Husband wins the war. Hell's forces, which thy mind appal, † Pfalm lxxxiv. II. |