 | Poems on several subjects |  |
197
Alphabetical Verses on the Life of MAN, being eight Verses annexed to each Letter.
A verse may hit him who a sermon flies,
And turn delight into a sacrifice.
Herbert.
And turn delight into a sacrifice.
Herbert.
With heavenly eloquence, LORD, fill my soul;
O fire my dead heart with an altar-coal.
Pennycuick.
O fire my dead heart with an altar-coal.
Pennycuick.
PROLOGUE.
Wake, heav'nly Muse, assist my rural quill;Fain wou'd I sing, but, oh! I want the skill.
Supply defects, my losses all repair,
And let me be the object of thy care.
Direct my fancy in this weak essay,
While I shall sing man's progress and his way,
From infancy and childhood, up to youth,
The young man's beauty, and his age and growth,
Manhood, old age, conversion, hope and faith,
The brevity of all his life to death;
As I have seen, experienced oft;
Altho' my fancy do not soar aloft,
By Nature taught, I sing forth as I can,
And style the poem, The Life and Age of Man.
An helpless infant, man, at first, appears
Upon this stage, perhaps to stay some years.
Forlorn by nature, destitute of art,
Till those that's more mature must take his part.
All other creatures Nature she provides
With some defence, as feathers, paws, or hides:
But no defence poor infant Man can make,
He's so defective, naked, poor, and weak.
Upon this stage, perhaps to stay some years.
Forlorn by nature, destitute of art,
Till those that's more mature must take his part.
All other creatures Nature she provides
With some defence, as feathers, paws, or hides:
But no defence poor infant Man can make,
He's so defective, naked, poor, and weak.
Behold the infant all in tears doth mourn;
Liable to death, to hell, and devils scorn.
Danger surrounds him; but, in midst of death,
God's goodness lends him being, life, and breath.
His providence protects him from all ill;
Such is the goodness of his sovereign will.
In misery his infancy he spends;
To vanity his youth and childhood tends.
Liable to death, to hell, and devils scorn.
Danger surrounds him; but, in midst of death,
God's goodness lends him being, life, and breath.
198
Such is the goodness of his sovereign will.
In misery his infancy he spends;
To vanity his youth and childhood tends.
Childhood and youth are surely vanity,
Involv'd in sin and sinful misery.
No pleasant flow'r appears more fair and bright
Than children do still in their parents' sight.
Sure children wise much joys the father's heart;
But those who're foolish prove the mother's smart.
Yea foolishness in children's hearts are bound;
Correction only cures the sinful wound.
Involv'd in sin and sinful misery.
No pleasant flow'r appears more fair and bright
Than children do still in their parents' sight.
Sure children wise much joys the father's heart;
But those who're foolish prove the mother's smart.
Yea foolishness in children's hearts are bound;
Correction only cures the sinful wound.
Delighted with vain idle sports and play,
His precious time in madness spends away.
Rambling thro' youth, and all its vain conceits,
Sometimes mad laughter drives him into frets.
Sometimes he's pleas'd, sometimes in anger frowns;
Except compell'd, religion he disowns.
Sure our Preserver is the God of truth,
That keeps from danger poor rash heedless youth.
His precious time in madness spends away.
Rambling thro' youth, and all its vain conceits,
Sometimes mad laughter drives him into frets.
Sometimes he's pleas'd, sometimes in anger frowns;
Except compell'd, religion he disowns.
Sure our Preserver is the God of truth,
That keeps from danger poor rash heedless youth.
Each passion strong, nurs'd with pure vig'rous blood,
He boasts of strength; of each acquirement proud:
He kicks and laughs at carking cares of life,
Thinks to enjoy untainted pleasures rise.
Poor giddy fool! what know'st thou but this night
Thy precious soul may take its farewell flight
Unto the distant world of spirits, where,
While lasts eternity, thou shalt be there?
He boasts of strength; of each acquirement proud:
He kicks and laughs at carking cares of life,
Thinks to enjoy untainted pleasures rise.
Poor giddy fool! what know'st thou but this night
Thy precious soul may take its farewell flight
Unto the distant world of spirits, where,
While lasts eternity, thou shalt be there?
For, sure we are but strangers on this earth;
We 'gin to die e'en at our very birth.
This earthly house, wherein our soul sojourns,
Soon crumbles down, and unto dust returns.
Our souls immortal pave their airy way
T'eternal night, or to eternal day;
To heav'nly joys, or endless woes of hell;
Poor blinded youth! to which thou canst not tell.
We 'gin to die e'en at our very birth.
This earthly house, wherein our soul sojourns,
Soon crumbles down, and unto dust returns.
Our souls immortal pave their airy way
T'eternal night, or to eternal day;
199
Poor blinded youth! to which thou canst not tell.
Glad lives the youth in merriment and play;
Spends many days insensibly away.
His manly actions managing with art,
Ere he the secrets of his love impart,
By wrestling, running, or some handycraft;
For this he knows will prove the wounding shaft,
To win the fortress of his mistress' heart;
Th'intrigue will hold, if Damon be expert.
Spends many days insensibly away.
His manly actions managing with art,
Ere he the secrets of his love impart,
By wrestling, running, or some handycraft;
For this he knows will prove the wounding shaft,
To win the fortress of his mistress' heart;
Th'intrigue will hold, if Damon be expert.
How high aspires a young man's haughty mind!
To honour and the world how much inclin'd!
Ambition fills his soul in ev'ry part;
And wanton Cupid too must break his heart.
The piercing rays from Nelly's beaming eyes,
Make him esteem her as the fairest prize.
His mind is restless then, both day and night,
Till he enjoy (he thinks) his heart's delight.
To honour and the world how much inclin'd!
Ambition fills his soul in ev'ry part;
And wanton Cupid too must break his heart.
The piercing rays from Nelly's beaming eyes,
Make him esteem her as the fairest prize.
His mind is restless then, both day and night,
Till he enjoy (he thinks) his heart's delight.
In this vain world he's never satisfy'd;
He something wants, for all he hath, beside.
Man's happiness, while here, is ne'er complete;
Tho' smiling Fortune should his heart invite,
To say, O young man, in thy youth rejoice;
Taste all the sweets; of all delights make choice:
Yet conscience bids him all such thoughts disband;
For, know thou must yet in God's judgment stand.
He something wants, for all he hath, beside.
Man's happiness, while here, is ne'er complete;
Tho' smiling Fortune should his heart invite,
To say, O young man, in thy youth rejoice;
Taste all the sweets; of all delights make choice:
Yet conscience bids him all such thoughts disband;
For, know thou must yet in God's judgment stand.
Just then when conscience whispers him in th'ear,
It strikes him straightway with a painful fear.
But, too too soon, he stifles these convictions,
And disregards all such heav'nly predictions.
As dogs unto their vomit do return,
Or sow from washing, in the mire to spurn;
So he returns unto his former life,
And dallies with his fond new-wedded wife;
It strikes him straightway with a painful fear.
But, too too soon, he stifles these convictions,
And disregards all such heav'nly predictions.
As dogs unto their vomit do return,
Or sow from washing, in the mire to spurn;
So he returns unto his former life,
And dallies with his fond new-wedded wife;
200
Keenly pursuing carnal ends, not knowing,
That to the flesh, poor harden'd fool, he's sowing;
And that, e'er long, corruption he shall reap,
And plunge headlong in utter darkness deep:
There, ever, ever, in hell's flames to burn,
And never, never, from the same return,
While God is God, or heav'n subsists in being;
Confounded with the thoughts of death, not dying.
That to the flesh, poor harden'd fool, he's sowing;
And that, e'er long, corruption he shall reap,
And plunge headlong in utter darkness deep:
There, ever, ever, in hell's flames to burn,
And never, never, from the same return,
While God is God, or heav'n subsists in being;
Confounded with the thoughts of death, not dying.
Less than a hand-breadth, or a narrow span,
Is that short age and scanty life of man;
Yea, e'en as nothing in Jehovah's eye,
Or when compar'd with vast eternity.
Much like a stranger in some foreign place,
That great affairs must manage in short space,
By which he is to gain immortal fame,
Or, if neglected, scorn, reproach and shame.
Is that short age and scanty life of man;
Yea, e'en as nothing in Jehovah's eye,
Or when compar'd with vast eternity.
Much like a stranger in some foreign place,
That great affairs must manage in short space,
By which he is to gain immortal fame,
Or, if neglected, scorn, reproach and shame.
Man's life is such, experience doth show;
We are but strangers in this earth below.
Our time is short, yea, and uncertain too;
Yet here we have great business to do:
Eternal life, and glorious diadem,
Or horror, darkness, and eternal flame.
If diligent, the former we shall gain;
But, if neglective, we the last obtain.
We are but strangers in this earth below.
Our time is short, yea, and uncertain too;
Yet here we have great business to do:
Eternal life, and glorious diadem,
Or horror, darkness, and eternal flame.
If diligent, the former we shall gain;
But, if neglective, we the last obtain.
Now, strength of nature makes poor man forget
How deep he stands in his Creator's debt.
He tents the world, whether it frowns or smiles;
Prosp'rous or adverse fortune him beguiles:
Either puft up with health, wealth, pride and ease,
Or press'd with toil by his necessities.
Sure this is true, That great men are a lie,
And men of low estate are vanity,
How deep he stands in his Creator's debt.
He tents the world, whether it frowns or smiles;
Prosp'rous or adverse fortune him beguiles:
Either puft up with health, wealth, pride and ease,
Or press'd with toil by his necessities.
Sure this is true, That great men are a lie,
And men of low estate are vanity,
O wonderful the goodness is of God,
Who man with mercies plenteously doth load!
Though he, regardless of his holy law,
Runs on in sin, without dread, fear, or awe,
Yet God's great goodness holds him in subsistence;
In midst of danger sends divine assistance.
But sure this will man's condemnation prove,
The slighting light and goodness, grace and love.
Who man with mercies plenteously doth load!
201
Runs on in sin, without dread, fear, or awe,
Yet God's great goodness holds him in subsistence;
In midst of danger sends divine assistance.
But sure this will man's condemnation prove,
The slighting light and goodness, grace and love.
Pensive and sad our man is now become;
Views at small distance his approaching doom.
When he reflects on time that's past and gone,
It makes him sigh with many bitter groan.
His conscience tells him he is all forlorn,
And that it had been good he'd ne'er been born:
At his wit's end, near ready to despair,
Scarce dares he venture to groan out a pray'r.
Views at small distance his approaching doom.
When he reflects on time that's past and gone,
It makes him sigh with many bitter groan.
His conscience tells him he is all forlorn,
And that it had been good he'd ne'er been born:
At his wit's end, near ready to despair,
Scarce dares he venture to groan out a pray'r.
Quickly he turns, without the least delay,
To keep God's testimony and his way:
Yet no salvation this way can he see;
For that the law no man can justify.
The guilt of sin he from the womb did bring
Accuse him sore, and doth his conscience sting;
Till in the gospel Jesus Christ he see,
By faith, mix'd with pure hope and charity.
To keep God's testimony and his way:
Yet no salvation this way can he see;
For that the law no man can justify.
The guilt of sin he from the womb did bring
Accuse him sore, and doth his conscience sting;
Till in the gospel Jesus Christ he see,
By faith, mix'd with pure hope and charity.
Rejoicing now, with joy beyond expression,
That Jesus Christ hath finished transgression,
By nailing sin unto his cross, and then
Ascending up on high, in sight of men,
To God's right hand, where he, as their high-priest,
Makes intercession in the holiest:
Not ev'ry year, but once for all obtain'd
For us redemption; righteousness unstain'd.
That Jesus Christ hath finished transgression,
By nailing sin unto his cross, and then
Ascending up on high, in sight of men,
To God's right hand, where he, as their high-priest,
Makes intercession in the holiest:
Not ev'ry year, but once for all obtain'd
For us redemption; righteousness unstain'd.
See now the glorious privilege of man,
More valuable than e'er this world can
Afford to any; nay, at cheaper rate:
We are the bankrupts; Jesus paid the debt,
And set us free; nay more, he gives beside,
Fair heavenly mansions, with himself to 'bide,
If we by faith claim merit in his blood;
And faith's not ours, it is the gift of God.
More valuable than e'er this world can
Afford to any; nay, at cheaper rate:
We are the bankrupts; Jesus paid the debt,
202
Fair heavenly mansions, with himself to 'bide,
If we by faith claim merit in his blood;
And faith's not ours, it is the gift of God.
The great transcendent boundless love of God
To sinners, such as we, is very odd.
Free grace and love to slaves and rebels born;
When he oft call'd, we oft refus'd to turn;
Till, by his pow'r, he opes our blinded eyes,
And lets us see wherein our mis'ry lies;
And that he hath a salve to cure each wound:
Happy the man whom God hath sought and found!
To sinners, such as we, is very odd.
Free grace and love to slaves and rebels born;
When he oft call'd, we oft refus'd to turn;
Till, by his pow'r, he opes our blinded eyes,
And lets us see wherein our mis'ry lies;
And that he hath a salve to cure each wound:
Happy the man whom God hath sought and found!
Under old age man seems at last to bow;
His flesh turns loose, his forehead wrinkles plow;
His teeth decays; his crown all bald appears;
His joints are stiff, and deaf'ned turn'd his ears.
Phlegm and dire coughs disturb his nightly rest;
Sore wand'ring pains his body doth molest.
His eyes are dim, he fetcheth short his breath;
Expecting hourly his approaching death.
His flesh turns loose, his forehead wrinkles plow;
His teeth decays; his crown all bald appears;
His joints are stiff, and deaf'ned turn'd his ears.
Phlegm and dire coughs disturb his nightly rest;
Sore wand'ring pains his body doth molest.
His eyes are dim, he fetcheth short his breath;
Expecting hourly his approaching death.
Various diseases interrupt his health;
He sees no pleasure, tho' he swims in wealth.
But if renewed by regeneration,
God's holy Spirit gives him consolation.
He longs and pants to have his faith in vision,
And that his hope were turn'd into fruition.
Fain would he leave this tottering earthly tent,
To be with Christ above the firmament.
He sees no pleasure, tho' he swims in wealth.
But if renewed by regeneration,
God's holy Spirit gives him consolation.
He longs and pants to have his faith in vision,
And that his hope were turn'd into fruition.
Fain would he leave this tottering earthly tent,
To be with Christ above the firmament.
What emblem better man's life represents,
Than Sphynx his riddle to Thebes' inhabitants?
The meaning whereof Oedipus did say,
Was, That Man's life was but one single day.
His infancy to morning he compares;
Full age, high noon; old age night's image bears.
Man in his morning creeps on hands and knees;
Erect at noon; night comes, a staff supplies.
Than Sphynx his riddle to Thebes' inhabitants?
The meaning whereof Oedipus did say,
Was, That Man's life was but one single day.
His infancy to morning he compares;
Full age, high noon; old age night's image bears.
Man in his morning creeps on hands and knees;
Erect at noon; night comes, a staff supplies.
203
Xerxes from an hill view'd his mighty host,
And wept to think how soon they'd all turn dust.
How many children in their nonage die!
How many when come to maturity!
Alas! how many die without expecting!
How many 'ceas'd, their errand here neglecting!
How few are left, till they thro' age decline!
How few reserv'd in heav'n with Christ to shine!
And wept to think how soon they'd all turn dust.
How many children in their nonage die!
How many when come to maturity!
Alas! how many die without expecting!
How many 'ceas'd, their errand here neglecting!
How few are left, till they thro' age decline!
How few reserv'd in heav'n with Christ to shine!
Yet, howsoever short man's life may seem,
Most part thereof is lost as in a dream,
One half we sleep; in nonage reason may
Be seen too weak, and in old age decay.
Since reason's weak, and life so very short,
Let us be caution'd to redress our hurt,
By seeking God (since his free grace abound)
And call on him while he is to be found.
Most part thereof is lost as in a dream,
One half we sleep; in nonage reason may
Be seen too weak, and in old age decay.
Since reason's weak, and life so very short,
Let us be caution'd to redress our hurt,
By seeking God (since his free grace abound)
And call on him while he is to be found.
Zaccheus-like, let us by faith climb up
By pray'r to heav'n, ere death us interrupt.
When death attacks us, we no more can have
Of th'world, except a coffin, sheet, and grave.
The whole conclusion of the matter hear,
Let us be virtuous, and our God still fear;
Keeping his laws with all the care we can:
This is the duty of frail fading man.
By pray'r to heav'n, ere death us interrupt.
When death attacks us, we no more can have
Of th'world, except a coffin, sheet, and grave.
The whole conclusion of the matter hear,
Let us be virtuous, and our God still fear;
Keeping his laws with all the care we can:
This is the duty of frail fading man.
CONCLUSION.
The letters are what every child that learns,Attains by heart, before he well discerns
The sound of words, or syllabs can pronounce.
So get these lines, and what they do evince,
By heart; and they may give you some impressions,
Both of salvation and of your transgressions;
Of infancy, of childhood, and of youth;
Experience will tell they speak the truth.
And, in old age, when more you come to learn,
The truth of all you'll certainly discern.
| Poems on several subjects | |