But now 't is proper, on the other side,
With words of comfort to address the bride,
She in her glorious Husband does possess
Adorning grace, acquitting righteousness:
And hence to her pertain the golden mines
Of comfort opened in the foll'wing lines.

PART II.

THE BELIEVER'S

OR,

JOINTURE;

THE POEM UPON ISAIAH LIV. 5, CONTINUED.

"THY MAKER IS THY HUSBAND."

N. B. The following lines being primarily intended for the use and edification of piously-exercised souls, and especially those of a more common and ordinary capacity, the author thought fit, through the whole of this second 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 verse; because, however it tended to limit him, and restrict his liberty of words in the composition, yet, having ground to judge that this appropriating compellation still resumed has rendered these lines formerly the more savory to some exercised Christians, to whom the name of CHRIST (particularly as their Head and Husband) is as ointment poured forth, he chose rather to subject himself to that restriction, than to withhold what may tend to the satisfaction and comfort of those to whom CHRIST is all in all; and to whom his name, as their Husband, so many various ways applied, will be no nauseous repetition.

CHAPTER I.

CONTAINING THE PRIVILEGES OF THE BELIEVER THAT IS ESPOUSED TO CHRIST BY FAITH OF DIVINE OPERATION.

SECTION I.

THE BELIEVER'S PERFECT BEAUTY, FREE ACCEPTANCE, AND FULL SECURITY, THROUGH THE IMPUTATION OF CHRIST'S PERFECT RIGHTEOUSNESS, THOUGH IMPARTED GRACE BE IMPERFECT.

O HAPPY Soul, JEHOVAH's bride,

The Lamb's beloved spouse;

Strong consolation's flowing tide,

Thy Husband thee allows.

In thee, though like thy father's race,
By nature black as hell;

Yet now so beautified by grace,
Thy Husband loves to dwell.

Fair as the moon thy robes appear,
While graces are in dress :

Clear as the sun,* while found to wear
Thy Husband's righteousness.

Thy moon-like graces, changing much,
Have here and there a spot;

Thy sun-like glory is not such,
Thy Husband changes not.

Thy white and ruddy vesture fair
Outvies the rosy leaf;

For 'mong ten thousand beauties rare

Thy Husband is the chief.

Cloth'd with the sun, thy robes of light

The morning rays outshine;

* Song vi. 10.

The lamps of heav'n are not so bright,
Thy Husband decks thee fine.

Though hellish smoke thy duties stain
And sin deforms thee quite;

Thy Surety's merit makes thee clean,
Thy Husband's beauty white.

Thy pray'rs and tears, nor pure, nor good,

But vile and loathsome seem;

Yet gain, by dipping in his blood,
Thy Husband's high esteem.

No fear thou starve, though wants be great,
In him thou art complete:*

Thy hungry soul may hopeful wait,
Thy Husband gives thee meat.

Thy money, merit, pow'r, and pelf,
Were squander'd by thy fall;
Yet, having nothing in thyself,
Thy Husband is thy all.

Law-precepts, threats, may both beset
To crave of thee their due;

* Col. ii. 10.

But justice for thy double debt

Thy Husband did pursue.

Though justice stern as much belong As mercy to a God;

Yet justice suffer'd here no wrong,
Thy Husband's back was broad.

He bore the load of wrath alone,
That mercy might take vent;
Heav'n's pointed arrows all upon

Thy Husband's heart were spent.

No partial pay could justice still,
No farthing was retrench'd;
Vengeance exacted all, until
Thy Husband all advanc'd.

He paid in liquid golden red
Each mite the law requir'd,
Till with a loud "T is finished,*

Thy Husband's breath expir'd.

No process more the law can tent; Thou stand'st within its verge,

* John xix. 30.