CHAP. II. Containing the Marks and Characters of the Believer in Chrift; together with some farther privileges and grounds of comfort to the Saints. SECT. I. Doubting Believers called to examine, by marks drawn from their love to him and his prefence, their view of his glory, and their being emptied of felf-righteousness, c. GOOD news! but, fays the drooping bride, Ah! what's all this to me? Thou doubt'ft thy right when shadows hide Through fin and guilt thy spirit faints, Thou fob'ft, "O were I fure he's mine, And fay'ft, Though wants and woes combine, But up and down, and feldom clear, Yet yield thou not, nor fofter fear; Thy cries and tears may flighted feem, Thy jealous unbelieving heart Still droops, and knows not why; The following questions puts to thee, As fcripture marks may tell MARKS. ART thou content when he's away? When he is near, (though in a crofs,) In duties art thou pleas'd or pain'd, Though once thou thought'ft, while Sinai mist Thy Husband ne'er would be; Yet knowest thou not a fairer place, Of which it may be told, That there the glory of his grace Thy Husband did unfold? Where heav'nly beams inflam'd thy foul, And love's feraphic art, With hallelujahs did extol Thy Husband in thy heart. Couldft then have wifh'd all Adam's race Art thou disjoin'd from other lords? An't thou enlighten'd now to fee Doft fee thy beft performances And hence art led, renouncing thefe, Canft thou thy most exalted frame Canft pray with utmost holy † pith, Thy Husband's precious blood? SECT. II. Believers defcribed from their Faith acting by divine aid, and fleeing quite out of themfelves to Chrift. CAN nothing lefs thy confcience eafe, Thy Husband's righteousness? Doft fee thy works fo ftain'd with fin, To feek acceptance only in Thy Husband, the belov’d. Doft thou remind, that once a day * Ifa. lxiv. 6. † Vigour or ftrength. Or doft thou mind the day of power, And gain'd thy heart? O happy hour He did thy enmity fubdue, Thy bondage fad recal, Made thee to choofe, and clofe pursue What reft, and peace, and joy enfu'd Thy heart, with flowers of pleasure strew'd, Doft know thou ne'er couldst him embrace, Till he embraced thee? Nor ever see him, till his face Thy Husband open'd free? And findeft to this very hour, That this is ftill the charm'; Thou canst do nothing, till with power Canft thou do nought by nature, art, Until thy wicked froward heart But art thou, though without a wing Of power aloft to flee, Yet able to do every thing, Thy Husband ftrength'ning thee? Doft not alone at duties fork,* No common natural faith can fhew Doft thou by faith on him rely? Faith, like a gazing eye ne'er waits. It humbly ftill itself denies, Nor brags its acts at all; No strength but his it has, and vaunts, Faith, of its own, no might can fhew, But will, for all it has to do, Self-faviours none could ever be The feemingly devouteft deed, |