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For other things mild Heav'n a time ordains, And dilapproves that care, though wife in show: That with fuperfluous burden loads the day,

And when God fends a cheerful hour refrains.

C

XXII. TO THE SAME.

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tho' clear,

NYRIAC, this three years day thefe eyes,
To outward view, of blemish or of spot,
Bereft of light, their feeing have forgot,
Nor to their idle orbs doth fight appear
Of fun, or moon, or star throughout the year,
Or man, or woman. Yet I argue not'
Against Heav'n's hand or will, nor bate a jot
Of heart or hope; but ftill bear up and steer

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Right onward. What fupports me ? dost thou ask ; The confcience, friend, to have loft them over-ply'd In Liberty's defence, my noble task,

Of which all Europe talks from fide to fide.

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This thought might lead me thro' the world's vain mafk Content, though blind, had I no better guide.

XXIII. ON HIS DECEASED WIFE.

METHOUGHT I faw my late efpoufed faint

Brought to me like Alceftis from the grave,
Whom Jove's great fon to her glad hufband gave,
Refcu'd from death by force, though pale and faint.
Mine, as whom wafh'd from spot of child bed taint
Purification in the old law did fave,

And fuch, as yet once more I trust to have
Full fight of her in Heav'n without restraint,
Came vested all in white, pure as her mind:
Her face was veil'd, yet to my fancied fight
Love, sweetness, goodness, in her perfon fhin'd
So clear, as in no face with more delight.

But O as to embrace me she inclin'd,

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I wak'd, she fled, and day brought back my night. 14

PSALM 1. Done into verfe, 1653.

LESS'D is the man who hath not walk'd aftray

BLESS'D man hath not d

of finners hath not stood, and in the feat
Of fcorners hath not fat. But in the great
Jehovah's law is ever his delight,
And in his law he ftudies day and night.
He shall be as a tree which planted grows
By watry ftreams, and in the season knows
To yield his fruit, and his leaf fhall not fall,
And what he takes in hand shall profper all.
Not fo the wicked, but as chaff which fann'd
The wind drives, fo the wicked shall not stand
In judgment, or abide their trial then,
Nor finners in the affembly of just men.
For the Lord knows the upright way of the just,
And the way of bad men to ruin muft.

PSALM II. Done Aug. 8, 1653. Terzette.

WHY

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WHY do the Gentiles tumult, and the nations
Mufe a vain thing, the kings of th' earth upstand
With power, and princes in their congregations
Lay deep their plots together through each land
Against the Lord and his Meffiah dear?

Let us break off, they say, by strength of hand
Their bonds, and caft from us, no more to wear,
Their twisted cords: he who in Heav'n doth dwell
Shall laugh, the Lord fhall fcoff them, then severe
Speak to them in his wrath, and in his fell
And fierce ire trouble them; but I, faith he,
Anointed have my king (though ye rebel)
On Sion my holy hill. A firm decree

I will declare; the Lord to me hath faid,
Thou art my fon, I have begotten thee

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This day; ask of me, and the grant is made;

As thy poffeffion I on thee bettow

Th' Heathen, and as thy conquest to be sway'd Earth's utmost bounds: them fhalt thou bring full low, With iron scepter bruis'd, and them disperie

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Like to a potter's vessel shiver'd fo.

And now be wife at length ye kings averfe, Be taught ye judges of the earth; with fear

Jehovah ferve, and let your joy converse With trembling, kifs the Son left he appear In anger, and ye perish in the way,

If once his wrath take fire like fuel fere.

Happy all thofe who have in him their stay.

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PSALM III. Aug. 9, 1653. When he fled from Abfalım.

LORD how many are thy foes?

How many

That in arms against me rife!

Many are they

That of my life diftruftfully thus fay,

No help for hiin in God there lies.

But thou, Lord, art my shield, my glory,
Thee through my story

Th' exalter of my head I count;

Aloud I cry'd

Unto Jehovah, he full foon reply'd
And heard me from his holy mount.

I lay and flept, I wak'd again,
For my fuftain

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Was the Lord. Of many millions
The populous rout

I fear not, though incamping round about
They pitch against me their pavilions.
Rife, Lord, fave me my God, for thou
Haft fmote ere now

On the cheek-bone all my foes,

Of men abhorr'd

Haft broke the teeth. This help was from the Lord;

Thy bleffing on thy people flows.

PSALM IV. Aug. 10, 1653.

ANSWER me when I call,

God of my righteousness,

In ftraits and in diftrefs Thou didst me difinthral

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And fet at large; now fpare,
Now pity me, and hear my earnest
Great ones, how long will ye
My glory have in fcorn,

How long be thus forborn

Still to love vanity,

To love, to feek, to prize,

prayer.

Things falfe and vain, and nothing else but lies?

Yet know the Lord hath chofe,

Chofe to himself apart,

The good and meek of heart

(For whom to chose he knows)

Jehovah from on high

Will hear my voice what time to him I cry.

Be aw'd, and do not fin,

Speak to your hearts alone,

JO

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Upon your beds, each one,

And be at peace within.

Offer the offerings just

Of righteoufnefs, and in Jehovah trust,

Many there be that say

Who yet will shew us good?

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Talking like this world's brood;

But, Lord, thus let me pray,

On us lift up the light,

Lift up

the favour of thy count'nancè bright,

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Into my heart more joy

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As in a rocky cell

Thou, Lord, alone in fafety mak'st me dwell.

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PSALM V. Aug. 12. 1653.

EHOVAH to my words give ear,

J My meditation Weigh,

The voice of my complaining hear,

My King and God; for unto thee I pray.

Jehovah thou my early voice

Shalt in the morning hear,

I' th' morning I to thee with choice

Will rank my pray'rs, and watch till thou appear.

For thou art not a God that takes

In wickedness delight,

Evil with thee no biding makes,

Fools or mad men stand not within thy fight.

All workers of iniquity

Thou hat'ft; and them unbleit

Thou wilt destroy that speak a lie;

The bloody' and guileful man God doth deteft.

But I will in thy mercies dear

Thy numerous mercies go

Into thy houfe; I in thy fear

Will tow'rds thy holy temple worship low.

Lord lead me in thy righteousness,

Lead me because of thofe

That do obferve if I tranfgrefs,

Set thy ways right before, where my step goes.

For in his falt'ring mouth, unstable,

No word is firm or footh;

Their infide, troubles miferable;

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An open grave their throat, their tongue they imooth.

God, find them guilty, let them fall

By their own counfels quell'd;

Pufh them in their rebellions all

Still on; for against thee they have rebell'd.

Then all who trust in thee fhall bring

Their joy, while thou from blame

Defend't them, they fhall ever fing

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And fhall triumph in thee, who love thy name.

For thou Jehovah wilt be found

To bleis the juft man still,

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