Toward folid good what leads the nearest way; For other things mild Heav'n a time ordains, And disapproves that care, though wise in show, That with fuperfluous burden loads the day, And when God fends a chearful hour, refrains. XXII. To the fame. Cyriac, this three years day these eyes, though clear. Bereft of light their feeing have forgot, 5 Against Heav'n's hand or will, nor bate a jot Of heart or hope; but ftill bear up and steer Right onward. What fupports me, doft thou ask? The confcience, Friend, to' have loft them overIn liberty's defence, my noble task, ply'd Of which all Europe talks from side to side. (mask This thought might lead me thro' the world's vain Content though blind, had I no better guide. XXIII. On his deceased WIFE. Methought I faw my late espoused saint Brought to me like Alceftis from the grave, Whom Jove's great fon to her glad husband gave, Rescued from death by force, tho' pale and faint. Mine, as whom wash'd from spot of child-bed taint 5 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: 10 Her face was veil'd, yet to my fancied fight Love, sweetness, goodness, in her person shin'd So clear, as in no face with more delight. But O as to embrace me fhe inclin'd, I wak'd, she fled, and day brought back my night. B PSALM S. PSAL. I. Done into verfe, 1653. Lefs'd is the man who hath not walk'd aftray Of finners hath not stood, and in the seat But in the great Jehovah's law is ever his delight, 5 ΙΟ Nor Nor finners in the assembly of just men. PSAL. II. done Aug. 8. 1653. Terzette. W HY do the Gentiles tumult, and the nations Muse a vain thing, the kings of th'earth upWith pow'r,and princes in their congregations (stand Lay deep their plots together through each land Against the Lord and his Meffiah dear? 5 Let us break off, say they, 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 shall scoff them, then severe Speak to them in his wrath, and in his fell And fierce ire trouble them; but I, faith he, On Sion, my holy' hill. A firm decree I will declare; the Lord to me hath faid, Thou art my Son, I have begotten thee This day; afk of me, and the grant is made; As thy poffeffion I on thee bestow 15 Th' Heathen, and as thy conquest to be sway'd Earth's utmost bounds: them shalt thou bring full low With iron scepter bruis'd, and them disperse 20 Like to a potter's vessel shiver'd fo. And now be wife at length ye Kings averse, Be taught ye Judges of the earth; with fear Jehovah ferve, and let your joy converse With trembling; kifs the Son left he appear ye perish in the way, In anger and If once his wrath take fire like fuel fere. Happy all those who have him in their stay. 25 PSAL. III. Aug. 9. 1653. When he fled from That of my life diftruftfully thus fay, Th' exalter of my head I count; Aloud I cry'd Unto Jehovah, he full foon reply'd Was the Lord. Of many millions The populous rout I fear not, though incamping round about 5 10 15 20 On 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. A PSA L. IV. Aug. 10. 1653. NSWER me when I call, God of my righteousness, In ftraits and in diftrefs Thou didft me difinthrall And fet at large; now fpare, Now pity me, and hear my earnest pray'r. Great ones how long will My glory have in scorn, How long be thus forborn Still to love vanity, To love, to feek, to prize ye 5 ΙΟ Things falfe and vain, and nothing else but lies? Yet know the Lord hath chofe, Chose to himself apart, The good and meek of heart (For whom to choose he knows) Jehovah from on high Will hear my voice what time to him I cry. Be aw'd, and do not fin, 15 20 Nn 2 Offer |