Who rules for God, and pleasing to him, must
Be good examples, prudent, humble, just;
Still in his counsel act and persevere,

Shun avarice, and live in holy fear.

Of good and bad, let each their portion share,
Nor vex the righteous, nor the wicked spare.
To evil-doers, punishment and terror,
Impartial judgment, and unstain'd with error:
But for well-doing, praise and due protection,
As actuated by Divine direction.

For wisdom's fountain still is open'd wide,
To those who ask it,-Heaven is on their side;
And such as seek it with a single eye,
God will with holy wisdom dignify;

Wherein as princes under him they'll stand,
To move the sceptre with an equal hand;
And in their stations bear a noble sway,
To stop or turn discordant streams away.
Such in their country stand as pillars sure,
As upright stakes, and able to endure,
In christian meekness, perils great and hard,
And for each trying season are prepar'd.
While those who rule with temporizing views,
Still err in judgment, and the laws abuse;
Perplex themselves and others lead astray,
By carnal wisdom, from the perfect way.
If, in their dark conceptions, they've withstood
Their own, the church's, and the country's good;
And in their vain imaginations strong,

Oppos'd the righteous cause, and join'd the wrong;
Inverted heaven's laws, and wink'd at guilt,
Conniv'd at some who harmless blood have spilt;
Distressing others, when perhaps their cause
Had high acceptance and deserv'd applause:

These may, when death approaches as a thief,
Have cause to wail in misery and grief;

And learn too late, with horrors compass'd round,
Their wisdom's folly and their strength unsound.
From heavenly Wisdom, earthly is as far

As from the centre to the utmost star.
The ways of God unknown by carnal man,
Were never yet conceiv'd, nor never can.
To judge, to counsel, or with censure bind,
None can with safety, and with peace of mind,
But he who in an humble suit attends

To that which never in confusion ends.
That precious Gift, descending from above,
Have all who ask aright; the gift of love,
Which by the Lord is mercifully given,
Dictating peace on earth, and leads to peace in heaven.

From heaven, the angels joyful tidings bring, "Glory to God; good-will to men," they sing. With eager haste, the shepherds, when they heard, Ran to the place where the great prince appear’d: To whom, when found, they grateful homage pay, As the sweet babe within the manger lay. Altho' his low and plain appearance, then, Was scorn'd and slighted by the learned men; His glorious kingdom must exalted be, In all the earth, and spread from sea to sea: In every country, and thro' ev'ry clime, Increase and flourish to the end of time: A peaceful reign that will not suffer wars, But finish strife and put an end to jars. So prophesy'd to be in latter days, And is begun, to his eternal praise;

Above all standards then, let his high standard raise.

What humble dread and fear, what caution then, What prudence should direct all ruling men! What christian meekness should their minds possess, And show in practice what their words express; Have Truth, the best of teachers, on their side, And take its leadings for their surest guide: Which to observe alone, makes truly wise; Whilst those who slight it under darkness lies. Ye men of parts and learning, next, how are Your gifts improv'd with humble, godly care? Or have you studied rather self to please, And hid your talents in this day of ease? If in a napkin wrapt, and useless laid, And for the end design'd, no profit made, The gracious Giver will in justice sue, In an awak'ning hour for what is due; Or give the awful sentence: "Hence depart, Ye sinful workers; ye unclean of heart; In utter darkness, bound both hand and foot, Your portion justly doom'd-I know you not." Tho' our pretensions to religion run, High as the light of the exalted Son;

If in improvement of our gifts we fail

And live in sinful sloth, 'twill nought avail:
Tho' in the merits of Christ Jesus sought,

With cries, Lord, Lord! it still amounts to nought:
While men refuse to be directed right,

And treat the gracious Spirit with despite.
Will sitting still in Sion and at ease,
Procure your safety, or your Maker please?
Will trusting in Samaria's mountain, show
The way to overcome and chase the foe?
(Tho' call'd the chief, to whom the people came,
And dignify'd with an exalted name.)

Nay: but above your heads the threat'ned woe
Impendent hangs to work your overthrow.
See, if your ways with heaven's will accords,
For conduct preaches louder far than words.
The first great lesson to be learned here,
Is self-denial, and the cross to bear.
When God's pure wisdom fructifies the mind,
Man's wisdom flies like chaff before the wind.
And here, methinks, might be an useful note,
To such as preach and pray as t'were by rote:
That neither strength of parts, nor learning can
The sacred myst'ries of the gospel scan.
Think, timely think! ere yet it be too late,
Of the deception and your fallen state,

Who scarce believe, and therefore do not seek
The Spirit's aid to pray, or what to speak;
Nor for the holy unction humbly wait,
To know their own, or the assembly's state;
But boldly rush with unprepared hearts,
And at a random throw their forked darts.

Far otherwise with those who wait to know
Whence intercessions and thanksgivings flow:
Whence cautions rise, or comfort to the saints,
Ease in afflictions,-pity in complaints.
These, by the Comforter alone are given,
Which Christ, ere his departure hence to heaven,
Did promise should his followers attend;
Nor will it fail till latest time shall end,-
One with himself, and with the Father, one,
Ends not with time, as not with time begun.
That revelation now is ceas'd, some give
This only reason, That they cant believe
That it continues.-Therefore, so the shade
Is set before the Light by which 'tis made.

They think the scriptures may alone suffice,
To furnish all their stores with fresh supplies;
So make the thing that's made, above the Maker rise.
From this mistake, some christians are reliev'd,
And in their blest experience, have receiv'd,
Thro' faith, renew'd supplies of strength therein,
To crucify the flesh and conquer sin.

These, with regard and tenderness of mind,
Compassion feel for such as stay behind;
Desiring they may see how far they've trod
As good examples in the ways of God;
And as the faithful messengers of old,

Who neither ran for hire, nor preach'd for gold;
As freely they receiv'd, they freely gave,
Sought not t'enrich themselves, but souls to save.
An honest, quiet search may be of use,
To help the wise, and lasting good produce.
And sure the most advanc'd, experienc'd, best,
Can't be too cautious of fallacious rest:
Nor can it hurt at all to bear in mind,
That such as run unsent and unrequir'd,
For filthy lucre, and for selfish ends,
The controversy of Heaven still attends.
But when the trumpet shall at last be blown,
And all of Babel's buildings tumbled down,
With every structure rais'd upon the sand,
And indignation pour'd upon the land;
Then will the situation dreadful be,

Of those who close their eyes, and will not see;
Who blindly err, and into error lead
The poor deluded flock, but never feed;
Cause them to wander from the just man's path,
And set up forms, instead of living faith;
Who eat the fat, and clothe them with the fleece,
And wipe their mouths and say, Aha! 'tis peace.