XXIII. ME ETHOUGHT I saw my late espoused Saint Brought to me like Alcestis from the grave, Whom Joves great Son to her glad Husband gave, Rescu'd from death by force though pale and faint. Mine as whom washt from spot of child-bed taint, Purification in the old Law did save, Full fight of her in Heaven without restraint, Came vested all in white, pure as her mind : Her face was vaild, 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 she enclin'd Psalms. PSAL. I. Done into Verse, 1653. B LESS'D is the man who hath not walk'd astray In counsel of the wicked, and ith’ way Of sinners hath not stood, and in the seat Of scorners hath not fate. But in the great Jehovahs Law is ever his delight, And in his Law he studies day and night. He shall be as a tree which planted grows By watry streams, and in his season knows To yield his fruit, and his leaf shall not fall, And what he takes in hand shall prosper all. Not so the wicked, but as chaff which fann'd The wind drives, so the wicked shall not stand In judgment, or abide their tryal then, Nor sinners in th’assembly of just men. For the Lord knows th’upright way of the just, And the way of bad men to ruine must. IO PSAL. II. Done Aug. 8. 1653. Terzetti. 10 HY do the Gentiles tumult, and the Nations [earth upstand Muse a vain thing, the Kings of th’ With power, and Princes in their Congrega tions Lay deep their plots together through each Land, Against the Lord and his Messiah dear. Let us break off, say they, by strength of hand Their bonds, and cast from us, no more to wear, Their twisted cords : he who in Heaven 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 hee Anointed have my King (though ye rebell) On Sion my holi' hill. A firm decree I will declare; the Lord to me hath say'd Thou art my Son I have begotten thee This day; ask of me, and the grant is made ; As thy poffeffion I on thee bestow Th’Heathen, and as thy conquest to be sway'd Earths utmost bounds: them shalt thou bring full low With Iron Scepter bruis’d, and them disperse Like to a potters vessel Thiver'd so. Be taught ye Judges of the earth; with fear 21 With trembling; kiss the Son least he appear In anger and ye perish in the way If once his wrath take fire like fuel fere. Happy all those who have in him their stay. PSAL. III. Aug. 9. 1653. When he fled from Absalom. those Thee through my story Aloud I cry'd For my sustain The populous rout Hast smote ere now Of men abhor'd 20 PSAL. IV. Aug. 10. 1653. IO NSWER me when I call God of my righteousness In straights and in distress Now pity me, and hear my earnest prai'r. Things false and vain and nothing else but lies? Will hear my voyce what time to him I crie. Of righteousness and in Jehovah trust. 20 |