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dent, my soul. Hast thou a fair summer?-provide for a hard winter. The world's river ebbs alone; it flows not. He that goes merrily with the stream, must bale up. Flatter thyself therefore no longer in thy prosperous sin, O my deluded soul! but be truly sensible of thy own presumption. Look seriously into thy approaching danger, and humble thyself with true contrition. If thou procure sour herbs, God will provide his passover.

His Prayer.

How weak is man, O God, when thou forsakest him! How foolish are his counsels, when he plots without thee! How wild his progress, when he wanders from thee! How miserable till he return unto thee! How his wit fails! How his wisdom falters! How his wealth melts! How his providence is

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befooled! and how his soul beslaved! Thou strikest off the chariot-wheels of his inventions, and he is perplexed. Thou confoundest the Babel of his ima-\ ginations, and he is troubled. Thou crossest his designs that he may fear thee, and thou stoppest him in his ways that he may know thee. How merciful art thou, O God! and in thy very judgments, Lord, how gracious! Thou mightest have struck me into the lowest pit as easily as on these bended knees, and yet been justified in my confusion. But thou hast threatened like a gentle father, as loath to punish thy ungracious child. Thou knowest the crooked thoughts of man are vain, still turning point to their contriver's ruin. Thou sawest me wandering in the maze of death, whilst I with violence pursued my own destruction. But thou hast warned me by thy sacred word, and took me off, that I might live to praise

thee. Thou art my confidence, O God. Thou art the rock, the rock of my salvation. Thy word shall be my guide, for all thy paths are mercy and truth. Lord, when I look upon my former worldliness, I utterly abhor my conversation. Strengthen me with thy assistance, that I may lead a new life. Make me more and more sensible of my own condition, and perfect thou the good work thou hast begun in me. In all my designs be thou my Counsellor, that I may prosper in my undertakings. In all my actions be thou my Guide, that 1 may keep the path of thy commandLet all my own devices, come to nought, lest I presume upon the arm of flesh. Let not my wealth increase without thy blessing, lest I be fatted up 'against the day of slaughter. Have thou a hand in all my just employments, then prosper thou the work of my hands; oh, prosper thou my handywork! That little

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I enjoy, confirm it to me, and make it mine-who have no interest in it, till thou own me as thy child. Then shall my soul rejoice in thy favours, and magnify thy name for all thy mercies. Then shall my lips proclaim thy loving kindness, and sing thy praises for ever and for

ever.

THE LASCIVIOUS MAN.

His Heaven.

CAN flesh and blood be so unnatural to forget the laws of nature? Can blowing youth immure itself within the icy walls of vestal chastity? Can lusty diet, and mollitious rest, bring forth no other fruits but faint desires, rigid thoughts, and phlegmatic conceits? Should we be

stocks and stones, and (having active souls) turn altogether passives? Must we turn anchorites, and spend our days in caves and hermitages, and smother up our precious hours in cloistered folly and recluse devotion? Can rosy cheeks, can ruby lips, can snowy breasts and sparkling eyes, present their beauties and perfections to the sprightly view of young mortality, and must we stand like statues, without sense or motion? Can strict Religion impose such cruel tasks, and even impossible commands, upon the raging thoughts of her unhappy votaries, as to withstand and contradict the instinct and very principles of nature? Can fair-pretending Piety be so barbarous to condemn us to the flames of our affections, and make us martyrs to our own desires? Is't not enough to conquer the rebellious actions of imperious Flesh, but must we manacle her hands, darken her eyes-nay, worse, re

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