Chapter 9
Section 9 of Gospel Sonnets. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information, or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Gospel Sonnets by Ralph Erskine. Part 2. The Believer's Jointure.
Containing marks and characters of believers in Christ, together with some farther privileges and grounds of comfort to the saints. Section 1. Doubting believers called to examine, by marks drawn from their love to him and his presence, their view of his glory, and their being emptied of self-righteousness, etc.
Good news! But, says the drooping bride, Ah, what's all this to me? Thou doubtst thy right when shadows hide thy husband's face from thee. Through sin and guilt thy spirit faints, and trembling fears thy fate.
But harbor not thy groundless plaints Thy husband's advent wait Thou sob'st, oh, were I sure he's mine This would give gladdening ease And say'st, thou wants and woes combine
Thy husband would thee please But up and down and seldom clear Enclosed with hellish roots Yet yield thou not, nor foster fear Thy husband hates thy doubts
Thy cries and tears may slighted seem And barred from present ease Yet blame thyself, but never dream thy husband's ill to please. Thy jealous, unbelieving heart still droops and knows not why. Then prove thyself to ease thy smart, thy husband bids thee try.
The following questions put to thee as scripture marks. May tell and shew whatever thy failings be, thy husband loves thee well. Marks. Art thou content when he's away? Can earth allay thy pants?
If conscience witness, won't it say thy husband's all thou wants? When he is near, though in a cross, and thee with comfort feeds, Do thou not count the earth as dross, thy husband all thou needs? In duties art thou pleased or pained, when far he's out of view? And finding him, think'st all regained, thy husband's always new.
Though once thou thought'st, while Sinai mist and darkness compassed thee, Thou wast undone, and glorious Christ thy husband ne'er would be, yet know'st thou not a fairer place of which it may be told, that there the glory of his grace thy husband did unfold? Where heavenly beams inflamed thy soul, and love's seraphic art with hallelujahs did extol thy husband in thy heart, couldst then have wished all Adam's race had joined with thee to gaze,
that, viewing fond his lovely face, thy husband might get praise? Art thou disjoined from other lords, divorced from federal laws, while with most loving gospel chords thy husband kindly draws? Ant thou enlightened now, to see thy righteousness is not but rags that cannot cover thee? Thy husband so has taught.
Dost see thy best performances deserve but hell indeed, and hence are led, renouncing these, thy husband's blood to plead? When strengthened boldly to address that gracious throne of his, dost find thy strength and righteousness, thy husband only is? Canst thou thy most exalted frame renounce as withering grass,
and firmly hold thine only claim, thy husband's worthiness? Canst pray with utmost holy pith, and yet renounce thy good? and wash not with thy tears but with thy husband's precious blood. Section 2. Believers described from their faith acting by divine aid, fleeing quite out of themselves to Christ.
Can nothing less thy conscience ease and please thy heart, no less than that which justice satisfies thy husband's righteousness? Dost see thy works so stained with sin, that thou through sin art moved to seek acceptance only in thy husband, the beloved? Dost thou remind that once a day free grace did strengthen thee,
to gift thy guilty soul away, thy husband's bride to be? Or dost thou mind the day of power, wherein he broke thy pride and gained thy heart? O happy hour, thy husband caught the bride. He did thy enmity subdue, thy bondage sad recall, made thee to choose and close pursue thy husband as thy all.
What rest and peace and joy ensued upon this noble choice, Thy heart with flowers of pleasure strewed, thy husband made rejoice? Dost know thou ne'er couldst him embrace till he embraced thee, Nor ever see him till his face thy husband opened free? And findest to this very hour that this is still the charm,
Thou canst do nothing till with power thy husband shew his arm? Canst thou do not by nature art or any strength of thine, Until thy wicked forward heart thy husband shall incline? But art thou, though without a wing of power loft to flee, Yet able to do everything thy husband strengthening thee?
Dost not alone at duty's fork, but foreign aid and joy, And still in every piece of work thy husband's strength and ploy? Thy motion heavenly is indeed, whilst thou by faith dost move, And still in every time of need Thy husband's grace improve
No common natural faith can shew Its divine brood like this Whose object, author, feeder to Thy husband only is Dost thou by faith on him rely
On him, not on thy faith If faith shall with its object vie Thy husband set beneath Their hands receiving faculty Poor beggars never view
But hold the royal gift in I thy husband so wilt thou. Faith, like a gazing eye, ne'er waits to boast its seeing powers. Its object views, itself forgets, thy husband it adores. It humbly still itself denies, nor brags its acts at all. Deep plunged into its object lies, thy husband is its all. No strength but his it has, and vaunts, no store but his can show. Hence nothing has,
yet nothing wants, thy husband trains it so. Faith of its own no might can shew, else would itself destroy, but will, for all it has to do, thy husband still employ. Self-saviors none could ever be by faith or grace of theirs, their fruitless toil so high that flee thy husband's praise impairs. The seemingly devoutest deed that would with shameless brow his saving trade take over his head, thy husband won't allow. Dost therefore thou to him alone
commit thy sinful soul, knowing of thy salvation, thy husband is the whole? Section 3. Believers characterized by the objects in purity of their desire, delight, joy, hatred, and love, discovering they have the Spirit of Christ. Dost thou his spirit's conduct wait, and, when compared to this,
all worldly wisdom underrate, thy husband waits to bless. Takest thou his spirit for thy guide through Bacca's valley dry, whose streams of influences
glide thy husband's garden by? In digging wells here by his power dost find it not in vain, while here a drop and there a shower thy husband makes to rain?
Hence dost thou through each weary case from strength to strength go on, from faith to faith, while grace for grace thy husband gives anon, the good, the gracious work begun, and furthered by his strength shall prosperous thou with wrestling, when thy husband's crown at length. Sin's power and presence canst thou own is thy most grievous smart, that makes thee sob and weep alone, thy husband knows thy heart.
Does love to him make thee distaste thy lusts with all their charms, And most them loath'st when most thou hast thy husband in thine arms? Are cords of love the sweetest ties to bind thee duty ways, And best thou surf'st when most thou spies thy husband's beauteous rays? Didst ever thou thy pardon read in tears of untold joy,
When mercy made thy heart to bleed thy husband was not coy? Do pardons sweetly melt thy heart, and most embitter sin, and make thee long withdraws to part, thy husband's throne to win? When he arises lusts to kill, corruptions to destroy, does gladness then thy spirit fill? Thy husband is thy joy. Dost thou this person fair embrace beyond his blessings all? Sure, then, thou boldly mayst through grace thy husband Jesus call. What company dost thou prefer? What friends above the rest? Of all relations everywhere,
thy husband is the best. Whom in the earth and heaven dost thou most ardently desire? Is love's ascending spark unto thy husband set on fire? Hast thou a hatred to his foes, and dost their course decline? Loft thou his saints, and darest suppose thy husband's friends are thine? Dost thou their talk and walk esteem when most divinely grave, and favored best when most they seem thy husband's spirit to have? Section 4. Believers in Christ affect his counsel,
word, ordinances, appearance, full enjoyment in heaven, and sweet presence here. Where goest thou first when in a strait, or when with grief oppressed? Fleeced thou to him? O happy gate, thy husband is thy rest. His counsel seekest thou, still prepared, nor canst without him live? Wisdom to guide and strength to guard, thy husband hath to give. Canst thou produce no pleasant pawn or token of his love? Won't signets, bracelets from his hand thy husband's kindness prove?
Mightst when he sent his healing word, which darted from on high, did light and life and joy afford? thy husband then was nigh. Canst thou the promise sweet forget he dropped into thy heart? Such gladdening power and love with it thy husband did impart. Dost thou affect his dwelling place and make'st it thy repair? Because thine eyes have seen through grace thy husband's glory there. Dost love his great appearing day and thereon muse with joy, when dusky shades will fly away,
Thy husband's death destroy? Dost long to see his glorious face Within the higher orb? Where humid sorrows losing place Thy husband's rays absorb?
Longst to be free of every fault, To bid all sin adieu, And mount the hill where glad Thou shalt thy husband's glory view? Life where it lives, love where it loves,
Will most desire to be. Such sick-like longing plainly proves Thy husband's love to thee. What is the best can ease thy plate, spread mourning o'er thine even? Is his approach thy heart's content, thy husband's presence heaven?
And when denied this sweet relief, canst thou assert full well? His hiding is thy greatest grief, thy husband's absence hell. Let thy experience be disclosed, and conscience answer, yea, to all the queries here proposed, thy husband's thine for a. Pertain these characters to thee?
Then soul, begin and praise his glorious worthy name, For he thy husband is always. Section 5 The true believer's humility, dependence, zeal, growth, Admiration of free grace, and knowledge of Christ's voice.
Perhaps a saint may sigh and say, I fear I'm yet to learn these marks of marriage love. Yet stay, thy husband's bowels yearn. Through darkness may the light obscure, and storm surmount thy calms. Day yield to night, and thou be poor, thy husband yet has alms.
Dost see thyself an empty brat, a poor unworthy thing, with heart upon the dust laid flat, thy husband there doth reign. Art in thine own esteem a beast, and dost thyself abhor? The more thou hast of self-distaste, thy husband loves thee more. Can hell breed no such wicked elf as thou in thine own sight?
Thou'st got to see thy filthy self, thy husband's purest light. Canst find no name so black, so vile, with which thou wouldst compare, but call'st thyself a lump of hell? Thy husband calls thee fair. When his kind visits make thee see, he's precious.
Thou art vile. Then mark the hand of God with thee. Thy husband gives a smile. He knows what visits suit thy state, and, though most rare they be, it sets thee well on him to wait. Thy husband waits on thee. Dost see thou art both poor and weak, and he both full and strong?
Oh, don't his kind delays mistake! Thy husband comes ere long. Though, during Sinai's stormy days thou dreadst the dismal blast, and fierce thou art cast away, thy husband comes at last. The glorious sun will rise apace and spread his healing wings. In sparkling pomp of sovereign grace, thy husband gladness brings. Canst thou, whate'er should come of thee, yet wish his Zion well and joy in her prosperity?
Thy husband loves thy zeal. Dost thou admire his love to some, though thou shouldst never share? Mercy to thee will also come, thy husband hath to spare. Poor soul, dost grieve for want of grace, and weep for want of love, and Jesus seek'st? O hopeful case, thy husband lives above. Regretting much thy falling short, dost aftermore aspire?
There's hope in Israel for thy sort, thy husband's thy desire. Art thou well pleased that sovereign grace through Christ exalted be? This frame denotes no hopeless case, thy husband's pleased with thee. Cuts love to be the footstool low On which his throne might rise Its pompous grace around to show
Thy husband does thee prize If but a glance of his fair face Can cheer thee more than wine Thou in his loving heart hast place Thy husband place in thine
Dost make his blood thy daily bath His word and oath thy stay His law of love thy lights and path Thy husband is thy way All things within earth's spacious womb
Dost count but loss and dung For one sweet word in season From thy husband's learned tongue Skill to discern and know his voice From words of wit and art
Will clearly prove thou art his choice Thy husband thine in heart The pompous words that fops admire May vagrant fancy feast But with seraphic harmless fire
Thy husband's burned breast Section 6 Dost then his trying word await, his searching doctrine love? Fond, lest thou err through self-deceit thy husband would thee prove? Does oft thy mind with inward smart bewail thy unbelief? And conscience sue from plagues of heart thy husband for relief? Why doubtst
his love? And yet behold, with him thou wouldst not part, for thousand thousand earths of gold, thy husband has thy heart. Though darkness, deadness, unbelief, may all thy soul attend, light, life, and faith's mature relief, thy husband has to send. Of wants annoying, who complain? Supply arises hence, what gifts he has received for men, thy husband will dispense. He got them in's exalted state for rebels such as thou. All then that's needful, good or great, thy husband
will allow. Thy wants he sees, thy cries he hears, and marking all thy moans, he in his bottle keeps thy tears, thy husband notes thy groans. All thine infirmities him touch, they strike his feeling heart. His kindly sympathy is such, thy husband finds the smart. Whatever touches thee affects the apple of his eye. Whatever harms he therefore checks, thy husband's aid is nigh. If foes are spared, thy need is such, he slays them but in part. He can do all and will do much. Thy husband
acts by art. He often for the saddest hour reserves the sweetest aid. See how such banners heretofore thy husband has display. Mind where he vouched his goodwill, sometimes at Herman Mount, In Jordan land, at Miser Hill, thy husband keeps the count. At sundry times and diverse ways, to suit thy various frames, Hast seen like rising golden rays, thy husband's various names.
When guilty conscience ghastly stared, Jehovah Tzidkenu, The Lord thy righteousness appeared, thy husband in thy view. When in thy straits or wants extreme, help failed on every side, Jehovah Jireh was his name, thy husband did provide. When thy long-absent Lord did moan, and to his courts repair, then was Jehovah Shammah known, thy husband present there.
When thy assaulting foes appeared in robes of terror clad, Jehovah Nissi then was reared, thy husband's banner spread. When furies armed with frightening guilt, done war without surcease, Jehovah Shalman then was built, thy husband sent thee peace. When thy diseases death proclaimed, and creature balsams failed, Jehovah Ropi then was famed, thy husband kindly healed. Thus, as thy various needs require, in various modes like these,
they help that suits thy heart's desire thy husband's name conveys. To the little flock, as cases vary, the great Jehovah shews himself a little sanctuary, thy husband gives the views. Section 7. The believer's experience of Christ's comfortable presence, or of former comforts, to be improved for his encouragement and support under darkness and hidings. Dost mine the place, the spot of land where Jesus did thee meet, and how he got thy heart and hand,
thy husband then was sweet. Dost mine the garden, chamber bank, a veil of vision seemed? Thy joy was full, thy heart was frank, thy husband much esteemed. Let thy experience sweet declare, if able to remind, a butchim here, a bethel there, thy husband made thee find. Was such a corner, such a place, a paradise to thee? A peniel, where face to face thy husband fair didst see. There he did clear thy cloudy cause, thy doubts and fears destroy, and on thy spirit sealed he was, thy husband with great joy.
Couldst thou have said it boldly then, and sealed it with thy blood? Yea, welcome death with pleasure, when thy husband by thee stood. That earth again should thee ensnare, O how thy heart was pained! For all its fading glory there, thy husband's beauty stained. The thoughts of living more in sin were then like hell to thee.
The life of heaven did thus begin, thy husband set thee free. Whate'er thou foundst him at thy best, he's at thy worst the same, and in his love will ever rest, thy husband holds his claim. Let faith these visits keep in store, though sense the pleasure miss, the God of Bethel, as before, thy husband always is.
In measuring his approaches kind, and timing his descents, In free and sovereign ways thou'd find thy husband thee prevents. Prescribe not to him in thy heart, he's infinitely wise. How he throws his loving dart, thy husband does surprise. Perhaps a sudden gale thee blessed, while walking on thy road,
Or on a journey, ere thou wast, thy husband looked thee broad. Thus was the eunuch famed, his stage a-riding on the way, As he resolved the sacred page, Thy husband's happy prey. In hearing, reading, singing, prayer,
When darkness come past thee, Thou founced, or ere thou wast aware, Thy husband's lightning free. Of heavenly gales don't meanly think, For though thy soul complains,
They're but a short and passing blink, Thy husband's love remains. Think not, though breezes haste away, Thou dost his favor lose, But learn to know his sovereign way,
thy husband comes and goes. Don't say he's gone forever, though his visits he adjorn, for yet a little while, and lo, thy husband will return. In worship, social, or retired, dost thou his absence wail? Wait at his shore, and be not feared, thy husband's ships assail. Yea, though in duty's sense may miss thy soul's beloved one, yet do not faint, for never is thy husband wholly gone. Though Satan, sin, earth, hell at once, would thee of
joy bereave? Mind what he said, he won't renounce. Thy husband will not leave. Though foes assail and friendship fail, thou hast a friend at court. The gates of hell shall ne'er prevail. Thy husband is thy fork. Section 8. Comfort to believers from the stability of the promise, notwithstanding heavy chastisements for sin. Take well how our kind wisdom may dispose thy present lot. Though heaven and earth should pass away, thy husband's love will not. All needful help he
will afford. Thou hast his vow and oath, and once to violate his word thy husband will be loath. To fire and floods with thee he'll down. His promise this ensures, whose credit cannot burn nor drown, thy husband's truth endures. Dost thou no more his word believe than mortal man's forsooth? O, do not thus his spirit grieve, thy husband is the truth. Though thou both wicked art and weak, his word he'll never rue. Though heaven and earth should bend and break, thy husband will
be true. I'll never leave thee, is his vow, if truth has said the word. While truth is truth, this word is true, thy husband is the Lord. Thy covenant of duties may prove daily more unsure, his covenant of grace for I thy husband does secure. Dost thou to him thy promise break, and fear he break to thee? Nay, not thy thousand crimes can make thy husband once to lie. He will visit thy sins with strokes, and lift his heavy hand, but never once his word revokes.
thy husband's truth will stand. Then dream not he is changed in love, when thou art changed in frame. Thou mayest by turns unnumbered move thy husband's eye the same. He for thy follies may thee bind with cords of great distress, to make thee moan thy sins, and mind thy husband's holiness. By wounds he makes thee seek his cure, by frowns his favor prize, by falls of frightening stand more sure. Thy husband is so wise. Proud Peter in the dirt of vice fell down exceeding low.
His towering pride by tumbling thrice thy husband cured so. Before he suffer pride that swiles, he'll drag thee through the mire of sins, temptations, little hells. Thy husband saves by fire. He in afflictions mortar may squeeze out old Adam's joists till thou return to him and say, thy husband is thy choice. Fierce billows may thy vessel toss, and crosses curses seem, but that the curse has fled the cross, thy husband bides thee deem. Conclude not he in
wrath disowns, when trouble thee surrounds. These are his favorable frowns, thy husband's healing wounds. Yea, when he gives the deepest lash, love leads the wounding hand. His stroke, when sin has got a dash, thy husband will remand. Section 9. Comfort to believers, in Christ's relations, in his dying love, his glory in heaven, to which he will lead them through death, and supply with necessaries by the way. Behold the patrimony broad that falls to thee by line,
in him thou art an heir of God, thy husband's father's thine. He is of relatives a store, thy friend will help in thrall, thy brother much, thy father more, thy husband most of all. All these he does amass and share, in ways that most excel, among all the husbands ever were, thy husband bears the bell. Once run the streams of all thy good, but from his pierced side, with liquid gold of precious blood, thy husband bought his bride. His blood abundant value bore,
To make his purchase broad. Twas fair divinity in gore. Thy husband is thy God. Who purchased at the higher price Be crowned with highest praise?
For in the highest paradise Thy husband wears the bays. He is of heaven the comely rose. His beauty makes it fair. Heaven were but hell.
Couldst thou suppose thy husband were not there? He tither did in pompous end His spouse along to bring That hallelujahs without end thy husband's bride may sing. Even there with him forever fixed his glory shalt thou see,
And naught but death is now betwixt thy husband's throne and thee. He'll order death, that porter rude, to ope the gates of brass, For lo, with characters of blood thy husband wrote thy pass. At Jordan deep then be not scared, though dismal like and broad, Thy son will guide, thy shield will guard, thy husband paved the road.
He'll lead thee safe, and bring thee home, and still let blessings fall of grace while here, till glory come, thy husband's bound for all. His store can answer every bill, thy food and raiment's brought. Be at his will, thou'll have thy fill, thy husband wants for naught. What can thy soul conceive it lacks? His store, his power is thine, His liberal heart to liberal acts thy husband does incline.
Though on thy hand that has no might, He should not task enlarge, Nor work, nor warfare needs thee fright, Thy husband bears the charge. Thou wouldst, if left, thyself undo, So apt to fall and stray. But he uplifts and leads thee to, Thy husband knows the way. Section 10. Comfort to believers from the text. Thy maker is thy husband, inverted thus. Thy
husband is thy maker. And the conclusion of this subject. Of light and life, of grace and glore, in Christ thou art partaker. Rejoice in him forevermore. Thy husband is thy maker. He made thee, yea, he made thee his bride, nor heeds thine ugly patch. To what he made he'll still abide. thy husband made the match. He made all, yea, he made all thine, all to thee shall be given. Who can thy kingdom undermine? Thy husband made the heaven. What earthly thing can thee annoy?
He made the earth to be. The waters cannot thee destroy, thy husband made the sea. Don't fear the flaming element, thee hurt with burning ire, or that the scorching heat torment, thy husband made the fire. Infectious streams shall ne'er destroy while he is pleased to spare. Thou shalt thy vital breath enjoy, thy husband made the air. The sun that guides the golden day, the moon that rules the night. The starry frame, the milky way, thy husband made for light. The
bird that wings its airy path, the fish that cuts the flood, the creeping crowd that swarms beneath, thy husband made for good. The grazing herd, the beasts of prey, the creatures great and small, for thy behoof their tribute pay, thy husband made them all. Thine's Paul, Apollos, life and death, things present, things to be, and everything that being hath, thy husband made for thee. In Tophet, where the damned resort, thy soul shall never dwell, nor needs from thence imagine hurt,
thy husband formed hell. Satan with instruments of his may rage, yet dread no evil. So far as he a creature is, thy husband made the devil. His black temptations may afflict, his fiery darts annoy, but all his works and hellish tricks thy husband will destroy. Let armies strong of earthly gods combine with hellish ghosts. They live or languish at his nods, thy husband's lord of hosts. What can thee hurt? Whom dost thou fear? All things are at his call. Thy maker is thy husband dear,
thy husband all in all. What dost thou seek? What dost thou want? Hill thy desires fulfill. He gave himself. What won't he grant? Thy husband's at thy will. The more thou dost of him desire, the more he loves to give. High let thy mounting aims aspire, thy husband gives thee lead. The less thou seek'st, the less thou dost his bounty set on high, but highest seekers here do most thy husband glorify. Wouldst thou have grace? Well, but tis meet he should more glory gain. Wouldst thou
have father, son, and spirit? Thy husband says, Amen. He'll kindly act the liberal God, devising liberal things, with royal gifts his subjects load, thy husband's king of kings. No earthly monarch has such store as thou hast even in hand, but, oh, how infinitely more thy husband gives on band. Thou hast indeed the better part, the part will fail thee never, thy husband's hand, thy husband's heart, thy husband's all, forever. End of section 9.
