Volume IV Part 6 (2/2)

each consisting of 14, all printed in London; the first in 1704, the second in 1706, and the third in 1713. After the Dr's. death, his eldest son, who is now a clergyman, published three other Volumes of his father's Sermons, each also consisting of 14, printed in London 1730, 8vo. Amongst his sermons there is one preached on St. Cecilia's day, in vindication of Church-music, first printed in 1697, in 4to.

PSALM CIV.

1. Bless G.o.d my soul; thou, Lord alone, Possessest empire without bounds: With honour thou art crown'd, thy throne Eternal Majesty surrounds.

2. With light thou dost thy self enrobe, And glory for a garment take; Heav'n's curtain stretch'd beyond the globe, The canopy of state to make.

3. G.o.d builds on liquid air, and forms His palace-chambers in the skies: The clouds his chariots are, and storms The swift-wing'd steeds with which he flies.

4. As bright as flame, as swift as wind His ministers Heav'ns palace fill; To have their sundry tasks a.s.sign'd, All proud to serve their Sovereign's will.

5., 6. Earth on her center fix'd he set, Her face with waters over spread; Not proudest mountains dar'd as yet To lift above the waves their head!

7. But when thy awful face appear'd, Th' insulting waves dispers'd; they fled When once thy thunder's voice they heard, And by their haste confess'd their dread.

8. Thence up by secret tracts they creep, And gus.h.i.+ng from the mountain's side, Thro' vallies travel to the deep; Appointed to receive their tide.

9. There hast thou fix'd the ocean's mounds, The threat'ning surges to repel: That they no more o'erpa.s.s their bounds, Nor to a second deluge swell.

PART II.

10. Yet, thence in smaller parties drawn, The sea recovers her lost hills: And starting springs from every lawn, Surprize the vales with plenteous rills.

11. The fields tame beasts are thither led Weary with labour, faint with drought, And a.s.ses on wild mountains bred, Have sense to find these currents out.

12. There shady trees from scorching beams, Yield shelter to the feather'd throng: They drink, and to the bounteous streams Return the tribute of their song.

13. His rains from heav'n parch'd hills recruit, That soon transmit the liquid store: 'Till earth is burthen'd with her fruit, And nature's lap can hold no more.

14. Gra.s.s for our cattle to devour, He makes the growth of every field: Herbs, for man's use, of various pow'r, That either food or physic yield.

15. With cl.u.s.ter'd grapes he crowns the vine To cheer man's heart oppress'd with cares: Gives oil that makes his face to s.h.i.+ne.

And corn that wasted strength repairs.

PSALM CIV. imitated by THOMAS BLACKCLOCK.

Arise my soul! on wings seraphic rise!

And praise th' Almighty sov'reign of the skies!

In whom alone essential glory s.h.i.+nes, Which not the Heav'n of Heav'ns, nor boundless s.p.a.ce confines!

When darkness rul'd with universal sway, He spoke, and kindled up the blaze of day; First fairest offspring of th' omnific word!

Which like a garment cloath'd it's sovereign lord.

He stretch'd the blue expanse, from pole to pole, And spread circ.u.mfluent aether round the whole.

Of liquid air he bad the columns rise, Which prop the starry concave of the skies.

Soon as he bids, impetuous whirlwinds fly, To bear his sounding chariot thro' the sky: Impetuous whirlwinds the command obey, Sustain his flight, and sweep th' aerial way.

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