The saints recreation, third part, upon the estate of grace containing and methodicially [sic] delineating a Christians progress, priviledges, comforts and duties, beginning at conversion : describing also the Blessed Redeemer Jesus, both absolutely and comparatively : and all these in spiritual hymns and songs, suted to grave sweet and melodious tunes, together with a plain paraphrase upon the margent, confirming all by Scriptures, explaining difficulties and methodizing the songs / compiled by Mr. William Geddes ...

THE SECOND PART.

Holding forth the emptiness and vanity of all sublunary enjoyments, by general arguments taken, from the common nature of all created com∣forts, with a transition to the next treatise.

1.

HEalth, Beautie, Strength,1 yee are but flowers, Soon withered with a stormy blast, Decrepit age and sicknes-showers, To dust makes you return in haist: What are yee? &c. x Christ is my choice, for he is best.

2.

You flattering Fortune with your smile, y Whose savour filleth all my fails, z Your change will shortly me beguile, I do not prize your prosp'rous gales: What are you? &c. a Christ is the friend that never failes.

3.

3 You glist'ring Gold and Silver bright, Which Mortal men do so desire; You precious Gemms that shines with light, You Carbuncle, that's like the fire: What are you? &c. It is for Christ that I aspire.

4.4

You honours that do men advance,

The Rustick fears, your threatning rod; In Orbe of State yee give a glance, And Idoliz'db as if a GOD: I count you allc ane Atome small; If Christ with me make his abode.

5.

You friends and Fav'rits that are great, I will not on you much rely: Yee love to day,d to morrow hate: And wher's your help when that you dy: What are yee? &c. e When friends forsake, He'll heare my cry.

6.

Yee Children are but pleasant toyes, Delighting Parents when you prate, Some sickness grieves, some death destroyes, And some of you do prove ungrate: What are yee? &c. Yee'r good, but yet inferiour joyes.

7.7

Yee sublime notions and acute, That reach both deepth and starry sky; Before the Judge yee'r turned mute, f If grace you do not sanctify: What are yee? &c. g Christ is that wisedom from on high.

8.

h You sumptuous fare, delicious Wine, You Indian fruit that's bought so deare: You flattering Venus fair and fine, That doth the vitious wanton cheer:

What are you? &c. i When Sun of Righteousnesse drawes near.

9.

You Purple robes and Cloath of Gold, Whose Mother is the brute and dust, You'r cast away, when you wax old: Your borrowed beautie soon doth rust: What are you? &c. k The wedding garment is my trust.

10.

Yee gilded trifles more or lesse, l Can yee your comforts Eternize? m Can yee Man's happiness increass, When Man yee do not equalize, What are yee? &c. n Let me have CHRIST, He will suffice.

11.

Then I'll conclude with Solomon, Created comforts all I see, Are emptie trifles every one, o Nothing but vexing vanity: What are yee? &c. When CHRIST appears in Majesty

12

No more than can a Circle round The sharpe Triangle satisfie; No more my heart,p all that's here found, But ever-Blessed Trinitie. What are you? &c. When Christ comes with his rich supply.

13.

They're finite things, that's here below, My Soul, it sues for more and more: A Spiritual object you must show: And I must have some richer store. What are you? &c. When Christ comes with his heavenly glore.

14.

Nothing abides in constant frame, g Ev'n like to Proteus, or the Air, Or changing Moon, no houre the same; Them to the Dew I may compare: What are you? &c. When Christ comes with his treasure faire.

15.

To morrow sick, to Day in health, To Day I'm bound, to morrow free; To morrow poor, to day in wealth: To Day I'm Low, to morrow high. What are you? &c. When joyes come with eternity?

16.

You crazy comforts are but mixt, With as great crosses at your best; You'r blazing Starres, and are not fixt; You'r trifling toyes that have no last. What are you? &c. r When Christ comes with eternal rest?

17.

But now thes Day-Starre doth appear, Above th' Horizon it doth rise:

sThe Sun of Righteousness drawes near, With light and life down from the Skies: What are you? &c. When this fair soaring Eagle flies?

18.

You're broken Cisterns less and more, That living Water cannot give: You cannot give me grace and glore, That ever blessed I may live: What are you? &c. But broken reeds you all do prove.

FINIS.

Notes

• Temporal enjoyments,
• 1

  Personal endowments external.
• x

  Phil. 3: 8.
• Prosperity.
• y

  Psal. 30: 6.
• z

  Job 1: 21. Psal. 36: 7.
• a

  Mat. 28: 20.
• 3

  Riches.
• 4

  Honours.
• b

  Psal. 82: 6, 7.
• c

  Isa. 40: 15.
• d

  Psal. 146: 3, 4. Mic. 7: 5.
• e

  Psal. 25: 10. Heb. 12: 5.
• 7

  Wisedome and know∣ledge.
• f

  Isa. 29: 14.—33: 18. 1 Cor. 1: 20. Eccl. 1: 17, 18.
• g

  1 Cor 1: 30.
• h

  Sensual pleasures.
• i

  Mal. 4: 2. Joh. 4: 14.
• Apparel and orna∣ments.
• k

  Mat. 22: 11, 12.
• Common arguments. 1. From their unconstancy, inutility and inequality to Man.
• l

  Eccl. 1: 1, 3.
• m

  Eccl. 2: 15.
• n

  Phil. 3: 8.
• 2. They are full of thorny cares and ve∣xations.
• o

  Eccl. 1: 1, 2, 3.
• 3. Emptiness, being unsatis∣factory.
• p

  Eccl. 1: 5.—5: 10.
• 4. They are Finite and temporal.
• 5. Levity and mutabi∣lity.
• g

  Like the Sea ebbing and flowing. Ecc. 2: 4. to 11.
• Imper∣fection and mixture.
• r

  Heb. 4: 9.
• s

  2 Pet. 1: 19.
• Transition to the next treatise.
• s

  Mal. 4: 2.