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 ...

SONG VIII. (Book 8)

THE PATH-WAY TO PARADICE, OR THE POURTRAITURE of PIETY, By Patterns and Precepts, Containing a Christian Directory, how to come to CHRIST, so as to find him, and Eternal Sal∣vation by him.

Method of this Song. In the first part of it, are Exemplified all Christian Duties, as they were practised by the most Eminent, Pious, and Zealous People of GOD, as they are recorded in the Scripture of the Old and New Testament. In the second part, are set down the several duties themselves, both for mater and manner, &c.

To be sung to the Tune of that which is called Cromlicks.

The first part of the best Patterns or Examples.

1.

SInce richest treasures all In Christ area 1.1 found, And I'm by Adams fall, Wretched and bound; I'll tob 1.2 Immanuel, My sins and sorrows tell, My woes I will bewail With mournful sound.

2.

I will go search andc 1.3 try. My former wayes. With grief I'll mourn and pray For mispent dayes. d 1.4 Take off iniquitie: Receive me graciously: So will I render thee The Calves of praise.

3.

Ie 1.5 will with Abel give The best I have. f 1.6 I will with Enoch live, Pious and grave. And though the World stray; g 1.7 With Noah I will stay, And walk in perfect way; Thou shalt me save.

4.

And with goodh 1.8 Abraham, That faithful Man, Who from his kindred came To Canaan: I will ev'n at thy call, My comforts great and small i 1.9 Disclaim: though Isaac fall, Faith conquer can.

5.

k 1.10 With Jacobs Prayer bold, I will address, The Angell for to hold,

Till He me bless. l 1.11 With Joseph sin I'll fly, Though mortals do not see: m 1.12 For thy Alseeing eye beholdeth this.

6.

n 1.13 With Job that great Divine When He was prest, I'll not at all repine: Patience is best. As Moseso 1.14 meekness had, when he was hard bested; This way I will be led To Heav'ns rest.

7.

p 1.15 Caleb and Joshua Keep straight with GOD. q 1.16 Phineas stood not in awe, Sinners He trod. When his zeal waxed hot, He slew and spared not: For his reward He got, A firme abode.

8.

With Samuel from ar 1.17 Childe I'll consecrate, With Spirit meek and milde, I'll seperate All I have for the LORD, What my Soul can afford: As from His sacred word Precepts I gat.

9.

s 1.18 With David I'll thee call My Portion. In Earth and Heaven all Thou'rt He alone, Whom my heart doth desire; As with a flame of fire, Faith, love and zeal conspire, O matchless one!

10.

s 1.19 As chased Hart he pants, After the Streams; So my Soul when it wants The warming beams Of Divine Majesty: It thrists exceedinglie, Till it find some supplie, Down from the Heav'ns.

11.

t 1.20 Long didst thou knock and call Both night and day: Oft did I thee repell, And drive away. u 1.21 Justly mightst thou depart, And my poor Soul desert. Making me find the smart, For I did stray.

12.

v 1.22 But now I know thy voice, Sweet Jesu stay: w 1.23 Thou art my only choice, Help now I pray.

I'll sleep no more in sin, But now I will begin x 1.24 And strive that prize to win, Oh that I may!

13.

y 1.25 Though men me stop and lett And take my veile; Though they this body beat, And make it quell: Though I should wounded be, z 1.26 Though nail'd unto a tree, a 1.27 I'll ever follow thee, IMMANUEL.

14.

b 1.28 In Sack and Sable suite, Sad sighs I'll send. Fast with the Ninivite, My wayes I'll mend. With Ephraim I'le bemoan, My sins with sigh and groan, Trespasses every one; Thou'lt favour Lend,

15.

c 1.29 Unworthy wretch am I, That my poor roof Should thee lodge; but I'le pray, d 1.30 Helpe unbeleef; e 1.31 So shall humility Advance to dignity, When peevish pride must fly And stand aloof.

16.

f 1.32 Give me faith, that I may But touch thy hemme; This will my grief allay, My bleeding stemme. This shall me well restore, From all my sickness fore; And I will then adore Thy glorious name.

17.

I'le with theg 1.33 Virgins wise My Lamp prepare; At midnight for to rise With loving care, To meet Christ who is mine With Oyle of grace Divine, h 1.34 Light of my works shall shine O Phoebusi 1.35 fair!

18.

With Simeonk 1.36 when I find Christ and his grace, Leaving the World behind l 1.37 I'le with the Prodigal Turn, for my want doth call: My Father Pitty shall And send release.

19.

With the poorm 1.38 Publican, I'le mercie crave, As a Poor wretched man, Or as a slave.

I'le bring the widows mite, I'le knock at Heavens gate, CHRIST will have mercy yet My Soul to fave.

20.

n 1.39 The Contemplation-Tree, * 1.40 I will ascend: That I may Jesus see He'le me defend, Against the enemie, That is both fierce and slie; That Dragon He'le defie, And succour send.

21.

Come down Zacheus then, He will reply: Thou'rt a beloved Man, I'le not deny: This Day I'le with the dine, I'le give to thee and thine Salvation: Thou art mine, I'le with thee stay.

22.

o 1.41 What goods I purchas'd have By force or fraud; I will restore againe; Thou'lt me applaud. I'le give of what is mine To the Saints who are thine, Such as in sorrow pine, Thy name to laud.

23.

p 1.42 With true Nathaniel That Saint indeed, In uprightness I'll deal, So shall I speed: For thou requires the heart, Which is that Noble part: O do not thou depart, My chiefest good.

24.

q 1.43With the Centurion. T'le fast and pray: Almes also will I joyn, Then I will say: Do thou this offering take Though it perfection lack O do not me forsake, Nor cast away.

FINIS.

THE SECOND PART.

Containing especially the matter, and gracious ac∣ceptable manner of performance of Christian duties. VIZ. They must flow from right principles of faith, fear and unfeigned Love of God, together with a perfect detestation and abhorrency of sin. 2. For the right end, to wit, The Glory of GOD, the good of others and Salvation of our own Soules. 3. In the right manner, to wit with Sincerity or Vprightnesse, Humility and Self-denyendnesse, Ala∣crity, Readiness, and Cheerfulnesse, Zeale and Forwardness, Constancy and Perseverance: All which are partly delivered in the former Exam∣ples or Paterns; but here again repeated in pre∣cepts.

1.

HOw shall I thanks requite For such a grace? a 1.44Can what is infinite With grains encreass? b 1.45My goodness not to Thee Extends, for why I see Thou art still giving me, c 1.46Yet hast no less.

2.

Yet Thou'rt pleas'd King of Kings To condescend, Poor begger-underlings Thy favour lend;

d 1.47Lost Angels passing-by. And choosing such as I, Thy name to glorify, World without end.

3.

e 1.48Give then what thou requires, It shall be thine. I'le do what thou desires And not decline. f 1.49My self I'le consecrate, To serve without a date; Then I'll at Heav'ns gate, In glory shine,

4.

My heart I'll give to Thee, g 1.50 Thou lovs the same; h 1.51 My tongue shall magnify Jehovah's name. i 1.52 Adoring eyes behold The Sea and Earthly mould, The shining Starres as gold, In stately frame.

5.

I'le give my ears to hear Thy Sacred word; All trivial toyes forbear, That men afford. I'le give my hands to do All thy commands most true, k 1.53 As my Baptismal vow Binds me O LORD.

6.

I'le to l 1.54 thy Precepts all Have great respect, By thy grace never shall, Thy Lawes neglect; No duty tedious call; No sin will I think small: But answer at a call, O LORD direct.

7.

GOD shall be of my choice, * 1.55 The object chiefe. I'll hear my nighbours voice, And give reliefe. As my self I'le him love; I'll act for His behoofe, My bowels for him move, That's Christian-proofe.

8.

I will my self m 1.56 apply n 1.57 thy name to know. My self I will deny, * 1.58 And Earth below. I will have high esteem Of Thee, and fear thy name. Of my sin I'le think shame And not approve.

9.

In GOD I will delight, * 1.59 In Him rejoice. Call on Him Day and night, With weeping voice.

I'le burn with fervent zeale; Sing sweet as Philomel To His Praise, I'le not fail With joyfull noice.

10.

When He bestows on me His Precious things; I'll make my praises fly On soaring wings. And if His Chast'ning Rod On me do make abode; I'le see the hand of GOD, As David sings.

11.

With David I'le be dumb, It is thy hand; Submissive will I come, At thy command. With Job then will I say o 1.60 I'ts Thou who takes away, Blest be thy name for ay•• In Israels land.

12.

All Idoles I abhorre,* 1.61 Thou dost the same; I with my heart adore Thy glorious Name.* 1.62 All whereby thou art known Shall be above my own: So shall thou never frown; Thou loves this frame.

13.

I'le keep thy Sabbath well: * 1.63 This is thy Day. Thy wonders I will tell. My vowes I'le pay. Thy word and Sacraments, All holy Ordinance, With zeal I will advance; This is thy way.

14.

I will no man injure By force or slight: * 1.64 Never shall I endure To wrong his right. His life and safetie, His goods and chastitie, His Name advance will I, As in thy sight.

15.

Thou promisest reward To Piety. * 1.65 Hells fire thou hast prepar'd To terrify. The first is to alure, The other must endure All, who are not found pure T' Eternity.

16.

I'll not for meere p 1.66 reward Sent from above; Nor yet for Hell prepar'd Sin disapprove.

These things shall never be Prime motives unto me; * 1.67 But I will follow thee, q 1.68 Out of pure love.

17.

Give me that gracious r 1.69 Oyle I'll run thy way; Serve without any toyle, And never stray. s 1.70 I'le cheerfully go on, Through thy great strength alone: So that prize shall be won, At judgement day.

18.

If I be quite s 1.71 profane, Without all grace; If Laodicea's frame My heart possesse; Thoul't never me receive, But with the World leave: Fervent zeal I must have Else no solace.

19.

t 1.72 I will deal prudently In perfect way: For though I zealous be, Yet I may stray; u 1.73 As Jews in ignorance, v 1.74 As Peter's sword did glance, w 1.75 Or he and John advance When they did pray.

20.

I'le x 1.76 Circumstantiat My sharp rebuke: Good counsel such as that In Sacred book. y 1.77 I will distinguish well, 'Twixt circumstantial, And* 1.78 grounding truth, my zeal, So will I look.

21.

z 1.79 External duties Must still give place; Mercy not Sacrifice, Sayes love and grace. I cannot too much love, Nor yet too holy prove: a 1.80 Weak bodies yet may move Imprudent pace.

22.

b 1.81 All disputs frivolous I will avoid: c 1.82 Though I were Righteous, I'll banish pride. So prudence with my zeal, Thus will I temper well. And I will with thee dwell, O gracious guide.

23.

This I take to be mean'd By Solomon;

When in his book he penn'd This caution; Where men forbiddeth he d 1.83 Too righteous for to be, But all profanitie Hence and be gone.

24.

So with prepared e 1.84 heart f 1.85 I'le watch and pray: I'll not from thee depart By night or Day. Till my LORD from the sky g 1.86 With troopes of Angels fly h 1.87 Then wo and misery Shall flee away.

FINIS.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Joh. 1: 14. Col. 1: 19. Col. 2: 9.
• b 1.2

  Isa. 7: 14. Mat. 11: 28.
• c 1.3

  Lam. 3: 40. 1 Cor. 13: 5.
• d 1.4

  Hos. 14: 1.
• e 1.5

  Abel, li∣beral, sin∣cere, faithful and cheerful in duty. Gen. 4: 4. Heb. 11: 4.
• f 1.6

  Enoch strict and holy and was taken up to Heaven alive Gen. 5: 24.
• g 1.7

  Noah's ho∣ly singularity. Gen. 6: 8.
• h 1.8

  Abraham's faith and obe∣dience in dis∣pensing with all worldly comforts at God's call. Gen. 12: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. &c. Heb. 11: 8, 9, 10, 24, 25.
• i 1.9

  Gen. 22.
• k 1.10

  Jacobs fer∣vent and im∣portunatepray∣er with abso∣lute depen∣dance on God. Gen. 32: 24, to 30.
• l 1.11

  Joseph fears to sin in secret aswell as in publick and stands out against strong alluting tenta∣tions Gen. 39: 9.
• m 1.12

  Jer. 17: 5. Psal. 139: 5, 6, 7, 8.
• n 1.13

  Job was eminent for patience Job 1: 21.—13: 15.
• o 1.14

  Moses meek in his own quarrel Num. 12: 3. but very zea∣lous in the cause of God Exod. 32: 26, 27.
• p 1.15

  Caleb and Joshua they two only did not murmure or rebel against God in the Wilderness: and therefore •• they only of all that came out of Egypt entered the Land of Ca∣naan Num. 14: 6, 7, 8. 26: 65.
• q 1.16

  Phineas killeth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in the very act of whoredom & therefore got ••ne everlasting Priest hood Num. 25: 8. 9, 10.
• r 1.17

  1. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 11 28.—3: 19.
• s 1.18

  David choosing God for his only portion: ea∣gerly and im∣patiently seek∣ing after him, and delighting in him. Psal. 16: 5. Psal. 119: 57. psal. 73: 25. Phil. 3: 8.
• s 1.19

  Psal. 42: 1.—63: 1.
• t 1.20

  The Spouse in the Song of Solomen re∣presenting the Church being awaked from security, in∣defatigably seeks after Communion with CHRIST the Spiritual Bridgroome & undauntedly keeps it. Cant, 5: 1, 2, 3, Rev. 3: 30.
• u 1.21

  Cant. 5: 6.
• v 1.22

  Cant. 5: 10. 11.
• w 1.23

  Cant. 5: 4, 5.
• x 1.24

  Phil. 3: 13, 14.
• y 1.25

  Constancy in persecutions and against discourage∣ments Cant. 5: 7.
• z 1.26

  Mat. 16: 24.
• a 1.27

  Act. 20: 24.
• b 1.28

  Ephraim and Nineveh repenting, re∣turning and reforming Jer. 18: 31. Jon. 3. Joel 2: 13, 14. Hos. 2: 18, 19.
• c 1.29

  The Cen∣turion with faith, prayer and humility. Mat. 8: 8.
• d 1.30

  Mark 9: 24.
• e 1.31

  Mat. 23: 12. Jam. 4: 6,
• f 1.32

  The Hae∣moritess her faith and con∣fidence Mat. 9: 21, 22,
• g 1.33

  The wise Virgins their watching and preparing Mat. 25: 4, 6, 10.
• h 1.34

  Mat. 5: 16.
• i 1.35

  That is CHRIST the Sun of Righteousness Mal. 4: 2.
• k 1.36

  Simeon sweetly repo∣sing and con∣tenting him∣self with CHRIST in life and death Luke 2: 28, 29.
• l 1.37

  The prodi∣gal Son with great com∣punction re∣turning to his Father. Luke 15: 17, &c.
• m 1.38

  The Publi∣can, humbly, reverently and fervently suing for pardon. Luke. 18: 13.
• n 1.39

  Luke 19: 1, 2, 3, &c.
• * 1.40

  Zaccheus answering CHRIST'S call and refor∣ming
• o 1.41

  Luke 19: 8. Non tollitur peccatum, sinon restituatur ablatum. August.
• p 1.42

  Nathaniel, with sincerity and upright∣ness of heart. Job. 1: 47. Prov. 10: 9.—23: 26.
• q 1.43

  The god∣ly Centurion with fasting, prayer and almes.
• a 1.44

  God's es∣sential glory perfection and happiness, be∣ing infinite, can neither be increassed or diminished, but his declara∣tive glory may as he is more or less owned, and served by his Creatures.
• b 1.45

  Psal. 16: 2.
• c 1.46

  Rom. 10: 12. Eph. 2: 4. Rom. 11: 33. 1 Tim. 6: 15.
• d 1.47

  Hebt. 2: 16.—2. Pet. 2: 4. Jude. 6.
• e 1.48

  Psal. 119: 18. 32. 38. 34. GOD must give to us, be∣fore we can give to Him.
• f 1.49

  1. The first thing com∣mending our services and duties to GOD is un∣iversality both of the subject performing and object performed. first, for the subject, the whole man must be conse∣crated and devouted to God. Rom. 12: 1.
• g 1.50

  Mat. 22: 37. Psal. 119: 10.
• h 1.51

  Psal. 57: 7, 8, 9.
• i 1.52

  Psal. 8: 5, 6,—19: 1, 2,—28: 5.
• k 1.53

  1 Pet. 3: 21. Rom. 6: 3, 4.
• l 1.54

  Universality of the object, in abstaining from every sin and performing every duty. Psal. 119: 6.
• * 1.55

  Duties to God and man.
• m 1.56

  Duties of the first Table, towards GOD.
• n 1.57

  Deut. 26: 17.
• * 1.58

  See the Scrip∣tures in the exp∣osition of the Cammande∣ments in the larger Cate∣chisme.
• * 1.59

  The first Commande∣ment.
• o 1.60

  Job. 1: 21.
• * 1.61

  The second Commande∣ment.
• * 1.62

  The second Commande ment.
• * 1.63

  The fourth Comman∣dement.
• * 1.64

  The rest of the Com∣mands.
• * 1.65

  A second thing com∣mending our service to God, is the sound principles of faith, fear & love; and eying the right end, to wit, Gods glo∣ry &c.
• p 1.66

  Hope of reward and fear of punish∣ment may be motiva prima, the first initi∣ating motives to obedience.
• * 1.67

  (as humane testimony is to faith) but they should not be motiva primaria, the chief mo∣tives; but love and fear of God and eying his glory &c. Oderunt pec∣care boni vertu∣tis amore; Oderunt pec∣care mali for∣midine poena. Si non sit poena, virtus tamen esset ha∣bena. Job 1: 1, 9, 21. Psal 63: 1.
• q 1.68

  1 Tim. 1: 5.
• r 1.69

  Oyle, of grace Mat. 25: 4. Psal. 119: 32.
• s 1.70

  A third requisite in Christian du∣ties is cheer∣fulness, readiness or ala∣crity. Psal. 33: 1. 2 Cor. 9. 7.
• s 1.71

  4. Zeale, forwardness or fervency. Rev. 3: 16, 17, 19.
• t 1.72

  5. Pru∣dence, moder∣ation and dis∣cretion; Which excluds, first ignorance re∣misness and preposterous rashness. Psal. 101: 2.
• u 1.73

  Rom. 10: 1, 2.
• v 1.74

  Joh. 18: 10. Peter cutting off Malchus his eare without a Commission is reproved, though in defence of CHRIST.
• w 1.75

  Luke 9: 54. Praying for fire from Heaven.
• x 1.76

  6. Chri∣stian prudence is against un∣seasonable and preposterous rebukes. Prov. 9: 8. Mat. 7: 6.
• y 1.77

  7. Pru∣dence distin∣guisheth be∣twixt essentials or fundamen∣tals and Cir∣cumstantials and indifferent things in Reli∣gion. Rom. 14.
• * 1.78

  To distin∣guish betwixt essentials and circumstan∣tials in Reli∣gion.
• z 1.79

  8. Chri∣stian prudence distinguisheth betwixt exter∣nal and inter∣nal duties. Though we can never love God too much &c. Yet weak christians may read, pray and me∣ditate &c. to the destruction of the body.
• a 1.80

  1 Tim. 5: 23. 1 Tim. 4: 8. as in excessive reading, fasting &c.
• b 1.81

  9. Chri∣stian prudence shunneth all frivolous and vain Ianglings and unnecessa∣ry disputs. 1 Tim. 1: 6—6: 20. Col. 2: 8.
• c 1.82

  We should shun all overweening and Pharisaical conceit of our selves Job 9: 15. Phil. 3: 9. Isa. 64: 6.
• d 1.83

  Eccles. 7: 16. No advan∣tage here for profane Ruffians, for we are bound to love God With all our hearts, and endeavour after perfection in holiness. Mat. 22: 37. Mat. 5. ult. Phil. 3: 13.
• e 1.84

  A sixth re∣quisit in duties is constancy and perseverance in all graces and Christian performances and to be diligent in the use of all prescribed meanes, such as prayer, watchfulness &c. Mat. 25: 4, 10.
• f 1.85

  Mat. 24: 44.—26: 41. 1 Pet. 5: 8.
• g 1.86

  Mat. 25: 31.
• h 1.87

  1 Cor. 15: 55. Rev. 20: 14.