A

PRAY ER,

IN THE

PROSPECT OF DEATH.

I.

O THOU unknown, Almighty Cause
Of all my hope and fear!

In whofe dread Prefence, ere an hour,

Perhaps I muft appear!

VOL. II.

B

II.

II.

If I have wander'd in thofe paths

Of life I ought to fhun ;

As Something, loudly, in my breaft,
Remonftrates I have done;

III.

Thou know'ft that Thou haft formed me
With Paffions wild and ftrong;

And lift'ning to their witching voice

Has often led me wrong.

IV.

Where human weakness has come short,

Or frailty ftept aside,

Do

Do Thou, All-Good! for fuch Thou art,

In fhades of darkness hide.

V.

Where with intention I have err'd,

No other Plea I have,

But, Thou art good; and Goodness ftill

Delighteth to forgive.

STANZAS

SAME

ON THE

OCCASION.

WHY am I loth to leave this earthly scene! Have I fo found it full of pleafing charms? Some drops of joy with draughts of ill be

tween:

Some gleams of fünfhine mid renewing

forms:

Is it departing pangs my foul alarms?
Or Death's unlovely, dreary, dark abode ?
For guilt, for guilt, my terrors are in arms;
I tremble to approach an angry GOD,
And justly fmart beneath his fin-avenging rod.

Fain would I fay, 'Forgive my foul offence!'
Fain promife never more to difobey;
But, fhould my Author health again difpenfe,
Again I might defert fair Virtue's way;
Again in Folly's path might go aftray ;

Again exalt the brute and fink the man; Then how fhould I for Heav'nly Mercy pray, Who act fo counter Heav'nly Mercy's

plan?

Who fin fo oft have mourn'd, yet to temptation ran?

O Thou, Great Governor of all below!

If I may dare a lifted eye to thee,