BAXTER'S POEMS. Their earthly precepts so possess'd my heart, That taking root, they did not thence depart . Thy wisdom so contrived my education, As might expose me to the least temptation. Much of that guilt thy·mercy did prevent, In which my spring-time I should else have spent . Yet sin sprung up and early did appear ; In love of play, and lies produced by fear · An appetite pleased with forbidden fruit, A proud delight in literate repute ; Excess of pleasure in vain tales, romances ; Time spent in feigned histories and fancies: In idle talk, conform to company; Childhood and youth had too much vanity. Conscience was oft resisted when it check'd, And holy duty I did much neglect. Yet patience bore, thy spirit still did strive, Restless convictions still were kept alive. Thou would'st not give me over, till thy grace Revived thy image which sin did deface. Thou strangely put'st such books into my hand , As caused me my case to understand : As touch'd my conscience, wakened my heart, And laid it under careful fears and smart. Ai1d made me question with a deeper sense, Whither my soul must go when it goes hence. Then did thy light detect the vanity Of all the joys and hopes below the sky. 9 The fruitless bustle which the worldling makes, The madness of the course the sinner takes ; The wicked world I thought a Bedlam was : And senseless sinners' hearts were stone or brass : B 2
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