BAXTER'S POEMS. God first in nature finds self-love, and there He takes advantage to implant his fear. . With some the time is long before the earth Disclose her young one by a springy birth. 19 When Heav'n doth make our winter sharp and long, The seed of love lies hid, or seems but young : But when God makes it spring-time, his approach Takes from the barren soul its great reproach ; When Heav'n's reviving smiles and rays appear, Then love begins to spring up above fear : And if sin hinder not by cursed shade, It quickly shoots up to a youthful blade : And when Heav'n's warmer beams and dews succeed, That's ripen'd fruit which e'en now was but seed Yet doth not flow'ring, fruitful love forget Her nursing fear, there still her root is set: In humble self-denial under-trod, While flower and fruit are growing up to God. After love's birth-day, holy fear and care The outward part of the new creature are. As mortal man consists of flesh and skull, So fear and love, on earth, do make one whole. Love, as the soul, unseen, yet bears the sway; Fear, as the flesh, more felt, must it obey. By fear, love doth the daring flesh restrain, And keepeth men awake by threat'ned pain. This frame is mortal : not that love can die ; But leaving fe.ars, will dwell alone on high : Yet will retaiD: a reverent fear of God; But not the terror of his wrath or rod. 0 my dear God ! how precious is thy love ! How wise thy methods to the life above!
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