V Oh I am weary, sick, and sad, My half-clad limbs are cold; No good I've known-no peace have had, Since I forsook the fold: But thorny paths, and flinty roads, And chilly damp abodes: And worse than all-dismal and dire forebodes! VI. Evangelist.-The Prodigal! repentant grown, Was welcomed with cost Thy gentle Shepherd knows his own, Altho' the mark be lost! He left the "perfect ninety-nine!" I' th' fold, and did incline To seek the "truant one," with love divine! F 68 III. I turn'd my steps to P But fr No" " pool!" r I fled Suteous dart? ..e did ever burn Within thy wayward heart. This pathway leads to yonder gate, There loudly knock—though late— Thy Shepherd stands prepar'd to fold the runagate! aureth the ANON. rd went before the children of Israel by day pillar of cloud, and by night in a pillar of fire, out they rebelled-the thunderings of Mount Sinai affrighted them yet they bow'd to Idols-he gave them bitter water to drink-he also gave them manna to eat-but for all his anger and kindnesses they repented not-so that of the host that fled from Egypt, none entered the promised land save Joshua and Caleb. JEREMIAH, chap. 3, v. 22. Return ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. ISAIAH, chap. 44, v. 22. I have blotted out as a thick cloud thy transgressions, and as a cloud thy sins; return unto me, for I have redeemed thee. MATT., chap. 11, v. 28. Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. VII. Soul.--Say! is there hope, when I return, Evangelist.-Yes! if his love did ever burn Within thy wayward heart. This pathway leads to yonder gate, There loudly knock-though late— Thy Shepherd stands prepar'd to fold the runagate! CYPRIAN, in Ep. Broad and spacious is the road to infernal life: there are enticements and death-bringing pleasuresthere the Devil flattereth that he may deceive: smileth that he may endamage: allureth that he may destroy. ANON. The Lord went before the children of Israel by day in a pillar of cloud, and by night in a pillar of fire, but they rebelled-the thunderings of Mount Sinai affrighted them: yet they bow'd to Idols-he gave them bitter water to drink-he also gave them manna to eat but for all his anger and kindnesses they repented not-so that of the host that fled from Egypt, none entered the promised land save Joshua and Caleb. JEREMIAH, chap. 3, v. 22. Return ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. ISAIAH, chap. 44, v. 22. I have blotted out as a thick cloud thy transgressions, and as a cloud thy sins; return unto me, for I have redeemed thee. MATT., chap. 11, v. 28. Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. |