Transcriber's Note: The exact date of publication is unknown, however,
there is an inscription dated "18th March 1823" on the upper paste-down
in the original book.
The cover image was created by the transcriber and is placed in the
public domain.
The caret character has been used to denote superscripts, e.g. D^r.
_Twenty Six_
Choice
POETICAL EXTRACTS.
_Selected from_
_Celebrated Authors_,
and Printed from
_COPPER PLATES_
Engraved
Expressly for the Work,
_Each embellished with a_
BEAUTIFUL VIGNETTE,
_Illustrative of the Subject_.
_LONDON_,
_Published by R. Miller. 24. Old Fish Street
and Sold by J. Arliss. 38. Newgate Street
and R. Hill. High Street Borough._
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[Illustration]
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N^o. 1.
[Illustration]
On
THE BIBLE
D^r. Stennett.
Let avarice from shore to shore
Her fav'rite God pursue;
Thy Word, O Lord, we value more
Than India or Peru.
Here mines of knowledge, love, and joy,
Are open'd to our sight;
The purest gold without alloy,
And gems divinely bright.
The counsels of redeeming grace,
These sacred leaves unfold;
And here the saviour's lovely face
Our raptur'd eyes behold.
Here, light descending from above
Directs our doubtful feet:
Here promises of heav'nly love
Our ardent wishes meet.
Our num'rous griefs are here redrest,
And all our wants supply'd;
Nought we can ask to make us blest,
Is in this Book deny'd.
For these inestimable gains,
That so enrich the mind;
O may we search with eager pains,
Assur'd that we shall find!
_London, Published by R. Miller, Old Fish Street, Doctors Commons._
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N^o. 2.
[Illustration]
ON THE
NEW TESTAMENT.
D^r. Watts.
Happy the humble soul that takes
And binds the gospel to his heart,
That tastes the love the saviour speaks,
And feels the joys his lips impart.
Not Sinai's dreadful thunders roll,
Nor there his wrathful lightning shines;
But peace to cheer the fainting soul,
While grace and glory swell the lines:
Come then, ye trembling souls, with joy.
Accept the freely offer'd grace;
The smiling saviour mourns your stay,
Whilst love invites you to his face.
Hark, ye that seek for perfect bliss,
Ye that would walk the heav'nly road!
The gospel shews where Jesus is,
And leads you to his blest abode.
Lord when to see thy grace display'd,
This sacred volume I peruse.
Send down thy spirit to my aid,
Lest I that sovereign grace refuse.
Oh! draw me with thy cords of love;
Thy will I'll joyfully obey.
Till I ascend to dwell above,
In realms of everlasting day.
_London, Published by R. Miller, Old Fish Street, Doctors Commons._
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N^o. 3.
[Illustration]
SOLILOQUY.
O thou allpowerful, holy, just, and wise
Creator and preserver of the world!
Look down on me, a poor dejected worm,
Part of thy work; my form thy hand bestow'd,
My soul, my being, and my health, thy gifts!
Desert me not, nor leave me to myself
Forlorn, to wander through life's dreary waste,
Unskilful where to tread; but let thy light
Conduct me through each puzzling labyrinth,
And thwarting stream, that happ'ly I may gain
The blissful coast! where sorrow never comes,
Nor pain assaults.--Oh! let thy holy grace
Sit regnant in my breast! subdue the unruly will,
And keep the factious powr's in due restraint,
That so, no evil thought, nor word, nor deed,
May taint my soul! offend thy gracious eye,
And plunge me in the dreadful depths of hell:
But let me move in virtues middle path,
Nor err to right, or left, where danger lies.
And Oh! as down the rugged road I pass,
Let me adore thy love, and own thy pow'r;
Inspire my heart with thanks, and let my tongue
Enrapturd chaunt aloud thy sacred praise.
_British Mag. 1747_
_London, Published by R. Miller, Old Fish Street, Doctors Commons._
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N^o. 4.
[Illustration]