A

PRAYER,

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 must appear!

II,

II.

If I have wander'd in those paths
Of life I ought to fhun;

As Something, loudly, in my breaft,
Remonstrates 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 stept afide,

De

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 still
Delighteth to forgive.

STANZAS

STAN ZA S

ON THE

SAME OCCASION.

WHY
HY 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

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 smart beneath his fin-avenging rod.

Fain would I say, 'Forgive my foul offence!'
Fain promise never more to disobey;

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 should I for Heav'nly Mercy pray,

Who act fo counter Heav'nly Mercy's plan?

Who fin fo oft have mourn'd, yet to tempta

tion ran?

O Thou, Great Governor of all below!

If I may dare a lifted eye to thee,

Thy