ORDAIN'D by Jehovah with Christ to embark
On board the Free-grace, or the old Noah's Ark,
Which was launched at Eden to traverse the sea,
And came into harbour on purpose for me;
I joyfully enter'd, nor could I delay,
When so many ventur'd with raptures of joy.
My captain was Jesus, and Mercy his mate;
My labour was easy, my bounty was great.
As soon as I boarded I viewed the ship,
In wonder I cry'd, She's the best of the fleet.'
God's love was her mizen, likewise her main-sail; She was plank'd with salvation quite down to her keel.
I went in her hold, and I viewed her there,
Surpriz❜d to behold such freedom from fear.
Her ballast was weighty, and strongly secur'd;
Her burden was wealthy, and all was ensur'd.
Her excellent metal is spiritual pray'r;
Which always proves fatal when once brought to bear. Her bits I examin'd, and found they were able; Her anchor was Good Hope, and Faith was her cable.
Well stor❜d with provisions, both tunnage and hold;
Fair truth was her cordage, and pleasant to hawl.
I climbed aloft, and I rummag'd below,
And found her well finish'd from buttock to bow.
Each yard was a cross, made fast by a brace;
Her head was a lion, with stars in their place;
Her ballast is weighty, she never can heel;
Her builder is God, and Election's her keel.
I viewed her forecastle, likewise her waste,
Her immutable shrowds, and omnipotent mast;
I handled her helm, and I viewed her keel;
And smil'd at her rudder, her tiller, and wheel.
Her decks I examin'd, and found they were firm;
And that great is the number who walk them in turn.
The lowest Contrition, for that is its name;
This deck held the wounded, the sick, and the lame.
Blessed Adoption I found was the next,
And happy their station that on it are fixt.
Her poop is the highest, surpriz'd at the view;
This deck is Assurance; it's number but few.
I examin'd the decks, the blocks, and the sails,
And handled her caskets, her braces, and brails;
Divine was the compass; the binnacle good;
And its unerring needle the motion of God.
Her cable, a fake, lay near to her bow,
And thousands of fathoms were stored below.
The rigging was able the voyage to perform,
The anchors sufficient for calm or for storm.
Daily reflection is called the log,
But often neglected thro' drinking of grog.
I viewed her rudder, and many stood there,
Each wanted to con her, few able to steer.
Her beckets were laden with cordage in store;
For the want of supplies we shall not run ashore.
Her pennant is glory, which always is up,
And joy is her spindle; assurance her poop.
Sound heart is her cannon, lash'd fast by a hitch; True zeal is her powder, and fervour her match. The laws of Jehovah her forcible shot,
Which do execution if cold or if hot.
'Twas by Jacob's ladder at first I came in ;
Nor was I a sailor till pardon'd for sin.
I lost all my clothing, from head to my foot;
And, in order for sailing, I got a new suit.
My clothing is rich, and by faith 'twas put on ;
Throughout it was woven by Jesus the son;
A garment to cover, and gay to behold,
Intended for shelter, embroider'd with gold.
This noble apparel it always comes free,' Completed by Wisdom, and given to me; Bestow'd as her favour both free and complete, And it cost her much labour to make it so neat.
This never wears out, tho' 'tis always in use;
It covers throughout, and it comes to my shoes.
Oh! blessed be Wisdom, her name I adore;
Her garments are handsome, they cover the poor.
I came to the light, and I saw I was clean,
My linen was white, and my hammock was green.
Thus fitted by Grace with apparel to wear,
Bedeck'd with a chain, and a ring in my ear,
I viewed the sailors, and watch'd their employ, And listen'd to hear them expressing their joy. Each blessed the Captain that took them on board, And praised the wine that the Cape did afford,
But some legal sailors I saw labour'd hard,
And cavill'd at others as idle on board,
Let breaming be done, and for sailing prepare,
For surely the signal will shortly appear.
Jury-masts they were order'd by some to be made,
And others were slaving at caulking her side;
These rattled her shrouds, and then cry'd, 'They are fast,'
While others got timber for fishing her mast.
These all were determin'd to work for their hire,
In fetching of water, and fuel for fire;
They cavill'd at others till quite out of breath,
And told them they'd surely make shipwreck of faith.
Have you nothing to do but be drinking of grog?
Your joy will be balanc'd by heaving the log;
You'll soon get the flux, if you tipple so fast,
Or fall overboard, and be drowned at last.
Those famous for jibbing were shifting a boom, Some mending old rigging with new from the loom ; And others contriving for fixing her vane;
Some knotting and splicing; all labour in vain !
Provisions were plenty, and plenty of flip;
With liberty granted to all in the ship.
Profuse was the Captain. Our joy to enhance,
He paid us the bounty, with two months advance.
This set all the sailors to drinking of wine;
Nor could they persuade them to handle a line.
No duty was done, not a sail could be bent,
Till their liquor was gone, and their bounty was spent.
Some mention'd their happiness, some their complaints;
And all were lost sinners, now enter'd for saints.
My soul was delighted to hear of their voyage,
But more of the prizes they took at the siege.
I heard their engagements related by them;
And, as to their Captain, they boasted of him.
So bold a commander, such watch does he keep;
On board in a storm ne'er but once known to sleep.
I stood all attention to hear them relate,
And admired the union each had with his mate.
My soul was inflam'd when I heard them rejoice;
I no longer refrain'd, but I lift up my voice:
"O bless'd be the Builder that first built the ship,
For all must confess her the best of the fleet.
No vessel beside her is fit for the voyage,
Nor could be contrived to weather a siege.
And blessed be Wisdom, by whom she was plann'd, And fitted complete by her excellent hand;
So steady in sailing, she never can rake,
Nor will she want bailing for springing a leak.
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