A Soliloquy

Grateful Sensations urge my Voice, O lend Thy sacred Ear! my FATHER, GOD, and FRIEND, Assist the Strain, while by Reflection led, I backward view the Years gone o'er my Head. As far as my frail Memory can trace, I find Vestigia's of Thy Love and Grace; Thro' ev'ry Period of my Life, I see Thy saving Providence and Clemency; There's scarce a Day, thro' the revolving Year, But I remark some Token of Thy Care: A Sense of which deeply impress'd my Mind, Humbl'd my Heart, and made my Soul resign'd; Engag'd me oft to cry, on bended Knee, Draw me O GOD! and I'll run after Thee. And should'st Thou deign a Competence to give, Thy Laws shall be revered while I live; And when I die, admitted to Thy Throne, In endless Praise my Gratitude be shown.

But on Thy Mercy still must I confide, For tho' I vow'd, yet I have stept aside, Infring'd Thy Laws, Thy Statutes disrever'd, And the first Nature has too much appear'd; So that I may this fair Confession make, The Spirit's willing, but the Flesh is weak. Therefore I beg, O! let Thy Grace subdue Each erring Passion, and my Heart renew, That to my Friends, I this Account may give, Like pious PAUL, I'm dead, and yet, I live! And now the Life, that animates this Clod, Leans on the Faith of the dear SON of GOD, Who for my Sake alone the Wine-press trod.