A Sight of CHRIST. Isaac Watts Alexander Huber Editor Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford
Broad Street Oxford OX1 3BG UK
Eighteenth-Century Poetry Archive
Taylor Institution Library St Giles' Oxford OX1 3NA UK info@eighteenthcenturypoetry.org https://www.eighteenthcenturypoetry.org/
Oxford This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. T82397 K067329.000 Watts, Isaac, 1674-1748. Horæ lyricæ: Poems, chiefly of the lyric kind. In two books. ... By I. Watts. London Printed by S. and D. Bridge, for John Lawrence at the Sign of the Angel in the Poultrey. MDCCVI. 1706 pp. 65-69. [20],267,[1]p.; 8⁰.

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The Substance of the following Copy , and many of the Lines as they here stand were sent me by an Esteemed Friend Mr. W. Nokes , with a desire that I would form them into a Pindarick Ode ; but I retain'd his Measures least I should too much alter his Sense . A Sight of CHRIST . ANgels of Light , your God and King surround With Noble Songs ; in his Exalted Flesh He claims your Worship ; while his Saints on Earth Bless their Redeemer-God with humble Tongues . Angels with lofty Honours crown his Head ; We bowing at his Feet , by Faith may feel This distant Influence , and confess his Love . Once I beheld his Face , when Beams Divine Broke from his Eyelids , and unusual Light Wrap't me at once in Glory and Surprize . My Joyful Heart high leaping in my Breast With Transport cry'd , This is the Christ of God ; Then threw my Arms around in sweet Embrace , And clasp'd , and bow'd Adoring low , till I was lost in him . While he appears no other Charms can hold Or draw my Soul asham'd of former things , Which no Remembrance now deserve or Name Tho' with Contempt , best in Oblivion hid . But the bright Shine and Presence soon withdrew ; I sought him whom I Love , but found him not ; I felt his Absence ; and with strongest cries Proclaim'd , Where Jesus is not , all is vain . Whether I hold him with a full Delight , Or seek him panting with Extream Desire , 'Tis He alone can please my Wondring Soul ; To hold or seek him is my only Choice . If he refrain on me to cast his Eye Down from his Palace , nor my longing Soul With upward Look can spy my Dearest Lord Thro' his Blue Pavement , I'll behold him still With sweet reflection on the peaceful Cross , All in his Blood and Anguish , groaning deep , Gasping and dying there . — This Sight I ne're can loose , by it I live : A Quickning Vertue from his Death inspir'd Is Life and Breath to me ; His Flesh my Food ; His Vital Blood I drink , and hence my Strength . I Live , I'm Strong , and now Eternal Life Beats quick within my Breast ; my Vigorous Mind Spurns the dull Earth , and on her fiery Wings Reaches the Mount of Purposes Divine , Counsels of Peace betwixt th' Almighty Three Conceiv'd at once , and Sign'd without Debate In perfect Union of the Eternal Mind . With vast Amaze I see the Unfathom'd Thoughts , Infinite Schemes , and Infinite Designs Of God's own Heart in which he ever rests . Eternity lies open to my View ; Here the Beginning and the End of all I can discover ; Christ , the End of all , And Christ the great Beginning ; He my Head , My God , my Glory , and my All in All . O that the Day , the joyful Day were come When the first Adam from his Ancient Dust Crown'd with new Honours shall revive , and see Jesus his Son and Lord ; while shouting Saints Surround their King , and God's Eternal Son Shines in the midst but with Superior Beams , And like himself ; Then the Mysterious Word Long hid behind the Letter shall appear All Spirit and Life , and in the fullest Light Stand forth to publick View , and there disclose His Father's Sacred Works and wondrous Ways : Then Wisdom , Righteousness and Grace Divine Thro' all the Infinite Transactions past Inwrought and shining shall with double blaze Strike our astonish't Eyes , and ever reign Admir'd and Glorious in Triumphant Light . Death and the Tempter , and the Man of Sin Now at the Bar arraign'd , in Judgment cast , Shall vex the Saints no more , but perfect Love And loudest Praises perfect Joy create , While ever-circling Years maintain the blissful State .