THE

SACRIFICE

A

SACRED ODE.

TO WHICH IS ADDED

AN E LE G Y.

Dedicated to the Rev. MOSES BROWNE, Vicar of Olney, Bucks,
And Chaplain of Morden College.

BY WILLIAM AUGUSTUS WILLIS, M. D.

Degen'rate Minds, in mazey Error loft,

May combat Heav'n, and impious Triumphs boaft:
But while my Veins feel animating Fires,
And vital Air this breathing Breast infpires,

Grateful to Heav'n, I'll ftretch a pious Wing,
And fing His Praise who gave me Pow'r to fing.

Sir Richard Blackmore's CREATION, Book vii.

LONDON:

Printed for J. BEW, in Pater-Nofter-Row.

1779.

40

d. 27

1:6

TO THE

1

Reverend MOSES BROWN

VICAR OF OLNEY, BUCKS,

AND

CHAPLAIN OF MORDEN COLLEGE Blackheath.

FILLED with a fincere and filial Affection for

Father of a much-loved Wife, and with Reverence your facred Function, permit me to dedicate to you following Poem.

Happy for many Years in the Poffeffion of y amiable Daughter, (by whom I had many Pledges mutual Affection,) and honoured with your Friends I cannot reflect on departed Years without feeling most tender, yet agreeable Sensations; fuch Sensation must refift the Power of Time, as they are grounded Principles that will render them exiftent to all Eterni

iv

DEDICATION.

CUT CT

You, Sir, are the best Judge of those delicate Sentiments which are better felt than defcribed, as the Goodness of your Heart, and the natural Complacency of your Temper, have rendered you dear to your Friends, and every Lover of fincere Piety,

Far be it from me to flatter weak Mortality, or raise an uncertain Fame on fo fandy a Foundation: The truly Religious fcorn the Incense of Flattery, and he who dares to offer it muft fink in the Eftimation of the Good and Wise; but Gratitude may be indulged to breathe her soft Effusions, in Return for your generous Endeavours to render happy the Son of that Daughter who so dearly loved you.

Your well-known Tafte for facred Poefy, and the affecting and pious Sublimity of your Numbers *, give me the strongest Encouragement to shield my humble Effay under your kind Patronage---Let my fincere Intentions plead for your Favour.

Encouraged by you, and supported in the ardent Task by the gentle Offices and Example of the most amiable

* Sunday-Thoughts, &c.

amiable of Women, (the tender Partner of my hap Hours,) I first purfued, with humble Diffidence, Gospel Track, the glorious Path of Liberty and Lig and found new Beauties fhine through the facred Pa of the Book of Life...

To thofe happy Hours I owe the fixed Princip which, I trust, in the aweful Hour of Diffolution, prove a Sheet-Anchor to my departing Soul.

Sincerity is the furest Guide to eternal Happiness, a like Cornelius, is an humble Attempt to attract the therly Notice of a benevolent God, who fees us 1 Prodigals afar off, and rejoices at our weakeft Efforts return to our Father's House, the Seat of perpetual F tivity and uninterrupted Peace.

May Sincerity and Humility continue to be your co stant Attendants in the heavenly Walk; and, while Pr and Self-Prefumption hide beneath the Tomb their to ering Heads, may you, dear Sir, be called up to a m exalted Seat at that heavenly Feaft, and wear, to 1 endless Ages of Eternity, the Wedding-Garment of u fullied Righteousness !

B