Gospel Sonnets

“ipOETICAL compositions, it will readily be admitted are of a very ancient original: and very early specimens of this kind of writing are yet to be found on record, both in sacred and profane history; — Writings in poesy have many peculiar excellencies in them, and particular advantages attending them: and when men, endued with poetical talents, employ them on subjects of real importance, the sparkling and flowery images, the magnificent and lofty expressions, and the striking figures and rhetorical embellishments, add such a native grandeur, dignity, and majesty to the subject, that the mind is not only truly elevated, the attention gained, the affections moved, and devotion excited; but the memory is gradually prepared to retain and be benefited by them, on account of the beautiful and elegant manner in which the various topics are elucidated.

No subject is more interesting, or can be a fitter theme for these vested with a poetical genius, than those of an evangelical nature, either directly founded upon some particular portion of sacred writ, or drawn from it by just and necessary consequence. No writings, for justness of sentiment and sublimity pf style can equal or compare with these of divme inspiration: and though the mysteries of Christianity, and the wonders of our holy religion, stand in no need of gay trimmings and poetical embellishments to set them off; yet such is the superior excellency of inspired poesy, that the brightest and most elevated description of a mortal pen must vail to it; and therefore says a celebrated writer,” If an) would attempt to be master of true eloquence, and aim at a proper elevation of style, let him read, v iih unremitting diligence, the ancient prophets,

* Sec the Song of Moses at the Red Sea, Exod. >:v. i — 21. This Song most ancient and sublime piece of poetry in the world; the i

mem of it- idea- is beautiful — and the sirain°pf pi tv which breathes through thi [ ulv evangelical,

the inspired evangelists and apostles: for their writings are an abundant source of ail the riches and ornament of speech.”

It hath been now a long and just complaint that poesy, which is of a divine original, should h ive been so much debased to the worst of purposes, in decorating vice and profaneness; and that men, endued with such a happy talent, should so much employ it in furnishing out theatrical entertainments, or upon ludicrous and profane trifles. How happy would it have been for the world, what an ornament to Christianity, and advantage to the church; and how honouring. to themselves, as well as beneficial to the interests of religion, had they employed it on evangelical and divine subjects, in pointing out the beauties of creation, the bounty of provided e, the depth of redeeming love and grace, and the excellency and sweetness of true religion and practical godliness.

The Rev. Mr. Erskine, author of the following poems, was happy in employing his poetical talent to the best of purposes: the subjects he made choice of to handle, were of the utmost importance for mankind to know; his manner of treating themtruly evangelical; and the spirit that breathes through them heavenly and divine; tending to warm the heart, excite to genuine devotion, and to inspire the mind with just and proper sentiments of God and true religion.

The sentiments of Dr. Bradbury, relative to our author’s poetical talent, are very just. “Mr. ErskineV poems,” says he, “are greatly to be esteemed, for the sweetness of the verse, the disposition of the subjects, the elegancy of the composition, and, above all, for that which animates the whole, the savour of divine and experimental knowledge*.”

P Pee his preface to some of Mr. Erskine’s sermons; printed in L.- 1

PfeEFtXED TO THE FOUUTH LONDON EDITION, 17a*.

ft E A D F. R,

nnilHRE having boon several impressions of tin- -*- book at Edinburgh, anc! some of them without my knowledge, and very incorrect; I was the more easily induced to yield to the earnest desire of such as urged me to allow its being reprinted at London. Yet being unwilling it should be published there’, under all the disadvantages of a homely Scottish rhyme, which I never expected was to spread so far, and make such a public appearance in the world; therefore as I reckoned myself very much obliged to the gentleman, who inclined to be the publisher, that he did not adventure to reprint any of the former copies, without acquainting me of his design, and desiring to know, if I had any corrections or or amendments to make upon it; so if it now come abroad (as I hope it does) to more advantage than formerly, it is much owing to his kindness and civility in craving my consent, and giving mean opportunity (which I have taken for some months) of putting into such order, as any spare hour, amidst my other weighty work, would allow.

I do not intend, by any corrections I have made upon this book, to act the part of the lofty poet, nor to affect what is called the sublime; I know such is the deficiency of my poetical genius, though it had been cultivated by art and application, which I never had time for; that I never thought myself capable of any production of this sort, fitted for pleasing the critical palate of a learned age, or gratifying those of a polite education. And therefore these lines were never framed with that design, but merely for the benefit of vulgar capacities, and of the common sort of people, that make up the gene-A 3 rality of Christian congregations; hoping they

lit tend eithfirto the instruction of the ignorant

and illiterate, to whom the Gospel is much hid: or

to the edification of the serious and exercised, to

whom the Gospel, even in its most simple dress, is a joyful sound.

Yet judging it possible also, these lines may contribute to rectify some mistakes about the Gospel, that may take place, even among those that are superior to others in many parts of literature; and not knowing into whose hands these sonnets might fall, I have endeavoured in this edition to make such corrections and amendments, which I hope will render them still obvious to the vulgar, and not altogether nauseous to the learned. And therefore as I have attempted to purge them from a great Diany expressions, which I thought were more mean and flat, than could well agree with the taste of the intelligent; so I have made many of the lines to run more smoothly than formerly, and intermixed many phras s that are more poetical; for which end, ere I wrote out this edition, I have glanced here and there at the writings of some that I know are at pr< sent famous for poesy; but I own the life and spirit of that art in them is more amiable to me, than imitable b me; and that neither my time nor talent can allow me to follow them. Though I Hdpe the following lines are not the worse that I have observed how far these lofty performances of theirs do exceed the eilortsof an uncultivated genius, and how much their vigour and vivacity may be wanting, even where some of their phrases or metaphors are adopted.

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