Preface

“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.

However it the subject matter of the following Km 8 shall commend itself to the hearts of the serious, and the hook, through the blessing of God tend to spread the tight and knowledge of the Gospel of Christ, and to draw immortal souls to him, my principal design therein is gained. Though I hare

made many editions, yet I have fra paired nothing

of the matter contained m the former edition. Many,

most, of the lines stand as they were bef and though they should not be capable to satisfy those of a refined taste, yet 1 shall be easy, If they be clearly intelligible to all, and justly offensive to none. Meantime I heartily wish that those readers, chiefly affect politeness of language and lofty strains, would endeavour, if these lines cannot tify their fancy, to improve them to the benefit of their souls; for if the latter can be reached, they will the more easily dispense with the former.

The former editions had a great many sections without any title, except what was general in the beginning of the chapter. This defect I have here supplied with such titles to every section, as give a view of the main subject-matter thereof; on the account of which, together with the amendments, enlargements, and additions here made, I hope the book may be more acceptable and adapted for edification than formerly; though I own the former editions have met with a more kind reception among serious Christians than ever I expected; which has also prompted me to put it now into the best order, that my time and other affairs would allow; in the throng whereof I was urged exceedingly again and again, to hasten it forward. And perhaps it is better, ttiat I have not had occasion to bestow upon it all the time and pains I could have wished, since it is probable, in attempting to make it more unexceptionable and agreeable to those of a critical eye, 1 might readily have made it less intelligible and serviceable to others, for whom it was principally designed.

The first part of this book is chiefly, and in the first piace to be attended to, as th ground-work of the rest, and containing the great end and design of the Gospel, with reference unto samers, which is to divorce them from the law,

A ± and betroth them unto Christ, that being dead to the law by the both, of Christ, they may be marled to another, even to him who is raisi dfrom the dead, that they may being forth fruit unto Cod. Rom. vii. 4. Then has a Gospel-minister gained his great point among his people, when he can say with the apostle, 2 Cor. xi. (J. 1 have espoused you to one Husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. Here then is the ground-work of all true practical religion and holiness for till men be dead to the law, they cannot live unto God, Gal. ii. 19. And till they be married to Christ, they cannot bring forth fruit unto God, as we see in the above-cited Rom. vii. 4. And except they be in Christ by the truth of faith, and abide in him by a life of faith, they cannot bring forth fruit acceptable unto God, John xv. 4, 5. Let t’i( reader then, that would be wise unto salvation, Sfti! would wish to be happy in a match toali eternity, or jo iiitu red jfor, another world, that would live godly liiisi Jesus here, die in him, and live for ever with him hereafter, make it his chief care to have ‘• acquaintance with the great gospel-match, sc- before him in the first part of this book. I do. not expect any other part of the book will be read profitably, or comfortably, by those tha thave no due concern about this leading point.

The Gospel-comforts treated of in the second part will have no hue relish, but with those that are espoused unto Christ, and to whom only God’s strong consolations belong, Ileb. vi. IS.

TheGospel mysteries treated in the third part will have no beauty but in the eyes of Christ’s bride, or believers, lo v. born it is given to know the mysieries of the kingdom of heaven, while to others it is not given, Malt. xiii. II. And to whose enlightened minds, great is the mystery of godliness, I. Tivi. iii. 16. Cod maiijfested ,in thejlesh, <Sr. Those that, laugh at the mysteries of the Gospel, under, the notion of mystical divinity, and make theta

PHEFA^E. IX

matter of sport and ridicule, have reason to fear, lest they be joining hands with profane ‘mockers whose bands shall be made strong. W& may know that us divine mysteries are treated, so is the Gospel, unless we have forgot that to preach the Gospel is to speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, 1 Cor. li. 6.

A sjaifci, Gospel ordinances that are commended in the fourth part of this book under the title of the Believers Lodging, will not be amiable but to those, who, being acquainted with Christ, and espoused to him, do love the habitation of his house, and the place where his honour dwells, Psalm xxvi. 8. and where they see his power and glory. Psalm lxiii. C.

Gospel-exercise and heart-wrork, whereof some pieces are touched in the fifth part, and in the close’ of the fourth, will have but little place but among those sods, that are betrothed unto Christ, whose heait-sauctm ing, sin-conquering, and soul-comforting presence is their life, and whose great concern in his absence is, O that I knew where I might find him! Job xxiii. S.

Finally, Gospel truths and principles spoke of in the sixth and last part of the book, will be truly received and entertained by none, but those that arc the bride, the Lamb’ sic if e, the woman clothed with th£ sun, having the moon under her feet, and upon her head the crown of twelve .stars, Rev. xii. 1. Such the truth as it is in Jesus, Eph. iv. 21. and c the love of the truth that they maybe saved. 2 Thess, ii. 10. Those therefore will read the other parrs of this book to most edification and comfort, who are savingly acquainted with that spiritual marriage-relation to Christ, which is the subject of the first part.

borne chapters of the sixth part of these sonnets * are calculated mainly for pointing but the difference between law aad Gospel, justification and suncufr*-” Ao

cation, faith and sense; which I have the more largely insisted upon, because I apprehend, that the more people have their minds spiritually and evangelically enlightened; so as to have just and distinct apprehension of these subjects, the more will the life of holiness and comfort take place in them; and the life of glorious liberty and freedom both from the power of corruption, and the prevalency of mental confusion, discouragement, and despondency, as our Lord Jesus says, John viii. 32. Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. Many Christians are kept in great bondage, partly by legal doctrine, and partly by their own legal dispositions, both much owing to dark and confused apprehensions of these weighty points; and particularly of the difference between the covenant of works, and that of grace, or between the law and the Gospel.

I shall only further advertise the reader, lest he al ledge any inconsistency between the subject spoke of, part. 6. chap. 4. sect. 2. concerning faith, its being the very opposite of doubts and fears; and sect. 6. of that same chapter, concerning faith building upon sense, that there is no real odds, if you consider that in some verses of the former section, farth is spoken of in the abstract, and in its own nature, and thus it is opposite to, and excludes all unbelieving doubts: but the latter speaks of it in the concrete, and as it is attended with the woeful mixture of contrary principles. Thus when a believer is in scripture defined as such abstractly, and with reference to his new nature or regenerate part, it is said he sinneth not, yea cannot sin, 1 John iii. t), 9. but when he is viewed in a compounded sense, to assert he has no sin, is to contradict God and his truth, 1 John i. 8, 10.

It is (it here to acquaint the Reader, that in the third part of the book, that conies under the name i/f Riddles, or mysteries; and part sixth, chap. ii.

sect. 1. intitled, The Relievers Principles concerning ike mysteries of the law and gospel: I have in this

edition more fully confirmed by scripture-texts, cited at the bottom of the page, for the benefit of those that are weak in knowledge, and unacquainted with the scripture. I have directed them bya letter of the alphabet, at every branch of the sentence thfct is either seemingly or really opposite to the other, unto some scriptural text, one or more; for evincing the truth thereof: by which means the weakest that is willing, may come to understand the most difficult paradox, or mystery, mentioned in this work; at least so far as to see that every part of it is founded on the word of God, either directly, or by plain and necessary consequence.

So that you may easily go over all the paradoxes*, riddles, or mysteries, contained in this book, and iind them evidently confirmed by the scriptures of truth, the word of God. This might be no unprofitable exercise, but tend to lead you into the true knowledge of the Gospel, to which mysteries are so? essential, that it is designed by them, and called the wisdom of God in a mystery, 1 Cor. 11. 7. and the knowledge of which is so essential to Christianity,, and so absolutely necessary to salvation, that the same apostle declares, that if our Gospel be hid, it is hid to than that are lost? in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ, tok* is the image of God, should shine unto them. 2 Cor, vi. 3.

But, if you search the scriptures for yourselves* you will see many more proofs for every point than I have adduced, and perhaps many much more apposite; ior these only are set down at the bottom of the pai;e that first occurred to me: y t, I suppose* though sometimes but one, and sometiim-3 morp* scriptures are pointed our, they are such as Bufticfc- «ntly. confirm the positions they, relate to. A. ft.

other scriptures might have been adduced in plenty*, I shall give one instance in the paradox following, viz. That every believer, while in this world, lsboth a devil and a saint. The latter clause is what none Will deny, namely, That every true believer is a saint; for further proof of which, you might see Acts xv. a. and xxvi. 18, &c. But because the iirst clause may seem more harsh, it may by scripture be also further evinced two ways: 1st, In respect of the daily commission of sin he has to challenge himself with: for the scripture says* Eccles* vii. 20. There is not a just man upon earth that doeth good and sinneth not. And with this compare 1 John iiu S. He that committeth sin, is of tJie devil. Hence it is plain, there is not a just man upon earth, but .may, in respect to the commission of sin, be called a devil. 2dly, In respect to prevalent temptations, by which he may be hurried into those things that savour not of God, but of men on which account Christ says to Peter, Matt. xvi. 23. Get thee behind •mc, Satan. And if Christ calls Peter a devil, whom lie had described as a saint of the first magnitude, ver. 17. one divinely blessed and enlightened; what occasion may every believer have to call himself a devil! Yea, it is a part of his faith and sanctity, to see and acknowledge, with shame before the Lord, his own devilish and desperately wicked heart and nature; which a blind, self-conceited world are ignorant of, being neither acquainted with themselves, nor with God and his word. However, so it is, that the more any shall search the scripture, the more, I hope, will they discern, not only by the texts I have quoted, but from many others also, the truth and evidence of every part of this book, however mysterious some passages of it may seem to many.

1 bid far from thinking these lines will be pleasing to every one that shall read them, since the fciould and frame ot many of them is far from picas-PREFACE Xlll

;i]U myself, only I am not ashamed of the subje, t. The title 1 have given to the book is a short in i< ation of my own judgment about it: foi on the one band, when 1 considered the manner, wherein much of it is written, and how far true poesy is in my opinion superior thereto, 1 thought it presumption in me to give it any lotty. title, and that it was enough if it passed under the name of SoBnetfi: i r, on the other hand, the matter contained therein be- .■meralU go great .evangelical mysteries, as are not below the study of elect angels in heaven, 1 Pet. i. L2. far less below the considt: ration of the most intelligent minds and elevated thoughts of nun, under whatever denomination on earth; I thought I might presume to distinguish them from all idle and profane scribbles under that name, by the high adjunct and epithet of Gospel Sonnets.

Reader, it is a matter of small moment, either to me or to yourself, what your thoughts phall be of this )( rformance, or the author thereof; but it is a matter of vast consequence what shall be your thought, estimate, and valuation of the truth here presented to sour view, it the applause of the learned had been the author’s scope in this book, perhaps he had never suffered it to see the light; let him therefore decrease, as he shall and ought, but let Christ and his truth increase. The time is hastening, wherein you and I shall stand before his awful tribunal, and I expect to see or meet with few of you, that are, or shall be, the readers, until that day which shall declare every mans work, if it be wood, hay, and stubbie, or gold, silver, and precious stones, that he builds upon the foundation, which is the Lord himself; tor other foundation can no man lay, than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ, 1 Cor. ni. 11, 12,. S. It will therefore be your wisdom in the view of that great day of accounts, and i woulo beseech you by the coming of our i-ord Jesus Chust, and by our gathering together unto him, 2 Thess. ii. I. that in reading these lines, vouwou id seriously consider and see; if they i an any way contribute, either to your first building, or further progress upon that sure foundation Cod has laid in Zion; that so you arid I both meeting by faith here, in tins true and only center of spiritual rest, we ma then meet together joy fuHy, and adore him for all the means of edification, that ever he was plea ed to lay in our way.

I hope the main design of this book is what I take to be the main scope of the Gospel itself, namely to exclude all self-confidence, and stain the pride of man, to bring in self-denial, and exalt the glory of Christ, to extol his ri Jiteousness, by which he has magnified the law, and made it honourable,. to exhibit such a way of salvation to sinners, as shall most advance the honour of all the divine perfections, which shine most brightly in the face and person of Jesus Christ; and to bring men to such a true and lively faith of the free grace and mercy of God in Christ, as will be the only solid root and spring of true peace, heart-holiness, and practical godliness, according to these and the like scriptures, Rom. v. I. Acts xv. 9. Tit. ii. 11, 12. and iii. 5, 6, 7, S. With reference to these subjects of everlasting moment and eternal consequence, it is certainly safest for you to choose that side, that favours salvation, not of the free-will of man, nor of works, but of the free-will of God, and of grace; and that part, that depresses self and self-righteousness to the lowest, and exalts Christ and his righteousness to the highest; that so you may not have your mind and opinion to change, perhaps too late, when you come to die, or appear before the awful tribunal of an infinitely just and holy God, whose impartial trial nothing will stand, that wants his own divine »stamp. Hence the immediate views of death and judgment have made many opposers of the doctrine of grace in their lives, own it as the best divinity in their last agonies, and turn with Bellarmine from the merit ot works in man, to the mercy of God in Christ. That the following lines may be blessed of God for the spiritual profit and edification of many, and for advam ing a life of faith, holiness, and comfort in all serious readers, is the earnest prayer of him, who desires to account it his honour to be,

A servant of Jesus Christ,

And of your faith in him,

EL E-