for the more conveniency of readers and purchasers, with confiderable additions and amendments *. We cannot dismiss this account of our Author, without taking notice of another particular concerning him, which constitutes a very material branch of his character. He was not only deservedly esteemed as a judicious DIVINE; but also much respected as a good POET: And he hath favoured the world with several excellent productions of that nature, which have all met with a very favourable reception. His poetical talent was employed chiefly on divine subjects; he had no relish and taste for any other. In his younger years, at his leisure hours, he composed the following piece, which is now intitled, GOSPEL-SONNETS: or, Spiritual Songs, in fix parts. The ufefulness of this poetical compend of the revealed principles of our holy religion, for promoting the life of faith, comfort, and holiness, will be experienced, it is hoped, by many of the faints of God, to the latest posterity. - This piece was so well relished, that it hath undergone a multitude of impressions; and the demand for it is as great as ever. About the year 1738, he emitted into the world his poetical paraphrafe upon the whole book of the SONG OF SOLOMON; which indeed is an evangelical comment, done in a strain adapted to the New-Teftament dispensation, upon that * That eminent divine, the late Rev. Dr BRADBURY, in in his preface to a collection of some of Mr. Erskine's Sermons, printed at London, in 1738, expresses himself in the following manner: "These Sermons, faith he, have no need " of my recommendation: the reader will find in them a faithful " adherence to the design of the gospel, a clear defence of " those doctrines that are the pillar and ground of truth, a " large compass of thought, a strong force of argument, and a "happy flow of words, which are both judicious, and fami"liar; and they have been greatly blessed to the edification of " many, especially the poor of the flock. The words of the late justly celebrated and pious Mr. HERVEY are very significant, and truly expreffive of the high esteem he had for Mr. ERSKINE'S Works. -" Was I to read " with a single view to the edification of my heart, in true " faith, folid comfort, and evangelical holiness; I would have " recourse to Mr. ERSKINE, and take his volumes for my guide, my companion, and my own familiar friend!" 1 allegorical or figurative part of holy writ. - This performance has likewife been very acceptable, and undergone a variety of editions. By emitting the above poetical essays into the world, and fome smaller performances, our Author's abilities as a poet came to be known; and induced the Reverend Synod, of which he was a member, repeatedly to importune him, to employ some of his vacant hours, in turning all the poetical passages of facred writ, into common metre, of the fame kind with the Pfalms of David. These recommendations he at last complied with; and his productions at laft made their ap. pearance, under the title of SCRIPTURE SONGS, selected from several passages in the Old and New Testament, which were well relished, and have now undergone several editions. Our Author, besides his fermons and poems, published several tracts, on some points of controversy, in which he difplayed his abilities as a writer: particularly an elaborate treatise, intitled, FAITH NO FANCY; or, a Treatise of Mental Images: a book fingularly valuable, for the clear and perfpicu. ous manner in which he hath handled and established this important point; every way worthy of our Auther, and reflected the greatest honour upon him; in regard it hath given the greatest display of his abilities, both as a divine and phi losopher, and how capable he was to exhaust any point, when he set himself to it, even in an abstract way of reasoning: a book that effectually filenced all his opponents; and stands to this day unanswered. This faithful and laborious servant of Jesus Christ, laboured successfully in the work of the ministry, and continued publicly useful in his Master's work, till within a few days of his departure; for he preached in his own pulpit on Sabbath the 29th of October 1752, and he was thereafter seized, in the end of the same month, viz. October 1752, with a nervous fever, (wherein, nevertheless he enjoyed the exercise of his judgment and senses,) which lasted only for a few days, and at last was the happy messenger of freeing him from the incumbrances of an embodied state, and leading him to the world of spirits, and the reigons of eternal bliss and felicity; for, on the eight day of the fever, he fell asleep in the Lord, being Monday, Nov. 6th, 1752, in the 68th year of his age, after labouring unweariedly and successfully in the work of the ministry, among his flock in Dunfermline, for the space of forty two years. Mr. Erskine, our worthy Author, affords room for large commendations, were we disposed to give them; and his complete character is truly great, and his disposition exceedingly amiable.- If he is considered as to his natural endowments, he possessed many fine qualities; he had a sweet temper, a clear head, a rich invention, a lively imagination, and a great memory.-- If he is viewed as to his acquired abilities; he was well acquainted with all the useful branches of literature, necessary to adorn the scholar, and the minister.If he is considered as to his office; he was a great and judici. ous divine, a pious evangelical preacher, and an able cafuift. -In short, he was not only a learned mau, and an able divine, but an affectionate familiar friend, a social companion, a de. vout Christian, and a burning and shining light. By his death, the church of Christ lost a great light, a heroie champion for the truth, and a bold contender for the faith, once delivered unto the saints. -The body he was last connected with, have been deprived of an useful member, and a shining ornament to their caufe.--The congregation he laboured among, lost an able faithful minister, a laborious and fuccessful wrestler, and a painful and diligent instructor.His family and relatives, lost a true friend, an affectionate hufband, a tender-hearted parent, and a striking pattern of virtue. ---His acquaintances and intimates, an endearing brother, a focial companion, and an engaging friend. Mr. Erskine was twice married. His first marriage was with Margaret Dewar, a daughter of the laird of Laffodie, which commenced the 15th of July, 1714. She lived with him about fixteen years; during which time she bore ten children, five sons and five daughters: three of these sons were ministers in the Afsociation, viz. the Rev. Messrs. Henry, John, and James; the first ordained minister, at Falkirk, the second at Lesslie, and the third at Stirling. All of them died in the prime of life, when they had given the world just ground to conceive high expectations of their usefulness in the church.-His fecond marriage was with Margaret Simson, a daughter of Mr. Simson, writer to the fignet at Edinburgh, which took place, February 24th, 1732. She bore him four fons, and survived himself some few years. One of the fons of this marriage is still in life, and refides at London. All his other children are now removed by death. August, $763. MUCH fam'd on earth, renown'd for piety; Religiously thy life below was spent: E RSKINE the great! whose pen spread far abroad, * Alluding to his Poetical pieces. OF THE GOSPEL SONNETS. Preface, PART I. The Believer's Espousals. Page 25 CHAP. I. A general account of man's fall in Adam, and the remedy provided in Christ; and a particular account of man's being naturally wedded to the law as a covenant of works, Sect. 1. The fall of Adam, Sect. 2. Redemption through Chrift, Sect. 3. Man's legal disposition, 26 ib. 28 31 33 Sect. 5. Man's vain attempt to seek life by Ghrift's righ. teousness, joined with their own; and legal hopes natural to all, 35 Sect. 4. Man's strict attachment to legal terms, or to the law as a condition of life, Chap. II. The manner of a finner's divorce from the law in a work of humiliation, and of his marriage to the Lord Jesus Christ; or, The way how a finner comes to be a believer, Sect. 1. Of a law work, and the workings of legal pride under it, Sect. 2. Conviction of fin and wrath, carried on more deeply and effectually on the heart, Sect. 3. The deeply humbled foul relieved, with some faving difcoveries of Christ the Redeemer, 39 ib 43 46 Sect. 4. The workings of the Spirit of faith, in separating the heart from all self righteousness, and drawing out its consent to, and defire after Chrift alone and wholly, 48 Sect. 5. Faith's view of the freedom of grace, cordial renunciation of all its own ragged righteousness, and formal acceptance of and closing with the perfon of glorious Chrift, 52 |