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OR,

SPIRITUAL SONGS,

IN SIX PARTS.
I. The BELIEVER'S ESPOUSALS.
II. The BELIEVER'S JOINTURE.
III. The BELIEVER'S RIDDLE.
IV. The BELIEVER'S LODGING.
V. The BELIEVER'S SOLILOQUY.
VI. The BELIEVER'S PRINCIPLES,

CONCERNING

CREATION and REDEMPTION,

Law and GOSPEL,

JUSTIFICATION and SANCTIFICATION,
FAITH and SENSE,

HEAVEN and EARTH,

By the late REVEREND

Mr. RALPH ERSKΙΝΕ,
Minister of the Gospel at Dunfermline.

THE TWENTY-FOURTH EDITION.
In which the Holy Scriptures are fully extended.

To which is now prefixed,

An Account of the AUTHOR's Life and Writings. Mira canam, fed veracanam. BUCH. Pf. 1xxviii.

EDINBURGH:

PRINTED FOR JAMES AND ANDREW DUNCAN, BOOKSELLERS, GLASGOW.

M, DCC, XCIII.

:

If the number of editions of any performance be a mark of public approbation, Mr./ ERSKINE'S GOSPEL SONNETS have a claim to that diftinction, and they may be ranked amongst those of general esteem and usefulness; few books have been so often printed in the same space of time.

The present edition, it is hoped, will be found no less worthy of public encouragement, than those that have gone before it, as confiderable attention has been paid to the correcting, by comparing it with former editions; and every thing is to be found here that has appeared in the most approved copies of the Gofpel Sonnets.

Mr. EKSKINE's Poems, as Dr. BRADBURY says, are greatly to be esteemed; and above all, for that which animates the whole, the favour of divine and experimental knowledge.

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DOETICAL compositions, it will readily be admitted,

are of a very antient original; and very early specimens of this kind of writing are yet to be found on record, both in 2 facred & and profane history. - Writings in peesy 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 ftriking 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.

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No fubject is more interesting, or can be a fitter theme, for these vetted with a poetical genuis, than these of an evangelical nature, either directly founded upon some particular portion of facred writ, or drawn from it, by just and neceffary consequence. No writings, for jusiness of sentiment; and fu blimity of stile, can equal or compare with these of divine inspiration: and though the mysteries of Chriftianity, and the wonders of our holy religion, stand in no need of gay trimings and poetical embellishments to fet them off; yet such is the fuperior excellency of inspired poesy, that the brightest and

+ See the Song of Mofes at the Red Sea, Exod. xv. 1,-21. This Song is the most ancient and fublime piece of poetry in the world: the images are natural; the arrangement of its ideas is beautiful; and the strain of piety which breathes through the whole is truely evangelical:

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most elevated descriptions of a mortal pen must vail to it: and therefore says a celebrated writer, ' If any would attempt ' to be master of true eloquence, and aim at a proper elevation ' of stile, let him read, with unremitting diligence, the ancient 'prophets, the inspired evangelists and apostles; for their • writings are an abundant source of all the riches and orna'ment of speech.'.

It hath been now a long and just complaint, that poesy, which is of a divine original, should have 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 Chriftianity 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 providence, 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 them, truly 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, Erskine's Poems, fays he, are greatly to be esteemed, for the sweetness of the verse, the • disposition of the subjects, the elegancy of the compofition, ' and, above all, for that which animates the whole, the favour * of divine and experimental knowledge '†

† See his preface to fome of Mr. Erskine's Sermons, prin,ted at London, in 1738.

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WHATEVER apologies this book has formerly been

prefaced with, (as to the manner in which many lines in it are written), hall be here altogether dropt and forborn. I now dismiss it as it is, under the conduct of divine providence, to take its hazard in the world; fince it has already served its apprenticeship under several impressions, and gone both through kind and hard usage, through good report and bad report. It never promised much to them that feek nothing but pleasure and fatisfaction to their fancy; but I have heard that it has done some service (and, I hope, through the bleffing of Heaven, it may yet do more) to them that feek profit and edification to their fouls.

The late edition of this book at London, being more full and complete than any that was formerly emitted, it is fit here to acquaint the reader, that this is printed exactly off the London copy, without any material addition or alteration, except in the third part of the book, that comes under the name of Riddles, or mysteries; and part fixth, chap. ii. fect. 1. intitled, The believer's principles, concerning the mysteries of the law and gospel: both of which (because there were several demands in this country for a new edition) I thought fit to confirm by fcripture 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 by a letter of the alphabet, at every branch of the sentence that is ei

* The fcriptures in this edition are extended at full length.

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