BY THE PUBLISHER. POETICAL compofitions, it will readily be admitted, are of a very ancient original; and very early fpecimens of this kind of writing are yet to be found on record, both in facred and profane hiftory. Writings in poefy have many peculiar excellencies in them, and particular advantages attending them: and when men, endued with poetical talents, employ them on fubjects of real importance, the sparkling and flowery images, the magnificent and lofty expreffions, and the ftriking figures and rhetorical embellishments, add fuch a native grandeur, dignity, and majefty to the fubject, 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 fubject is more interefting, or can be a fitter theme, for thofe vefted with a poetical genius, thon those of an evangelical nature, either directly founded upon fome particular portion of facred writ, or drawn from it by just and neceffary confequence. No writings, for juftness of fentiment and fublimity of ftile, can equal or compare with thefe of divine inspiration: and though the myste ries of Christianity, and the wonders of our holy religion, ftand in no need of gay trimmings and poetical embellishments to fet them off; yet fuch is the fuperior excellency of infpired poefy, that the brightest and most elevated defcriptions of a mortal pen muft vail to it: and therefore fays a celebrated writer, 'If any would attempt to be master of true eloquence, and aim at a proper elevation of ftile, let him read, with unremit * See the Song of Mofes at the Red Sea, Exodus 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 ftrain of piety which breathes through the whole, is truly evangelical ting diligence, the ancient prophets, the infpired evan'gelifts and apoftles; for their writings are an abundant fource of all the riches and ornament of fpeech.' It hath been now a long and juft complaint, that poefy, which is of a divine original, fhould have been fo much debafed to the worst of purpofes, in decorating vice and profanenefs; and that men, endued with fuch a happy talent, should so much employ it in furnishing our 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 interefts of religion, had they employed it on evangelical and divine fubjects, in pointing out the beauties of creation, the bounty of providence, the depth of redeeming love and grace, and the excellency and fweetness of true religion and practical godliness! The Rev. Mr. Erfkine, author of the following Poems, was happy in employing his poetical talent to the best of purpofes: the fubjects he made choice of to handle, were of the utmost importance for mankind to know; his manner of treating them truly evangelical; and the fpirit that breathes through them, heavenly and divine; tending to warm the heart, excite to genuine devotion, and to infpire the mind with juft and proper fentiments of God and true religion. 6 The fentiments of Dr. Bradbury, relative to our au thor's poetical talent are very juft. • Mr. Erfkine's Poems,' fays he, are greatly to be efteemed, for the sweetnefs of the verfe, the difpofition of the fubjects, the elegancy of the compofition, and, above all, for that which animates the whole, the favour of divine and ex'perimental knowledge.** * See his preface to fome of Mr. Erfkine's Sermons, printed at London, in 1738. Preface, I. A general account of man's fall in Aam, and the remedy provided in Chrift; and a particular account of Sec. 1. The fall of Adam, ib. Sect. 2. Redemption through Chrift, 31. Sect. 3. Man's legal difpofition, 33. Sect. 4. Man's ftrict attachment to legal terms, or to the law as a condition of life, 35. Sect. 5. Man's vain attempt to feek life by Christ's righteoufnefs joined with their own; and legal hopes natural Chap. II. The manner of a finner's divorce from the law in a work of humiliation, and of his marriage to the Lord Jefus Chrift; or, The way how a finner comes to be a believer, 40 Sec. I. Of a law work, and the workings of legal pride un- der it, ib. Sect. 2. Conviction of fin and wrath carried on more deeply and effectually on the heart, 43. Sect. 3. The deeply humbled foul relieved with fome faving difcoveries of Chrift the Redeemer, 46. Sec. 4. The workings of the Spirit of faith, in feparating the heart from all felf-righteousness, and drawing out its confent 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 righteoufnefs, and formal acceptance of and closing with the person of glorious Chap. III. The fruits of the believer's marriage with Chrift, Sect. 1. The fweet folemnity of the marriage now over, and the fad effects of the remains of a legal fpirit, ib. Sect. 2. Faith's victories over fin and Satan, through new and further difcov- eries of Christ, making believers more fruitful in holiness, than all other pretenders to works, 55. Sect. 3. True faving faith magnifying the law, both as a covenant and rule. False faith unfruitful and ruining, 57. Sect. 4. The believer only being married to Christ, is justified and fanctified; and the more gof- pel freedom from the law as a covenant, the more holy con- formity to it as a rule, 60. Sect. 5. Gospel Grace giving no 62 Chap. IV. A caution to all against a legal spirit, especially to Chap. V. Arguments and encouragements to gospel ministers to avoid a legal ftrain of doctrine, and endeavour the fin- ner's match with Chrift by gospel means, Sect. 1. A legal fpirit the root of damnable errors, ih. Sect. 2. A legal ftrain of doctrine difcovered and discarded, 68. Sect. 3. The hurtfulness of not preaching Christ, and distin- guifhing duly between law and gofpel, 69. Sect. 4. Damna- ble pride and felf-righteoufnefs, fo natural to all men, has lit- tle need to be encouraged by legal preaching, 71. Sect. 5. The gospel of divine grace the only means of converting fin- ners; and it fhould therefore be preached moft clearly, fully, Chap. VI. An exhortation to all that are out of Chrift, in or- Sect. 1. Conviction offered to finners, especially fuch as are wedded to the law, or felf-righteous; that they may see their need of Chrift's righteoufnefs, ib. Sect. 2. Direction given with reference to the right ufe of the means, that we reft not on thefe instead of Chrift, the glorious Hufband, in whom alone our help lies, 81. Sect. 3. A call to believe in Jefus Chrift, with fome hints at the act and object of faith, 84. Sect. 4. An advice to finners to apply to the fovereign mercy of God, as it is difcovered through Chrift, to the highest honour of juf- tice, and other divine attributes, in order to further their faith in him unto falvation, 87. Sect. 5. The terrible doom of un- believers that reject the gospel match, the offered Saviour and Chap. I. Containing the Privileges of the Believer that is ef poused to Christ by Faith of Divine operation, Sect. 1. The believer's perfect beauty, free acceptance, and full fecurity, through the imputation of Christ's perfect right- coufnefs, though imparted grace be imperfect, ib. Sect. 2. Christ the believer's friend, prophet, prieft, king, defence, guide, guard, help, and healer, 98. Sect. 3. Chrift the believer's won- derful phyfician and wealthy friend, 100. Sect. 4. The be- liever's fafety under the covert of Chrift's atoning blood and powerful interceffion, 102. Sect. 5. The believer's faith and hope encouraged, even in the darkest nights of desertion and |