Perhaps, no country in the world ever made more rapid progress in literature than Scotland did during the last half of the eighteenth century. And it is to Dr Erskine chiefly, that the nation is indebted for that improvement which took place in our theological writings, and in the manner in which the services of the pulpit were performed. Previous to the time when he was licensed, sermons abounded with discursive and diffuse illustrations, and were deformed by colloquial familiarities and vulgar provincialisms; and although the discourses of such men as Robertson, Home, and Logan, and others of their cotemporaries, were conspicuous for their beauty, still it is to the published sermons of Dr Erskine, that the perspicuity and good taste subsequently displayed in. the addresses from the pulpit have been justly traced. Even before the publication of his sermons, however, Dr Erskine had been favourably known to the public. His first publication was a pamphlet against certain of the doctrines contained in Dr Campbell's work, on the "necessity of revelation." In this production, Erskine had occasion to advocate some of the opinions maintained in Dr Warburton's Divine Legation of Moses ; and having presented that distinguished prelate with a copy of the pamphlet, a correspondence ensued, highly creditable to Erskine, from the terms in which Warburton addresses him ; more particularly when it is considered that at this time Erskine had not attained his 21st year.[1]
- ↑ The works written by Dr Erskine are,
1st, The Law of Nature sufficiently promulgated to the Heathen World ; or, an Inquiry into the ability of the Heathens to discover the being of a God, and the immortality of human Bouls, in some miscellaneous reflections occasioned by Dr Campbell's (professor of Divinity at St Andrews) Treatise on the necessity of Revelation. Edinburgh, 1741. Republished in "Theological Dissertations." London, 1765.
2d, The Signs of the Times considered ; or, the high probability that the present appearances in New England, and the West of Scotland, are a prelude to the glorious things promised to the Church in the latter ages. Edinburgh, 1742. Anonymous.
3d, The People of God considered as all righteous; or, three Sermons, preached at Glasgow, April, 1745. Edinburgh, 1745. Republished in the first volume of Dr Erskine 's Discourses.
4th, Meditations and Letters of a Pious Youth, lately deceased, (James Hall, Esq., son of the late Sir John Hall, Bart, of Dunglass), to which are prefixed, Reflections on his death and character, by a friend in the country. Edinburgh, 1746.
5th, An account of the Debate in the Synod of Glasgow and Ayr, October 6th, 1748; respecting the employment of Mr Whitefield to preach in the pulpits of the Synod. Edinburgh, 1748.- Anonymous.
6th, An humble attempt to promote frequent Communicating. Glasgow, 1740. Republished in "Theological Dissertations."
7th, The Qualifications necessary for Teachers of Christianity; a Sermon before the Synod of Glasgow and Ayr, 2d October, 1750. Glasgow, 1750. Republished in Discourses, vol. II.
8th, The Influence of Religion on National Happiness; a sermon preached at the anniversary meeting of the Society for Propagating Christian Knowledge, in the High Church of Edinburgh, January, 1756.
9th, Ministers of the Gospel cautioned against giving ofience; a sermon before the Synod of Lothian and Tweeddale, November 3d, 1763; to which is added, A Charge at the Ordination of the late Mr Robertson, minister of Ratho. Edinburgh, 1764. Republished in Discourses, vol. I.
10th, Mr Wesley's Principles detected; or, a defence of the Preface to the Edinburgh edition of "Aspasio Vindicated," written by Dr Erskine in answer to Mr Kershaw's Appeal—to which is prefixed the Preface itself. Edinburgh, 1765.
11th, Theological Dissertations, (1) On the Nature of the Sinai covenant, (2) On the Character and Privileges of the Apostolic churches, (3) On the Nature of Saving Faith, (4) See 1st, (5) See 6th. London, 1765.
12th, Shall I go to War with my American Brethren? A discourse on Judges xx. 28, addressed to all concerned in determining that important question. London, 1769. Anonymous. Reprinted in Edinburgh with a Prefiice and Appendix, and the author's name, 1776.
13th, The Education of the poor children recommended; a sermon before the Managers of the Orphan Hospiud, 1774.
14th, Reflections on the Rise, and Progress, and probable Consequences of the present contentions with the Colonies: by a Freeholder. Edinburgh, 1776.
