Puritan Poetry

The Puritans have been poorly portrayed as stern, legalistic, and in general an over bearing group. But in reality a more God honoring people there never was. The poetry that came from them is amazing! I was lent this book for some research and found it to be treasure trove!

Here is a couple of poems that show how fully they trusted in God as their Lord and Master. I hope these poems inspire you to look more fully to God as the merciful, gracious Saviour that He is.

Election - Sovereign and Free

Behold the potter and the clay,

He forms His vessels as He please;

Such is our God, and such are we,

The subjects of His high decrees.

Doth not the workman's power extend

Over all the mass, which part to choose

And mold it for a nobler end,

And which to leave for viler use?

May not the sovereign Lord on high

Dispense His favors as He will,

choose some to life, while others die,

And yet be just and gracious still?

What if , to make His terror known,

He lets His patience long endure,

Suff'ring vile rebels to go on,

And seal their own destruction sure?

What if He means to show His grace,

And His electing love employs

To mark out some of mortal race,

And form them fit for heav'nly joys?

Shall man rely against the Lord,

And call his Maker's ways unjust,

The thunder of whose dreadful word

Can crush a thousand worlds to dust?

But, O my soul, if truths so bright

Should dazzle and confound thy sight,

Yet still His written will obey,

And wait the great decisive day.

Then shall He make His justice known,

And the whole world before His throne

With joy or terror shall confess

The glory of His righteousness.

Isaac Watts

From The Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts

The Glorious Gospel of the Blessed God

What wisdom, majesty, and grace,

Through all the gospel shine!

'Tis God that speaks, and we confess

The doctrine most divine.

Down from His starry throne on high,

The almighty Savior comes;

Lays His bright robes of glory by,

And feeble flesh assumes.

The mighty debt that sinners owed,

Upon the cross He pays;

Then through the clouds ascends to God,

'Mid shouts of loftiest praise.

There He, our great High Priest, appears

Before His Father's throne;

Mingles His merits with our tears,

And pours salvation down.

Great God, with reverence we adore

Thy justice and Thy grace;

And on Thy faithfulness and pow'r

Our firm dependence place.

Samuel Stennett

From The Works of Samuel Stennett, D.D.