174 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
and friendship of that distinguished prelate. His detached sermons, published
while a country clergyman, were remarkable for a propriety and correctness of
taste ; while his Theological Dissertations, which appeared so early as 1765,’
were full of masterly disquisition on some of the most interesting points of
divinity; and, in short, his whole works are distinguished for “precision of
thought and originality of sentiment.”
Dr. Erskine’s opinions in matters of Church polity are at once known from
the prominent position which he maintained for many years as leader of the
popular party in the General Assembly, in opposition to his old schoolfellow,
Dr. Robertson. In state politics he was equally bold and independent in his
views. In 1769,‘ on the breach with America, he published a discourse entitled
‘‘ Shall I go to war with my American brethren ?” which is said to have given
great offence to some of those in high quarters at the time, and was considered
as treasonable by many. It is even said the Doctor could get no bookseller
to run the risk of publication, which seems to be corroborated by the fact
that the sermon was actually published in London without any publisher’s
imprint being attached to it. The discourse, however, was reprinted at Edinburgh
in 1776, with the author’s name, and the addition of a preface and
appendix, even more in opposition to the views of government than the discourse
itself. On the subject of the American war he was strongly opposed to the
sentiments of Rlr. Wesley, who was a warm defender of the somewhat questionable
policy pursued by the ministers of that ruinous period. He was opposed
also to the constitution afterwards given to Canada, conceiving that the Roman
Catholic religion had been too much favoured; and, in 1778, he was equally
opposed to the attempt then made to repeal certain enactments against the
Catholics of Great Eritain, on which subject he entered into a correspondence
with Mr. Burke, which was published. Without reference to their merits, the
political sentiments of Dr. Erskine were at least entitled to respect, from the
conscientiousness with which they were entertained, and the independence with
which they were asserted.
As a man, Dr. Erskine was remarkable for the simplicity of his manner, and
in his conduct exhibited a genuine example of that humility and charitableness
so prominent in the character of Christianity. He was ardent and benevolent
in his disposition, and his affections were lasting and sincere. In proof of
this, his continued friendship for his opponent, Dr. Robertson, is instanced as a
noble example, The moderate, and perhaps somewhat liberal, views of the latter
gentleman respecting the repeal of the penal statutes against the Catholics in
Scotland, had so highly incensed the mob of Edinburgh in 17 7 8, that a furious
party had actually assembled in the College-yard for the purpose of demolishing
the house of the Principal, which they would in all probability have done, in
These were-“ Mr. Wesley’s Principles Detected ; or a Defence of the Preface to the Edinburgh
edition of ‘ Aspaaio Vindicated,’ in answer to Mr. Kershaw’s Appeal.”-“ 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 FaitL”
