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Edward Taylor
Edward Taylor (circa 1642 – June 29, 1729) was an English-born American preacher, poet, and physician whose ministry and writings made him a significant figure in colonial Puritanism. Born in Sketchley, Leicestershire, England, to William, a yeoman farmer, and Margaret Taylor, he grew up in a Nonconformist family during the Commonwealth period. After losing both parents—his mother in 1657 and father in 1658—he worked as a schoolmaster until the 1662 Act of Uniformity barred him from teaching due to his refusal to conform to the Church of England. In 1668, he emigrated to Massachusetts Bay Colony, enrolling at Harvard College in 1671, where he graduated with a divinity degree. Taylor’s preaching career began when he accepted a call in 1671 to serve as minister in Westfield, Massachusetts, a frontier town he led for over 50 years. His sermons, over 60 of which survive, emphasized God’s grace and the believer’s relationship with Christ, reflecting his role in administering communion and defending orthodox Congregationalism against liberalizing trends like those of Solomon Stoddard. Alongside preaching, he wrote over 200 Preparatory Meditations, poetic reflections on Scripture, though he forbade their publication, and they remained unknown until 1937. Married twice—first to Elizabeth Fitch in 1674, who bore eight children before her death in 1689, then to Ruth Willys in 1692, with whom he had six—he died at age 87 in Westfield, leaving a legacy as a devoted pastor and one of America’s earliest literary voices.
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Edward Taylor delves into the profound grace found in 1 Corinthians 10:16, highlighting how grace originates from the essence of the blessed Deity, elevating believers to heavenly heights. He emphasizes how grace nurtures and influences the lives of God's elect, guiding them through worldly challenges towards celestial shores, providing spiritual nourishment and strength. Taylor beautifully describes the spiritual feast at the communion table, where partaking in the Lord's Supper enriches the soul, fosters spiritual growth, and seals fresh pardon, leading to increased virtues and a deepening of faith and joy.
The Cup of Blessing Which Wee Bless, Is It Not the Comunion of the Body of Christ? Etc.
Meditation on 1 Cor. 10:16 by Edward Taylor Oh! Gracious Grace! whither soarst thou? How high Even from thy root to thy top branch dost tower? Thou springst from th'essence of blesst Deity And grow'st to th'top of Heavens all blissfull flower. Thou art not blackt but brightend by the Sin Of Gods Elect, whom thou from filth dost bring. Thou Graces Egg layst in their very hearts Hatchest and brudl'st in this nest Divine Its Chickin, that it fledge. And still impartsts It influences, through their lives that shine. Them takest by the hand, and handst them o're The Worlds wild waves to the Celestiall Shoare. And as thou leadst them 'long the way to glory Thou hast the Wells of Aqua Vitae cleare. For them to take good drachms of (Oh! blesst Story) And Inns to entertain them with good Cheere. That so they may not faint, but upward grow Unto their ripeness, and to glory Soe. They take a drachm of Heavenly Spirits in, From every Duty. Here is blessed Ware. Thou hast them draughts of Spiritual Liquour gi'n And ev'ry Sabbath tenders us good fare, But Oh! the Supper of our Lord! What joy? This Feast doth fat the Soul most graccously. Theandrick Blood, and Body With Compleate Full Satisfaction and rich Purchase made Disht on this golden Table, spirituall meate Stands. And Gods Saints are Welcom'd with this trade The Satisfaction, and the Purchase which Thy Blood and Body made, how Good,? how rich? Oh! blesst effects flow from this table then. The feeding on this fare and Spiritually Must needs produce a Spirituall Crop for them That rightly do this table fare enjoy Whatever other Ordinances doe! This addeth Seale, and Sealing wax thereto. This is a Common that consists of all That Christ ere had to give. And oh! how much! Of Grace and Glory here? These ripe fruits fall Into Saints baskets: they up gather Such. All fruits that other ordinances which Are Edifying, Do this Feast enrich. But still besides these there are properly Its own effects which it doth beare and hath, Its Spirituall Food that nourisheth spiritualy. The new born babe to thrive in using Faith The Soule it quiets: Conscience doth not sting. It seales fresh pardon to the Soul of Sin. It maketh Charity's sweet rosy breath Streach o're the Whole Society of Saints. It huggeth them. That nothing of the Earth Or its infection its affections taints. Grace now grow strong, Faith sturdy. Joy, and Peace And other Vertues in the Soule encrease. God's Love shines brighter now upon the heart: In that he seals Christ Dying with a Feast Wherein he smiles doth on the Soul impart: With all Christs Righteousness: Joy now's increast. The Soul grows valient and resists the foe. The Spirituall Vigour vigorous doth grow. Lord, on thy Commons let my Spirits feed So nourish thou thy new Born babe in mee. At thy Communion Table up mee breed Communicate thy Blood and Body free. Thy Table yielding Spirituall Bread, and Wine Will make my Soul grow brisk, thy praise to Chime.
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Edward Taylor (circa 1642 – June 29, 1729) was an English-born American preacher, poet, and physician whose ministry and writings made him a significant figure in colonial Puritanism. Born in Sketchley, Leicestershire, England, to William, a yeoman farmer, and Margaret Taylor, he grew up in a Nonconformist family during the Commonwealth period. After losing both parents—his mother in 1657 and father in 1658—he worked as a schoolmaster until the 1662 Act of Uniformity barred him from teaching due to his refusal to conform to the Church of England. In 1668, he emigrated to Massachusetts Bay Colony, enrolling at Harvard College in 1671, where he graduated with a divinity degree. Taylor’s preaching career began when he accepted a call in 1671 to serve as minister in Westfield, Massachusetts, a frontier town he led for over 50 years. His sermons, over 60 of which survive, emphasized God’s grace and the believer’s relationship with Christ, reflecting his role in administering communion and defending orthodox Congregationalism against liberalizing trends like those of Solomon Stoddard. Alongside preaching, he wrote over 200 Preparatory Meditations, poetic reflections on Scripture, though he forbade their publication, and they remained unknown until 1937. Married twice—first to Elizabeth Fitch in 1674, who bore eight children before her death in 1689, then to Ruth Willys in 1692, with whom he had six—he died at age 87 in Westfield, leaving a legacy as a devoted pastor and one of America’s earliest literary voices.