My findings pertaining to the concepts of praise and petition in the meditative poetry of Edward Taylor are, for the most part, taken from the work of Norman Grabo1and Robert Daly2. My paper is exclusively discussing Taylor´ sPreparatory Meditations,a collection of 217 poems, which he wrote during the period from 1682 to 1725. For the purposes of an interesting view on his orthodoxy I consulted the work of Jeffrey Hammond3. In my paper I have incorporated the findings of Ursula Brumm4to a lesser extent, because her work only deals with Puritan America in general. For additional findings regarding Edward Taylor, I gathered useful information fromA Reading of Edward Taylorby Thomas Davis5. In the course of my argumentation I would like to place emphasis on a two- fold conflict, which deeply affected and influenced Taylor´ s meditative poetry: his fear of God (constant petition to purify and safe him) and his joy in the Lord and the divine creations (praise of nature and God). The question of Taylor´ s tendency towards a more unorthodox Puritan stance is only briefly discussed in my paper, but mentioning some findings along that line is justified insofar as it bears a relevance to the concepts of praise and petition in Taylor´ s poetry.
Table of Contents
Preface
I The Puritan View on the World and their Idea of God
II Analysing Puritan Concepts of Poetry and the Divine
2.1. The Difficult Situation of the Puritan Poet
2.2. Functions of Meditation / The Origins of the Practice
2.3. Possible Reasons for Taylor writing Meditative Poetry
2.4. A Distinction between Sermon and Meditation
2.5. Taylor´ s Themes and his Inner Conflict (Praise and Petition)
2.6. Questioning Taylor´ s Orthodoxy
III Concluding Remarks regarding the Phenomenon Taylor
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper examines the concepts of praise and petition within Edward Taylor’s "Preparatory Meditations," exploring how his poetry reflects the complex duality of the Puritan experience, balancing the fear of a wrathful God with the joyous celebration of divine creation and the hope for salvation.
- The influence of the Puritan worldview on Taylor's meditative poetry.
- The tension between the "plain style" of Puritan sermons and Taylor's poetic practice.
- The interplay of praise and petition as a negotiation for grace and salvation.
- The debate regarding Taylor’s religious orthodoxy versus his intense creative output.
- The function of typology and metaphor in domesticating divine concepts.
Excerpt from the Book
2.4. A Distinction between Sermon and Meditation
Although the Puritans considered the sermon by far the more edifying undertaking, for Taylor, meditation constituted something akin to a sacred duty, even though, at times, he was sadly lacking the right words or the right disposition for it.
But this I finde; Thy Rhymes do better suite Mine own Dispraise than tune forth praise to thee. Yet being Chid, whether Consonant , or Mute, I force my Tongue to tattle, as you see. That I thy glorious Praise may Trumpet right, Be thou my Song, and make Lord, mee thy Pipe. 40
The meditative practice was meant for conversing privately with God, while the sermon was intended for entering into a public dialogue with the community. Horton Davies calls the sermon “the climax of Puritan worship; the exposition of the Word of God in both condemnation and consolation41. God´ s anger and mercy
Another important difference between both kinds of communication is the fact that preaching always implied plain style, whereas meditation meant that the poet - preacher could use all the figures he “found in the world”. For it was assumed that the figures were created by God42.
Summary of Chapters
Preface: The author outlines the scope of the study, focusing on Edward Taylor's 217 poems in the "Preparatory Meditations" and identifying the central conflict between fear of God and joy in his creations.
I The Puritan View on the World and their Idea of God: This chapter establishes the fatalistic yet symbolic worldview of the Puritans, who viewed nature and scripture as the primary means of interpreting God's will and providential design.
II Analysing Puritan Concepts of Poetry and the Divine: This section investigates the difficult environment for poets, the meditative origins of Taylor's work, the distinctions between sermons and poetry, Taylor's thematic conflicts, and the historical debate over his orthodoxy.
III Concluding Remarks regarding the Phenomenon Taylor: The author concludes that Taylor was a human figure defined by his deep religious craving and fear of death, viewing his poetry as a personal, devotional exercise rather than an act of theological defiance.
Keywords
Edward Taylor, Preparatory Meditations, Puritanism, Praise, Petition, Meditation, Orthodoxy, Typology, Plain Style, Salvation, Covenant of Grace, Divine Creation, Conceit, Puritan Poetry, Sacramental Grace.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this study?
The work explores the recurring concepts of praise and petition in Edward Taylor’s "Preparatory Meditations," analyzing how these elements reflect his personal struggle for salvation within the strict framework of Puritan belief.
What are the central themes addressed in the text?
The text centers on Puritan aesthetics, the legitimacy of poetry in a religious context, the role of typology, the conflict between human sinfulness and divine grace, and the tension between "plain style" preaching and metaphorical poetic expression.
What is the central research question?
The study explores the underlying motivations for Taylor's poetry and whether his intense, often ornate artistic output signifies an unorthodox departure from the strict, sober Puritan religious tradition.
Which methodology is used to analyze Taylor's work?
The author uses a literary-historical approach, incorporating established critical scholarship from figures like Norman Grabo, Robert Daly, and Jeffrey Hammond to contextualize Taylor’s poetry within 17th-century Puritan thought.
What does the main body of the work cover?
It covers the historical and theological environment of the Puritan poet, the definition and function of meditation, the distinction between private meditation and public sermonizing, and the critical debate surrounding Taylor's religious adherence.
What primary keywords describe the work?
Key terms include Puritanism, Edward Taylor, Preparatory Meditations, praise, petition, salvation, typology, and orthodoxy.
How does Taylor view the relationship between the physical world and God?
Taylor, following standard Puritan belief, viewed the world as a book written by the Lord, where every natural object or event was a sign or "type" that, when read correctly, revealed divine truths and God’s providential design.
Why does the author classify Edward Taylor as an "anomaly"?
Because the Puritans valued the "plain style" of the sermon above all else, Taylor’s extensive production of complex, metaphorical, and highly personal poetry stands in contrast to the typical restraint expected of a Puritan minister.
Does the author consider Taylor to be a "true" orthodox Puritan?
The author concludes that despite his "daring" poetry and intense personal focus, Taylor remained essentially a Puritan whose works were born out of a human, desperate fear of death and a sincere desire for salvation.
- Quote paper
- Stefanie Deutzer (Author), 2005, Concepts of praise and petition in Edward Taylor´s Preparatory Meditations, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/47880
