Book Description
This volume completes the Oxford English Texts edition of Cowper's poems.It contains the poetry he wrote in the last fifteen years of his life, after the publication of The Task had established him as the leading poet of his day. While working on a translation of Homer (not a part of this edition), Cowper found time to produce a wealth of shorter poems, ranging in style from the humour of `The Dog and the Water-Lily' and `The Retired Cat', to the restrained pathos of `On the Receipt of My Mother's Picture out of Norfolk', and `To Mary' (addressed to his companion, Mrs Unwin); and from the reflective tone of `Yardley Oak' to the vulgar energy of the ballads against slavery.His last masterpiece, `The Cast-Away', an expression of the profound misery which had possessed him for most of his adult life, is followed by a series of brilliant translations such as `The Snail'.This contrast of utter despair with humour and careful workmanship gives poetic form to the endlessly fascinating riddle of Cowper's life and personality.The texts are based on manuscripts as well as early editions of the poetry, and are supplied with textual annotation and commentary.The translations of Latin and Italian poems of Milton, in which the poet William Hayley made alterations with Cowper's approval, are for the first time printed so that the reader can distinguish Hayley's work from Cowper's, and see Cowper's original wording. ... Read more

Book Description
The letters of William Cowper (1731-1800) are renowned for their seemingly effortless spontaneity, intimacy, and delicacy.William Blake said of them, "Certainly, the very best letters that ever were published."This book selects letters from every part of his life and give insight into the
workings of his suicidal mind, desolate in its conviction of total abandonment by God.As a whole, the letters reveal Cowper's extraordinary skill as a writer of letters, his personality in all its guises, his deep-seated commitment to friendship, his fine critical sensiblility, and his interest in
landscape, gardens, pets, and ordinary village lives and events.All the letters are printed in complete form, following the texts of the editors' acclaimed five-volume edition. ... Read more

Book Description
When completed, this edition will contain about 1300 letters, 1000 of which will be printed from the original MSS.About two-thirds of the letters will contain material that has hitherto been unpublished. ... Read more

Book Description
When completed, this edition will contain about 1300 letters, 1000 of which will be printed from the original MSS.About two-thirds of the letters will contain material that has hitherto been published. ... Read more

Book Description
William Cowper was an eighteenth-century Evangelical poet and translator, reowned for his celebrated gifts and genius. He is considered one of the most skillful poets and hymn-writers that England has ever produced. Although highly-acclaimed for his poetry in literary and religious circles, the difficult life and deep faith of Cowperhave frequently been misunderstood and misinterpreted. In this volume, Dr. George Ella takes a fresh look at the poet and shows how God's stamp thoroughliy penetrated Cowper's verse. From the themes, inspiration and theology of his poetry, Dr.Ella shows how that stamp extended throughout Cowper's entire life and even his periods of depression. With his scholarly analysis and theological understanding of Cowper, Dr. Ella paints a beautiful portrait of the man, his God and the depths of Cowper's literacy gifts. This book will make you want to read more of Cowper's poetry and learn more of Cowper's God! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Too much arguing,
This biography of William Cowper was clearly written by one who has, through extensive research and study, developed a great affection for him. The biggest problem with this book is that the author spends too much time "arguing" with those who do not share such affection.

There is a lot of print given to defending Cowper against critics who have either dismissed his faith as simply conforming to what was expected of him at the time, as the cause or effect of his mental illness, or simply irrelevant to his poetry.Those who have read the work of such scholars will be glad to see this account that takes Cowper's faith at face value and does not try to dismiss or devalue it. This was important, and I am glad Dr. Ella did it, but the method he used was a point/counterpoint style and I found myself feeling like I was at a ping pong match. Those of us who are committed Christians are used to the hostility of those who are not (particularly in the academic world) and it was not necessary to quote them as extensively as he did.

The chapter titled "Cowper the Calvinist" ostensibly sets out to prove that Cowper was a Calvinist (which it does) but in it, the author also offers a rigorous defense of Calvinism. While defending and explaining Calvinism, Dr. Ella accuses Armenians such as John Wesley of being hypocritical and wrongheaded in their theology. Given the widespread respect Mr. Wesley has even among those that disagree with some of the points of his theology, this seems harsh.Anyone not of a Reformed denomination will feel attacked and, more than likely, offended by this chapter.

Over all I feel like I know a little more about the life of William Cowper, particularly the influence the women in his life had on him, but a lot more about Dr. Ella's veiws on matters of faith, theology and the previous academic treatment of the poet.

This book would have been a lot better if the author had simply made his case for his interpretation of Cowper's life and then moved on. I was looking for an uplifting book to remind me of what the life touched by God can be and instead I read what felt like several acrimonious debates. ... Read more

Book Description
When completed, this edition will contain about 1300 letters, 1000 of whichwill be printed from the original MSS. About two-thirds of the letters will contian material that has hitherto been unpublished. ... Read more

Book Description
A critical biography of the leading poet of the religious revival of the 18th centry. The author shows the man in relation to his works and his works in relation to his life. ... Read more

Book Description
Based upon the text of the Aldine edition. Omits translations, except the more important ones from Vincent Bourne, and most of the minor poems.

THIS TITLE IS CITED AND RECOMMENDED BY:Books for College Libraries; Guide to Reference Books. ... Read more

Product Description
We read their stories and wonder how they endured. How does one survive twelve years in a dank prison cell? How does one survive month after month of a depression so debilitating that death seems the only hope? How does one endure tuberculosis? Or cancer, or emptiness, or death, or loneliness, or divorce? Whatever the trial may be, how does one endure without the soul shriveling up and blowing away with the breeze?

In the lives of John Bunyan, William Cowper, and David Brainerd, we find the strength of soul that not only endures hardship, but honors God in the midst of it. The Giver and Sustainer of life enabled them to worship through all their suffering. That's why their affliction bore so much fruit. The story of their suffering, their perseverance, and their passion is one that can inspire the same hunger for the supremacy of God in your life.

John Piper invites you to read their stories, consider their lives, and be encouraged that no labor and no suffering in the path of Christian obedience is ever in vain. Even the bleak hill of Golgotha was a skull with a frown of affliction on its face. But behind a frowning providence, He hides a smiling face. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Three Suffering Swans
This is the second book in the series The Swans are Not Silent. Like the other books in the series, it contains three of Piper's biographical sermons on historical Christians. In this case, those featured are John Bunyan, William Cowper and David Brainerd, three men who endured great suffering during their lives, and whose suffering bore fruit, both in their own times and onward through history to the present day. Piper's purpose in telling the stories of these men's lives and expounding on them is so that the story of "how they suffered, how they endured, and how it bore fruit will inspire in [the reader] that same radical Christian life, God-centered worship, and Christ-exalting mission."

The first section is on the life of John Bunyan, best known for writing The Pilgrim's Progress, one of the best-selling books of all times, although he wrote at least fifty-seven other books. Bunyan was a "brasyer", a tinker who became a nonconformist preacher. He suffered in many ways throughout his life, including spending 12 years in jail away from his wife and children for refusing to stop preaching. Bunyan's imprisonment drove him to God's word, and developed in him a keen sense of the presence of Christ. Hie suffering and what he wrote about suffering in the life of the Christian can teach us much about following Christ in difficult times.

Next up is William Cowper, who suffered from from depression and insanity, and yet left behind marvelous hymns of God's goodness that we still sing two hundred years later. He is proof of the truth of one of his most famous hymns, God Moves in a Mysterious Way His Wonders to Perform.

And then there's David Brainerd. Brainerd was a young missionary to the Indians in the 1700s who died at aged 29 of tuberculosis, following several years of illness. We remember him because of his journal, which has inspired many others to missionary service, including William Carey and Jim Elliot.

The lives of these three men, Piper says, are like pebbles dropped into a pond: "God has breathed on the waters and made their ripple into waves. And now the parched places of our lives are watered with the memories of sustaining grace."

This is a wonderfully inspirational book. It's not a long book, and I expected to finish it in a snap, but things didn't work out that way because of the richness of the stories. Don't take this to mean that The Hidden Smile of God is a difficult book. I'd call it an easy read, but one worth pondering as it's read.

God's provision through suffering
This book is a great encouragement, especially for any depressed or discouraged Christian.It's good to be reminded that God causes all things to work together for good for those that love Him... and that He can work through us, even through depression."Hallelujah! What a Savior!Hallelujah! What a Friend"

Yes, They Carried Their Crosses Well
In the second part of Piper's eulogies to great men of the Faith, in 'The Swans Are Not Silent' series, we get to meet Bunyan, Cowper (pronounced Cooper) and Brainerd.

The introduction to the book brings us to an important theological aspect in the Christian life: the fruit of affliction.It is by these means of trials and tests, that God shapes the character of the lives of men and women, who lay claim to being Christ's.The cost of discipleship is ravaging, demanding, painful and yet, brings much glory to God, only if we continue to see His good in our circumstances.

Of this school, John Bunyan was an unchallenged leader.Most probably the most famous of Puritan preachers and pastors, the Bedford tinker grew in stature and favor with the English folk, which extends right to this day.Those that say Bunyan only had to agree to not preaching without a licence, at no other cost was his gaol term enforced, fail to know those days.As Piper explains, they were the Non-Conformists, who refused to bow the knee to the Church of England with her popish traditions and catholic conventions.If you read Bunyan's sermons, you will readily see the sort of principle he disagreed with.For example, that they had a Common Prayer Book, and for every circumstance, Holy Day, or gathering, they were required to pray from it word-for-word.NO! says Bunyan, for 'I will pray by the Spirit and by my understanding!'1 Cor 14:15

What really touched my heart was that Bunyan confessed he loved his oldest daughter most.Born blind from birth, she was his weak spot.During the twelve years imprisonment when she had occasion to visit with his second wife, he claims that it was extremely hard to part with her.A fathers heart!If ever he needed an excuse to conform and be released from prison, she was there.Yet God graciously supplied in His means of grace to Bunyan.

Quote: 'Let me beg of thee, that thou wilt not be offended either with God, or men, if the cross is laid heavy upon thee.Not with God, for He doth nothing without a cause, nor with men, for...they are the servants of God to thee for good. Take therefore what comes to thee from God by them, thankfully.'

It were as if Bunyan saw Christ in his tormentors, and heard Christ plead with him to transfer their guilt, their actions, onto Christ, and thus be free to love them.

Bunyan is with reason well-loved.

Cowper was a hymnist and could rise above his melancholy to deliver the most beautiful odes of praise to God.Suffering from depression, he regularly had to keep the foes of darkness at bay, and dug deeply from the wells of grace to bring forth his fruit, much of which is still well-known and in use today.

Brainerd was made public by Jonathan Edwards, the great American theologian.Brainerd was a missionary who lived in the most depriving of conditions amongst the Indians he was doing missionary work to.He also had ailments and was ill for most of the time, yet continued to thank God for every breath and word he was able to bring.God sustained him and then He mercifully took him away, at a relatively young age.Missionaries who are pitted against tests, deaths of various kinds, always refer to Brainerd's work for exhortation.

This is a remarkable book in the sense that these men were principled andknew not the easy way out.They continued to live out their witness, knowing that it was the Holy Spirit at work in their life's calling, despite the odds being stacked against them.So in good times and tough, God was sovereignly ruling in their lives.

Solemn and awe-inspiring.

One of my favorite books
If you are reading this, you really need to read this book. Have you suffered affliction? There is JOY in this book. As I read about David Brainerd, I couldn't help praying "Lord change me." There is a sense of healing in this book as God really undertands our suffering and loves us.This book left the image in my mind of David Brainerd riding his horse in the rain through the woods, throwing up blood from TB in a mission to share the gospel to the Indians. He was rejected by the seminary. There was nothing easy about his life. This is a book to read over and over. It will bring healing and joy to you in your affliction.

Challenging and encouraging - great read!
The second of Piper's The Swans are Not Silent series, this book was the most difficult to read because of the subject it dealt with - suffering.Piper selected three great men of the faith, known for their devotion to the Lord and their godly walk and let the reader peak behind the curtains of their lives - and the suffering, depression, attempted suicide and struggles of these three men was very distressing.Yet, even as Bunyan face his twelve years in prison for preaching the gospel, he saw his struggles actually ordained and orchestrated by God for His own glory; a view that both Cowper and Brainerd shared regarding their own hardships and turmoil.

In a country where suffering is avoided at all costs and seen by many as spiritual weakness, the lives of Bunyan, Cowper and Brainerd shout a different story about the sovereign hand of God in the lives of His children.1 Peter chapter 4 tells us that we should not consider suffering strange, but rather as a sign that the Lord truly is in control and that He is working out our salvation for His own glory through our hardships.Looking back at the lives of these three saints, it is easy to see how God has been glorified in their struggles - from the writings of Bunyan to the poems and hymns of Cowper to the effectual call to ministry that the life of Brainerd has had on hundreds if not thousands who followed him.While these three struggled greatly, many have tasted the fruit of eternal peace from their hardships.

All four books of this series are outstanding - highly recommended for all Christians to read.Piper introduces us to some great men of the faith and challenges us with their lives to walk in a manner worthy of our calling as those who went before us have done. ... Read more