is continually varying his numbers from one sort
of verse to another, and alluding to remote hints of medicinal writers,
which, though allowed to be useful, are yet so numerous, that they
flatten the dignity of verse, and sink it from a poem, to a treatise of
physic,' Dr. Sewel has informed us, that Mr. Philips intended to have
written a poem on the Resurrection, and the Day of Judgment, and we may
reasonably presume, that in such a work, he would have exceeded his
other performances. This awful subject is proper to be treated in a
solemn stile, and dignified with the noblest images; and we need not
doubt from his just notions of religion, and the genuine spirit of
poetry, which were conspicuous in him, he would have carried his readers
through these tremendous scenes, with an exalted reverence, which,
however, might not participate of enthusiasm. The meanest soul, and the
lowest imagination cannot contemplate these alarming events described
in Holy Writ, without the deepest impressions: what then might we not
expect from the heart of a good man, and the regulated flights and
raptures of a christian poet? Our author's friend Mr. Smith, who had
probably seen the first rudiments of his design, speaks thus of it, in a
poem upon his death.

O! had relenting Heaven prolong'd his days,
The tow'ring bard had sung in nobler lays:
How the last trumpet wakes the lazy dead;
How saints aloft the cross triumphant spread;
How opening Heav'ns their happier regions, shew,
And yawning gulphs with flaming vengeance glow,
And saints rejoice above, and sinners howl below.
Well might he sing the day he could not fear,
And paint the glories he was sure to wear.

All that we have left more of this poet, is a Latin Ode to Henry St.
John, esq; which is esteemed a master-piece; the stile being pure and
elegant, the subject of a mixt nature, resembling the Jublime spirit,
and gay facetious humour of Horace. He was beloved, says Dr. Sewel, 'by
all who knew him; somewhat reserved and silent amongst strangers, but
free, familiar, and easy with his friends; he was averse to disputes,
and thought no time so ill spent, and no wit so ill used, as that which
was employed in such debates; his whole life was distinguished by a
natural goodness, and well-grounded and unaffected piety, an universal
charity, and a steady adherence to his principles; no one observed the
natural and civil duties of life with a stricter regard, whether a