Polhill, Edward

Polhill, EDWARD

a learned English Calvinistic layman, flourished in the second half of the 17th century as justice of the peace at Burwast, Sussex. He wrote, The Divine Will considered in its Eternal Decrees, etc. (1673, 8vo): — Answer to Dr. Sherlock's Discourse (1675, 8vo): — Precious Faith, considered in its Nature, Working, and Growth (1675, 12mo): — Speculum Theologicae in Christo, or a View of some Divine Truths (1678, 4to) Christus in Corde, or Mystical Union between Christ and Believers considered (1680. sm. 8vo, and often): — Armatura Dei, or a Preparation for Suffering in an Evil Day (1682, 8vo): — Discourse on Schism (1824, 12mo). Several of his works were published in Ward's Library of Standard Divinity. "Everything of Polhill is evangelical and valuable," was the testimony of Cotton Mather; and Williams says: "All the works of this learned layman contain many excellent representations of Gospel truths, intermixed with a strain of sublime devotion." Of course Arminians fail to see the consistency of his Bible interpretations, but they nevertheless admire his unction and experience, and regard his writings as precious practical religious works. See Eclectic Rev. 4th series, 18:202. (J. II. W.)