Required reading Attributes of God by Charnock (Available from Amazon or free on the internet, here for example) - Continue Chapter 12 (A discourse upon the goodness of God) by reading up to the paragraph commencing 'V. I shall now come to the use. First, Of instruction.'
My summary Today we read Charnock's point about God's goodness in his government.
God's goodness is evident in:
(i) the care he hath of all creatures;
(ii) the preservation of human society;
(iii) encouraging anything of moral goodness in the old;
(iv) providing a Scripture as a rule to guide us, and continuing it in the world;
(v) conversations of men;
(vi) answering prayers;
(vii) bearing with the infirmities of his people, and accepting imperfect obedience;
(viii) afflictions and persecutions;
(ix) temptations.
What grabbed me This point probably should have been in redemption, but it is excellent: 'His goodness appears in converting men possessed with the greatest enmity against him, while he was dealing with them. All were in such a state, and framing contrivances against him, when Divine goodness knocked at the door (Col. i. 21). He looked after us when our backs were turned upon him, and sought us when we slighted him, and were a 'gainsaying people' (Rom. x. 21); when we had shaken off his convictions, and contended with our Maker, and mustered up the powers of nature against the alarms of conscience; struggled like wild bulls in a net, and blunted those darts that stuck in our souls. Not a man that is turned to him, but had lifted up the heel against his gospel grace, as well as made light of his creating goodness. Yet it hath employed itself about such ungrateful wretches, to polish those knotty and rugged pieces for heaven; and so invincibly, that he would not have his goodness defeated by the fierceness and rebellion of the flesh. Though the thing was more difficult in itself (if any thing may be said to have a difficulty to omnipotency) than to make a stone live, or to turn a straw into a marble pillar. The malice of the flesh makes a man more unfit for the one, than the nature of the straw unfits it for the other.'
The goodness of God in converting ungrateful wretches like me is incredible.
Next week's reading
Continue Chapter 12 (A discourse upon the goodness of God) by reading up to the paragraph commencing 'The second use is a use of comfort.'
Now it's your turn Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
Required reading
The log college by Archibald Alexander (Available from Amazon or free here) - Conclude Chapter 14 (Memoir of the Rev. Samuel Blair). My summary Today we finish our chapter on Samuel Blair.
Last week we began to hear about the revival that occurred in Blair's church, but only that the town was in a poor religious state before the revival came.
This week the revival comes. We hear about:
(i) the preaching of a visiting preacher that began the revival;
(ii) the changes in the people;
(iii) false conversions;
(iv) ministers who opposed the work;
(v) an account of a young woman;
(vi) an account of a middle aged man;
(vii) an account of changes in children;
(viii) the testimony of some elders as to the truth of the revival.
Then to conclude the chapter we are told about Blair's:
(i) theology;
(ii) preaching;
(iii) association with Gilbert Tennent;
(iv) controversies with the Synod of Philadelphia.
What grabbed me Always encouraging to read about revival.
I found this effect of revival interesting: 'The general carriage and behaviour of people was soon very visibly altered. Those awakened were much given to reading in the Holy Scriptures, and other good books. Excellent books that had lain by much neglected, were then much perused, and lent from one to another; and it was a peculiar satisfaction to people, to find how exactly the doctrines they heard daily preached, harmonized with the doctrines contained and taught by great and godly men in other parts, and former times.'
Not only were they reading the Scriptures, they were reading 'excellent books'! Next week's reading Read Chapters 15 (Memoir of the Rev. John Blair) and 16 (Memoir of the Rev. Samuel Finley). Now it's your turn Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
Required reading Tracts and Letters (Volume 4) by John Calvin (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Letters CVIII to CXXI.
My summary Today we read letters from 1543 and 1544 addressed to the Ambassadors of Geneva, the Seigneury of Geneva, Monsieur and Madame de Falais, Viret, Bullinger, the Ministers of Neuchatel, Farel and Oswald Myconius.
The content of today's letters included:
(i) the failure of reform in Metz;
(ii) the Castalio controversy;
(iii) conclusion of a property dispute between Geneva and Berne;
(iv) debate with a minister about the divinity of Christ;
(v) Reformation in France and Germany;
(vi) recommendation of a minister to Monsieur de Falais;
(vii) strife between German and Swiss churches over the Lord's Supper.
What grabbed me It wasn't pleasant to read of trouble at Geneva between pastors: 'For the second time, I now begin to learn what it is to dwell at Geneva. I am, indeed, beset with thousand briers. These two months bypast we have had serious wranglings among my colleagues, and they have even gone so far, that out of four it is quite evident that two have perjured themselves. Of which crime, if they who were accused had been given up to justice, a crying scandal would have arisen. The cases, indeed, were diverse, also happened at different times, so that the one party threw back the accusation upon the other. When the truth could not be got at, either by oral testimony or by home arguments, I was obliged to commend the cases to the special judgment of God, and having done so, have settled the dispute on both sides. For what else could I have done? Had both of them been cast out, the innocent party must have suffered wrongfully, and the example instead of doing good would be of evil consequence, I was besides afraid lest, should the affair come to be generally talked about, it might be said they were cast out upon an uncertainty.'
Pastors quarreling with pastors is a horrible triumph for Satan.
Next week's reading Read Letters CXXII to CXXX. Now it's your turn Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
Required reading The Works Volume 4 by Richard Sibbes (Available from Amazon or free here) - Commence 'The excellency of the gospel above the law' by reading up to the paragraph beginning 'And where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.' My summary Today we begin a new book in Sibbes' works on the excellency of the gospel above the law.
The text of the book is 2 Corinthians 3:17-18: 'Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.'
This week we only look at what is meant by the words 'Now the Lord is that Spirit'.
Initially Sibbes put the verses in their contexts by giving us a brief exposition of the start of 2 Corinthians 3.
Then Sibbes states that Paul is teaching at the beginning of verse 17 that Jesus is 'that Spirit'.
Firstly Jesus is that Spirit because Jesus has the Spirit in himself in a more eminent excellent manner than all others. And it must be so for these reasons:
(i) from the near union between the human nature and divine;
(ii) in regard of extension and intension;
(iii) the Spirit doth rest upon Christ invariably;
(iv) his place or offices in relation to the church;
(v) he is to be as the pattern for us.
Secondly Jesus is that Spirit in regard of his dispensations towards his church and children. In the dispensations of:
(i) truth;
(ii) the quickening of persons.
What grabbed me I liked this application of today's teaching: 'What need is there that we should sanctify all we take in hand by prayer! When we go to hear a sermon, when we take up the Bible to read a chapter alone by ourselves, or in our families, we should lift up our eyes and hearts and voices to heaven ; we should say to Christ, Lord, join thy Spirit, be present with us ; without thee thy word is dead, our hearts are dead, and will harden under the means, and darken in the light, and we shall fall under the heavy condemnation of these secure and formal times, if thou leavest us.'
Study of God's word without the Spirit brings more condemnation, not life.
Thus we must always beg Jesus for the Holy Spirit's guidance.
Next week's reading
Continue 'The excellency of the gospel above the law' by reading up to the paragraph beginning 'Verse 18. 'But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.''
Now it's your turn Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
Required reading A body of divinity by Thomas Watson (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read '4. The unchangeableness of God', '5. The wisdom of God', '6. The power of God' and '7. The holiness of God'. My summary We continue to look at the attributes of God.
Firstly Watson teaches about the unchangeableness of God in his:
(i) nature;
(ii) decree.
Secondly we hear about the wisdom of God, his:
(i) infinite intelligence;
(ii) exact curious working. Thirdly we learn about the power of God. He has:
(i) sovereign right and authority over man;
(ii) infinite power.
Fourthly we read about the holiness of God. He is holy:
(i) intrinsically;
(ii) primarily;
(iii) efficiently;
(iv) transcendently.
What grabbed me Great application of the omnipotence of God: 'If God be infinite in power, let us take heed of hardening our hearts against him. ‘Who has hardened himself against him and prospered?’ Job 9:9. Job sends a challenge to all creatures in heaven and earth. Who ever took up the buckler against God, and came off conqueror? For a person to go on daringly in any sin is to harden his heart against God, and to raise a war against heaven. Let him remember God is El-Shaddai, almighty; he will be too hard for them that oppose him. ‘Hast thou an arm like God?’ Job 40:9. Such as will not bow to his golden sceptre shall be broken with his iron rod. Julian hardened his heart against God, he opposed him to his face; but what got he at last? Did he prosper? Being wounded in battle, he threw up his blood into the air, and said to Christ, Vicisti Galilaee, ‘O Galilean, thou hast overcome!’ I acknowledge thy power, whose name and truth I have opposed. Will folly contend with wisdom; weakness with power; finite with infinite? Oh take heed of hardening your heart against God! He can send legions of angels to avenge his quarrel. It is better to meet God with tears in your eyes than weapons in your hand. You may overcome him sooner by repentance than by resistance.'
If God is all powerful, why would you rebel against him with your puny power?
Next week's reading Read '8. The justice of God' abd '9. The mercy of God'. Now it's your turn Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
Required reading Hints and helps in pastoral theology by William S Plumer (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Chapter 17 (Earnest preaching). My summary
This week Plumer encourages 'earnest preaching'.
Firstly he demonstrates the importance of earnest preaching by giving examples of men who have been greatly useful as heralds of salvation, including:
(i) John Livingstone;
(ii) Richard Baxter;
(iii) Fletcher of Madeley;
(iv) George Whitefield;
(v) Morgan (a missionary from Scotland).
Secondly he gives examples of earnest preaching from Scripture, including
(i) Paul;
(ii) Jesus.
Thirdly Plumer provides quotes from the teachings of pious men about earnest preaching, including from:
(i) Richard Baxter;
(ii) Jonathan Edwards;
(iii) Adam Clarke;
(iv) Coke;
(v) Mason;
(vi) Burnet;
(vii) Wilkins;
(viii) Quintilian;
(ix) Chrysostom;
(x) Charles Jerram;
(xi) Wardlaw.
Fourthly Plumer lists Scriptures that encourage earnest preaching.
What grabbed me I liked the list of suggestions Plumer gave at the close of the chapter:
'1. All true, proper ardor has its seat in a renewed heart, and in a blessed experience of the precious truths of religion.
2. A very high estimate should be placed on this ardor, and we should earnestly covet it as one of the best gifts. It is the fire from heaven that should kindle every sacrifice, that should glow in every sermon. As the body without the spirit is dead, being alone ; so all our ministrations will be but poor things without this heavenly animation.
3. We should pray much for this invaluable blessing.
4. We should meditate much on those truths which are of a melting, tender nature, and labor to fill our hearts with glowing zeal for him who bled and died for us.
5. We should carefully study the lives and characters of those men who have been models of earnestness and tenderness in preaching the Gospel. '
Point 4 is particularly important!
Next week's reading Read Chapter 18 (Popular preaching).
Now it's your turn Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
Required reading
Charity and its fruits by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) - Continue Lecture XVI (Heaven, a world of charity or love) by reading up to the paragraph beginning 'VI. O the blessed effects and fruits of this love exercised and enjoyed in these circumstances'. My summary
Today Edwards concludes his teaching that heaven is a world of love.
His last point on the subject is about the blessed effects and fruits of this love, as exercised and enjoyed in heaven. The blessed fruits are:
(i) the most excellent and perfect behaviour of all the inhabitants of heaven toward God and each other;
(ii) perfect tranquility and joy in heaven.
Then we read Edwards' application of the doctrine of heavenly love:
(i) If heaven be such a world as has been described, then we may see a reason why contention and strife tend to darken our evidence of fitness for its possession;
(ii) How happy those are who are entitled to heaven;
(iii) What has been said on this subject may well awaken and alarm the impenitent;
(iv) Let the consideration of what has been said of heaven stir up all earnestly to seek after it.
What grabbed me Horrible to consider the realities of hell: 'There are none in hell but what have been haters of God, and so have procured his wrath and hatred on themselves ; and there they shall continue to hate him forever. No love to God will ever be felt in hell ; but every one there perfectly hates him, and so will continue to hate him ; and without any restraint will express their hatred to him, blaspheming and raging against him, while they gnaw their tongues for pain. And though they all join together in their enmity and opposition to God, yet there is no union or friendliness among themselves : they agree in nothing but hatred, and the expression of hatred. They hate God, and Christ, and angels, and saints in heaven, and not only so, but they hate one another, like a company of serpents or vipers, not only spitting out venom against God, but at one another, biting and stinging and tormenting each other. '
People in hell are hating God eternally and being punished eternally. May God grant people repentance now so they can escape such torment.
Final sentence verdict
The enormous subject of love is carefully taught by one of history's greatest theologians.
Next week's reading Commence 'Riches increased by giving' by Thomas Gouge (Available from Amazon or free here) by reading up to the paragraph beginning with 'But that this truth may appear with all its evidence and full conviction, I shall prove by Scripture, example, and reason.' Now it's your turn Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
Required reading Attributes of God by Charnock (Available from Amazon or free on the internet, here for example) - Continue Chapter 12 (A discourse upon the goodness of God) by reading up to the paragraph commencing '3. The third thing is the goodness of God in his government.'
My summary Today we finish the point on God's goodness in redemption, particularly that we see it in the covenant of grace made with us, whereby we are freed from the rigour of that of works.
Thus God's goodness is shown in:
(i) that he should condescend to make another covenant with man;
(ii) the nature and tenor of the new covenant;
(iii) the choice gift of himself which he hath made over in this covenant;
(iv) the confirmation of the covenant;
(v) the condition of this covenant which is faith;
(vi) his methods of treating with men to embrace this covenant;
(vii) the sacraments he hath affixed to this covenant, especially in the Lord's Supper;
(viii) his restoring us to a more excellent condition than Adam had in innocence;
(ix) the extension of his goodness to the lower creation.
What grabbed me I loved the point that God's goodness is seen when he only requires us to believe for salvation: 'This goodness of God is remarkable also in the condition of this covenant, which is faith. This was the easiest condition, in its own nature, that could be imagined; no difficulty in it but what proceeds from the pride of man's nature, and the obstinacy of his will. It was not impossible in itself; it was not the old condition of perfect obedience. It had been mighty goodness to set us up again upon our old stock, and restore us to the tenor and condition of the covenant of works, or to have required the burdensome ceremonies of the law. Nor is it an exact knowledge he requires of us; all men's understandings being of a different size, they had not been capable of this. It was the most reasonable condition, in regard of the excellency of the things proposed, and the effects following upon it; nay, it was necessary. It had been a want of goodness to himself and his own honour; he had cast that off, had he not insisted on this condition of faith, it being the lowest he could condescend to with a salvo for his glory. And it was a goodness to us; it is nothing else he require, but a willingness to accept what he hath contrived and acted for us: and no man can be happy against his will; without this belief, at least, man could never voluntarily have arrived to his happiness. '
How good is our God in not requiring us to obey the law to be saved. If that was the case we would all be lost.
But instead the only condition is that we simply accept his offer of salvation by faith.
Next week's reading
Continue Chapter 12 (A discourse upon the goodness of God) by reading up to the paragraph commencing 'V. I shall now come to the use. First, Of instruction.'
Now it's your turn Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
Required reading
The log college by Archibald Alexander (Available from Amazon or free here) - Commence Chapter 14 (Memoir of the Rev. Samuel Blair) by reading up to the paragraph starting 'In the beginning of March I took a journey into East Jersey, and was abroad for two or three Sabbaths.' My summary Today we begin to read about another graduate from the Log College: Samuel Blair.
The chapter begins with the sermon given at Blair's funeral. The sermon spoke of Blair's:
(i) genius;
(ii) learning;
(iii) teaching ability;
(iv) religious principles;
(v) temper;
(vi) social life;
(vii) family;
(viii) assurance.
Then we are given some poetry composed about Blair.
Next Alexander speaks of Blair's:
(i) writings;
(ii) theology;
(iii) birth;
(iv) first pastorate at Shreswbury;
(v) move to New Londonderry.
Then we begin a letter by Blair about the revival that came through New Londonderry. Today we only hear about the poor religious state of the town before the revival came.
What grabbed me Interesting to read of Blair's studies: 'To a holy disposition was added a great genius, capable of the highest improvement. He had a deep and penetrating judgment, a clear and regular way of conceiving things, and a retentive memory. He was an indefatigable student, a calm and impartial searcher after truth. He thought for himself, and was determined in his conclusions, only by evidence. He had a very considerable store of critical learning, and was especially conversant with the Scriptures in the original languages. How great his attainments in philosophy were was known by few ; for in his last years his thirst for knowledge did sensibly increase, and he greatly improved himself therein. He studied several branches of the mathematics, and especially geometry and astronomy; nor will these seem tasteless studies to one who had such a savour of living piety, when it is considered that he saw the glory of God in all his works, and admired and adored him in all. He delighted to see the 'invisible things of Him, even his eternal power and Godhead, manifested by the things that are made.' It was edifying to him to trace the footsteps of the divine wisdom in particulars, and the infinite reach of projection in the frame and structure of the whole. '
General knowledge studies are not a waste of time. They, too, tell us about our God. Next week's reading Conclude Chapter 14 (Memoir of the Rev. Samuel Blair). Now it's your turn Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
