Required reading Tracts and Letters (Volume 5) by John Calvin (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Letters CCL to CCLXVII.
My summary Today we read letters from 1549 and 1550 addressed to Bullinger, Farel, Viret, John Haller, Wolfgang Musculus, Monsieur De Saint Laurens, the Protector Somerset, Francis Dryander, Nicolas Colladon, the Seigneury of Geneva, Melancthon and William Rabot.
The content of today's letters included:
(i) persecutions of Protestants;
(ii) books (by Calvin and others);
(iii) the Bernese church;
(iv) the reformation in England;
(v) the reformation in Germany, particularly Melancthon's actions;
(vi) settlement of people in Geneva;
(vii) heretics in Geneva.
What grabbed me I liked Calvin's counsel to Somerset in light of his loss as Lord Protector of England: 'Moreover, seeing that the Lord has directed the issue so much better than many expected, keep in mind, Monseigneur, the example of Joseph. It would be difficult to find in our day such a mirror of integrity. For he, seeing that God had turned to good the evil which they had plotted against him, is unwearied in showing himself the minister of the goodness of God towards his brethren who had persecuted him. This victory will be more glorious than that which God has already given you, when he saved and secured your person, and your property, and your honours. However, Monseigneur, you have also to consider that if God has been pleased to humble you for a little while, it has not been without a motive. For although you might be innocent in regard to men, you know that before this great heavenly Judge there is no one living who is not chargeable. Thus, then, it is that the saints have honoured the rod of God, by yielding their neck, and bowing low their head under his discipline. David had walked very uprightly, but yet he confessed that it had been good for him to be humbled by the hand of God. For which reason, as soon as we feel any chastisement, of whatsoever kind it may be, the first step should be to retire into ourselves, and well to examine our own lives, that we may apprehend those blessings which had been hidden from us: for sometimes too much prosperity so dazzles our eyes, that we cannot perceive wherefore God chastises us. It is but reasonable that we should do him at least as much honour as we would to a physician, for it is his to heal our inward maladies, which are unknown to ourselves, and to pursue a course of healing, not according to our liking, but as he knows and judges to be fitting. What is more, it must needs happen sometimes that he makes use of preservative remedies, not waiting till we have already fallen into evil, but preventing it before it comes.'
Very healthy advice for anyone who is suffering.
Next week's reading Read Letters CCLXVIII to CCLXXXIII. Now it's your turn Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
Required reading The Works (Vol 7) by Thomas Goodwin (Available fromAmazon or free here) - Read Book I 'Of The creatures, and the condition of their state by creation'.
My summary Today we begin to reading Volume VII of the Works of Thomas Goodwin. The volume begins with a book entitled 'Of the creatures, and the condition of their state by creation'. The book is divided into two 'books' and we read the whole of the first book today which contains three chapters.
In Chapter 1 Goodwin teaches us that creatures are not God and so should not be worshipped as such.
Then in Chapter 2 Goodwin explains that creatures were not from eternity existing in God.
Lastly, in Chapter 3 we see the infinite distance between God and creatures as he is: (i) the maker and preserver of creatures; (ii) the one inhabiting eternity; (iii) the high and lofty one; (iv) the one whose name is Holy. What grabbed me There is a powerful reason for a creature to claim to be God: 'Again, To argue this from invincible reason. If all things were God, all difference of good and evil would be taken away, and God should sin in all that is acted in and by the creature, which is that these men do aim at, to have their consciences discharged of all obligations. If they can once persuade their souls that they are God, then as God sins not, so nor do they.'
If you believe God is not God, then sin is completely redefined and your responsibility removed. A powerful motive for unbelief in the true God!
Next week's reading Commence Book II 'Of The creatures, and the condition of their state by creation' by reading Chapters 1, 2 & 3.
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 '7. Christ's exaltation' and '8. Christ the redeemer'. My summary Today we finish Section IV on the covenant of grace and its mediator.
Firstly Watson teaches us about Christ's exaltation. God exalted Christ in his:
(i) titles;
(ii) office;
(iii) ascension;
(iv) session at God's right-hand;
(v) constituting him judge of the world.
Secondly we learn about Christ as redeemer. Watson answers five important questions:
(i) How does Christ redeem us?;
(ii) From what does Christ redeem us?;
(iii) But how are we redeemed from sin? Do we not see corruption stirring in the regenerate; much pride and unmortified passion?;
(iv) In what sense has Christ redeemed justified persons from sin?;
(v) To what has Christ redeemed us?
What grabbed me I appreciated the challenge from Watson to examine whether we are redeemed ones: 'If Christ came to purchase our redemption, then let us try whether we are the persons whom Christ has redeemed from the guilt and curse due to sin. This is a needful trial; for let me tell you, there is but a certain number whom Christ has redeemed. Oh, say sinners, Christ is a redeemer, and we shall be saved by him! Beloved, Christ came not to redeem all, for that would overthrow the decrees of God. Redemption is not as large as creation. I grant there is a sufficiency of merit in Christ’s blood to save all; but there is a difference between sufficiency and efficiency. Christ’s blood is a sufficient price for all, but it is effectual only to them that believe. A plaster may have a sovereign virtue in it to heal any wound, but it does not heal unless applied to the wound. And if it be so, that all have not the benefit of Christ’s redemption, but some only, then it is a necessary question to ask our own souls, Are we in the number of those that are redeemed by Christ or not?'
Are you redeemed?
Next week's reading Read '1. Faith', '2. Effectual calling' and '3. Justification'. 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 28 (Should I become a foreign missionary?).
My summary Today Plumer encourages the reader to consider becoming a foreign missionary.
Most of the chapter is spent dispelling excuses for not being a missionary, such as a lack of: (i) health; (ii) patience; (iii) cheerfulness; (iv) knowledge of human nature; (v) knowledge of languages; (vi) a calculating mind; (vii) a willingness to obey; (viii) ability to adapt; (ix) ardent love; (x) personal industry; (xi) willingness to go.
Then to ascertain a call to foreign missions, Plumer speaks of the: (i) leadings and actings of God's wonderful providence; (ii) direct agency of the Holy Spirit on the heart.
What grabbed me I liked the last paragraph which was basically a prayer: 'Oh ! that He, " from whom all blessings flow," would pour down his Spirit upon us, anointing us afresh with an unction that shall abide, and enable us all joyfully to go where we are sent, and to run whither we are called, so that by any means we may " speed the flight of the angel who has the everlasting Gospel to preach unto the nations."'
Amen! Next week's reading Read Chapter 29 (The duty of Americans).
Now it's your turn Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
Required reading Riches increased by giving by Thomas Gouge (Available from Amazon or free here) - Continue by reading up to the section beginning 'Dear Reader, in the exercise of this Christian duty, however, it may be profitable to ask ourselves a few useful questions; namely, How, or in what manner must we perform this duty, that it may be acceptable and pleasing to God?'
My summary Firstly, today, Gouge continues to outline reasons why Christians should give to ministers of the gospel, including: (i) ministers often suffer and need relief; (ii) ministers are often brought low for your sake; (iii) God requires it; (iv) it demonstrates your love for God; (v) you will benefit from the prayers of the ministers; (vi) you will be rewarded in the kingdom of heaven.
Then we read some questions by which Gouge endeavours to enforce this important and profitable duty: (i) What are your present views and feelings with reference to liberality?; (ii) What dost thou think of thyself?; (iii) What dost thou think of thy wealth and possessions?; (iv) What dost thou think of the state of many of the righteous servants of God?; (v) What is the purpose of your heart, and what wilt thou do for the future?
What grabbed me I appreciated the reminder that I am only a steward of my possessions, not an owner: 'The truth is, it is the great mistake of many, to think that all their goods are their own, and that they are absolute lords and owners of all which they possess; whereas, indeed, they are rather stewards than lords and owners of this world’s goods; all is the Lord’s. God, of his infinite wisdom, hath committed to some a greater portion of them, than to others, yet not to be devoted entirely to themselves, but to be used according to the Divine command, being God’s stewards, and who will have to render an account at the great day; God requires a special part to be given for his sake, and though no man may claim any part of our property, still our heavenly Father deems a portion as belonging to the church and the poor, and we cannot justly withhold it. Therefore Solomon, speaking of the special right which God and the poor have to a part of our wealth, saith, "Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thy hand to do it." Prov 3:27. So that the exercises of Christian charity and beneficence are not only acts of mercy, left to our choice to do, or leave undone; but also an act of justice, to which we stand bound and responsible for its performance. Hence to give alms, and to do righteousness and justice, are often in Scripture put the one for the other, both signifying the same thing.'
God has kindly granted me some control of his belongings, so I'd better make sure I use them as he has directed.
Next week's reading Conclude the book.
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 13 (A discourse upon God's dominion) by reading up the paragraph commencing 'Use 5. Of exhortation'.
My summary Last week we began Charnock's 'uses' of the doctrine of God's dominion by reading his first use. This week we hear the next three uses.
The second use is how dreadful is the consideration of this doctrine to all rebels against God. If God has all dominion then:
(i) punishment necessarily follows;
(ii) punishment is unavoidable.
The third use is of comfort. If God is sovereign then:
(i) his love to people is as great as his sovereignty over them;
(ii) his pardons carry in them a full security;
(iii) corruptions will certainly be subdued in his voluntary subjects;
(iv) there is a strong encouragement for prayer;
(v) here is comfort in afflictions;
(vi) it is a comfort against the projects of the church's adversaries in times of public commotions.
The fourth use is if God hath an extensive dominion over the whole world, this ought to be often meditated on, and acknowledged by us. Meditation on God's dominion would:
(i) fix us on him as an object of trust;
(ii) make us diligent in worship;
(iii) make us charitable to others;
(iv) make us watchful and arm us against all temptations;
(v) make us entertain afflictions as they ought to be entertained, viz., with a respect to God;
(vi) make us resign up ourselves to God in everything;
(vii) stop our vain curiosity.
What grabbed me I found helpful the point about our security through God's dominion: 'In his being sovereign, his pardons carry in them a full security. He that hath the keys of hell and death, pardons the crime, and wipes off the guilt. Who can repeal the act of the chief governor ? What tribunal can null the decrees of an absolute throne ? 'I, even I, am he, that blots out thy transgressions for my names sake,' Isa. 43. 25. His sovereign dominion renders his mercy comfortable. The clemency of a subject, though never so great, cannot pardon ; people may pity a criminal, while the executioner tortures him, and strips him of his life ; but the clemency of the supreme prince establishes a pardon. Since we are under the dominion of God, if he pardons who can reverse it ? If he does not, what will the pardons of men profit us in regard of an eternal state ? If God be a king for ever, then he whom God forgives, he in whom God reigns, shall live for ever. Else he would want subjects on earth, and have none of his lower creatures, which he formed upon the earth, to reign over the dissolution of the world ; if his pardons did not stand secure, he would after this life, have no voluntary subjects that had formerly a being upon the earth, he would be a king only over the damned creatures.'
If he pardons who can reverse it?
Next week's reading
Conclude Chapter 13 (A discourse upon God's dominion).
Now it's your turn Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
Required reading The life of Matthew Henry by J. B. Williams (Available from Amazon or free here)- Read Chapter 3.
My summary This week we read of Matthew Henry's study of law as a protracted course of initiation to the Christian ministry.
Thus we read of Matthew Henry's:
(i) studies;
(ii) continued interest in pursuing the ministry;
(iii) Christian growth;
(iv) visit to Richard Baxter in prison;
(v) correspondence, including a lengthy letter to a friend which reads like a mini sermon.
What grabbed me I liked Matthew Henry's exhortations to his friend: 'Heaven and hell are great things indeed, and should be much upon our hearts, and improved by as a spur of constraint to put us upon duty, and a bridle of restraint to keep us from sin. We should labour to see reality and weight in invisible things, and live as those that must be somewhere for ever. See hell the wages and due desert of sin, and heaven the free gift of God through Jesus Christ.'
Want to avoid sin? Consider the consequences of your actions.
Next week's reading Read Chapter 4. Now it's your turn Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
Required reading Tracts and Letters (Volume 5) by John Calvin (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Letters CCXXXIII to CCXLIX.
My summary Today we read letters from 1549 addressed to the Ministers of the church of Montebeliard, Bullinger, Bucer, the Pastors of the church of Berne, Viret, Farel, Madame De Cany, Madame De La Roche-Posay, Bucer, Lady Anne Seymour, and the Pastors of the church of Zurich.
The content of today's letters included:
(i) the highly sought after union with Zurich and Geneva over the theology of the Lord's supper;
(ii) union between Berne and Geneva;
(iii) the death of Calvin's wife;
(iv) alliances with the King of France (which Zurich refused to do);
(v) the English reformation;
(vi) persecutions in Europe.
What grabbed me It was sad to read of death of Calvin's wife: 'Although the death of my wife has been exceedingly painful to me, yet I subdue my grief as well as I can. Friends, also, are earnest in their duty to me. It might be wished, indeed, that they could profit me and themselves more ; yet one can scarcely say how much I am supported by their attentions. But you know well enough how tender, or rather soft, my mind is. Had not a powerful self-control, therefore, been vouchsafed to me, I could not have borne up so long. And truly mine is no common source of grief. I have been bereaved of the best companion of my life, of one who, had it been so ordered, would not only have been the willing sharer of my indigence, but even of my death. During her life she was the faithful helper of my ministry. From her I never experienced the slightest hindrance. She was never troublesome to me throughout the entire course of her illness; she was more anxious about her children than about herself.'
The loss of such a helper would be truly devastating.
Next week's reading Read Letters CCL to CCLXVII. Now it's your turn Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
