Volume One of Mastricht's Theoretical-Practical Theology is Here!

Thanks to God, and the prayers and labors of many, including Reformation Heritage Books and the Dutch Reformation Translation Society, the Petrus Van Mastricht Translation Project, previously announced on this blog back in 2009, has borne its first fruit. The first volume (of a projected set of seven) is now available for purchase at RHB. This much-anticipated publication is occasion for great joy because it not only introduces English-speaking readers to the first full translation of Van Mastricht's Prolegomena, but the additional prefatory material is well worth its inclusion in this volume. 

Among the prefatory material we find an editor's preface by Joel Beeke, the translator's preface by Todd Rester, a revised and expanded biographical sketch of the author by Adriaan C. Neele (previously included in the 2005 The Art of Living to God: A Study of Method and Piety in Theoretico-Practica Theologia of Petrus Van Mastricht (1630-1706), and Henricus Pontanus' funeral oration for Van Mastricht. Also included is Van Mastricht's brief treatise The Best Method for Preaching, previously published in English in 2013. (Neele also published in 2009 Petrus Van Mastricht 1630-1706: Reformed Orthodoxy: Method and Piety; in 2002, a portion of Van Mastricht's Theoretico-Practica Theologia was translated into English and published under the title A Treatise on Regeneration in 2002).

Neele's earlier study of Van Mastricht's magnum opus remains a valuable resource even as English-speaking readers now begin to have more aoccess to Van Mastricht's own words. The first chapter serves as a commentary to the volume just published by RHB.

Much has already been said about Van Mastricht's Prolegomena by others on social media. This writer commends both Neele's study of Van Mastricht and the newly-translated volume by Mastricht himself. Truly, as Jonathan Edwards and Cotton Mather have indicated, this is a theological work that needs to be the companion of our studies.

For my own part, this writer has a special appreciation for a brief portion of the Prolegomena on mediation (see pp. 195-198). Van Mastricht understood the Biblical imperative to ruminate or chew the cud upon the Word of God, a much-neglected ordinance for Christians in our day.

Don't miss out on these contributions to the church (both Van Mastricht and Neele's study), and continue to pray for the success of the labors of those continuing to work on the remainder of the great work of Van Mastricht's life (a new Dutch translation is happening as well). It was a blessing to the church in the 17th century, and this translation will undoubtedly be a blessing to the 21st century church as well. 

400th Anniversary of the King James Bible

Today marks the 400th anniversary of what is arguably the greatest Bible translation ever prepared. Standing on the shoulders of John Wycliffe, William Tyndale, Myles Coverdale, John Rogers, William Whittingham, among many other martyrs and scholars; launched at the 1604 Hampton Court Conference by the proposal of that "living library," Puritan John Rainolds, and commissioned by a king with his own anti-Puritan agenda; prepared by a great company of translators, including Rainolds himself, using these translation rules; and ultimately embraced by the vast majority of not only Puritans, who had previously enjoyed their beloved Geneva Bibles, but also the entire Western world for centuries, believers and unbelievers alike in their own way; the King James Bible represents the high-water mark of English Bible translation.

It was on May 2, 1611, that the King's Printer, Robert Barker, published what became known both as the 'Authorised' and 'King James Version' of the Bible. David Norton notes that it was 'appointed' by King James to be read in all the churches, rather than 'authorised.'

David Norton, A Textual History of the King James Bible, p. 46:

The finely engraved title page, by Cornelius Boel, reads:

The Holy Bible, Conteyning the Old Testament, AND THE NEW: Newly Translated out of the Originall tongues: & with the former Translations diligently compared and reuised: by his Majesties speciall Comandement. Appointed to be read in Churches. Imprinted at London by Robert Barker. Printer to the Kings most excellent Maiestie. ANNO DOM. 1611.

The use of 'appointed' and the absence of 'authorised' are striking -- the more striking in that the Bishops' Bible after 1565 had been 'authorised and appointed to be read in Churches' (H188). Moreover, there is no official record of authorisation (for these reasons I prefer to call this Bible the King James Bible).

Whether 'appointed' or 'authorised,' we can give thanks to God for the labors of those men who bequeathed to the world a legacy that lives on today, four centuries later. Thankful as I am for the Tyndale and Geneva Bibles, as well the labors of other faithful Bible scholarship, before and after 1611, it is true what T.S. Eliot said (Sunday Telegraph, No. 98 (16th December 1962), p. 7),

The age covered by the reigns of Elizabeth I and James I was richer in writers of genius than is our own, and we should not expect a translation made in our time to be a masterpiece of our literature or, as was the Authorized Version of 1611, an exemplar of English prose for successive generations of writers.

While I am not personally opposed to the ecclesiastical production of new, faithful English Bible translation one day that is based, as was the KJV, on the Majority Text, I have yet to see one among a 20th century landscape strewn with vastly inferior attempts at translation. C.S. Lewis has further rightly noted in a letter to T.S. Eliot that it is "Odd, the way the less the Bible is read the more it is translated (Letters, May 25, 1962).

For those who desire to study the textual and translation issues that underlie the modern attempts to supplant the KJV as the English ecclesiastical text, I recommend the literature of Dean Burgon, Edwards Hills, Theodore Letis, and the Trinitarian Bible Society. Joel Beeke has given his practical reasons for retaining the KJV here. For those seeking assistance in taking up the reading of the KJV, I recommend this aid prepared by Peter Lindstrom. For those seeking to better understand the legacy of the KJV, I recommend Leland Ryken, The Legacy of the King James Bible: Celebrating 400 Years of the Most Influential English Translation.

The King James Version of the Bible is a monument not to the infallibility of man -- it is a fallible translation, yet the best I know of in my native tongue -- but to scholarship and eloquence grounded in fidelity to the Word of God. Thanks be to God for such a faithful labor of love.

It is this thought from the translators to their readers that I would leave with you, friend, in praise of God's Word, which is a spirit that we should all cultivate in love to God and his voice to us:

¶ The praise of the Holy Scriptures

But now what piety without truth? What truth, what saving truth, without the word of God? What word of God, whereof we may be sure, without the Scripture? The Scriptures we are commanded to search. John v. 39. Isaiah viii. 20. They are commended that searched and studied them. Acts xvii. 11 and viii. 28, 29. They are reproved that were unskilful in them, or slow to believe them. Matth. xxii. 29. Luke xxiv. 25. They can make us wise unto salvation. 2 Tim. iii. 15. If we be ignorant, they will instruct us; if out of the way, they will bring us home; if out of order, they will reform us; if in heaviness, comfort us; if dull, quicken us; if cold, inflame us. Tolle, lege; tolle, lege; Take up and read, take up and read the Scriptures, (for unto them was the direction) it was said unto St Augustine by a supernatural voice. Whatsoever is in the Scriptures, believe me, saith the same St Augustine, is high and divine; there is verily truth, and a doctrine most fit for the refreshing and renewing of men’s minds, and truly so tempered, that every one may draw from thence that which is sufficient for him, if he come to draw with a devout and pious mind, as true religion requireth. Thus St Augustine. And St Hierome, Ama Scripturas, et amabit te sapientia, &c. Love the Scriptures, and wisdom will love thee. And St Cyrill against Julian, Even boys that are bred up in the Scriptures, become most religious, &c. But what mention we three or four uses of the Scripture, whereas whatsoever is to be believed, or practised, or hoped for, is contained in them? or three or four sentences of the Fathers, since whosoever is worthy the name of a Father, from Christ’s time downward, hath likewise written not only of the riches, but also of the perfection of the Scripture? I adore the fulness of the Scripture, saith Tertullian against Hermogenes. And again, to Apelles an heretick of the like stamp he saith, I do not admit that which thou bringest in (or concludest) of thine own (head or store, de tuo) without Scripture. So St Justin Martyr before him; We must know by all means (saith he) that it is not lawful (or possible) to learn (any thing) of God or of right piety, save only out of the Prophets, who teach us by divine inspiration. So St Basil after Tertullian, It is a manifest falling away from the faith, and a fault of presumption, either to reject any of those things that are written, or to bring in (upon the head of them, ἐπεισάγειν) any of those things that are not written. We omit to cite to the same effect St Cyrill, Bishop of Jerusalem in his 4. Cateches. St Hierome against Helvidius, St Augustine in his third book against the letters of Petilian, and in very many other places of his works. Also we forbear to descend to latter Fathers, because we will not weary the reader. The Scriptures then being acknowledged to be so full and so perfect, how can we excuse ourselves of negligence, if we do not study them? of curiosity, if we be not content with them? Men talk much of εἰρεσιώνη, how many sweet and goodly things it had hanging on it; of the Philosopher’s stone, that it turneth copper into gold; of Cornucopia, that it had all things necessary for food in it; of Panaces the herb, that it was good for all diseases; of Catholicon the drug, that it is instead of all purges; of Vulcan’s armour, that it was an armour of proof against all thrusts and all blows, &c. Well, that which they falsely or vainly attributed to these for bodily good, we may justly and with full measure ascribe unto the Scripture for spiritual. It is not only an armour, but also a whole armoury of weapons, both offensive and defensive; whereby we may save ourselves, and put the enemy to flight. It is not an herb, but a tree, or rather a whole paradise of trees of life, which bring forth fruit every month, and the fruit thereof is for meat, and the leaves for medicine. It is not a pot of Manna or a cruse of oil, which were for memory only, or for a meal’s meat or two; but as it were a shower of heavenly bread sufficient for a whole host, be it never so great, and as it were a whole cellar full of oil vessels; whereby all our necessities may be provided for, and our debts discharged. In a word, it is a panary of wholesome food against fenowed traditions; a physician’s shop (St Basil calleth it) of preservatives against poisoned heresies; a pandect of profitable laws against rebellious spirits; a treasury of most costly jewels against beggarly rudiments; finally, a fountain of most pure water springing up unto everlasting life. And what marvel? the original thereof being from heaven, not from earth; the author being God, not man; the inditer, the Holy Spirit, not the wit of the Apostles or Prophets; the penmen, such as were sanctified from the womb, and endued with a principal portion of God’s Spirit; the matter, verity, piety, purity, uprightness; the form, God’s word, God’s testimony, God’s oracles, the word of truth, the word of Salvation, &c.; the effects, light of understanding, stableness of persuasion, repentance from dead works, newness of life, holiness, peace, joy in the Holy Ghost; lastly, the end and reward of the study thereof, fellowship with the saints, participation of the heavenly nature, fruition of an inheritance immortal, undefiled, and that never shall fade away: Happy is the man that delighteth in the Scripture, and thrice happy that meditateth in it day and night.

Children Sing Psalms

1650 Scottish Metrical Psalter, Psalm 148:

11 Kings of the earth, all nations,
princes, earth's judges all:
12 Both young men, yea, and maidens too,
old men, and children small.
13 Let them God's name praise; for his name
alone is excellent:
His glory reacheth far above
the earth and firmament.

One of the special blessings of Biblical psalmody is that it is intended for all -- the whole family, as well as the whole congregation. Children too may and ought to sing the songs of Zion, that is, Word of God.

Joel R. Beeke, "Psalm Singing in Calvin and the Puritans," in Joel R. Beeke and Anthony T. Selvaggio, eds., Sing A New Song: Rediscovering Psalm Singing for the Twenty-First Century, pp. 22-23:

Calvin felt so strongly about psalm singing that early on he introduced it into his Geneva school. Students were required at the Academy of Geneva to "exercise themselves in singing psalms" every day after the noon meal.30 Calvin's goal was to enable children to sing psalms at school, church, and home so that they could help their parents learn to sing them also.31 Calvin wrote, "If some children, whom someone has practiced beforehand in some modest church song, sing in a loud and distinct voice, the people listening with complete attention and following in their hearts what is sung by mouth, little by little each one will become accustomed to sing with the others."32

30. Theodore Gerold, Les plus anciennes melodies de l'Eglise protestante de Strasbourg et leurs auteurs (Paris: Librairie Felix Alcan, 1928), 15.
31. [Michael] Lefebvre, Singing the Songs of Jesus, 13 [actually the reference is to p. 22]
32. CO 10:12

Jacobus Koelman, The Duties of Parents, p. 59:

63. Children must also sing psalms. In this connection, it is useful for them to know enough about music to sing the psalm tunes without assistance....Convey to them in all sincerity, from heart to heart, what the psalmist is telling us in the psalms that they are memorizing and what he teaches us, so they may also understand what they have committed to memory and what they sing. Bring up the words of those psalms on various occasions, and show your children how they can make use of them. They ought to know the following psalms: 1, 2, 6, 8, 15, 16, 19, 23, 25, 32, 45, 51, 72, 84, 90, 91, 100, 103, 111, 116, 130, 139, 145, 146, 148, 149, 150.

Joel Beeke, Family Worship:

Sing simple psalms, if you have young children. In choosing Psalms to sing, look for songs that children can easily master, and songs of particular importance for them to know. Choose songs that express the spiritual needs of your children for repentance, faith, and renewal of heart and life; songs that reveal God’s love for His people, and the love of Christ for the lambs of His flock; or that remind them of their covenant privileges and duty. The words should be simple and plain, and the tune easy to sing. For example, in The Psalter see No. 53, “The Lord’s My Shepherd, I’ll Not Want.” The text is simple enough for any child who has learned to talk; there are only three words of more than two syllables (righteousness, overflows, forevermore). Words such as righteousness, goodness, and mercy should be pointed out and explained before hand. Don’t forget to begin by telling the children that a shepherd is someone who takes care of the sheep he owns and loves! It is unwise to assume that such things are plain enough in themselves.

W.W. Lawrence, "The Psalms and the Young," in John McNaugher, ed., The Psalms in Worship, pp. 363, 367-368:

Give the Psalter songs a chance, and God's way will be vindicated....The young appreciate the songs of God....As the Saviour took the little ones in His arms, saying, "Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not, for of such is the Kingdom of heaven," so the Psalter hymns gather young men and maidens, and children small, into the song of praise, sweeping their voices and hearts into the anthem, saying, Suffer the young to voice His inspired word, for of such is the kingdom of praise.

Endorsements by John Owen

Like J.I. Packer in our day, a book endorsement from John Owen was much sought-after in the 17th century. The list of works he endorsed in writing is a pleasure to read as it includes some of the best literature of his day, or any day.

Peter Toon, ed., The Correspondence of John Owen (1616-1683), Appendix II: Books which contains 'Prefaces', 'Epistles to the Reader' or 'Commendations' by Dr John Owen, pp. 178-179:

1. Henry Whitfield, Strengthe out of Weakness (1652)
2. Thomas Taylor, A Collection of the Works of T. Taylor (1653)
3. William Twisse, The Riches of God's Love (1653)
4. William Eyre, Vindiciae Justificationis Gratuitae (1654)
5. George Kendall, Sancti Sanctiti (1656)
6. Lewis Du Moulin, Paraenesis ad Aedificatores imperii in imperio (1656)
7. Philolaeclerus (pseud.), The Private Christian's Non Ultra (1656)
8. ____, Banners of Grace and Love (1657)
9. John Cotton, A Defence of Mr. John Cotton (1658)
10. William Guild, The Throne of David (1659)
11. Patrick Gillespie (?), Ark of the Testament Opened (1661)
12. James Durham, Clavis Cantici (1669)
13. Theophilus Gale, The True Idea of Jansenisme (1669)
14. Henry Lukin, An Introduction to the Holy Scripture (1669)
15. Mrs. Alleine, The Life and Death of...Joseph Alleine (1672)
16. Jean Daille, Sermons on the Epistle...to the Colossians (1672)
17. Joseph Caryl, The Nature and Principles of Love (1673)
18. ____, Scottish Metrical Version of Psalms (1673)
19. Edward Polhill, The Divine Will Considered in the eternal decrees (1673)
20. Vavasor Powell, A New and Useful Concordance (1673)
21. Thomas Gouge, The Surest and Safest Way of Thriving (1674)
22. Henry Scudder, The Christian's Daily Walk (1674)
23. Samuel Petto, The Difference between the Old and New Covenant (1674)
24. James Durham, The Law Unsealed (1676)
25. Patrick Gillespie, The Ark of the Covenant Opened (1677)
26. Samuel Corbyn, An Awakening Call (in later editions entitled The Necessity, Seriousness and Sweetnesss of Practical Religion (1677) (2nd ed)
27. Elisha Coles, A Practical Discourse of Gods Sovereignty (1678)
28. Stephen Lobb, The Glory of Free Grace (1680)
29. Bartholomew Ashwood, The Best Treasure (1681)
30. Samuel Clark, The Holy Bible with Annotations (1690)

Note: John Owen also was the first signer of 'An Epistle to the Reader' of Thomas Vincent's The Shorter Catechism Explained from Scripture (1674). And, helping to write The Savoy Declaration, "[h]e was probably the primary author of its lengthy preface" (Joel R. Beeke and Randall J. Pederson, Meet the Puritans, p. 459).

The God of All Grace

Thomas Taylor (1576-1632), English Puritan, wrote a commentary on Titus (described by Joel Beeke and Randall Pederson, Meet the Puritans, p. 579, as "the most famous and safest guide on Titus"), in which he speaks of the types of grace bestowed by God upon man, p. 280 (1612, 1980):

By "grace" in scripture are sometimes meant the gifts of grace, that is, any good gift which proceeds from the favour and love of God towards man, whether privative (in withholding evils deserved, or good things which we would abuse) or positive. These gifts of grace may be general and common, given to the elect and reprobate alike, as the gift of tongues, learning, prophecy, miracles, etc.; or they may be more spiritual, given only to the saved and used to distinguish them from others. Among the latter we may mention the first and eternal grace of election, and the second grace by which those who are elected and given to the Son, are in due time (by effectual vocation, justification, and sanctification) led to glory and salvation. All these are of His grace, and Peter calls Him "the God of all grace."

Joel Beeke and the Russian Mafia

In January 2002, Dr. Joel Beeke traveled to Riga, Latvia to preach and teach and provide support for the Riga Reformed Theological Seminary (now known as Baltic Reformed Theological Seminary). While he was there, he was attacked by two men who claimed to be part of the Russian Mafia. He was assaulted, robbed, blindfolded, gagged and held at knifepoint against his will for an hour or so in his own apartment. He tells the story of what happened and how he escaped in an article published by Banner of Truth and his testimony to God's wonderful preservation is well worth reading: Dr. Joel Beeke's Experience in Riga Latvia (January 25, 2002). In another article, he is quoted as saying that while he lay on the floor bound and blindfolded that "I saw the goodness of God...I saw in Jesus' blood [the goodness of God]." How wonderful it is to read such a testimony. Praise the Lord for his remarkable deliverance of such a man of God. From his own account:

I cannot put into words how the Lord helped me in those forty-five minutes. For many years now, I have a practice that whenever I feel physical pain, I try to discipline my mind to think of Christ's pain. That is the best means I know to reduce one's own pain. But this time it was as if the Lord simply gave it to me. Most of the time the Holy Spirit filled my mind with sweet meditations on the sufferings of Christ. Every time that knife poked at my spine and I expected the end a knife's stroke away, God enabled me to meditate on the blood of Christ. When the knife pressed sore, I thought of Christ's sword-pierced side. I was given to surrender all my sins and my soul to the blood of our precious Mediator with such freedom that I wanted to sing with joy. I thought of Paul and Silas singing in the inner prison. I received much comfort from the text that believers should count it all joy when they suffer for Jesus' sake. Though I was acutely aware of my misery and unworthiness as I lay there, I was fully assured in my soul that my every sin was covered with the precious blood of Immanuel.

Psalm 124 (Scottish Metrical Psalter):

1 Now Israel
may say, and that truly,
If that the Lord
had not our cause maintain'd;
2 If that the Lord
had not our right sustain'd,
When cruel men
against us furiously
Rose up in wrath,
to make of us their prey;

3 Then certainly
they had devour'd us all,
And swallow'd quick,
for ought that we could deem;
Such was their rage,
as we might well esteem.
4 And as fierce floods
before them all things drown,
So had they brought
our soul to death quite down.

Meet the Puritans

Back in 2006, Reformation Heritage Books published an invaluable introduction to the Puritans by Joel Beeke and Randall Pederson called Meet the Puritans. I read it daily for a long time, and still refer to it often; it has proven a wonderful resource for me and countless others who appreciate those godly men and women of old.

Yesterday, a new site entered the blogosphere with the same name, Meet the Puritans, with a similar aim. It is a collaborative effort by Danny Hyde, Mark Jones and Rowland Ward.

The purpose of this website is to promote the seventeenth century English Puritans. We intend to do this by means of original research, theological and devotional commentary upon the writings of the Puritans, reviews of books about the Puritans, recommendations of books about the Puritans, and by providing Recommended Reading of helpful materials in your study of the Puritans.

There is a special emphasis on their favorite Puritans -- John Owen, Thomas Goodwin and Thomas Manton -- but this looks to be another great resource for the study of Puritanism in general. Stay tuned and keep reading if you want to "meet the Puritans."

Joel Beeke's Top Commentaries

Update (03/19/17): After changes were made to the RHB blog, links to Dr. Joel Beeke's top recommended commentaries as noted below were broken. However, using the Internet Archive's Wayback Machine, wherever possible, I have been able to fix some of the links originally posted here on Sept. 1, 2009, thus retaining some most helpful information.

[Original post w/updated links:]

Over the past year, Dr. Joel Beeke has done a service to the church by sharing his "top commentaries" on the Bible weekly at the Reformation Heritage Books blog, Heritage Booktalk. Now that his selections for the top commentaries on Revelation have been posted, I thought it would be useful to consolidate his weekly posts into one place for easy reference. Enjoy!

Dr. Beeke's Top Ten Commentary Sets (July 4, 2008)
Dr. Beeke's Top Pick for an Old Testament Commentary Set (July 14, 2008) {Disabled as of 03/19/17}
Dr. Beeke's Top Five Commentaries on Genesis (July 21, 2008)
Dr. Beeke's Top Five Commentaries on Exodus (July 28, 2008) {Disabled as of 03/19/17}
Dr. Beeke's Top Commentaries on Leviticus (August 4, 2008)
Dr. Beeke's Top Two Commentaries on Numbers (August 11, 2008)
Dr. Beeke's Top Three Commentaries on Deuteronomy (August 18, 2008)
Dr. Beeke's Top Three Commentaries on Joshua (August 25, 2008)
Dr. Beeke's Top Commentaries on Judges (September 1, 2008) {Disabled as of 03/19/17}
Dr. Beeke's Top Commentaries on Ruth (September 8, 2008)
Dr. Beeke's Top Commentaries on 1 & 2 Samuel (September 15, 2008) {Disabled as of 03/19/17}
Dr. Beeke's Top Commentaries on 1 & 2 Kings (September 22, 2008) {Disabled as of 03/19/17}
Dr. Beeke's Top Commentaries on 1 & 2 Chronicles (September 29, 2008) {Disabled as of 03/19/17}
Dr. Beeke's Top Commentaries on Ezra (October 6, 2008) {Disabled as of 03/19/17}
Dr. Beeke's Top Commentaries on Nehemiah (October 13, 2008) {Disabled as of 03/19/17}
Dr. Beeke's Top Commentaries on Esther (October 20, 2008) {Disabled as of 03/19/17}
Dr. Beeke's Top Commentaries on Job (October 27, 2008)
Dr. Beeke's Top Commentaries on Psalms (November 3, 2008)
Dr. Beeke's Top Commentaries on Proverbs (November 10, 2008)
Dr. Beeke's Top Commentaries on Ecclesiastes (November 17, 2008) {Disabled as of 03/19/17}
Dr. Beeke's Top Commentaries on the Song of Solomon (November 25, 2008)
Dr. Beeke's Top Commentaries on Isaiah (December 1, 2008)
Dr. Beeke's Top Commentaries on Jeremiah (December 8, 2008)
Dr. Beeke's Top Commentaries on Lamentations (December 15, 2008) {Disabled as of 03/19/17}
Dr. Beeke's Top Commentaries on Ezekiel (December 22, 2008) {Disabled as of 03/19/17}
Dr. Beeke's Top Commentaries on the Minor Prophets (December 29, 2008) {Disabled as of 03/19/17}
Dr. Beeke's Top Commentaries on Daniel (January 5, 2009) {Disabled as of 03/19/17}
Dr. Beeke's Top Commentaries on Hosea (January 12, 2009) {Disabled as of 03/19/17}
Dr. Beeke's Top Commentaries on Joel (January 19, 2009) {Disabled as of 03/19/17}
Dr. Beeke's Top Commentaries on Amos (January 26, 2009) {Disabled as of 03/19/17}
Dr. Beeke's Top Commentaries on Obadiah and Habakkuk (February 2, 2009) {Disabled as of 03/19/17}
Dr. Beeke's Top Commentaries on Jonah (February 9, 2009) {Disabled as of 03/19/17}
Dr. Beeke's Top Commentaries on Micah (February 16, 2009) {Disabled as of 03/19/17}
Dr. Beeke's Top Commentaries on Nahum (February 23, 2009) {Disabled as of 03/19/17}
Dr. Beeke's Top Commentaries on Haggai (March 2, 2009) {Disabled as of 03/19/17}
Dr. Beeke's Top Commentaries on Zechariah (March 9, 2009) {Disabled as of 03/19/17}
Dr. Beeke's Top Commentaries on Malachai (March 16, 2009) {Disabled as of 03/19/17}
Dr. Beeke's Top Commentaries on the New Testament (March 23, 2009) {Disabled as of 03/19/17}
Dr. Beeke's Top Commentaries on the Gospels (March 30, 2009)
Dr. Beeke's Top Commentaries on Matthew (April 6, 2009)
Dr. Beeke's Top Commentaries on Luke (April 20, 2009)
Dr. Beeke's Top Commentaries on John (April 27, 2009)
Dr. Beeke's Top Commentaries on Acts (May 4, 2009)
Dr. Beeke's Top Commentaries on Romans (May 11, 2009) {Disabled as of 03/19/17}
Dr. Beeke's Top Commentaries on 1 Corinthians (May 18, 2009) {Disabled as of 03/19/17}
Dr. Beeke's Top Commentaries on 2 Corinthians (May 25, 2009) {Disabled as of 03/19/17}
Dr. Beeke's Top Commentaries on Galatians (June 1, 2009)
Dr. Beeke's Top Commentaries on Ephesians (June 8, 2009)
Dr. Beeke's Top Commentaries on Philippians (June 15, 2009) {Disabled as of 03/19/17}
Dr. Beeke's Top Commentaries on Colossians (June 22, 2009) {Disabled as of 03/19/17}
Dr. Beeke's Top Commentaries on 1 & 2 Thessalonians (June 29, 2009) {Disabled as of 03/19/17}
Dr. Beeke's Top Commentaries on 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus (July 5, 2009) {Disabled as of 03/19/17}
Dr. Beeke's Top Commentaries on Philemon (July 14, 2009)
Dr. Beeke's Top Commentaries on Hebrews (July 20, 2009)
Dr. Beeke's Top Commentaries on James (July 27, 2009) {Disabled as of 03/19/17}
Dr. Beeke's Top Commentaries on 1 & 2 Peter (August 3, 2009) {Disabled as of 03/19/17}
Dr. Beeke's Top Commentaries on the Epistles of John (August 10, 2009)
Dr. Beeke's Top Commentaries on Jude (August 17, 2009)
Dr. Beeke's Top Commentaries on Revelation (August 24, 2009)

Cellar of Affliction

It is commonly reported that Samuel Rutherford said: "The secret formula of the saints: When in the cellar of affliction, I look for the Lord's choicest wines." Another variation of this oft-repeated quote is: "When cast in the cellars of affliction, remember the great King keeps his wine there." It is a noble quote and the sentiment is certainly in accord with the mind of Rutherford from what I know of him. However, to me, the language does not quite sound like his and, having spent some time researching this, I wonder if these are his words or perhaps a revised version of something else he said.

I have investigated the source of this quote only to ascertain if it is really his not to take anything away from the quote. It may be that he said it after all, but so far I have not been able to find it sourced anywhere in his writings. It is only very rarely that any source is ascribed to the quote at all beyond Rutherford's name. Joel Beeke quoted the line, along with others, in The Quest for Full Assurance: The Legacy of Calvin and His Successors, p. 162, and provided a footnote to p. 52ff of the 1881 edition of his Letters; although the other quotes referenced on p. 162 are found there, this particular quote is not. However, there are some other lines in his Letters that seem to echo the thought, if not the exact language.

Letter 35 (First Part, June 15, 1637) [Letter 177 of Andrew Bonar's 1891 ed.] (p. 105 of Thomas Smith's 1881 ed.):

O, that my Master would take up house again, and lend me the keys of His wine-cellar again, and God send me borrowed drink till then.

Letter 50 (First Part, 1637) [Letter 249 of Andrew Bonar's 1891 ed.] (p. 129 of Thomas Smith's 1881 ed.):

But for you hing on, your feast is not far off; ye shall be filled ere ye go, there is as much in our Lord's pantry, as will satisfy all His bairns, and as much wine in His cellar as will quench all their thirst.

Letter 122 (First Part, June 15, 1637) [Letter 179 of Andrew Bonar's 1891 ed.] (p. 224 of Thomas Smith's 1881 ed.):

I wish, for my part, I could send you, and that gentleman who wrote his commendations to me, into the King's innermost cellar and house of wine to be filled with love. A drink of this love is worth the having indeed.

Letter 32 (Second Part, February 13, 1640) [Letter 295 of Andrew Bonar's 1891 ed.] (p. 431 of Thomas Smith's 1881 ed.):

Come, come, dear friend, and be pained, that the King's wine-cellar of free love, and His banqueting-house (O so wide, so stately! O so Godlike, so glory-like!) should be so abundant, so overflowing, and your shallow vessel so little, to take in some part of that love.

Letter 3 (Third Part, July 21, 1630) [Letter 12 of Andrew Bonar's 1891 ed.] (p. 488 of Thomas Smith's 1881 ed.):

You have been of late in the King's wine-cellar, where you were welcomed by the Lord of the inn, upon condition that ye would walk in love; put on love, and brotherly kindness, and long-suffering; wait as long upon the favour and turned hearts of your enemies, as your Christ waited upon you, and as dear Jesus stood at your soul's door with dewy and rainy locks, the long cold night; be angry but sin not.

I hope that if my research is incomplete and this quote is properly ascribed to Rutherford after all, that someone will kindly provide the citation. Regardless, may each child of God who finds himself or herself in the cellar of affliction drink deeply of the King's choice wine and be filled with his love.

The Christian Warfare

Kudos to Solid Ground Christian Books for republishing John Downame's masterpiece on the subject of spiritual warfare, The Christian Warfare Against the Devil, World and Flesh. It is a Puritan classic of the highest rank, and it has long been largely inaccessible to modern readers, so it with great joy that I hold a copy in my hands today. It is a massive work the reading of which will greatly repay the careful soldier's in Christ's army.

This edition is a paperback facsimile of the 1974 English Experience reproduction of the 1609 edition, and it includes three of the four parts of the original work. Its typeface will be a challenge to many modern readers, but I encourage those seeking to benefit from Puritan wisdom on the struggle to live righteously in the midst of a spiritual conflict to persevere. The reward is great.

Joel Beeke notes, "With the possible exception of Gurnall's 'Christian Armour,' this book is the finest Puritan work on the theme of the Christian warfare. It is also Downame's best work."

An interesting bit of historical trivia: The library of Harvard College was donated and established by John Harvard and supplemented by the personal library of William Ames, but ultimately every book save one was destroyed by fire in 1763. The sole surviving book was a copy of Downame's The Christian Warfare which had been checked out by one Ephraim Briggs, a student, and was in fact overdue.

If you are seeking to arm yourself wisely for the battles of a Christian pilgrimage, along with the Bible, consider adding this book to your spiritual armoury. It will be well worth it.

In Living Color: Images of Christ and the Means of Grace

Pastor Danny Hyde of the Oceanside, CA URC has again performed a great service to the church with today's announcement of the release of his new book In Living Color: Images of Christ and the Means of Grace (2009, Reformed Fellowship, Inc.). It is a much-needed contemporary defense of the second commandment's prohibition against images of Christ and an encouragement for us to seek after God in the appointed means of grace. The foreword is written by Joel Beeke. It is available for purchase at Reformed Fellowship and Amazon.

Why Read the Puritans Today?

Don Kistler's handy introductory booklet Why Read the Puritans Today? has been republished by The Northampton Press. It costs $5.00 including shipping, but there is also a discount for quantities of ten or more. It is a great way to introduce someone to Puritan literature, and it is good to have back in print. This little booklet is good for church book tables, for friends and family, and for acquainting anyone with the beauty of Puritan writings. Order it today!

In a similar vein, consult Joel Beeke, Why You Should Read the Puritans.

Samuel Rutherford Scandal

A testimony to the grace of God, not unlike the experience of David in Psalm 51, in the life of Samuel Rutherford, that remarkable Scottish Covenanter.

Dictionary of National Biography, Vol. 17, p. 496 (1909 ed.):

He entered the university of Edinburgh in 1617, graduated in 1621, and in 1623 was appointed regent of humanity, having been recommended by the professors for 'his eminent abilities of mind and virtuous disposition.' The records of the two council of Edinburgh under 3 Feb. 1626 contain the following: 'Forasmuch as it being declared by the principal of the college that Mr. Samuel Rutherford, regent of humanity, has fallen in fornication with Eupham Hamilton, and has committed a great scandal in the college and...has since demitted his charge therein, therefore elects and nominates...commissioners...with power...to insist for depriving of the said Mr. Samuel, and being deprived for filling of the said place with a sufficient person.' Rutherford married the said Eupham, and his whole subsequent life was a reparation for the wrong he had done. According to his own statement, he had 'suffered the sun to be high in heaven' before he became seriously religious.

Joel R. Beeke & Randall J. Pederson, Meet the Puritans, p. 721, adds:

In 1623, Rutherford was chosen to serve as Professor of Humanity at Edinburgh, with responsibilities as a Latin tutor. Two years later, he was forced to resign after behaving inappropriately with a young woman named Euphame Hamilton, whom he subsequently married. God apparently used this incident to initiate or further his conversion. In a letter to Robert Stuart (1637), Rutherford wrote, “Ye have gotten a great advantage in the way of heaven, that ye have started to the gate in the morning. Like a fool, as I was, I suffered my sun to be high in the heaven, and near afternoon, before I ever took the gate by the end.”

A Day in the Life of Oliver Heywood While Imprisoned for the Faith

Oliver Heywood, English Puritan (1630-1702), was a remarkable man by any measure. Through his diaries we know that he "preached 3,027 sermons, kept 1,256 fasts, observed 314 thanksgiving days, and traveled 31,345 miles during the course of his [50-year] ministry" (Joel R. Beeke & Randall J. Pederson, Meet the Puritans, p. 343). I will come back to the fact that he, like other Puritans, kept a diary, and what significance Puritans placed on this exercise, but for now I want to highlight an extract from his diary written in 1685 which describes a typical day spent while he served time in prison for nonconformity (his wife was jailed with him part of the time):

(1) After our rising, we kneeled down; I went to prayer with my wife; (2) she in her closet, I in my chamber, went to secret prayer alone; (3) then I read a chapter in the Greek Testament, while I took a pipe; (4) then read a chapter in the Old Testament with Poole's Annotations; (5) then writ a little, here [diary], or elsewhere; (6) at ten o'clock I read a chapter in Proverbs; went to prayer with my wife, as family prayer; (7) then writ in some book or treatise I composed, till dinner; (8) after dinner, Mr. Whitaker and I read our turns for an hour in Fox's Acts and Monuments, last edition; (9) then went to my chamber; if my wife was absent I spent an hour in secret prayer; God helped usually; (10) after supper we read in Book of Martyrs; study, go to prayer; we read in Baxter's Paraphrase on the New Testament.