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. 

Attending Upon God Without Distraction

In the vein of Richard Steele's (1629-1692) classic work A Remedy for Wandering Thoughts in the Worship of God (1673), Nathaniel Vincent (brother of Thomas Vincent) wrote The Cure of Distractions in Attending Upon God in 1695. This work is being reissued by Soli Deo Gloria Publications under the title Attending Upon God Without Distraction. Based on 1 Cor. 7.35 ("that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction"), and written in the spirit of humility ("A sense of my own wanderings in those ordinances I administer and engage in has put me upon a more serious study how to prevent them"), Vincent argues the importance of singleness of mind and spirit in the service of God and aims to equip the reader with practical counsel to achieve this, by his grace. The book includes a biographical sketch of the author, and is expected to be available by June 30, 2010. Written by one of the signers of the 1673 Puritan Preface to the Scottish Metrical Psalter, this book addresses a concern of the saints in all ages to "do what God commands, and as He commands, else what we call our religious duties will be looked upon by Him as acts of disobedience," much like Nadab and Abihu. This work, like Steele's, is a welcome aid to the saints who would seek to arm themselves against distractions from the world, and the flesh, and the devil, and serve God with their whole heart, soul, strength and mind (Luke 10.27).

The Larger Catechism

The Westminster Assembly Project and Reformation Heritage Books are again to be commended for the publication by John Bower of the first in a series of Principal Documents of the Westminster Assembly, The Larger Catechism: A Critical Text and Introduction. Dedicated to the memories of William and Samuel William Carruthers, this volume includes a very helpful background essay regarding the development of the longest and least well-known of the productions of the Westminster Assembly, along with a critical edition of the Catechism, and a four-column comparison of the authoritative texts. I was privileged to review an advance copy, and now having reviewed the final work as well, I commend it highly to students of the Westminster Divines for your edification. Dr. Bower and all those who helped along the way are to be thanked for their labor of love.

Witsius 2010

This year has already seen the republication by Reformed Academic Press of one of Herman Witsius' classic orations, On the Character of a True Theologian. Now comes the good news that Reformation Heritage Press is republishing "The Major Works of Herman Witsius" in five volumes, that is, The Economy of the Covenants Between God and Man (2 vols.), Sacred Dissertations on the Apostles Creed (2 vols.) and Sacred Dissertations on the Lord's Prayer (1 vol.). These are due out in August 2010. It is a good year for Witsius and for those who enjoy the writings of this irenic divine.

Guanabara Confession

As I mentioned last year, the (French Huguenot) Guanabara Confession, the first Protestant confession of faith drawn up in the New World (Brazil, 1558), is among the confessions translated and published the series of Reformed Confessions edited by James T. Dennison, Jr. I am very thankful for this new translation done by Dr. Dennison himself, which helps to bring attention to a chapter of history that is little-known by New World Protestants today, that of the first Protestant missionaries, who were sent by the Church of Geneva to the land of Brazil, who engaged the Indians and Portuguese, and were ultimately betrayed by the "Cain of America," who made martyrs of some of the authors of the Guanabara Confession within 12 hours of their writing it.

There are many other worthy creeds, catechisms and confessions that have been translated and published, some for the first time in English -- all listed here -- in the newly-released Reformed Confessions of the 16th and 17th Centuries in English Translation, Volume 2 (1552-1566). This series has been and continues to be a blessing to the church by which long-neglected worthy products of an earlier age are brought once again to our attention for our edification.

We often speak of standing on the shoulders of those men and women of faith who have gone before us, and this very useful labor helps us towards that end. I recommend this book, and this series, very highly, and wish to thank Dr. Dennison and his team of translators, as well as Reformation Heritage Books, for their invaluable service to the church.

Upon Mr. Perkins His Printed Sermons

As we wait for the republication of the Works of William Perkins by Reformation Heritage Books, here for consideration is a poetic tribute by 17th century English poet Phineas Fletcher.

Phineas Fletcher, The Poems of Phineas Fletcher, pp. 263-264:

Upon Mr. Perkins His Printed Sermons

Perkins -- our wonder -- living, though long dead,
In this white paper, as a winding-sheet,
this velome lies enveloped:
Yet still he lives, guiding the erring feet,
Speaking now to our eyes, though buried.
If once so well, much better now he teacheth.
Who will not heare, when a live-dead man preacheth?

Writings of the Westminster Divines

I am pleased to note that the Westminster Assembly Project and Reformation Heritage Books have joined together to publish the works of the Westminster Divines. I had the privilege to work on this project myself last autumn and am glad to see this work coming to fruition. It will be a great blessing to the church, I am sure. Kudos to Dr. Chad Van Dixhoorn and Dr. John Bower of the Westminster Assembly Project and others, particularly those at Reformation Heritage Books, who are making these works more accessible to today's readers.

Press release from the Westminster Assembly Project dated January 28, 2010:

The Westminster Assembly Project

and Reformation Heritage Books

The Westminster Assembly Project, best known for the edition of Assembly minutes and papers to be published by Oxford University Press, has now entered an extensive publishing agreement with Reformation Heritage Books.

John Bower has joined historian Chad Van Dixhoorn in launching three new series of books by the Westminster Assembly, and one series of new and classic studies on the Assembly, all being published by Reformation Heritage Books. It is hoped that both texts and studies will stimulate further research in the Assembly and the religious dimension of English civil war politics. Certainly future publications on British post-Reformation theology and Puritanism will be enriched by these publications, briefly described here.

Principal Documents of the Westminster Assembly. This series will produce the six chief works authored by the Assembly for covenanted uniformity of religion in England: the Confession of Faith, Larger Catechism, Shorter Catechism, Directory for Public Worship, Directory for Church Government, and The Psalter. Each volume will contain a historical introduction, a critical text, and multi-column comparisons of original manuscripts and early editions. The inaugural volume, The Larger Catechism, has been prepared by John Bower and scheduled for a launch in March 2010.

Writings of the Westminster Divines. The aim of this series is to provide scholarly editions of texts by Westminster Assembly members and commissioners. Volumes will include previously unpublished manuscripts as well as republications of rare editions. Carefully determined editorial standards will be used to ensure an authoritative product that is accessible to modern readers, while remaining reliable for students and scholars.

Westminster Assembly Facsimiles. With this new series, Reformation Heritage Books and the Westminster Assembly Project are providing electronic and print access to publications by Assembly members in their original form. Free PDF downloads will be made available through the Westminster Assembly Project website. The same text can be purchased for your collection in paperback and hard cover from Reformation Heritage Books.

Studies of the Westminster Assembly. Complementing the primary source material in the other series, the Assembly studies will provide access to classic studies that have not been reprinted and to new studies, providing some of the best existing research on the Assembly and its members.

For more information on the Westminster Assembly Project, visit www.westminsterassembly.org. Information on Reformation Heritage Books can be found at www.heritagebooks.org and www.heritagebooktalk.org.

Caspar Olevianus on the Apostles Creed

On the heels of the first volume of the Classic Reformed Theology series, published earlier this year -- sermons by William Ames based on the Heidelberg Catechism -- comes volume 2, the first-ever English translation of Caspar Olevianus' exposition of the Apostles' Creed, which is available for pre-order now and is expected to be released in January 2010. Thanks to editor R. Scott Clark, translator Lyle D. Bierma and publisher Reformation Heritage Books for making possible this valuable translation. For more information, visit The Heidelblog.

Matthew Poole at RHB

Master Poole Publishing is pleased to announce that Matthew Poole's Synopsis (which is a combination of the first-ever English translation of the Synopsis Criticorum and his English Annotations, or Commentary) is now available for purchase (paperback editions of Volumes 1-5, covering Genesis and Exodus) at Reformation Heritage Books. Order your copy today!

Fading of the Flesh and the Flourishing of Faith

Stephen Yuille -- himself the author of two books about the theology of Puritan George Swinnock: Puritan Spirituality: the Fear of God in the Affective Theology of George Swinnock and Trading and Thriving in Godliness:The Piety of George Swinnock -- notes that Reformation Heritage Books is publishing a new edition of Swinnock's The Fading of the Flesh and the Flourishing of Faith.

RHB says:

In this book, George Swinnock presents modern readers with valuable food for thought as he expounds Psalm 73:26, “My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.” Swinnock combines careful explanation with vivid illustration to reveal the futility of earthly comforts and highlight the inestimable comfort, satisfaction, and joy afforded us in Christ. Displaying the relevance of the Puritans for today, you will find this sorely neglected and sobering topic an easy, thought-provoking, and compelling read.

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)

Pocket Psalters

The first metrical psalter to identify tunes by name (and one of the first to include four-part singing) was Thomas Este's (East's) 1592 The Whole Book of Psalmes, a 300-page octavo edition. In 1599, William Barley published a pocket-size edition of this psalter.

Today, pocket psalters are still in use. Pocket psalters (of the 1650 Scottish Metrical Psalter version) from the Trinitarian Bible Society have been available for some time. Currently, the best price and source to obtain them seems to Reformation Heritage Books. We use them in our family, and my children, in particular, enjoy them very much. They provide a handy format for singing the psalms wherever one may be and that is a very good thing.

Scottish Metrical Psalter - Psalm 147.1:

1    Praise ye the Lord; for it is good
        praise to our God to sing:
   For it is pleasant, and to praise
        it is a comely thing.

TCRS on Sale

My favorite systematic theology -- for its sound orthodoxy, clear style and practical, experimental, devotional warmth and piety -- is that of Wilhelmus à Brakel, The Christian's Reasonable Service. And so it is a pleasure to report that this four-volume set published by Reformation Heritage Books is on sale until August 15, 2009.

Joel Heflin says:

Reformation Heritage Books is having a special offer: Receive an additional $10 off the 4 volume set of Brakel’sReasonable Service from now until August 15, 2009. Simply enter this coupon code Brakel2009 in the RHB shopping cart, or mention this post if ordering by phone.

If you have not yet acquired this set for your personal study, consider taking advantage of this offer while it lasts. à Brakel will be well worth your time to read.

With Heart and Mouth and Culture

There is a modern exposition of the Belgic Confession, a creed built upon the rock of God's Word, which those will love the historic Reformed Faith, and also desire to see it expressed and applied in our modern age, will appreciate. It is Danny Hyde's With Heart and Mouth: An Exposition of the Belgic Confession (2008). Reformation Heritage Books says it was one of their top-10 non-RHB bestsellers for 2008. It has been well reviewed previously by David VanDrunen and G.I. Williamson, and there is little I could add to their remarks. This exposition is steeped in Biblical and historic theology, and while I cannot give it a complete, unqualified endorsement as to every word, I am very grateful for it's valuable contribution to the modern understanding and application of a precious part of our Reformed heritage.

I will add this: One of its particular strengths is a willingness to engage popular culture. Readers of this blog may be surprised to know that I don't spend all my time reading only 17th century literature. Those who know me well know that I believe that it is important for Christians to interact with contemporary society, including its art, with appreciation for what is good (Phil. 4.8) and discernment concerning that which is evil (1 Thess. 5.21). In that spirit, I take note of the 20th and 21st century cultural references which one does not often see in the exposition of a 16th century creed. In the context of a book addressed to Christian laymen which contains a range of Biblical and historical citations, they add, I think, a dimension of cultural awareness that serves to enrich, rather than trivialize, the exposition. Read it for yourself and see. A handful of such references are given below.

A RECENT popular song [Dishwalla, Counting Blue Cars] had a refrain that went like this:

Tell me all your thoughts on God,
'cause I'd really like to meet her.
Ask her why we're who we are.

This song illustrates that humans are by nature incurably religious. Sadly, we are also incurably rebellious. We have many "thoughts on God," but where do they come from? As mentioned earlier, although 97 percent of Americans believe that God exists, many do not believe in the God of Scripture but rather in a god they have made in their own image. [p. 54]

"I'LL SHOW you all the beauty you possess, if you only let yourself believe: that we are born innocent..." I can hear my radio now, as Sarah McLachlan [Adia] catechizes American culture with her mantra that we are inherently beautiful and born innocent."
...
We still think of ourselves as existing at the height of the glory in which we were created. The harsh reality, though, is that Adam and the rest of humanity were plunged into depravity when he willfully sinned. "Houston, we have a problem" [Apollo 13] is an understatement. [p. 198]

BRITISH ROCK singer Sting's 1993 hit song, "If I Ever Lose My Faith in You," sums up our age's attitude toward the church: "You could say I lost my belief in the holy church." [p. 376]

And "[n]othing comes from nothing" (p. 7) is a phrase that, intentionally or not, evokes memories of a line from "Something Good," a song from the musical The Sound of Music.

Popular culture is something we do well to measure against the touchstone of the Scriptures, which teaches us to "[p]rove all things; hold fast that which is good." The Belgic Confession, like the Scriptures it is grounded in, is not a document whose usefulness is confined to a past age, but is timeless in its application and very much needed by contemporary society. Danny Hyde's exposition likewise, grounded in timeless truth, interacts ably with and offers an engaging, Scriptural and confessional touchstone to the modern 21st century reader.

William Ames Republished

The first volume of a new series of Reformed works known as Classic Reformed Theology is now available at Reformation Heritage Books -- the sermons of William Ames on the Heidelberg Catechism. Once known as The Substance of Christian Religion, this volume is entitled A Sketch of the Christian's Catechism. While not an exposition of the Heidelberg Catechism, it is an important contribution to Dutch theology by an English Puritan.

Also, coming soon, dv, from Puritan Reprints is a reprint of A Fresh Suit Against Human Ceremonies in God's Worship. This book upholds the regulative principle of worship and is said to have persuaded Richard Baxter of Nonconformity.

The works of William Ames are significant in the history of Puritanism -- English, American and Dutch -- as well as relevant to issues in our own day, and it is exciting to see them become more accessible to readers in 2009.