Reformed Book Club

The Fundamentals - Torrey - I - Chapter 1 (The history of higher criticism) commenced

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Radford) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 08:49:00 +0000

Required reading
The Fundamentals edited by R. A. Torrey (Available from Amazon or free here) - Commence Chapter 1 'The history of higher criticism' by reading up to the heading 'A discredited Old Testament'.

My summary
This week we start an important new work that will keep us busy for a while.

The first chapter is an overview of higher criticism which is defined as 'study of the historic origins, the dates, and authorship of the various books of the Bible, and that great branch of study which in the technical language of modern theology known as Introduction.'

Then Hague explains that higher criticism is identified with unbelief because of:
(i) subjective conclusions;
(ii) German fancies;
(iii) anti-supernaturalists.

Next Hague teaches us that higher criticism has passed through three great stages:
(i) the French-Dutch;
(ii) the German;
(iii) the British-American.

Then we are given a right view of the Pentateuch followed by some of the critics' positions.

What grabbed me
I appreciated the succinct orthodox view of the Pentateuch: 'According to the faith of the universal church, the Pentateuch, that is, the first five books of the Bible, is one consistent, coherent, authentic and genuine composition, inspired by God, and, according to the testimony of the Jews, the statements of the books themselves, the reiterated corroborations of the rest of the Old Testament, and the explicit statement of the Lord Jesus (Luke 24:44, John 5:46-47) was written by Moses (with the exception, of course, of Deut. 34, possibly written by Joshua, as the Talmud states, or probably by Ezra) at a period of about fourteen centuries before the advent of Christ, and 800 years or so before Jeremiah. It is, moreover, a portion of the Bible that is of paramount importance, for it is the basic substratum of the whole revelation of God, and of paramount value, not because it is merely the literature of an ancient nation, but because it is the introductory section of the Word of God, bearing His authority and given by inspiration through His servant Moses. That is the faith of the Church.'

Amen!

Next week's reading
Conclude Chapter 1 'The history of higher criticism'.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

Life of Matthew Henry - Williams - VIII - Chapter 9

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Radford) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 07:40:00 +0000

Required reading
The life of Matthew Henry by J. B. Williams (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Chapter 9.

My summary
This week we hear about the agonising decision of Henry to leave his church to answer a call to another church.

Firstly we read about the invitations Henry received including letters from other ministers giving him counsel.

We then read of Henry's determination not to leave and then one particular church's determination to have him.

Then finally we are given Henry's reasons for deciding to leave. Sadly no relief from his agonising is experienced once he has moved.

What grabbed me
This chapter was very interesting to read as it concerns one of those great difficulties in pastoral ministry.

I think the comment of Williams contained some good insight into this whole process: 'Still, may it not he fairly questioned, whether an application to a settled pastor, living happily among his own people, and not known even to think of moving, be reconcilable with those principles which inculcate love to our neighbour as to ourselves; and which condemn in every supposable instance, the slightest emotion of covetousness? Is the robbing of churches limitable to sacramental utensils, official vestments, or mere paraphernalia, and books?'

It did seem to me that the pressure applied to Henry by the other church and other ministers may have been a little extreme and may have indeed lacked love toward Henry and their brothers and sisters under his care.

For more good advice regarding accepting a call to another church, I'd recommend a January-February 2011 issue of the 9marks ejournal which can be found here.

Next week's reading
Read Chapter 10.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

Tracts & Letters (Vol 5) - Calvin - XI - Letters CCCXIV to CCCXXVI

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Radford) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 23:52:00 +0000

Required reading
Tracts and Letters (Volume 5) by John Calvin (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Letters CCCXIV to CCCXXVI.

My summary
Today we read letters from 1553 addressed to Cranmer, Monsieur De Marolles, Viret, Bullinger, the Five Prisoners of Lyons, Madame De Cany, Farel, Denis Peloquin, Louis De Marsac and the Pastors of Frankfort.

The content of today's letters included:
(i) encouragement to the five martyrs of Lyons;
(ii) the reformation in England, particularly in regard to the death of the King;
(iii) troubles at Geneva over the right of the pastors to exercise church discipline;
(iv) the heretic Servetus.

What grabbed me
It was sad to read about the end of the martyrs of Lyons.

I found helpful Calvin's counsel to them before they died: 'You know, however, in what strength you have to fight — a strength on which all those who trust, shall never be daunted, much less confounded. Even so, my brothers, be confident that you shall be strengthened, according to your need, by the Spirit of our Lord Jesus, so that you shall not faint under the load of temptations, however heavy it be, any more than he did who won so glorious a victory, that in the midst of our miseries it is an unfailing pledge of our triumph. Since it pleases him to employ you to the death in maintaining his quarrel, he will strengthen your hands in the fight, and will not suffer a single drop of your blood to be spent in vain. And though the fruit may not all at once appear, yet in time it shall spring up more abundantly than we can express. But as he hath vouchsafed you this privilege, that your bonds have been renowned, and that the noise of them has been everywhere spread abroad, it must needs be, in despite of Satan, that your death should resound far more powerfully, so that the name of our Lord be magnified thereby. For my part, I have no doubt, if it please this kind Father to take you unto himself, that he has preserved you hitherto, in order that your long-continued imprisonment might serve as a preparation for the better awakening of those whom he has determined to edify by your end. For let enemies do their utmost, they never shall be able to bury out of sight that light which God has made to shine in you, in order to be contemplated from afar.'

Such good pastoral advice in such a difficult situation.

Next week's reading
Read Letters CCCXXVII to CCCXXXIX.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

Works (Vol 7) - Goodwin - V - Book II continued (Of the Creatures)

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Radford) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:57:00 +0000

Required reading
The Works (Vol 7) by Thomas Goodwin (Available from Amazon or free here) - Continue Book II by reading Chapters 8 and 9.

My summary
Goodwin now compares the state of Adam and the state of Christ.

In Chapter Eight he shows from Romans 5 that Adam was a type of Christ, meaning 'A type of a thing to come is a prophetical resemblance, wherein some-thing more imperfect going before is intended by God to signify some other thing more noble and perfect to follow after. In the proper signification of the word, it signifies a print, stamp, or impression, bearing the resemblance of that which made it.'

Then Chapter Nine turns to 1 Corinthians 15 to also prove that Adam was a type of Christ. Goodwin himself explains the structure of the chapter:
'Now, in handling this scripture, I shall observe this method :
1. I will shew the coherence, scope, and connection of these words, and open those phrases in them which most conduce to the understanding of them.
2. Secondly, When they are explained, I will raise arguments from them, to confirm that assertion already laid down, namely, that Adam was before his fall a prophetic type of Christ to come.
3. And thirdly, I will open those particulars which this scripture holds forth, wherein he was ordained Christ's type as then.'

What grabbed me
Goodwin gave us a beautiful description of God's wisdom in creating this world and then another world in Christ: 'And as a skilful and curious artist will stand looking upon the exquisite workmanship of some one part (suppose upon an eye or hand in a picture) many hours together with much delight, so did the angels greedily view every part of this world, admiring and praising God's artifice in it (which likewise God himself did, as delighting to see how good all was that he had made) ; and whilst they were doing so they might behold God, as if he had been displeased at the coarseness of this his work which he had drawn, suffer all to be dashed by one unwary stroke of the pencil, suffering his image in man to be razed, and this whole frame subjected to vanity, confusion, and disorder ; which made them wonder, in that they surely thought that this was all the works of wonder that ever God meant to make, especially when they saw him at first rest from all his works, and sit down as delighted in them, and to appoint a day for the memorial of them. They could not choose but wonder to see that God should throw so costly a piece away, being such a world as they could never imagine how a better could ever be framed ; and how great a God must they needs think him to be, that regarded not the loss and spoiling of such a world ! But, alas ! God had a further plot and platform of another Adam and another world in his head, whereof all this, though so perfect, was but the type and shadow, and of all which they knew not one tittle, nor had the least inkling ; therefore, Eph. iii. 9, it is called a ' mystery hid in God.' God had not spoken one word of it to them (as not of his temple to David). In comparison of which, this world was but a stage to act a part upon a while, and man, the lord of it, but as a king in a play, a mere type and resemblance of another king, the King of glory, who, when he should be brought into the world, these angels must all down upon their knees and worship. Themselves are but the stars, as Job calls them, and David too, in Ps. viii. 3, where he speaks (as was said) of Christ's world, and the creatures thereof, the angels, who become subjects of it, are but the stars, and the church the moon ; but there is no sun mentioned, for Christ himself is the sun, and the light thereof, before whom these stars were to lose their light, with which at best they do but twinkle. And when Christ and his world shall appear, then this ' moon shall be confounded, and this sun ashamed, when he shall reign in mount Sion, and before his ancients gloriously,' Isa. xxiv. 23. And how must this needs shew forth the manifold wisdom of God, that he hath plots beyond plots, though he begins with a ruder show at first, as in the making of the world, in which the wisdom that lies in it, taken simply by itself, how glorious is it! It is called ' the wisdom of God,' 1 Cor. i. 21.'

A lengthy quote, but well worth reading to encourage a marvelling at the wisdom of God.

Next week's reading
Continue Book II by reading Chapter 10.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

A body of divinity - Watson - XIX - Joy, growth in grace and perseverance

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Radford) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 09:18:00 +0000

Required reading
A body of divinity by Thomas Watson (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read '8. Joy', '9. Growth in grace' and '10. Perseverance'.

My summary
Last week we started looking at the fruits of sanctification. The first two were love and peace. This week we look at another three fruits: joy, growth in grace and perseverance.

Firstly we are taught that the fruit of joy:
(i) is a delightful passion;
(ii) arises from the feeling of some good;
(iii) is supported under present troubles;
(iv) fences the heart against future fear.

The next fruit is growth in grace and Watson answers the questions:
(i) In how many ways may a Christian be said to grow in grace?;
(ii) What is the right manner of a Christian’s growth?;
(iii) Whence is it that true grace cannot but grow?;
(iv) What motives or incentives are there to make us grow in grace?;
(v) How shall we know whether we grow in grace?;
(vi) What shall we do to grow in grace?;
(vii) How may we comfort such as complain they do not grow in grace?

The final fruit is perseverance. Watson makes some clarifications as to what he means by believers persevere. Then gives us the means by which Christians come to persevere, arguments to prove the saint's perseverance and some answers to Arminian objections.

What grabbed me
I liked Watson's short and sharp analysis of the difficult text in Hebrews 6:
'The second objection is, It is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have felt the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, to renew them again to repentance. Heb 6:6.

This place of Scripture has no force in it, for the apostle here speaks of hypocrites; he shows how far they may go, and yet fall away. (1.) They who were once enlightened. Men may have great illuminations, yet fall away. Was not Judas enlightened? (2.) They have been made partakers of the Holy Ghost; the common gifts of the Spirit, not the special grace. (3.) They have tasted the good word of God. Tasting here is opposed to eating: the hypocrite may have a kind of taste of the sweetness of religion, but his taste does not nourish. There is a great deal of difference between one Perseverance that takes a gargle and a cordial: the gargle only washes his mouth - he tastes it, and puts it out again; but a cordial is drunk down, which nourishes and cherishes the spirits. The hypocrite, who has only some smack or taste of religion, as one tastes a gargle, may fall away. (4.) And have felt the powers of the world to come; that is, they may have such apprehensions of the glory of heaven as to be affected with it, and seem to have some joy in the thoughts of it, yet fall away; as in the parable of the stony ground. Matt 13:20. All this is spoken of the hypocrite; but it does not therefore prove that the true believer, who is effectually wrought upon, can fall away. Though comets fall, it does not follow that true stars fall. That this Scripture speaks not of sound believers, is clear from ver 9: ‘But we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation.’'

The text is speaking of unbelievers, not true believers.

Next week's reading
Read '1. The death of the righteous' and '2. A believer's privilege at death'.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

Hints and helps in pastoral theology - Plumer - XXVI - Chapter 32

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Radford) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 01:00:00 +0000

Required reading
Hints and helps in pastoral theology by William S Plumer (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Chapter 32 (Sayings for ministers).

My summary
To finish his book, Plumer gives us a collection of sayings for ministers.

Initially the sayings are grouped by authors, including Luther, Owen, Baxter, Matthew Henry, M'Cheyne, Chalmers and Shepard.

Then more sayings are given under the following headings:
(i) rules for giving instruction;
(ii) zeal and charity;
(iii) piety;
(iv) preach the word;
(v) use much boldness;
(vi) ministers must grow;
(vii) a minister's studies;
(viii) choose right words;
(ix) personal experience;
(x) prayer;
(xi) minister's sins;
(xii) success and the want of it;
(xiii) old age.

What grabbed me
I found it hard to choose which saying I liked best.

This one from Owen has to be one of the finest: 'To preach the Gospel properly is to handle every subject of discourse so as to keep Christ continually in view of the hearers. Hast thou permitted greediness of studies to eat up other duties?'

Keeping Christ central is what matters most.

One sentence final verdict
A fine volume of good advice for ministers.

Next week's reading
Commence 'A course of lectures on preaching' by RL Dabney (Available from Amazon or free here) by reading the Preface and Lecture 1.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

Death of death in the death of Christ - Owen - III - Chapters 4, 5, 6 & 7

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Radford) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 06:31:00 +0000

Required reading
Death of death in the death of Christ by John Owen (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Chapters 4, 5, 6 and 7.

My summary
Today we continue to examine the death of Christ.

Last week we read Chapter Three and saw the work of the Father in redemption. This week Chapter Four shows us the work of the Son in redemption, particularly in his:
(i) incarnation;
(ii) oblation;
(iii) intercession.

Then Chapter Five outlines the work of the Holy Spirit in redemption, particularly in regards to Christ's:
(i) incarnation;
(ii) oblation;
(iii) resurrection.

Chapter Six looks at the means used by the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in redemption. The means is that 'whole economy or dispensation carried along to the end, from whence our Saviour Jesus Christ is called a Mediator' distinguished into its two parts:
(i) his oblation;
(ii) his intercession.

Then Chapter Seven demonstrates that the oblation and intercession of Christ are inseparably together as one mean for the same end.

What grabbed me
I continue to enjoy the hammering out of the doctrine of limited atonement.

I liked the logic that if Christ only intercedes for the elect, his death must be only for the elect: 'These two, then, oblation and intercession, must in respect of their objects be of equal extent, and can by, no means be separated. And here, by the way (the thing being by this argument, in my apprehension, made so clear), I cannot but demand of those who oppose us about the death of Christ, whether they will sustain that he intercedeth for all or no; — if not, then they make him but half a priest; if they will, they must be necessitated either to defend this error, that all shall be saved, or own this blasphemy, that Christ is not heard of his Father, nor can prevail in his intercession, which yet the saints on earth are sure to do when they make their supplications according to the will of God, Rom. viii. 27; 1 John v. 14. Besides that, of our Saviour it is expressly said that the Father always heareth him, John xi. 42; and if that were true when he was yet in the way, in the days of his flesh, and had not finished the great work be was sent about, how much more then now, when, having done the will and finished the work of God, he is set down on the right hand of the Majesty on high, desiring and requesting the accomplishing of the promises that were made unto him upon his undertaking this work! of which before.'

Christ is certainly no half priest!

Next week's reading
Read Chapter 8.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

Attributes of God - Charnock - LVI - Chapter 14 (God's patience) concluded

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Radford) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 03:42:00 +0000

Required reading
Attributes of God by Charnock (Available from Amazon or free on the internet, here for example) - Conclude Chapter 14 (A discourse upon God's patience).

My summary
Today we finish looking at the patience of God by reading Charnock's fourth main point.

Firstly by considering God's patience we are instructed about:
(i) how greatly the patience of God is abused;
(ii) why God lets the enemies of his church oppress it and defers his promise of the deliverance of it;
(iii) the reason why sin is suffered to remain in the regenerate.

Secondly Charnock teaches us about the comfort that comes from the doctrine of God's patience. It is:
(i) an argument of his grace to his people;
(ii) a ground to trust in his promise;
(iii) helpful in infirmities.

Thirdly we are given exhortations in light of God's patience to:
(i) meditate often on the patience of God;
(ii) admire and stand astonished at his patience and bless him for it;
(iii) not presume upon his patience;
(iv) imitate God's patience in our own to others.

What grabbed me
I appreciated the exhortation to not presume upon God's patience: 'Therefore presume not upon his patience. The exercise of it is not eternal; you are at present under his patience; yet, while you are unconverted, you are also under his anger (Ps. vii. 11), 'God is angry with the wicked every day.' You know not how soon his anger may turn his patience aside, and step before it. It may be his sword is drawn out of his scabbard, his arrows may be settled in his bow; and perhaps there is but a little time before you may feel the edge of the one or the point of the other: and then there will be no more time for patience in God to us, or petition from us to him. If we repent here he will pardon us. If we defer repentance, and die without it, he will have no longer mercy to pardon, nor patience to bear.'

Don't take God's patience for granted. Repent of your sinfulness before God's patience ends and his wrath is unleashed.

One sentence final verdict
This is THE book on the attributes of God - no other work so carefully examines and applies the truth we know about our God from the Holy Scriptures.

Next week's reading
Commence The Fundamentals edited by R. A. Torrey (Available from Amazon or free here) by beginning Chapter 1 'The history of higher criticism' and reading up to the heading 'A discredited Old Testament'.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

Life of Matthew Henry - Williams - VII - Chapters 7 & 8

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Radford) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 04:36:00 +0000

Required reading
The life of Matthew Henry by J. B. Williams (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Chapters 7 and 8.

My summary
Today we read a number of long excerpts from Henry's diary.

In Chapter Seven we read of the years 1700 to 1704 about which Henry comments that 'death has made no breach among my relations' indicating a break in the pattern of previous years. And besides his self-deprecating comments over this period, Henry remarks 'As to my ministry, that which has been most discouraging this year is, that few young ones have come into communion, I think fewer than any other year.'

Chapter Eight is concerned with the years 1704 to 1708 in which Henry experiences a major health scare and the death of his mother.

What grabbed me
I'm a little disappointed that we aren't hearing more from Williams about the work of Henry during these years.

Although I must admit we are definitely learning that Henry was not a man of great pride. Comments like these are common: 'October 18, 1708. To-day I have finished the forty-sixth year of my life. My infancy, however, was useless; my childhood and youth were not directed to proper objects ; and even in my maturer age, how many months and days have I spent to little purpose ! So that I have lived scarcely one tenth part of my time. Forgive, O Lord, my idleness and sloth. For me to live may it be Christ.'

If only we were more like Henry and understood how little we have served our Lord with our lives.

Next week's reading
Read Chapter 9.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

Tracts & Letters (Vol 5) - Calvin - X - Letters CCXCIX to CCCXIII

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Radford) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 04:23:00 +0000

Required reading
Tracts and Letters (Volume 5) by John Calvin (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Letters CCXCIX to CCCXIII.

My summary
Today we read letters from 1552 and 1553 addressed to John Liner, the French Church in London, the Seigneurs of Geneva, Farel, Viret, Ambroise Blaurer, Melanchthon, Monsieur De Falais, Mathieu Dimonet, Christopher Fabri, John Cheke, the Five Prisoners of Lyons, Edward VI, Christopher Zollicoffre and Thomas Zollicoffre.

The content of today's letters included:
(i) the ongoing trial of the five martyrs of Lyons;
(ii) the reformation in England;
(iii) major troubles at Geneva from people accusing Calvin of teaching heresy, including that God is the author of sin;
(iv) the end of the relationship between Calvin and Monsieur De Falais.

What grabbed me
Some sad reading today. Particularly the discord that people were creating in Geneva that even attempted to break the friendship between Melanchthon and Calvin.

But I enjoyed Calvin's defence of predestination against their false accusations of heresy.

For example: 'Here, then, Messieurs, is the very core of the whole question : that I say, that all the reprobate will be convicted of guilt by their own consciences, and that thus their condemnation is righteous, and that they err in neglecting what is quite evident, to enter instead into the secret counsels of God, which to us are inaccessible. The Scripture, however, shews us clearly, that God has predestined men to such ends as he chose them to reach. But as to why or how this is done, we must remain ignorant, because it has not been revealed to us.'

Calvin is unashamedly a Calvinist.

Next week's reading
Read Letters CCCXIV to CCCXXVI.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

Works (Vol 7) - Goodwin - IV - Book II continued (Of the Creatures)

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Radford) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:49:00 +0000

Required reading
The Works (Vol 7) by Thomas Goodwin (Available from Amazon or free here) - Continue Book II by reading Chapter 7.

My summary
Goodwin continues to contrast the state of Adam and the state of Christians.

Firstly Goodwin demonstrates that Adam's knowledge of God by revelation is a natural knowledge, not a supernatural one.

Secondly he shows that our faith and God's revelation to us is supernatural in contrast to Adam's, particularly:
(i) in respect of the objects revealed to our faith, which his mind should never have arrived at;
(ii) in regard to the light by which our minds are acted and elevated, compared with that inbred light by which he knew things, that candle which the Lord set up in his heart, and was inbred in him.;
(iii) in respect of the way or manner of knowledge, or assent raised up thereby.

What grabbed me
I'm continuing to enjoy this contrast between Adam and Christians.

Although Goodwin does admit it is not necessarily agreed upon by all, he does make an interesting case.

But most would admit this paragraph holds water: 'And then, last of all, add unto all that we have over and above what he [Adam] had, a new edition of God and all his attributes, and all his mind bound up in one volume in Christ ; and the revelation of the gospel, the mystery of his will, the least tittle whereof Adam should never have known. Faith brings us into another world, and the things of it infinitely transcending Adam's, and revealing more of God in the least creature of it than is in all his volume, and is as much vaster than his as heaven is above earth ; as much exceeds it as the second Adam, Christ, doth him, who was the epitome of his world, as Christ is of ours. We have the addition of new objects, and those glorious, heavenly, wholly supernatural. In Christ, a new Indies is discovered, a new treasure broken up which Adam should never have heard of.'

Living after Christ and the revelation of the New Testament definitely gives Christians a fantastic knowledge of God that Adam never enjoyed.

Next week's reading
Continue Book II by reading Chapters 8 and 9.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

A body of divinity - Watson - XVIII - Assurance & Peace

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Radford) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:45:00 +0000

Required reading
A body of divinity by Thomas Watson (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Read '6. Assurance' and '7. Peace'.

My summary
Last week we looked at the subject of sanctification. This week we being to see the fruits of sanctification.

Firstly, a fruit of sanctification is the assurance of God's love. Watson explores this by answering the following questions:
(i) Have all sanctified persons assurance?;
(ii) What is assurance?;
(iii) Has a sanctified soul such an assurance as excludes all doubting?;
(iv) What are the differences between true assurance and presumption? ;
(v) What may excite us to look after assurance?;
(vi) What shall they do who have not assurance?;
(vii) How may deserted souls be comforted who are cast down for want of assurance?;
(viii) What shall we do to get assurance?;
(ix) How should they conduct themselves who have assurance?

Then we are taught that another fruit of sanctification is peace. Watson answers the following:
(i) What are the several species or kinds of Peace?;
(ii) Whence comes this Peace?;
(iii) Whether such as are destitute of grace may have peace?;
(iv) What are the signs of a false peace?;
(v) How shall we know that ours is a true peace?;
(vi) Have all sanctified persons this peace?;
(vii) What shall we do to attain this blessed peace?

What grabbed me
I appreciated the encouragement not to squander my assurance: 'If you have assurance of your justification, do not abuse it. It is abusing assurance when we grow more remiss in duty; as the musician, having money thrown him, leaves off playing. By remissness, or intermitting the exercises of religion, we grieve the Spirit, and that is the way to have an embargo laid upon our spiritual comforts. We abuse assurance when we grow presumptuous and less fearful of sin. What! because a father gives his son an assurance of his love, and tells him he will entail his land upon him, shall the son be wanton and dissolute? This were the way to lose his father’s affection, and make him cut off the entail. It was an aggravation of Solomon’s sin that his heart was turned away from the Lord, after he had appeared to him twice. I Kings 11:9. It is bad to sin when one wants assurance, but it is worse to sin when one has it. Has the Lord sealed his love with a kiss? Has he left a pledge of heaven in your hand, and do you thus requite the Lord? Will you sin with manna in your mouth? Does God give you the sweet clusters of assurance to feed on, and will you return him wild grapes? It much pleases Satan, either to see us want assurance, or abuse it. We abuse assurance when the pulse of our souls beats faster in sin, and slower in duty.'

Make the most of your assurance by allowing it to spur you on to love and good deeds.

Next week's reading
Read '8. Joy', '9. Growth in grace' and '10. Perseverance'.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

Hints and helps in pastoral theology - Plumer - XXV - Chapter 31

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Radford) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 02:35:00 +0000

Required reading
Hints and helps in pastoral theology by William S Plumer (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Chapter 31 (The sure success of evangelization).

My summary
Now Plumer gives us reasons why ministers are assured of success in their evangelistic endeavours.

Success is guaranteed because of:
(i) the death of Christ;
(ii) Christ's intercession in heaven;
(iii) the covenant of redemption;
(iv) the covenant of grace.

Therefore we are urged to:
(i) not be discouraged;
(ii) abound in prayer;
(iii) be joyful that so much of the work of redemption is already done;
(iv) not count any sacrifice great if we may glorify God by it;
(v) be quick and earnest.

What grabbed me
I enjoyed the reminder that much of the hard work of evangelisation has been done: 'It is for a joy that so much of the work of redemption is already done. The ransom is all paid. Mockery, spitting, and crucifixion are over. The grave has delivered up the crucified. The blood has been sprinkled on the mercy-seat. The Spirit has been poured out. Millions have been called, cleansed, and saved. All the means are provided, and all the plans devised for subduing the world to Christ. Let us test their sovereign efficacy.'

Amen!

Next week's reading
Read Chapter 32 (Sayings for ministers).

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

Death of death in the death of Christ - Owen - II - Chapters 1, 2 & 3

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Radford) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:58:00 +0000

Required reading
Death of death in the death of Christ by John Owen (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Chapters 1, 2 & 3.

My summary
Now we begin to read the book itself.

Chapter 1 gives a general overview of the 'end' of the death of Christ. The end was:
(i) reconciliation;
(ii) justification;
(iii) sanctification;
(iv) adoption;
(v) glorification.

Then Chapter 2 considers what is an 'end' and what are 'means'.

Then Chapter 3 is concerned with the Father's role in the death of Christ. The Father was the author and the one who:
(i) sent the Son;
(ii) laid the punishment of sin upon the Son.

What grabbed me
The end of chapter 3 contained my favourite argument against universalism: 'We conclude, then, this second act of God, in laying the punishment on him for us, with that of the prophet, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all,” Isa. liii. 6: and add thereunto this observation, that it seems strange to me that Christ should undergo the pains of hell in their stead who lay in the pains of hell before he underwent those pains, and shall continue in them to eternity; for “their worm dieth not, neither is their fire quenched.” To which I may add this dilemma to our Universalists:— God imposed his wrath due unto, and Christ underwent the pains of hell for, either all the sins of all men, or all the sins of some men, or some sins of all men. If the last, some sins of all men, then have all men some sins to answer for, and so shall no man be saved; for if God enter into judgment with us, though it were with all mankind for one sin, no flesh should be justified in his sight: “If the Lord should mark iniquities, who should stand?” Ps. cxxx. 3. We might all go to cast all that we have “to the moles and to the bats, to go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his majesty,” Isa. ii. 20, 21. If the second, that is it which we affirm, that Christ in their stead and room suffered for all the sins of all the elect in the world. If the first, then, are not all freed from the punishment of all their sins? You will say, “Because of their unbelief; they will not believe.” But this unbelief, is it a sin or not? If not, why should they be punished for it? If it be, then Christ underwent the punishment due to it, or not. If so, then why must that hinder them more than their other sins for which he died from partaking of the fruit of his death? If he did not, then did he not die for all their sins. Let them choose which part they will.'

If Christ died for all men's sins, there must be no one in hell!

Next week's reading
Read Chapters 4, 5, 6 and 7.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

Attributes of God - Charnock - LV - Chapter 14 (God's patience) continued

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Radford) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 03:39:00 +0000

Required reading
Attributes of God by Charnock (Available from Amazon or free on the internet, here for example) - Continue Chapter 14 (A discourse upon God's patience) by reading up to the paragraph beginning 'IV. The Use. Use 1. For Instruction.'

My summary
Today we continue to look at the patience of God.

Initially we read Charnock's second main point which is about the manifestation of God's patience. Particularly its manifestation to:
(i) our first parents;
(ii) the Gentiles;
(iii) the Israelites.

Then Charnock's third main point teaches why God exercises so much patience. It is:
(i) to show himself appeasable;
(ii) to wait for men's repentance;
(iii) for the propagation of mankind;
(iv) for the continuance of the church;
(v) for the sake of his church;
(vi) to manifest the equity of his future justice.

What grabbed me
I enjoyed Charnock's attempt to consider how vast God's patience is in light of man's sinfulness: 'Who can compute the vast number of his transgressions, from the first use of reason to the time of the separation of his soul from his body, from his entrance into the world to his exit? What are those, to those of a whole village of the like inhabitants? What are those, to those of a great city? Who can number up all the foul-mouthed oaths, the beastly excess, the goatish uncleanness, committed in the space of a day, year, twenty years in this city, much less in the whole nation, least of all, in the whole world? Were it no more than the common idolatry of former ages, when the whole world turned their backs upon their Creator, and passed him by to sue to a creature, a stock or stone, or a degraded spirit? How provoking would it be to a prince to see a whole city under his dominion deny him a respect, and pay it to his scullion, or the common executioner he employs! Add to this the unjust invasions of kings, the oppressions exercised upon men, all the private and public sins that have been in the world ever since it began. The Gentiles were described by the apostle (Rom. i. 29—31), in a black character, 'They were haters of God;' yet how did the ' riches of his patience' preserve multitudes of such disingenuous persons, and how ' many millions of such haters of him' breathe every day in his air, and are maintained by his bounty, have their tables spread, and their cups filled to the brim, and that, too, in the midst of reiterated belchings of their enmity against him? All are under sufficient provocations of him to the highest indignation.'

Our God is indeed a patient God.

Next week's reading
Conclude Chapter 14 (A discourse upon God's patience).

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

Life of Matthew Henry - Williams - VI - Chapter 6

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Radford) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 04:17:00 +0000

Required reading
The life of Matthew Henry by J. B. Williams (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Chapter 6.

My summary
Today another five years roll past and Henry experiences the loss of more of his friends and relatives, including his:
(i) father in law;
(ii) father;
(iii) two sisters;
(iv) daughter Ann.

We read of Henry's thoughts concerning these losses but also his reflections on some of his birthdays.

What grabbed me
The pain continues, but Henry continues to hold up well.

Upon the loss of one sister he writes to the other sister: 'There is a matter for praise and thanksgiving, even in this sad providence: that we had such a relation : that we had her so long ; and had so much comfort in her ; that she did shine so illustriously in gifts and graces ; that she was enabled to finish well; and had, as she said, " hope in her death." She blessed God for the Scriptures which were her cordial, and did not seem to be under any cloud as to her comforts. That she hath left a good name behind her. She dies as much lamented as I think, any woman in Chester, since I knew it ; for " her hands and lips fed many." That she hath left children behind her, who we hope may live to glorify God in this world, and that we do not " sorrow as those who have no hope." I shall want her converse, and you her correspondence; but let us both converse and correspond the more with Jesus Christ, and that will help to make up the want ; nay, that will be " far better."'

A great response!

Next week's reading
Read Chapters 7 and 8.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

Tracts & Letters (Vol 5) - Calvin - IX - Letters CCLXXXIV to CCXCVIII

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Radford) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 08:49:00 +0000

Required reading
Tracts and Letters (Volume 5) by John Calvin (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Letters CCLXXXIV to CCXCVIII

My summary
Today we read letters from 1551 and 1552 addressed to Bullinger, the ministers of Switzerland, Oswald Myconius, Christopher Fabri, Farel, Lelio Socin, Madame De Cany, Cranmer, the Five Prisoners of Lyons (Martial Alba, Peter Escrivain, Charles Favre, Peter Naviheres, Bernard Seguin) and King Edward VI.

The content of today's letters included:
(i) the persecutions in France;
(ii) attacks from a monk named Bolsec over the sovereignty of God;
(iii) the Reformation in England.

What grabbed me
Today some letters were to people of great significance.

But interestingly most of today's letters were taken up with the controversy over Bolsec.

And little wonder when Bolsec 'affirmed that men are not saved because they have been elected, but that they are elected because they believe ; that no one is condemned at the mere pleasure of God ; that those only are condemned who deprive themselves of the election common to all.'

Saying that to Calvin is like waving a red flag at a bull!

Next week's reading
Read Letters CCXCIX to CCCXIII.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

Works (Vol 7) - Goodwin - III - Book II continued (Of the Creatures)

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Radford) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 05:12:00 +0000

Required reading
The Works (Vol 7) by Thomas Goodwin (Available from Amazon or free here) - Continue Book II by reading Chapters 4, 5 & 6.

My summary
This week we continue to look at the states of man as creatures of God.

In Chapter Four we are shown a view of the happiness of Adam's condition in the garden before the fall. But Goodwin also posits in this chapter that 'Adam's best knowledge and enjoyment was inferior, and of a lower rank, than is that knowledge and fellowship with God, which we in Christ through faith, do here enjoy, in that estate of grace which the gospel putteth us into.'

Then Chapter Five continues to contrast the states of Adam pre-fall and post-gospel. Goodwin describes the knowledge of God that Adam had before the fall as natural. But the knowledge through faith is supernatural.

And in Chapter Six the covenant of works is also described as natural and would not have permitted entrance to heaven. Whereas the covenant of grace is supernatural and does permit access to heaven.

What grabbed me
There was some very interesting discussion in this reading which I must admit I hadn't given much thought to before.

In fact, I often describe us going to heaven as getting back into the garden, Eden.

But I think Goodwin is correct: 'That paradise that Adam enjoyed was but the type of the paradise above, and his Sabbath a type of heaven, as himself was of Christ. And therefore he was not to have entered into the heavenly paradise, except by this second Adam, Christ, whose paradise alone it was. So that, take away the second Adam that was to come, and there had been no second paradise for Adam to come into, which that paradise of his was the type of. Thus, Luke xxiii. 43, Christ foundeth the thief's going to paradise upon his own going thither : ' This day,' says he, ' shalt thou be with me in paradise.' With me ; that is, in my right. Even as also we are said to ' sit together with him in heavenly places,' Eph. ii. 6. With him, namely, as our head. And the aforesaid thief, answerably speaking of heaven, says, ' Remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom ; ' and Christ, in his answer unto him, owns it as his, only he calls it paradise ; for this is Christ's paradise, as the other was Adam's. And therefore when Christ was first inaugurated into his office, and his Father himself from heaven first preached him unto men, saying, 'This is my Son, hear him,' then did the heavens first open, and not till then, for men by hearing and obeying him to come thither.'

Heaven is going to be vastly superior to Eden.

Next week's reading
Continue Book II by reading Chapter 7.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

A body of divinity - Watson - XVII - Adoption & Sanctification

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Radford) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:37:00 +0000

Required reading
A body of divinity by Thomas Watson (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read '4. Adoption' and '5. Sanctification'.

My summary
Firstly, this week, Watson discusses the subject of adoption. We see that adoption:
(i) takes in all nations;
(ii) takes in both sexes;
(iii) is an act of pure grace.

Secondly we learn about sanctification, particularly that sanctification has a:
(i) privative part, which lies in the purging out of sin;
(ii) positive part, which is the spiritual refining of the soul.

What grabbed me
I'm always disappointed that often on the subject of sanctification much is made of progressive sanctification but little is said about definitive/positional sanctification. Today this included Watson.

Nevertheless Watson had some great points of application of these two doctrines.

I particularly enjoyed hearing of the great privileges of being adopted into God's family: 'King’s children have great privileges and freedoms. They do not pay custom. Matt 17:25. God’s children are privileged persons, they are privileged from the hurt of everything. ‘Nothing shall by any means hurt you.’ Luke 10:19. Hit you it may, but not hurt you. ‘There shall no evil befall thee.’ Psa 91:10. God says not, No affliction shall befall his children, but, No evil; the hurt and poison of it is taken away. Affliction to a wicked man has evil in it, it makes him worse; it makes him curse and blaspheme. ‘Men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God.’ Rev 16:6. But no evil befalls a child of God; he is bettered by affliction. Heb 12:20. The furnace makes gold purer. Again, no evil befalls the adopted, because no condemnation. ‘It is God that justifieth; who is he that condemneth?’ Rom 8:33. What a blessed privilege is this, to be freed from the sting of affliction, and the curse of the law! to be in such a condition that nothing can hurt us! When the dragon has poisoned the water, the unicorn with his horn extracts and draws out the poison; so Jesus Christ has drawn out the poison of every affliction, that it cannot injure the saints.'

Oh what a blessing it is to be a child of God!

Next week's reading
Read '6. Assurance' and '7. Peace'.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

Hints and helps in pastoral theology - Plumer - XXIV - Chapter 30

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Radford) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:21:00 +0000

Required reading
Hints and helps in pastoral theology by William S Plumer (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Chapter 30 (The relations of America to other lands).

My summary
Continuing on the theme from last week, Plumer encourages American Christians to go as missionaries to other lands.

Plumer concentrates on those countries that he believes Americans have a special obligation to evangelise. These include:
(i) Ireland;
(ii) France;
(iii) Central and South American countries;
(iv) African countries;
(v) the aborigines of North America.

What grabbed me
Although this chapter is dated in some ways, I think the last paragraph still rings true: 'Such are some of the peculiar and pressing claims of vast portions of the earth on the Christians of these United States. It may also be stated that, while these calls and claims have all the urgency stated, there are but few countries where our people would labor under any peculiar disadvantages in publishing the Gospel of the grace of God.'

Next week's reading
Read Chapter 31 (The sure success of evangelization).

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

Death of death in the death of Christ - Owen - I - Preface, Dedication, Attestations, To the reader

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Radford) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 04:17:00 +0000

Required reading
Death of death in the death of Christ by John Owen (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read the 'Prefatory note', the Dedication, the 'Two Attestations' and 'To the reader'.

My summary
Today we begin an enormously influential work.

Firstly we read the Prefatory Note which sets the historical background for the book and gives an outline of its structure.

Secondly we read the dedication to Earl Warwick.

Thirdly two Puritan ministers, Stanley Gower and Richard Byfield, commend the book to us.

Fourthly, in 'To the reader', Owen sets the scene by briefly discussing:
(i) universal redemption;
(ii) free-will;
(iii) reasons commonly cited for believing in universal redemption.

What grabbed me
Although we were only reading the preliminaries today, it was difficult to choose a favourite part.

But I think Owen's opening paragraph has to be given pride of place: 'If thou intendest to go any farther, I would entreat thee to stay here a little. If thou art, as many in this pretending age, a sign or title gazer, and comest into books as Cato into the theatre, to go out again, — thou hast had thy entertainment; farewell! With him that resolves a serious view of the following discourse, and really desireth satisfaction from the word and Christian reason, about the great things contained therein, I desire a few words in the portal. Divers things there are of no small consideration to the business we have in hand, which I am persuaded thou canst not be unacquainted with; and therefore I will not trouble thee with a needless repetition of them.'

You can't say Owen didn't warn you.

This book is not for the faint-hearted.

Next week's reading
Read Chapters 1, 2 & 3.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

Attributes of God - Charnock - LIV - Chapter 14 (God's patience) commenced

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Radford) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 04:30:00 +0000

Required reading
Attributes of God by Charnock (Available from Amazon or free on the internet, here for example) - Commence Chapter 14 (A discourse upon God's patience) by reading up to the paragraph beginning 'II. The second thing, how this patience or slowness to anger is manifested'.

My summary
This week we begin a new discourse looking at the patience of God.

Firstly Charnock treats us to an exposition from Nahum which leads him to introduce his doctrine: 'Slowness to anger, or admirable patience, is the property of the divine nature.'

Then we read Charnock's first main point on the doctrine: 'The nature of this patience.'

Divine patience is:
(i) part of the divine goodness and mercy, yet differs from both;
(ii) not an insensible patience;
(iii) not a constrained or faint-hearted patience;
(iv) not for want of power over the creature but is from a fulness of power;
(v) founded in the death of Christ.

What grabbed me
Once again Charnock nicely contrasted the attributes of God with one another.

I particularly appreciated the discussion on the interaction between divine justice and patience: 'Again, justice is so far from being wronged by patience, that it rather is made more illustrious, and hath the fuller scope to exercise itself; it is the more righted for being deferred, and will have stronger grounds than before for its activity; the equity of it will be more apparent to every reason, the objections more fully answered against it, when the way of dealing with sinners by patience hath been slighted. When this dam of long-suffering is removed, the floods of fiery justice will rush down with more force and violence; justice will be fully recompensed for the delay, when, after patience is abused, it can spread itself over the offender with a more unquestionable authority; it will have more arguments to hit the sinner in the teeth with, and silence him; there will be a sharper edge for every stroke; the sinner must not only pay for the score of his former sins, but the score of abused patience, so that justice hath no reason to commence a suit against God's slowness to anger: what it shall want by the fulness of mercy upon the truly penitent, it will gain by the contempt of patience on the impenitent abusers. When men, by such a carriage, are ripened for the stroke of justice, justice may strike without any regret in itself, or pull-back from mercy; the contempt of long-suffering will silence the pleas of the one, and spirit the severity of the other.'

Although God's patience may seem like a denial of God's justice, those who do not repent when God is patient will still feel the force of justice.

And justice will even be served for stubbornly resisting God during his merciful patience.

Next week's reading
Continue Chapter 14 (A discourse upon God's patience) by reading up to the paragraph beginning 'IV. The Use. Use 1. For Instruction.'

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

Life of Matthew Henry - Williams - V - Chapter 5

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Radford) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 05:12:00 +0000

Required reading
The life of Matthew Henry by J. B. Williams (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Chapter 5.

My summary
Today we hear about the first few years of Henry in the ministry.

We learn about:
(i) his settlement at the church in Chester, including his relationship with the current minister;
(ii) his first marriage and second marriage after his first wife died;
(iii) the birth and death of his daughters.

What grabbed me
Some sad reading today with the death of Henry's wife and daughters.

After the death of his first daughter Henry said: '"She was a pretty, forward child, and very apprehensive; she began to go and talk, and observe things very prettily. I had set my affection much upon her. I am afraid too much; God is wise, and righteous, and faithful. Even this also is not only consistent with, but flowing from, covenant love. It is this day five years since I was first married. God has been teaching me to sing of mercy, and of judgment. Lord, make more perfect at my lesson; and show me wherefore thou contendest with me. Lord, wean me from this world by it. Blessed be God for the covenant of grace with me and mine; it is well ordered in all things, and sure. O that I could learn now to comfort others, with the same comforts with which, I trust, I am comforted of God! This goes near, but, O Lord, I submit. My dear wife is much distressed The Lord sustain her. I would endeavor to comfort her. We are now preparing for a decent interment of my poor babe. Many friends come to see us. I am much refreshed with 2 Kings iv. 20. ' Is it well with thee, is it well with thy husband, is it well with thy child? And she said, It is well.' When I part with so dear a child, yet I have no reason to say otherwise, but that it is well with us, and well with the child; for all is well that God doth. He performeth the thing that he appointed for me, and his appointment of this providence is in pursuance of his appointment of me to glory, to make me meet for it."'

A man in complete submission to the will of God even during painful suffering.

Next week's reading
Read Chapter 6.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

Tracts & Letters (Vol 5) - Calvin - VIII - Letters CCLXVIII to CCLXXXIII

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Radford) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 04:24:00 +0000

Required reading
Tracts and Letters (Volume 5) by John Calvin (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Letters CCLXVIII to CCLXXXIII.

My summary
Today we read letters from 1550 and 1551 addressed to Farel, Monsieur De Falais, Haller, Viret, Richard Le Fevre, the King of England, Bullinger, a 'French Gentleman', the Duke of Somerset and the ministers of Neuchatel.

The content of today's letters included:
(i) the Reformation in England, including a letter to the King himself;
(ii) the removal in Geneva of all religious festivals except the Sabbath;
(iii) refutation of Roman Catholic dogma;
(iv) literary work of Beza, Bullinger and Calvin;
(v) the Council of Trent;
(vi) persecutions in Europe;
(vii) the death of Bucer;

What grabbed me
Today a couple of times Calvin was hard on himself for being lazy.

To Farel he writes: 'I can truly affirm this, however, that it was not without shame that I read that part of your letter in which you laud my industry, being abundantly conscious of my own sloth and tardiness. May the Lord enable me, creeping along gradually, to be in some manner useful.'

If only more of us were as 'slothful' as Calvin.

Next week's reading
Read Letters CCLXXXIV to CCXCVIII.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

Works (Vol 7) - Goodwin - II - Book II commenced (Of the Creatures)

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Radford) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 02:35:00 +0000

Required reading
The Works (Vol 7) by Thomas Goodwin (Available from Amazon or free here) - Commence Book II 'Of The creatures, and the condition of their state by creation' by reading Chapters 1, 2 & 3.

My summary
This week we begin the second book of the work on the creatures of God. This book is concerned with the state of creatures.

In Chapter One we learn that when God created his creatures, he:
(i) endowed them with his own image of holiness whereby they might be able to know, to love and to enjoy a communion with him, and happiness from himself, as their chiefest good;
(ii) continued his favour and goodness to them while they continued to keep their first estate of holiness.

Then in Chapter Two Goodwin examines the mutability of God's creations. The grounds of our mutability is:
(i) the condition of the creature as a creature, with difference from God;
(ii) the fact that God is not compounded of a power to act differing from himself;
(iii) that we are made out of mere nothing.

Lastly, for today, in Chapter Three we are given an overview of the three states of man and their differences. The three states are:
(i) the state of sin;
(ii) the state of salvation;
(iii) the state of glory.

What grabbed me
I found helpful the discussion on the changeableness of man. Particularly that sin arose from us, not God: 'It may be said of the strongest mere creature in its best estate, that it is liable to be tempted of its own lust that may arise up in him, though he have no sinful lust as yet in him. The first sin of our first parents was a lust inordinate, 'to be as gods.' Self-love grew into a tumour when once it heard, but afar off, of such a preferment. And so of Satan it is said, that when he sinned, he sinned ' of his own.' John viii. 44, ' Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do ; he was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own : for he is a liar, and the father of it ' — thereby also utterly exempting God from any the least influence into his sin.'

No creature can claim that God is responsible for sin.

Next week's reading
Continue Book II by reading Chapters 4, 5 & 6.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.