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 PrintableVersion Truth and lifeTRUTH AND LIFE This is the third volume of Charnock's works to be republished by the Banner, and is itself Volume 5 of those works. Stephen Charnock (1628-1680) was one of the ministers ejected from their charges at the time of the restoration of Charles II. In the closing years of his life, he ministered in London alongside another esteemed Puritan minister, Thomas Watson. The present volume comprises 19 sermons of varying length upon a selection of Biblical texts (seven from the Old Testament, 12 from the New Testament). The range of doctrines covered is wide, and includes the necessity of Christ's death and exaltation, afflictions, the removal of the gospel, mortification, the sinfulness and cure of thoughts, the church's stability, delight in prayer, and the comfort of child-bearing women. Striking use is made of a verse from Exodus, in order to apply the deliverances of God to the national events of November 5. It is particularly pleasing to find a sermon upon that much-neglected aspect of Christ's work, his intercession: 'We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.' This is full and rich. Take, for instance, Charnock's section here on 'what kind of advocate Christ is': namely, authoritative, wise and skilful, righteous and faithful, compassionate, ready and diligent, earnest and pressing, joyful and cheerful, acceptable, and the sole advocate. When did you last hear a sermon (or sermons) upon this theme, let alone ones which worked the glorious matter out with anything like Charnock's thoroughness? The publishers describe this volume as 'a cameo of Puritan preaching which needs to find its counterpart in pulpits today'. You cannot argue with that. Here is classic (and timeless) Puritan preaching which opens up the text and then applies it point by point. Richard Brooks, York© Evangelicals Now - December 1997 |
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