BUNHILL FIELDS by A. W. LIGHT. London: C. J. Farnecombe,
30 Imperial Buildings, Ludgate Circus. Vol. 2. Price,
6s. 6d. post free.
Mr. Light has continued in this extremely interesting volume his biographical studies of some of the Lord’s faithful witnesses and a few others who do not deserve to be classed with these whose dust lies in Bunhill Fields burying ground. It is true that the second volume has not such eminent names as the first—John Bunyan, John Owen, Thomas Goodwin, John Gill, Joseph Hart, etc., but Mr. Light has given instructive and edifying details of the lives of men who bore witness to their Lord and who adorned the doctrine of their Saviour. Incidentally reference is made to some of the great controversies which shook Nonconformity to its foundations, such as the Arian, the Eternal Sonship of our Lord, and the introduction of hymns into public worship. When hymns were introduced at Devonshire Square Chapel, Bishopgate, in 1701, the innovation caused great disturbance; for, prior to this both Churchmen and Dissenters “regarded with abhorrence the singing of ‘man made compositions’ as part of divine worship.” “Indeed,” says Mr. Light, “this very question divided churches, parted good friends, caused heated controversies and wrought much havoc, strange as it may seem to us in these days of organ recitals, anthems and many hymns. Although it is the general custom now to ridicule the fears of these saints of God, it must be conceded that many, if not most, of these fears have been realised. Spirituality of worship has disappeared to a very considerable extent, while ‘error, apostasy, human tradition, and carnal worship’ have become very rampant.” Reference is made to the controversies that raged round the names of Tobias Crisp and Dr. Williams. The whole subject of the so-called Anti-nomianism of Crisp and the Neo-nomianism of Williams is one of great interest. In the nature of things Mr. Light could only make a reference to it. Neither can we in a short notice “rede the marches” between the two as the subject deserves. But we may say that our outstanding Scottish divines would not have accepted the positions of either. The subject, and the literature connected with it, is noticed in Dr. James Buchanan’s Doctrine of Justification and Drysdale’s History of the Presbyterians of England; while the Marrow Controversy in Scotland produced a literature of its own.
Mr. Light has an interesting reference to the casual meeting of the two chief contestants in the predestinarian controversy—Toplady and Olivers and the conversation that took place between them.
Faith cannot be lost, but assurance may; therefore assurance is not faith.—Thomas Brooks.