ON KNOWING CHRIST by Jonathan Edwards
Banner of Truth Trust Paperback. 276 pages. £3.50.
This selection of 10 sermons by Jonathan Edwards illustrates his searching preaching of a full-orbed gospel, which was so greatly owned of the Lord in revivals in Northampton, North America. He shows the necessity of congregations being fully instructed in divine truths. All the glory of the redemption of His people must be given to God. Man’s inability is shewn to be his sin. Remarkable impressions were made on his hearers by his sermon: “Sinners in the hands of an angry God.” He shows the dreadful state of the unregenerate sinner were it not that he is restrained by the hand of God upon him. Were it not so, “Hellish principles” reigning in the souls of wicked men, “would soon break out after the same manner as the same corruption, the same enmity does on the hearts of the damned souls.” Over against such preaching of the law, he exalted the grace of God in saving such sinners and preserving and sanctifying them unto His heavenly kingdom.
Jonathan Edward’s writings were greatly appreciated and owned of the Lord in past generations. We recommend these sermons to readers who may not be familiar with Jonathan Edward’s works. May such preaching be owned to the awakening of sinners in our day.
A.McK.
SPIRITUAL REFININGS by Anthony Burgess
700 pp. £16.00.
This treatise on grace and assurance by the Puritan and Westminster Divine, Anthony Burgess, consisting of 120 sermons, is being reproduced in a facsimile copy of the 1652 edition of the work and will be available early in 1991.
N.McL.
BETHEL PULPIT — SOUND AN ALARM, Sermon Number 61, by Pastor B. A. Ramsbottom.
This pamphlet contains a sermon by the Pastor of Bethel Chapel, Luton preached on 26th August, 1990 from the text: “Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain, let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand.” Joel 2: 1. It contains a timely warning to the people of Britain in view of the events in the Middle East, particularly the crisis in the Persian Gulf, where the nations are confronting Saddam Hussein, the President of Iraq. In the sermon, Mr Ramsbottom is at pains to point out the sins of our own nation and our need as a nation of repentance.
The sermon is available from Mr J. A. Watts, Ridgewood Drive, Harpenden, Herts. AL5 3NL.
D.B.M.
DIVINE GUIDANCE by B. A. Ramsbottom
Gospel Standard Trust Publications. £1.00. 19 pp.
This booklet on Divine Guidance by Pastor B.A. Ramsbottom, Editor of the Gospel Standard, has the sub-title: ‘How may I know God’s will.’ The writer first outlines the problem, then goes on to point out that God has promised to guide His people and did guide them in time past. He warns, however, of the pitfalls and mistakes often made in connection with seeking to know God’s will in specific instances. Lastly, he shows the three elements which must be included in seeking direction from God: (1) the Word of God; (2) personal exercise before God; and (3) openings in providence.
This is a useful booklet and we commend it to readers of the Magazine.
D.B.M.