Sermons 1917–1931, vols 1 & 2, by Ernest Roe, published by Gospel Standard Trust Publications, hardback, 414 and 418 pages, £16.00 per vol, £28.00 together, obtainable from the Free Presbyterian Bookroom.
The 86 sermons in these volumes are full of excellent matter, much of which is strong meat doctrinally. The preacher, Ernest Roe (1883-1967), a Strict Baptist minister, published most of them in the Brixton Tabernacle Pulpit magazine during his 11 years’ pastorate at Brixton Tabernacle, London. We imagine that spiritually-minded readers of that magazine would have looked forward to reading his sermons.
It is clear that he was well versed in the Scriptures, had a deep understanding of them, and was given many remarkable insights. The sermons show his familiarity with the writings of the Puritans and also that he was a discerning Protestant.
His sermons on the Person and work of Christ show him at his best; particularly profound and sweet are such sermons as “Christ’s Pierced Side”, “Vastness of Christ’s Redeeming Work”, “Christ – the Advocate” and “The Last Cry from the Cross”. He stoutly defends the doctrine of the atonement and unsparingly condemns liberal theologians who weaken or misrepresent it.
His sermons on the experiences and characteristics of the godly, for example, “Spiritual Appetites Satisfied”, “Work of the Spirit in the Redeemed” and “Spiritual Destitution”, show that he himself was no stranger to inward spiritual conflict; they are searching and will be welcomed by those who pray, “Search me, O God”. At the same time, although he addressed the children of God very directly and frankly, he proclaimed words of pastoral compassion, encouragement and comfort to them in their trials, temptations and struggles.
In his concern about lightness coming into the visible Church, he dealt with false professors fearlessly and faithfully. “Out of no unkind feeling,” he said, “although some may think otherwise, but eternity will prove preacher and hearer soon. It is because I fear that people may be deceived, and I want them to know these things by the life-giving power of the Holy Ghost.” In another sermon he said, “The higher critics openly deny the Word to be verbally inspired and we condemn them, but there are unholy critics near at hand with the doctrine of verbal inspiration in their mouth, but the penknife ready to cut out what condemns their practice”. In his sermons on, for example, the churches of Asia, he solemnly and forthrightly challenged ministers also as to their faithfulness to their charges, but he included himself when he so searched them.
This reviewer demurs at the preacher’s view that, in baptism, “sprinkling is not right”; also his denying that sinners have a duty to exercise faith; and his opinion that the covenant of grace (or “of salvation” as he refers to it), is between all three Persons of the Godhead.
On the whole, while the preacher’s occasional outspoken bluntness may sometimes distract the reader, these two volumes contain much thought-provoking, spiritual treasure. May they, by the blessing of the God of truth, prove beneficial to the souls of many.
(Rev) Neil Ross