THE TEN COMMANDMENTS: MEDITATIONS ON THE DECALOGUE BY Frederick Henry Wright. London: Sovereign Grace Union, 31 Imperial Buildings, Ludgate Circus, E.C.4. Price 2/6d. post free.
This book by Mr. Wright who was a Minister of the gospel at Carmel, Fleckney, and Hope Chapel, Rochdale, treats its great theme with a freshness and variety that awakens interest in the reader and edifies him at the same time. The sins condemned by the commandments are marshalled and their condemnation set forth in simple and arresting language and the various modern phases of these sins are exposed with candour and loyalty to Scripture. It is necessary to point out, however, that the doctrine of the believers’ relation to the law does not receive the treatment it deserves. To say for instance that the believer, being freed from the law, seeks grace whereby he may obey the precepts of the gospel (p. 136) does not do full justice to the doctrine of the believers’ relation to the law. The doctrine as taught by the Westminster Divines (Confession, chap xix. secs. 6 and 7) and which is quoted on another page is, we believe, the true doctrine on the subject. We cannot enter into a discussion on this subject in the space of a short review but must content ourselves with the quotation referred to.
THE ANTI-CHRIST IDENTIFIED BY J. A. Kensit. London: Protestant Truth Society, 31 Cannon Street, E.C.4. Price 6d.
This pamphlet is useful in presenting its readers with reasons for identifying the Pope as Anti-Christ. In support of this view the opinions of Wickliffe, Luther, Calvin, John Knox, etc., are quoted and Scripture is advanced in proof of the same contention.
THE HOLY SPIRIT: HIS DEITY, PERSONALITY, AND OPERATIONS
BY the Rev. Thomas Houghton. London: B. S. Taylor,
23 Bedford Street, Strand, W.C.2. Price 2/6d.
This is an excellent book on the great theme with which it deals. Mr. Houghton has done a good service in reprinting in volume form these articles which appeared in the Gospel Magazine of which he is editor. The subject is treated with that reverence which all true Christians must feel is in keeping with the august theme with which it deals. It does not treat the subject with the fulness and comprehensiveness that say, Owen and Smeaton deal with it but notwithstanding it is very full in its treatment. It gives no countenance to certain phases of the Keswick teaching, the Higher Holiness Movement and the Pentecostal League teaching. The Wesleyan doctrine of sanctification by faith and the “guidance” of Buchmanism are also condemned. The book will prove helpful as a popular exposition of the doctrine of the Holy Spirit. There are some excellent statements which, if space permitted, are worthy of quotation in which Sabbath desecration, neglect of family worship, worldliness in religion are faithfully and unsparingly condemned. While we have read the book with the greatest of pleasure we are not satisfied with some of Mr. Houghton’s statements on the doctrine of sanctification (pp. 73, 74) such as that all believers are equally sanctified and equally justified. The doctrine of sanctification as set forth in the Confession is as follows: “They that are effectually called and regenerated, having a new heart and a new spirit created in them, are farther sanctified really and personally, through the virtue of Christ’s death and resurrection, by His Word and Spirit dwelling in them; the dominion of the whole body of sin is destroyed, and the several lusts thereof are more and more weakened and mortified, and they more and more quickened and strengthened in all saving graces, to the practice of true holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. This sanctification is throughout in the whole man, yet imperfect in this life; there abideth still some remnants of corruption in every part: whence ariseth a continual and irreconcilable war; the flesh lusting
against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh. In which war, although the remaining corruption for a time may much prevail, yet, through the continual supply of strength from the sanctifying Spirit of Christ, the regenerate part doth overcome: and so the saints grow in grace, perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord.”
A few printers’ errors have been noticed:—line 15 from foot of p. 32 the should read they; last line on p. 155 Schaff-Herzog should read Schaff-Herzog; line 10 from foot of p. 190 their should read there.
LIFE AND SERMONS OF THE LATE REV. J. R. ANDERSON, MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL, GLASGOW (1834-1859) edited by H. B. Pitt, Trowbridge. Price 2/- post free. Vol. II.
Many of our readers are familiar with the sermons of Rev. J. R. Anderson. The present volume contains a fuller account of his life than that of Rev. Neil Cameron published in a former volume. The volume under notice contains a diary of two visits to Caithness and has a portrait of Mr. Anderson. Here is a brief record of a spiritual experience at Dunbeath: “I was plunged into the mire, and had to cry for cleansing. I saw that I may not reprove another for a deed, unless the principle of it in me be mortified: and I may not find fault for the want of a grace, unless its fruit appear in my life.” The sermons, needless to say, are faithful in a scriptural sense and appeal to the conscience. The book may be had from R. W. Anderson, 29 St. Vincent Place, Glasgow, or from H. B. Pitt, 4 Clarendon Road, Trowbridge, Wilts, price 2/- post free.