Sermons to the Spiritual Man
by W. G. T. Shedd. A reprint by the Banner of Truth Trust, 1972. £1.50
This book was first published in 1884. The Banner of Truth Trust has done what is for the glory of God, and of the Redeemer, in having this volume reprinted. The print is excellent, even for failing eyesight. The Lord own and bless the labours of the Trust! C. H. Spurgeon reviewed this volume, in his day. Reference to this is on the dust-cover — with a photograph of Dr Shedd. It would be well if such a portrait were not only on the dust-cover, but reproduced in a suitable place in the volume. This notice of the book is just to direct attention to this issue of the volume. Dr Shedd, prior to the publication of this volume, compiled a volume of discourses, having the title of “Sermons to the Natural Man.” It might be well — where possible — to read this volume of Sermons — or some of them, as the last two — before endeavouring to read through — and prayerfully follow — these sermons now reprinted.
An ancient proverb may be quoted regarding these discourses of Shedd “to the Spiritual Man,” — namely, “Hasten slowly.” What great grace must have been on Dr Shedd in preparing these discourses! May any who have — or may obtain — a copy have grace reigning in the precious soul — that treasure may be laid up which moth cannot corrupt, nor thief break through to steal! Perhaps the best course for us regarding such a volume of “beaten gold,” and containing, spiritually, such “beaten oil,” is to give a few quotations with a view to whetting the appetite of readers.
Here is a quotation from p.7. “There is no true knowledge of the Creator, but a practical and sanctifying knowledge . . . True meditation, thus proceeding from filial love — brings the soul into intercourse and communion with its object.” Let us note that we must have filial love prior to true meditation. From p.10, we quote: “There is no thinking that gives rest and satisfaction, and joy to the soul, but thinking upon the glorious and blessed God. All other thought ultimately baffles and tires us. Heaven comes into the human mind, not through poetry, or philosophy, or science, or art, — not through any secular knowledge, but through religion.” On p.113, Shedd states, “Religion is worship, and no creature who is destitute of a worshipping disposition is religious. Morality — or the practice of virtue — is only the shell of religion.” When we come to p.176, he has much to leave on record concerning the “Father’s house,” with its many mansions. “The phrase, ‘many mansions,’ denotes that there is a definite and appropriate residence beyond the tomb for finite, and distinctly personal spirits; a residence in which they can unfold their powers in a well-defined and self-conscious manner; in which they can think, and know, and feel, as vividly as they do here; in which, as happy individuals, they can look upon the face of a personal God, and worship Him; in which as blessed intelligences, they can apprehend his excellence, and glorify him for evermore.” What follows the above should refresh the longing soul. Dr Shedd, according to the old proverb, was “over there, and saw,” and returned, in a spiritual way at any rate, to give a report of the land.
On p.304, there is an edifying account given as to the difference between such men as Lord Bacon and Richard Porson. Lord Bacon’s words remind one of portions of Ralph Erskine’s “Believer’s Riddle”; “I’m in the way — the way’s in me.” Richard Porson did not know what to make of Bacon’s paradoxes. A quotation from pp.309-10 will suffice to bring to a close these references to Shedd’s sermons. This quotation answers the question, “Who is the spiritual man, whom he has in view in his title?” His own reply — flowing from his own experience — and according to the Scriptures — is that a true believer has “a sense of guilt, and a cordial acceptance of Christ’s atonement, a desire to be justified by his precious blood, a peaceful confidence in God’s righteousness, and method of justifying a sinner — this, is the first and infallible token of a new heart, and a right spirit.” Shedd adds: “Then, secondly, a weariness of sin, ‘a groaning, being burdened,’ under its lingering presence, and remaining power — a growing desire to be entirely delivered from it, and a purer simpler hungering after holiness — these are the other evidences of regeneration.” “The ‘new man’ in Christ Jesus will eventually slay stone-dead the ‘old man’ of sin.”
Dr Shedd must have had what Bunyan in a certain place, terms ‘golden hours’ as he composed these discourses. May such as peruse this book have, by the Lord’s free grace, ‘golden hours’ also!
If there is a reprint, as there likely may be, the printers might add a query mark at the top of p.14, after the words, “too much.” On p.275, l.15 fr top — n.b. “meritoriousness” and on p.359, l.2 fr. ft., “io” instead of “oi.”
D. A. Macf.