Banner of Truth Trust paperback, 191 pages, £2.95. Obtainable from the Free Presbyterian Bookroom, 133 Woodlands Road, Glasgow, G3 6LE.
THIS is a reprint of two of this excellent English Reformer’s treatises concerning the ministry: The Art of Prophesying first published in Latin in 1592 and in English in 1606; and The Calling of the Ministry first published in 1605, which helpfully expounds Job 33:23-34 and Isaiah 6. Although approximately 400 years old, Perkins’ writings remain relevant, and therefore we welcome the aim of the publishers.
However, this is no mere reprint but a revision: “The text of this reprint has been carefully revised by Dr Sinclair B. Ferguson.” Comparison with the original reveals much unnecessary alteration. For example, “papist” and “popish” are changed to “Roman Catholic”, and “the summe of the summe” becomes “the heart of the matter”. The graphic original, “So a man cannot but be extreame astonisht, if he knowe himself to bee in God’s presence with his sinnes, which God’s soul hateth”, is weakened and almost trivialised to, “In the same way we experience deep spiritual shock when we realise that we are in God’s presence with sins which he hates”. An updating to retain the force of the original without distortion is so easily reached: “So a man cannot but be extremely astonished, if he knows himself to be in God’s presence with his sins, which God’s soul hates”.
Regrettably, the New King James Version is used for Scripture quotations, and God is addressed as “you”. We recommend that students for the ministry and existing ministers, as well as any men considering the ministry, read the original if they can lay their hands upon it, rather than this modernisation. If they do, they will find such pointed comments as the following. “A new act of sinne requires a new act (or worke) of faith and repentance.” “But God’s Spirit worketh not but upon the foundation of the word.” “The summe of the summe – Preach one Christ, by Christ, to the praise of Christ.”
K.M.W.