Romans 8 (Verses 1-4) by Thomas Jacomb
Published by the Banner of Truth Trust. Hard back, 373 pages, £12.95. Obtainable from the Free Presbyterian Bookroom, 133 Woodlands Road, Glasgow G3 6LE
WE are deeply indebted to the Banner of Truth Trust for this excellent and attractively bound reprint from the pen of a worthy Puritan preacher of the 17th century, in which he most ably expounds the opening four verses of Romans, chapter eight. In the preface, we are treated to a brief and very interesting sketch of the author’s life and labours. Every literary production is, to a certain extent, coloured by the age and circumstances in which it was written, and this one is no exception. Let no prospective reader be adversely influenced by the frequency of footnotes, generally in Latin or Greek, or of the occasional foreign phrase used in the exposition of the various passages. The understanding of these, though useful, is not necessary to the enjoyment and appreciation of the volume.
This book is remarkably readable, and thoroughly edifying. The author’s spiritual delight in the subject is almost infectious. Here is preaching, not lecturing. With heartwarming earnestness the various topics are articulated in language adapted to the ability of his auditors, or readers, as the case may be. Another merit is the beautifully balanced blend of doctrine, experience and practice. Each chapter is preceded by a sectional summary of the contents, which greatly facilitates the finding of a quotation, which otherwise could be so frustrating and time consuming in a volume of this size. Typical of the Puritans is the pithy sentence and the polemical note, for example, “As joy for sin will end in sorrow, so sorrow for sin will end in joy”.
The errors of the Papacy and Antinomianism are among the heresies exposed and condemned in the pure light of the Word. “There is nothing but honey in this hive,” writes the author about the portion of Scripture he expounds. With this verdict we agree most cordially, and we add that the same is true of his own exposition, whether in its exegetical or homiletical parts. This precious book would enhance the library of any pastor or believer. We wish it a wide circulation. It has only one fault; it is too bulky. We suggest that one day it be printed in paper back form, minus the foot notes.
(Rev.) F. MacDonald, Portree
Spurgeon v. Hyper-Calvinism by Iain H Murray
Published by the Banner of Truth Trust. Paperback, 160 pages, £2.95. Obtainable from the Free Presbyterian Bookroom, 133 Woodlands Road, Glasgow G3 6LE
IN his first book, The Forgotten Spurgeon, Mr Murray devoted a chapter to Spurgeon’s 1855 conflict with Hyper-Calvinism. In this new book, subtitled The Battle for Gospel Preaching, he returns to the theme but considers Spurgeon’s convictions and statements on this subject throughout his ministry.
The author asks, Is Christ to be proclaimed as the Saviour in whom all are called to trust? Hyper-Calvinism denies the free offer of the gospel, in spite of the evidence in the Scriptures that prophets, apostles and Christ Himself called on all and sundry to turn from their sins to embrace the salvation which was being set before them. John Duncan is quoted: “The gospel does not say, ‘There is a Saviour, if you wish to be saved;’ but, ‘Sir, you have no right to go to hell – you can’t go there without trampling on the Son of God.'” So Spurgeon, in a sermon on the text, “Compel them to come in,” declared, “As I stand before my Judge at last I feel that I should not make full proof of my ministry unless I entreat with many tears that ye would be saved, that ye would look to Jesus Christ and receive His glorious salvation.”
After two introductory chapters which outline Spurgeon’s life and ministry, Mr Murray records some of the criticisms of Spurgeon’s preaching which appeared in periodicals such as The Earthen Vessel, and he follows this with Spurgeon’s responses in his published sermons. The author points out that Hyper-Calvinism, denying that all are called in the gospel to come to Christ, “claims, instead, that Scripture only addresses invitations to specific people – to the penitent, the ‘heavy laden’, to the convicted, to the sensible sinner and so on. Under such preaching, gospel hearers must first find some warrant within themselves for thinking that Christ’s invitations are addressed to them personally.” The Hyper-Calvinist’s difficulty lies in the “view that to preach a universal warrant is to deny that redemption is definite and particular. . . Hyper-Calvinism errs with Arminianism in thinking that a knowledge of the extent of the atonement is necessary if true faith is to be exercised. . . This still does not answer the question, How can sinners be offered a salvation which Christ did not fulfil on their behalf? Spurgeon set the question aside as something which God has not chosen to explain.”
This well-produced book concludes with some pages of material on these themes from other writers, including the Covenanter John Brown of Wamphray, and extracts from two of Spurgeon’s sermons.
(Rev.) K. D. Macleod, Leverburgh