Calvin on the Inexorableness of the Law

In Chapter's 7-8 in Book II of his Christian Institutes, John Calvin gives a masterful understanding on the importance of God's law in the lives of both the unregenerate and the believer.  I've especially enjoyed gleaning from this section, and in hopes that you might take it up and read it, I offer this excerpt.

Now what is to be learned from the law can be readily understood: that God, as he is our Creator, has toward us by right the place of Father and Lord; for this reason we owe to him glory, reverence, love, and fear; verily, that we have no right to follow the mind's caprice wherever it impels us, but, dependent upon his will, ought to stand firm in that alone which is pleasing to him; then, that righteousness and uprightness are pleasing to him, but he abominates wickedness; and that, for this reason, unless we would turn away from our Creator in impious gratitude, we must cherish righteousness all our life.  For if only when we prefer his will to our own do we render to him the reverence that is his due, it follows that the only lawful worship of him is the observance of righteousness, holiness, and purity.  And we cannot pretend the excuse that we lack ability and, like impoverished debtors, are unable to pay.  It is not fitting for us to measure God's glory according to our ability; for whatever we may be, he remains always like himself: the friend of righteousness, the foe of iniquity.  Whatever he requires of us (because he can require only what is right), we must obey out of natural obligation.  But what we cannot do is our own fault.  If our lust in which sin reigns [cf. Rom. 6:12] so holds us bound that we are not free to obey our Father, there is no reason why we should claim necessity as a defense, for the evil of that necessity is both within us and to be imputed to us (John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion Volume 1, p. 369).

Calvin spends line upon line showing how the gospel, and the imputed righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ found therein, is the only answer to man's total depravity concerning God's law.  If you get a chance, get a hold of this volume and read it for yourself.  It is well worth the time and effort.

Here's to you, Mr. Robinson Part III

This is the third and final segment (see archives for the first two) on the life of Reverend William Robinson, a Presbyterian minister whom God was pleased to use to have a profound spiritual impact on the lives of many in Virginia.  This particular story related by W.H. Foote in Sketches of Virginia First Series is one of the greatest stories in the life of William Robinson (p. 131): 

On the night before he was to preach in Hanover for the first time, Mr. Robinson rode late to reach a tavern within some eight or ten miles of the place of preaching.  The tavern keeper was a shrewd, boisterous, profane man.  When uttering some horrid oaths, Mr. Robinson ventured to reprove him for his profanity; and although it was done in a mild way, the innkeeper gave him a sarcastic look, and said - 'Pray, Sir, who are you, to take such authority upon yourself?'  'I am a minister of the gospel,' says Mr. Robinson.  'Then you belie your looks very much,' was the reply.  It is said Mr. Robinson had had the small pox very seriously, which had given him a very rough visage, and deprived of the sight of one of his eyes.  It was with reference to his forbidding appearance, that the innkeeper seemed to question his ministerial character.  'But'-says Mr. Robinson-'if you wish certainly to know whether I am a minister or not, if you will accompany me, you may be convinced by hearing me preach.'  'I will,' says the innkeeper, 'if you will preach from a text which I shall give you.'  'Let me hear it,' says Mr. Robinson, 'and if there is nothing unsuitable in it, I will.'  The waggish innkeeper gave him the passage from the Psalms - 'For I am fearfully and wonderfully made.'  Mr. Robinson agreed that it should be one of his texts.  The man was at Mr. Robinson's meeting, and that text was the theme of one of his sermons.  Before it was finished, the wicked man was made to feel that he was the monster, and that he was fearfully and wonderfully made.  It is said he became a very pious and useful member of the church; and it is thought that Mr. Davies alludes to this instance when he says, 'I have been the joyful witness of the happy effects of those four sermons upon sundry thoughtless impenitents and sundry abandoned profligates, who have ever since given good evidence of a thorough conversion from sin to holiness.'  Thus this good man cast the gospel net and caught of every sort, gathering whom his Lord called.

Just an arrow or two of reflection:

First of all, I continue to stand amazed at the grace of God and the mighty power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  That God would be pleased to take a man like this innkeeper and allow him in his wickedness to choose the very text by which He would convert him.  Simply amazing!  This reminds us that those whom God foreknows He predestines; those whom He predestines He calls; and those whom He calls He justifies and glorifies!  And that is IN SPITE of ourselves!  What amazing grace!  What a blessed gospel! 

Secondly, I love men like William Robinson.  He was a man who lived his life for the glory of his Lord.  He was a man whose faith we would do well to follow, for we know the end of his conversation.  He is a man that I will look for in heaven one day.  And in heaven there won't be a rough visage and forbidding appearance about William Robinson.  There will be a beautiful face of a chosen saint of God who loved and lived and died for his Lord.


Foote says it best about Mr. Robinson as he gave me the inspiration behind my blog title (p. 130):

His bow abode in strength, and many arrows from the quiver of the Almighty were shot from his withering hands...

So here's to you, Mr. Robinson!  I'm quite certain you knew just how much Jesus loved you while you were here below.

Christ Shall Have Dominion

We sang this Psalm this morning in chapel services at GPTS.  It was the first time I had ever heard it being sung.  The words are from The Psalter, 1912.  The tune is the same as Onward, Christian Soldiers.


Christ shall have dominion, over land and sea,
Earth’s remotest regions shall His empire be;
They that wilds inhabit shall their worship bring,
Kings shall render tribute, nations serve our King.


Christ shall have dominion, over land and sea,
Earth’s remotest regions shall His empire be.


When the needy seek Him, He will mercy show;
Yea, the weak and helpless shall His pity know;
He will surely save them from oppression’s might,
For their lives are precious in His holy sight.


Christ shall have dominion, over land and sea,
Earth’s remotest regions shall His empire be.


Ever and forever shall His Name endure;
Long as suns continue it shall stand secure;
And in Him forever all men shall be blest,
And all nations hail Him King of kings confessed.


Christ shall have dominion, over land and sea,
Earth’s remotest regions shall His empire be.


Unto God Almighty joyful Zion sings;
He alone is glorious, doing wondrous things.
Evermore, ye people, bless His glorious Name,
His eternal glory through the earth proclaim.


Christ shall have dominion, over land and sea,
Earth’s remotest regions shall His empire be.

Psalm 72

1 Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king's son.
2 He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment.
3 The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness.
4 He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.
5 They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations.
6 He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth.
7 In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth.
8 He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth. 
9 They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust.
10 The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.
11 Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.
12 For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper.
13 He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy.
14 He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight.
15 And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: prayer also shall be made for him continually; and daily shall he be praised.
16 There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: and they of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth.
17 His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed.
18 Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things.
19 And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen.
20 The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.

Bunyan's Conversion

John Bunyan, perhaps best known for The Pilgrim's Progress, was one of the dearest saints to ever live on earth below.  He suffered much for the cause of Christ, and his life of faith as a believer is an encouragment to all of God's people.

Here he tells about the day he was soundly converted:

One day as I was passing into the field . . . this sentence fell upon my soul. Thy righteousness is in heaven. And methought, withal, I saw with the eyes of my soul Jesus Christ at God's right hand; there, I say, was my righteousness; so that wherever I was, or whatever I was doing, God could not say of me, he wants (lacks) my righteousness, for that was just before him. I also saw, moreover, that it was not my good frame of heart that made my righteousness better, nor yet my bad frame that made my righteousness worse, for my righteousness was Jesus Christ himself, "The same yesterday, today, and forever." Heb. 13:8. Now did my chains fall off my legs indeed. I was loosed from my afflictions and irons; my temptations also fled away; so that from that time those dreadful scriptures of God [about the unforgivable sin] left off to trouble me; now went I also home rejoicing for the grace and love of God.

To read more about Bunyan: Biography of Bunyan by John Piper

You can also read two of his classic works here: The Doctrine of the Law and Grace Unfolded and Grace Abounding

Here's to you, Mr. Robinson Part II

Perhaps Francis Makemie stands alone as having the most profound impact on the early Presbyterian Church in Virginia. Notwithstanding, William Robinson will always have a place near and dear to hearts of those in Virginia for his devotion, zeal, passion and preaching. When Mr. Robinson preached at Hanover County, Virginia in 1743 it was said, “There is reason to believe, there was as much good done by these four sermons, as by all the sermons preached in these parts before or since” (William Henry Foote, Sketches of Virginia, p. 128). Through Robinson’s preaching of the gospel of Christ many souls were converted, and the Presbyterian Church in Virginia was strengthened.

Foote goes on to give this remarkable account of God’s providence as Robinson left the folks of Hanover County (pp. 128-29):

After spending four days in preaching publicly, and instructing and counseling privately, Mr. Robinson was constrained to depart; his previous appointments called him on, and it was rumored that the officers of the law were preparing to arrest him as an itinerant. The people, in part to remunerate him for fatiguing rides and incessant labors, but mostly, as an expression of gratitude, raised a considerable sum of money, and presented it to him. This, for various reasons, he refused. They pressed the matter: he, believing it to be injudicious to take anything from them in the present condition of things, perseveringly refused.

In this dilemma the committee entrusted with it put it into the hands of the gentleman, with whom he was to lodge the last night of his stay in the county, with directions to convey it privately into his saddle bags, not doubting, but when, after his (Robinson’s) departure, he should find himself in possession of the money, he would appropriate it to his own use. This was accordingly done. And in the morning, Mr. Robinson having taken an affectionate leave of his kind friends, his saddle bags were handed to him, but he found them much more ponderous than when he came there. Searching for the cause, like Joseph’s brethren of old, he found the money in the sack’s mouth. Pleased with the benevolent artifice, he smiling said – ‘I see you are resolved I shall have your money; I will take it; but as I have told you before, I do not need it; I have enough, nor will I appropriate it to my own use; but there is a young man of my acquaintance of promising talents and piety, who is now studying with a view to the ministry, but his circumstances are embarrassing, he has not funds to support and carry him on without much difficulty; this money will relieve him from his pecuniary difficulties: I will take charge of it and appropriate it to his use; and as soon as he is licensed we will send him to visit you; it may be, that you now, by your liberality, be educating a minister for yourselves.’ This money was appropriated by Mr. Robinson to the education of Samuel Davies. His promise was kept; he did not live to see the reality of his anticipation; he died in 1746, and Davies came to Virginia in 1747.

Just an arrow or two of reflection:

1. How amazing to see the integrity of Rev. Robinson considering the money they longed for him to take. He was not trying to be rude by declining, but rather he knew that the church in Hanover County needed it more than he did. This may or may not be true, for nothing is ever said about Robinson having a lot of money in the states. Foote notes that when he left England “he obtained a small sum of money to pay his passage” (Sketches, p. 125). Certainly Robinson could have used the money, but in four short days his heart was planted with these believers in Hanover. He truly believed the money would be better off staying with them. Yet, with great wisdom, he knew when to stop declining and when to take the offering so as not to be offensive.  He was a man of great wisdom and passion who truly loved God's people.

2. Even in taking the money, Rev. Robinson had decided that he would not use it for himself. Rather, he would use the offering to help out a young man studying for the ministry. As Foote already noted that young man just happened to be Samuel Davies. You may be wondering what is the big deal about Samuel Davies? Samuel Davies just happened to go down in history as one of the finest ministers that Virginia has ever known.

Foote writes concerning Davies (pp 304-05):

To no one man, in a religious point of view, does the State (Virginia) owe as much; no one can claim a more affectionate remembrance by Christian people. His residence in the State is an era in its history. The Virginia Synod claims him as her spiritual father; and the Virginia creed in politics acknowledges his principles of religious freedom and civil liberty. He showed the patriotism of true religion; and in defending the principles of Presbytery, he maintained what Virginia now believes to be the inalienable right of man.

The impact that Davies had on Virginia goes so far beyond one short little paragraph, but time forbids me of telling more in this particular post. God was pleased to use the ordinary means of one church in Hanover County, given to one man, William Robinson, to fund the ministry of Samuel Davies who would eventually go on to have as big of a spiritual impact on Virginia as any man before or after him. The irony is that the Lord was pleased to call William Robinson home to Him before Davies ever came to Virginia. Robinson never saw the physical fruit from his offering to Davies, but Virginia has reaped the eternal benefits.

Foote notes one pious old lady of Hanover saying these words (p 129):

This is the reason that Mr. Davies came to Hanover; for he often used to say that he was inclined to settle in another place; but that he felt under obligations to the people of Hanover.

How blessed we are to serve a God that is not bound up by time or means, but in his Sovereignty has decreed all things that come to pass.  Yet He providentially brings those decrees to pass in time and by means, and as His children we get the privilege of being a part of God working to increase His Kingdom just as he did through the life of William Robinson.

Foote quotes Dr. John H. Rice (p.129):

As far as we can learn this is the first money that ever was contributed, in Virginia, for the education of poor and pious youth for the ministry of the gospel. And really it turned out so well we wonder the people have not done much more in the same way.

Amen and Amen!

Be Thou My Vision

One of the finest hymns ever written.  I was not familiar with verse three (in bold) until we sang it at GPTS Convocation last week. 


Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;    
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.


Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.


Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.


Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.


High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

Be Thou My Vision tells the story behind the hymn.

Begg and Blogging

On my way to Greenville this morning I was listening to a message by Alistair Begg.  Begg just happens to be one of my favorite preachers, so this was no coincidence.  Apart from enjoying his Scotish brogue, I also enjoy Begg's refreshing practicality.  In this particular message he was reading from 2 John, and when he got to verse 12 I couldn't help but think of my new blog.

2 John 12, "Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full."

There are a few reasons why I started a blog, but not one of them is because of my ability to write.  I am not being self-deprecating by any means, but truth is truth.  Over the years I have gotten lazy in my grammar and my sentence structure, and as they say if you don't use it then you lose it.  I regret not being more careful in how I treat the English language; especially when I write. 

You might be wondering what this has to do with 2 John 12?  Notice what John says.  In a nutshell he says that he has many things to say, but he would prefer rather to speak those things as opposed to writing them.  I know exactly how the apostle feels.  I too prefer speaking (aka preaching/teaching) as opposed to writing.  Now lest I be accused of poor exegesis, I understand that John does not say what he says in verse 12 because of poor grammar and sentence structure.  Regardless, I couldn't help but chuckle when I heard Begg read that verse this morning.

I guess what I am saying is that I am a much better speaker than I am a writer.  If anyone is actually taking the time to read this blog I do hope that you will remember that.  The theological, historical, and devotional reflections I write about would probably sound a whole lot better if I were speaking them, but since I cannot speak face to face with everyone then I decided to go ahead and give blogging a try.  If you get nothing else out of this particular post at least go subscribe to Alistair Begg's podcast.  It will be well worth your time.

Benefits of Brotherhood

As the early church faced persecution for their faith at the hands of the Roman Army, the writer of Hebrews reminded them in chapter 1 of the supremacy of Jesus Christ over all things.  No matter what they faced there was nothing worth turning away from Jesus Christ for.  Then in the last half of chapter 2 he encourages the hearts of the true believers by reminding them of their union with Christ by faith alone, by the grace of God alone, because of the finished work of Christ alone.  These are 7 benefits of having Jesus Christ as our elder brother that should be enough to make the hearts of all God's children rejoice.

Hebrews 2:9-18

1. We are sons that are brought unto glory - verse 10
2. We are sanctified - verse 11
3. Christ is not ashamed of us - verse 11
4. Christ declares unto us the Father's name - verse 12
5. We have been given by the Father to the Son - verse 13
6. We are delivered from bondage - verses 14-15
7. We have a merciful and faithful High Priest - verses 16-18

Here's to you, Mr. Robinson!

     I have never been too interested in writing a blog.  I do not have much time to read many blogs, so the time and motivation it takes to write one was always a little out of reach for me.  That all changed this morning as I read the account of the Reverend William Robinson.  I love to see the providential hand of God working throughout history to accomplish his will.  The way God worked in the life of William Robinson and the lives of those whom he touched in Hanover County, Virginia is simply too rare of a jewel not to share.  The account comes from William Henry Foote's Sketches of Virginia First Series.  Please allow me to first set the context for you before diving into Foote's work.

     As a result of the Great Awakening in more eastern states, reflections and inquiries about the matters of true salvation began to arise in Virginia as well. Some people were getting a hold of specific works by Thomas Boston and Martin Luther, and in doing so they found true conversion and things spoken that they were not hearing from their parish Churches. In Hanover County some families dissented from the established church. These families were gathering together in 'reading houses' discussing volumes such as Luther’s commentary on Galatians as opposed to meeting in the established church. They did not have a minister as of yet because they were completely ignorant to the fact that they were becoming Presbyterians. Some had gotten a hold of written sermons preached by George Whitefield. Through these sermons many came to Christ, and the crowds of people leaving the established church to join them began to grow. They were being questioned by the established church as to why they were leaving, and if they had a name for their religious group. As a result they brought before the Governor and Council the Confession of Faith of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland as their creed. This enacted the Governor to label them as Presbyterians. William Robinson, a powerful Presbyterian evangelist, was invited to come to Hanover County and preach to these people. This takes us to Foote's account of Robinson's journey through Virginia.
    
     'On the day appointed, Mr. Robinson, after a fatiguing journey, protracted through most of the night proceeding, in order to prevent a disappointment, arrived, and found a large crowd assembled. Mr. (Samuel) Morris and friends proceeded immediately on Mr. Robinson's arrival to have an interview with him in private. In this they inquired of him his denomination, his doctrinal and practical views of religion, and his method of procedure. He produced his testimonials which were full and satisfactory as it regarded his ministerial standing; and gave them his creed and views of practical religion. "Being satisifed" - says Mr. Morris, - "about the soundness of his principles, and being informed that the method of his preaching was awakening, we were very eager to hear him." In none of the few particulars that are left to us, of the proceedings of Mr. Robinson, does he show himself so worthy of his office as Evangelist, as in this interview. The knowledge of human nature of the principles of the gospel, and the practical operations of grace in the heart, producing meekness and candor, - the giving an answer about his creed to those he came to instruct, and a reason of the hope that was in him to these people that did not know what they were themselves, - these things exhibited in this interview, show him to have been a man gifted from on high to be a teacher of babes and an instructor of wise men.'

     'On Sabbath, July 6th, 1743, the first sermon from a Presbyterian minister, was heard in Hanover County, Virginia. The text was Luke 13:3, - "I tell you, nay: but except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish." What a subject for a warmhearted preacher to pour into the ears and hearts of an excited people, assembled, for the first time, to hear an evangelical minister proclaim the solemn truths of the gospel. "He continued" - says Mr. Morris - "with us preaching, four days successively. The congregation was large the first day, and vastly increased the three ensuing. 'Tis hard for the liveliest imagination to form an image of the condition of the assembly on these glorious days of the Son of Man. Such of us as had been hungering for the word before, were lost in agreeable surprise and astonishment, and some could not refrain from publicly declaring their transports. We were overwhelmed with the thoughts of the unexpected goodness of God in allowing us to hear the gospel preached in a manner that surpassed our hopes. Many, that came through curiosity, were pricked to the heart; and but few of the numerous assembly on these four days appeared unaffected. They returned alarmed with apprehensions of their dangerous condition, convinced of their former entire ignorance of religion, and anxiously inquiring what they should do to be saved. And there is reason to believe, there was as much good done by these four sermons, as by all the sermons preached in these parts before or since. Before Mr. Robinson left us he successfully endeavored to correct some of our mistakes; and to bring us to carry on the worship of God more regularly at our meetings. After this we met to read good sermons, and began and concluded with prayer and singing of psalms, which till then we had omitted"' (Foote, pages 127-28).

     As the late Paul Harvey used to tell us the rest of the story, so I will continue at a later date with 'Here's to you, Mr. Robinson! Part Two', but I feel compelled to shoot an arrow or two of reflection at you from withering hands to the glory of Christ and the increase of His Kingdom.

     First of all, how providential that this group of dissenters from the established church came to be known as Presbyterians. Remember how they presented the Confession of Faith of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland to the Governor and Council?  It is amazing to learn how they were even able to present that Confession as their stated creed. It was another of God's divine acts of providence. Foote tells us the account of a group of these men that went to answer to the Governor and Council in Williamsburg. He says, 'One of the company, travelling alone, was overtaken and detained, by a violent storm, at the house of a poor man on the road. He interested himself in looking over an old volume, which he found upon a shelf covered with dust. Upon perusing it he was amazed to find his own sentiments, as far as he had formed any on religious things, drawn out in appropriate language; and as far as he read, the whole summary met of his approbation. Offering to purchase the book, the owner gave it to him. In Williamsburg, he examined the old book again, in company with his friends; they all agreed that it expressed their views on the doctrines of religion'(Foote, pg 124).  What was that book? You guessed it - the Confession of Faith of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland. The God who caused the storm that drove this man into the house of a stranger is the same God who controls all things for His glory and purposes, and gave His Son as the substitutionary atonement for our sins.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

     Secondly, it was not enough for this group of dissenters to simply have the Confession of Faith,  nor was it enough for them to be labeled as Presbyterians. They needed a minister of God to open these truths to them. Therefore, in the providence of God, William Robinson preached as the first Presbyterian minister in Hanover County on July 6th, 1743, and things were never the same. Foote notes that there was much dissent among these folks as to whether or not they should let Mr. Robinson come and preach to them at all. Yet, who can stay the hand of our God? God raised up William Robinson to preach four sermons to these people for the conversion of many, and the firm establishment of believers in the faith of our Lord.