John Cennick

This is a post-dated blog post. In the business of things I omitted just to mention that on Monday lunch time I was at the Evangelical Library lecturing on John Cennick. We had a decent turn out and several were happy to hear more about a rather forgotten hero from Church history.

I simply gave the life story as I understand it. I concluded with these closing observations

Cennick left some 40 sermons and 750 hymns of varying quality. The main lessons to learn from his life are perhaps in the areas of how hard Christian unity is, holiness and evangelistic zeal.

1. How hard Christian unity is. Cennick was driven out by the Wesleyans and there was not much he could have done to prevent it. When he left for the Moravians, however, no-one forced him and the Moravians did little to encourage him to join them. He was obviously convinced that it was the right thing to do, however. It did nothing to increase unity.

2. Holiness. In his biography of Wesley, Luke Tyerman wrote

Cennick had his weaknesses; but, in deadness to the world, communion with God, Christian courage and cheerful patience, he had few superiors.

J E Hutton wrote that

Of all the great preachers of the eighteenth century, not one was superior to him in beauty of character. He was inferior to John Wesley in organising skill, and inferior to Whitefield in dramatic power; but in devotion, in simplicity, and in command over his audience he was equal to either.

3. Evangelistic zeal. Cennick probably preached some eight or nine thousand times between 1739 and 1755, often to huge crowds. He was often persecuted and yet his zeal knew no respite. Here is a brief passage from a late sermon preached in Ireland. It is quite Moravian in style but shows the passion with which he preached

Behold him behold the Lamb of God! Those open arms are extended to embrace you; that pained breast was made bare, that you might lean there and be comforted; that cross of his was raised up to screen and shelter you, like a great tree, from the burning heat of the wrath of Almighty God; those wounds are the cities of refuge, set open that you might turn in and be safe; that reverend head was bowed down to listen to your complaint and sighs, and those dear lips stooped to kiss you, the blood which runs down from all parts, from head to foot, hastened to make a river of life, that you might drink and live for ever, that you might wash and be clean. O go to him, venture near him, spread your hands and hearts towards this temple, make your prayers towards this gate of heaven, and apply fearless and with trust, to him who was lifted up and slain, and you shall find help.

How we need such preaching today.