52 JC No 37

This is the last part of the preface to the Geneva Psalter (see here for the whole thing)

What is there now to do? It is to have songs not only honest, but also holy, which will be like spurs to incite us to pray to and praise God, and to meditate upon his works in order to love, fear, honor and glorify him. Moreover, that which St. Augustine has said is true, that no one is able to sing things worthy of God except that which he has received from him. Therefore, when we have looked thoroughly, and searched here and there, we shall not find better songs nor more fitting for the purpose, than the Psalms of David, which the Holy Spirit spoke and made through him. And moreover, when we sing them, we are certain that God puts in our mouths these, as if he himself were singing in us to exalt his glory. Wherefore Chrysostom exhorts, as well as the men, the women and the little children to accustom themselves to singing them, in order that this may be a sort of meditation to associate themselves with the company of the angels.
As for the rest, it is necessary to remember that which St. Paul hath said, the spiritual songs cannot be well sung save from the heart. But the heart requires the intelligence. And in that (says St. Augustine) lies the difference between the singing of men and that of the birds. For a linnet, a nightingale, a parrot may sing well; but it will be without understanding. But the unique gift of man is to sing knowing that which he sings. After the intelligence must follow the heart and the affection, a thing which is unable to be except if we have the hymn imprinted on our memory, in order never to cease from singing. For these reasons this present book, even for this cause, besides the rest which has been said, ought to be singular recommendation to each one who desires to enjoy himself honestly and according to God, for his own welfare and the profit of his neighbours: and so there is need of all of it being much recommended by me: seeing that it carries its value and its praise. But that the world may be so well advised, that in place of songs in part vain and frivolous, in part stupid and dull, in part foul and vile, and in consequence evil and harmful which it has used up to now, it may accustom itself hereafter to the singing of these divine and celestial hymns with the good king David.

Touching the melody, it has seemed best that it be moderated in the manner we have adopted to carry the weight and majesty appropriate to the subject, and even to be proper for singing in the Church, according to that which has been said.

52 JC No 36

Fourth part of Geneva Psalter preface (on music)

Now among the other things which are proper for recreating man and giving him pleasure, music is either the first, or one of the principal; and it is necessary for us to think that it is a gift of God deputed for that use. Moreover, because of this, we ought to be the more careful not to abuse it, for fear of soiling and contaminating it, converting it our condemnation, where it was dedicated to our profit and use. If there were no other consideration than this alone, it ought indeed to move us to moderate the use of music, to make it serve all honest things; and that it should no give occasion for our giving free rein to dissolution, or making ourselves effeminate in disordered delights, and that it should not become the instrument of lasciviousness nor of any shamelessness.
But still there is more: there is scarcely in the world anything which is more able to turn or bend this way and that the morals of men, as Plato prudently considered it. And in fact, we find by experience that it has a sacred and almost incredible power to move hearts in one way or another. Therefore we ought to be even more diligent in regulating it in such a way that it shall be useful to us and in no way pernicious. For this reason the ancient doctors of the Church complain frequently of this, that the people of their times were addicted to dishonest and shameless songs, which not without cause they referred to and called mortal and Satanic poison for corrupting the world. Moreover, in speaking now of music, I understand two parts: namely the letter, or subject and matter; secondly, the song, or the melody. It is true that every bad word (as St. Paul has said) perverts good manner, but when the melody is with it, it pierces the heart much more strongly, and enters into it; in a like manner as through a funnel, the wine is poured into the vessel; so also the venom and the corruption is distilled to the depths of the heart by the melody.

More here

52 JC No 35

Third bit of the Psalter preface (on singing)

As for public prayers, there are two kinds. The ones with the word alone: the others with singing. And this is not something invented a little time ago. For from the first origin of the Church, this has been so, as appears from the histories. And even St. Paul speaks not only of praying by mouth: but also of singing. And in truth we know by experience that singing has great force and vigor to move and inflame the hearts of men to invoke and praise God with a more vehement and ardent zeal. Care must always be taken that the song be neither light nor frivolous; but that it have weight and majesty (as St. Augustine says), and also, there is a great difference between music which one makes to entertain men at table and in their houses, and the Psalms which are sung in the Church in the presence of God and his angels. But when anyone wishes to judge correctly of the form which is here presented, we hope that it will be found holy and pure, seeing that it is simply directed to the edification of which we have spoken.
And yet the practice of singing may extend more widely; it is even in the homes and in the fields an incentive for us, as it were, an organ of praise to God, and to lift up our hearts to him, to console us by meditating upon his virtue, goodness, wisdom and justice: that which is more necessary than one can say. In the first place, it is not without cause that the Holy Spirit exhorts us so carefully throughout the Holy Scriptures to rejoice in God and that all our joy is there reduced to its true end, because he knows how much we are inclined to rejoice in vanity. As thus then our nature draws us and induces us to seek all means of foolish and vicious rejoicing; so, to the contrary, our Lord, to distract us and withdraw us from the temptations of the flesh and of the world, presents us all possible means in order to occupy us in that spiritual joy which he recommends to us so much.

More here

52 JC No 34

More from the Psalter preface

As for the Sacraments, if we look thoroughly at their nature, we will recognise that it is a perverse custom to celebrate them in such a manner that the people may not merely look upon them, but may understand the mysteries which are there contained. Because if they are visible words (as St. Augustine calls them) it is necessary, not only that there be merely an exterior spectacle, but also that the doctrine be conjoined with it, to give it intelligence. And also our Lord in instituting them has well demonstrated this: because he says that these are testimonies of the alliance which he has made with us, and which he confirmed by his death. It is necessary, therefore, to give them their meaning that we might know and understand that which he has said: otherwise it would be in vain that our Lord opened his mouth to speak, if he had around him no ears to listen. And so there is no need for a long dispute about that. And when the matter is examined with common sense, there is no one who will not confess that it is a pure frumpery to amuse the people with symbols which have no meaning for them. Therefore it is easy to see that one profanes the Sacraments of Jesus Christ by administering them so that the people do not at all understand the words which are being said about them. And in fact, one may see the superstitions which arise from such practice. Because it is commonly considered that the consecration, for instance of the water for Baptism, or of the bread and wine of Our Lord's Supper, is like a sort of incantation; that is to say, when one has breathed and pronounced with the mouth the words, creatures insensible of feeling feel the power, although men understand nothing. But the true consecration is that which makes itself through the word of faith, when it is declared and received, as St. Augustine has said: that which is expressly contained in the words of Jesus Christ. Because he did not say to the bread that it is his body: rather he addressed the word to the company of the faithful, saying, take, eat, and so forth. If we wish therefore to celebrate truly this sacrament, it is necessary for us to have the doctrine, by means of which that which is there signified is declared to us. I say that that seems very strange to those who are not accustomed to it, as it happens with all new things: but it is very reasonable if we are disciples of Jesus Christ to prefer his institutions to our custom. And that which he instituted from the very
beginning ought not to seem new to us.

If that is still incapable of penetrating into the understanding of anyone, it is necessary for us to pray to God that it please him to illuminate the ignorant, to make them understand how much wiser it is that all the men of the earth should learn not to fix themselves on their own senses, nor on the single mad wisdom of their leaders who are blind. However, for the usage of our Church, it has seemed good to us to make public as a formulary these prayers and Sacraments in order that each may recognize that which he hears said and done in the Christian assembly. However, this book will profit not only the people of this
Church, but also all those who desire to know what form the faithful ought to hold to and follow when they convene in the name of Christ.

More here

52 JC No 33

This is from the beginning of the preface to the Geneva Psalter

As it is a thing much required in Christianity, and one of the most necessary, that every one of the faithful observe and uphold the communion of the Church in his neighbourhood, frequenting the assemblies which are held both on Sunday and other days to honour and serve God: so also it is expedient and reasonable that all should know and hear that which is said and done in the temple, thus receiving fruit and edification.
For our Lord did not institute the order which we must observe when we convene in his Name, solely to amuse the world by seeing and looking at it; rather, however, he wished that profit would come from it to all his people: as Saint Paul witnesseth, commanding that all which is done in the Church be directed towards the common edification of all: this the servant would not have commanded had it not been the intention of the Master. But this cannot be done unless we are instructed to have intelligence of all that has been ordained for our profit. Because to say that we are able to have devotion, either at prayers or ceremonies, without understanding anything of them, is a great mockery, however much it is commonly said. This is a thing neither dead nor brutish, this good affection toward God: rather it is a lively movement, proceeding from the Holy Spirit, when the heart is properly touched, and the understanding enlightened. And, in fact, if one is able to be edified by the things which one sees, without knowing that which they signify, Saint Paul would not forbid so rigorously speaking in an unknown tongue: and he would not use this reasoning, that there is no edification, unless there is a doctrine. However, if we really wish to honor the holy ordinances of our Lord, which we use in the Church, the primary thing is to know what they contain, what they mean to say, and to what end they tend, in order that their usage may be useful and salutary, and consequently right ruled.

Now there are briefly three things which our Lord commanded us to observe in our spiritual assemblies: namely, the preaching of His Word, prayers public and solemn, and the administration of the sacraments. I abstain from speaking about sermons at this time, because there is no question about them. Touching the other parts which remain, we have the express commandment of the Holy Spirit that prayers should be made in a language commonly known to the people; and the Apostle has said that people ought not to answer Amen to that prayer which has been said in a foreign tongue. However, this is because that prayers are made in the name and person of all, that each should be a participant. Thus it is a very great impudence on the part of those who introduced the Latin language into the Church where it is not generally understood. And there is neither subtlety nor casuistry which can excuse them, because this practice is perverse and displeasing to God. Moreover, there is no reason to assume that God finds agreeable to him that which runs directly counter to his wishes, and, so to speak, in spite of him. And so nothing affects him more than to go thus against his forbidding, and to boast of this rebellion as if it were a holy and very laudable thing.

More here.

Bobi Jones

I long ago learned that coincidences are common so I'm not surprised but I thought you might like to chase up this link to my son Rhodri's blog where he describes a coincidence featuring Bobi Jones, a name you may know best (if at all) as a translator of Welsh hymns.

Bible Ignorance

Watched University Challenge last night - first time in ages. Yet again one was stunned by the Bible ignorance shown. York were asked what book of the Bible was written by St John on the Island of Patmos and they answered Deuteronomy! It wasn't the only wrong answer about the Bible and this is sadly typical.

My main concern here is, of course, that this betrays how the Bible is simply being ignored by intelligent people. If they won't even read it there seems little hope of them getting to believe what it says.

The other concern is that such people cannot really be deemed educated if they do not have at least some grasp of the Bible story and its contents. How can one properly study western history, literature or art, for example, and ignore the Bible? One fears that some incredibly wrong theories are going to be adopted and propounded in that atmosphere. What a mess we are in.

Last legacies of Oliver Heywood

I came across a book recently by the Puritan Oliver Heywood. In the preface written in his closing years he sets out some 10 hints for sinners to follow.

1. Thoroughly study your lost and lapsed state by your birth-sin; you are estranged from God, and so continuing must be for ever banished from him at death. You must be changed or damned.

2. Search the Scriptures, there you find the way to heaven opened, the character of the saved, the black traits of the lost, with their promises, precepts and threatenings; lean not on your own fancies, but divine oracles.

3. Examine your consciences; enter into the secrets of your hearts, commune with them, bring your hearts to the rule and touchstone, spend some time alone upon it, be faithful and impartial, tremble at hazarding a mistake.

4. Accuse and condemn yourselves, you will find great reason; your sins are obvious to God and conscience, if you hide them, they will undermine you; there are hopes that God will clear you, if you censure yourselves.

5. Renounce every sin; it is sin that separates betwixt God and you, that is dragging you to hell, that is provoking the Most High against you; crucify the flesh with its affections and lusts.

6. Enter into a covenant with God; solemnly renew your baptismal covenant; take God as your God, and give up yourselves to him, defer not one day, tell the Lord you are his by many obligations.

7. Put no confidence in yourselves, or in any thing of your own; judge yourselves most unworthy of the high favour of covenant relationship; you may and must account yourselves even as dead dogs before God.

8. Join with God's people; stand not at a distance from those that God owns; renounce vain persons whom God rejects, sit not with them but love and choose the society of saints for whom Christ pleads.

9. Be much in prayer; plead with God for a spirit of grace: Christ is God's gift, be thankful for him, beg of God that through him you may have pardon, peace and heaven, without money and without price; will you not ask?

10. Rest not satisfied without saving faith which gives interest in Christ; remember all men have not faith; some have a faith but not sincere; yet it is absolutely necessary, there is no living, no dying without faith.

Review of Creation

I haven't seen my copy of October's Evangelical Times yet but I believe a review by me similar to this one appears there

Creation is the title of a new feature film currently showing in British cinemas, a film that undoubtedly will catch the attention of many thoughtful people. The “creation” of the title is not God's creation as such but the creation of a book written 150 years ago this year that continues to have a tremendous effect around the world to this day. The book, The origin of species was written by Charles Darwin and the film, based on the book Annie's Box by Randal Keynes, traces the story of its writing.
While using flashbacks to build up the biographical picture, the film focuses chiefly on the final year or so of writing the book and sending the manuscript off. Darwin is pictured as an attractive even heroic, though flawed, individual. Various factors combine to first delay then spur him on to publication. Though encouraged to publish by friends like Hooker and Huxley, the blessing of a wife, finally reconciled to the idea is much more hard won. A letter from Alfred Wallace outlining the same theory, what seems to be a psychosomatic illness and the fear that he is unleashing something that would destroy society and even God himself are also strong factors in Darwin's decision. Interwoven with this is his relationship with a favourite daughter whose death profoundly affects him.
A film about a man writing a book is a potentially dull subject but those involved in this production are seasoned professionals, such as Jon Amiel. The combination of skilful writing full of drama, fine acting, especially from lead actors, husband and wife team Paul Bettanny and Jennifer Connelly, beautiful sets, excellent filming, good music and very high production standards make this a powerful film indeed.
One may want to quibble with certain anachronisms, doubtful dramatic devices and even straight errors in the film but a production of this sort is intended to create an impression rather than to get every detail just right. No, the film needs to be criticised chiefly for its thesis regarding the theory of evolution. It appears to be saying that, yes, there are extremists in the scientific world and among evolutionists. Thomas Huxley, for example, is presented in a very unattractive way. But then there are extremists among those who follow religion, too. Rev Innes, the vicar of Downe, is caricatured as a man who eventually will not even speak to Darwin and who at one point makes Annie kneel in rock salt, scarring her knees, as a penance for believing that dinosaurs existed!
But most of us, so the thesis goes, are somewhere in the middle. On one hand, there are people like Darwin himself and his close friend Joseph D Hooker, who are eminently reasonable. They have no desire to cause trouble. They simply want to know the truth. Sometimes they are fearful of public reaction and can suffer greatly for their commitment to truth but they often show a quiet courage that does not lead to murder in the streets but to a great deal of enlightenment.
Then on the other hand, there are people like most readers of this newspaper, no doubt, - religious people, gentle and pious people, who respect the minister and read Pilgrims Progress to our children, as Darwin's wife does in the film. Yes, we may feel quite estranged from the scientists and their strange ideas at times but if we will only consider then we will see that they are right. Like Mrs Darwin, who reads the manuscript of Origin of Species right through when it is finished then gives her husband her blessing, we too ought to see the truth of evolution and stop carping about it being evil and untrue.
Well, that is how, it seems to me, the film wants us to see it. It is important to remember, however, that life as portrayed on the screen, is often inaccurate and untrue. The fact is that though Charles Darwin, by God's common grace, no doubt had many attractive features, his theory of evolution was wrong. Not only is it wrong but it has an evil anti-God core and many of the terrible things that Darwin no doubt dreaded have come to pass, partly fuelled by acceptance of evolutionary theories.
What the late Henry Morris referred to, in a book about the history of evolutionary theories, as The long war against God is continuing and this film is simply the latest widespread piece of propaganda in that war. We need to point out to the uninitiated what is going on and resist the false caricatures that people this piece.

Quiet Blog

It's been a bit quiet here of late but that's because I'm having a very busy week with lots of preparation to do for various things. Sunday went off okay, preaching from Mark 11 and Romans 1 still.
On Monday morning I was involved in a last minute interview at LTS. They started again this week. In the afternoon I chaired the Evangelical Library committee, following our final signing for the new building in Bounds Green. Still lots to do yet. We hope to have our new website up and running shortly. Watch this space.
Tuesday I was in the study working hard until the evening when we were joined by Rhodri, Sibyl and her family for a meal, marking the marriage. I don't think there's a proper name for your son's in-laws. There should be. We had a lovely time together.
Wednesday was all meetings, with visits to two old people's homes where I spoke from Genesis 2 and then the evening meeting in the church, looking at Deuteronomy 31. That was a good time with a decent number present. University is about to start though so we'll be less next week I guess. I also fitted in a lift from the hospital for one of our elderly members and took chance to be with Luke Jenner and his friend, Miriam, who were visiting the newly weds with us. Gwion went to see Chelsea v QPR in the Carling Cup that evening, with a new school friend. 1-0 it was and good fun.
During the day on Thursday, after dropping Owain off I spoke at a ministers fraternal just north of here in Welwyn, where Mostyn Roberts is the pastor. About a dozen ministers (most known to me) and wives gathered for two talks with discussion. I spoke on Christ at God's right hand and the intercession of Christ, which I have been trying to study. It brought home to me how little I understand so far. Picked up a copy of Who made God? by Edgar Andrews. After that we loaded up the car and, after tearful farewells at both homes, I drove Rhodri and Sibyl up to Aber. It was a long but pleasant journey towards a glorious sunset. We stopped at MacDonald's in Shrewsbury en route where Sibyl (vegetarian until 13 ) had here first ever Big Mac! The couple who will study in the University, are staying in the manse until the flat round the corner is available.

LIP Meetings

It's such a busy week! Saturday seems a life time ago now but I was at the meeting of the trustees of the London Inreach Project on that day, however, and then at the information meeting and the preaching meetings that followed.

I chaired the preaching meeting. My good friend Paul Pease of Hook Evangelical Church preached a fine pithy sermon from 2 Corinthians 4:5 on not preaching ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as his servants for the sake of God's people.

It was good to see so many supporters and to hear from Andrew Murray and Derek Sewell and Roger Carter. The work continues to be very slow and difficult but there are encouragements and opportunities galore.

Agatha Christie

I heard an Agatha Christie short story on the radio today - At the bells and motley from The Mysterious Mr Quin. I was not aware of these stories before. See here and here.

Visiting Dad 13

So here I am in South Wales yet again taking advantage of my sister-in-law's hospitality. I've been to see my dad again. He was rather sleepy and difficult to communicate with, though there were lucid moments. We read and prayed again. I asked him what he meant when he asked me to do it serious when praying last time. He said he meant really deep. I am supposing he means really getting through. That is the way to pray.

Before driving down I was in our solicitors' plush offices in Clerkenwell on Evangelical Library business. We're inching forward. Before that, I was back at LTS for a meeting about the mentoring scheme. First thing I had gone with Eleri to Brent Cross for a cuppa as part of the celebrations for her birthday.

 

Dear Eleri,

She's just extraordinary,

My love for her will never vary.

 

Wednesday had been a day of preparation with the prayer meeting in the evening. Monday and Tuesday, of course, were conference days. Somewhere amidst all this I am preparing two sermons for Sunday and trying to read Calvin's sermons on Acts for a discussion group coming up.

Back here Glyn and Fflur's other house guest is a former lodger from Australia who is studying an aspect of the Battle of the Somme. My dad always told me that my grand-dad was at the Somme but I wonder if it was really the battle itself, going on what else I now know. Must look into it all one day. I've also been reading a book on myths of WW1 including the crucified Canadian.

For this reason

I've just added the sermon I preached at the wedding last Saturday to my sermon blog.

See it here.

52 JC No 32

This was quoted at the conference by Sinclair Ferguson I believe. Preaching on Ephesians, Calvin once said

Let the pastors boldly dare all things by the Word of God, of which they are constituted administrators. Let them constrain all the power, glory, and excellence of the world to give place to and to obey the divine majesty of this Word. Let them enjoin everyone by it, from the highest to the lowest. Let them edify the body of Christ. Let them devastate Satan’s reign. Let them pasture the sheep, kill the wolves, instruct and exhort the rebellious. Let them bind and loose, thunder and lightning, if necessary, but let them do all according to the Word of God.