10 Benefits of Godly Conference by Samuel Clarke

In his Lives of eminent divines the ejected minister Samuel Clarke (1599-1683) says

1. First, Hereby knowledge was wonderfully increased so that I was ncver acquainted with more understanding Christians in all my Life though the best of them went but in Russet Coats and followed Husbandry
2. Secondly, Holy affections by this mutual whetting of them each in other were excecdingly kindled and kept alive in thcm.
3. Thirdly, Lovc by frequent Society was nourislied and increased so that all the Professors though living ten or twelve miles asunder were as intimate and familiar as if they had been all of one household.
4. Fourth is Thc necessities of the poorer sort being made known there was plentiful provision made for them.
5. Fifthly, Thc wcak were strengthened
6. the mourning comforted
7. the erring reclaimed
8. the dejected raised us
9. and all of them mutually edified in thcir most holy Faith
10. Sixthly, Under the pretence of thesc Meetings we enjoyed the opportunities as occasion was offered of private Fasts and days of Thanksgiving which otherwise quickly have been taken notice of and suppressed.

Day Off Week 45 2022

I was still ill last Monday (not quite there even now by the end of the week) but as I tried to get back to normal I took my usual Tuesday day off but took time to do one or two things. I watched a film in the morning from the part of history I probably know best. When I went out I picked up the latest Private Eye. My favourite cartoon, I think, was a man in a tie hauled in front of a tieless committee. "We see you are weariing a tie" they say. Also watched University Challenge in the evening (currently being shown on Tuesdays due to rugby league). The latest Free Grace Broadcaster arrived. Very interested to see the title - conscience. See here.

Another chance to hear ...

The radio broadcast I did with Janet Mefferd some time ago on the book about conscience Candle in the wind is available once again. See here. It is the first item on the programme here. Enjoy.

Bradford on conscience

Just added this quotation to a blog I have on conscience here

As a wife will keep her bed only for her husband although in other things she is contented to have fellowship with her servants and others, as to speak, sit, eat, drink, go, etc.: so our consciences which are Christ’s wives, must need keep the bed, that is God’s sweet promises, alonely for ourselves and for our “Husband” there to meet together, to embrace together, to laugh together, and to be joyful together. If sin, the law, the devil, or anything would creep into the bed, and lie there, then complain to thy “Husband” Christ …

Book Review The Art of Turning

I had meant to inclue this review which I wrote for EN towards the end of last year

THE ART OF TURNING From sin to Christ for a joyfully clear conscience

Kevin deYoung

10Publishing

40 pages. £1.00 ISBN 9781911272212

This briefest of books can be read in no time but its five short chapters are crammed with good things. It looks at the rather neglected subject of conscience.

It begins topically enough in this this anniversary year of Luther nailing the 95 theses to the door of the church of the castle of Wittenberg. We are taken four years further on to Worms and Luther's stand for the truth before Emperor Charles V. He famously said there that his conscience was captive to the Word of God, raising the question for all of us as to whether ours are too

Chapter 2 takes a further step backwards, to the Scriptures themselves, and especially to 2 Corinthians 1:12 and a dozen other places where Paul talks about conscience. Our author points out that Paul like Luther treasured his conscience and so should we.

In Chapter 3 we come to a definition: the moral faculty within human beings that assesses what is good and what is bad. We should recognise the role conscience plays both for the prosecution and the defence (or defense as it is here, the book uses American orthography). The chapter closes with an almost irresistible reference to Pinocchio.

Chapter 4 deals with misfiring consciences. It keeps to four examples only – the evil, the seared, the defiled and the weak conscience. It deals with these very cogently. The closing chapter is on the way to a clear conscience. It calls for repentance, faith and for Christians to live the life they were meant to live. The final point is to remember that conscience should be our friend.

The only possible slight criticism of the book would be that it may appear to give a higher position to conscience than the New Testament warrants. One would have appreciated more on the importance of love. In such a brief book, however, it is difficult to avoid some measure of imbalance. This really is a great little book, one that everyone should read.

Gary Brady Pastor of Childs Hill Baptist Church and author of Candle in the wind on the conscience

The Tremor of Forgery

The tremor of forgery is the thirteenth of Patricia Highsmith's 22 novels and about the tenth I have read. It first appeared in 1969. On the cover of this one they quote Graham Greene to the effect that this is her best, which I was doubting for much of the book but I found the final 10 chapters or so both gripping and full of interest as once more she explores the whole area of morality and conscience. Those final chapters, of course, only work because of the long set up that precedes it.
This passage struck me

Ingham had a sick feeling he hadn't experienced since adolescence, when he had looked into some religious books at home, dusty old things that must have belonged to great-grandparents. "Repent your sins ... bare your soul to Christ". The questions and answers had assumed that everyone had sins, apparently even from birth, but what were they? The worst Ingham had been able to think of was masturbation, but since at the same time he had been browsing in psychology books which said it was normal and natural, what was there left? Ingham didn't consider that what he had done that night had been a sin or a crime, if he had killed the Arab at all, which would always be not quite certain, until someone actually found the corpse.

When we try and speak to people in terms of biblical morality, it is often an uphill task. Only a truly biblical world view gets things in the right perspective.

This is a theme Highsmith almost endlessly explored.

A day in Brighton

Last Saturday I headed down to Brighton by train - not for a day out as such but to speak at the annual Sussex Conference on the subject of conscience. The conference, which has run for many years, took place in Ebenezer Reformed Baptist Church in the heart of Brighton and is organised by the pastor Tony Bickley with Howard Sayers from nearby Hailsham. About 20 attended from churches in Brighton and other places. It was good to meet people, some of whom I knew, others who were knew. My book was on sale and I think sales were good. I did have a little wander down to the pier with old friend David Mitchell and his mum who had come across from Portsmouth. It was quite a nice day despite a foggy start. I hope people enjoyed the day as much as I did.

Review of my book by Paul Wells

This review is in the February Evangelical Times and first appeared here last November

I enjoyed everything about this book. It is a great read on an issue seldom addressed in recent years. Perhaps the absence of books (as well as preaching) on this subject is the reason why some evangelicals have a superficial view of the uses of conscience, and are reticent regarding the function of divine law in the Christian life.

Be that as it may, reading Gary Brady’s book will do anyone the world of good. It is a page-turner; a mine of information, filled with wisdom from the Puritans and beyond, as well as being biblical and pastoral, to boot.

Behind the apparent simplicity of the presentation lies Brady’s deep reflection. He is never unclear. I found myself enjoying pages that I thought I would flip through quickly, such as the chapter on children and the conscience. It’s so easy to forget that ‘the child’s controversy is always with God’ (p.161).

When ‘correcting’, we need to get beyond outward issues to heart concerns. Questions of conscience do not ultimately deal with inbred values or social disciplines; rather, we are facing our ultimate moral regulator, God himself.

Brady examines his subject from every angle, beginning with some general biblical definitions. ‘When we speak of conscience, we are really speaking of an aspect of the heart or the soul, though the word is useful for speaking of a specific function of the soul, namely its moral workings’ (p.24).

Chapters present: the biblical background; the conscience bound by sin; conversion as a conscience awakening, convicting and enlightening work; and the connection with true faith and assurance.

Then follow questions concerning the function of conscience in the Christian life, good, bad or weak. If you did not know that a weak conscience is more likely to accuse you than a strong one (p.120), you had better read Brady. Light will also be shed on those chapters in 1 Corinthians about the weak and strong in relation to idol-meat.

There is a useful chapter regarding the development of conscience in the civil sphere. Perhaps a little more could have been made here of the theoretical impact of Luther and Calvin’s two reigns, and the right of private judgement in, say, Charles Hodge.

Finally, Brady correctly argues that, because conscience is a function of the soul, it is the accuser even down in hell. Moreover, its peaceful disposition will be enjoyed in heaven.

Overall, I enjoyed this book except for one thing: the title. Why did an evangelical publisher inflict this on me? Every time I saw it on my desk, I had horrible images of Elton John behind a piano! ‘Candle of the Lord’ (p.184) would have been more fitting.

Paul Wells Eastbourne

Author Gary Brady

Publisher EP Books ISBN 978-1-78397-042-1

PS The publishers are not to be blamed for the title. I did insist. I wanted to redeem the title1

Pages 242

Flavel Redivivus?

https://digitalpuritan.net/john-flavel/

I've been a bit slow with this but if you follow this link there is a very kind review of the new book at Helm's Deep. Thank you so much Paul.

See here

It begins (excuse my lack of modesty in reproducing this, the professor is obviously being very generous)

"Gary Brady is a present-day John Flavel. Like Flavel the Puritan, a minister in Dartmouth, Gary has been the pastor of an urban church for many years, and as Flavel became used to the ups and downs of such a life so no doubt has Gary. He has been pastor of Childs Hill Baptist Church in north west London since 1983. And like Flavel he is a considerable author, with five books already, and now a sixth, Candle in the Wind – Understanding Conscience in the Light of God’s Word. (EP Books, 2014, 242 pages). This post is by way of a modest celebration of it, and of Gary’s gifts as an author on this great but neglected topic. ..."

New Book Now Available

The book has arrived in Aber at least and has been spotted in the EMW Bookshop near the Great Hall and at the AP Bookshop down in town. What are you waiting for?

New Book Candle in the wind

Candle in the Wind by Gary Brady

£9.99

Available from 01.08.15
US price $14.99
Author Gary Brady
ISBN 9781783970421
Pages 242

Matthew Henry (1662-1714), commenting on Romans 2, wrote that “Conscience is the candle of the Lord which was not quite put out”. Others have been much more effusive about conscience. In his now famous Les Miserables, the French writer Victor Hugo wrote that “there is a spectacle more grand than the sea; it is heaven; there is a spectacle more grand than heaven; it is the conscience.”
Books on the conscience have been few and far between in recent years. This probably points to an underlying neglect of what is a truly important subject. This latest exploration of conscience is intended to do something to help address this situation. It seeks to bring the subject of conscience to the bar of God's Word so that we may be helped to understand it in the way we should. It begins by amassing the biblical data – more extensive than many realise - and seeks to clear away confusion and properly define what conscience is. Subsequent chapters explore conscience in the unconverted, in those under conviction and in believers. Problems that arise with the consciences of Christians are also examined; among other topics included are conscience in children and conscience in eternity.

'With one or two worthy exceptions, evangelicals today neglect the subject of conscience in fostering personal spiritual growth, in preaching and in our literature. This readable and thorough study is much needed. Gary Brady speaks to contemporary issues but also enriches us with the insights of the Puritans who took conscience so much more seriously than we do. You will be glad you read it.'

Mostyn Roberts Pastor, Welwyn Evangelical Church, and chairman of Evangelical Press.

Gary Brady grew up on a housing estate in Cwmbran, South Wales, in the sixties and seventies and became the pastor of Childs Hill Baptist Church, London, in 1983. This is his sixth book with Evangelical Press and is the fruit of many years of study. Gary is married to Eleri; they have five sons and two grandchildren.

See here

My new book out soon

I understand that my new book will be out October 17.

A Candle in the Wind is paperback subtitled What the Bible says about the conscience and is by Gary Brady.

It will be £7.99.

This study looks at the biblical data and offers a view of conscience that rescues it from popular confusion

Gary Brady takes his title from a comment in Matthew Henry on Romans, where the conscience is termed 'The candle of the Lord, which was not quite put out.' In this study he looks at the biblical data and offers a view of conscience that rescues it from popular confusion. Conscience in the unbeliever and the believer are dealt with and there is material on conscience and assurance, and on developing the conscience. In the final section Gary deals with the interesting topics of conscience in children, conscience and religious and civil liberty and, finally, conscience in eternity.
No cover image available yet.

Lord's Day September 8 2013

Our college students were all around yesterday before heading off and there were visitors too so the morning congregation was quite full and the evening one not too bad. I preached from 1 Corinthians 8 (part of the series I'm doing). I think I was as clear on that as I have ever been. It boiled down to three questions we all have to ask - Is it right? Is it in line with my conscience? Will it cause my brother to stumble? We also had lunch together which we always enjoy. In the evening I started a new series on Jonah, always a great book. Toothache developed again through the day but I guess it's mind over matter and didn't bother me much while preaching.

GBA 2013 Wednesday Morning 1

Our opening session was on that ever popular verse 1 Corinthians 9:22 and the speaker was Stephen Rees. It was very helpful.
He began by giving examples where people have used the verse to argue that
1. We must adopt our message

2. We must adopt our methods

3. We must also apply the principle to the structure and worship of our churches

Without expressing his opinion on the conclusions drawn, Stephen contested the use of 1 Corinthians 9:22 to support them. Paul's point rather is that although you may have the right to do a thing that does not mean that it is right to do it. Paul uses himself as an example of a man who has curtailed his own freedoms in order to serve others, especially those he is seeking to win to Christ. He is not saying he changes the message or method or does nothing in worship that will offend the Jews. Rather, he is talking about personal lifestyle. When he is mixing with Jews, he keeps the Jewish rules and when he is with Gentiles he does not. He refuses to maintain his personal preferences. He is not therefore willing to do anything. He is free not to have a wife but he is not free to be polygamous, say. In Paul's case he is a missionary and so he is thinking of not offending the unbeliever. In the case of the Corinthians the chief concern is fellow believers. Today, we have to think of both sorts when we make lifestyle choices.

Believers

1. Issues where the danger is that a Christian is tempted into doing what is against the other's conscience (eg inviting certain people to drink alcohol or watch a video)

2. Issues where the danger is that your lifestyle tempts other Christians to unhelpful reactions (eg rich people being ostentatious or the poor making the rich feel bad)

3. Issues where the danger is that a wedge is driven between you and others in the church (eg Facebook or non-Facebook)

4. Issues where the danger is that cultural differences become a cause of tension

Unbelievers

1. Issues where the danger is that the unbeliever's sin is condoned

2. Issues where the danger is that your lifestyle choices produce in unbelievers unhelpful reactions

3. Issues where the danger is that a wedge is driven between you and the unbeliever

4. Issues where the danger is that cultural differences become a cause of tension

Taking Paul's words seriously is going to affect every decision we make. it is not easy.
As for the message, we have to preach the gospel however offensive it may be (cf Christ urging the Jews to eat his blood, Paul preaching Christ crucified).
As for the method, again Jesus and Paul are willing to be countercultural at many points (cf Christ putting others above his family, eating the Passover with his friends not his family; Paul not cutting his hair at Corinth and working as a tentmaker)

Notice too that Paul was happy to be counter-cultural in many ways, eg no female leadership, no frenzied worship, slaves and masters on equal footing.

What should we aim at? Obeying God's commands. That covers a lot but not everything. Man is created in God's image and all cultural practices are to be judged as to whether they are Godlike. Our aim is to be as like God as we can not as like the world as we can.

Today is the day

Today is the day 350 years ago when 2000 or so were ejected from the national church in England and Wales for the sake of conscience. It is right that we should give thanks for their noble stand and pray that we too may be men and women willing to follow conscience and to do what we believe is according to the Word of God regardless of what it costs.

Foundations Archive

You may be interested to know that the archive of the theological journal Foundations is now up on the Affinity website. See here. Would it be wrong to point out that I have six articles in these pages?

See

26 Exegesis The barren fig tree 

30 Infant salvation

34 What is the conscience?

36 A candle in the wind (more on conscience)

51/52 Shakespeare of the Puritans - aspects of piety in the preaching of Thomas Adams, Part 1/2

52 JC No 3

Christian freedom

The third part of Christian freedom lies in this: regarding outward things that are of themselves 'indifferent', we are not bound before God by any religious obligation preventing us from sometimes using them and at other times not doing so, as it suits us. And the knowledge of this freedom is very necessary to us, for, if it is lacking, our consciences will have no rest and there will be no end of superstitions. Today we seem to many people to be unreasonable because we stir up discussion upon the unrestricted eating of meat, use of holidays and of vestments, and such things which seem to them vain frivolities. But these matters are more important than is commonly believed. For when consciences once ensnare themselves, they enter a long and inextricable labyrinth, without an easy exit.

If a man begins to doubt whether he may use linen for sheets, shirts, handkerchiefs, and napkins, he will afterward be uncertain also about hemp; finally, doubt will even arise over tow. For he will turn over in his mind whether he can sup without napkins, or go without a handkerchief. If any man should consider daintier

food unlawful, in the end he will not be at peace before God, when he eats either black bread or common victuals, while it occurs to him that he could sustain his body on even coarser foods. If he boggles at sweet wine, he will not with clear conscience drink even flat wine, and finally he will not dare touch water if sweeter and cleaner than other water. To sum up, he will come to the point of considering it wrong to step upon a straw across his path, as the saying goes.
Institutes 3.19 (I think I've used two different translations here)