TIMOTHY MISSION FUND

We wish to express our gratitude once again for the gifts totalling $226.82, which were received during the month of August. Disbursements in the amount of $100 each were again made to the following missions — Ebenezer Scripture Mission in Rhodesia, Spanish Evangelical Mission, and the Mbuma Mission Hospital in Rhodesia. What a great blessing that the Lord continues to supply and use the means for the work of the missions, inclining hearts to give, inclining hearts to labor, and inclining hearts to receive. May it serve to His honor, and to the welfare of souls, for His purpose also in these matters shall be fulfilled.

The balance of our fund at the end of the month was $18.72. Gifts should be sent in care of Mr. Tom Stryd, P.O. Box 2182, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49003.

A LETTER FROM NIGERIA

A little girl of about eight years old looks with interest at how the nurse gives medicine to her deathly ill little sister. It’s done real carefully, so different from the way they do it in the village. In the village, medicine is thrown in by the handfull by the medicine man, and little sister sputtered and cried. Now she still looks with those big, frightened eyes, but she is quiet. Otilahu looks at mother, who sits next to the bench where sister is lying. She shakes her head and moves her body back and forth. Otilahu becomes frightened. Why is mother doing this? Aren’t things going well for sister. She nudges her mother. Quietly she asks, “How is she?” Mother doesn’t look at her but softly her lips mumble, “Not good. She is no longer with us.” Again Otilahu looks at her little sister. She sees the tiny body with the skin hanging around in deep wrinkles. Again she looks at her eyes, and all at once she becomes frightened. There is something wrong with those eyes!

Otilahu’s thoughts go back to the village. She was playing in the river. People passed by on their way to the market. They carried baskets with oranges and cassava. The way to the market goes through the river. Since the rainy season had just started the “road” was still usable. You could still wade through the water. Women and children came to fetch water in big basins and pots. Everyone was having fun, was happy because there was water again after so many months of drought.

All at once that happiness changed. Alice had a baby. The baby was healthy, but Alice remained sick. Otilahu crept stealthily around the hut in which she knew Alice was. She heard her groaning and the baby cried for hunger. After 4 days a message was sent to the clinic for help. A few hours later the ambulance arrived, but since it had been raining hard the last few days and nights, the ambulance could no longer drive through the river. Several men wrapped Alice in a mat and carried her through the turbulent water to the other side. The baby came along also. Otilahu went along too. The current was strong but she could swim well.

On the other side, she shook herself like a poodle. The silver water drops danced around. Her brown skin was shining. She was waiting for the man who carried the sick one. At the same time as the nurse, who came along with the ambulance she saw the eyes of Alice. Fearful eyes, or… eyes which looked, but saw nothing. Otilahu was frightened. That white face, those staring eyes. She turned around and leaned against a tree. From far away she heard the nurses voice: “You are too late. O, why didn’t you bring this woman earlier?” Despair sounded in her voice. When Otilahu opened her eyes again she saw the way the man looked at Alice, and at once she cried: “She is dead, O she is dead!” Within seconds the mourning sounds echoed through the village. Otilahu swam back and went deep into the woods. She did not want to be in the village now. Days later, during the days and in her dreams, she saw those big, staring eyes in that pale face. Only much later she dared to ask about the baby, and she was told that the nurse took her to the orphanage.

Then her little sister took sick. Very sick. Mother went to the medicine man. She offered a chicken, but her little sister did not get better. She grew thinner, her little body was glowing because of the fever, and she vomited. Otilahu lost weight too. “Why don’t you eat?”, asked mother. “I can’t. Sister is so sick. Would she… ?” She didn’t dare to ask anymore, but mother understood her. All at once Otilahu dared to ask mother: “Mother, take her to the clinic. The medicine of the magician doesn’t help and neither did the chicken you offered. Let’s go to the nurse! Now we can still do it, but soon it may be too late, just like Alice.”

And … Mother agreed. She quickly packed a few things in a basket — food and drink. Otilahu watched. She was surprised that mother agreed so quickly but she understood the reason. Since she had made her decision mother wanted to get away as fast as she could, before her family or the medicine man would hold her back. The way to the clinic was long, warm and dusty. No rain for one day and the redbrown dust blows around again.

Now they have been at the clinic for 3 days already — the clinic where everything seems so strange, but where things are so good. There is a different nurse, but the sound of her voice when she saw the little girl was the same as the nurse with the ambulance that came to get Alice. “Why did you wait so long?” But more followed “The child is poisoned.” The same desperate voice. But it changed; “But with God’s help we can still heal her.” For three days little sister received milk and medicine through a tube in her nose. Mother and Otilahu took turns sitting with her. Daily they saw the big group of people that came to the clinic for help. They heard how the mothers at the clinic got together every morning to read the Bible, to pray and to sing. At night Daniel, Moses or the nurses came to tell the patients about the Bible. They all went in the same direction - to the huts where the bedridden patients were, to the huts where the TB patients stayed and to the clinic where the people were who stayed overnight. Everywhere the message of the Bible was passed on. Otilahu always listened attentively. Mother’s thoughts were often absent — with her sick child, in the village, thinking about her family, the medicine man and the anger of the juju’s (their gods).

Otilahu looks at the sick child. Those big, staring eyes, the same as Alice’s. Again everything started weaving in front of her eyes and fear pinches her throat closed. Now you have to stay strong! Her brown, fast feet run thru the clinic, to look for the nurse. “Come along — my sister isn’t with us anymore.” The nurse is shocked, and comes along quickly. Then everything seemed a dream. Someone gave her sick sister an injection and the nurse bent over her and breathed her own breath into the mouth of the child. Minutes seemed like hours.

Later on that evening the nurse is again standing beside Otilahu’s little sister. The sick child now breathes quietly and has her eyes closed. The nurse looks at mother who says: “Obehoho” (Thank you). The nurse answers: “We were allowed to help your child, but the Lord God blessed our medicine. To Him be all the honor and glory.” Otilahu sighs, a sigh of thankfulness. Those nightmares, the staring eyes of Alice and her sister have disappeared. In stead of that another image arose — The voice of the nurse, no longer despairingly, but filled with thankfulness, her quietly resting sister. Otilahu thinks, when 1 am big 1 want to help sick people too. Not like the medicine man helps them, but like the nurse does. She grasps the nurse’s hand, “Nurse may we stay here for a while yet? I want to learn so much from you, but I also want so badly to hear the stories about the Lord God.” Otilahu understands that healing the sick cannot be done in your own strength — and didn’t the nurse one evening talk about it, that we are all sick. Our heart is sick. She doesn’t understand it that well yet, but she looks at the nurse with those staring, but big, brown sparkling eyes, which ask: “Help me.”

The fields are white ready for harvest.

(Translated from “Paulus”)

IN MEMORY OF EVANGELIST G. H. KIEVIET

We do not want to neglect to draw your attention to the death of Mr. Kieviet in Merksum, Belgium.

Even though many of our readers probably did not know him personally, most of us became acquainted with him through the articles he always wrote in Paulus in relation to his evangelism in Merksum and Antwerpen.

Brother Kieviet died in armour. On Easter morning he still was allowed to bring the Easter message in our church in Merksum, and the afternoon of that same day it became eternity for him. We may believe that at that time he was allowed to enter from the rest here on earth into the eternal rest, which remains for God’s people, and which was obtained through the risen King of Life for all His people.

We saw the deep sorrow of the members and the visitors in the congregation of Merksum. How strong were the ties that connected them to their “church-father,” as they called him.

It also showed us that he had many contacts with backsliders, drug addicts, etc. besides — in short, with people from the finished edge of society — often desparates who, it is true, still did not attend the church, but to whom he continually pointed out the way of God’s Word, and who are unable to be comforted after his death.

Such a woman told me crying on the first Sunday after the funeral, when we led the congregation of Merksum and Antwerpen: “Now I don’t have anybody who prays for me.”

It is clear, that the Lord used the simple work of brother Kieviet. But the Lord spoke, “It is enough. Come ye blessed of my Father and inherit the kingdom which has been prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” May the Lord comfort and strengthen his widow with His comforting nearness in Christ. May he also remember old brother Roest, the father-in-law of the deceased, but also the children of brother Kieviet with the rest of the family, as well as his many friends. May He give that through this death life may be born to eternity.

We want to inform you that Mrs. Kieviet remains in Merksum at the present time to keep up the contacts which her husband had.

On Sunday the meetings are led by Mr. Brouwer from Sprang-Capelle, and with deacon Hoek from Merksum he also leads the Men’s society.

The deputies for Evangelism in the Netherlands and Belgium

Ds. H. Ryksen—president

GIFTS RECEIVED FOR THE MISSIONS IN AUGUST 1974

CLASSIS EAST SOURCE AMOUNT

Clifton Pentecost Collection 619.10

Friend in Clifton Gift 15.00

Friend in Prospect Park Gift 10.00

CLASSIS MIDWEST

Bradford Christmas Col. Collection 175.41

Bradford Christmas Col. Collection 57.35

Friend in Bradford Gift 10.00

Children V.D.W. Pennies Gift 9.35

J.B.Pennies Gift 10.50

Friend in Bradford Gift 20.00

Friend in Bradford Gift 10.00

Friend in Bradford Gift 25.00

Bradford Pentecost Collection 402.46 Bradford Catechism and Sunday School Collection 84.26

Ancastor Pentecost Collection 348.40

Friend in Chicago Heights Gift 100.00

Friend in Grand Rapids Gift 100.00

CLASSIS WEST

Corsica Rebecca Juniors Gift 50.00

TOTAL: $2046.83

Dear Friends,

We want to thank you all for your kind gifts in the support of the mission work. Also the children at Bradford. May the Lord bless you all and your gifts. We wrote the last time that we would give a report of all the laborers and their work. In the first place; at the Bethlehem Mission at Baldwin, Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Bert Warmenhoven, general type of mission work.

Irian: Rev. and Mrs. Kuijt and family, ordained missionary in the valley of Nipsan.

Mr. and Mrs. J. Louwerse, general mission work in the valley of Langda, right now Mr. Louwerse is in Holland on furlough and hopes to visit the congregations of America and Canada before he goes back to Irian.

Mr. and Mrs. Looijen, general type of mission work in the valley of Abenago.

Sister Van Moolenbroek, nursing and teaching in the valley of Landikma.

Rev. and Mrs. Vreugdenhil, ordained missionary in the valley of Landikma.

Nigeria, Egedde: Dr. and Mrs. Nieuwenhuis and family, teaching.

Sister Zonneveld, nursing and teaching 140 children at the orphanage.

Sister Commelin, nursing and teaching.

Sister Van Rossum, headnurse and teaching.

Dr. and Mrs. Schoonhoven and family, leader of the Bethesda Clinic.

Sister Tramper, operation nurse in the Clinic.

Sister Vreugdenhil, nurse in the Clinic.

Mr. and Mrs. V.D. Kooy, for all maintenance work.

Nigeria, Izzi: Mr. and Mrs. Commelin and family, teaching.

Sister Ann Herfst, teaching and nursing.

Mr. and Mrs. Tom Moerdyk will leave as soon as possible to do agricultural work and nursing, at the mission station in Izzi the Lord willing.

So. Africa, Tswana: Rev. and Mrs. Huisman and family, ordained missionary.

Mr. and Mrs. Ir. Minderhoud and family, teaching.

So my friends if you will count all the adults, there are 31 laboring on the various mission fields, besides the children. So we all can realize the expense is great, but so far the Lord has not put us to shame. May He be our helper in the days ahead, that all these labors may continue. The Lord give more laborers, for truly the harvest is great and the laborers few. We hope this will give you all some insight in the mission work. We also include a letter from Rev. and Mrs. Kuijt and family. Pray that God’s word may bear fruit, that it may redown to the honor and glory of a triune God. and the salvation of lost sinners and the rejoicing of God’s people.

American General Mission Fund

Netherland Reformed Churches of America and Canada

John Spaans, Treasurer

Plankinton Box 106 RR1

South Dakota 57368

A LETTER FROM REV. G. KUIJT

Langda, 2nd. September 1974

To our dear English speaking mission friends,

I am unable to write you all a personal letter, so will try to send a general one. First of all we thank you for your letters and prayers which have encouraged us. It was not easy to go back to a country of which some of its inhabitants were allowed to kill 13 of our dear friends who were working in the vineyard of the Lord. We have seen pictures of the murdered people and I do not like to give you the details of them. It was just terrible. With these pictures in mind and knowing those canibalistic people, it was not an undivided pleasure to return. Yet the Lord has given courage and faith to go back and continue the work that was laid upon our shoulders. Not that we doubted this divine call, it was difficult to understand whether the field of service for the Lord would be Irian Jaya or not.

At present we are at Langda, the fourth station of our Congregations. For those of you who saw something of our work while making a tour in the United States and Canada, this is the place where we arrived with two helicopters. This is more than a year ago and during that year much was accomplished. Brother and Sister Louwerse worked hard with their helpers and a strip was made. Furthermore they have a reasonable house made of self-cut boards and also their helpers made smaller but similar houses. The locals are still friendly, although there have been some serious moments during the stay of the Louwerses.

When my wife and I with our children arrived, there were some locals at the strip to welcome us. They still remembered me from the first time they saw me. Mr. Louwerse had told them that we were coming. Especially the children had a grand time during the few weeks they were here before they had to go to school in Sentani on the coast. Children easily forget and reveal a certain trust of which we sometimes are jealous. While we were still thinking of Nipsan and the terrible things that happened there (and yet we are thinking every day about them) our children played with the local children and people here, and how can it be otherwise, they played bow and arrows!

At present the children are in school and for those of you who like to send them a card, here is their address: Klazina, Wim and Gert Kuijt, M.K. School, Via M.A.F., SENTANI, Irian Jaya, INDONESIA. For peace sake, it may be a good idea to send them separate ones! They are doing fine and we got the first letters in which they expressed their desire for candy, cookies (biscuits) and so on! In a few weeks time we hope to see them. The baby is doing fine too. Since the oldest three are in school, she is our little sun in the home.

Sunday, a week ago, we had a little alarm. A couple of my boys came to our house and said that somebody of the locals had come with the message that our neighbours (about a three weeks walk from here) were killed and eaten. We tried to make radio contact immediately, but there was no answer. The people in the Langda village began to dance and we were really a little concerned. Our boys told us that the huts of the people are full of skulls and advised me, by the way, to wear long trousers so that their attention might be diverted. Small people they do not like too much, however, big and fat people they do. They even prefer human flesh to pigs meat, so we have to be careful!! The next morning I called our neighbours again, and praise God they were still alive. Probably the happenings at Nipsan are coming through here, and because there is no direct connection, one tells the other, and finally the real story is changed so much that there is nothing left of the actual truth and facts.

A few weeks ago a heavy fight took place in the Ilugwa valley, West of our first station. At least 25 bodies were counted for. It was a battle between Christians and gentiles, who attacked the believers. More and more we see in this country the distinction between the workers of the darkness and of the light. A neutral position is not possible. May the Lord remember us also so that by grace we might know to be the children of God. We are still in the day of grace, the Lord is still the Savior for sinners, not long anymore and He will appear as the Judge of heaven and earth. Flee then to Him Who is an all-sufficient Savior.

Yours sincerely,

Rev. & Mrs. G. Kuijt

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The Banner of Truth Tract Committee hereby expresses its sincere appreciation for gifts received for the publication and free distribution of tracts. Tracts to be published will consist of suitable articles taken from the denominational publication, “The Banner of Truth”, as authorized by Classis East and Mid-West. Personal gifts are encouraged for the furtherance of this endeavor and will be gratefully received. Gifts may be mailed to The Banner of Truth Tract Committee, 540 Crescent St. N.E., Grand Rapids,Mich. 49503. Gifts received during the months of May thru September are as follows:

Timothy Mission Fund $ 100.00

Grand Rapids Congregation 750.52

Various 400.00

Total $1250.52

NOTES OUT OF THE CATECHISM CLASSES

Of Rev. J. Fraanje

Using The Catechism Book SPECIMENS OF DIVINE TRUTHS

Of His Priestly Office Lesson 20 — Part One

The subject of our lesson today is the Priestly office of the Mediator of the Covenant. We mentioned previously, that the priests of the Old Testament executed their offices as a type of the Mediator. During the Old Testament dispensation only some of the sons of Levi had the right to be priests: all those who were of the order of Aaron.

According to which order was Christ a priest?

Paul mentions in Hebrews 7 that another priest arises, not according to the order of Aaron but according to the order of Melchisedek who, like Christ had no priestly ancestry. Like Melchizedek, Christ also had no priestly ancestry. Our lesson begins with this question: “Was He also promised as a priest?”

Answer: Yes. Pslam 110:4 “Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” David prophesied of this priesthood by an act of faith.

Immediately following this answer comes the question, “What does this intimate?”

Answer: 1st. That He alone is a priest. 2nd. That He is an everlasting priest.

Before we proceed with discussion on this subject I would interject this question; pay close attention:

What distinctions were made between the priests out of the lineage of Levi according to the order of Arron? I mean, did they all have the same duties, or were there various ranks among them?

Yes, in the Old Testament times there were just common priests and high priests. The high priests had certain duties that ordinary priests were forbidden to perform, namely; to do atonement for the sins of the people by entering into the Holy of Holies on the great day of atonement. When the high priest died, his successor would receive his clothes. This is verified in Exodus 29:29, “And the holy garments of Aaron shall be his son’s after him, to be anointed therein, and to be consecrated in them.”

When you arrive home this evening you should take the time to read Leviticus 8 to see how solemnly these ceremonies were performed. First the high priest was washed with water, then clothed with holy garments and adorned with ornaments such as the breastplate, etc. Subsequently he was anointed with oil. All these procedures had to be carried out according to the law.

What was the difference between these priests, who were consecrated and anointed, and Christ in His priestly office? The tribe of Levi was chosen by God to the priesthood. God directed Moses how all this should be carried out. Even though these priests were installed into their offices according to God’s ordinance, they were, nevertheless, mortal men, full of infirmities with original and actual sins.

But Christ was not an ordinary Priest, no, He was the High Priest of all High Priests. Sinless and undefiled and immortal in His Divine nature. But, was He a priest in conformity to the law of Moses?

No, because he was of the lineage of Juda and not out of Levi. He was a priest of a higher order than that of the Mosaic law. In what way?

Christ was a priest with a divine oath which transcends the law,

David, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, speaks of this very clearly; “The Lord hath sworn and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever-” Christ was, then, the great High Priest by the word of oath as the fulfillment of all the symbolic services which the priests of the Old Testament typified of Him.

God the Father appointed and qualified Him for the great work to which He had been ordained.

God’s Word reveals clearly that He is the High Priest, but what are His functions in that office? Answer: Offering sacrifice and praying. We read in the gospels that He prayed often in His sojourn upon earth and He often assured His people He would pray for them in heaven. I have never read, however, that He offered up animals such as did the other priests. How should that be understood?

Hellenbroek states it this way, “He offered Himself.” Hebrew 9:14 “Who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God.”

When did that take place?

Generally speaking, it took place from His birth to His death. His entire life was an offering, but especially His suffering on the cross.

To whom did He offer Himself?

Answer: To His Father.

And for whom?

For all the elect and for the elect only.

There are three things involved here: 1st. The priest. 2nd. The offering. 3rd. The altar.

Any rational person can understand that these three matters are not to be separated from one another. What is a priest without desire to make an offering? And how can he offer unless he has an altar? These, therefore, are not to be separated.

Now we know that Christ as Mediator was a Priest and that He was also the offering itself. The Priest, then, offered up Himself. But what was the altar?

Jesus asked the Jews, “For whether is greater, the gift (that is, the offering) or the alter that sanctifieth the gift.” The Jews believed that a man who swears by the altar is not duty bound, but whoever swears by the offering on the altar, his oath is binding. In response to that, the Lord said these words, “Ye fools and blind; for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift? Who so therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and all things thereon.” In this way the Lord said that the altar sanctifies the gift because it is more than the gift of the offering. The offering that He made was His human nature including both soul and body, which He yielded to the death of the cross, but the altar upon which He offered His human nature was His Divine nature. Only that nature could bear the suffering; support Him in His suffering and bring about eternal benefit upon the suffering.

We mentioned previously that His human nature, which was the same as ours, was offered, including soul and body. Can it be proved from the Bible that He also actually offered His soul?

There is no question about the body being offered up; you just recited in answer 5, “Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree.” 1 Peter 2:24.

Who can give proof concerning the soul?

Answer: Isaiah 53:10 “—When thou shalt make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed.”

Take notice of that. We should always prove our statements from God’s Word.

So we have the Priest, the offering and the altar. But, what is the fire upon the altar on which the offering must be laid? That must also be there because an offering that is not burned cannot be considered an offering.

The fire in this case is the righteous wrath of the Father and the eternal love of Christ. These two elements comprised the great Divine fire whereupon the Divine offering of this Divine High Priest was consumed. The Father’s wrath burns for satisfaction to His sacred demands and the love of the Son burns to glorify the attributes (which had been shamefully blasphemed) of the Divine Being, of whom He was also a part and in this way to satisfy for the guilt of the elect, so that they can once again enter into the favor of God.

It is clear that the fire was meant to consume the offering.

What was left of the offering when it was made in the realm of nature?

Nothing, but a handful of ashes. According to the Mosaic law these ashes were to be taken out of the camp and brought to a clean undefiled place.

What is the meaning of this?

Christ, in the divine offering, was not burned to ashes by fire as in ordinary offerings. His deceased body remained and Joseph and Nicodemus carried it out of Jerusalem and gave it an honorable burial in a new grave.

Without realizing it they did with the one great offering just as it was symbolized under the law of Moses.

Would the effects of this offering remain until this day? I am sure of that! Paul said to the Romans (5:10) “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” The real fruit of this offering is having reconciliation with God! Isn’t that a blessed fruit? That is the purpose for which the Mediator became a Priest.

Do you see now the important significance of the offices the Mediator has?

He was a Prophet to enlighten their darkened understandings and a Priest to make reconciliation to God for their sins. But, for whom? For everyone?

Will everyone be partaker of these benefits? No. He has made complete satisfaction with the one offering, but only for those who are brought to salvation.

The world does not acknowledge this High Priest, nor the offering He has made, so they will never have a portion in the fruit of that offering.

Did Christ as High Priest do something other than offer Himself?

Hellenbroek indicates He does. He says He executes the office of a priest by offering and making intercession. The place where this is done is at the right hand of His Father in Heaven.

Would His prayers there be like those we pray to God?

Not at all, because the Mediator does not pray for necessities as we do. His prayers :are actually an intercession. He prays only for others. What is His intercession?

Answer: That He continually presents His merits unto His Father and demands thereupon the salvation of His people.

Just before He entered into the garden of Gethsemane, while in the hall where they had celebrated the Passover, He uttered a precious prayer which we call, “The Intercessary Prayer”. It is to be found in John 17.

The actual character of that prayer comes forth so clearly in the 24th verse, just as Hellenbroek explains: That He presents His merits unto the Father and thereupon demands the salvation of His people.

He prays in verse 24, “Father, I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory, which Thou hast given Me; for thou lovest Me before the foundation of the world …”

He said, “They, whom Thou hast given Me”. At once it is evident, that He does not pray for everyone. He very specifically states in verse 9, “I pray not for the world, but for them which Thou hast given Me”.

Someone asked me one time, “Dominie, is it true that Jesus prays only for the elect? Does He not pray for the whole world?”

I asked him, “Why do you ask that?”

“Well,” said he, “It says in Luke 23, when Jesus went to the cross, He called out, ‘Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do’. He did pray here for wicked people”.

I made this reply to that man, “The fact that Christ cried these words on the cross, is not proof that He prayed for the world, but without a doubt there were Jews and Gentiles amongst them who lay under the seal of election and must still be brought to salvation.”

There is no doubt about that and it was revealed to be so later, when, on Pentecost Day, Peter said, “This Jesus ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain.” Surely, then, there were men converted on Pentecost Day that cooperated in the crucifixion.

Also, even if this were not true, this anguished cry was not necessarily a prayer for their salvation.

One must make a distinction between Jesus in His Mediatorial intercessory prayers and His conduct in life as an example for us to follow.

In His intercessory prayer as Mediator He, in all certainty, included no one in His prayer for salvation but His own; otherwise, it would be a contradiction of His own words, “I pray not for the world.”

But He walked upon this earth as an example for us to follow, and viewing it in that way, it is possible He prayed for His enemies, even though they never were converted.

This is verified in Matt. 5:44, “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you and pray for them which despitefully use you and persectue you. That ye may be the children of your father which is in heaven; for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good.”

His prayer on the cross was definitely an intercession for the elect. Even though He had prayed for the world there, it would not have been a prayer for their salvation. That is impossible. If it was true that He prayed for the salvation of persons that never finally obtained it, He would have, in that case, prayed for those for whom He had never paid the price, and the Father had never accepted the satisfaction and intercessions He had made for them.

It is impossible for either one of these conditions to exist. Hold firm, then, to this fact that Christ prayed only for those whose guilt He had assumed and for whom He had satisfied God’s justice.

ALWAYS WRONG

Part I

In our whole life, on our side it will always be: “Impotent to any good and inclined to all evil”. “Through God we will do valiantly”, and “I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me”. “More then conquerors through Christ”,etc. But then everything is wrong from our side. Never any diploma’s. We do try to crown ourselves, but God will cause that to fail; if we belong to those people whom God has loved from eternity. The Lord watches very close over His people from every side, and that is God’s great goodness, (even though we cannot always see that), so that they shall come to an end with all their own ways and intentions.

Then the practice of our life will be; “The crown is fallen from our heads: woe unto us, that we have sinned”. All the crowns that we braid for ourselves will wither, and God will set them on fire, before they come upon our heads. God spares no flesh. I do not think that there is one way from which the true people of God can venture inviolate.

As a youth I heard an experienced child of God who at the end of his prayer always asked: Lord that Thy name may be glorified, and that we may become ashamed and embarrassed. Then I thought “how peculiar that man prays.” Years later in that same congregation I heard an elder pray: “Lord make atonement for my speaking and for my silence”. Huntington would say: These are evidences that the police are near. Those are all people, who became experienced by practice, people who had knowledge of themselves, knowledge of God and knowledge of Christ. People who had learned to know themselves in their abominable and God-dishonoring existence, by virtue of their deep fall in Adam.

It is something for our proud self-exalting flesh, to always be beaten down and oppressed. God will give His grace and glory to His people. But our flesh, and the deeds of our flesh, will never be taken under God’s protection. We must be brought down, and all the Absalom’s that we have must be pierced through with three darts. God only has His own honor in view, and that honor He will receive. Christ has never sought, nor intended anything but the honor of His Father. And all those people, who have become partakers of that divine nature, stand in relation with the honor of God. “Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy name give glory, for Thy mercy, and for Thy truth sake”, Ps. 115:1. For there remains no honor for us in that respect, but upon Christ shall His crown flourish. Through all the cutting off, trials, and disappointments, those people are willing to submit to that. That is to say, the Lord leads His people through such ways by His eternal wisdom. By oppression they are exercised and by suffering they are sanctified, because God uses all those ways in His eternal love, to bring His people on that place, where they will take a delight in weakness, necessities, in persecution, crosses and oppression. And that alone by that beloved spirit, who is known as, “Indispensible” for all those poor and miserable people, but who put their trust in the name of the Lord. By those where it may be true within, because God has promised them, “and I direct their work in truth”. There are moments when that super-natural grace is given them, that they rejoice in God, because that He comes against them and breaks them off, of all that seeking-self and self-intentions. Those who have no knowledge of this, and are wrapped up and satisfied with themselves, for them this is an unintelligible language. For only those who have a little knowledge of that being broken off, set outside, and humiliating life, will embrace it as the language of their heart, and as the life of their soul.

Some time ago we had a gathering of various friends, and there was yet a little opening given to speak of the ways of God. It was deep into the night when the minister in whose house we were gathered asked me to close before every one would go to their homes. At the end I asked the Lord, whether He would give us rest in the night, so that we might be refreshed by a refreshing sleep. However, all at once there came in my heart; it would have been better that you had asked, that we could not sleep, but that we might be brought to a true and sacred unrest concerning the state and condition of our souls for eternity. I felt a little of those words: “All the earth sitteth still”, and not only that, but for a moment it was as though that former life came back again, “The days of old”.

But of course our bodies also have their needs. In His wisdom and goodness the Lord has ordered it so, that the day is given to work in, and the night to rest in. We even read of the Lord Jesus, who once took on our human nature, that He was asleep in the hinder part of the ship; being weary. We also read in Ps. 127: “For so He giveth His Beloved sleep”. Sometimes it can be a wonder to us, that our bodies may yet get a little rest, and that we may awaken in the mourning strengthened and refreshed. Strengthened to again be able to perform our duties. It becomes a wonder, because that so often in the night we are as a playball of the devil, so that we become distressed because of all his attacks so that the sweat breaks out on every side. Oh how we can be plagued because of the deep corruption of our heart, so that we fear that we shall yet sink away for ever. But there is also this; that we have to acknowledge, that it is a blessing, when it may be, as with the poet in Ps. 3:2.

I laid me down and slept;
I waked, for I was kept
In His divine protection;

But let us remember, that it is also a blessing, when it happens that we cannot sleep. Just think back to the time when the Lord first began with us, and we experienced:

In the day of trouble
I sought the Lord
My sore ran in the night,
And ceased not.

(to be continued)

BUT ONE THING NEEDFUL

“And Jesus answered and siad unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things. But one thing is needful; and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken from her. “

Luke 10:41, 42

In these words we read of a Gracious Rebuke, the One thing Needful, and the Blessing granted upon that Choice.

These words were spoken by Jesus, who, upon an invitation of Martha, came under her roof as He entered the village of Bethany. It was an invitation of love, to one Martha loved so dearly, and it was a proof of the regenerating work of Christ within her heart, that this invitation was given. She did not invite Him because of the bread that perisheth, but because He was the living bread, and spake the words of life. It was her delight to serve her Master, who while He was here upon the earth was so poor that He was necessitated to be beholden of His friends for subsistence. It was Jesus, the Messiah, the Son of the living God, the Mediator between God and man, who entered this home with His disciples. Martha immediately prepared for the meal, while her sister Mary sat at Jesus feet, to hear the gracious words coming from His lips. This was the place where Martha likewise would like to sit, but her serving Jesus, instead of being served by Him was uppermost in her mind. She pitied herself, and became impatient, causing her in an importune manner to say: “Lord, dost Thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her that she help me.” Whereupon Jesus answered, and said unto her: “Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken from her.” It was the voice of her beloved, it was a penetrating voice into Martha’s heart. She had anticipated an approval for what she was doing for Christ, and His disciples, and now she is being reproved for her excessive cares. It was a rebuke of love: “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten.” Rev. 12:19. Yea, it was a double rebuke: “Martha, Martha.” How these words must have penetrated into her heart: “thou art careful and troubled about many things.” With her heart she was in the field of duties, which is often found in the heart of young converts, having committed themselves unto the Lord. It was not her serving which was rebuked, but her many earthly cares. She must understand that His coming under her roof was to serve her. “For whether is greater he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? But I am among you as he that serveth.” Luke 22:27.

The earthly cares and troubles often deprive God’s people of the union with Christ. It is Christ who must have all our attention. The great teacher of our salvation. The: “One Thing Needful.” The: “I AM THAT I AM.” Who can express the excellency of His person, the Mediator of the covenant of reconciliation. He, and He only is the: “ONE THING NEEDFUL.” “Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? Hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.” Is. 55:2 Christ is more than meat. “I am the bread of life.” Isa. 6:48. Therefore sit at His feet. Christ speaks with authority, yea even His enemies confessed: “Never man spake like this man.” John 7:46. He only is the full revelation of God the Father. “All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.” John 11:27. He was anointed to preach the gospel to the poor: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent me to heal the broken hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives.” Luke 4:18. This Paul confirms: “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord.” Eph. 4:1, Marvelous, such a Saviour.

And to all Martha’s who are burdened with wordly cares; “Casting all your care upon Him for He careth for you.” I Pet. 5:7. In our deep fall we have sold ourselves to the things of time, and it becomes manifest even in the hearts of the dearest children of God, that they are cumbered with the cares of this world, which keep them from the fruition and communion with Christ. This is particularly prevalent in our days: “We see not our signs; there is no more any prophet; neither is there among us any that knoweth how long.” Ps. 74:9. Living in days of spiritual proverty: “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord.” Amos 8:11. Should not such admonitions arouse us to Holy jealousy to that “One Thing Needful?” which is Christ, to sit at His feet, the portion which was Mary’s? She was endowed with a greater devotional spirit, therefore had she chosen that good part, which would not be taken from her. See her sitting at the feet of Christ, absorbing every word which dropped from His holy lips: “Grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.” Ps. 45:2. The effect of her deep spiritual love for Christ, was also clearly manifested as she brought forth the alabaster box of ointment at the final feast in Bethany: “Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.” John 12:3. It was in the anticipation of His suffering and death, that Christ who loved her so dearly, was willing to give Himself for her. It was a manifestation of her love for His love: “We love Him, because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19. It was the last thing she could do, wherein Christ beheld His efficacious love accomplished in the heart of a sinner: “How fair is thy love, my sister, my spouse! how much better is thy love than wine! and the smell of thine ointments than all spices.” Song. Sol. 4:10. Her actions were reproved by the traitor Judas, but she received Christ’s commendation. Christ had the pre-eminence in her heart: “My beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand.” Song. Sol. 5:10. For her, “Christ was her All, and in All.” This good part that Mary had chosen, was her portion while upon earth, unto everlasting life.

Dear reader, you have read a short narrative of the: “ONE THING NEEDFUL”, or of the two sisters, Martha and Mary. Wouldn’t it be a blessing if Jesus was welcomed in our hearts and homes. If so, by which of the sisters would we be counted? Let us not be harsh to the life of Martha, Jesus was not; He rebuked her in love to win her deeper love. What is my life, and what is yours? By nature we all live under the broken law of the covenant of works. The demand thereof is: “Do this and thou shalt live.” By nature man’s life is for self exaltation, for praise and reward. This religion is deeply rooted within our hearts. It even lives in the heart of the Barbarians. Go where you will, and we find the religious world filled with it. It is very prevalent of late in the so called: “Jesus Movement”. We are warned in God’s word: “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” Matt. 24:24. We are admonished against the false conception of our self righteousness: “Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.” Jer. 13:23. May we beg the Lord for discovering grace: “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Ps. 139:23, 24. There is then also an encouragement to receive that portion which was Mary’s, if our life is like unto her life, at Jesus feet. Prayerfully reading the word of God, attending unto His ordinances, faithfully subscribing ourself to the pure preaching of His word, where Christ is exalted, and man is abased, living a life secluded from all the allurements of the world.

And may the troubled Martha’s being reconciled with their Redeemer and Lord, together with the Mary’s extol the praise of their beloved:

I love the Lord, the fount of life and grace,
He hears my voice, my cry and supplication,
Inclines His ear, gives strength and consolation;
In life, in death, my heart will seek His face.

C.F. Boerkoel, Sr.

THE NEED OF A NEW REFORMATION

In our day we have great decay and departure in the professing Church. A leading Philadelphia journal, The Inquirer,made a survey of American churches and draws the conclusion that “organised religion is in a severe state of decline in America”. There are evidences of a similar decline on this side of the ocean. And there are signs not only of departure in doctrine and decline in numbers, but also of a terrible fall in moral standards. Dr. Nelson Bell, referring to support given in church-sponsored magazines for the permissive society, says: “The current attempts within the Church to lower standards of morality can only be described as Satanic” (Christianity Today).And in a volume issued by a number of prominent churchmen in this country in 1962 there was approval of the breaking of the 7th commandment in certain circumstances!

With such trends as these in our day, it is well to look back and see how God intervened in somewhat similar circumstances early in the 16rh century. The darkness then was very great. There was corruption of doctrine and of morals on a vast scale. Cardinal Baronius, the Roman Catholic historian, bears witness to the moral corruption and gives a terrible picture of the gross evils prevailing in the highest quarters of the Church.

Great was the change wrought by the Reformation. Dr. Philip Schaff says: “The Reformation of the 16th century is, next to the introduction of Christianity, the greatest event in history.” With justice we may say, at any rate, that it was the greatest event between the formation of the New Testament Church and our time. In fact there is a strong resemblance between the 1st century and the 16th. In both, says Dr. Schaff, “we hear the creative voice of the Almighty calling light out of darkness”. Luther indeed made this claim when he said: “If you read all the annals of the past, you will find no century like this since the birth of Christ.”

I. The Leaders of the Reformation

Many of these leaders had been priests of the Church of Rome and were converted to God. Luther was brought to the light as he lectured to his students at Wittenberg on the Psalms and Romans. He wrote to Geroge Spenlein, an Augustinian friar, on April 8th, 1516: “I should like to know whether your voice, tired of its own righteousness, is learning … to trust in the righteousness of Christ … You will learn from Him that just as He has received you, so He has made your sins His own and has made His righteousness yours.” He had found peace and become a witness to others.

Calvin tells of his conversion in the Preface to his Commentary on the Psalms: “Since I was too obstinately devoted to the superstitions of Popery to be easily extricated from so deep an abyss of mire, God by a sudden conversion subdued and brought my mind to a teachable frame.”

God endowed these men with gifts — He had prepared them from their mothers’ womb — so that they were able teachers and preachers of His Word. Calvin especially was a fine theologian and also an ardent evangelist, as well as a capable leader of men. They were men of courage too, willing to hazard their lives again and again for the Lord Jesus.

Luther’s devotion to his Saviour is seen in his Letters, many of which have the word JESUS in large letters at the top — even when he was writing to dignitaries of the Roman Church — for did he not owe all to Him? And after Calvin’s death, Theodore Beza paid him this tribute: “He gave us in life a model of devotion and now in death a singular example of Christian fortitude.”

II. The Doctrines of the Reformation (i) The Scriptures as the very Word of God

There is no doubt whatever that Calvin, for example, held to the verbal inspiration of the Scriptures. They have come to us from the very mouth of God, he said. The Reformers, one and all, taught with authority for they were the spokesmen of God as the expositors of His Word. (ii) The Sovereignty of God

The God of the Reformers was infinitely exalted — “sitting on a throne, high and lifted up”. “It is the vision of God in His Majesty,” says Dr. B. B. Warfield, “which lies at the foundation of the entirety of their thinking.” To use the words of Stephen Charnock, they held that “to be God and Sovereign are inseparable. (iii) Justification by faith alone

Peter’s whole proclamation at the close of his address in the house of Cornelius was taken up with this theme — “through His name everyone that believeth on Him shall receive remission of sins”. And so was Paul’s at Antioch of Pisidia: “by Him everyone that believeth is justified from all things”. This is the doctrine, said Luther, which is the article of a standing or falling church and can never be overthrown. (iv) The Priesthood of all believers

Dr. Charles Hodge stated that the power claimed by Roman priests “reduces the people to a state of almost absolute subjection”, and he added, “No greater benefit was rendered the world by the Reformation than the breaking of this iron yoke.”

The Reformers taught the people that whether a believer was in office in the Church or not, he was a priest unto God and had direct access to God through Christ.

It was such doctrines as these, proclaimed in the Spirit’s power, which moved and shook the world in the 16th century. God can use them once again.

III. The People of the Reformation

In the 16th century it was as in the early Church — there were men such as Paul raised up by God to be mighty instruments in His hand, but we read also of meetings of believers in houses (Acts 2:46; 12:12). In the Epistles of Paul the phrase “the church in thy house” occurs four times.

In the 16th century there were, as Dr. Stanford Reid points out, individuals and unorganized groups “scattered in homes, monasteries and even universities … delving into the Scriptures” even before Luther nailed his Theses to the door of the Castle Church at Wittenberg (Christianity Today).In the preceding centuries there were the Lollards in Britain, the Hussites in Bohemia, the Waldenses in the South of France and the Brethren of the Common Life in Holland. The influence of some such movements was still alive at the time of Luther’s protest, and so the hands of many were stretched out eagerly for the early tracts and pamphlets of Luther which had an amazing circulation. So prayers were answered, minds enlightened, and hearts cheered.

Therefore, while we look to God for leaders such as Luther and Calvin and Whitefield today, we must not fail to note that God has wrought in the past at “the grass-roots level”. Dr. Stanford Reid says: “Small groups meeting to study, pray and have fellowship throughout history usually formed the basis of the Church’s renewal.”

In 1859 God began to work in prayer-meetings in Connor, Co. Antrim. The whole district was covered with a network of prayer-meetings and great blessing followed. So God uses the weak things and the things that are despised, that no flesh should glory. Lord, teach usto pray.

THE PURITANS

John Owen(1616–1683)

This was the Century which opened with the gift of God to this nation of the Authorised Version of the Bible, and came to its close after twenty years of Civil War (1640–1660), fought for political and religious freedom, with the Glorious Revolution of 1688, which witnessed the establishment of the Protestant Monarchs, William and Mary, upon the English throne. Throughout this period, God favoured this nation with very many godly divines who wrote excellent commentaries and treatises on the Scriptures. Never before or since, has our nation witnessed such an abundance of good books coming from her printing presses. Succeeding generations have republished large numbers of these works, and, in our own day, once again, the books of these godly men are being re-printed in paper-back form and other editions by the Banner of Truth. Perhaps the most eminent amongst these divines was John Owen D.D., whose complete works have recently been re-published by the Banner of Truth. He was born at Stadham in Oxfordshire in 1616. His father was the vicar of the parish, the same parish in which J. C. Philpot was to become vicar just over two centuries later. John Owen was a brilliant boy, who gained entrance to Queen’s College, Oxford, at the age of twelve, and completed his Master of Arts Degree in 1635 at the age of nineteen. He was a keen student, and almost ruined his health by only allowing himself four hours’ sleep a night for several years. His principal object in life was to raise himself to some distinguished career in the Church or the State. Later in life, he was willing to confess that at this time he had no desire to know the will of God for his life. He stayed at Queen’s College until he was twenty-one. In these years, momentous events were taking place in the nation. William Laud had become Archbishop of Canterbury in August, 1633. He was a High Churchman, and with the permission of King Charles I, he began to force his High Church views on the nation, the enforcement being done with judicial persecution, which, together with other factors, brought about the situation which sparked off the Civil War which began on the 22nd August, 1642. In the years from 1635 onwards, John Owen had begun to receive impressions of God upon his soul. We know nothing about how this happened, or exactly when. What is clear is that, when Archbishop Laud, through the Chancellor of Oxford University, began to impose High Church Rites upon the University under pain of expulsion, John Owen had by then received such light that his conscience would not allow him to submit to these impositions. When this became obvious, many of his friends left him, branded him as a Puritan (a man who desired a purer and simpler form of worship without ritual), and he was forced to leave Queen’s College. This happened about 1637. Together with the anxiety of having to give up his University career, he was also brought into great concern about his soul. For three months he avoided all conversation, and was in great darkness of mind. Although the extremity of this lessened, it was nearly five years before he felt to obtain any settled peace in his soul. It was a time of trial and temptation to him, which no doubt, later on, he was able to look back on as those years in the wilderness in which the Lord was preparing him for the work of the ministry.

When the Wars broke out in England, he joined the Parliamentary side. Before the commencement of the War, he had been Chaplain to a Royalist. When this man joined the Royalist Army, John Owen left his service and went to London, and took lodgings there in Charterhouse Yard. While staying here, he went one Sunday to Aldermanbury Church, hoping to hear Mr. Calamy preach. This eminent minister was unable to be present, whereupon many of the congregation went elsewhere. Owen, however, stayed in his seat, until a country minister came to take the service. He prayed very fervently, and took for his text, “Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?” (Matthew 8:26). The very reading of the word surprised John Owen, who secretly put up a prayer to God that He would be pleased to speak to his condition, and the Lord was pleased to hear his prayer for in that sermon the minister was directed to answer those very objections which Owen had commonly formed against himself; and though he had previously given the same answers to himself without any effect, yet now the time had come when God designed to speak peace to his soul; and this sermon was blessed for the removing of all his doubts, and laid the foundation of that solid peace and good hope, which he afterwards enjoyed.” (E. Middleton). It is remarkable that John Owen was never able to find out who this minister was, though he made many enquiries. While staying at Charterhouse Yard, he wrote a book called, “A Display of Arminianism”. This was published in 1642 at a time when the error of free-will was spreading itself in the nation, it being the doctrine of the High Church party led by Laud. It brought Owen to the notice of the Committee, which at the time was purging the Church of England of unsuitable ministers, and as a result, he was offered the living of Fordham in Essex, where he stayed for about a year and a half. His ministry was made a blessing to many in the neighbourhood who came to hear him from other parishes, and through the hand of the Lord, he married, and had several children. In 1644, he published a book entitled “ The Duty of Pastors and People.”

About the same time, he gave up the living at Fordham, and became vicar at Coggeshall, a market town about five miles away, where he had a large congregation, frequently as many as two thousand. Gradually he became well-known in the nation. On April 29th, 1646, he was called to preach before Parliament. He preached from Acts 16 verse 11, and pleaded with the members to grant liberty of conscience in the nation, and show moderation towards men of different religious beliefs. In 1643 he had published his well-known book entitled “The Death of Death in the Death of Christ,” (re-printed by the Banner of Truth). He says in the preface that this book was the result of more than seven years’ serious enquiry into the mind of God about these things. About this time Colchester was besieged by the Parliamentary Army, and the General, Lord Fairfax, became acquainted with Owen. He also met Oliver Cromwell, who heard him preach, and enjoyed his ministry. In 1649, when Cromwell went to Ireland to put down the rebellion there, he asked Owen to accompany him, but he refused, saying he must stay to look after his Church at Coggeshall. Cromwell then commanded him to go, whereupon Owen, after consulting several brother ministers, who advised him to comply, went out to Dublin, where he stayed about six months, and then returned to England to Coggeshall.

He had not been home long when he was called to preach in Whitehall. In September, 1650, Cromwell asked him to accompany him on his expedition to Scotland. Again he refused, but Cromwell procured a Parliamentary order, and he had to go. He stayed in Edinburgh about six months, and then returned to his people at Coggeshall again. He hoped now to spend the rest of his days amongst his people, but by the express wish of Parliament, in 1651, he was appointed Dean of Christchurch College, Oxford, and then in 1652 was chosen to be Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University, a position he held for about five years. Also in the year 1652, he was granted the Degree of Doctor of Divinity. His influence as Vice-Chancellor over the University was considerable. He allowed Presbyterians, Independents and Anglicans to worship in their own way, kept good discipline and order in the University, and was very moderate in his exercise of power. He preached every Sunday at St. Mary’s, and often at Stadham, and other places in the country. He also wrote a number of books in this period, including “The Saints Perseverance” (1654), and “The Mystery of the Gospel Vindicated” (1655).

He gave up his position as Vice-Chancellor in 1657, and his position as Dean of Christchurch in 1659. The times were now serious for him, as Cromwell had died in 1658, and in 1660 Charles II was to return to the throne. He retired to Stadham, his birthplace, where he possessed some property, and lived quietly there for a while until the persecution increased, and he was forced to move from place to place, until at last he came to London to settle. Even in this period, he published some tracts. In 1665, in the face of constant persecution, he made plans to go to America, where the New England Colonists had invited him to come out to preach to them, but in the providence of God, he was diverted from this, and stayed to witness the awful judgment of God on the nation in the Great Plague and the Great Fire of 1665 and 1666. After these solemn events, he preached to large congregations of people who had been awakened to eternal issues through them, and the persecutions tended to lessen for some time.

In 1668, he published his well-known exposition of Psalm 130. In the same year also, he published the first volume of his exposition on “The Epistle to the Hebrews”, and three other volumes followed, the last coming out in 1684. Perseuction increased again in the 1670’s. In 1678, Owen published his work on “The Holy Spirit.” In the previous year, he had published a book on “The Doctrine of Justification by Faith through the Imputation of the Righteousness of Christ.” Towards the end of his life, on one occasion he was called into the presence of the King, who told him how conscious he was of the injustice which had been done to Non-Conformists during his reign, and gave him a thousand guineas to distribute among those who had suffered in the persecutions. Owen must have wondered what was in the King’s mind in this strange behaviour, but did as he was asked, and distributed the money.

In the last few years of his life he was often ill, and frequently could not preach, but he continued to write. In 1679, he published “A Declaration of the Glorious Mystery of the Person of Christ, God and Man.” As his health grew weaker, he was forced to retire into the country. He lived at Kensington for some time, and then went to Ealing, where he had a house of his own, and where he died at the age of sixty-seven on the 24th August, 1683. On the day of his death, his last great work “On the Glory of Christ” went to the press. When told by a friend that it was being printed, he replied, “O brother, the long looked for day has come at last, in which I shall see that glory in another manner than I have ever done yet, or was capable of doing in this world.” He was buried in Bunhill Fields just off Moorgate in the Dissenters’ Burying Ground, and lies there along with other of his great contemporaries such as Thomas Goodwin and John Bunyan, about whom we hope to write later.

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