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Psalms 37:37, “Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.”
Such a man was John Brown of Haddington. He died this day (19th June) 1787. He was ordained to the Gospel ministry in Haddington, Scotland, when he was 29 years of age. Haddington was a very poor community but he lived there until the day he died. Even though opportunities for larger congregations arose, including an opening in New York, he remained, faithfully instructing his flock with earnestness for 36 years. An able preacher, it was said that the philosopher David Hume heard him preaching once in North Berwick. He said that Brown preached "as if he were conscious that Christ was at his elbow." He is the famous author of the Self-Interpreting Bible and many other useful and edifying volumes. When “the end of that man” came, it was a lingering deathbed of several weeks. His soul was in perfect peace and he glorified God by many Christ exalting and edifying sayings. Many of these sayings were carefully recorded by family. On his death bed, he was asked how he was; he answered, “I lie here in the everlasting arms of a gracious God.” “Are you not afraid, to appear at the tribunal of God?” He replied, “Were I looking to give the account in my own person, considering my sins, indeed I might be terrified; but then I view Christ the judge as my advocate, and I know that I do not owe more debt than He has paid.” “Christ hath been a kind master to me. Many a visit He hath given to me already, and I expect to be with Him in heaven by and by.” On on occasion he was asked the strange question, “does it not strike you with fear, when you think of being confined in a grave?” To this he replied, “No; such is my esteem of Christ, that I think I am easy, though they should bury me in a dunghill, if my soul were but with Him.” “There is none so glorious as Christ! He is altogether lovely. If you could put all the gold and silver into one heap, the glory of Christ would far exceed all. I say this, having, I think, seen Jesus; but as yet, I have only seen Him through a glass darkly. After this I hope to see Him face to face.” The last day, 19th June, he spoke frequently throughout the commencement of it, but he was difficult to understand. However, his final words were clear and distinct; “MY CHRIST!” “Christ is the best master I ever served” (John Brown 1722-1787). James 1:6, “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.”
To “ask in faith” is, among other things, to ask in accordance with the Word of God. To ask in faith is to request nothing that is contrary to the commands, or promises or revealed ways of the Lord. Queen Mary of Scotland when she travelled into west Scotland on state business had Mass in various towns and stately homes contrary to the laws of the realm. John Knox of course was kept informed of news of her journey west. After meals Knox was in the habit of giving thanksgiving and prayer. During the queens journey he began to add to this thanksgiving the petition, "Deliver us, O Lord, from the bondage of idolatry; preserve and keep us from the tyranny of strangers; continue quietness and concord among us, if it be thy good pleasure, for a season." Those of his company were struck why he should request peace only for a season. Knox answered, he could not pray but in faith and in accordance with the Word of God. He went on to say that God's Word taught that quietness could not continue in that country, where idolatry, after it was suppressed, was suffered to be erected again. Knox knew that sin and quietness in a realm could not long coexist. Romans 15:13, “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” Selina Shirley Hastings, Countess of Huntingdon died this day (17th June) 1791. Though of noble birth she came to faith in Christ and used her wealth and influence for the Evangelical Revival that Britain witnessed under George Whitefield and others. Since her childhood she had lived a morally clean and religious life, avoiding the usual sinful pleasures of her noble society. Unfortunately her trust for heaven was in her personal righteousness. Having heard the Gospel under George Whitefield her soul was disturbed. She took seriously ill and from her sick bed she lifted up her heart to God for pardon and mercy through the blood of his Son Jesus Christ. She found “all joy and peace in believing.” To Charles Wesley she wrote: “How solid is the peace and how divine the joy that springs from an assurance that we are united to the Saviour by a living faith. Blessed be his name I have an abiding sense of his presence with me, notwithstanding the weakness and unworthiness I feel.” She was rich in faith and rich in good works. She was known as "Lady Bountiful" for her philanthropic support of the Evangelical cause. She provided funds for the establishment of over sixty chapels, missionary work in America, and Trevecca Theological College. “I am deeply sensible that daily, hourly, and momentarily I stand in need of the sprinkling of my Saviour’s blood. Thanks be to God, the fountain is always open; O what an anchor is this to my soul!” (The Countess of Huntingdon). Acts 10:33, “Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.”
We have all been missing the public meetings for worship. The congregating together in one place has been impossible. Cornelius refers to the meeting as “all here present before God.” The purpose of the meeting is to hear God’s Word, “to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.” While the meeting is prevented us we are thankful for the modern means of still being able to hear the Word. Whether we hear sermons at home or church we still have to take heed how we hear. Cornelius had the right attitude about the business of hearing God’s Word. Even in lockdown we still must endeavour to hear sermon aright. Bishop Ryle lays down three rules for hearing aright. I leave them with you for today. Rule 1. We must hear with FAITH, believing implicitly that every word of God is true, and shall stand. The word in old time did not profit the Jews, "not being mixed with faith in those who heard it." (Heb. 4:2.) Rule 2. We must hear with REVERENCE, remembering constantly that the Bible is the book of God. This was the habit of the Thessalonians. They received Paul's message, "not as the word of men, but the word of God." (1 Thess. 2:13.) Rule 3. We must hear with PRAYER, praying for God's blessing before the sermon is preached, praying for God's blessing again when the sermon is over. Here lies the grand defect of the hearing of many. They ask no blessing, and so they have none. The sermon passes through their minds like water through a leaky vessel, and leaves nothing behind. I think if we follow these rules of Ryle when we come to listen to a sermon then we shall profit the more in our souls. Psalms 10:17, “LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear.”
You will notice that it is the desire that is heard and not just the words. The words of prayer should express the desire and if they do not then the words are not heard. As Thomas Watson said, “God heareth not words, but desires.” Prayer should above all else be sincere. David could say, “give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips” (Psalm 17:1). “The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth” (Psalm 145:18). Shorter Catechism 98, What is prayer? Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God, for things agreeable to his will, in the name of Christ, with confession of our sins, and thankful acknowledgment of his mercies. Notice, it is an offering of our desires. Psalm 37:4, “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” Psalm 145:19, “He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.” Proverbs 10:24, “The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.” “Desires are the soul and life of prayer; words are but the body; now as the body without the soul is dead, so are prayers unless they are animated with our desires” (Thomas Watson) Our greatest desire should be for more and more of Christ and His grace. “Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee” (Psalm 73:23). Good morning brethren and sisters, for this Lord’s Day messages have been uploaded for morning and evening. One on 1 Peter 4:1 “Armed With the Mind of Christ” and one on Matthew 9:10, “The Lord Sitting at The Table in Matthew’s House.” Also a sermon for the boys and girls on “The Study of the Bible” by W. S. Plumer.
A new church website has been launched as well. We thanks Mr John Kemps and especially his son Philip who have been responsible for its creation. A recent meeting of session which at long last we were able to have, give their approval to this venture. It can be found at www.gilfordfreepresbyterianchurch.org As elders we continue to pray for you all and give God thanks that He has kept you these 12 weeks. The session appreciate your prayers and they thank you along with the committee for your unfailing support which has through God’s goodness maintained the witness. We believe that soon we shall be able to meet in public again and will be in touch when this is so. Psalm 68:19, “Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation.” “However many blessings we expect from God, His infinite liberality will always exceed all our wishes and our thoughts.” (John Calvin) 2 Kings 2:14, “And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over.” James Gilmour (1843-1891), Scottish missionary to Mongolia was born today (12th June) at Cathkin near Glasgow. He laboured among nomadic Mongols on the plains of Mongolia in the summers and wintered with them in Peking. It was 14 years before he saw his first convert. He was only 47 when he died. He saw few conversions in his lifetime‚ but many were converted by his influence after his death. He was lovingly referred to by the Mongolians as "Our Gilmour." Though he suffered loneliness and immense trials he never ceased to encourage himself in the Lord. “Do not we rest in our day too much on the arm of flesh? Cannot the same wonders be done now as of old? Do not the eyes of the Lord still run to and fro throughout the whole earth to show Himself strong on behalf of those who put their trust in Him? Oh, that God would give me more practical faith in Him! Where is now the Lord God of Elijah? He is waiting for Elijah to call on Him.” (James Gilmour). |
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