The Puritan Reader

Confessionally Reformed Reviews

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Don’t Grow Up to be a Crooked Vine: James W. Alexander’s My Brother’s Keeper and the Art of Building a Human Being

February 1, 2025 /

Most of us have spent at least one afternoon watching someone we care about—a younger brother, a son, or a student—make choices that feel like they are “skipping stones” across the surface of life. We see them drifting from one distraction to the next, usually driven by what their friends think or a general lack of a plan. As a pastor who spends my days walking people through the wisdom of the Westminster Catechism, I know that “man’s chief end” isn’t just a Sunday School answer; it is a life-altering orientation. We often wonder: how do we actually help a young person move from being a “silly sheep” to a person of substance? In his classic collection of letters, My Brother’s Keeper, the 19th-century pastor James W. Alexander provides a blueprint for doing exactly that.

Alexander writes with the heart of an older brother and the mind of a shepherd. He treats the development of a young man not as a series of lectures, but as a project of building a character that can stand the storms of life. Here are the most impactful takeaways from this timeless guide to growing up.

Reading the Bible Like You Actually Want to See the Whole House

Alexander starts with a very practical question: how should a person actually read the Bible? He uses a brilliant analogy of a person roaming through a beautiful estate. You could wander aimlessly, seeing the fishpond ten times but missing the garden entirely because you had no plan. Or, you could use a map and see every bridge and curiosity. Alexander argues that many people know bits and pieces of the Bible but remain ignorant of its most useful parts because they lack a “regular order.”

This hits home because it challenges our modern tendency toward “snackable” devotions. We tend to pick a verse here or there that makes us feel good, but Alexander pushes for a systematic survey. He suggests that by following a plan, we eventually learn the “whole Bible.” This isn’t about being a scholar; it’s about making sure the “Greatest Treasure” is actually stored in the memory where no thief can rob you of it.

“Suppose you were roaming through a beautiful estate… You might spend years in reading the Scriptures; and at the end of them, you would have learned many whole chapters or even books of the Bible; yet there might be some very useful parts which you would know nothing about. Why? Because you did not read in regular order.”

Why Your Vacation Needs a Strategy

One of the more surprising sections of the book deals with how we spend our free time. Alexander isn’t a killjoy; he actually believes recreation is absolutely necessary for the mind. However, he draws a sharp line between “lounging” and “recreating.” He contrasts two boys: Gustavus, who spent his holidays yawning and hanging on gates because he had no plan, and Matthew, who spent his vacations building forts, working with tools, or walking in the woods with his father.

As a pastor, I see this “Gustavus” spirit everywhere today—a sort of digital sauntering that leaves the soul more exhausted than when it started. Alexander argues that we are accountable for our relaxation. True recreation should fit us for study or work, not leave us “worn out” by idleness. By having a method even in play, a young person learns to govern their own time rather than being a slave to boredom.

Character is a Wall You Are Building Right Now

Alexander provides a sobering look at how habits are formed. He describes a group of masons building a stone house, carefully using a plummet and a rule. They have to be precise now, because once the wall is built, it is too late to fix a foundation that isn’t straight. He argues that every single habit a young person forms is a “stone” in their character.

This is a vital reflection for both parents and the youth themselves. We often think we can live “Lazy Sam” lives now and then suddenly become diligent when we turn twenty-one. Alexander warns that while grace can work radical changes, it is far better to lay the foundation right from the start. Youth is the “seed-time,” and if the twig is allowed to grow crooked, the full-grown bough will stay that way.

“Every habit you form is one stone laid in your character. At this early age you may correct bad habits—but it will be all but impossible when you shall have become a man… it is better to lay the foundation right at the beginning, than to tear down the whole walls to put right what is found to be wrong.”

The Secret Power of Not Caring What People Think

Perhaps the most “manly” advice in the book is Alexander’s take on independence. He observes that half the bad actions boys commit arise from a sort of “cowardice” or a fear of being laughed at. He tells the story of Lucius, a boy who was so afraid of ridicule that he would choose a whipping over a sneer. Lucius was so self-conscious that he would walk through a puddle just to hide the shine on a new pair of boots so people wouldn’t look at him.

Alexander calls this “false shame” a base sort of cowardice. He pushes for a “virtuous independence” where a person does what is right simply because it is right, regardless of the scoffs of the world. This is incredibly relevant in our age of social media approval. Alexander reminds the reader that being governed by the laughter of “silly boys” is actually a form of impiety—it is preferring the praise of man over the praise of God.

“Make it a rule for life to do what you know to be right, no matter what others think or say. Do your duty, and leave the consequences to God… No one will ever become great, who is afraid of being laughed at.”

Why You Should Read This Book

James W. Alexander’s My Brother’s Keeper is a necessary read because it treats the “dangers of youth” with a seriousness that is rarely found today. It doesn’t offer “life hacks”; it offers a vision for a life of “manly firmness” and “pious reflection.” It is a book for the brother who wants to be his brother’s keeper, and for the young man who wants to ensure he doesn’t grow up to be a “disgusting, ignorant, and discontented fool.”

Better Than a Weighted Blanket: How James W. Alexander’s Consolation Proves that Doctrine is the Ultimate Stress Relief

January 15, 2025 /

We have all been there. You are sitting in the dark at 2:00 AM, your mind spinning like a hamster wheel over a medical report, a bank balance, or a fractured relationship. In those moments, well-meaning friends often offer thin “pep talks” or tell us to just “have faith.” While their hearts are in the right place, these hollow words often feel like trying to stop a flood with a paper towel. We find ourselves curiously wondering if there is a deeper, more solid foundation for our peace than just positive thinking.

In his masterful work, Consolation, the 19th-century pastor James W. Alexander argues that the only way to actually soothe a ruffled spirit is to go back to the “great everlasting truths” of the Bible. As a pastor who subscribes to the Westminster Standards, I find Alexander’s approach to be a bracing tonic for our anxious age. He reminds us that comfort is not a vague feeling; it is the logical result of understanding who God is. Here are the most impactful takeaways from this treasury of pastoral wisdom.

True Comfort Requires Heavy-Duty Doctrine

One of the most surprising arguments Alexander makes is that we cannot be cheered up by mere “exhortations.” He notes that telling a discouraged person to “be of good cheer” without giving them a doctrinal reason to do so is essentially useless. Real, evangelical comfort must be “bottomed” on the attributes of God—His sovereignty, His goodness, and His covenant promises.

If our “consolation” doesn’t have the weight of truth behind it, it will blow away in the first stiff breeze of trial. Alexander suggests that the more we understand the “dry” parts of theology—like the nature of God’s decree or the specifics of the Covenant of Grace—the more “cordials of grace” we actually have in our pantry for the day of trouble.

“If the exhortation contains no solid matter of doctrinal truth, it will avail little for the end proposed. We do not reach the case of the disheartened by commanding or imploring him to be of good cheer—but by setting before his mind those great everlasting truths, the acceptance of which lays the basis for joy and peace.”

God is the Ultimate “Micro-Manager” (And That is Good News)

Alexander tackles the relatable fear that God is too busy running the stars to care about our car repairs or our children’s fevers. He flatly rejects the idea of a “general providence” that ignores the “particulars.” To Alexander, the idea that God governs the universe but misses the details is as absurd as saying someone can manage a whole forest without looking at a single tree.

He argues that for the believer, every single step is ordered. This includes the petty annoyances of our common days, such as a cloud passing over the spirits or a domestic cross. Even more surprisingly, he insists that even the wicked acts of others are overruled as “God’s sword” for our eventual good. This perspective transforms our perspective from being victims of “blind chance” to being children in a well-managed house.

“We make too much of our distinctions of greater and smaller, when we carry them into eternity: such quantities reach not Jehovah. It costs him no more thought, no more labor, no more exertion, to maintain an atom in its sunbeam, than to whirl systems of suns and planets and satellites along the shining galaxy.”

The Difference Between Real Rest and Lazy “Quietism”

In an age of “mindfulness” and “unplugging,” Alexander offers a fascinating correction to our view of rest. He distinguishes between the peace of Christ and a dangerous counterfeit he calls “Quietism.” Some people think the highest spiritual state is to stop thinking entirely and just be “absorbed” in an idea. Alexander argues this is more like the “imbecility of age” than the glory of heaven.

Real spiritual rest is an active sport. It is founded on the knowledge of God and a “tranquillized conscience.” It is a state where the thoughts are busy seeking after God and enjoying Him. This means you don’t have to quit your job or move to a monastery to find peace; you can find it in the “profoundest depths of the soul’s silence” even while your hands are busy with active service.

“The rest of a soul in God, though infinitely removed from the agitations of the world, and its conflicting and distressing reasonings, is, nevertheless, a state in which the thoughts are active—seeking after God, apprehending him, appropriating and enjoying him.”

Assurance is Not a “Mystery Box”

Many Christians treat the “assurance” of their salvation like a winning lottery ticket they hope to stumble upon one day. Alexander provides a much more practical and encouraging view. He explains that while saving faith is looking at Christ, the “assurance of hope” is the result of looking at what Christ has actually changed in us.

He argues that God makes us more assured by making us more holy. As our “piety of the heart” increases, our doubts naturally disperse like morning fog. This is a vital point for the laity: if you want more peace about your standing with God, you don’t need a special revelation or a voice from heaven; you need to cultivate “elevated piety” and look for the “fruit of the Spirit” as evidence of His work.

“Increase of grace brings increase of security; and thus the danger of licentious presumption is avoided. … The work of the Holy Spirit, therefore, in awakening, and multiplying, and deepening Christian exercises, tends directly to create just so many evidences of the new nature, and to give assurance of God’s love.”

The Holy Spirit is a “Purchased” Gift

Finally, Alexander traces all comfort back to its source: the Holy Spirit as the “Paraclete.” He makes a point that is often missed in modern devotionals: the Holy Spirit is a “purchased gift.” We don’t get the Comforter because we are good or because we “vibe” correctly; we get Him because Jesus Christ bought His presence for us with His own blood.

This means that when you feel alone or like an “orphan” in the universe, you can appeal to God for comfort as a matter of covenant right. The Spirit supplies the place of a personally present Jesus. He is not a “visitor” who comes and goes, but a “perpetual inhabitant” of the believer. Knowing that your comfort was bought at Gethsemane and the Cross gives it an unshakeable weight.

“The gift of the Comforter is a purchased gift. It was purchased by our Lord’s mediatorial obedience unto death. … The communication of the Holy Spirit is but a carrying forward of the work which Christ began on earth. It is Christ himself working by the Spirit in the hearts of his people.”

Why You Should Read This Book

James W. Alexander’s Consolation is a necessary read for anyone who is tired of superficial Christianity. This is not a book of clichés; it is a masterclass in how to apply the “solid rock” of Reformed theology to the “shifting sands” of human emotion. You should seek out this book because it will teach you how to “cease from man” and find a refuge in the attributes of a God who is as mighty as He is merciful.

In a world where everything feels precarious, Alexander leads the reader out of the “labyrinth of self-examination” and into the sunlight of God’s settled purpose. Reading this book will help you realize that you aren’t an orphan in a chaos-driven universe, but a “legatee” of a massive inheritance that is being protected by almighty power.

Don’t Blame Augustine: John Gill’s The Cause of God and Truth and the Ancient Roots of Free Grace

January 1, 2025 /

Have you ever been told that the “doctrines of grace”—those heavy truths about election and God’s total control over salvation—were just a late invention? Critics often claim that the early church knew nothing of these ideas until St. Augustine came along and ruined the party in the fifth century. This leaves many believers feeling like they are standing on shaky historical ground, wondering if their reformed faith is a historical novelty rather than the “faith once delivered to the saints.” John Gill, the legendary eighteenth-century Baptist scholar, took this challenge personally. In his massive work, The Cause of God and Truth, Gill doesn’t just argue for these doctrines; he goes on a historical and biblical rescue mission to show that sovereign grace has been the heartbeat of the church from the very beginning.

Writing from the perspective of a pastor who holds the Westminster Standards close to my heart, I found Gill’s work to be an essential fortress for the soul. He provides a systematic defense that is as much about the integrity of God’s character as it is about the security of the believer. Here are the most surprising and impactful takeaways from this treasury of truth.

The Early Church Fathers Wore “Calvinist” Glasses Too

One of the most surprising sections of Gill’s work is his deep dive into the writings of the church fathers who lived long before Augustine. He examines the words of early leaders like Clement of Rome and Ignatius to show that they frequently used the language of election and special grace. Gill argues that while these early writers were more focused on fighting off paganism than defining the mechanics of the will, they still clearly spoke of a specific, elect number of people chosen by God.

This is a vital point for the laity to grasp. It means that when we talk about being chosen in Christ before the world began, we aren’t following a “new” theology. Gill shows that even the earliest Christians understood that their calling was not a result of their own wisdom or piety, but was grounded in the prior will and preparation of God.

“All therefore are glorified and magnified, not by themselves or their own works of righteous actions, which they have wrought out, but by his will.”

God Commands as a Sovereign, Not as an Equal

Gill provides a brilliant solution to a common puzzle: if man is unable to repent or believe on his own, why does God command everyone to do so? He makes a sharp distinction between God’s “will of command” and His “will of purpose.” The “will of command” shows us what is our duty and what is pleasing to God. It sets the standard of righteousness. However, the “will of purpose” is what God actually intends to bring to pass.

This reflection is important because it protects the authority of the Lawgiver. Just because we have lost our power to obey through the fall doesn’t mean God has lost His right to command. Gill argues that these commands serve to show us our weakness and leave us without excuse, while the Spirit uses them as a means to draw the elect to Christ.

Foreknowledge is the Result of a Plan, Not a Prediction

A frequent argument against election is that God simply “foresees” who will believe and then chooses them based on that information. Gill turns this on its head. He argues that God’s foreknowledge is not a “guess” or a “conjecture” based on watching human choices from a distance. Instead, God knows what will happen because He has decreed what will happen.

This analysis shifts our focus from human “potential” to divine “purpose.” If God’s knowledge depended on our choices, His mind would be dependent on the creature, which is an impossibility for the Almighty. By grounding foreknowledge in the decree, Gill ensures that the “Cause of God” remains sovereign and that our salvation is settled by an unchangeable will.

“He willed things, and then knew what he willed… God’s decrees are not to be conceived of without his knowledge, nor his knowledge without his decrees.”

The New Birth is a Resurrection, Not a Negotiation

Gill is uncompromising when it comes to the act of conversion. He insists that in the first act of the new birth, the human soul is purely passive. He compares it to the resurrection of a dead body or the creation of the world. Just as a corpse does not “cooperate” with the power that raises it, a sinner “dead in trespasses and sins” does not contribute to the initial spark of spiritual life.

This is a powerful takeaway for anyone struggling with their own spiritual “performance.” It reminds us that our new life is a miracle of almighty power. While we are certainly active in the life of faith that follows—loving God and serving others—the initial “new creation” is a work that belongs entirely to the Holy Spirit.

“This new creation is not an improvement, or a mending of the old principles of nature, but an infusion of new ones, and so is properly styled a creation.”

Why You Should Read This Book

John Gill’s The Cause of God and Truth is a necessary read for anyone who wants to see the broad, historical, and biblical foundation of the reformed faith. It is a masterclass in how to handle difficult Scripture passages without dodging the hard questions. If you have ever felt “bullied” by arguments that suggest your theology is mean-spirited or unhistorical, Gill provides the intellectual and spiritual armor you need to stand firm.

Reading this book will help you see that the “Cause” we represent is not a narrow sectarian opinion, but the very truth of God’s own glory. It will lead you out of the fog of human uncertainty and place your feet on the solid rock of God’s eternal, sovereign purpose.

Getting Your Heart and Your Hymnal in Sync: A Review of John Gill’s Of the Worship of God

December 16, 2024 /

Many people today walk into a church service feeling like they are just checking a box. They sing the songs, listen to the sermon, and drop a few dollars in the plate, yet they leave feeling strangely empty. There is a common frustration that religious life has become a series of “bodily exercises” that do not seem to reach the soul. This leaves many wondering if there is something more to worship than just showing up. In his deep and detailed work, Of the Worship of God, the eighteenth-century theologian John Gill argues that true religion is not just a Sunday activity but a “practical” reality that starts deep within the heart.

As a pastor who looks to the Westminster standards for guidance, one finds Gill’s perspective both refreshing and challenging. He reminds us that while the outward forms of worship are necessary, they are entirely useless if the internal fire of grace is not burning. Here are the most impactful takeaways from this massive study on what it truly means to worship.

Worship is a Matter of the “Hidden Part”

Gill begins by making a sharp distinction between internal and external worship. He argues that internal worship is of the greatest importance because God is a Spirit and must be worshipped in spirit and in truth. To Gill, “godliness” is not just a word for being a “good person.” Instead, it is an assemblage of graces like faith, hope, love, and humility, all working together in the soul.

This is a vital point for the modern reader who might be tempted to prioritize the “show” of a church service over the state of their own heart. Gill notes that even the most beautiful singing or the most eloquent prayer is “vain” if the heart is far removed from God. He insists that without a gracious disposition of the mind, a person is technically “ungodly,” even if they are sitting in a pew every week.

“If the heart is not engaged in worship bodily exercise is of little advantage, that being only the form without the power of godliness; yea vain is such worship where the heart is far removed from God.”

Hearing the Word is an Active Sport, Not a Nap

One of the more surprising sections of the book deals with the “public hearing of the word.” Gill does not view the congregation as a passive audience watching a performance. Instead, he describes hearing as a spiritual duty that requires intense preparation and engagement. He warns that the “wicked one” is always present at a sermon, ready to “catch away” the word from a distracted mind.

Gill categorizes hearers into different types, such as “forgetful” ones who are like leaking vessels that let the truth slip through. This reflection is a necessary wake-up call for anyone who has ever found their mind wandering during a sermon. He argues that a person must hear with an “appetite” and must “mix the word with faith” for it to yield any nourishment.

The “Honey Without Wax” Standard for Sincerity

In a chapter on godly sincerity, Gill explains the word “sincere” in a way that provides a powerful visual for the soul. He notes that the term comes from a word meaning “without wax,” like pure honey that hasn’t been diluted or faked. Sincerity in worship means that a person’s principles and practices can bear being held up to the light of the sun to see if there are any defects.

This takeaway is impactful because it moves beyond mere “honesty” and into the realm of integrity before God. Gill argues that a sincere person doesn’t do things to be seen by men but seeks to be approved by God. This perspective helps the reader evaluate their motives: are they serving the Lord for the “praise of men” or out of a “single-hearted” desire for his glory?

“The Latin word sincerus… signifies without wax; as pure honey, which is not mixed with any wax. …such who are truly gracious and sincere, their principles and practices will bear the test of light.”

Spiritual-Mindedness is a Life and Death Issue

Gill takes the idea of “spiritual-mindedness” and moves it out of the clouds and into daily life. He argues that being spiritually-minded is not just a personality trait for the “extra-holy,” but is a literal evidence of life. He contrasts the “carnal mind,” which is bent on the things of the flesh, with the “spiritual mind,” which has its affections set on things above.

This reflection is important because it offers a diagnostic tool for the believer. A spiritually-minded person has “spiritual senses” of seeing, hearing, and even “tasting” that the Lord is gracious. Gill notes that the consequence of this mindset is not just a better mood, but “life and peace.” It serves as a reminder that what a person chooses to “mind” throughout the day actually reveals whose kingdom they belong to.

Why You Should Read This Book

John Gill’s Of the Worship of God is a necessary read for anyone who wants to move beyond a superficial, “checked-box” approach to faith. It is a masterclass in how the internal life of grace should naturally overflow into every public and private duty. For the pastor, it provides a robust framework for leading a congregation. For the layperson, it offers a map for the soul that covers everything from private prayer to how to treat a neighbor or a master.

Reading this book will help the reader realize that “practical religion” is not a burden to be carried, but a “continual feast” to be enjoyed. It pulls the reader out of the “fog” of formal religion and into the sunlight of a life lived in the presence of a holy God.

The Rod That Refuses to Bend: George Gillespie’s Aaron’s Rod Blossoming and the Divine Case for Church Independence

November 15, 2024 /

The modern world is often confused about where the government’s power ends and the church’s begins. Many people today assume that if a person commits a public wrong, it is strictly a matter for the police or the courts. There is a relatable curiosity about whether a church actually has the right to manage its own house, or if it is merely a social club that should leave all “real” discipline to the state. In his massive and definitive work, Aaron’s Rod Blossoming, the seventeenth-century Scottish pastor George Gillespie steps into this tension. He argues that the church is not a department of the government, but a spiritual kingdom with its own laws, its own courts, and its own unique authority given directly by Jesus Christ.

Writing as a key player in the Westminster Assembly, Gillespie defends the idea that the “rod” of church authority is a divine gift that must be kept distinct from the “sword” of the civil state. This book is a masterclass in understanding that the church’s independence is not about grabbing power, but about protecting the honour of Christ.

The King of Saints vs. The King of Nations

Gillespie establishes a vital distinction between the two ways Jesus Christ rules the world. As the eternal Son of God, Christ is the King of nations, ruling over every person and every government on earth. In this role, civil magistrates act as his deputies to maintain peace and justice. However, as the Mediator, Christ is specifically the King of the church, which Gillespie calls a visible, political, ministerial body.

This means that the church does not hold its authority from the state. The power of the church is spiritual and focuses on the soul, while the power of the state is civil and focuses on the body and property. Gillespie argues that if the government tries to take over church discipline, it is effectively trying to snatch the crown off Christ’s head.

“This truth, that Jesus Christ is a king, and hath a kingdom and government in his church distinct from the kingdoms of this world, and from the civil government, hath this commendation and character above all other truths, that Christ himself suffered to the death for it, and sealed it with his blood.”

The Keys are Not the Sword

One of the most impactful takeaways from the book is the clear boundary Gillespie draws between the tools given to the church and those given to the state. He labels the church’s authority as the Power of the Keys and the state’s authority as the Power of the Sword. The magistrate uses a sword to punish crimes with physical force, fines, or imprisonment. The church officers, however, use keys to open or shut the door of church fellowship based on the spiritual state of a person’s heart and life.

Gillespie reflects that while both powers are from God and should help each other, they should never be mixed. A pastor cannot throw someone in jail, and a judge cannot excommunicate someone from the Lord’s Table. This separation is essential for the church to remain a place of spiritual healing rather than a place of legal coercion.

The Myth of the Single Jewish Government

Gillespie spends a significant portion of his work dismantling the argument that ancient Israel had only one government. His opponents argued that since Israel was a “theocracy,” the church and state were the same thing, meaning modern governments should also run the church. Gillespie proves that even in the Old Testament, the Jews had a distinct ecclesiastical court, or Sanhedrim, that handled matters of the Lord, while a separate civil court handled the king’s matters.

He shows that legal uncleanness in the Bible often resulted in being excluded from the temple but not from the city. This proves that there were “church” penalties that were entirely separate from “state” penalties. By reclaiming this history, Gillespie shows that the distinction between church and state isn’t a new invention, but an ancient biblical pattern.

Excommunication as Spiritual Medicine

To the modern ear, “excommunication” sounds harsh and judgmental. Gillespie, however, describes church discipline as a medicinal act. He argues that when a church “notes” a person for their scandalous behavior or keeps them back from the sacrament, the goal is not to destroy them, but to humble them and lead them to repentance.

He explains that by putting a “black mark” on a scandalous person, the church protects the holiness of God’s ordinances and warns other members not to be infected by bad examples. Most importantly, it serves to make the offender ashamed so that their soul might be saved. Gillespie emphasizes that this is an act of love, comparing a church without discipline to a shepherd who has no rod to guide the sheep or protect them from wolves.

“The afflicting of the sinner with shame and sorrow, may, and shall, by the blessing of God, be a means to the destruction of the flesh… that he may be the better wrought upon by the word.”

Why You Should Read This Book

George Gillespie’s Aaron’s Rod Blossoming is a necessary read for any Christian who feels that the church is becoming a mere echo of the state or a toothless social organization. In a time when the boundaries of religious liberty are constantly being tested, Gillespie provides the biblical “blueprint” for a church that is both humble and bold.

Readers should seek out this work to gain a deeper appreciation for the unique authority of the local session and the beauty of a well-ordered church. It transforms church membership from a casual affiliation into a meaningful relationship where the honor of Christ and the spiritual health of the brother are the highest priorities. This book is the ultimate defense for why the church must be free to be the church.

Final Thoughts

As the reader reflects on these seventeenth-century arguments, a powerful question remains to be pondered. If the church is a distinct kingdom under the direct rule of Christ, are we treating its government and its holiness with the reverence that a King’s house deserves, or have we let the “sword” of the world replace the “keys” of the kingdom?

No Secret Decoder Ring Required: William Goode’s The Divine Rule of Faith and Practice and the End of Traditionalist Tug-of-War

November 1, 2024 /

Have you ever felt like you needed a PhD in ancient history just to be sure about what you believe? It is a relatable frustration. We are often told by various experts that the Bible is too deep, too obscure, or too “incomplete” to be understood on its own. They suggest we need a second rule—a “Traditional” guide—to unlock the secret meaning of the text. In his massive and brilliant work, The Divine Rule of Faith and Practice, the 19th-century rector William Goode steps into this confusion to remind us that God didn’t give us a puzzle; He gave us a Revelation.

As a pastor who stands firmly on the Westminster Confession, I find Goode’s defense of the Bible’s sufficiency to be the ultimate breath of fresh air. He doesn’t just argue for the Bible; he systematically dismantles the idea that “Catholic Consent” or “Tradition” can ever sit in the judge’s chair alongside God’s Word. Here are the most impactful takeaways from this masterclass in Christian certainty.

Tradition is a Broken Compass, Not a Second Map

One of Goode’s most surprising points is his deep dive into the famous rule of “always, everywhere, and by all.” We are often told that we must believe what “everyone” in the early Church believed. Goode points out the obvious problem: almost no one can agree on what that actually was. He argues that trying to find a perfectly consistent “Oral Tradition” outside of the Bible is like going on a wild-goose chase.

Goode demonstrates that even the earliest Church Fathers disagreed with each other on significant points, from the timing of Easter to the nature of the soul. If the “experts” of the third century couldn’t agree on oral traditions, why should we expect to find a perfect, unwritten rule of faith today? He makes it clear that while the writings of the Fathers are useful for history and advice, they lack the divine “seal” required to bind a person’s conscience.

“There is no one place of Scripture explained the same way by all the Fathers. For there are many places which none of them have touched, and none which all have interpreted.”

The “Apostles’ Creed” is a Biblical Map, Not a Separate Route

We often hear that the Apostles’ Creed is a separate, authoritative “deposit” of truth that the Apostles handed down orally before the New Testament was finished. Goode provides a fascinating historical correction: the Creed was actually compiled from the Scriptures. It was created as an elementary summary to help the unlearned and the busy, not as a supplement to fill in gaps that the Bible supposedly left behind.

He proves that early writers like Irenæus and Tertullian used different versions of these summaries, showing there was no single, word-for-word formula left by the Apostles. The Creed is a wonderful tool because it reflects the Bible, but it has no authority of its own. It is the moon to the Bible’s sun; it only shines because it reflects the light of the written Word.

“The articles of the faith were not, as it seems, composed by men, but the most suitable passages having been collected together out of the whole Scripture, furnish one exposition of the faith.”

If the Bible is Obscure, Tradition is a Mirror Maze

Traditionalists often argue that the Bible is too “latent” or “covert” to teach us the fundamentals of the faith, like the Trinity, without Tradition to act as a “key.” Goode turns this logic on its head. He asks a biting question: If we can’t understand the clear and inspired words of the Apostles, how on earth are we supposed to understand the thousands of pages of uninspired, contradictory, and often corrupted writings of the Fathers?

He argues that God promised to guide the humble seeker through the Scriptures. To suggest that the Bible is a dark book that needs “Tradition” to be made light is to libel the Holy Spirit. If a person chooses to twist the Bible into error, they will just as easily twist Tradition to do the same.

“To require such definite and clear notices of truth, is to hanker after the Jewish law, a system of less mysterious information, as well as less generous faith.”

God’s Word is the High Court of the Soul

The most impactful takeaway is Goode’s insistence that every individual is personally responsible to God for what they believe. We cannot outsource our faith to a “Church” or a “Succession.” While pastors are necessary for order and instruction, they are not lords over our conscience. Goode shows that our Lord and His Apostles always pointed people back to the written Word—the “law and the testimony”—as the final bar of appeal.

Even when the “Church” of Jesus’ day (the rulers and priests) was against Him, the right path was found by individuals searching the Scriptures for themselves. Goode reminds us that we are to be “Biblists”—a name once used as a slur by Romanists, but one he wears as a badge of honor.

“The Scripture enjoys all these properties in so eminent a manner, that no reasonable doubt can be made of the truth of it… it contains all things necessary to salvation, and are the only rule of faith.”

Conclusion

William Goode’s The Divine Rule of Faith and Practice is a massive anchor for anyone feeling tossed about by the winds of modern “expert” opinion or ancient traditionalism. It teaches us that we don’t have to be “bad logicians” or “closet Socinians” just because we rely on our Bibles. On the contrary, it shows that the most logical and safe place to stand is on the rock of the written Word.

You should read this book because it will cure you of the fear that your faith is based on a “balance of probabilities.” It will lead you out of the “fog” of human tradition and back into the sunlight of God’s settled purpose.

Final Thought to Ponder: If you were standing before the judgment seat of Christ today, would you rather defend your faith by saying, “I believed what the Fathers told me,” or “I believed what You wrote”?

Keys, Courts, and Common Sense: George Gillespie’s The Government of the Church of Scotland and the Blueprint for Spiritual Law and Order

October 15, 2024 /

Every Christian has likely faced the uncomfortable tension of a church disagreement. Sometimes it feels like the pastor is a solo pilot making every decision, and other times it feels like the congregation is a chaotic town hall meeting where the loudest voice wins. This creates a relatable curiosity about how the house of God is actually supposed to be managed. Is it a dictatorship, a direct democracy, or something else entirely? In the classic work, The Government of the Church of Scotland, George Gillespie provides a meticulous map for navigating these waters. Writing from the heat of the seventeenth-century Reformation, Gillespie argues that the church is not a place for arbitrary human rules but a spiritual republic governed by clear, biblical laws.

Rejecting the “Lay” Label as a Distant Memory

One of the most impactful arguments Gillespie presents is a challenge to the way people categorize church members. Many today use the term “lay elder” to describe those who are not vocational pastors. Gillespie flatly rejects this terminology, labeling the sharp divide between “clergy” and “laity” as a product of popery and antichristian doctrine. He points out that this distinction historically led to the holy people of God being despised as if they were unclean compared to their ministers.

By returning to biblical language, Gillespie identifies these officers simply as ruling elders. He argues that the title of “clergy”—meaning the Lord’s inheritance—actually belongs to the entire church, not just those in the pulpit. This perspective is vital because it restores dignity to the ruling office, showing that these men are not merely “helpers” to the pastor but are spiritual officers appointed by God with a distinct and necessary calling.

“The name clergy, when exclusively applied to ministers, is filled with pride and vanity. It has led to the holy people of God being despised, as if they were profane or unclean in comparison to their ministers.”

The Church as a Specialized Representative Body

Gillespie clarifies a common confusion regarding who exactly holds the power in a local congregation. He addresses the idea of “popular government,” where every single member has an equal vote on every jurisdictional matter. He argues that this leads to monstrous confusion because the majority of a congregation may not be trained to examine complex doctrine or expose subtle heresies. Instead, Gillespie posits that while the power of the church belongs to the whole body in principle, the exercise of that power belongs to the eldership that represents it.

This is a profound insight for the modern reader. It suggests that the church functions much like a republic. Just as a state might act through a senate, the church hears and acts through its elders, who are the “eyes” of the body. This structure protects the congregation from the instability of a mob while ensuring that the government remains rooted in the people they represent.

“Just as we say the body sees when it is actually the eyes that see, so too the church hears when those who govern it—the eyes of the church—hear a matter.”

The Vital Distinction Between Personal Order and Collective Jurisdiction

Another surprising takeaway is Gillespie’s breakdown of “Order” versus “Jurisdiction.” He explains that there are things a minister does by virtue of his own ordination, such as preaching, administering sacraments, and visiting the sick. This is the Power of Order. However, there are other actions that no man—not even a pastor—can perform alone. Matters like excommunication, ordaining new officers, or making ecclesiastical laws require a “consessus” or a gathering of many.

This is the Power of Jurisdiction. Gillespie maintains that this authority belongs to many gathered together in the name of Christ. This check and balance system is essential because it prevents the tyranny of a single prelate. It ensures that the most weighty spiritual decisions are made through collective wisdom and official agreement rather than the whim of a single leader.

“We boldly maintain that no part of ecclesiastical jurisdiction belongs to one man alone, but rather to many gathered together in the name of Christ.”

The Logic of Nested Courts and Geometrical Proportion

Gillespie provides a compelling defense for why local churches should be connected to larger assemblies, such as presbyteries and synods. He uses the concept of “geometrical proportion” to explain that if one man is subject to his local eldership, then it follows by the same logic that a local eldership should be subject to a provincial or national assembly. This is not about creating a heavy-handed hierarchy but about ensuring there is a remedy for grievances.

If a local eldership errs or becomes divided, a higher court is necessary to provide an impartial judgment. Gillespie argues that without this subordination of courts, controversies would be impossible to resolve, and an apostate congregation would have no one to reclaim it. This system of nested courts ensures that the unity of the whole national church is preserved through a shared staff of discipline and law.

“A common cause ought to be concluded by common voices. … As the proportion of three to nine, so is the proportion of nine to twenty-seven, of twenty-seven to eighty-one, and so on.”

Conclusion

Gillespie’s The Government of the Church of Scotland is far more than a technical manual; it is a defense of Christian liberty through the medium of biblical order. By grounding the government of the church in the representative office of the elder and the collective wisdom of assemblies, he offers a vision of a church that is both stable and accountable. The reader should seek out this book to understand that church order is not a matter of human preference, but a divine gift designed to protect the flock from both the chaos of the crowd and the pride of the individual.

More Than a Get-Out-of-Hell-Free Card: Unpacking the Comprehensive Riches of John Gill’s The Blessings of Grace

October 1, 2024 /

Many people view their relationship with God through the lens of a courtroom where the best they can hope for is a dismissed charge. There is a common anxiety that faith is a fragile thing, balanced precariously on how well a person performs from day to day. In his expansive work, The Blessings of Grace, the eighteenth-century theologian John Gill argues that the Christian life is not a series of lucky breaks or narrow escapes, but a massive, organized treasury of legal and spiritual certainties. By looking at the specific ways God interacts with his people, Gill provides a map for the soul that moves from the depths of eternal election to the heights of future glory.

Redemption is a Calculated Purchase, Not an Aimless Offer

Gill begins by clarifying that redemption is not a vague hope for humanity but a specific legal transaction. He defines the term as a buying again, noting that it involves a ransom price that is adequate and full. This perspective shifts the focus away from human decision and places it squarely on the value of Christ’s blood. Redemption is described as the delivery of a captive from thraldom by paying a price that satisfies justice.

This takeaway is impactful because it highlights the intentionality of God’s plan. Gill argues that Christ did not die to make men salvable, but to actually save them. He compares this to the ransom of the ancient Israelites, where a specific price was paid for a numbered people. This suggests that every person for whom the price was paid is legally clear and cannot be held in bondage any longer.

“The redeemed are said to be bought unto God by the blood of Christ; and to be bought from the earth; and to be bought from among men; and to be bought with a price; that is, with the price of Christ’s blood.”

Satisfaction is a Two-Sided Legal Requirement

One of the most surprising insights in the book is Gill’s detailed breakdown of what he calls Christ’s active and passive obedience. He argues that if Christ had only suffered the penalty for sin, the law would still be unsatisfied in its demand for perfect obedience. He identifies Christ as a surety or a cautioner—someone who steps into the legal place of another to fulfill every single requirement of the contract.

Gill explains that Christ’s passive obedience (his suffering and death) pays the debt of punishment, while his active obedience (his perfect life) pays the debt of service. Without both, a person might be forgiven but would still lack the positive righteousness required to enter heaven. This distinction is vital for those who feel their own “good works” are never enough, as it points to a finished and double-sided perfection provided by another.

“By his sufferings and death he satisfied the threatenings, the sanction of the law, but not the precepts of it thereby; and by his active obedience he satisfied the preceptive part of the law, but not the penal part; but by both he satisfied the whole of the law, and made it honourable.”

Justification Offers a Positive Status, Not Just a Clean Slate

Gill makes a sharp distinction between being pardoned and being justified. While many use these words as synonyms, Gill argues they are different blessings of grace. Pardon is the removal of a charge, much like a king might forgive a criminal. However, a pardoned criminal is not necessarily welcomed at the king’s table or made an heir to the throne. Justification, on the other hand, is a forensic act where God pronounces a person righteous, as if they had never sinned at all.

This analysis is vital because it addresses the “empty house” feeling many believers experience. It is not enough to have sin removed; the soul needs a positive standing. Gill emphasizes that justification entitles a person to everlasting life, whereas pardon simply frees them from the obligation to punishment. The believer does not just stand before God as “not guilty,” but as “perfectly righteous.”

“It is one thing for a man to be arraigned at the bar as a criminal, and be tried, cast, and condemned, and after that be pardoned; and another thing for a man to be tried by law, and to be found and declared righteous by it, as though he had not transgressed it.”

Adoption is the Legal Right While Regeneration is the Family Resemblance

Another powerful takeaway from this work is the difference between adoption and regeneration. Gill notes that while these two experiences happen to the same people, they serve different purposes. Adoption is a legal act that gives a person the name of a son and a title to an inheritance. Regeneration is an internal work of the Spirit that gives a person the nature of a son and the fitness to enjoy that inheritance.

This reflection provides great comfort because it separates a person’s legal standing from their internal feelings. A child may feel unworthy or behave poorly, but their legal status as an heir is a matter of the Father’s sovereign will, not the child’s current state of growth. Adoption is the right to the estate; regeneration is the preparation for it.

“Adoption gives the name of sons, and a title to the inheritance; and regeneration gives the nature of sons, and a meetness for the inheritance.”

Perseverance is a Matter of Divine Integrity

The final and perhaps most comforting theme in the book is the final perseverance of the saints. Gill argues that if a single truly converted person were to perish, it would be a reflection on the perfections of God. He ties the security of the believer to God’s immutability, wisdom, power, and justice. If God has justified a person based on Christ’s satisfaction, it would be unjust for God to punish that same person again in hell.

Gill presents grace as an incorruptible seed that cannot die. He suggests that the believer’s safety is anchored in a three-fold cord of the Father’s choice, the Son’s redemption, and the Spirit’s sanctification. This moves the burden of “staying saved” away from the believer’s shaky hands and places it in the hands of Christ, from which no one can pluck them.

“If therefore he will not cast off his people for ever, nor utterly forsake them, then they shall persevere to the end, and be saved, and not everlastingly perish.”

A Legacy Worth Claiming

In The Blessings of Grace, John Gill provides an exhaustive look at the internal and external mechanisms of God’s kindness. This book is a necessary read for anyone who wants to move beyond a superficial understanding of faith and explore the deep, legal, and structural reasons why a believer is safe in Christ. It transforms the Christian life from a nervous tightrope walk into a confident stroll through a well-ordered family estate.

The Night Shift of the Soul: Philip Goodwin’s The Mystery of Dreams and the Secrets of Your Sleeping Mind

September 15, 2024 /

Most people spend a third of their lives with their eyes closed, drifting through a world of strange images and half-remembered stories. While modern science often dismisses these experiences as random brain activity, there remains a deep curiosity about what happens to the human spirit during the hours of darkness. Goodwin addresses this relatable curiosity by suggesting that dreams are not mere accidents of sleep but closed secrets that often require the Spirit of God to reveal. In his book, The Mystery of Dreams, Goodwin invites readers to consider that the mind is never truly idle and that the night shift of the soul carries significant moral and spiritual weight.

The Lamp That Burns in an Earthen Pitcher

Goodwin establishes a fascinating distinction between the physical body and the rational soul. He compares the human person to a soldier carrying a lamp inside a pitcher. While the body may be sleeping, the soul—endowed with reason—is like a candle that does not go out by night. This suggests that dreaming is a uniquely human action. While animals might experience low-level motions in their sleep, it is the rational nature of man that allows for the methodical and often intelligent transactions found in dreams.

This perspective challenges the idea that sleep is a total shutdown of the person. Instead, it is described as a clear index of life. Even though sleep can be seen as an image of death, the activity of the soul during dreams proves that the life of the mind continues. The soul remains at liberty even when the body is bound by sleep, free to act and transact business in the secret workshops of the memory and the imagination.

“To compound the person of every Man, like Gideons Soldier, he hath his Body as his Earthen Pitcher, and his Soul as his Lamp therein. His Body may be sleeping, when yet his Soul as his Lamp is burning.”

The Three Sources of the Midnight Stream

A primary takeaway from this work is the classification of dreams into three distinct categories: natural, diabolical, and divine. Natural dreams are seen as the products of a person’s own head and heart, often reflecting their daily concerns or physical health. However, Goodwin warns that the mind is also a battlefield for outside influences. Supernatural dreams can be sent into the mind by external principles, leading to either good workings from God or evil workings from the devil.

This analysis reminds the reader that they are never in a truly neutral state. If a dream is not moving toward God, it may be providing a door for the enemy. The book highlights how the devil uses the night season to suggest false ideas or to deceive through doors of deceit. Because the outward senses are bound during sleep, the soul is often more vulnerable to these subtle suggestions, making the source of one’s dreams a matter of spiritual importance.

The Moral Responsibility of the Sleeping Mind

One of the more surprising arguments in the book is that dreams are not always morally neutral. Goodwin asserts that a person can be defiled by their thoughts even while their body is at rest. These defiling dreams do not just affect the body; they settle upon the soul as well. Goodwin argues that since the mind and body are closely connected, the poisonous quality of a sinful dream can stain the entire person, leaving behind black blots or dirty steps from the devil’s feet.

This leads to the reflection that a person’s character is often revealed by what the mind gravitates toward in the dark. If a person nourishes vanities and idle thoughts during the day, they are essentially furnishing the workshop for the devil to work in at night. The book suggests that the presence of divers vanities in a multitude of dreams is a malady that can only be cured by a deep and constant fear of God that persists even into the night watches.

“As whatever is sin defiles, so whatever defiles is sin. …evil thoughts whether in men awake or asleep are sins, as is proved by their defiling property.”

The Secret School of Divine Warning

Finally, the book provides comfort by illustrating how God uses dreams as a means of instruction and preservation. Using the example of the Wise Men being warned in a dream to avoid Herod, Goodwin shows that God can communicate his will to protect his people. These profitable dreams are described as divine answers to the secret desires of the heart. They can serve to withdraw a person from a sinful purpose or to hide pride from their eyes.

This takeaway is impactful because it highlights the mercy of God’s patience. Even when a person is unaware and vulnerable, God may be awake and working for their good. These divine visits can enlighten dark places in the understanding and offer a type of secret communion that is not always available during the noisy hours of the day. For the believer, a dream can become a gate of heaven where the soul meets its Savior.

“God speaketh once, yea twice—In a Dream and Vision of the Night—Then he opens the ears of men, and Seals their Instruction… That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.”

Goodwin’s work serves as a powerful reminder that the spiritual life does not pause when the lights go out. By examining the nature, causes, and consequences of dreams, he provides a roadmap for the believer to pursue holiness at all hours. This book is an essential read for anyone who wants to take the command to keep the heart with all diligence seriously. It offers a unique lens through which to view one’s own internal world and provides practical tools for defending the soul against vanity and deception.

As the reader reflects on the secrets of their own night shift, they are left with a final, thought-provoking question: If the soul never truly sleeps, whose work is it doing while the body is in bed?

Signed, Sealed, Delivered: Patrick Gillespie’s The Ark of the Covenant Opened and the Eternal Bedrock of Your Peace

September 1, 2024 /

Have you ever had one of those days where your standing with God feels as shaky as a house of cards in a windstorm? For many of us, the spiritual life feels like an endless performance review. We wake up wondering if our “contract” with the Almighty is still valid or if a single bad day might trigger a cancellation clause. We treat grace like a fragile glass vase rather than the unshakeable rock it is intended to be.

In his classic work, The Ark of the Covenant Opened, 17th-century pastor Patrick Gillespie invites us to look behind the curtain of time into what theologians call the “Covenant of Redemption.” This isn’t just dry theory; it is the bedrock of our peace. Gillespie argues that our salvation isn’t a reaction to our choices, but the result of an eternal, iron-clad agreement between God the Father and God the Son.

As a pastor who holds to the Westminster Standards, I find Gillespie’s deep dive into this eternal arrangement to be exactly what our anxious age requires. Here are the most impactful takeaways from this massive treasury of truth.

The Foundation is Built on Christ’s Performance, Not Yours

Gillespie points out that the “Covenant of Grace” we enjoy today is like a beautiful skyscraper sitting on a foundation deep underground. He explains that this agreement “springs out of the Covenant made with Christ” before the world began. In this eternal pact, the Father and Son “plotted, consulted, and concluded” the business of our rescue long before we were even born.

This perspective shifts the focus from our fluctuating feelings to the steady, eternal will of God. Your security is settled because it rests on God’s deal with His Son, not on your ability to keep a promise.

“As the Covenant of Grace hath its rise from God only, and from Grace; so ’tis founded and bottomed upon nothing in us, but upon God’s Covenant with Christ.”

Jesus is a “Cautioner” Who Settles the Debt in Full

Gillespie uses a legal term that is incredibly powerful for a guilty conscience: the Surety, or “Cautioner.” Think of it as a co-signer on a loan you could never possibly repay. He explains that Jesus did not merely offer to help us pay our debt of sin; He legally stepped into our shoes in the courtroom of God. By becoming our Surety, Christ took on our “Law-place,” meaning your debt became His entire responsibility.

In divine justice, the Law cannot demand payment from both the Surety and the original debtor. Once Christ paid the price on the cross, the believer was legally cleared. Our debt isn’t just ignored; it is settled in full by a party who is “mighty to save.”

A Commissioned Ambassador, Not a Rogue Volunteer

One of Gillespie’s most insightful points is that Jesus did not “intrude” into the office of Savior on a whim. He was “called,” “designed,” and “sealed” for this specific task by the Father. Gillespie argues that this official commission gives the work of Jesus an unshakeable weight. Jesus is the “Messenger of the Covenant,” a high-level Ambassador sent with an official report from the Court of Heaven.

This matters because it proves the Father is just as invested in our rescue as the Son is. When we hear the Gospel, we aren’t hearing a sales pitch; we are receiving a formal report from a Messenger who was “fore-ordained before the foundation of the world.”

Even the Angels are Getting a Boost

In a surprising twist, Gillespie suggests that even the “good” Angels who never sinned benefit from Christ’s work. While they don’t need “redemption” from sin, they find their stability and “confirmation” in Christ.

This reminds us that Jesus is the center of the entire universe, not just a private “life coach” for humans. He is the “Head of all Principality and Power.” When we join the Covenant of Grace, we are joining a cosmic community where even the Angels look on with wonder, learning more about God’s wisdom through His dealings with us.

Christ is the Jewel, Not Just the Setting

Perhaps Gillespie’s most profound takeaway is the claim that Christ is called “the Covenant itself.” He is the summary and the “full price of the whole bargain.” Gillespie suggests that we often seek the benefits of the Covenant—like peace or pardon—while forgetting the Person who embodies them.

Christ is the “precious stone” in the ring, and all other blessings are merely the garnish. Because He is “all the Covenant,” having Christ means you have the entire contract, including every clause, every promise, and every future blessing.

“Christ is the jewel and precious stone of that ring; he himself is the chief thing that is in the Covenant.”

Why You Should Read This Book

In an era where everything feels temporary, Patrick Gillespie’s The Ark of the Covenant Opened provides an anchor that reaches back into eternity. This book is a masterclass in what theologians call “objective security.” It leads the reader out of the labyrinth of self-examination and into the sunlight of God’s settled purpose.

Gillespie helps the reader realize that they are not just a “saved sinner” trying to keep their head above water. Instead, they are a “Legatee”—someone who has been left a massive inheritance in a Will (the New Testament) that was signed in blood and proven in the highest court of the universe. Reading this book will help you stop treating your salvation like a trial period and start treating it like the settled legacy it is.

Final Thought to Ponder: If your salvation was a contract signed between the Father and the Son before time began, what possible mistake could you make today that is big enough to break it?

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