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Keeping Our Own Vineyards
Many years ago when I lived in Haslingden, late one evening there was a knock at the door, and when I opened it a lady was standing there. I do not think I had ever met her before, but I knew of her. She was a very nice, very refined person. I had heard that this lady had recently joined a most exclusive denomination of Christians. So I asked her in and asked her what she wanted. She said she was in trouble. I said, “How can I help you?” She said that in the church she had joined – I was not sure whether it was just a new member or whether it was all the members, but they had been given a piece…
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Now Thank We All Our God
The Apostle Paul instructed the believers at Colosse to teach and admonish one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. That is what I hope to do by explaining the meaning of this hymn, against the backdrop of the Framework of Sovereign Grace.
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Gadsby’s Convictional Statement Of Faith
William Gadsby (1773-1844) was a Strict and Particular Baptist preacher, who for thirty-eight years served as pastor for the church meeting at Black Lane, Manchester. His son John (1808-1893) was an author and printer, who in 1835 started a new religious magazine entitled, “The Gospel Standard, Or, Feeble Christian’s Support.” He immediately gained the help of his father, together serving as its first Editors. The first Issue of the magazine was printed in August 1835, beginning with an “Address” to the “Christian Reader”, the content of which sets forth the articles of faith drawn up and embraced by the Editors (most likely the convictional statement of William Gadsby):
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The Beginning And The End Of Our Religion
There are two very important points in a man's religion which he will do well continually to consider, for a profitable pondering of them in life is likely to yield comfort to his soul in death. Much of our experience may be such a labyrinth of trial and temptations, resulting in no particular spiritual gain, that it may seem to lack point, at least at the time, though afterwards one might have said, "The Lord was there, but I knew it not." He was there, lending an unseen hand, and secretly sustaining us, but, in reflecting upon it, we may not have felt it bore that definite stamp which we could desire, as giving an indubitable proof that it was the work of God. Now,…
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The Power Of God Manifested In And By His Word
God has ordained His Word to be preached; His mind and will, as a God of justice and of grace, to be made known unto the sons of men. A standing ministry will be in the Church until the elect are gathered in and brought to a knowledge of Christ, and to a knowledge of their glorious privilege in Christ: "Whereunto He called you by our Gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Thess 2:14); that is, to a knowledge of their justification by Christ, to an experimental and blessed acquaintance with the Saviour, who is "the end of the law for righteousness unto every one that believeth," and in whose adored Person, as Mediator, are hid "all the…
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David’s Restoration
FOR A COMPLETE ORDER OF WORSHIP, INCLUDING BIBLE READING, HYMNS AND SERMON...
