On Puritans & Thanksgiving

It is regrettable that modern society has inherited such a disfavorable perspective regarding the puritans. Granted, the term “puritan” was intended as an offense (even from its inception), but there is a great deal that we might (and daresay I, SHOULD?) learn from these pious men and fore-bearers of our faith. These were men of deep faith and bold conviction, who sought to “purify”, or reform, the Church of England according to Scripture. Whether we recognize this fact or not, we are truly fortunate that many of these men were disciplined and faithful in placing their convictions down on paper. What a treasury of wisdom and piety, may be found in the many preserved works of puritan authors, from Baxter to Sibbes. If this paragraph is not convincing enough, may I recommend that you invest some time with J.I. Packer in “A Quest for Godliness: The Puritan Vision for the Godly Life.” Trust me, Packer will convince you.

Having just celebrated the holiday of the puritans, Thanksgiving, I find myself drawn, once again, to my favorite collection of puritan prayers, “The Valley of Vision.” To quote the illustrious Doctor Johnny Wink, “this text has often been the ever-so-soothing balm to my Gilead.” I found this particular entry to be a blessing, quite convicting, and especially pertinent for the season in which we find ourselves, and so I have decided to share:

Regarding Divine Mercies, "The Valley of Vision", Pages 16 &17

Thou Eternal God,

Thine is surpassing greatness, unspeakable goodness, super-abundant grace;
I can as soon count the sands of ocean’s ‘lip’ as number Thy favours towards me;
I know but a part, but that part exceeds all praise.

I thank Thee for personal mercies,
A measure of health, preservation of body,
Comforts of house and home, sufficiency of food and clothing,
Continuance of mental powers,
My family, their mutual help and support,
The delights of domestic harmony and peace,
The seats now filled that might have been vacant,
My country, church, Bible, faith.

But, O, how I mourn my sin, ingratitude, vileness,
The days that add to my guilt,
The scenes that witness my offending tongue;
All things in heaven, earth, around, within, without,
Condemn me –
The sun, which sees my misdeeds,
The darkness, which is light to Thee,
The cruel accuser who justly charges me,
The good angels who have been provoked to leave me,
Thy countenance, which scans my secret sins,
Thy righteous law, Thy holy Word,
My sin-soiled conscience, my private and public life,
My neighbours, myself –
All write dark things against me.

I deny them not, frame no excuse, but confess,
‘Father, I have sinned’;

Yet still I live, and fly repenting to Thy outstretched arms;
Thou wilt not cast me off, for Jesus brings me near,
Thou wilt not condemn me, for He died in my stead,
Thou wilt not mark my mountains of sin, for He levelled all,
And His beauty covers my deformities.

O my God, I bid farewell to sin by clinging to His cross,
Hiding in His wounds, and sheltering in His side.

Amen.

Jesus, Draw Me Ever Nearer

Vows ought to be made with religious care, and be performed with faithfulness. We make them voluntarily, out of faith, and conscience of duty, as a way to show thankfulness for mercy received, and to more strictly bind ourselves to necessary duties. We may not vow to do anything forbidden in Your Word, or what would hinder any duty commanded in Your Word, or which is not in our own power to perform and for the performance of which we have no promise of ability from You.

- Adapted from the Westminster Confession of Faith XXII

In the Word of God, we find assurance that we can persevere in the vows we assume when we join in covenant with the local church. According to the grace of God and unto God's glory, God only demands of us that which He also promises to enable us to do. Since our vows are rooted in God's Word, we can know He will empower us to honor them.

I. Do you acknowledge yourself to be a sinner in the sight of God, justly deserving His displeasure and without hope, save in His sovereign mercy?

II. Do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and Savior of sinners, and do you receive and rest upon Him alone for salvation as He is offered in the Gospel?

III. Do you now resolve and promise, in humble reliance upon the grace of the Holy Spirit, you will endeavor to live as becomes a follower of Christ?

IV. Do you promise to support the church in its worship and work to the best of your ability?

V. Do you submit yourself to the government and discipline of the church, and promise to study its purity and peace?

It is fitting that one should join with the church of Jesus Christ, following the example of the Apostle Peter, making the good confession (Matthew 16:16-18). There are only two occurrences within the Gospel of Matthew, where Christ makes specific reference to His church; 16:18 and 18:17 (both are addressed within the membership vows of the Presbyterian Church in America). The good confession (16:18) is given as a standard, whereby men shall be joined with the church, and the exercise of censure (18:17), given as a standard, whereby men shall be expelled from the church.

This has been an extremely trying season in life; I have spent considerable time in prayer, meditation upon the Word and thoughtful study... There is no doubt within me that the Invisible Hand of Providence has led me to this new avenue. It was a blessing to be inducted into the Presbyterian Church in America this morning. Over the next several months, I will be re-licensed for ministry in the PCA. What follows should make for an interesting read...



"May This Journey Bring a Blessing"
By Margaret Becker & Keith Getty

Jesus, guide me through the tempest,
keep my spirit staid and sure
When the midnight meets the morning,
let me love You even more

Jesus, draw me ever nearer
as I labor through the storm
You have called me to this passage,
and I’ll follow, though I’m worn

Let the treasures of the trial
form within me as I go
And at the end of this long passage,
let me leave them at Your throne

May this journey bring a blessing,
may I rise on wings of faith
And at the end of my heart’s testing,
with Your likeness let me wake


© 2001 THANKYOU MUSIC

Reformationis: [ (Latin) Noun, Genitive, FS ] meaning: "of Reformation", with reference to:

a. Improvement (or an intended improvement) in the existing form or condition of institutions or practices etc.; intended to make a striking change for the better in social or political or religious affairs.
b. A religious movement of the 16th century that began as an attempt to reform the Roman Catholic Church and resulted in the creation of Protestant churches.
c. An effort to rescue from error and return to a rightful course; "the reclamation of delinquent children."


As its name suggests, this web log exists to promote the ideals of the Reformation (Sola Scriptura, Sola Gratia, Sola Fide, Solus Christus & Soli Deo Gloria).

"Order my steps in Thy word, O Lord, and let not any iniquity have dominion over me." - Psalm 119:133

Reformationis

Sola Scriptura. Sola Gratia. Sola Fide. Solus Christus. Soli Deo Gloria.

Sovereign Lord,

Thou hast ordainied:

that my conscience should be bound by Scripture alone
that I might boast no more, for I am saved by Grace alone
that I should seek Thy face, justified by Faith alone

from the foundations of time, that my life might be hidden in Christ alone
that my chief and highest end should be to bring Glory to God alone

Teach me Thy statutes. Reform me.