Check out this website which features servants of God whom God has raised up to faithfully proclaim the gospel in our time, and whom the Lord is now using to preserve that silver thread of orthodoxy that has existed through the ages.
Hall of Contemporary Reformers
Friday, January 30, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
New Sermon Series: Hypocrisy
During the month of February, Pastor Fender will explore the issue of Hypocrisy based on Jesus' teaching in Matthew 23.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Being Pro-Life Christians Under a Pro-Choice President
Check out this blog by Dr. John Piper concerning ways to honor a pro-choice president in light of 1 Peter 2:17.
Sermon: Skepticism about Eternity
Based on Jesus' teaching in Matthew 22:23-33
To download this video, click here.
To download an MP3, click here.
Valentine's Party
Valentine's Party
Friday, Feb. 6th, 2009
6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
at the Church.
To sign up to attend and reserve childcare (if needed), then email fpcpooler@comcast.net.
Please bring your favorite dessert.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Monergism.com's Reformation Theology Reading Guide
Reformation Theology Reading Guide
In bringing you this list, it is our hope to bring honor to God by exalting Jesus Christ in providing the biblical and theological works (both contemporary and classic) that we believe best reflect the Scriptires' teaching on grace and the Christian life. Below I've put together this concise guide to Reformation Theology literature which hopefully will be beneficial to all who want to do some deeper investigation of where we are, where we’ve come from and where we are going. To get you started this succinct guide places emphasis on Reformed soteriology (e.g. the doctrine of salvation), the five solas and covenant theology. The following all deserve a permanent place on your bookshelf:
Our Top Recommendations:(click on the links below if you want to learn more about a particular book)
ESV Study Bible ESV Reformation Study Bible
The Institutes of Christian Religion by John Calvin
A New Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith 2nd Edition by Dr. Robert L. Reymond
Institutes of Elenctic Theology, 3 vol. set by Francis Turretin
A Body of Divinity by Thomas Watson
The Christian in Complete Armour by William Gurnall
The Glory of Christ by John Owen
The Holy Spirit by John Owen
Religious Affections by Jonathan Edwards
The Doctrine of God by John Frame
Basic Christianity
A Christian should always be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in them. (1 Peter 3:15) Sinclair Ferguson in his excellent The Christian Life: A Doctrinal Introduction, is a great place to start learning how. Also, it is short, but I cannot recommend enough Walter Chantry's little book Today's Gospel: Authentic or Synthetic?. He refocuses our attention on the heart of the Gospel message. . With the new Christian or layperson in mind, David G. Hagopian offers us Back to Basics: Rediscovering the Richness of Reformed Faith. To get an overview of the unity of the whole Bible Vaughan Roberts has written two excellent little books called God's Big Picture Tracing the Story-line of the Bible. Another little book that will take you through an introduction to the Bible as the unfolding plan of God is Graeme Goldsworthy’s little gem According to Plan The Unfolding Revelation of God in the Bible. Outstanding as always, the late James Boice, works through the Five Solas in 'Whatever Happened to the Gospel of Grace: Recovering the Doctrines That Shook the World' - a must read (temporarily out of print).
Sola Scriptura: (Scripture Alone)
For in-depth studies it is perhaps best to begin with understanding the Scriptures themselves, for in them Christ has revealed Himself. We can only know God as He has made himself known to us. Scripture is our highest presupposition and rule all of our thought and enables us to destroy any false speculation raised up against the knowledge of God. Our ultimate and final authority for knowledge is the Word of God, hence the Protestant adage Sola Scriptura. ESV Study Bible is a must have addition to your every day studies. The notes are extremely informative and give emphasis to the unity of Scripture and the texts which affirm the central truths of the Christian Faith. We also highly recommend his little book entitled 'Knowing Scripture' which clearly shows us an exegetical approach to interpreting Scripture. Perhaps one of the best defenses of Sola Scriptura ever written is Disputations on Holy Scripture by William Whitaker. Also it has perplexed many throughout the centuries why if there is one truth, it is so difficult to determine it? How do we determine who is right? And why does God allow errors in His Church (though never in His Word)? These are exactly the questions that Dr. Samuel Bolton addresses in this rare book, The Arraignment of Error. James White’s 'Scripture Alone: Exploring The Bible's Accuracy, Authority, And Authenticity' is a shorter but also a very well crafted defense of the doctrine of Sola Scriptura.
Sola Gratia (Grace Alone)
Central to understanding the Bible and possibly the most neglected doctrine in evangelicalism is the doctrine of grace alone. This and Solus Christus (Christ Alone) give us the heartbeat of the Reformed faith. Luther, Calvin and the other Reformers understood this to be the pivotal doctrine of the Reformation. The term allows only grace to be the active power in justification and leaves nothing to the human will or to human works. Synergism (synergismus), or cooperation between man and God, is therefore effectively ruled out of the initial work of salvation. Even faith (fides) itself springs from the grace of Christ and cannot be considered as the result of human effort. These Reformers taught that sinners are not free to choose but are completely captive to their sin…nothing precedes the grace and work of the Holy Spirit. Reformation Scholar Michael Haykin says, "it is wrong to suppose that the doctrine of Justification by faith alone, that storm center of the Reformation, was the crucial question in the minds of such theologians as Martin Luther, Ulrich Zwingli, Martin Bucer, and John Calvin. This doctrine was important to the Reformers because it helped to express and to safeguard their answer to another, more vital, question, namely, whether sinners are wholly helpless in their sin, and whether God is to be thought of as saving them by free, unconditional, invincible grace, not only justifying them for Christ’s sake when they come to faith, but also raising them from the death of sin by His quickening Spirit in order to bring them to faith." With this very thing in mind, Martin Luther believed that his Bondage of the Will was his greatest work and best expressed the theology of the Reformation. You will chuckle at Luther's descriptions of his theological opponents but the arguments require some deep thinking. Jonathan Edward’s ‘Freedom of the Will’ is considered his greatest work but I would only recommend it to advanced students of the Word. R.C. Sproul’s 'Willing to Believe: The Controversy over Free Will' is a better introduction for lay readers. John Owen's book 'The Holy Spirit' is up there with some of the best books we have ever read on the sovereign work of the Spirit in salvation. We cannot stress how important the topics of free will, grace and the Holy Spirit is to recovering the gospel and facing up to the current crisis in evangelicalism.
Integral to this is its belief that "man's primary purpose is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever." As affirmed in the beginning of the 'The Westminster Confession of Faith’. Glorify God also means that we need to know him. I am always struck by the ease at which so many evangelicals say we don’t need to know theology, we just need Jesus. Well would you say the same thing about your wife or husband. I don’t really want to know about him/her, I just need him in a generic sense. Can we love those who we don’t want to know anything about? J.I. Packer really helps us here with his classic 'Knowing God' which, to my amazement, even some who reject the Reformed faith love. I would also heartily recommend the Puritan Thomas Watson’s 16th Century classic, ‘A Body of Divinity’.
Doctrines of Grace
To know the doctrine of Sola Gratia we we obviously cannot avoid drinking up the beautiful doctrines of grace which are mediated to us from Christ through the Holy Spirit.. The acrostic TULIP best express Reformed soteriology: These are, total depravity, unconditional election, definite (limited) atonement, irresistible grace, and perseverance of the saints. All Christians should get to know these because after you understand them you will realize that these truths really speak to the fact God saves sinners by the grace of Jesus Christ alone. We do not want anyone to simply embrace a system, but so that we glorify God in Jesus Christ by ascribing all to Him in our salvation. A good place to begin learning more about the doctrines of grace is ‘Putting Amazing Back into Grace’ by Michael Horton. We also can't emphasize enough how much practical help the book 'When Grace Comes Home: How the Doctrines of Grace Change Your Life’ by Terry Johnson is. Get this book if you want to know and understand the nitty gritty of how the doctrines of grace relate practically to everyday living. For those who want a great overview and prefer reading less, I highly recommend this great DVD of high production quality: ‘Amazing Grace: The History & Theology of CALVINISM’. For the most thoroughgoing exposition of the atonement make sure you get John Owen's classic, 'The Death of Death in the Death of Christ'. Particular redemption is brilliantly argued here.
The Sovereignty of God in Election and All Things
According to the Scriptures, God chose in Christ those whom He would redeem, before the foundation of the earth. (Jn. 17:9; 2 Tim. 1-9-10, Eph. 1:3-14; 2 Thess. 2:13-14; ) Elaborating on this there is some fine literature out there; A.W. Pink's 'The Sovereignty of God’ seems to stand the test of time and may be considered a classic. For a contemporary look at the doctrine of election we highly recommend Chosen For Life: The Case for Divine Election by Sam Storms which is really a helpful book on the topic. 'Still Sovereign: Contemporary Perspectives on Election, Foreknowledge, and Grace' brings together many of today’s best Reformed scholars and continues to affirm that salvation of the Lord alone. Many essays on various topics related to grace. Another excellent treatment is Gordon Clark’s ‘Predestination’ and the 'The Reign of Grace' by Abraham Booth (a Classic). Loraine Boettner’s 'Reformed Doctrine of Predestination' has been extremely helpful to many. Furthermore, I want to recommend one of today's clearest thinkers with regard to God's sovereignty and compatibilism: John Frame's 'The Doctrine of God'. The book is irenic toward its opponents but it utterly lays bare and demolishes arguments for libertarian free will theism.
The Covenant
The covenant is the theological framework of the unfolding redemptive work of God which best accounts for the biblical teachings on God's role and man's in salvation, divine sovereignty and human responsibility, the relationship between law and grace, and the unity of Scripture. One of the classic Christian books in history is called 'Economy of the Covenants Between God and Man' by Herman Witsius first published from Utrecht in 1677. The best introductory book on the topic is Covenant Theology: The Key of Theology in Reformed Thought and Tradition by Peter Golding. For a deeper understanding of this critical topic we also highly encourage you to buy God of Promise: Introducing Covenant Theology by Michael Horton - a extremely helpful book.
Justification
This has once again become a controversial topic. It is central to our faith so we need to be intimately familiar with it and our union with Christ. Perhaps the best writing on the subject is Everlasting Righteousness by Horatius Bonar. We are also very excited about a little relatively unknown book called Justification and Regeneration by Charles Leiter. For a very thorough investigation of the topic we believe Justification: Understanding the Classic Reformed Doctrine by J.V. Fesco covers the most ground.
Godly Life and Sanctification
Too many traditions go wrong in the area of growing in grace. To counter this we would like to recommend a tremendously helpful Gospel-centered, Christ exalting book ... perhaps one of the best books on sanctification ever published, The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification: Growing in Holiness by Living in Union with Christ by Walter Marshall. In this same vein take the time to read CJ Mahaney's The Cross-Centered Life. And of course, the all time classic, The Mortification of Sin by John Owen.
Annual Report
Join us Sunday, Feb. 1st, 2009
for the
Dinner and Report
This is our yearly opportunity to review what God has done in the past year and prayerfully consider what God will do this year. There is no charge for the meal, but you do need to sign up.
RSVP to fpcpooler@comcast.net
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Sermon: What will we owe President Obama?
Based on Jesus' teaching in Matthew 22:15-22
To download the video, click here.
To download an MP3, click here.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Sermon: The Parable of the Wedding Feast
Based on Jesus' teaching in Matthew 22:1-14
To download the video, click here.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Adult Sunday School
During the month of January and February, we will be watching videos from the 2005 Desiring God National Conference. Speakers include Dr. John Piper, David Powlison, Carl Ellis, and Joni Eareckson Tada.
Here is the first is the series of videos we will be watching.
Join us Sunday mornings at 10 am in the Sanctuary.
Why do bad things happen?
Voddie Baucham answers the age old question, if God is so powerful and good, why do bad things happen?
This is a clip of a message Voddie Baucham gave at the 2006 Desiring God National Conference.
This is a clip of a message Voddie Baucham gave at the 2006 Desiring God National Conference.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Videos on Biblical Parenting
Shepherding a Child's Heart Conference: Biblical Parenting
By Tedd Tripp
The following session are available to stream or download at:
Session 1: The Call to Formative Instruction
Session 2: Giving Kids a Vision for God's Glory
Session 3: Helping Kids Understand Authority
Session 4: Helping Kids Understand the Heart
Session 5: Overview of Corrective Discipline
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Friday, January 2, 2009
Women's Winter Bible Study
Women’s Bible Study
Becoming a Woman of Grace
by Cynthia Heald
This will be a 12 week study that will meet at the church each Thursday from 9:00 to 11:00a.m. beginning January 29th.
If you would like to participate in this study please sign-up on the sheet located in the hallway. You may also sign-up by emailing the church office at fpcp@yahoo.com.
Be sure to indicate if you need childcare and please include the number of children.
The books will cost around $8.00.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Making New Year Resolutions
Before you make your resolutions for 2009, first consider these resolutions written by theologian Jonathan Edwards.
THE RESOLUTIONS
THE RESOLUTIONS
of Jonathan Edwards
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BEING SENSIBLE THAT I AM UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING WITHOUT GOD' S HELP, I DO HUMBLY ENTREAT HIM BY HIS GRACE TO ENABLE ME TO KEEP THESE RESOLUTIONS, SO FAR AS THEY ARE AGREEABLE TO HIS WILL, FOR CHRIST' S SAKE.
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Remember to read over these Resolutions once a week.
1. Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God' s glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriads of ages hence. Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many soever, and how great soever.
2. Resolved, to be continually endeavoring to find out some new contrivance and invention to promote the aforementioned things.
3. Resolved, if ever I shall fall and grow dull, so as to neglect to keep any part of these Resolutions, to repent of all I can remember, when I come to myself again.
4. Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God; nor be, nor suffer it, if I can avoid it.
5. Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.
6. Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.
7. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.
8. Resolved, to act, in all respects, both speaking and doing, as if nobody had been so vile as I, and as if I had committed the same sins, or had the same infirmities or failings as others; and that I will let the knowledge of their failings promote nothing but shame in myself, and prove only an occasion of my confessing my own sins and misery to God. July 30.
9. Resolved, to think much on all occasions of my own dying, and of the common circumstances which attend death.
10. Resolved, when I feel pain, to think of the pains of martyrdom, and of hell.
11. Resolved, when I think of any theorem in divinity to be solved, immediately to do what I can towards solving it, if circumstances do not hinder.
12. Resolved, if I take delight in it as a gratification of pride, or vanity, or on any such account, immediately to throw it by.
13. Resolved, to be endeavoring to find out fit objects of charity and liberality.
14. Resolved, never to do any thing out of revenge.
15. Resolved, never to suffer the least motions of anger towards irrational beings.
16. Resolved, never to speak evil of anyone, so that it shall tend to his dishonor, more or less, upon no account except for some real good.
17. Resolved, that I will live so, as I shall wish I had done when I come to die.
18. Resolved, to live so, at all times, as I think is best in my devout frames, and when I have clearest notions of things of the gospel, and another world.
19. Resolved, never to do any thing, which I should be afraid to do, if I expected it would not be above an hour, before I should hear the last trump.
20. Resolved, to maintain the strictest temperance, in eating and drinking.
21. Resolved, never to do any thing, which if I should see in another, I should count a just occasion to despise him for, or to think any way the more meanly of him. (Resolutions 1 through 21 written in one setting in New Haven in 1722)
22. Resolved, to endeavor to obtain for myself as much happiness, in the other world, as I possibly can, with all the power, might, vigor, and vehemence, yea violence, I am capable of, or can bring myself to exert, in any way that can be thought of.
23. Resolved, frequently to take some deliberate action, which seems most unlikely to be done, for the glory of God, and trace it back to the original intention, designs and ends of it; and if I find it not to be for God' s glory, to repute it as a breach of the 4th Resolution.
24. Resolved, whenever I do any conspicuously evil action, to trace it back, till I come to the original cause; and then, both carefully endeavor to do so no more, and to fight and pray with all my might against the original of it.
25. Resolved, to examine carefully, and constantly, what that one thing in me is, which causes me in the least to doubt of the love of God; and to direct all my forces against it.
26. Resolved, to cast away such things, as I find do abate my assurance.
27. Resolved, never willfully to omit any thing, except the omission be for the glory of God; and frequently to examine my omissions.
28. Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.
29. Resolved, never to count that a prayer, nor to let that pass as a prayer, nor that as a petition of a prayer, which is so made, that I cannot hope that God will answer it; nor that as a confession, which I cannot hope God will accept.
30. Resolved, to strive to my utmost every week to be brought higher in religion, and to a higher exercise of grace, than I was the week before.
31. Resolved, never to say any thing at all against any body, but when it is perfectly agreeable to the highest degree of Christian honor, and of love to mankind, agreeable to the lowest humility, and sense of my own faults and failings, and agreeable to the golden rule; often, when I have said anything against anyone, to bring it to, and try it strictly by the test of this Resolution.
32. Resolved, to be strictly and firmly faithful to my trust, that that, in Proverbs 20:6,‹A faithful man who can find?Š may not be partly fulfilled in me.
33. Resolved, to do always, what I can towards making, maintaining, and preserving peace, when it can be done without overbalancing detriment in other respects. Dec. 26, 1722.
34. Resolved, in narrations never to speak any thing but the pure and simple verity.
35. Resolved, whenever I so much question whether I have done my duty, as that my quiet and calm is thereby disturbed, to set it down, and also how the question was resolved. Dec. 18, 1722.
36. Resolved, never to speak evil of any, except I have some particular good call for it. Dec. 19, 1722.
37. Resolved, to inquire every night, as I am going to bed, wherein I have been negligent,- what sin I have committed,-and wherein I have denied myself;-also at the end of every week, month and year. Dec. 22 and 26, 1722.
38. Resolved, never to speak anything that is ridiculous, sportive, or matter of laughter on the Lord' s day. Sabbath evening, Dec. 23, 1722.
39. Resolved, never to do any thing of which I so much question the lawfulness of, as that I intend, at the same time, to consider and examine afterwards, whether it be lawful or not; unless I as much question the lawfulness of the omission.
40. Resolved, to inquire every night, before I go to bed, whether I have acted in the best way I possibly could, with respect to eating and drinking. Jan. 7, 1723.
41. Resolved, to ask myself, at the end of every day, week, month and year, wherein I could possibly, in any respect, have done better. Jan. 11, 1723.
42. Resolved, frequently to renew the dedication of myself to God, which was made at my baptism; which I solemnly renewed, when I was received into the communion of the church; and which I have solemnly re-made this twelfth day of January, 1722-23.
43. Resolved, never, henceforward, till I die, to act as if I were any way my own, but entirely and altogether God' s; agreeable to what is to be found in Saturday, January 12, 1723.
44. Resolved, that no other end but religion, shall have any influence at all on any of my actions; and that no action shall be, in the least circumstance, any otherwise than the religious end will carry it. January 12, 1723.
45. Resolved, never to allow any pleasure or grief, joy or sorrow, nor any affection at all, nor any degree of affection, nor any circumstance relating to it, but what helps religion. Jan. 12 and 13, 1723.
46. Resolved, never to allow the least measure of any fretting uneasiness at my father or mother. Resolved to suffer no effects of it, so much as in the least alteration of speech, or motion of my eye: and to be especially careful of it with respect to any of our family.
47. Resolved, to endeavor, to my utmost, to deny whatever is not most agreeable to a good, and universally sweet and benevolent, quiet, peaceable, contented and easy, compassionate and generous, humble and meek, submissive and obliging, diligent and industrious, charitable and even, patient, moderate, forgiving and sincere temper; and to do at all times, what such a temper would lead me to; and to examine strictly, at the end of every week, whether I have done so. Sabbath morning. May 5, 1723.
48. Resolved, constantly, with the utmost niceness and diligence, and the strictest scrutiny, to be looking into the state of my soul, that I may know whether I have truly an interest in Christ or not; that when I come to die, I may not have any negligence respecting this to repent of. May 26, 1723.
49. Resolved, that this never shall be, if I can help it.
50. Resolved, I will act so as I think I shall judge would have been best, and most prudent, when I come into the future world. July 5, 1723.
51. Resolved, that I will act so, in every respect, as I think I shall wish I had done, if I should at last be damned. July 8, 1723.
52. I frequently hear persons in old age, say how they would live, if they were to live their lives over again: Resolved, that I will live just so as I can think I shall wish I had done, supposing I live to old age. July 8, 1723.
53. Resolved, to improve every opportunity, when I am in the best and happiest frame of mind, to cast and venture my soul on the Lord Jesus Christ, to trust and confide in him, and consecrate myself wholly to him; that from this I may have assurance of my safety, knowing that I confide in my Redeemer. July 8, 1723.
54. Whenever I hear anything spoken in conversation of any person, if I think it would be praiseworthy in me, Resolved to endeavor to imitate it. July 8, 1723.
55. Resolved, to endeavor to my utmost to act as I can think I should do, if, I had already seen the happiness of heaven, and hell torments. July 8, 1723.
56. Resolved, never to give over, nor in the least to slacken, my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be.
57. Resolved, when I fear misfortunes and adversities, to examine whether I have done my duty, and resolve to do it, and let the event be just as providence orders it. I will as far as I can, be concerned about nothing but my duty, and my sin. June 9, and July 13 1723.
58. Resolved, not only to refrain from an air of dislike, fretfulness, and anger in conversation, but to exhibit an air of love, cheerfulness and benignity. May 27, and July 13, 1723.
59. Resolved, when I am most conscious of provocations to ill nature and anger, that I will strive most to feel and act good-naturedly; yea, at such times, to manifest good nature, though I think that in other respects it would be disadvantageous, and so as would be imprudent at other times. May 12, July 11, and July 13.
60. Resolved, whenever my feelings begin to appear in the least out of order, when I am conscious of the least uneasiness within, or the least irregularity without, I will then subject myself to the strictest examination. July 4, and 13, 1723.
61. Resolved, that I will not give way to that listlessness which I find unbends and relaxes my mind from being fully and fixedly set on religion, whatever excuse I may have for it-that what my listlessness inclines me to do, is best to be done, etc. May 21, and July 13, 1723.
62. Resolved, never to do anything but duty, and then according to Ephesians 6:6-8, to do it willingly and cheerfully as unto the Lord, and not to man:‹knowing that whatever good thing any man doth, the same shall he receive of the Lord.Š June 25 and July 13, 1723.
63. On the supposition, that there never was to be but one individual in the world, at any one time, who was properly a complete Christian, in all respects of a right stamp, having Christianity always shining in its true luster, and appearing excellent and lovely, from whatever part and under whatever character viewed: Resolved, to act just as I would do, if I strove with all my might to be that one, who should live in my time. January 14 and July 13, 1723.
64. Resolved, when I find those ‹groanings which cannot be utteredŠ (Romans 8:26), of which the Apostle speaks, and those‹breakings of soul for the longing it hath,Š of which the Psalmist speaks, Psalm 119:20, that I will promote them to the utmost of my power, and that I will not be weary of earnestly endeavoring to vent my desires, nor of the repetitions of such earnestness. July 23, and August 10, 1723.
65. Resolved, very much to exercise myself in this, all my life long, viz. with the greatest openness, of which I am capable of, to declare my ways to God, and lay open my soul to him: all my sins, temptations, difficulties, sorrows, fears, hopes, desires, and every thing, and every circumstance; according to Dr. Manton' s 27th Sermon on Psalm 119. July 26, and Aug.10 1723.
66. Resolved, that I will endeavor always to keep a benign aspect, and air of acting and speaking in all places, and in all companies, except it should so happen that duty requires otherwise.
67. Resolved, after afflictions, to inquire, what I am the better for them, what am I the better for them, and what I might have got by them.
68. Resolved, to confess frankly to myself all that which I find in myself, either infirmity or sin; and, if it be what concerns religion, also to confess the whole case to God, and implore needed help. July 23, and August 10, 1723.
69. Resolved, always to do that, which I shall wish I had done when I see others do it. August 11, 1723.
70. Let there be something of benevolence, in all that I speak. August 17, 1723.
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BEING SENSIBLE THAT I AM UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING WITHOUT GOD' S HELP, I DO HUMBLY ENTREAT HIM BY HIS GRACE TO ENABLE ME TO KEEP THESE RESOLUTIONS, SO FAR AS THEY ARE AGREEABLE TO HIS WILL, FOR CHRIST' S SAKE.
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Remember to read over these Resolutions once a week.
1. Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God' s glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriads of ages hence. Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many soever, and how great soever.
2. Resolved, to be continually endeavoring to find out some new contrivance and invention to promote the aforementioned things.
3. Resolved, if ever I shall fall and grow dull, so as to neglect to keep any part of these Resolutions, to repent of all I can remember, when I come to myself again.
4. Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God; nor be, nor suffer it, if I can avoid it.
5. Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.
6. Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.
7. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.
8. Resolved, to act, in all respects, both speaking and doing, as if nobody had been so vile as I, and as if I had committed the same sins, or had the same infirmities or failings as others; and that I will let the knowledge of their failings promote nothing but shame in myself, and prove only an occasion of my confessing my own sins and misery to God. July 30.
9. Resolved, to think much on all occasions of my own dying, and of the common circumstances which attend death.
10. Resolved, when I feel pain, to think of the pains of martyrdom, and of hell.
11. Resolved, when I think of any theorem in divinity to be solved, immediately to do what I can towards solving it, if circumstances do not hinder.
12. Resolved, if I take delight in it as a gratification of pride, or vanity, or on any such account, immediately to throw it by.
13. Resolved, to be endeavoring to find out fit objects of charity and liberality.
14. Resolved, never to do any thing out of revenge.
15. Resolved, never to suffer the least motions of anger towards irrational beings.
16. Resolved, never to speak evil of anyone, so that it shall tend to his dishonor, more or less, upon no account except for some real good.
17. Resolved, that I will live so, as I shall wish I had done when I come to die.
18. Resolved, to live so, at all times, as I think is best in my devout frames, and when I have clearest notions of things of the gospel, and another world.
19. Resolved, never to do any thing, which I should be afraid to do, if I expected it would not be above an hour, before I should hear the last trump.
20. Resolved, to maintain the strictest temperance, in eating and drinking.
21. Resolved, never to do any thing, which if I should see in another, I should count a just occasion to despise him for, or to think any way the more meanly of him. (Resolutions 1 through 21 written in one setting in New Haven in 1722)
22. Resolved, to endeavor to obtain for myself as much happiness, in the other world, as I possibly can, with all the power, might, vigor, and vehemence, yea violence, I am capable of, or can bring myself to exert, in any way that can be thought of.
23. Resolved, frequently to take some deliberate action, which seems most unlikely to be done, for the glory of God, and trace it back to the original intention, designs and ends of it; and if I find it not to be for God' s glory, to repute it as a breach of the 4th Resolution.
24. Resolved, whenever I do any conspicuously evil action, to trace it back, till I come to the original cause; and then, both carefully endeavor to do so no more, and to fight and pray with all my might against the original of it.
25. Resolved, to examine carefully, and constantly, what that one thing in me is, which causes me in the least to doubt of the love of God; and to direct all my forces against it.
26. Resolved, to cast away such things, as I find do abate my assurance.
27. Resolved, never willfully to omit any thing, except the omission be for the glory of God; and frequently to examine my omissions.
28. Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.
29. Resolved, never to count that a prayer, nor to let that pass as a prayer, nor that as a petition of a prayer, which is so made, that I cannot hope that God will answer it; nor that as a confession, which I cannot hope God will accept.
30. Resolved, to strive to my utmost every week to be brought higher in religion, and to a higher exercise of grace, than I was the week before.
31. Resolved, never to say any thing at all against any body, but when it is perfectly agreeable to the highest degree of Christian honor, and of love to mankind, agreeable to the lowest humility, and sense of my own faults and failings, and agreeable to the golden rule; often, when I have said anything against anyone, to bring it to, and try it strictly by the test of this Resolution.
32. Resolved, to be strictly and firmly faithful to my trust, that that, in Proverbs 20:6,‹A faithful man who can find?Š may not be partly fulfilled in me.
33. Resolved, to do always, what I can towards making, maintaining, and preserving peace, when it can be done without overbalancing detriment in other respects. Dec. 26, 1722.
34. Resolved, in narrations never to speak any thing but the pure and simple verity.
35. Resolved, whenever I so much question whether I have done my duty, as that my quiet and calm is thereby disturbed, to set it down, and also how the question was resolved. Dec. 18, 1722.
36. Resolved, never to speak evil of any, except I have some particular good call for it. Dec. 19, 1722.
37. Resolved, to inquire every night, as I am going to bed, wherein I have been negligent,- what sin I have committed,-and wherein I have denied myself;-also at the end of every week, month and year. Dec. 22 and 26, 1722.
38. Resolved, never to speak anything that is ridiculous, sportive, or matter of laughter on the Lord' s day. Sabbath evening, Dec. 23, 1722.
39. Resolved, never to do any thing of which I so much question the lawfulness of, as that I intend, at the same time, to consider and examine afterwards, whether it be lawful or not; unless I as much question the lawfulness of the omission.
40. Resolved, to inquire every night, before I go to bed, whether I have acted in the best way I possibly could, with respect to eating and drinking. Jan. 7, 1723.
41. Resolved, to ask myself, at the end of every day, week, month and year, wherein I could possibly, in any respect, have done better. Jan. 11, 1723.
42. Resolved, frequently to renew the dedication of myself to God, which was made at my baptism; which I solemnly renewed, when I was received into the communion of the church; and which I have solemnly re-made this twelfth day of January, 1722-23.
43. Resolved, never, henceforward, till I die, to act as if I were any way my own, but entirely and altogether God' s; agreeable to what is to be found in Saturday, January 12, 1723.
44. Resolved, that no other end but religion, shall have any influence at all on any of my actions; and that no action shall be, in the least circumstance, any otherwise than the religious end will carry it. January 12, 1723.
45. Resolved, never to allow any pleasure or grief, joy or sorrow, nor any affection at all, nor any degree of affection, nor any circumstance relating to it, but what helps religion. Jan. 12 and 13, 1723.
46. Resolved, never to allow the least measure of any fretting uneasiness at my father or mother. Resolved to suffer no effects of it, so much as in the least alteration of speech, or motion of my eye: and to be especially careful of it with respect to any of our family.
47. Resolved, to endeavor, to my utmost, to deny whatever is not most agreeable to a good, and universally sweet and benevolent, quiet, peaceable, contented and easy, compassionate and generous, humble and meek, submissive and obliging, diligent and industrious, charitable and even, patient, moderate, forgiving and sincere temper; and to do at all times, what such a temper would lead me to; and to examine strictly, at the end of every week, whether I have done so. Sabbath morning. May 5, 1723.
48. Resolved, constantly, with the utmost niceness and diligence, and the strictest scrutiny, to be looking into the state of my soul, that I may know whether I have truly an interest in Christ or not; that when I come to die, I may not have any negligence respecting this to repent of. May 26, 1723.
49. Resolved, that this never shall be, if I can help it.
50. Resolved, I will act so as I think I shall judge would have been best, and most prudent, when I come into the future world. July 5, 1723.
51. Resolved, that I will act so, in every respect, as I think I shall wish I had done, if I should at last be damned. July 8, 1723.
52. I frequently hear persons in old age, say how they would live, if they were to live their lives over again: Resolved, that I will live just so as I can think I shall wish I had done, supposing I live to old age. July 8, 1723.
53. Resolved, to improve every opportunity, when I am in the best and happiest frame of mind, to cast and venture my soul on the Lord Jesus Christ, to trust and confide in him, and consecrate myself wholly to him; that from this I may have assurance of my safety, knowing that I confide in my Redeemer. July 8, 1723.
54. Whenever I hear anything spoken in conversation of any person, if I think it would be praiseworthy in me, Resolved to endeavor to imitate it. July 8, 1723.
55. Resolved, to endeavor to my utmost to act as I can think I should do, if, I had already seen the happiness of heaven, and hell torments. July 8, 1723.
56. Resolved, never to give over, nor in the least to slacken, my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be.
57. Resolved, when I fear misfortunes and adversities, to examine whether I have done my duty, and resolve to do it, and let the event be just as providence orders it. I will as far as I can, be concerned about nothing but my duty, and my sin. June 9, and July 13 1723.
58. Resolved, not only to refrain from an air of dislike, fretfulness, and anger in conversation, but to exhibit an air of love, cheerfulness and benignity. May 27, and July 13, 1723.
59. Resolved, when I am most conscious of provocations to ill nature and anger, that I will strive most to feel and act good-naturedly; yea, at such times, to manifest good nature, though I think that in other respects it would be disadvantageous, and so as would be imprudent at other times. May 12, July 11, and July 13.
60. Resolved, whenever my feelings begin to appear in the least out of order, when I am conscious of the least uneasiness within, or the least irregularity without, I will then subject myself to the strictest examination. July 4, and 13, 1723.
61. Resolved, that I will not give way to that listlessness which I find unbends and relaxes my mind from being fully and fixedly set on religion, whatever excuse I may have for it-that what my listlessness inclines me to do, is best to be done, etc. May 21, and July 13, 1723.
62. Resolved, never to do anything but duty, and then according to Ephesians 6:6-8, to do it willingly and cheerfully as unto the Lord, and not to man:‹knowing that whatever good thing any man doth, the same shall he receive of the Lord.Š June 25 and July 13, 1723.
63. On the supposition, that there never was to be but one individual in the world, at any one time, who was properly a complete Christian, in all respects of a right stamp, having Christianity always shining in its true luster, and appearing excellent and lovely, from whatever part and under whatever character viewed: Resolved, to act just as I would do, if I strove with all my might to be that one, who should live in my time. January 14 and July 13, 1723.
64. Resolved, when I find those ‹groanings which cannot be utteredŠ (Romans 8:26), of which the Apostle speaks, and those‹breakings of soul for the longing it hath,Š of which the Psalmist speaks, Psalm 119:20, that I will promote them to the utmost of my power, and that I will not be weary of earnestly endeavoring to vent my desires, nor of the repetitions of such earnestness. July 23, and August 10, 1723.
65. Resolved, very much to exercise myself in this, all my life long, viz. with the greatest openness, of which I am capable of, to declare my ways to God, and lay open my soul to him: all my sins, temptations, difficulties, sorrows, fears, hopes, desires, and every thing, and every circumstance; according to Dr. Manton' s 27th Sermon on Psalm 119. July 26, and Aug.10 1723.
66. Resolved, that I will endeavor always to keep a benign aspect, and air of acting and speaking in all places, and in all companies, except it should so happen that duty requires otherwise.
67. Resolved, after afflictions, to inquire, what I am the better for them, what am I the better for them, and what I might have got by them.
68. Resolved, to confess frankly to myself all that which I find in myself, either infirmity or sin; and, if it be what concerns religion, also to confess the whole case to God, and implore needed help. July 23, and August 10, 1723.
69. Resolved, always to do that, which I shall wish I had done when I see others do it. August 11, 1723.
70. Let there be something of benevolence, in all that I speak. August 17, 1723.
Young Couples' Bible Study
Young Couples' Bible Study on Galatians
Wednesdays at 6:30 PM
Taught by Michael Brown.
This study will be meeting at a couple of different homes.
Email Ashley for more information and directions.
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