wicket gate magazine edition 118 (january 2016)

7/25/2019 Wicket Gate Magazine Edition 118 (January 2016)

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/wicket-gate-magazine-edition-118-january-2016 1/19

The Wicket Gate MagazineA Continuing Witness

Internet Edition 118 issued January 2016

Index

1. The Pastor's Letter – New Year Thouhts

2. Phi!i" and #atthew $enry %&on&!uded ro( !ast edition)

*. #rs +eaton's Letter to the ,oys and -ir!s / New Year ,eins

. -!eanins in the Psa!(s – Psa!( 2 %on&!uded)

3. +"ureon's E&&entri& Prea&hers – Edward ,roo4e 155181

/t the e7 +ite o the i&4et -ate (aaine www.wi&4etate.&o.u4 you wi!! a!so

ind the o!!owin re&ordins9

Throuh the ,i7!e with the hi!dren – ,i7!e +tories to!d 7y #r +eaton.

onreationa! Praise – the sinin o our hur&h durin orshi" +er:i&es

+er(ons "rea&hed 7y ;r Needha( and #r +eaton

$istori&a! Le&tures i:en in the hur&h 7y ;r Needha(

http://www.wicketgate.co.uk/





“New Year Thoughts”

(The Pastor's Letter Januar !"#$%

;ear <riends=

hate:er this new year 7rins us= we (ay rest "ere&t!y assured

that it 7rins us 7ut nearer to -od. /s Pau! writes to the >o(an

7e!ie:ers o his day= ?Now is our sa!:ation nearer than when we %irst)

7e!ie:ed.@ /nd as we so oten sin at the &on&!usion o the Lord's

+u""er9

?<east ater east thus &o(es and "asses 7y=

Yet= "assin "oints to the !ad east a7o:e.@

This year wi!! run its &ourse %i -od "er(it) unti! the years ha:e

a!! run their &ourse= and the Lord a""ears ro( hea:en to re&ei:e the

re(nant o $is hur&h at !ast and 7rin the( into the u!ness o the

de!i:eran&e that he has a&&o("!ished or the(. Aur sa!:ation is

nearer than when we irst 7e!ie:edB ea&h "assin east does "oint tothe !ad east a7o:eB and ea&h "assin year does 7rin us nearer to our

-od. ,ut as we weih u" and re&ei:e su&h an indis"uta7!e a&t= we

(ay re!e&t on what any inter:enin years 7etween now and the Lord's

&o(in or $is "eo"!e (ay ho!d out or the( in the way o s"iritua!

!ie and s"iritua! we!!7ein.

It was a Cuestion !i4e this that &onronted the "ro"het $a7a44u4

so (any years ao= as he 4ne!t down 7eore the throne o -od's ra&eto weih u" the s"iritua! "ros"e&ts o the nation o Israe! now a7out to

7e &arried away &a"ti:e into the &ity o ,a7y!on or a "eriod o

so(ethin !i4e se:enty !on years. $a7a44u4 has sett!ed in his (ind=

o &ourse= that the nation o Israe! is re&ei:in e:ery Dust re&o("ense

or its sins 7eore its -od. $e is a!so Cuite sett!ed in his (ind that the

Lord his -od is dea!in in a7so!ute rihteousness and Dusti&e with that

nation. /nd he is urther "ersuaded that the Lord's hand wi!!

e:entua!!y ?re:erse@ this state o thins that is &o(in to "ass= andthat the nation o Israe! wi!! on&e aain 7e returned to the !and o



Judah= and 7e the "eo"!e that -od has &a!!ed the( to 7e – worshi""in

$i( in $is te("!e day and niht. In other words= the ?&a"ti:ity@

won't !ast or e:erB the years wi!! run their &ourse= and -od wi!!

de!i:er the nation out o a!! its 7ondae.

,ut a!thouh $a7a44u4= no dou7t= reDoi&es in that uture &o(in

day= he ne:erthe!ess has a reat &on&ern in his heart and sou! or the

inter:enin days – and wee4s= and (onths= and years – that his "eo"!e

wi!! ha:e to s"end in that &ity o ,a7y!onB and so= there &o(es his

a(ous and hearte!t &ry in the 2nd :erse o the *rd &ha"ter o his

"ro"hesy9 ?A Lord= re:i:e thy wor4 in the (idst o the years= in the

(idst o the years (a4e 4nown.@ You see what $a7a44u4 is dri:in

at there= o &ourse ?Yes=@ he is sayin 7eore the Lord his -od=?Lord= I 4now and 7e!ie:e a!! that you are s"ea4in to (eB and I 4now

and 7e!ie:e that this state o aairs won't !ast or e:er – that there is a

day o re:ersins &o(inB and when the years o &a"ti:ity ha:e run

their &ourse Thou wi!t sure!y de!i:er Thy "eo"!e ro( a!! their

a!i&tions. ? But Lord,” he is sayin= ?hat a7out the midst of the

years? hat a7out the years in between unti! that reat and ina!

de!i:eran&e@ /nd so= the "rayer o his heart s"i!!s out o his heart :ia

his (outh into the ear o his /!(ihty -od9 ?>e:i:e thy wor4 in the(idst o the years in the (idst o the years (a4e 4nown.@ ?;on't on!y

a:our us with that ina! reat de!i:eran&e= A Lord= 7ut a:our us with

Thy re:i:in ra&es – e:en durin those dreadu! days o our &a"ti:ity

– unti! that ina! reat de!i:eran&e rea!!y and u!!y &o(es to "ass or

us.@

/nd so= as we &o(e a&etoa&e with yet another year that

7rins us a&etoa&e with yet another re(inder that a!! the years o-od's "ur"oses wi!! one day 7e u!!y rea!ised and the Lord wi!! &o(e

to de!i:er $is "eo"!e or e:er(ore= we (ay we!! di!ient!y enCuire

&on&ernin those inter:enin years o the dear &hur&h's &a"ti:ity in the

,a7y!on o this wor!d= and !earn to &ry out !i4e the "ro"het $a7a44u4=

?A Lord= re:i:e thy wor4 in the (idst o the years= in the (idst o the

years (a4e 4nown.@ It is= sure!y se!do( wron to as4 the Lord to

!oo4 u"on us in 7!essinB and it is= sure!y= not out o "!a&e to &onsider

su&h a su7De&t or a ew !ines at the &o((en&e(ent o this new year.



<or= o &ourse= here is the "oint9 the hur&h o the Lord so oten

4nows the ex"erien&e o “a captivity within her captivity.” In other

words= as she (ust !i:e out her existen&e in this wor!d unti! her Lord

sha!! &o(e and ina!!y de!i:er her= there are a!so ti(es when that sa(e

Lord's hand is hea:y u"on her in &hastise(ent and &orre&tion so that

$e !eads her away into a s"iritua! and (ora! &a"ti:ity unti! she !earns

so(ethin o the 4ind o !essons that a 7oo4 !i4e $a7a44u4 sets 7eore

her= and !earns to &ry out in the words o the "ro"het o so !on ao.

<or one o the irst thins that a &a!! or de!i:eran&e ro( s"iritua!

7ondae and 7arrenness entai!s is an a&4now!ede(ent that it is the

:ery hand o -od hi(se! that has sent us into &a"ti:ity on a&&ount o

our sins and our transressions aainst $i(.

You see= $a7a44u4's "rayer or re:i:in in the (idst o the

years doesn't a&tua!!y 7ein on that note= or with those words we ha:e

Cuoted ro( his 7oo4. Ah= noB $a7a44u4's "rayer or re:i:in 7eins

on an entire!y dierent note a!toether. Listen to how he 7ends the

4nee 7eore the Lord's throne o ra&e9 ?/ Prayer o $a7a44u4 the

"ro"het u"on +hiionoth=@ it says= ?A Lord= I ha:e heard thy s"ee&h=

and was araid9 A !ord= re:i:e thy wor4 in the (idst o the years@ et&.

hat is $a7a44u4 the "ro"het sayin 7eore the Lord= (y riends$a7a44u4 the "ro"het is si("!y sayin 7eore the Lord that he

7e!ie:es what -od has said. -od has Dust= in a&t= said that $e is

oin to Dude $is "eo"!e Israe! 7y "er(ittin the( to 7e !ed away

&a"ti:e at the hand o that ha!dean host. /nd as ar as $a7a44u4 is

&on&erned= i -od has said that $e is oin to Dude this "eo"!e o

Israe!= then Dude the( he (ost &ertain!y is. /nd the "ro"het need not

ta4e a!! these ad:erse e:ents that are &o(in u"on this 7a&4s!idden

nation at this ti(e and inter"ret the( in any other way= 7ut the hand o his /!(ihty -od is u"on the(. ?A Lord= I ha:e heard thy :oi&e.@

Now= that's :ery i("ortant= sure!y I $a7a44u4 had turned to

the Lord and said= ?No Lord= I Dust &an't 7rin (yse! to 7e!ie:e that

you wou!d "er(it these thins in your 7e!o:ed Israe!= and what we are

seein and witnessin has so(ethin to do with !u&4= or i!!ortune= or

a 7ad &hain o e:ents that Dust ha""en to 7e a7road or us todayB@ (y

riends= i $a7a44u4 had "rayed !i4e that= then what riht wou!d he



ha:e had to "ray in the irst "!a&e= and what ee&tua!ness wou!d that

"rayer e:er ha:e had 7eore the a&e o his -od in hea:en a7o:e

/nd we (ay !earn it we!!9 one o the irst thins that we need to do is

to &o(e to an honest and &!ear assess(ent o Dust what is ta4in "!a&e

in the &hur&h and in the wor!d in these days in whi&h we !i:e= and

then= ro( that honest assess(ent %7y the ra&e and ena7!in o our

-od) 7ein our !on tre4 7a&4= see4in the Lord's hand to &o(e

(er&iu!!y u"on us in the (idst o su&h years as these. /nd where do

we &o(e to a riht assess(ent o our "resent state An!y in the ord

o -od a!one. That's the who!e 7urden o $a7a44u4's words ?A

Lord= I ha:e heard thy s"ee&h.@ /nd it "oints us to the &!ear

essentia!ity o the "rea&hin o the who!e ord o -od in our "resent

day. $a7a44u4 is not arri:in at this &on&!usion 7y his own notionsand (an(ade theo!oies= 7ut 7y the ord o the !i:in -od

resoundin and rinin in his heart and ears. /nd i we 7ut weihed

u" the 7eha:iour o the "roessin &hur&hes o hrist o:er the "ast

&entury in the who!e !iht o the who!e word o -od= we wou!d &!ear!y

see that -od's hand has now a!!en hea:i!y u"on us in these days.

$a:in sown the wind= we are now rea"in the har:est o the

whir!wind. /nd one o the reat "rereCuisites or &a!!in on the Lord

or re:i:in ra&e and "reser:in ra&e in our day= is to &!ear!y andhonest!y &o(e to ter(s with the a&t that the Lord is &!ear!y Dustiied

in ha:in a terri7!e &ontro:ersy with those who ha:e ta4en on $is

na(e to 7e &a!!ed the &hur&hes o the !i:in -od.

Need!ess to say= o &ourse= this is not an easy thin to &o(e to

ter(s with. You see e:en how "oor o!d $a7a44u4 e!t within his

heart and (ind as soon as he 7e!ie:in!y !aid ho!d on the truth that

-od was sure!y at wor4 in a terri7!e ashion in that !and o Israe! ?ALord=@ he says= ?I ha:e heard thy s"ee&h= and was araid.@ +o 7e it=

(y riendsF /nd there is nothin that (a4es our hearts tre(7!e (ore

than the rea!isation that -od &an and -od does Dude $is :ery own

"eo"!e at ti(es. +o the tenden&y a(on 7oth "rea&hers and hearers

a!i4e to !o&4 su&h do&trine and truths away in so(e &on:enient

theo!oi&a! &u"7oard. Yet= you see= unti! these truths are re!eased= and

ser:ed and swa!!owed down – no(atter how un"a!ata7!e they (iht

7e – we are ne:er e:en ettin to the irst ste"s o &a!!in u"on the



Lord our -od to re:i:e $is wor4 in the (idst o the years. You'!! ind

that "rin&i"!e at wor4 in the (idst o o the years. You'!! ind that

"rin&i"!e in Pau!'s se&ond E"ist!e to the orinthians where he re(inds

the( o the un"a!ata7!e truths o &hastise(ent and &orre&tion that he

7rouht 7eore the( in his irst e"ist!e= 7ut what reat and !orious

resu!ts the e(7ra&in and 7e!ie:in o those truths ha:e (eant to

the(. ?<or= 7eho!d=@ he says= ?this se!sa(e thin= that ye sorrowed

ater a od!y sort.@ /nd the resu!ts o that ?hat &areu!ness it

wrouht in you= yea= what &!earin o yourse!:es= yea= what

indination= yea= what ear= yea= what :ehe(ent desire= yea= what

ea!=@ and so orth. /nd su&h was the "ro&ess with $a7a44u49 irst=

he honest!y rea!ises that they are su&h years as they areB se&ond= he

assesses ariht 7y 7e!ie:in the words o the !ord how su&h years ha:e&o(e a7outB and third= a!thouh the rea!isation ta4es its to!! u"on his

"oor o!d heart and (ind= he re&ei:es the rea!isation= and so= &ries out

to the Lord in the on!y way that he 4nows how ?A Lord= re:i:e thy

wor4 in the (idst o the years.@ /nd need we (a4e (ention o

$a7a44u4's o!!owu" to his reCuest /s he "rea&es his "rayer or

re:i:ins with an a&4now!ede(ent that it is -od's hand that has

7rouht the( to their "resent state on a&&ount o their sin= so he

&on&!udes his "rayer or re:i:in 7y a&4now!edin that it (ust a!so 7e -od's hand a!one that wi!! de!i:er the( out o their "resent and

uture state on a&&ount o $is (er&y9 ?A Lord= re:i:e thy wor4 in

the (idst o the years= in the (idst o the years (a4e 4nownB in wrath

re(e(7er (er&y.@ $a7a44u4 su(s u" that "rayer exa&t!y riht9

?Lord=@ he is sayin= ?whi!st thou art exer&isin thy Dust "reroati:e in

Dude(ent= rant that it (iht "!ease thee to a!so exer&ise thy ra&ious

"reroati:e in (er&y.@ Note that there is not one word a7out Israe!'s

(eritB that $a7a44u4 doesn't as4 that the wor4 (iht 7e done on therounds o his "rayerB it is -od's ree= un(erited a:our a!one that wi!!

rant an answer to that "rayer i answer there is oin to 7e. E:en the

a&tua! word o the "rayer itse! sets that truth &!ear!y 7eore us9 ?A

Lord=@ says $a7a44u4= ?re:i:e Thy wor4 in the (idst o the years ...@

$e !oo4s to -od that -od (iht re(e(7er and not orsa4e the wor4s

o $is own hands. #ay we !earn to 7ear that in (ind a!so. /s one

has said= ?A Lord= !oo4 u"on the wounds o Thy hands= and orsa4e

not the works o Thy hands.@ and as another has "ut it= ?Into $is



hands !et us &o((end our s"irits= sure that e:en thouh the wor4s o

our hands ha:e (ade :oid the wor4s o $is hands= yet $is hands wi!!

aain (a4e "ere&t a!! that our hands ha:e un(ade.@

e 4now not what the (orrow (ay 7rin orth= nor= indeed=

how (any years there are= i any= unti! our Lord wi!! ina!!y &o(e.

,ut on a&&ount o that :ery a&t are we not under &ontinuous

o7!iation and restraint to &a!! u"on our -od= ?A Lord= re:i:e thy

wor4 in the (idst o the years= in the (idst o the years (a4e 4nownB

in wrath re(e(7er (er&y@

#ay the Lord 7e with us a!! and a!! $is "eo"!e throuhout the

earth durin the "er(itted days o this new year.

Yours sin&ere!y=

. J. +eaton.

Philip and atthew !enry

"Part # concludin$%

That desire o the $enrys to ?#ar4 "ro:iden&es that they (iht ha:e

"ro:iden&es to (ar4=@ (ust ha:e 7een oten re!e&ted u"on in re!ation

to those sad days o 1662. Phi!i" $enry (o:ed with his a(i!y to

,road Aa4 towards the end o the +e"te(7er o that yearB three wee4s

!ate there was 7orn into the a(i!y the se&ond son who( the ather

and (other na(ed #atthew. ?#oses (y ser:ant is dead= now

thereore= arise= Joshua ...@ ?Today you are &oo4in a oose=@ said o!d

John $uss at the sta4e= ?7ut to(orrow a swan %#artin Luther) wi!!rise out o the ashes.@ /nd with the 7irth o #atthew $enry= whose

:oi&e was to o out into a!! the wor!d= the Lord was= sure!y i:in a

7!essed to4en that $is ord wi!! ne:er 7e 7ound nor si!en&ed no

(atter how :io!ent!y (en (ay rae aainst it. -od was raisin u"

?the "en o a ready writer=@ and that di!ien&e and aithu!ness o

Phi!i" $enry in ex"oundin the who!e &ounse! o -od where -od had

set hi(= was to 7e the hu(an instru(ent in "uttin an ede to that "en.



Li4e his ather= #atthew $enry had a reat &a"a&ity or !earnin at a

youn ae= and this was ex"!oited to the u!!. $owe:er= it is with

reards es"e&ia!!y to his rowin ?in the 4now!ede o our Lord Jesus

hrist=@ that the "rayers and eorts o ,road Aa4 were dire&ted. Ane

o the reatest Doys= sure!y= that the hristian "arents &an 7e aorded

is to !earn that they ha:e 7een used o the Lord in the &on:ersion o

their :ery own &hi!dren. An the th ;e&e(7er 168= this Doy 7ean to

dawn u"on the eDe&ted (inister o orthen7ury. It was a Lord's ;ay

aternoon that the youn #atthew a""roa&hed his ather to 7e

?exa(ined@= as he "uts it= as to whether or not he had ?the (ar4s o

true ra&e@ within his heart. ?I to!d (y ather (y e:iden&es=@ he says=

?he !i4ed the(= and to!d (e= i those e:iden&es were true %as I thin4

they were) I had true ra&e.@ / ew years ear!ier= #atthew $enry=sti!! on!y a 7oy o thirteen= had 7eun to draw u" ?/ ata!oue o

-od's #er&ies@ towards hi(. In that ata!oue= he !oo4s 7a&4 three

years= to a ti(e when he was on!y ten years o!d= and tra&es the day

that he irst 7ean to ee! that -od was stret&hin out $is hand in

sa!:ation towards hi(. ?I thin4 it was three years ao=@ he writes=

?that I 7ean to 7e &on:i&ted= hearin a ser(on 7y (y ather on Psa!(

3191= ?The sa&rii&es o -od are a 7ro4en s"iritB a 7ro4en and a

&ontrite heart= A -od= thou wi!t not des"ise.@ That text s(ou!deredand 7urned in the youn 7oy's heart unti!= that day= so(e i:e or six

years !ater= it 7urst into !a(es 7y the annin o -od's $o!y +"irit

when the reDoi&in ather was ta4en u" to !oriy -od e:en in the !ie

o his own !esh and 7!ood.

+hort!y ater this= #atthew was sent to London to study under that

?ho!y= aithu! (inister= #r Tho(as ;oo!itt!e= who then !i:ed at

Is!inton.@ <ro( there he (o:ed to -ray's Inn durin the +"rin o1683 with the intention o studyin !aw and s"endin his !ie in that

o&&u"ation. ;urin this -ray's Inn "eriod= howe:er= we ind hi(

e:erstrainin at the !eash to 7e away and a7out his ather's 7usiness o

"rea&hin= and when thins 7ean to ease around the year 168= his

&a!! to the hristian (inistry and to the &hur&h at hester had 7een

extended and a&&e"ted.



A his ?wor4 o aith= and !a7our o !o:e@ at hester= :o!u(es &ou!d

7e written. /t the ti(e o his ordination= he had "re"ared ?/ +erious

+e!exa(ination ,eore Ardination@= this runs to ten "aes= 7ut

see(s to ha:e or(ed the 7asis o a!! that he did durin his twenty

i:e years with the hester &onreation. $is heart was 4nit to the

"eo"!e o that "!a&e= a!thouh the shadow o death e!! a&ross his "ath

on nu(erous o&&asions. #arried in /uust o 168= he was 7eret o

his youn wie eihteen (onths !ater= at the youn ae o twentyi:e.

$e was ured 7y his in!aws to re(arry= whi&h he did in 1650= 7ut

death soon :isited the ho(e in the re(o:a! o their !itt!e dauhter in

1652. /n entry in his diary at this ti(e su(s it a!! u"= ?I ha:e 7een

this day doin a wor4 I ne:er did 7eore= 7uryin a &hi!d9@ +ad!y= it

was a wor4 that was to 7e&o(e a(i!iar or /"ri! o 165* was to seehi( !ay another inant dauhter in the ra:e= and No:e(7er 1658= yet

another= whi!e in 7etween those two e:ents had &o(e one o the

saddest :isitations o death in the ho(e &a!! o his ather. /!thouh

a7so!ute!y re&on&i!ed to the nature o !ie and death= ti(e and eternity=

#atthew $enry's true heart e!t the 7!ow u"on itB ?/nd now= what is

this that -od hath done unto us@ he writes. This was re&orded in no

7itterness= 7ut in honest enCuiry as to what -od had to tea&h those

who re(ained. The !esson ina!!y a""!ied itse! to the youn (an'sheart= to (a4e hi(se! (ore and (ore ready or the hour o death=

?that when it &o(es=@ he reso!:ed= ?I (ay ha:e nothin to do but die.@

;eath= in a&t= &a(e re!ati:e!y ear!y or #atthew $enry= or he had

on!y rea&hed his ityse&ond year when a a!! ro( his horse "ro:ed

ata! to his a!ready ai!in and a!terin hea!th. Yet= how (u&h was

"rodu&ed in that one shortened !ie is "ro7a7!y e"ito(ised in the

(assi:e :o!u(es o &o((entary that ra&e= and ha:e ra&ed= theshe!:es o enerations o (inisters and "rea&hers= and the "eo"!e o

-od e:erywhere. This ?Ex"osition o the ho!e ,i7!e=@ o &ourse=

was on!y "art o his !iterary wor4 in the os"e!= 7ut= standin as it does

in a!! its width= "ro7a7!y o:ershadows e:erythin e!se. ?/nd now=@

#r +"ureon see(s to 7e sayin as he ta4es a dee" 7reath at the

&o((en&e(ent o re&o((endin ex"ositions in his introdu&tion to

o((entin and o((entaries. ?<irst a(on the (ihty or enera!

useu!ness ...@ <ew wou!d disaree with that. $ow oten= when a



"assae has 7een exeeted in the study= ex"ounded "re&ise!y to our

(inds= o:er!aid with a!! the s&ien&e o her(eneuti& and textua!

e:iden&e= ha:e we sti!! !a&4ed one thin needu! – that &!othin o the

who with war( !esh and 7!ood – and ha:e ound it in the "aes o

#.$. /nd that's "re&ise!y what he intended his wor4 to 7eB ?hen

the stone is ro!!ed away ro( the we!!'s (outh=@ he says= ?7y a &riti&a!

ex"!i&ation o the text= sti!! there are those who wou!d drin4

the(se!:es and water their !o&4sB 7ut= they &o("!ain that the we!! is

dee"= and they ha:e nothin to draw withB how then sha!! they &o(e

7y this !i:in water@ +o= he ex"!ains= ?+o(e su&h (ay "erha"s ind

a 7u&4et here= or water drawn to their handsB and "!eased enouh sha!!

I 7e with this oi&e o the -i7eonites= to draw water or the

&onreation o the Lord out o these we!!s o sa!:ation.@ that oi&ehas 7een we!! dis&hared= as the testi(ony o enerations o a7!e (en

witness9 Isaa& atts= Phi!i" ;oddride= John >y!and= i!!ia(

>o(aine= /da( !ar4= >o7ert $a!! wou!d a!! !ad!y ta4e their stand

on that. >o7ert $a!!'s 7iora"her re!ates how that e(inent "astor= ?or

the !ast two years %o his !ie) read dai!y two &ha"ters o #atthew

$enry.@ hiteie!d read throuh the &o((entary our ti(es= and

a!ways on his 4neesB whi!e +"ureon desinates i!!ia( Jay o ,ath

as= ?#atthew $enry "rea&hin.@ ?The reat #r $enry=@ hiteie!d&a!!ed hi(= and a!! shou!d want to add an /(en to that.

The !ast two years o #atthew $enry's !ie were s"ent in the "astorate

o the Inde"endent &hur&h at $a&4ney in London. To this he had

(o:ed in 112 ater (u&h heartsear&hin and heartrendin in

!ea:in the "eo"!e at hester. /t $a&4ney= he &o("!eted the ith

:o!u(e o the Ex"osition – -os"e!s and /&ts – 7ut died 7eore he

&ou!d &o("!ete the ina! "art o the wor4. $e had= o &ourse !et (u&h(ateria! in "re"aration or the !ast :o!u(e= and a rou" o riends too4

in hand to do this. ,ut= as one writer has said= ?they &o("!eted a sixth

:o!u(e= 7ut they did not &ontinue #atthew $enry.@ Ne:erthe!ess=

what an out"ut those &o("!eted :o!u(es re"resent or those years

sin&e the Ex"osition's in&e"tion9 he set his hand to it in 10= issued

the <i:e ,oo4s o #oses 106= the $istories 108= the "oeti&a! 7oo4s

110= the Pro"hets 112= and the os"e!s and /&ts in 11 Dust 7eore

he died. e (ay we!!re(e(7er that a!! this was a&&o("!ished in the



(idst o a(i!y and "astora! !ie and not si("!y exe&uted in ?the

studious &!oisters "a!e.@ Let one extra&t ro( his diary show this

&!ear!yB ?,etween two and three o'&!o&4 this (ornin= whi!e (y wie

was i!!= I retired to see4 -od or her and the &hi!dren. ,ein wi!!in to

redee( ti(e= I did a !itt!e at (y Ex"osition ...@

?,y !itt!e stro4es= (en e!! reat oa4s.@

+o= #atthew $enry !a7oured on aithu!!y with an eye to hea:en= so

that= when it &a(e or his ti(e to die= 7y the ra&e o -od= he had

nothin to do “but die.” /s (entioned= it was due to a a!! ro( his

horse on the way to Nantwi&h where he was headin to "rea&h ater

two wee4ends with his o!d &onreation at hester. $e u!i!!ed his "rea&hin enae(ent ater the a!!= 7ut the hea!th that had 7eun to

de&!ine se:era! years 7eore due to dia7etes= was insui&ient to sustain

his !ie ater the inDury= and he "assed away on Tuesday 22nd June

11. Neither "erse&ution= nor death itse!= &an si!en&e the Lord's

:oi&e throuh those that ?$e de!ihts to deend@ and to use or his

"ur"oses in ra&e.

;ear ,oys and -ir!s=

/t this ti(e o year (ost "eo"!e ha:e 7een thin4in a7out the

new year that has Dust 7eun. I'( sure you ha:e heard so(e7ody say=

?e!!= this is the start o a new year – a ti(e or new 7einnins.@ It

is ood to !oo4 7a&4 on our !i:es and see how we ha:e !i:ed= and then=

to !oo4 orward= deter(ined to !i:e 7etter.



here 7etter to !oo4 or he!" and uidan&e than to -od's ord=

and riht to the 7einnin o -od's ord= when !ie on this earth irst

7ean. %-enesis ha"ter 1 :erse 1) ?In the be$innin$ = -od ...@ That's

it 7oys and ir!s. /t this 7einnin o a new year !et us a!! reso!:e to

!oo4 to -odB "ut -od at the 7einnin o a!! our thouhts and a&tions=

and then= sure!y= we wi!! !i:e 7etter !i:es.

?-od 7e in (y head= and in (y understandinB

-od 7e in (ine eyes= and in (y !oo4inB

-od 7e in (y (outh= and in (y s"ea4inB

-od 7e in (y heart= and in (y thin4in.@

Lo:e= #rs +eaton

&leanin$s in the Psalms

"Psalm '# continued%

&erse ! “)or he sha** +e*i,er the nee+ when he crieth ” A(it

"rayer= and you a!! out o -od's testin into the de:i!'s te("tation.

You et anry= hard o heart= re&4!ess. ,ut (eet the dreadu! hour

with "rayer= &ast your &are on -od= &!ai( $i( as your <ather thouh

$e see(s &rue! – and the deradin= "ara!ysin= e(7itterin ee&ts o "ain and sorrow "ass away= and a strea( o san&tiyin and sotenin

thouht "ours into the sou!B and that whi&h (iht ha:e wrouht your

a!!= on!y wor4s in you the "ea&ea7!e ruits o rihteousness. You "ass

ro( 7itterness into &ourae o enduran&e= and ro( enduran&e into

7att!e= and ro( 7att!e into :i&tory= ti!! at !ast the tria! diniies and

7!esses your !ie.

S. Brooks



&erse !- “.e sha** / sa,e the sou*s o0 the nee+” / a(ous

ru!er used to say= that he wou!d rather sa:e a sin!e &itien than s!ay a

thousand ene(ies. A this (ind ouht a!! "rin&es 7e towards their

su7De&ts. ,ut this ae&tion and !o:e rose to its hihest ex&e!!en&e and

"ower in the 7reast o Jesus hrist. +o ardent is $is !o:e to $is own=

that $e suers not one o the( to "erish= 7ut !eads the( to u!!

sa!:ation.

Mollerus

&erse !$ “there sha** 1e an han+0u* o0 corn in the earth u2on the

to2 o0 the 3ountains4 the 0ruit thereo0 sha** shake *ike Le1anon5

an+ the o0 the cit sha** 0*ourish *ike grass o0 the earth” No

7etter des&ri"tion o the !ories o the os"e!= e:en ro( the 7einnin= &ou!d 7e ound than this. ho wou!d i:e any ho"e

whatsoe:er o a har:est 7ein rea"ed with on!y a handu! o &orn

/nd not on!y that= 7ut the handu! o &orn 7ein sown on a na4ed and

stor(swe"t (ountain to"= where no de"th o earth wou!d 7e ound=

7ut on!y a sha!!ow and ro&4y reion Yet= says the "sa!(ist= ?the ruit

thereo@ the ruit o su&h a hus7andry ?sha!! sha4e !i4e Le7anon@

!i4e the (ihty &edars o that air !and. +o= the os"e!F ho wou!d

ha:e i:en two arthins or that ?handu! o &orn@ athered in theu""er roo( ater the /s&ension o hrist to the rea!(s o !ory /nd

yet= within a ew short wee4s ?they o the &ity@ o Jerusa!e( itse!

were to ?!ourish !i4e the rass o the earth.@ #ay we 4now su&h

!orious "!antins in our own !and aain.

&erse !$ “ / an han+0u* o0 corn ” dou7t!ess it has 7een a(i!iar

to you to see &orn (er&hants &arryin s(a!! 7as with the(=

&ontainin Dust a handu! o &orn= whi&h they exhi7it as s"e&i(ens othe store whi&h they ha:e or sa!e. Now= !et (e 7e o e:ery one o

you to &arry a s(a!! 7a with this "re&ious &orn o the os"e!. The

(ost dii&u!t "!a&e= the stee"est (ountain= the s"ot where there see(s

the !east ho"e o "rodu&in ruit= is to 7e the irst "!a&e o atta&4. /nd

the (ore !a7our there is reCuired= the (ore is to 7e i:en= in the

distri7ution o the seeds.

J. Sherman



&erse !# “.is na3e sha** en+ure 0or e,er ”

The (etri&a! renderin o the :erse is 7eyond &o("are

?$is na(e or e:er sha!! endureB

!ast !i4e the sun it sha!!9

#en sha!! 7e 7!ess'd in hi(= and 7!ess'd

a!! nations sha!! hi( &a!!.@

&erse !" “An+ 1*esse+ 1e his g*orious na3e 0or e,er5 an+ *et the

who*e earth 1e 0i**e+ with his g*or4 A3en6 an+ A3en” ?/(en@ is

a short word= 7ut (ar:e!!ous!y "renant= u!! o sense and s"irit. It is

a word that sea!s a!! the truths o -od and e:ery "arti&u!ar "ro(ise o-od. ,ut it is ne:er !i4e!y to arise in the sou!= un!ess there 7e an

a!(ihty "ower ro( hea:en to (a4e it say= ?/(en.@ there is su&h an

inward o""osition o the heart= and an innate re7e!!ion aainst the

7!essed truth o -od= that un!ess -od= 7y $is stron ar(= 7rins the

heart down= it ne:er wi!! nor &an say= ?/(en.@

Richard Sibbes

&erse 7 “the 2raers o0 8a,i+ the son o0 Jesse are en+e+” Theson o Jesse. It is the note o true hu(i!ity and sin&ere !o:e to -od to

a7ase ourse!:es= and a&4now!ede our !ow &ondition= wherein -od did

ind us when $e did !et orth $is !o:e to us. +o ;a:id does tea&h us

here how to &o((end the ri&hes o -od's oodness and ra&e towards

us.

David Dickson

&erse 7 “The 2raers o0 8a,i+ the son o0 Jesse are en+e+” There are se:era! other "sa!(s o ;a:id yet to &o(e= this &on&!usion

(ust either a""!y to the &!ose o this ?<irst ,oo4@ o "sa!(s= or e!se to

the &!ose o the "sa!(s whi&h ;a:id hi(se! had athered toether.

hate:er the &ase= sure it is that ;a:id &a(e to the "oint where his

"rayers did end with his (orta! 7reath. Not so the "rayers o ;a:id's

reater +on whi&h e:er "!ead or us.



(pur$eon)s *ccentric Preachers

Part 8 – Edward ,roo4e. 155181

+Cuire ,roo4e &a(e o a su7stantia! Yor4shire a(i!y= whi&h

"ossessed a &onsidera7!e estate a(on the wi!d (oor!ands o the

North. $is "arents 7e!oned to the Esta7!ished &hur&h whi!e Edwardwas in his 7oyhood= 7ut were 7rouht to 4now the Lord in ater years

7y the "rea&hin o their ea!ous son. Edward was not sent to Eton or

$arrow= as he shou!d ha:e 7eenB 7ut o!!owin the 7ent o his

in&!ination he was a!!owed to re(ain u"on the ar(= to ish= and hunt=

and shoot= and to de:e!o" a ine &onstitution and an oriina! (ind.

/(id the ro&4s and the heather= the orest trees and the erns= Edward

,roo4e= with his dos and his un= ound 7oth s"ort and hea!thB or

dashin o:er the &ountry ater the hounds= he enDoyed exhi!aration andtrained his &ourae in the hunt. G" to the ae o twentytwo he see(s

to ha:e 7een de:oid o re!iious thouhtB 7ut as we a!:inists are

wont to "ut it= the ti(e a""ointed o the Lord drew near= and

so:erein ra&e issued its writ o arrest aainst hi(= reso!:in in

ininite !o:e to (a4e hi( a &a"ti:e to its "ower.

?Ear!y in the year 1821= Edward ,roo4e rose one (ornin= intent on

"!easure. ECui""ed or his a:ourite s"ort= with un in hand ando!!owed 7y his dos= he was &rossin the $en!ey #oors when a !one

(an (et hi( with a (essae ro( -od. The (an was a Pri(iti:e

#ethodist "rea&her= na(ed Tho(as $o!!aday. ?Intent u"on his

#aster's wor4= 'in season and out o season'= $o!!aday was "ro("t to

seie an o""ortunity o useu!ness. Passin the youn s"orts(an= he

res"e&tu!!y sa!uted hi(= and said= with "ityin earnestness= '#aster=

you are see4in ha""iness where you wi!! ne:er ind it.' An went the

(an o -od= "erha"s !itt!e drea(in that the arrow thus shot at a:enture had "ier&ed the Doints o the ar(our en&asin the youn



s"orts(an's heart. Yet so it was. $ere went the wounded s"orts(an=

the words o $o!!aday sti!! soundin in his ears. '#aster= you are

see4in ha""iness where you wi!! ne:er ind it'. The ti(e was

o""ortune. It was a day o :isitation or that neih7ourhood. The

+"irit o -od was (o:in u"on the "o"u!ation. / reat re:i:a! was in

"roress.

The awa4ened youn ent!e(an 7ean to attend &ottae "rayer

(eetins and to &on:erse with the od!y (en o the neih7ourhood=

and thus his anxiety was reat!y dee"ened= and his desire or sa!:ation

in!a(ed.

?It was the day o his sister's weddin. I!!"re"ared to Doin in theesti:ities o the o&&asion= 7e&ause o the sorrow o his heart= Edward

,roo4e s"ent the "re:ious niht hours in readin his ,i7!e and

wrest!in with -od or sa!:ation.

'/!! niht the !one!y su""!iant "rayed=

/!! niht his earnest &ryin (ade.'

/7out our o'&!o&4 in the (ornin= whi!st 4nee!in 7y the o!d ar(&hair in his ather's 4it&hen= sti!! "!eadin or (er&y throuh the (ediation

o Jesus= his sou! rew des"erate= and !i4e Ja&o7 wrest!in with the

ane! ti!! the 7rea4 o day= he reso!:ed= 'I wi!! not !et thee o ex&e"t

thou 7!ess (e.'

?That (ihty i("ortunity was the (aniestation o true aith. $e was

ena7!ed to re&ei:e Jesus as his +a:iour= and 7e!ie:in with the heart

unto rihteousness= these words were a""!ied to his heart= as distin&t!yand i("ressi:e!y as thouh s"o4en 7y a :oi&e ro( hea:en9 'Thy sins

whi&h are (any are a!! ori:en thee= o in "ea&e and sin no (ore.'

/!! ear and sorrow :anished= and= 7e!ie:in= he reDoi&ed with Doy

uns"ea4a7!e and u!! o !ory.

?Exu!tin in his wonderu! de!i:eran&e= his irst i("u!se was to (a4e

it 4nown. $e hastened to his sister's &ha(7er and to!d her the !ad

news that hrist had sa:e hi( – a !orious announ&e(ent on her



7rida! (orn9 then ear!y thouh it was= he ran out into the :i!!ae and

roused a "rayin (an &a!!ed ,en Nay!or= whose heart he 4new wou!d

7e in sy("athy with his= and to!d hi( how he had ound the LordB and

they two &a!!ed u" a third= na(ed Jose"h ;on4ers!ey= to share their

DoyB and ro( the reDoi&in trio u" went a son o "raise= the Du7i!ant

and sweet notes o whi&h were (usi& in -od's ear= and wo4e u" the

sons o ane!s= and a:e new i("u!se to the ha""iness o hea:en= 'or

there is Doy in the "resen&e o the ane!s o -od o:er one sinner that

re"enteth.'@

<ro( that (o(ent Edward ,roo4e was what he wou!d ha:e &a!!ed ?a

7rand new (an.@ $e &ou!d do nothin 7y ha!:es= and thereore he

renoun&ed on&e or a!! his or(er &ourse o !ie= and indin ie!ds"orts to ha:e too reat a &har( or hi(= he a:e the( u" in the (ost

reso!ute (anner. ?+ir=@ said he to a hristian riend= ?I ound that the

ate was strait= and so I "ressed into it (yse!= and !et (y horses= and

dos= and the wor!d outside.@ Edward ,roo4e reCuented &ottae

"rayer(eetins= ta!4ed with the wor4 "eo"!e at the (i!!= exhorted in

his ather's 4it&hen= and instru&ted wayarers 7y the roadsideB he

7ean= in a&t= to "ut hi(se! in trainin to 7e&o(e a (ihty hunter

7eore the Lord=@ a &onse&rated Ni(rod whose a(e wou!d 7e thesou!s o (en.

#r ,roo4e's ear!y &areer i!!ustrates the reat useu!ness o s(a!!

(eetins in roo(s and &ottaes= where the unedu&ated= the "oor= and

raw 7einners (ay ee! at ho(e in their irst atte("ts at s"ea4in.

$ad it not 7een or su&h atherins he (iht ha:e re(ained si!ent= or

he &ou!d not ha:e dared to (a4e his irst essays 7eore a !are

&onreation.

?In su&h (eetins= Edward ,roo4e irst :entured to de!i:er the

(essae o sa!:ation= whi&h was as a 7urnin ire shut u" in his 7ones=

ti!! he was weary with or7earin and &ou!d not stayB and there he

ound en&ourae(ent and strenth or urther ser:i&e.

?/ter "rayeru! &onsideration and &onsu!tation with hristian riends=

it was arraned that Edward ,roo4e shou!d su7(it his &on:i&tions o



duty to the Dude(ent o others= 7y "rea&hin in Ja(es ;on4ers!ey's

&ha(7er= a !are roo( whi&h answered the threeo!d "ur"ose o a

wor4sho"= a 7edroo(= and a "!a&e where the neih7ours (iht ather

to worshi" -od. The ser:i&e was du!y announ&ed= and reat interest

awa4ened in the youn sCuire's irst a""earan&e as a "rea&her. The

&ha(7er was throned= and (any a heart u"!ited in earnest "rayer

that -od wou!d en&ourae and he!" his youn ser:ant in this irst tria!

o his "u!"it its. The "rea&her too4 or his text a "assae in

har(ony with his intense &on:i&tionsB 'The wi&4ed sha!! 7e turned into

he!!.' /&tin u"on a sense o duty= and hu(7!y re!yin on -od= the

"rea&her was di:ine!y assisted= and the eort was a su&&ess.

e &annot "retend to i:e e:en an out!ine o #r ,roo4e's !on anduseu! !ie= 7ut (ust &ontent ourse!:es with &itin in&idents whi&h

i!!ustrate 7oth his e&&entri&ity and er:our.

?;ri:in to so(e :i!!ae in ;er7yshire= where he was ex"e&ted to

"rea&h in the ater "art o the day= the sCuire "u!!ed u" at a wayside

inn. $a:in seen his horse ed= he ordered his usua! reresh(ent o

ha( and es. / ine= hea!thy!oo4in &ountry(an entered the roo(

and sat down to rest. The sCuire (ade so(e riend!y o7ser:ations=and when his re"ast was s"read= in:ited the youn (an to Doin hi(.

The oer was rateu!!y a&&e"ted. hi!st enDoyin their sa:oury dish

the youth's heart o"ened= and there was a "!easant !ow o

&on:ersation. 'e are ex"e&tin a :ery strane "rea&her=' said he= 'at

our :i!!ae toniht. $e is a reat (an or "rayer(eetins= and tries

to &on:ert a!! the o!4s into #ethodists.' 'Indeed=' re"!ied the sCuire=

with e:ident interest in the to"i&= 'ha:e you e:er heard hi(' 'No= I

ha:en't=' said the youth= '7ut (y 7rother has.' 'e!!= what did your 7rother say a7out hi(' enCuired the sCuire. 'Ah= he to!d (e he ne:er

heard su&h a Cueer &ha" in his !ieB indeed he didn't 4now i he were

Cuite riht in his headB 7ut=' said the youn (an= 'I intend to o and

hear or (yse!.' 'That is riht= (y !ad=' said the sCuire= 'and et your

7rother to o too= he (ay ha:e a word to suit you 7oth.' they did o=

and reat!y to the youn (an's sur"rise= as the "rea&her (ounted the

"u!"it= he re&onised his riend!y entertainer at the wayside inn. /s

the sCuire "ro&eeded with the ser:i&e the youn (an's heart was



tou&hed and his 7rother's a!so. /t the "rayer (eetin they were ound

a(onst the "enitent see4ers o sa!:ation and were 7oth &on:erted not

(ere!y into #ethodists= 7ut into hristian 7e!ie:ers.@

$ere is a s"e&i(en o his &hara&teristi& !etters9 7rie= 7ut a!! on ire9

;ear John – In re"!y to yours= I 7e !ea:e to say that our !a7our at

$on!ey was not in :ain. / new &!ass has 7een or(ed= and a7out a

doen ha:e one to it. Two ound "ea&e. Praise the LordF e sha!!

rise. /!! he!! is on the (o:e= 7ut we (ust o round a7out the

7u!war4s o our Hion= and (ar4 we!! her "a!a&es= and we sha!!

u!ti(ate!y and ina!!y triu("h o:er a!!. I say a!!. -o on= John= in the

wor4. Li:e near to -od. ,e a iant in re!iionB one o the irst and

7est (en in your day. P!ead with -od. Li:e in the !ory. '/d:an&e'is the hristian's (otto. Anward to &ertain :i&tory o:er sin= the wor!d=

and he!!. Tra("!e down wor!d!y= ashiona7!e &onor(ity. now the

wi!! o -od and do it. ;o it hearti!y= &heeru!!y= u!!y= eterna!!y= and

hea:en wi!! 7e your uide= deen&e= and a!! in a!!. Aur 4ind res"e&ts.

?/nd in your "rayers= re(e(7er

?Edward ,roo4e@

%This is the end o this "resent series).

wicket gate magazine edition 118 (january 2016)

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