Monday 13 February 2017

"How to exercise ourselves to godliness on the Lord's Day" by the English Puritan George Swinnock (1627-1673)

I am currently reading the Works of George Swinnock. A Presbyterian minister within the Church of England and he was one of the 2000 ministers ejected in 1662 by the shameful work of King Charles II. King Charles II was a crypto-Roman Catholic and he created havoc in the church in this nation. Roman Catholic doctrine has never changed and it is anti-Christian to the core.

Last week, I read myself happy. When was the last time you read some spiritual material that made you spiritually happy and deeply satisfied? I read George Swinnock Works, Volume 1:XXI, “How to Exercise Ourselves to Godliness on a Lord’s Day", pp 222-249.

This is the best work I have ever read on the Christian Sabbath. When I read it, it made me spiritually joyful. I am not sure if you are familiar with this writer or this work, but what he writes does one’s soul good in preparing for the Sabbath. Swinnock is expounding 1 Timothy 4:7-8.

"Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come".

One of the urgent requests for prayer in our day, everywhere, is for the Lord to recover a love for the Christian Sabbath among God's people. This would be revival enough and it would bring great honour to the Lord. This recovery would eliminate lazy pastors though, because a minimum of two services on the Lord's Day and probably with catechising as well is needed with this doctrine. We need it. The church needs it. The testimony of Christ in this dark world needs this. Let us join in prayer for it.

Here is a website link to read this chapter online: http://digitalpuritan.net/george-swinnock/

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