The Happiness of Heaven

Heaven is the desired haven that the believer longs for. After the storms of life have ceased, the believer after death in that wonderful place, with their Lord and Saviour, will enjoy uninterrupted joy and pleasures. The Rev Maurice Roberts in this book, clearly and pastorally gives us a further insight into this wonderful place; which is, dear brethren, our long home! May the Lord's people, through reading this book, be stirred up to greater heavenly mindedness which is so needful today.
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"I have seldom heard a minister preach with more relish, glow, and frequency about heaven than Rev. Maurice Roberts. In The Happiness of Heaven, Roberts shows that same giftedness in writing about the glorious state of eternal bliss. He writes with warmth, conviction, and longing, while not fearing to address biblically the difficult questions in masterful chapters such as ‘Children and Heaven’ and ‘The Dark Side of Heaven.’ This is one of the author’s best books yet. If you’re a believer, it will move you deeply and make you more homesick. Read it repeatedly to lift your soul up above the sin and mundane trivialities of this world and to set your affections on the Triune God and things above."
- Joel Beeke

Heirs with Christ


The Puritans on Adoption by Joel Beeke
We can do no better than to begin this recommendation of Heirs with Christ with Mr. Beeke`s quotation from Thomas Watson, the Puritan, in his Body of Divinity, “We have enough in us to move God to correct us, but nothing to move Him to adopt us, therefore exalt free grace, begin the work of angels here; bless Him with your praises who hath blessed you His sons and daughters”. A glance at the comprehensive bibliography at the end of the book reveals the extent of interest that there has been, and still is, in this doctrine of Adoption.This is what Samuel Willard (1684) says on this subject, “God did not adopt us because we were lovely, but that we might be so. God saw as much beauty in others as in us, and that was none at all! And hence, that He should adopt us at all is a demonstration of His inconceivable grace!”


Dr. Beeke, after distinguishing between human and divine adoption, ably summarises the privileges and benefits of Adoption into God's family: as a Father, 1. God cuts us off from the family to which we naturally belong in Adam as children of wrath and of the devil, and He engrafts us into His own family to make us members of the covenant family of God. 2. He gives us freedom to call on Him by name and gives us a new name, 2 Chron. 7:14. 3. He gifts us with the Spirit of Adoption. 4. He grants us likeness to Himself and to His Son. 5. He strengthens our faith through His gifts of promises and prayer. 6. He corrects and chastens us for our sanctification, Hebrews 12:6. 7. He comforts us with His love and pity. 8. He counsels and directs us. 9. He offers us spiritual, Christian liberty as His sons and daughters, John 8:36. 10. He preserves us and keeps us from falling, 1 Peter 1:5. 11. He provides everything that we need as His children, both physically and spiritually, Psalm 34:10. 12. He gives His angels, as ministering spirits, to serve us for good, Psalm 34:7. 13. He makes death a narrow gate to lead us into everlasting life in heaven. The Church today would richly benefit from this exposure of Puritan teaching on the biblical doctrine of Adoption. Therefore, we highly commend Dr. Beeke's book to old and young alike.


Publisher: Reformation Heritage Books (2008)


ISBN-10: 1601780400


ISBN-13: 978-1601780409

Affirmation 2010

As evangelical and reformed believers, we share core beliefs and convictions, which are at the heart of our fellowship and co-operation. Many of these are being challenged and rejected in these apostate days.

For the last two years, the Trustees of the Bible League have been working on a document that seeks to state and define the biblical doctrines and practices particularly under attack at the present time. Originally the vision of Malcolm Watts who produced the initial draft, others have contributed various suggestions for the final form of this Affirmation. Consultation was also made with brethren in various church bodies and constituencies, whose suggestions have strengthened the document and ensured the widest possible agreement among us.

The Affirmation has been signed by twenty-five brethren, the majority of them ministers in Baptist, Congregational, Independent, and Presbyterian churches. Three major conferences in the UK have also identified with this document. It is therefore inclusive in the best sense, but also exclusive, because it also states what we do not believe, and what we deplore as departures from Holy Scripture.

It is now published in the form of a booklet of 30 pages and is available to interested friends. We strongly commend this Affirmation and urge them to obtain a copy and unite with us around this statement of belief and practice.

In addition, on its web site (www.affirmation-2010.org) there is a facility to sign up to the Affirmation and thus identify with its aims. If you find yourselves in full agreement with the Affirmation, please sign up by clicking on the word "Signatories".  This will show your support for the document and it will also be an encouragement to other believers.

The times demand that we state exactly where we stand on matters of faith and conduct that are everywhere under attack. Uniting on these verities will strengthen our hand in God, and encourage others to join us in making a response to the desperate decline and departure that is gathering speed in our day.

The words of Martin Luther give the spirit of the Affirmation 2010:

“If I profess with the loudest voice and clearest exposition every portion of the truth of God except precisely that little point which the world and the devil are attacking at that moment, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Christ. Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier is proved, and to be steady on all battlefields besides, is mere flight and disgrace if he flinches at that point.”

Here is the Preface to the Affirmation, which further explains its purpose and calls us to stand for God and Truth in our generation:

“In view of the present violent opposition from the adversary of God and man, and the evident confusion and grave departure from Biblical Truth in the professing Church, we believe it was laid upon us to make solemn affirmation of the doctrine we seek firmly to believe and strenuously to maintain. It is understood that this Affirmation does not cover every tenet of the Faith once delivered to us, but statement is herein made, and emphasis given, to the doctrine particularly assailed at the present time. Aware, as we certainly are, of our own great weakness, and depending as always upon the support and strength of our faithful God, we unitedly make solemn and public testimony to vitally important truth, while at the same time firmly rejecting the errors and novelties which are contrary to them. We call upon all who love the Truth to join with us in making this formal affirmation of Faith, and we pray God to use it to the overthrow of false doctrine and practice.”

“When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.” Isaiah 59:19

Web site: Affirmation 2010

The Systematic Theology of John Brown of Haddington

The Systematic Theology of John Brown of Haddington


We are always greatly blessed through the writings of Rev. John Brown, especially his Dictionary of the Holy Bible. His Systematic Theology is no exception. This work was printed in 1782 at the request of theological students. It offers Biblical focus, exegetical insights, a covenantal theme, experiential depth and compelling applications. Brown’s great aim was to cultivate love for Christ in the soul of the believer. For all who desire a systematic study of God’s Word, we commend this excellent book to you.



Publisher: Christian Focus (June 2002)

ISBN-10: 1892777665

ISBN-13: 978-1892777669

Meet the Puritans

“Meet the Puritans” is a remarkable portrait gallery
and a wonderful library of biographies. It is a
reader's guide to great Christian literature and a
record of an international movement of the Spirit.
It is also a personal tutorial in Puritan history, and
theology.

The revival in interest and commitment to the truths
of Reformed Theology over the last fifty years is
due largely to the rediscovery of Puritan literature.
“Meet the Puritans” introduces the leading figures
of the Puritan movement in England, Scotland,
Holland and America, with brief biographies and
extracts from their works. All that you ever needed
to know about the Puritans and Puritanism has come
from the pens of these two distinguished scholars,
Joel Beeke and Randall Pederson, who have given
their lives to making the Puritan men and their
works known and accessible to this present
generation. Their work has been painstaking,
thorough and comprehensive – a splendid
achievement!

Meet the Puritans
by Joel Beeke & Randall Pederson
Ibsley Christian Bookshelf

Providence Handled Practically
Introduced and edited by Joel R. Beeke and Matthew Winzer

Obediah Sedgeick in this brief but valuable book opens up the subject of Divine Providence, showing to us the right and godly response to it. The first two chapters deals with the subject of God's general providence over all creation, His church and His people. He then from chapter three makes some useful applications. 1) Learn to depend on Providence of God , 2) learn not to vex your mind, 3) Wait upon Providence, and finally 4) Be content. In conclusion he write concerning comfort and duty for the people of God. With regards to the former he begins, “Since there is a special Providence actively and effectually laying out itself in a special way for the good of the church, then this may be as a rock for the church, on which it may rest itself in all the varieties and difficulties of its militant estate and condition” And then in “Regarding duty,” he writes, “there are several things which concern the church, especially when the enemies attack, and she seems to be desolate, oppresses, and it seems that God does not go forth with her armies, He then gives three pressing duties 1. The church must reform, 2)The church must also put itself upon this singular Providence by fervent and humble prayer, 3) Engage this singular Providence for you by your trust in God.

This excellent and timely reprint, for which we are grateful is worth its money and will be enjoyed by those who love sound doctrine and believe in experimental Christianity.