Seed Books

The Seeds Books Sow and the Harvest they Reap

The Bible is to have first place in shaping our spiritual life and knowledge of Jesus Christ. We are 'people of the book'. But, like the Ethiopian diplomat, we often need to ask, 'How can I understand God's Word unless someone explains it to me?'

It has always been true that the Holy Spirit works through those he calls and equips to teach and preach the 'truth once delivered to the saints'.

For the building–up of his people, God made sure that those who've been most used in the Church wrote books. We're able to 'sit at the feet' of these people. This is a great privilege.

Paul must also have his books! (2 Timothy 4.13) Even at the end of his life, having walked so long with the Lord, having been a faithful teacher of God's Word, he must have his books!

…the Apostle had not given over reading, though he was already preparing for death. So where are those who think that they have made so great progress that they do not need to read anymore? And how strongly this refutes the madness of those who – despising books, and condemning all reading – boast of nothing but their own 'inspiration'. This passage gives to all believers a recommendation of constant reading that they may profit by it. (John Calvin)

In 1588 a Cambridge undergraduate travelled to hear a famous preacher. Richard Sibbes was that student; he was soundly converted and gave himself to the preaching of the gospel, by mouth and pen. He wrote a book, still in print, 'The Bruised Reed'. Several years later this book was read by Vavasor Powell, a Welsh preacher, born in Knucklas in 1617, a man powerfully used by God in Radnorshire and beyond. Powell records:

By a choice providence I came to find a book written by Doctor Sibbes, called the Bruised Reed, and by reading that I found there was encouragement for weak ones, and such who had but a smoke of true desire, though the fire of grace did not appear in them, yet still I was like one groping in the dark, till God sent a most holy sober mortified Christian to me, who seeing me like a Charcoal that had been in the fire, yet without light and life, he pitied my condition, and began to tell me, what a hard work the work of conversion was, it being no less than to make a stone flesh, or darkness light; these with many such words began to sink and to enter deep into my heart, from that time I took up the profession of Godliness.

Richard Sibbes' book was also read by Richard Baxter. Baxter, born near Shrewsbury, had remarkable ministries in Bridgnorth and Kidderminster. Sibbes' book helped Baxter understand the love of God and all that God provides for the believer in Christ. Baxter then wrote, 'The Saint's Everlasting Rest' – a book that's been in print ever since.

In 1702 the wife of a tradesman gave birth to her twentieth child. The child was given up for dead, but survived, to sit on his mother's knee and learn of God's grace. The child was Philip Doddridge; he was deeply influenced by the books of Richard Baxter. He also wrote a book, called 'The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul'. In 1767 an eight year old boy was lifted onto a table to demonstrate to young students the excellence of his diction. Years later this boy, travelling through France, read Doddridge's book. The book helped William Willberforce to do great good in the Kingdom of God. Willberforce wrote a book, 'The Practical View of Christianity'.

Willberforce's book, 'The Practical View of Christianity' had a dynamic effect on Thomas Chalmers. The great Thomas Chalmers, better known in Scotland than England, Principle of New College, Edinburgh, walked the streets of Edinburgh and seeing the poverty and ignorance, hopelessness and destitution would slip into alleyways to weep; then to work tirelessly to improve their lives and bring them the hope of the gospel.

PS

Vavasor Powell suffered for his faithful preaching, by long stretches of imprisonment. During one period in prison he complied a Bible concordance, A New and Useful Concordance. John Bunyan owned a copy of this Concordance and used it while he was in prison, writing The Pilgrim's Progress. The Concordance owned by John Bunyan has been preserved and on its title page are written the names of three of the greatest of the Puritans: there is the name of compiler, Vavasor Powell; the name of John Owen, who wrote a lengthy recommendation of the book; and, the signature of John Bunyan, who owned this copy of the book.

John Owen, the most learned and profound theologian this country has produced, was asked by King Charles II why such a great scholar would waste time listening to the preaching of the tinker, John Bunyan, Owen replied, 'Could I possess the tinker's abilities for preaching, please your majesty, I would gladly relinquish all my learning.'nter your text here...