Four realities for the Puritans that determined the landscape of piety

J. I. Packer:

For the Puritans, the landscape of piety—that is, the spiritual topography of the ongoing life-situations in which each saint serves God—was determined by four realities, on all of which, as their books show, they laid out a great deal of expository effort.

These were

• the sovereignty and sanctity of God, under whose eye we live, in whose hands we are, and whose purpose to have us holy, as he is holy, explains his way with our lives;


• the dignity and depravity of human beings, made for God but ruined by sin and now needing total renewal by grace;


• the love and Lordship of Christ, the Mediator, the Christian’s Saviour-King;


• and the light and power of the Holy Spirit, who convicts, quickens, regenerates, witnesses, leads, and sanctifies.

(A Quest for Godliness: The Puritan Vision of the Christian Life (Crossway, 2010; repr.), 332.)

(HT: Justin Taylor)

The heart exploits the mind to justify what the heart wants

"One profound biblical insight we need to embrace is that our heart exploits our mind to justify what the heart wants. That is, our deepest desires precede the rational functioning of our minds and incline the mind to perceive and think in a way that will make the desires look right. It is an illusion to think that our hearts are neutral and incline in accordance with cool, rational observation of truth. On the contrary, we feel powerful desires or fears in our hearts, and then our minds bend reality to justify the desires and fears." - John Piper, Taste and See: Savoring the Supremacy of God in All of Life (Sisters, Or. : Multnomah Publishers, 2005), page 28

Are infants also to be baptized?

Heidelberg Catechism

Question 74. Are infants also to be baptized?

Answer. Yes, for since they, as well as their parents, belong to the covenant and people of God,[1] and through the blood of Christ[2] both redemption from sin and the Holy Spirit, who works faith, are promised to them no less than to their parents,[3] they are also by Baptism, as a sign of the covenant, to be ingrafted into the Christian Church, and distinguished from the children of unbelievers,[4] as was done in the Old Testament by circumcision,[5] in place of which in the New Testament Baptism is appointed.[6]

[1] Gen 17:7; [2] Mt 19:14; [3] Ps 22:10; Isa 44:1-3; Lk 1:14-15; Acts 2:38-39, 16:31; [4] Acts 10:47; 1 Cor 7:14; [5] Gen 17:9-14; [6] Col 2:11-13

Note: Although the authors of the Heidelberg Catechism held to the teaching of infant baptism, not all Christians have agreed on this practice. For free information about baptism (e.g., believers versus infant baptism, and more), visit here. Visit here for books that argue for infant baptism or believers (or credo) baptism. I am convinced that credo baptism is more in agreement with Scripture than infant baptism. While I disagree with the Heidelberg Catechism at this point, I still think the catechism is a very useful teaching tool.

Lead me to the rock that is higher than I

Daily Light Devotions - April 4 - Evening

Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, 1

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 2

When my spirit faints within me, you know my way! In the path where I walk they have hidden a trap for me. 3

But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold. 4

A Prayer of Moses, the man of God. Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. 5

For you have been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat; for the breath of the ruthless is like a storm against a wall, 6

For who is God, but the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God?-- 7

I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 8

Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live, and let me not be put to shame in my hope! 9

We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, 10

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1 Psa 61:2; 2 Phil 4:6,7; 3 Psa 142:3; 4 Job 23:10; 5 Psa 90:1; 6 Isa 25:4; 7 Psa 18:31; 8 John 10:28; 9 Psa 119:116; 10 Heb 6:19

Fear not; I am the first and the last

Daily Light Devotions - April 4 - Morning

Fear not; I am the first and the last.

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, "Fear not, I am the first and the last, 1

For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. 2

looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 3

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. 4

Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: "I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god. 5

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 6

Are you not from everlasting, O LORD my God, my Holy One? We shall not die. O LORD, you have ordained them as a judgment, and you, O Rock, have established them for reproof. 7

"For who is God, but the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God? 8

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1 Rev 1:17; 2 Heb 12:18,22-24; 3 Heb 12:2; 4 Heb 4:15,16; 5 Isa 44:6; 6 Isa 9:6; 7 Hab 1:12; 8 2 Sam 22:32

Why then does the Holy Spirit call Baptism the washing of regeneration and the washing away of sins?

Heidelberg Catechism

Question 73. Why then does the Holy Spirit call Baptism the washing of regeneration and the washing away of sins?

Answer. God speaks thus with great cause, namely, not only to teach us thereby that just as the filthiness of the body is taken away by water, so our sins are taken away by the blood and Spirit of Christ;[1] but much more, that by this divine pledge and token He may assure us that we are as really washed from our sins spiritually as our bodies are washed with water.[2]

[1] 1 Cor 6:11; Rev 1:5, 7:14; [2] Acts 2:38; Rom 6:3-4; Gal 3:27

Ye were as a firebrand plucked out of the burning

Daily Light Devotions - April 3 - Evening

Ye were as a firebrand plucked out of the burning

"I overthrew some of you, as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and you were as a brand plucked out of the burning; yet you did not return to me," declares the LORD. 1

The sinners in Zion are afraid; trembling has seized the godless: "Who among us can dwell with the consuming fire? Who among us can dwell with everlasting burnings?" 2

Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. 3

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. 4

It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. 5

Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. 6

preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 7

save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh. 8

Then he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts. 9

who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 10

______________

1 Amos 4:11; 2 Isa 33:14; 3 2 Cor 1:9,10; 4 Rom 6:23; 5 Heb 10:31; 6 2 Cor 5:11; 7 2 Tim 4:2; 8 Jude 1:23; 9 Zec 4:6; 10 1 Tim 2:4

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise

Daily Light Devotions - April 3 - Morning

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise ...

But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 1

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. 2

For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all. Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! 3

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1 2 Pe 3:8,9; 2 Isa 55:8-11; 3 Rom 11:32,33

Is, then, the outward washing with water itself the washing away of sins?

Heidelberg Catechism

Question 72. Is, then, the outward washing with water itself the washing away of sins?

Answer. No,[1] for only the blood of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit cleanse us from all sin.[2]

[1] Eph 5:26; 1 Pt 3:21; [2] Mt 3:11; 1 Cor 6:11; 1 Pt 3:21; 1 Jn 1:7

When the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith?

Daily Light Devotions - April 2 - Evening

When the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith?

I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?" 1

He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 2

Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, 3

preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 4

"But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. 5

Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. 6

waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 7

______________ 1 Luke 18:8; 2 John 1:11; 3 1 Tim 4:1; 4 2 Tim 4:2-4; 5 Mark 13:32,33; 6 Luke 12:37; 7 Tit 2:13

If ye do return unto the Lord ...

Daily Light Devotions - April 2 - Morning

If ye do return unto the Lord ...

And Samuel said to all the house of Israel, "If you are returning to the LORD with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your heart to the LORD and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines." 1

Little children, keep yourselves from idols. 2

Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty." 3

"No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. 4

(for you shall worship no other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God), 5

"And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever. 6

Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. 7

But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart." 8

Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; 9

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1 1 Sam 7:3; 2 1 John 5:21; 3 2 Cor 6:17,18; 4 Matt 6:24; 5 Exod 34:14; 6 1 Ch 28:9; 7 Psa 51:6; 8 1 Sam 16:7; 9 1 John 3:21

Where has Christ promised that we are as certainly washed with His blood and Spirit as with the water of Baptism?

Heidelberg Catechism

Question 71. Where has Christ promised that we are as certainly washed with His blood and Spirit as with the water of Baptism?

Answer. In the institution of Baptism, which says: “Go therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.[1] He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believes not shall be damned.”[2] This promise is also repeated where Scripture calls Baptism the washing of regeneration[3] and the washing away of sins.[4]

[1] Mt 28:19; [2] Mk 16:16; [3] Tit 3:5; [4] Acts 22:16