Alexander Henderson’s Sermons

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Preface

At this point begin the Discourses preached at Leuchars, in Henderson’s own church, and to his own flock. The first is a sermon on Hebrews 11:28, one of a series on the same chapter, which follow in this volume. It was preached on April 8, 1638, the Sabbath before the Communion. To this Communion a special interest attaches, as being the first that was observed in Henderson’s congregation since the renewing of the Covenant. In the services connected with it, it is but natural to expect that pretty frequent allusion should be made to that important event, and this we find to be the case, not merely on the day of the Communion itself, but on this, the Sabbath which preceded it. In the Preface which follows, we find these words—“We have lately renewed the Confession of our Faith, and that in a solemn manner; before the eyes of many witnesses we have entered in a covenant with God;” and in the sermon which succeeds it, we find the preacher saying, “We have in a very special manner shortly been renewing our covenant with God, and now,” he adds, “we are to receive and put to the seal to the covenant.” The Sermon is preceded by two prefaces and two prayers, and is followed by a third prayer considerably longer than either of the two first. This was the forenoon’s work. The afternoon’s work consisted of a sermon on Hebrews 11:29, the verse following that preached on in the forenoon, preceded by a preface and a prayer, and followed by another prayer. This was the whole work, forenoon and afternoon, of what commonly we call “the preparation Sabbath.” Next follow the services of the Communion Sabbath itself, and after these, those of the Sabbath after the Communion; the whole forming a collection the interest and value of which can hardly be overestimated.

In this especially is our case deplorable and lamentable, and indeed worthy to be lamented, that God has not given unto us understanding minds and stirred up hearts clearly to perceive what our case and constitution is. Certainly, if the Lord vouchsafe not upon us, at this time especially, understanding minds and hearts, we were never in such a deplorable case as we shall be now. We have lately renewed the Confession of our faith, and that in a solemn manner; before the eyes of many witnesses we have entered in a covenant with God. And surely if now we take not heed unto ourselves, and labor not to understand what it is to renew our covenant with God, and endeavor not by all means possible to observe that, in every point which we have sworn to; but if we do again bring upon ourselves the guiltiness of the breach of this covenant, and so of open and fearful perjury before the world, then did we never all our time dishonor God so far, nor did we ever bring upon ourselves so fearful a destruction.

We would remember the words which Moses speaks to the people, in Numbers 30:2, “If a man vow a vow unto the Lord, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a band, he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.” We have all of us vowed a vow unto the Lord, and we have bound ourselves by an oath, to adhere to the purity and sincerity of religion, and to live a life answerable to our profession, in all godliness, soberness, and righteousness. And we have bound ourselves by a bond to stand for the defense and preservation of true religion, according to our vocation. And, beloved, I may say many obligations enforce many duties; and many obligations being broken will not miss to bring on many judgments upon the breakers, and manifold wrath.

And therefore, our great care now should be not to violate our oath, but to keep it, and to the end that we may keep it the better, to lay that before our eyes which we have bound ourselves to. And in the hour of temptation, when we are assaulted with sin, and it is encircling us, then let us remember that we are in covenant with God, and have bound ourselves to him, and beseech him for this end, that he would bestow his Spirit upon us, according to his promise to bring all things to our remembrance. If so be that we earnestly endeavor only to do this, in the sincerity and uprightness of our hearts, albeit it be but in great weakness, and we find manifold infirmities, yet to him that has shall be given, and grace shall be bestowed upon him here, which shall bring him to glory hereafter; and he, beginning once to work as he is able, he shall do his part for him, and shall perform to him all the promises which he has made to his own people. And therefore, so many of us as know these things, in any weak measure, let us fall down before the Lord our God, and acknowledge our inability to keep our covenant that we have made with him, and beseech him to bestow grace and strength upon us to walk according to our new obligation, to his honor and glory, to the good example of others, and to the weal of our own souls.