RHB.-2017. lfpb. 96pp.
John Brown of Haddington, eighteenth-century Scottish divinity professor, invested deeply in the lives of his students. Counsel to Gospel Ministers presents a collection of his letters to students who were training to be ministers. Throughout these letters, Brown stresses the need for preaching a clear gospel message with precise application. Yet he equally emphasizes the importance of exemplary behavior in ministers’ conduct. Here is sage advice to pastors for taking the gospel seriously in all aspects of their life and ministry. With the publication of these letters, Brown’s pastoral wisdom can be shared with new generations of gospel ministers.
Table of Contents:
Biographical Introduction
Six Letters on Gospel Preaching
Ten Letters on the Exemplary Behavior of Ministers
Address to Students of Divinity
Author
John Brown of Haddington (1722–1787) was the leading minister in the Associate Synod during the formative years of eighteenth-century Scotland. He was a devout Christian, a gifted preacher, and a prolific writer of theology. He began life in obscure poverty, without advantage of wealth, position, title, or education. Yet God favored him with unusual gifts and an enormous capacity for hard work. Brown taught himself Greek while working in the fields. He became a man of deep spiritual experience with skill in preaching the doctrines of free grace and piety. His last words, “my Christ,” summarize his life and thought.
