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| Clarke's Scripture Promises: by Samuel Clarke (1684-1750) | |
Return to Contents >> Clarke's Scripture Promises An Historical Perspective of Precious Bible Promises Samuel Clarke (1675-1729) was the compiler of this eminent book of Precious Bible Promises (1750). "Whereby are given unto us Exceeding Great and Precious Promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the Divine Nature" (2Peter 1:4). As an English academic, theologian, and preacher, Clarke would be found mastering Isaac Newton's new system of the Universal Laws of Motion and translating an invaluable textbook to introduce and promote Newton's position (1697), defending the Christian religion in A Discourse concerning the Being and Attributes of God, the Obligations of Natural Religion, and the Truth and Certainly of the Christian Revelation (1705), serving as a chaplain to Protestant Queen Anne of England (1705), translating Isaac Newton's Optics (1706), expounding upon the Tri-Unity of God in his celebrated treatise The Scripture Doctrine of the Trinity (1712), refusing the secular post of Master of the Mint (1727) upon the death of Sir Isaac Newton (whom he would have replaced), and accumulating ten volumes of his own sermons (published posthumously); but, best remembered by many Christians is his compilation of Precious Bible Promises, which shows us that Dr. Samuel Clarke had not only a keen intellect, but a true understanding of the evangelical "faith which worketh by love" (Galatians 5:6) and its attendant Promises. "Let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth Me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the Earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD" (Jeremiah 9:24). This book of Precious Bible Promises was once known by its 19th century readers as Clarke's Scripture Promises. Twenty-one years after the decease of Samuel Clarke, Isaac Watts, the Father of English Hymnology (1674-1748), penned the introduction to Clarke's Scripture Promises. In a time that already had seen the Authorized Version of the Scriptures from the Church of England-- the King James Version of 1611-- and had produced The Pilgrim's Progress (1675) from the Church of England's famous dissenter, John Bunyan (1628-1688)-- who was acquainted for twelve years with the hospitality of Bedford jail for preaching without a license-- a book of Precious Bible Promises was (and, still is needed) to encourage every True Believer in their pursuit of holy living. "Having therefore these Promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" (2Corinthians 7:1). The "Notice by Dr. Watts" affixed to the front of the Precious Bible Promises, identifies Samuel Clarke as the "worthy author of this collection, which I ["I. Watts"] have known with esteem and honor." "I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts" (Psalm 119:63). Of interest, Isaac Watts, the author of over 600 hymns, was himself the son of another dissenter from the Church of England. You will probably notice that a good number of Clarke's compiled Promises were gleaned from the Book of Psalms of the Old Testament, and Watts could especially identify with their Promises, since he had himself published the Psalms of David (1719) in which are found poetic paraphrases of Psalm 90 ("O God, Our Help in Ages Past") and Psalm 98 ("Joy to the World"). "10 The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. 17 And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish Thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish Thou it" (90:10, 17). A notable 19th century advocate of Clarke's Scripture Promises was found in the person of the enigmatic, English General Charles G. Gordon (1833-1885)-- "Chinese Gordon," the "Hero of Khartoum," "Gordon Pasha." In January 1884, he had advised Lord Wolseley to distribute a copy of Clarke's Scripture Promises to every member of the Cabinet of Prime Minister William Gladstone upon Gordon's departure to handle the volatile situation of the revolting Mahdi in the Sudan. "Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained Promises, stopped the mouths of lions" (Hebrews 11:33). Charles Gordon had early made his peace with Jesus Christ as a young officer in the Royal Engineers at Pembroke (U.K.) after being pursued for Christ by his sister Augusta and by a "very religious captain of the name of Drew." "I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more" (8:12). Gordon had distinguished himself with conspicuous gallantry during the Crimean War (1853-1856), had successfully quelled the Taiping Rebellion in China (1863-1864), and had been instrumental in the suppression of the slave trade (1877-1880) in the Sudan (south of Egypt), during which he had been a solitary man of One Book-- his pocket Bible. "Godliness is profitable unto all things, having Promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come" (1Timothy 4:8). Though the career of General Gordon was peppered with the intensity of great overcoming in times of conflict, he knew times of obscurity and grievous backsliding; but, as he once wrote to his sister Augusta, "I am glad to say that this disease [a smallpox experienced in China] has brought me back to my Saviour, and I trust in future to be a better Christian than I have been hitherto." "Whom the LORD loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth" (Hebrews 12:6). In the timing of God's Providence, Gordon Pasha met his end on the morning of January 26th 1885, two days before the British relief column reached the newly subjugated city of Khartoum, where the unbowing Gordon had held out to the end. "Ye shall be hated of all men for My Name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved" (Matthew 10:22). Rosalind Goforth, a Canadian Christian missionary, was another who lived in 19th century China that gave a glowing recommendation of the value of Clarke's Scripture Promises. She wrote of the faithfulness of God in her testimonial book, How I Know God Answers Prayer. "They shall abundantly utter the memory of Thy great goodness" (Psalm 145:7). As she, her husband Jonathan, and her four children faced the bloody onslaught of the anti-foreigner, anti-Christian Boxer Revolt of the secret society "Harmonious Fists" of China (1900), they were advised by the American Consul in Chefoo to flee from the city of Changte in North Honan to the coastal seaport of Shanghai. "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper" (Isaiah 54:17). On the morning of July 8th 1900, their small party of missionaries was resting at an inn in the small town of Hsintien, while a boisterous mob awaited them outside casting stones and demanding their money. Rosalind wrote, "Hints had been given us of coming danger, but that was all; none spoke of what all felt -- that we were probably going to our death. Suddenly, without the slightest warning, I was seized with an overwhelming fear of what might be awaiting us. It was not the fear of after death, but of probable torture, that took such awful hold of me. I thought, 'Can this be the Christian courage I have looked for?' I went by myself and prayed for victory, but no help came. Just then someone called us to a room for prayer before getting into our carts. Scarcely able to walk for trembling, and utterly ashamed that others should see my state of panic -- for such it undoubtedly was -- I managed to reach a bench beside which my husband stood. He drew from his pocket a little book, Clarke's Scripture Promises, and read the verses his eyes first fell upon. They were the following: The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.
The God of Jacob is our refuge. The effect of these words at such a time was remarkable. All realized that God was speaking to us. Never was there a message more directly given to mortal man from his God than that message to us. From almost the first verse my whole soul seemed flooded with a great peace; all trace of panic vanished; and I felt God's presence was with us. Indeed, His presence was so real it could scarcely have been more so had we seen a visible form." Notice by Dr. Isaac Watts (1674-1748) The Bible is a book of such transcendent worth, and so happily suited to all the parts and purposes of the Christian life, that it can never be too much recommended to the world; every thing that allures the world to peruse it, is a blessing to mankind. And though it is hard for our narrow capacities to grasp and take in its several distinguishing excellences at one view, yet, if we take a separate survey of the doctrines and duties, the promises and threatenings, the prophecies and histories, which are contained therein, each of them will afford us an awful or a delightful prospect, with lessons for special improvement. The worthy author of this collection, which I have long known with esteem and honor, has chosen to reduce all the most useful and important promises of the Word of God into order, and here set them before us. These are the most powerful motives of duty; these are the constant food of a living Christian, as well as his highest cordials in a fainting hour. And in such a world as this, where duties perpetually demand our practice, and difficulties and trials are ever surrounding us, what can we do better than to treasure up the promises in our hearts, which are the most effectual persuasives to fulfil the one and sustain the other? Here are laid up the true riches of a Christian, and his highest hopes on this side of heaven. The materials which are collected here are all divine, and the disposition of them is elegant and regular; so that it is an easy matter to find something suited to the frame of our souls, or our present wants on every occasion; and that soul who knows what a suitable promise is worth in an hour of darkness or temptation, will never think such a work as this, and such a various treasure, can have sufficient value set upon it. Those who have little leisure for reading, may find their account in keeping this book always near them; and with the glance of an eye they may take in the riches of grace and glory, and derive many a sweet refreshment from hence, amidst their labors and travels through this wilderness. It is of excellent use to lie on the table in a chamber of sickness, and now and then to take a sip of the river of life, which runs through it in a thousand little rills of peace and joy. May the Holy Spirit of God, who indited all these promises, and our blessed Mediator, who, by his ministry and by his blood, has sealed and confirmed them all, render them every day more and more powerful and prevalent to draw the hearts of men towards God, and to fit them for the enjoyment of these words of grace in their complete accomplishment in glory. Amen. I. Watts Return to Contents >> |
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