Reformed Churchmen

We are Confessional Calvinists and a Prayer Book Church-people. In 2012, we remembered the 350th anniversary of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer; also, we remembered the 450th anniversary of John Jewel's sober, scholarly, and Reformed "An Apology of the Church of England." In 2013, we remembered the publication of the "Heidelberg Catechism" and the influence of Reformed theologians in England, including Heinrich Bullinger's Decades. For 2014: Tyndale's NT translation. For 2015, John Roger, Rowland Taylor and Bishop John Hooper's martyrdom, burned at the stakes. Books of the month. December 2014: Alan Jacob's "Book of Common Prayer" at: http://www.amazon.com/Book-Common-Prayer-Biography-Religious/dp/0691154813/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1417814005&sr=8-1&keywords=jacobs+book+of+common+prayer. January 2015: A.F. Pollard's "Thomas Cranmer and the English Reformation: 1489-1556" at: http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Cranmer-English-Reformation-1489-1556/dp/1592448658/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420055574&sr=8-1&keywords=A.F.+Pollard+Cranmer. February 2015: Jaspar Ridley's "Thomas Cranmer" at: http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Cranmer-Jasper-Ridley/dp/0198212879/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1422892154&sr=8-1&keywords=jasper+ridley+cranmer&pebp=1422892151110&peasin=198212879

Monday, October 7, 2013

Singing the Covenant Theology of Herman Witsius (and Others)



Witsius, Herman. The Economy of the Covenants Between
God and Man: Comprehending a Complete Body of Divinity.
Phillipsburg, NJ: P & R Publishing, 1990.


http://www.amazon.com/The-Economy-Covenants-Between-Comprehending/dp/0875528708/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1381192219&sr=8-2&keywords=witsius+economy+of+the+covenants

When the gracious "covenant," thought out, is put to music. 

(Herman Witsius just arrived, that old Dutch Reformed Professor who wrote The Economy of the Covenants with a dedication to the King of England, William III.) Back to a good  Frances Ridley Havergal's tune. 

No known tune to this scribe, but it works with the “Old 100th.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcyUMT7uhzE

I would recommend you give it a try for yourself. This could be quite easily adapted to local parish use. I've never seen this hymn before. Clearly, it's now in the top 5--and, as a "High Churchman" (high doctrine and music), we are very picky. Here's Reformed theology to music. I can't see how this could possibly be improved.

1. Jehovah’s covenant shall endure,
All ordered, everlasting, sure!
O child of God, rejoice to trace
Thy portion in its glorious grace

2. ‘Tis thine, for Christ is given to be
The covenant of God to thee;
In him, God’s golden scroll of light
The darkest truths are clear and bright.

3. O sorrowing sinner, well he knew,
Ere time began, what he would do!
Then rest thy hope within the veil;
His covenant mercies shall not fail.

4. O doubting one, Eternal Three
Are pledged in faithfulness for thee;
Claim every promise sweet and sure,
By covenant oath of God secure.

5. O feeble one, look up and see
Strong consolation sworn for thee;
Jehovah’s glorious arm is shown
His covenant strength is all thine own.

6. O mourning one, each stroke of love
A covenant blessing yet shall prove;
His covenant love shall be thy stay;
His covenant grace be as thy day.

7. O Love that chose, O Love that died,
O Love that sealed and sanctified
All glory, glory be,
O covenant Triune God, to thee!

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