[Picture omitted:] Minister of the Gospel in Rotterdam
## THE CHRISTIAN‟S REASONABLE SERVICE
in which Divine Truths concerning the
## COVENANT OF GRACE are Expounded, Defended against Opposing Parties, and their Practice Advocated The Administration of this Covenant in the Old and New Testaments Minister of the Gospel in Rotterdam Edited by Joel R. Beeke This translation is based on the third edition of the original Dutch work entitled Redelijke Godsdienst published by D. Bolle, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. The Christian‟s Reasonable Service, Volume 1 [Page omitted: Dutch title page]
## The Christian‟s Reasonable Service
## General Contents
## VOLUME ONE Theology: The Doctrine of God
1. The Knowledge of God from Nature 2. The Word of God 3. The Essence of God 4. The Divine Persons 5. The Decrees of God: General Observations 6. Eternal Predestination: Election and Reprobation 7. The Covenant of Redemption Between God the Father and God the Son Concerning the Elect; or, the Counsel
## of Peace 8. The Creation of the World 9. Angels and Devils Anthropology: The Doctrine of Man
## 10. Concerning Man, Particularly the Soul 11. The Providence of God 12. The Covenant of Works 13. The Breach of the Covenant of Works 14. Original and Actual Sin 15. Man‟s Free Will or Impotency and the Punishment Due Upon Sin Christology: The Doctrine of Christ
16. The Covenant of Grace 17. The Necessity of the Atonement by the Surety Jesus Christ 18. The Divinity, Incarnation, and Union of the Two Natures in the One Person of Our Lord Jesus Christ 19. The Three Offices of Christ, and Particularly His Prophetic Office 20. The High Priestly Office of Christ 21. The Kingly Office of Jesus Christ 22. The State of Christ‟s Humiliation by Which He Made Atonement for the Sins of the Elect 23. The State of Christ‟s Exaltation
## VOLUME TWO Ecclesiology: The Doctrine of the Church
## The Church The Duty to Join and Remain with the Church The Communion of Believers with Christ and with Each Other 27. The Government of the Church, and Particularly the Commissioning of Ministers The Offices of Minister, Elder, and Deacon 29. Ecclesiastical Authority and the Use of the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven Soteriology: The Doctrine of Salvation
30. The External and Internal Call 31. Regeneration 32. Faith 33. Distinguishing Marks of Saving Faith 34. Justification 35. The Adoption of Children 36. Spiritual Peace 37. Spiritual Joy 38. The Sealing of the Believer by the Holy Spirit and by Means of the Sacraments 39. Holy Baptism 40. The Lord‟s Supper 41. The Practice of the Lord‟s Supper Consisting in Preparation, Celebration and Reflection 42. The Life of Faith in Reference to the Promises 43. A Warning Exhortation Against Pietists, Quietists, and All Who in a Similar Manner Have Deviated to a
Natural and Spiritless Religion Under the Guise of Spirituality
## VOLUME THREE Soteriology: The Doctrine of Salvation (cont.)
44. Sanctification and Holiness 45. The Law of God: General Considerations 46. The First Commandment 47. The Second Commandment
48. The Third Commandment 49. The Fourth Commandment 50. The Fifth Commandment 51. The Sixth Commandment 52. The Seventh Commandment 53. The Eighth Commandment 54. The Ninth Commandment 55. The Tenth Commandment 56. The Glorification of God 57. Love Toward God 58. Love Toward the Lord Jesus 59. The Fear of God 60. Obedience Toward God 61. The Exercise of Hope in God 62. Spiritual Strength or Courage 63. The Profession of Christ and His Truth 64. Contentment 65. Self-denial 66. Patience 67. Sincerity (or Uprightness) 68. Prayer 69. The Lord‟s Prayer Explained and Applied; The Address and the First Petition: Hallowed Be Thy Name 70. The Second Petition: Thy Kingdom Come 71. The Third Petition: Thy Will be Done 72. The Fourth Petition: Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread 73. The Fifth Petition: Forgive Us Our Debts as We Forgive Our Debtors 74. The Sixth Petition: Lead Us not into Temptation, but Deliver Us from Evil
## VOLUME FOUR Soteriology: The Doctrine of Salvation (cont.)
75. Fasting 76. Watchfulness 77. Secret Prayer 78. Spiritual Meditation 79. Singing Spiritual Songs
## 80. Vows 81. The Practice of Reflecting upon Previous Experiences 82. Love Toward Our Neighbor 83. Humility 84. Meekness 85. Peaceableness 86. Diligence 87. Compassion 88. Prudence 89. Spiritual Growth 90. Regression of Spiritual Life in the Godly 91. Spiritual Desertion 92. The Temptation Toward Atheism or the Denial of God‟s Existence 93. The Temptation Whether God‟s Word Is True 94. Unbelief Concerning One‟s Spiritual State 95. The Assaults of Satan 96. The Power of Indwelling Corruption 97. Spiritual Darkness 98. Spiritual Deadness 99. The Perseverance of the Saints Eschatology: The Doctrine of the Last Things
## 100. Death and the Ensuing State of the Soul 101. The Resurrection of the Dead 102. The Last Judgment and the End of the World 103. Eternal Glory Appendix: The Administration of the Covenant of Grace in the Old and New Testaments
## The Church of the Old Testament from Adam to Abraham The Church from Abraham to Sinai The Ceremonial Laws Given at Sinai and the Condition of the Church from Sinai to Christ Jesus Christ and His Mediatorial Office in the Old Testament The State of Believers in the Old Testament The Church of the New Testament from the Birth of Jesus Christ to the Revelation of John Indexes:
1) Subject Index 2) Textual Index
## Contents—Volume One
## Preface xix Acknowledgments xxv Wilhelmus à Brakel—A Biographical Sketch xxxi Youth and Education xxxi Views Concerning the Ministry xxxiii Sermons xl Pastorates in Friesland xlvi Pastorate in Rotterdam lxii The Dutch Second Reformation (Nadere Reformatie) lxxxv The Term “Nadere Reformatie” lxxxv The Essence of the Dutch Second Reformation lxxxix Assessment in Secondary Sources xcvi To the Congregation of God
## (Preface by Wilhelmus à Brakel)
## THE CHRISTIAN‟S REASONABLE SERVICE
## Theology: The Doctrine of God
## 1. The Knowledge of God from Nature ###3 The Foundation of Religion ###3 The Form or Essence of Religion ###4 The Regulative Principle of Religion ###4 The Practice of Religion ###4 The Innate Knowledge of God ###5 The Origin of the Natural Knowledge of God and Morality ###17 2. The Word of God ###23 The Word of God Prior to Moses ###23 The Names Assigned to God‟s Word ###24 The Necessity of the Written Word ###25 The Origin of the Holy Scriptures ###27 The Inherent Divine Authority of the Holy Scriptures ###28 The Mediate Causes Whereby God Has Provided Man with His Word ###33 The Substance or Contents of the Word of God ###34 Addition to or Deletion from the Holy Scriptures Prohibited ###36 The Old Testament: Binding for New Testament Christians ###39 The External and Internal Composition of the Holy Scriptures ###41 Scripture Is not Subject to Various Interpretations ###43 The Perspicuity of the Holy Scriptures ###49 The Pope Not the Infallible Judge of Scripture ###53 The Function of Reason in the Exposition of Holy Writ ###59 Scripture Does not Support the Erroneous Views of Men ###63
## The Holy Scriptures: To be Read by Every Member of the Church ###67 The Translation of the Scriptures into Other Languages ###69 The Necessity of Scripture ###72 Our Obligations Towards the Holy Scriptures ###75 Guidelines for the Profitable Reading of Scripture ###77 3. The Essence of God ###83 The Names of God ###83 The Name JEHOVAH ###84 The Name ELOHIM ###87 The Essence of God ###88 The Attributes of God ###89 The Perfection of God ###90 The Eternity of God ###91 The Infinity and Omnipresence of God ###93 The Simplicity of God ###96 The Immutability of God ###100 The Communicable Attributes of God ###102 The Knowledge of God ###102 The Will of God ###112 Our Conduct and God‟s Will ###117 The Holiness of God ###121 The Goodness of God ###122 The Love of God ###123 The Grace of God ###124 The Mercy of God ###125 The Longsuffering of God ###126 The Righteousness or Justice of God ###127 The Power of God ###130 The Duty of the Christian to Reflect upon the Attributes of God ###133 Directions for Reflecting upon the Attributes of God ###137 4. The Divine Persons ###139 The Holy Trinity ###139 The Singular Essence of God‟s Being ###140 Divine Personality Defined ###141 The Divine Essence Consists of Three Persons ###141 The Divinity of Each Person of the Trinity ###144 The Eternal Generation of the Son as the Second Person of the Trinity ###147 The Holy Spirit as the Third Person of the Trinity ###166 The Divinity of the Holy Spirit ###168 The Procession of the Holy Spirit from the Father and the Son ###172 Objections to the Doctrine of the Trinity Refuted ###174 The Profitableness of Reflecting upon the Mystery of the Trinity ###176 The Holy Spirit‟s Saving Operation Within the Believer ###182 5. The Decrees of God: General Observations ###193 The Decree of God Defined ###195 The Characteristics of God‟s Decrees ###198 Exhortation to Profit from this Doctrine ###207 6. Eternal Predestination: Election and Reprobation ###211 General Observations about Predestination ###211
## Predestination Defined ###213 The Distinctive Characteristics of Predestination ###216 The Two Parts of Predestination: Election and Reprobation ###217 The Decree of Election ###217 Reprobation Defined ###220 Questions and Objections Answered ###221 Practical Applications of the Doctrine of Election ###243 7. The Covenant of Redemption Between God the Father and God the Son Concerning
## the Elect; or, the Counsel of Peace
## The Covenanting Parties of the Covenant of Grace ###252 The Existence of the Covenant of Redemption Scripturally Verified ###253 Practical Observations Concerning the Covenant of Redemption ###261 8. The Creation of the World ###265 Creation Defined ###265 Creation, the Work of a Triune God ###267 Creation, the Proper Work of God ###268 The Orderly Progression of God‟s Creative Activity ###271 Exhortation to Meditate upon the Wonder of God‟s Creative Work ###277 9. Angels and Devils ###285 The Name “Angel” Defined ###285 The Existence of Angels Defined ###287 The Interaction of Angels and Physical Entities ###291 Concerning the Good Angels ###294 Practical Exhortations Concerning the Doctrine of Angels ###295 Concerning the Devils ###297 The Practice of Fortune-telling and Witchcraft ###301 Exhortations Relative to the Doctrine of Devils ###302 Anthropology: The Doctrine of Man
## 10. Concerning Man, Particularly the Soul ###307 The Body of Man ###309 The Soul of Man ###309 Man‟s Intellect ###314 Man‟s Conscience ###317 The Will of Man ###320 The Immortality of the Soul ###321 The Intimate Union Between Body and Soul ###321 The Image of God ###323 Man‟s Residency in Paradise ###327 Man: Created to Enjoy Felicity Eternally ###329 11. The Providence of God ###331 The Providence of God Defined ###331 The First Act of God‟s Providence: Preservation ###334 The Second Act of God‟s Providence: Cooperation ###336 God is not the Author of Sin ###339 The Third Acts of God‟s Providence: Government ###341
## God‟s Government and Sin ###343 God‟s Providence and the Use of Means ###348 Practical Exhortations Concerning the Doctrine of Providence ###349 12. The Covenant of Works ###355 The Covenant of Works Defined and its Existence Verified ###355 The Covenant of Works and the Law of God ###356 The Covenant of Works and the Promise of Eternal Life ###360 The Covenant of Works and the Tree of Life ###362 Adam‟s Acceptance of the Conditions and Promises of the Covenant of Works ###363 Additional Proof to Verify the Validity of the Covenant of Works ###365 Exhortation to Reflect upon the Covenant of Works ###367 13. The Breach of the Covenant of Works ###369 The Time of Adam‟s Fall ###369 Satan‟s Role in the Fall ###370 Unbelief Identified as Man‟s Initial Sin ###372 Adam‟s Fall not due to Imperfection in His Nature ###373 The Covenant of Works and its Obligations After the Fall ###375 The Misery of Man due to his Breach of Covenant ###377 The Covenant of Works and the Covenant of Grace ###379 14. Original and Actual Sin ###381 Sin Defined ###381 Original Sin ###382 The Imputation of Adam‟s Sin due to Our Covenant Relationship to Him ###384 The Corruption of Sin as it Relates to the Absence of God‟s Image ###389 The Transmission of Original Sin from Adam to His Descendants ###393 Actual Sin ###394 Sin‟s Dominion over the Ungodly ###396 Sin Has no Dominion over the Godly ###398 The Unpardonable Sin: The Sin Against the Holy Ghost ###400 Instruction for Those Who Fear They Have Sinned Against the Holy Ghost ###404 15. Man‟s Free Will or Impotency and the Punishment Due Upon Sin ###407 Free Will Defined ###407 The Freedom of the Will: Necessity and not Neutrality ###407 Man‟s Free Will after the Fall ###410 Sin and Punishment ###411 The Punishment of the Ungodly Does not Consist in Annihilation ###413 The Infinite Duration of God‟s Judgment upon Sin ###416 Our Misery: A Reflection upon our Sinfulness ###417 Our Misery: A Reflection upon the Punishment to Which We Are Subject ###420 Our Misery: A Reflection upon Our Impotency ###424 Christology: The Doctrine of Christ
## 16. The Covenant of Grace ###427 The Word “Covenant” in Old and New Testaments ###427 The Covenant of Grace Defined ###429 Scriptural Evidence for the Existence of the Covenant of Grace ###430 The Parties of the Covenant of Grace: God and Man ###431
## The Conditions or Promises of the Covenant of Grace ###434 The Unconditional Nature of the Covenant of Grace ###439 The Form and Essential Nature of the Covenant of Grace ###442 Reasons why Many Do not Enter into the Covenant ###447 Exhortation to Enter into the Covenant of Grace ###449 The Covenant of Grace Identical in both Old and New Testaments ###451 The Existence of an Additional, External Covenant with Men Denied ###457 17. The Necessity of Satisfaction by the Surety Jesus Christ ###465 The Nature of Satisfaction Defined ###465 The Absolute Necessity of Satisfaction ###467 Perfect Holiness: Essential unto Salvation ###475 The Sinner‟s Absolute Need of a Surety to Make Satisfaction ###477 The Necessary Qualifications of a Surety for Sinners ###479 Jesus Christ: the Divinely Appointed Surety ###483 Exhortation to Focus upon the Sinner‟s Need for Satisfaction ###487 18. The Divinity, Incarnation, and Union of the Two Natures in the Person of our Lord
## Jesus Christ
## The Lord Jesus Christ is Very God ###493 The Lord Jesus Christ is Very Man ###499 The Lord Jesus Christ: Very God and Very Man in One Person—the Hypostatic Union ###503 The Hypostatic Union: Without Change and Without Mixture ###505 Exhortation to Meditate upon the Preciousness of the All-Sufficient Mediator Jesus Christ ###510 19. Concerning The Three Offices of Christ, and Particularly His Prophetic Office ###517 The Anointed One: Foreordained and Qualified ###517 The Prophetical Office of Christ ###518 Christ‟s Administration of His Prophetical Office ###521 Exhortation to Seek Personal Benefit from Christ‟s Prophetical Office ###523 A Diligent Exhortation to Converted and Unconverted Alike to Give Heed to the Words of this
Prophet
## The Christian‟s Sacred Duty to Be a Prophet ###529 The Prophetical Obligations of the Christian ###531 Exhortations and Guidelines for Personal Evangelism ###534 20. The High-Priestly Office of Christ ###539 The Priestly Office Defined ###539 A General Overview of the Priestly Office as Being Distinct from the Kingly Office of Christ ###540 Christ, a Priest After the Order of Melchizedek ###543 The Intercessory Ministry of Christ‟s Priestly Office ###547 The Believer‟s Use of Christ as High Priest ###554 The Christian‟s Obligation to Be a Spiritual Priest ###559 21. The Kingly Office of Jesus Christ ###561 Christ, the King of Creation ###561 Christ, the King of His Church ###562 The Excellency of King Jesus ###563 Christ‟s Kingship in the Old Testament ###564 The Separation Between Church and State ###565 The Rejection of and Opposition Towards the Kingship of Christ ###566 Exhortation to Know and Acknowledge Christ as King ###568 The Duty of the Christian to Imitate Christ in His Kingship ###571
## 22. The State of Christ‟s Humiliation by Which He Made Satisfaction for the Sins of the
## Elect
The Incarnation of Christ: Not a Step of His Humiliation ###575 The State of Humiliation: His Suffering and Submission to the Law ###576 The Steps of Christ‟s Humiliation ###581 Christ‟s Descent into Hell ###583 All the Suffering of Christ Atoning in Nature ###584 The Veracity of Christ‟s Satisfaction ###586 The Perfection of Christ‟s Satisfaction ###594 The Extent of Christ‟s Satisfaction: Particular or Limited ###598 Objections Answered Relative to the Word „All‟ ###603 Objections Answered Relative to the Use of „World‟ in Scripture ###605 Texts Examined Which Seem to Imply that Christ Has Redeemed All Men ###608 Rebuttal to the Argument that All Men are Commanded to Believe in Christ, and thus Christ Died
for All
The Second Element of Christ‟s Humiliation: His Active Obedience ###610 Exhortation to Meditate Believingly upon, and to Make Improvement of the Suffering of Christ ###612 Believing Reflection upon the Suffering of Christ: A Remedy Against Guilt ###618 Believing Reflection upon the Suffering of Christ: A Comfort when We Must Suffer in Likeness to
Him
## Christ‟s Suffering: An Example to Be Followed by the Christian ###621 An Exhortation to the Unconverted to Reflect upon the Suffering of Christ ###622 23. The State of Christ‟s Exaltation ###625 The Veracity of Christ‟s Resurrection ###626 The Necessity of Christ‟s Resurrection ###630 The Efficacy and Benefit of Christ‟s Resurrection ###631 The Veracity of Christ‟s Ascension ###635 The Necessity of Christ‟s Ascension ###641 The Benefits of Christ‟s Ascension ###642 The Veracity of Christ‟s Session at the Right Hand of God ###647 Christ‟s Execution of His Offices at the Right Hand of God ###649 The Benefits of Christ‟s Session at the Right Hand of God ###650 Christ‟s Exaltation Applied ###651 Exhortation to Meditate upon a Glorified Christ ###652
## Preface
Those acquainted with Dutch Reformed orthodoxy will know that the name of Wilhelmus à Brakel is among the most venerated of the theologians representing the Dutch Second Reformation (Nadere Reformatie) period which is similar to and coincides with English Puritanism. This veneration is largely due to the profound influence of his magnum opus De Redelijke Godsdienst, now being made available in English for the first time as The Christian‟s Reasonable Service.
The importance of this work was recognized soon after its publication in 1700. Even though à Brakel had great difficulty finding a publisher for the initial edition (finally finding a Roman Catholic publisher!) his work was in demand within a very short time. New and improved editions soon followed, twenty in the eighteenth century alone. The respect for à Brakel was such that he was commonly referred to as “Father Brakel,” a title not only expressive of high esteem but also of the authority he commanded and the influence he exerted. He is still known today in the Netherlands by this honorary title. It ought therefore to be self-evident that Father Brakel is considered one of the fathers of the Reformed tradition to be found in present day orthodox Reformed circles in the Netherlands.
One of à Brakel‟s contemporaries, Abraham Hellenbroek, who spoke of his friend as being a man of tender and intimate piety, 1 recognized the importance of this work when he stated in almost prophetical terms that this work was so valuable that it would transcend the passage of time. 2 We trust that the very fact that this work is now being made available to the English-speaking world will assist in validating these words.
To provide one practical illustration of the influence of this work in the Netherlands which now spans nearly three centuries, we wish to relate an incident from the life of the Rev. G. H. Kersten, the founder of the denomination (the Gereformeerde Gemeenten— the Netherlands Reformed Congregations) which has initiated and undertaken the translation and publication of this
1 J. van Genderen, De Nadere Reformatie: Beschrijving van haar voornaamste vertegenwoordigers („s Gravenhage: Boekencentrum, 1986), p. 165. 2 Ibid., p. 166.
xx classic. When Rev. Kersten was approximately twelve years old, his parents discovered that their young son, in whose heart the Lord had begun a saving work, was reading regularly far beyond midnight. In order to keep himself awake, he placed his feet in a basin filled with cold water. What book was it that so captivated the mind and heart of this young seeker after God? à Brakel‟s Redelijke Godsdienst. When asked by his parents why he sacrificed his sleep to read this weighty book which was well beyond the level of twelve-year-olds, he responded, “I must know how the Lord converts His people.” The reading of these volumes clearly placed a stamp upon the writings and entire ministry of Rev. Kersten.
Why is it that à Brakel‟s work is one of the true classics of the Dutch Second Reformation? Why has this work been so influential? Why do we trust that The Christian‟s Reasonable Service will be a valuable addition to the rich heritage of post-Reformation orthodoxy?
The uniqueness of à Brakel‟s work lies in the fact that it is more than a systematic theology. His selection of the title is already an indication that it was not merely his intention to present a systematic explanation of Christian dogma to the public. In selecting the words of Romans 12:1 as the basis for his title, à Brakel not only wished to indicate that it is an entirely reasonable matter for man to serve His Creator who has so graciously revealed Himself in His Son Jesus Christ by means of His Word, but he primarily wished to convey that God demands from man that he serve Him in spirit and in truth, doing so in an intelligent, reasonable, and godly manner. 3
This brings us at once to the heart of the matter. à Brakel wrote this work for church members—not for theologians, though it was his wish that they benefit from it as well. This explains why this work is permeated with practical application of the doctrines he so thoroughly explains. à Brakel‟s intent in writing is inescapable: He intensely wished that the truths expounded may become an experiential reality in the hearts of those who read. In a masterful way he establishes the crucial relationship between objective truth and the subjective experience of that truth. He first establishes a solid biblical foundation for each doctrine with which he deals, by quoting profusely from the Scriptures. You will find his selection of quotes to be a most impressive feature of this work, proving he had a profound grasp of the Scriptures and their comprehensive context. This scripturalness is rationally reinforced by his frequent resorting to the scholastic method to validate his positions.
As a man taught of God, he very ably defined and described Christian experience in biblical terms. The undeniably mystical flavor of this work represents biblical mysticism at its best—a Spiritxxi wrought mysticism that fully harmonizes with the Spirit-inspired Scriptures. This explains at once why Jesus Christ truly has the preeminence in this work. It is the Logos, Jesus Christ, who is the very marrow of God‟s Word and every doctrine contained in it. It is therefore self-evident that in the subjective experience of this Word, Jesus Christ also has the preeminence. No wonder then that this work brims with references to Him whom the Father has given a name above every name. For à Brakel the name of Jesus is sweeter than honey; you can almost sense the inner stirrings of His soul when He exalts Jesus as the Father‟s unspeakable gift to fallen sons and daughters of Adam.
These rich experiential applications found at the conclusion of each doctrinal chapter in the first two volumes make this work invaluable and pastoral. à Brakel was first and foremost a pastor who made his astute theological acumen entirely subservient to the glory of God and the spiritual welfare of His church. In writing this work, à Brakel practiced what he advised all ministers to do. In chapter 28 he writes: “He [the minister] ought to use all his scholarship to formulate the matters to be presented, in order that he might express them in the clearest and most powerful manner. While using his scholarship, however, he must conceal his scholarship in the pulpit.” When necessary, however, he will cause his scholarship to bear on an argument, thereby proving himself to be a theologian par excellence.
In reading this work, one cannot but be struck by its kinship with English Puritan literature. This is particularly evident in the third and fourth volumes which are devoted almost entirely to the life of sanctification. As is true for the Puritans, à Brakel was a most able physician of souls. How ably he proves himself to be a divine intimately acquainted with spiritual life and all its vicissitudes! The chapters pertaining to sanctification particularly validate Hellenbroek‟s observation that à Brakel was a man of tender, intimate piety. Like the Puritans, he makes it unmistakably clear that godliness is a scriptural vindication that we have experienced the truth in our souls. Inward experience manifests itself outwardly in true piety. à Brakel does not leave us in the dark as to what he understands the Christian life to be. We believe it will be difficult to find a work in English devotional literature which spells out the nature of true holiness as specifically and meticulously as à Brakel does.
The obvious similarity between à Brakel‟s writings, which represent the cream of Dutch Second Reformation literature, and Puritan literature is highly significant. It proves that the Puritans and the Dutch Second Reformation divines (sometimes referred to as
xxii the Dutch Puritans) were essentially cut from the same cloth. It will be difficult to find essential differences in Christian experience between à Brakel and such English Puritans as John Owen, Thomas Goodwin, and John Bunyan. The divines of the Dutch Second Reformation have translated literally hundreds of English Puritans into Dutch, recommending them warmly to their congregations. The Dutch Second Reformation was greatly indebted to English Puritanism for a wealth of sound experiential material. On the other hand, few writings of Dutch Second Reformation divines were translated into English. The translation of à Brakel‟s The Christian‟s Reasonable Service is an initial attempt to redress an imbalance of several centuries.
To acquaint the English reader somewhat with à Brakel‟s life and times, as well as provide him with an overview of the Dutch Second Reformation, we have included the following in this volume:
(1) A translation of the applicable portion of Theodorus à Brakel, Wilhelmus à Brakel, en Sara Nevius (Houten: Den Hertog, 1988), authored by Dr. W. Fieret and A. Ros. Dr. Fieret is the author of the Wilhelmus à Brakel biography;
(2) A slightly revised appendix to Assurance of Faith: Calvin, English Puritanism, and the Dutch Second Reformation, by Joel R. Beeke (New York: Peter Lang, 1991), entitled: The Dutch Second Reformation (De Nadere Reformatie).
Hopefully, the translation of à Brakel‟s work in four volumes (volumes 2, 3, and 4 should be available within a year, D.V.) will initiate in some small measure the merger of the rich heritages of the two premier experiential movements of the post-Reformation period: English Puritanism and the Dutch Second Reformation. Orthodox Reformed circles in the Netherlands have enjoyed this privilege already for centuries and have witnessed divine approbation upon these writings.
May God grant that the publication of this work will enhance the ongoing proliferation of Reformed experiential writings throughout the world. May this phenomenon prove to be preliminary to a Spirit-worked revival of lukewarm, famished Christianity. Then the vital Christianity à Brakel promotes throughout this work will again flourish and adorn the church of Jesus Christ. May David‟s cry therefore be ours, “O God, Thou art my God; early will I seek Thee: my soul thirsteth for Thee, my flesh longeth for Thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; to see Thy power and Thy glory, so as I have seen Thee in the sanctuary” (Psalms 63:1-2). To that end may we pray without ceasing to the God of the covenant of grace—a covenant that has such a central place in this work—
xxiii crying out with the bride, “Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. Let my Beloved come into His garden, and eat His pleasant fruits” (Song of Solomon 4:16).
Joel R. Beeke Bartel Elshout
## Acknowledgments
We are indebted to the following persons for rendering us valuable assistance in preparing this translation for print:
## Garret‟ Moerdyk , elder of the Netherlands Reformed Congregation of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Mr. Moerdyk, who is proficient in both Dutch and English, carefully compared the entire translation with the original and forwarded numerous valuable suggestions.
## John C. Wesdyk , member of the Ebenezer Netherlands Reformed Congregation of Franklin Lakes, New Jersey. Mr. Wesdyk‟s thorough grasp of English style and grammar uniquely qualified him for a thorough proofreading of the manuscript. Due to his probing and meticulous analysis of every sentence and paragraph, he has made a significant contribution to the linguistic quality of this translation.
## Rev. Cornelis Vogelaar , pastor of the Ebenezer Netherlands Reformed Congregation of Franklin Lakes, New Jersey. Rev. Vogelaar‟s knowledge of seventeenth century Dutch proved to be most helpful in arriving at the correct translation of difficult passages and phrases.
## Nicholas L. Greendyk , elder of the Ebenezer Netherlands Reformed Congregation of Franklin Lakes, New Jersey. Mr. Greendyk, who is well-versed in the writings of English divines and has an extensive knowledge of Reformed doctrine, carefully read the entire translation to assure doctrinal and semantic accuracy.
## Dr. Joel R. Beeke , pastor of the First Netherlands Reformed Congregation of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Mrs. Laurena Quist, his personal secretary and member of the same congregation. After implementation of the suggestions and/or corrections forwarded by all individuals involved, both Dr. Beeke and Mrs. Quist very ably proofread the manuscript prior to being typeset.
## Dr. Willem Fieret and Den Hertoo B.V. , Publishers, for their permission to translate and include Dr. Fieret‟s biography of à Brakel in this work.
## Gary and Linda den Hollander , the typesetters of these volumes and members of the Ebenezer Netherlands Reformed Congregation of Franklin Lakes, New Jersey. Mr. den Hollander, in assisting his wife
xxvi in her typesetting duties, did a final and thorough proofreading of the manuscript in typeset form.
## William D. Berkenbush , member of the Ebenezer Netherlands Reformed Congregation of Franklin Lakes, New Jersey. Mr. Berkenbush, who frequently contributes his time and talent to NRC publications, provided the excellent negatives for the photography found in this work.
## Robert Fletcher and Samuel Van Grouw, Jr. , members of the Ebenezer Netherlands Reformed Congregation of Franklin Lakes, New Jersey. Mr. Fletcher did the artistic design work, and Mr. Van Grouw did the final layout and design of the cover.
I assume full responsibility for any remaining improprieties in this translation. Among those who have contributed directly or indirectly to the translation and publication of this work, also my dear wife, Joan, deserves special mention. In having been directed providentially to do the translation of this work, it has been confirmed for us in a most personal way that God‟s ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts than our thoughts. As my faithful helpmeet, her support behind the scenes has been invaluable in my pursuance of this task.
Furthermore, I wish to pay tribute to my beloved natural and spiritual father, the late Rev. Arie Elshout, pastor of the Netherlands Reformed Congregations from 1955-1991—seven years in the United States and twenty-nine in the Netherlands. At the age of eighteen, shortly after the Lord had begun His saving work in him, he received, upon personal request, the Redelijke Godsdienst as a birthday present from his parents. He immediately began to read these volumes with great diligence—the first religious works he had ever read. à Brakel‟s work had a profound and lifelong influence upon him and clearly was used by the Lord to mold him for the ministry to which He would call him. He rejoiced in the fact that the Lord led me to translate this unique work into English. He, together with my beloved mother, often encouraged me to persevere in this task, being convinced that the Lord would also cause the English version of this work to bear fruit—as has abundantly been true in the Netherlands.
Finally, it is my foremost desire to acknowledge the Lord humbly for having enabled me to complete this rewarding and edifying task. I have truly experienced that the Lord makes His strength perfect in weakness. To Him alone be all the glory for what has been accomplished.
May it please the Lord, who sovereignly has caused this valuable
xxvii work to become available to the English-speaking world, to bless the writings of this beloved servant of God. May this work also contribute to stimulate the growing interest in the writings of the divines of the Nadere Reformatie (the Second Reformation) as well as an ever-deepening appreciation for the rich Puritan heritage the Lord has preserved for us.
Above all, may God‟s kingdom come—also as a result of this work. If it may please the Lord Jesus Christ to use this work to build up His people in their most holy faith and add fallen sinners as jewels to His mediatorial crown, my labors will have been richly rewarded and the deep wish of “Father Brakel” will have been fulfilled—a wish expressed in his preface: “May the almighty and good God, who repeatedly encouraged me when I had intentions of discontinuing this task and who is the Author of whatever good is to be found in this work, pour out His Holy Spirit upon all who will either read or hear this book read.”