Benjamin Beddome on Christ-Centered Religion
For fifty-five years, Benjamin Beddome (1717-1795) served as pastor of the Particular Baptist congregation at Bourton-on-the-Water in England. He was a gifted preacher and prolific hymn writer, every week composing a new hymn to correspond to his sermon text. Beddome was also a devoted contributor to the fellowship of like-minded churches comprising the Midland Baptist Association. Over the course of his long pastorate, Beddome preached seventeen times at their annual meeting, the maximum number allowed by association rules. At the annual convention of 1765, Beddome was drafted to write the association’s circular letter to be distributed to all the churches represented at the convention.
Something of the sweetness and effectiveness of Beddome’s life and ministry may be discerned when we read his words about the nature of true, Christ-centered religion. Here’s that portion of the letter in Beddome’s own words for your encouragement in Christ (original punctuation and spelling preserved):
“Look well then to the foundation upon which you are built, and seriously examine your State God-ward: See that you lay Christ at the bottom of your Religion, as the Support of it; that you place him at the top of it, as its glory; and that you make him the Centre of it, to unite all its Parts, and add Beauty and Vigour to the whole: Remember that Growth in Christianity is Growth in the Knowledge of Christ: Seek that Sorrow, that Peace, that Holiness, that Establishment, which flow from Christ: For (as the great Dr. Owen observes) ‘To take up Mercy, Pardon, and Forgiveness absolutely on the Account of Christ, and then to yield all Obedience in the Strength of Christ, and for the Love of Christ, is the Life of a true Believer.’ As Christ is the Sum and Substance of experimental, so he is the Spring and Source of practical Religion; and the Spiritual Improvement of his Blood by Faith, is as necessary for our Sanctification and Comfort, as the shedding of it was for our Justification and Acceptance with God…
Carefully distinguish between the Means and the End: Bless God for a Gospel Ministry, but do not rest in it: Practice Duties, but do not depend upon them: Attend upon Ordinances, but be not satisfied with them: Let Christ be the Glory of your Religion, and then your Religion will be the Glory of Christ.”
