Gospel Invitations

I have recently read a little booklet by Daniel Whitaker (1800's) on the subject of the Nature and Design of Gospel Invitations.  It is well worth reading and clearly distinguishes between the errors that are so widely preached in many churches and the truly biblical Gospel Invitation.  The following quote is taken from his concluding comments...
"When men attempt to set forth the invitations of the gospel, of a spiritual nature, in an indefinite, unlimited manner; there is such an uncertainty in the sound, that the poor, needy and disconsolate sinner, for whose sake they are designed; knows not what is piped, or what is harped.  Therefore, while such men attempt to encourage all, they in reality encourage none; but only discourage the real character, for whom they are intended; namely, the hungry, and the thirsty, the labouring, and the heavy-laden.
But when they are set forth, as they really are in the gospel, in a definite way, the character being described, the blessings pointed out, and their freeness shown; then the mind and will of the Lord is clearly manifested; as in the following invitation: 'Come unto me, all ye that are heavy laden: and I will give you rest' (Matt 11:28).  Here the love of Christ is set forth to the persons invited; and his readiness to receive and entertain them, and bestow his blessings needed by and promised to them; for he means them to come and enjoy the blessing; it being his delight to give it to them."
I would love to quote more, he seems to hit the nail on the head so many times!
The booklet is published by Huntingtonian Press, a small publisher specialising in experimental high calvinist literature click here for their full list of publications.
Lorna
The Nature and Design of Gospel Invitations by Daniel Whitaker, published by Huntingtonian Press, £2.20

George Rose

I'm using a little booklet put together by Huntingtonian Press ('Altogether Lovely', £2.75) for some meditational reading at the moment. It contains a couple of sermons on the Song of Solomon by the late George Rose at Forest Fold Chapel, Crowborough in 1960. He preaches to the heart, and that is timeless. There is a beauty in Christ that he brings out from that Sacred Song which is altogether spiritual - not sentimental. I recommend it highly. Huntingtonian Press is only a very small publisher, but they have done a lot, particularly in the area of short selections of out of print material. I think our book selection would be very much the poorer without their contribution. They have an occasional Journal 'The Sinner Saved', which explains their raison d'etre as follows:
We consider that there is a need for what our fathers termed "Experimental Calvinism", the Calvinism which was preached by men such as (but not exclusively) William Huntington & Joseph Irons (Independent), Robert Hawker & David Doudney (Anglican), William Gadsby & J C Philpot (Baptist), and a host of other such witnesses of the truth. I wonder how many other - bigger - publishers have such a mission statement? At one end of the spectrum are not-for-profit Trusts which have money but no vision. At the other end are snappy Commercial outfits whose vision is money.
As a postscript on George Rose, Gospel Mission has already reproduced his autobiography 'Remembered Mercies Recorded' (£7.95)
Jeremy