Delighting in God and All His Ways

Eighteenth-century minister William McEwen practiced the personal discipline of distilling his sermons into concise, accessible meditations. In this book, Gordon J. Keddie organizes McEwen’s essays to create a devotional tour of Christian doctrine. In ninety-eight brief entries, McEwen writes about systematic categories ranging from God’s perfections to death and eternity. This treasure trove of preached theology helps us see that knowing God will increase our delight in Him and all His ways.

Endorsements

“William McEwen (1735–1762), like Robert Murray M‘Cheyne in the next century, was taken from his earthly ministry at a young age, but despite his early death, he was known as a man of exemplary piety and distinguished ability. These chapters give us preached scriptural doctrinal theology that is devotional and applied. It was said of McEwen (who was guided in his studies by Ebenezer Erskine and James Fisher) that his propositions were few but very weighty and edifying, his ‘explanations were clear and accurate, his proofs plain and decisive, his illustrations beautiful and entertaining, and his applications close and searching.’ Doesn’t that make you want to read and reflect on these expositions? The content of this book has been characterized as ‘a just and lively representation of true Christianity, in a variety of its most important articles’ so given ‘to enlighten the understanding and persuade the heart.’ May the gracious God of truth Himself use our study of the instruction of His Word expounded in this book to lead us to love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith (1 Timothy 1:5).”
—Ligon Duncan, chancellor and John E. Richards Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary

“McEwen’s writing provides a breath of fresh air. These are heart-stirring essays that possess the rare combination of depth, clarity, and sobriety. Since all the chapters are short, each one could easily serve as a catalyst for daily personal devotions or as a supplement to family worship. It is bite-sized systematic theology from a Presbyterian minister of the past whose work is well worth reading today.”
—Jonathan Master, president of Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary

“Having introduced a new generation to McEwen’s classic typological work The Glory and Fullness of Christ, Keddie, in this volume, acquaints modern readers with McEwen’s pastoral treatment of the key doctrines of the Christian faith. Taken from sermons preached during his short-lived ministry, each of McEwen’s brief chapters offers the best in catechetical-like preaching—an eternal truth served with exegetical precision, illustrative language, and heartwarming application. Set in a readable style, Delighting in God and All His Ways offers rich devotional fare to those who open up its pages.”
—Barry York, president and professor of pastoral theology and homiletics, Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary

“Like the short ministry of McEwen himself, these brief essays offer much in little. Many of them are themselves worth the price of the book. Here you can enter thoughts fresh from meditating deeply on Scripture truths and access a profound yet practical piety. They cover the length and breadth of Christian experience and practice. A few pages a day would enliven your devotion.”
—Matthew Vogan, editor of The King in His Beauty: The Piety of Samuel Rutherford

Contents

Preface
A Short Account of the Author’s Life and Character

Part 1: THE PERFECTIONS OF GOD

1. The Spirituality of God
2. The Unchangeableness of God
3. The Omniscience of God
4. The Wisdom of God
5. The Power of God
6. The Holiness of God
7. The Justice of God
8. The Goodness of God
9. The Mercy of God
10. The Grace of God
11. The Long-suffering of God
12. The Truth of God
13. The Sovereignty of God
14. The Triunity of God
15. The Council of Peace
16. The Holy Scriptures
17. Divine Election

PART 2: THE STATE OF MANKIND

18. The Great Evil of Sin
19. Man’s Extreme Misery by Sin
20. The Inevitable Misery of the Wicked
21. The Natural State of Mankind
22. Immortality
23. The Vain Hopes of the Hypocrite
24. The Character of a Hypocrite

PART 3: THE GLORIES OF CHRIST

25. The Son of God Manifested in Human Flesh
26. Christ Compared to the Sun
27. Christ Compared to the Rose of Sharon and the Lily of the Valleys
28. Christ Laid in the Grave
29. Christ Rising from the Grave
30. Christ’s Dying Instead of Sinners
31. Christ’s Union with Believers

PART 4: SALVATION FOR SINNERS

32. Trusting in God
33. Trusting in Christ
34. Imitating Christ
35. Faith in Christ
36. Forgiveness of Sin
37. Evangelical Repentance for Sin
38. The High Privilege of Adoption
39. Holiness
40. Hungering and Thirsting for Righteousness
41. Purity of Heart
42. Peace of Conscience
43. Joy in the Holy Spirit
44. Pleasure in Believing
45. Affliction and Consolation
46. Looking at the Things That Are Not Seen
47. Hope in Christ

PART 5: ORDINANCES AND MEANS OF GRACE

48. The Religious Worshipper
49. Hearing the Word
50. Meditation
51. Singing of Praise
52. Prayer
53. Mourning or Fasting
54. The Sacrament of the Supper
55. The Divine Institution of the Sabbath Day
56. The Benefit of Ordinances

PART 6: CHRISTIAN CHARACTER

57. The Character of a Sincere Christian
58. The Superior and Distinguishing Advantages of the Christian in This Life
59. The Complaint
60. The Successful Suppliant
61. Christian Prudence
62. Christian Diligence
63. Slothfulness; or, the Christian Stirred Up to Diligence and Activity
64. The Improvement of Time
65. The Certainty of the Christian’s Perseverance in His Happy State
66. Assurance of Present and Future Happiness
67. Walking in the Spirit
68. A Godly Man
69. Delight in God
70. Reverence and Godly Fear

PART 7: PRACTICAL CHRISTIAN VIRTUES

71. Watchfulness
72. Gentleness
73. Self-Denial
74. Humility
75. Meekness
76. The Merciful Man
77. Tenderness of Heart
78. Gratitude
79. Resignation
80. Patience
81. Fortitude
82. Contentment
83. Contempt of the World
84. The Pursuit of Real Riches
85. An Ingenuous and Free Spirit
86. Sincerity and Truth
87. Temperance
88. Steadfastness
89. Zeal
90. Religious Strictness

PART 8: DEATH AND ETERNITY

91. Death
92. Resurrection
93. Resurrection and Judgment
94. The Misery of the Damned
95. The Happiness of Heaven
96. The Excellence of Christianity
97. Evidence of the Truth of Christianity
98. The Different States and Ends of the Righteous and Wicked: A Fragment