Beddome Sermons 67 more

In 1835, nearly 40 years after his death, a further large volume of sermons appeared containing 67 unpublished items under the title Sermons Printed from the Manuscripts of the Late Rev. Benjamin Beddome with a memoir. The book is currently in print again by means of print on demand. See here.

The contents are as follows

Sermon i. Importance of Scripture knowledge. Luke 1.4.— that thou mightest know the certainty of those things wherein thou hast been instructed 1

Sermon ii. On the manifestation of God. John 14.8.— Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the father and it sufficeth us 8

Sermon iii. On the love of God. John 16.27.— for the father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me 14

Sermon iv. God no respecter of persons. Acts 10.34.— of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons 22

Sermon v. On the triumph of mercy. James 2.13.— mercy rejoiceth against judgment 28

Sermon vi. On the special salvation of believers. 1 Timothy 4.10.— who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe 36

Sermon vii. On the faithfulness of the Divine Being. 1 Thessalonians 5.24.— faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it 41

Sermon viii. On the divine providence. Proverbs 16.33.— the lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord 47

Sermon ix. The rule of the Sacred Word. Revelation 9.1.— and there was given me a reed 53

Sermon x. The character of Christ and angels compared. Daniel 10.21.— there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince 60

Sermon xi. On rightly seeking the Saviour. Luke 8.23.— thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee 68

Sermon xii. On the destruction of the Temple. Matthew 24.2.— and Jesus said unto them, see ye not all these things? Verily I say unto you, there shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down .... 74

Sermon xiii. The mutual glory of Christ and his people. John 17.22.— and the glory which thou hast given me have I given unto them 81

Sermon xiv. The value of true wisdom. Proverbs 3.15.— all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her 89

Sermon xv. On the value of the soul. Psalm 35.17.— my darling from the lions 94

Sermon xvi. The nature and spring of the Christian life. Proverbs 15.24. — the way of life is above to the wise ... 101

Sermon xvii. The heavenly calling. Revelation 17.14. — ... called ... 109

Sermon xviii. Christ manifested to the soul. Galatians 1.16. — to reveal his son in me 119

Sermon xix. On the folly of profession without forethought. Luke 14.28. — which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 128

Sermon xx. The happy results of repentance. 2 Corinthians 2.2. — who is he that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me? 135

Sermon xxi. The duty of imitating God. Ephesians 5.1. — be ye followers of God, as dear children ... 143

Sermon xxii. On the security of the humble. Matthew 18.14.— even so it is not the will of your father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish. 150

Sermon xxiii. On the stability of the gracious character. Hebrews 13.9. — it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace 156

Sermon xxiv. On the work of faith. John 6:29. — this is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent 163

Sermon xxv. The worship of the magi. Matthew 2:11. — and when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down and they worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh 169

Sermon xxvi. The nature and exercises of true fidelity. Proverbs 20. 6. — a faithful man who can find? 175

Sermon xxvii. The compassion of Jesus toward the guilty. Matthew 23.37. — O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! 184

Sermon xxviii. The imperceptible diffusion of error and truth. Luke 14. 21. — it is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened ... 191

Sermon xxix. The bitterness of sin. Jeremiah 4.18. — it is bitter, it reacheth to thine heart ... 106

Sermon xxx. Mercy and truth united in justification. Proverbs 16.6.— by mercy and truth iniquity is purged ... 201

Sermon xxxi. On the fear of God. Psalm 25.14. — the secret of the Lord is with them that fear him 208 Sermon xxxii. Importance of the grace of Christ. Philemon 25.— the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen 214

Sermon xxxiii. Character tried by the Word and providence of God. Matthew 3.10. — the axe is laid to the root of the tree ... 221

Sermon xxxiv. Practical religion more important than ceremonies. 1 Corinthians 8.19. — circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God 227

Sermon xxxv. Christ the subject of prayer. Psalm 72.15. — prayer also shall be made for him continually 237

Sermon xxxvi. On Christian fruitfulness. Proverbs 13.12. — the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit ... 244

Sermon xxxvii. The duty of an entire surrender to God. Matthew 22.21. — and unto God the things that are God's. 253

Sermon xxxviii. On the sources of ministerial delight. I Thessalonians 2.20. — ye are our glory and joy 260

Sermon xxxix. Ministerial subordination to Christ. John 1.8. — he was not that light 269

Sermon xl. Christ a glorious resting-place. Isaiah 11.10. — his rest shall be glorious 274

Sermon xli. The evil of departing from God. Jeremiah 50.6. — they have forgotten their resting-place Sermon xlii. The majesty and faithfulness of God. Nehemiah 1.5. — the terrible God that keepeth covenant ... 287

Sermon xliii. The confession of true penitence. Daniel 9.8. — O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face ... 291

Sermon xliv. The nature and authority of the Christian ministry. Matthew 4.19. — I will make you fishers of men 302

Sermon xlv. On the character and results of sin. Psalm 68.6. — but the rebellious dwell in a dry land ... 310

Sermon xlvi. Sin offensive both to God and man. 1 Thessalonians 2.15. — they please not God, and are contrary to all men 318

Sermon xlvii. The rejection of the wicked. Joel 3.4. — yea, and what have ye to do with me? .... 325

Sermon xlviii. The unity of true believers. Galatians 4.28. — ye are all one in Christ Jesus 329

Sermon xlix. The right of private judgement. Romans 14.5. — let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind 335

Sermon l. On the richness of divine bounty. Psalm 23.5. — my cup runneth over 341

Sermon li. The final rejection of the wicked. Matthew 25.10. — and the door was shut 348

Sermon lii. On the duty of ministers to promote their people's joy. 1 Corinthians 1.24. — not that we have dominion over your faith 356

Sermon liii. The nature and importance of prayer. I Corinthians 14.15. — I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also 363

Sermon liv. The hidden design of Christ’s ministry. John 4.4. — he must needs go through Samaria ... 370

Sermon lv. God the supreme disposer of human affairs Psalm 31.15. — my times are in thy hand 376

Sermon lvi. The folly of partial or invidious comparisons. 2 Corinthians 10.12. — but they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise 382

Sermon lvii. The danger and sin of idolatry. John 5.21. — little children keep yourselves from idols 388 Sermon lviii. Communion with God our security and bliss. Psalm 69.18. — draw nigh unto my soul 397

Sermon lix. The reciprocal duties of friends. Proverbs 18.24. — a man that hath friends must show himself friendly 404

Sermon lx. The similar condition of Christ and his followers. 1 John 4.17. — as he is so are we in this world 410

Sermon lxi. On the dignity of the Christian Church. Jeremiah 3.17. — at that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the Lord 416 

Sermon lxii. The mystery of the burning bush. Acts 7.31. — when Moses saw it he wondered at the sight 421

Sermon lxiii. On the obedience of the heart. Proverbs 3.1. — let thine heart keep my commandments 428

Sermon lxiv. The sin of rejecting what is good. Hosea 8.3. — Israel hath cast off the thing that is good 435

Sermon lxv. Christ the physician of souls. Matthew 9.21. — she said within herself, if I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole 442

Sermon lxvi. Christ the teacher of prayer. Luke 11.1. — one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples 447

Sermon lxvii. A funeral sermon (preached at Warwick) Hebrews 2:15 and deliver them who through fear of death were all their life subject to bondage 452

Beddome Sermons Volume 8

In 1820 what was declared to be the final volume of Beddome sermons (the eighth) appeared. Another edition appeared too in 1825. The inclusion of only 18 sermons would suggest that the store was now run dry. However, as we shall see, there were to be more sermons at a later date. An announcment is made at the beginning of this expected final volume.

The present volume closes the series of Mr Beddome's discourses. Several of the former volumes having been reprinted, after passing through repeated editions, sets my be readily be bought, on application to the publishers.

The texts are.

Acts 20:21

Romans 9:27

Mark 2:27, 28

Revelation 4:4

2 Corinthians 5:11

Galatians 6:2

Isaiah 33:6

Proverbs 22:5

Acts 19:23

1 Corinthians 3:18, 19

John 21:17

Romans 4:16

Matthew 5:25

Micah 2:7

2 Corinthians 13:9

Romans 8:15

Revelation 19:1

1 Chronicles 29:15

Beddome Sermons Volume 7

Volume 7 of the "Short discourses" appeared in 1819 and in 1825. Texts taken are as follows. 

1. Deuteronomy 32:3
2. 2 Corinthians 11:2
3. Romans 7:21
4. Hebrews 13:10
5. 1 Corinthians 11:17
6. Exodus 13:21
7. Colossians 1:27
8. Ephesians 6:11
9. Isaiah 58:14
10. Luke 24:17
11. Luke 9:54, 55
12. John 8:24
13. Psalm 119:129
14. Matthew 12:42
15. Job 21:14
16. John 14:15
17. Hosea 7:16
18. Mark 10:38
19. Isaiah 10:3
20. Isaiah 33:17

Beddome Sermons Volume 6

Volume 6 of the "Short discourses" appeared in 1817 and by 1834 a fifthe edition was in print. Texts taken are as follows.

1. 1 Corinthians 16:13
2. Luke 17:17
3. Isa 27:13
4. Rev 2:4
5. James 5:9
6. Romans 5:8
7. Hebrews 10:25
8. Romans 1:6
9. Hosea 4:17
10. Job 36:9
11. 2 Corinthians 12:9
12. 1 Corinthians 5:7
13. James 2:10
14. John 3:14
15. Ecclesiastes 9:12
16. Exodus 25:22
17. Proverbs 20:9
18. Proverbs 18:12
19. Psalms 38:5
20. Job 15:11

Beddome Sermons Volume 5

Volume 5 of the "Short discourses" appeared in 1816 and in 1833. Texts taken are as follows.

1. Mark 9:38 And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.
2. Isaiah 54:11 O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colours, and lay thy foundations with sapphires.
3. Proverbs 28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
4. Zechariah 8:23 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.
5. Acts 8:29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
6. Matthew 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
7. Zechariah 3:8 Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH.
8. Ezekiel 34:17 And as for you, O my flock, thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I judge between cattle and cattle, between the rams and the he goats.
9. Acts 14:3 Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands. 
10. *Titus 3:9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
11. Matthew 3:9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
12. Acts 16:29, 30 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
13. Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
14. Jeremiah 25:6 And go not after other gods to serve them, and to worship them, and provoke me not to anger with the works of your hands; and I will do you no hurt.
15. Matthew 20:6 And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?
16. Hebrews 8:12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
17. Psalms 39:13 O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.
18. Psalms 119:96 I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad.
19. Proverbs 30:8 Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:
20. Luke 13:7 Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?

* This is the sermon preached at a ministers’ meeting in Fairford, Gloucestershire when Beddome coming to preach forgot what the sermon was to be. On the way from pew to pulpit he leaned over and asked the church’s pastor ‘Brother Davis, what must I preach from?’ Thinking it an odd remark Davis replied, in rebuke, ‘Ask no foolish questions’. Not understanding correctly, Beddome went on to deliver this ‘remarkably methodical, correct, and useful’ sermon on Titus 3:9 ‘Avoid foolish questions’!

Beddome Sermons OT & NT

Beddome NT Sermons

Beddome OT Sermons

Beddome Sermons Volume 4

The fourth volume of "short discourses" was published in London in 1816. A fifth edition appeared in 1831. The texts are as follows.

1. Colossians 1:18
2. Isaiah 37:4
3. 1 John 2:29
4. Ezekiel 11:19
5. 1 Thessalonians 5:16
6. 1 Thessalonians 5:17
7. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
8. 1 Thessalonians 5:19
9. 1 Thessalonians 5:20
10. 1 Thessalonians 5:21a
11. 1 Tessalonians 5:21b
12. 1 Thessalonians 5:22
13. John 18:37
14. Luke 22:48
15. Acts 1:25
16. Hebrews 6:17
17. Hebrews 12:14a
18. Hebrews 12:14b
19. Zechariah 3:2
20. Matthew 19:20

Beddome Sermons Volume 3

The third volume of "Twenty short discourses" was published from Dunstable another two years after the previous volume in 1809. Like the previus volume a sixth edition appeared from London in 1825. These are the texts and titles found in Volume 3.

1. 2 Timothy 2:7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. On hearing the Word
2. Ezekiel 20:41 I will accept you with your sweet savour, when I bring you out from the people, and gather you out of the countries wherein ye have been scattered; and I will be sanctified in you before the heathen. Acceptance with God
3. Luke 19:41, 42 And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. Christ weeps over Jerusalem
4. Jeremiah 15:15 O LORD, thou knowest: remember me, and visit me, and revenge me of my persecutors; take me not away in thy longsuffering: know that for thy sake I have suffered rebuke. Jeremiah's Prayer
5. John 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. Regeneration
6. Psalm 148:14 He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the LORD. Nearness to God
7. Jeremiah 17:17 Be not a terror unto me: thou art my hope in the day of evil. Divine wrath an object of justice
8. John 14:30 Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. Christ's Conflict
9. Hebrews 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins. The danger of apostasy
10. James 2:13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment. The connection between faith and works
11. Zechariah 9:12 Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of conscience The sinner's refuge
12. Acts 9:4 Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? The Persecutor
13. Mark 10:26 Who then can be saved? Difficulties of salvation
14. Acts 11:23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God was glad The visibleness of true religion
15. Rom 8:37 In all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us Christian conquerors
16. 2 Peter 3:14 Be diligent, that ye may be found of him in in peace, without spot, and blameless. Peace with God
17. Acts 16:14 Whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended to the things which were spoken of Paul The conversion of Lydia
18. 1 Peter 1:16 Be ye holy, for I am holy The nature of holiness
19. Hosea 8:2 Israel shall cry unto me, My God, we know thee The knowledge of God
20. Rom 8:28 We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purposes Evil things over-ruled for good.

Beddome Sermons Volume 2

The first edition of the second volume of "Twenty short discourses" appeared, again from Dunstable, in 1807, and reached its sixth (London) edition by 1825. The Londn opublisher was Samuel Burton of Leadenhall Street and Simpkin & Marshall of Statioer's Court. These are the texts addressed with the given titles.

1. John 6:63 The influence of the Spirit
2. Psalm 81:10 Motives to enduring prayer
3. Psalm 63:8 The Christian's pursuit
4. Ezekiel 20:35 The spiritual wilderness
5. Revelation 3:20 The Heavenly Stranger
6. Revelation 3:20 The Heavenly Stranger Received
7. Psalm 109:21 The Christian's Prayer
8. Revelation 6:7, 8 Views of death
9. John 17:16 The distinguishing character of the Christian
10. Joel 2:14 Encouragements to hope
11. John 19:25, 26 The Beloved disciple
12. Isaiah 65:20 The aged sinner
13. Matthew 28:5 Seeking the Lord
14. Psalm 142:7 Spiritual bondage
15. Luke 7:42 Free forgiveness
16. 1 Timothy 1:8 The right use of the Law
17. Galatians 6:7 The danger of self-deception
18. Psalm 77:10 Spiritual infirmities
19. Acts 24:25 The sin and danger of delay in matters of religion
20. Jeremiah 13:12 The justice of future punishment

Beddome Sermons Volume 1

The first edition of Beddome's sermons printed appeared in 1805, printed in Dunstable, some 8 years after his death. Entitled Twenty short discourses adapted to village life it was republished in 1807 and by 1824 was in its sixth edition. That first edition contained sermons on these texts with these titles.

1. Psalm 139:23 Self-examination
2. Psalm 139:24 Self-examination
3. Luke 24:29 Desireableness of Christ's presence
4. Luke 14:18 Sinful excuses answered
5. Luke 7:38 The Penitent
6. Romans 2:15 The power of conscience
7. Isaiah 42:3 Compassion of Christ
8. Jeremiah 13:27 The Necessity of holiness
9. John 9:25 The Important Question
10. Hebrews 2:3 Waiting on God
11. Psalm 142:4 The Christian's complaint
12. Acts 3:8 An impotent man
13. Mark 14:8 Motives to usefulness
14. Luke 22:11, 12 The Last Passover
15. Luke 5:8 Peter's Confession
16. Matthew 2:8 Hypocrisy exposed
17. 2 Corinthians 5:2o Reconciliation to God
18. 2 Timothy 3:2 Self-love
19. John 8:9 Spiritual convictions
20. Psalm 119:66 The excellence of the Law

Midland Association 03 Chart

 Click to see

Midland Association 02 Map

This map shows the mainly Midland towns where the

Midland Baptist Association met in Beddome's time.

Midland Association 01

The Midland Association of Baptist Churches was founded in 1655. It continued to meet annually (in different places, usually for two days in Whitsun week) throughout Beddome's life time and beyond. By 1761 churches involved included those at Alcester, Bewdley, Bengeworth, Birmingham, Bourton (Beddome's church), Stow, Bridgnorth, Brittlelane, Bromsgrove, Dudley, Hooknorton, Leicester, Leominster, Middleton-Cheney, Pershore, Sutton, Upton, Tewkesbury, Warwick and Worcester. These churches were united in holding to the stated Calvinistic doctrines of the Trinity; election; original sin and man's depravity; particular redemption; free justification by the imputed righteousness of Christ; efficacious grace in regeneration and final perseverance, and the unstated Baptist doctrines as found in the 1689 Confession.
The association regularly produced a printed sheet set out in a quite stylised form similar to those produced by the other associations.
1. The heading The circular letter of
2. The elders and messengers of the several Baptist churches at Alcester, etc. Sometimes churches were unable to attend but sent letters of support.
3. Met in association at Bengeworth (or wherever else)
4. Maintaining the great doctrines of three equal persons, etc, etc
5. To the respective churches represented by them with a spiritual greeting or blessing
6. Dear or Beloved brethren
7. The circular letter itself then followed, taking up the bulk of the pamphlet (of 4 or 8 pages). This Letter was authored by a minister appointed for the year. It was read to the ministers and messengers assembled in association and could be amended by them before being adopted for printing and circulating to the members of the association churches.
8. The letter was signed by the moderator appointed for that association on behalf of the churches
9. Sometimes there was a PS advocating prayer meetings or such like
10. Minutes (or breviates) of the association's proceedings that year naming preachers and those who prayed came near the end. These minutes sometimes refer to issues raised by churches.
11. At the end of the minutes there was information about the time and place and sometimes the preachers for the next association. There was often reference to what inn to stay at.
12. From 1765 statistics were included regarding baptisms, deaths, etc, either before or after the last item.
13. The final line was usually the printer's – Worcester: printed by R Lewis – but that could be inserted elsewhere.
Beddome first preached for the Association in 1743. Regular printing of its Circular letter apparently began in 1759. Details are sketchy, therefore, 1743-1758. Beddome preached at the association 17 times over 46 years (ie 1743-1789). That first one of 1743 was held in Leominster. He must have preached another 10 times 1744-1763. He went on to preach another 6 times – 1764, 1767, 1773, 1778, 1780 and 1789. He probably authored the circular letters of 1759 and 1765. He was association moderator in 1761 and 1771.

The Angus Library

I made a long promised trip to Oxford to check out the Beddome archive recently. This is in the Angus Library of Regents Park College.
The current librarian (Rev Emma Walsh) is new to the job so, understandably, isn't yet as knowledgeable as the previous librarian (Mrs Mills) but she was very helpful indeed. There is something time transcendent about a good library. What a joy!
I had no time for the Bourton church minute books but consulted his will, a letter he wrote, a manuscript notebook compiled by his grandson (?) and one or two other things. I noticed again that there are around 30 or 40 of his hymns written in his own hand on scrap paper in a bundle and a set of notebooks (in another hand) containing hymns he wrote with texts and dates, which I must consult further some time (there are also notes to an unprinted [?] sermon).
I also consulted the volumes containing all 225 printed Beddome sermons (several of which I do not have access to at present) and wrote down the texts. I also looked through the catalogue of his library, which is also housed in the Library. He had around 600 volumes, mostly in English but with some in Latin (and at least one in German). Puritan authors predominate - Arrowsmith, Owen, Goodwin, Sibbes, etc. I also noted polemical publications (from both sides) connected with the baptism debate and commentaries by Calvin. He had two works by Richard Bernard who I am also interested in so I took out Beddome's copy of Bernard on conscience - Christian see to thy conscience. It is an original 1631 edition. Beddome has added his name in two places near the front. These words also appear which I am unable to attach a meaning to as yet "perlect minse Junie 1776" [It simply means having read in the month of June 1776"]. Beddome would have been 59 in this year. Anyway with nearly 20 pages of notes I've got plenty to keep the site going for a little while. Watch this space!