Review: Prizing Public Worship by David Clarkson
Prizing Public Worship by David Clarkson
Book info
P. #: 156
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Author: David Clarkson (1622-1686)
Life: Clarkson was born at Bradford, in Yorkshire. He was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge (1641-1645), later becoming a fellow of Clare Hall Cambridge in 1645. He was a rector of two different locations from 1650-1661. He was ejected in 1662 for nonconformity and for the next decade, he quietly served God’s people wherever he could as he continued studying, praying, and writing. In 1682 he became the co-pastor with John Owen. After Owen’s death, Clarkson became the sole pastor. Another connection is that his funeral sermon was preached by William Bates.
General info about author: Clarkson was a theologian, pastor, author, Puritan, nonconformist, and lover of worshiping God.
Overall Summary/review:
This is an excellent book and one of my favorites thus far in the series. It is a book that makes you contemplate and check your own heart.
The book begins with some biographical information about Clarkson, to give helpful insight into who he was. There isn’t much known about him, but as the editor points out, he is well worth knowing (p. Ix).
This book has also been updated into modern English for ease of reading (p. Xi). We are also given a great division of the text in three larger sections, chapters, clear headings, and subheadings.
Very early on in the book, Clarkson defines what Public Worship is and how it is to be conducted (p. 8-9)
The whole book is built upon the Scriptures and is constantly referencing various passages. Every argument is based on Scripture. As we have seen in very book from this series.
You are forced to look within and to think about your attendance of public worship. (p. 61, 68, 80-81, 83 97-98, 131)
Clarkson offers us an excellent understanding of worship that is not individualistic; it’s not to help us or to please us. We worship God because He commands it (p. 36, 37, 49-56)
Quotes: p. 91, 95, 117, 156