A Preface to the
Memoirs of Thomas Halyburton
by Rev. Dr. Archibald Alexander
T
HOMAS Halyburton (1674-1712), professor of theology at St. Andrews,
Scotland, wrote the memoirs without intending them for publication. But
“Rabbi” John Duncan cherished the work alongside Augustine’s
Confessions and Bunyan’s Grace Abounding. Samuel Miller noted that
Halyburton’s Memoirs “have been considered, by competent judges, for
more than a century, as one of the best specimens of religious
biography extant.”
All the truths necessary
to the illumination, sanctification, and consolation of Christians, are
contained in the sacred scriptures, and are exhibited in divers ways,
and under many different aspects. Divine truth is to the mind, what
light is to the eye: it reveals to us all those objects with which it
is important that we should be acquainted. It is impossible that error,
however sincerely believed, should answer the end of truth. Right
affections are so intimately associated with the belief of the truth,
that there is an absurdity in supposing them to exist without this
foundation. Every divine truth revealed in scripture is calculated,
either singly, or in connection with others, to make a salutary
impression; but when any part of the system of divine truth is obscured
by ignorance, or distorted by error, there will be a corresponding
defect in the moral exercises of the individual. The relation of sound
doctrine to pious feeling and moral character, may be compared to that
between the types used in printing, and the impression on the paper. If
there be any defect or disorder in the types, it will appear on the
corresponding page. It may not be such as to destroy, or entirely
obscure, the meaning of the whole passage; but still it is the cause of
a defect, which mars the beauty of the impression; and often renders
the sense uncertain. I am of opinion, that no Christian can be in
ignorance or error respecting any portion of revealed truth, without
injury. The precise evil we may be unable to define; it may be
imperceptible, yet it has its effect on the system. Obliquities in
moral conduct, if we were capable of ascertaining their cause, might
often be traced to errors in opinion. It is evident, therefore, that he
who trifles with the truth, trifles with his own life. To be
indifferent about truth, is a folly of the first magnitude. To be
governed by mere inclination, taste or fashion, in the adoption of our
religious opinions, is indicative of a diseased and dangerous state of
mind. Truth is so vital, and so necessary to the existence and
perfection of a pious character, that we cannot be too solicitous to
acquire correct knowledge. Pride, prejudice, and partiality, should be
laid aside, and the love of truth should be kept alive in our souls.
Mere intellectual vigor, and extensive erudition, are no effectual
security against error. Honesty and deep humility are essential
prerequisites to the successful pursuit of truth.
As the truth makes an
impression on the mind in accordance with its own nature, and modified
by the various circumstances of individuals; and as these salutary
effects taken together, constitute the Christian character, and furnish
the only certain evidences of a work of grace on the heart, it is of
immense importance to be able to delineate, and ascertain, with as much
precision as possible, these characteristics; that we may know, in our
own case, and that of others also, whether spiritual life has
commenced, and is progressive in our souls. Now, as in water face
answereth to face, so the heart of man to man. The impressions of truth
on different minds will be substantially alike. There will indeed be
varieties arising from the degree of knowledge, and the peculiar
temperaments and habits of individuals; but these minor differences
will not affect the general similarity. Though in one case the
impression made by the seal is deeper and more distinct than in
another; yet by comparing them, we may be able readily to conclude,
that they have been produced by the same seal. Thus, when the truth of
God is made effectual by the Holy Spirit, to regenerate and sanctify
the hearts of men, there may be, and are, endless varieties in the
minor traits, but the leading features are the same in all. It will be
seen, as far as these effects can be made evident, that they are all
the children of the same father, and all bear the family likeness. The
great difficulty in this business, is to ascertain the precise nature
of the effects produced. In regard to our own minds, this investigation
is attended with no small perplexity; but in relation to others, the
subject does not admit of absolute certainty. One man, however
perspicacious and discriminating his intellect, and however well
acquainted with the word of God, and with the genuine impression which
it makes when it takes effect, cannot directly examine the sentiments
and feelings of another. He can only form an opinion of what is in the
hearts of others, by their words and actions: but the same words may be
used, and the same external appearances exhibited, when the internal
exercises of the soul are specifically different. For example, a man
may declare that his heart overflows with love and gratitude to God, or
that he is full of the joy of the Holy Ghost, and godly sorrow for sin,
and yet all this may be said in hypocrisy; or what is more common, the
person may be conscious of feelings, which, through ignorance, he calls
by these names; and yet the emotions which he experiences may be mere
counterfeits of those graces, the names of which he appropriates to
them.
The scriptures furnish
us with many clear delineations of the exercises of the true believer.
These are our safest guide, and only unerring standard of experimental
religion. By meditating by day and night on the contents of the sacred
pages, we may become so familiar with the characteristics of genuine
piety, that we may find it easy to determine, that the same lineaments
have, in some faint degree, been drawn on our own souls. But in
examining into our true character, we may be much assisted by reading
the memoirs of men of distinguished judgment and eminent piety. Many
such works are now in circulation, and are adapted to promote, in a
high degree, the edification of the reader; but I am acquainted with no
production of this kind, in which the exercises of the human heart,
both before and after regeneration, are so distinctly described, as in
the following biography of the Rev. Thomas Halyburton, written by
himself. We have here the faithful narrative of the views, feelings,
conflicts, temptations, victories, and consolations of a man of eminent
piety, and uncommon soundness of judgment, made at a period when he was
most capable of forming an impartial opinion. He has portrayed the
unregenerate heart in its deceitfulness and corruption, without
disguise. From his own experience, he clearly testifies the inefficacy
of a religious education, while unaccompanied by the grace of God. He,
in the next place, teaches us, how powerfully the truth of God operates
on the natural conscience, and how strongly it restrains even the
unregenerate heart, from rushing into all the excesses of wickedness.
Under the light of truth, and the lashes of a guilty conscience, the
soul naturally seeks some refuge, some place where it may be sheltered
from the thunderings of mount Sinai.
The distinct and
satisfactory narrative which the author gives of the changed views and
exercises of his mind, at the time of his conversion, and afterwards,
ought to be deeply pondered by every professor [i.e., professing
Christian]; but especially, by all candidates for the sacred office.
While, in our day, conversions are multiplied beyond all former
precedent, there is much reason to fear, that many of them will not
bear to be brought to the touch-stone of God’s word. With many,
conversion has become a slight and easy thing, the mere hasty purpose
of an hour; and unaccompanied by those deep views of depravity, and
those soul-comforting views of Jesus Christ, which are here described.
The consequence is, that multitudes who profess conversion, do not
exhibit, in any satisfactory degree, the spirit of Jesus Christ, in the
meekness, humility, benevolence, and self-denial of their character.
There is much reason to suspect, that in the religion of many who now
enter the church under a momentary excitement, Christ has no place.
They speak nothing of the spiritual glory of the Mediator, in the
account which they give of their experience. Their exercises would seem
to have as little relation to the distinguishing doctrines of
Christianity, as to those of the Koran. Of what account is it that
multitudes cry, Lord, Lord, and yet do not evince, that they are truly
born of God? Their zeal, their bustling activity, and their flaming
profession of attachment to the cause of Christ, will answer no
purpose, while they indulge a self-sufficient, self-righteous,
censorious, and turbulent spirit. Between the fervors of fanaticism,
and the glow of holy benevolence, the difference is immense. The one is
the wild fire which consumes and desolates the church of God; the other
is like the hallowed flame on the altar of God, which causes a sweet
odor to ascend to heaven, with all the sacrifices which are offered. In
these memoirs, we have, also, a fuller and more particular description
of the conflict between light and darkness, faith and unbelief, sin and
holiness, than can readily be met with elsewhere. Many sincere
believers have sad experience of the power of atheism, and the
buffetings of Satan, and they often meet with but little sympathy or
relief, from books or preachers. In consequence, they are tempted to
think that their case is altogether peculiar, and are ready to sink
into hopeless discouragement; believing, that their “spot is not the
spot of God’s children”; but fearing, lest these temptations and
conflicts are the mark of his reprobation. Let such take comfort when
they read, what dreadful conflicts with unbelief, pride, and atheism,
were endured by this distinguished servant of Jesus Christ.
There are two kinds of
knowledge displayed, in a remarkable degree, in this book: the one is
the knowledge of the Holy Scriptures, in their application to the
various conditions and exigencies of believers; the other, an
extraordinary insight into the deceitful windings, doubtings, and
complicated foldings, of the human heart. I see not how any one who is
sincerely desirous of knowing what he is, and what the word of God
requires him to be, can rise from the perusal of this little volume,
without real and sensible benefit. There is a penetrating power in the
words of a man who believes, in good earnest, all that the word of God
relates, and speaks the sentiments of his inmost soul.
The circumstances
attending the death of this distinguished man, are such as to attract
the attention of every reader. His dying words were faithfully recorded
at the time, and they serve to show, in the clearest manner, the power
of the gospel, to inspire with confidence, the soul of the believer, in
the last conflict. The triumphs of faith, in this case, were signal and
glorious. Through all his sickness, his reason remained undisturbed. In
the whole scene there seemed to be less than usual of an excited
imagination; but the realities of the eternal world, were contemplated
soberly, by a steady faith. When first seized, his evidences were
clouded, and his conflict with his spiritual enemies, tremendous; but
in a short time, the storm passed over, the clouds were dissipated, and
the clear sun-shine of divine favor dawned upon his soul. From that
time, he enjoyed uninterrupted peace, and unwavering assurance, until
he fell asleep in Jesus. I do not know that I have ever read a
narrative of the last moments of any saint, which were to my mind more
satisfactory; or of any death which was more in accordance with the
exceeding great and precious promises of God. I have read of exercises
of a more ecstatic and rapturous kind, but never of any, where the
comfort and confidence of the person, seemed to depend more entirely on
the simple, sober exercise of faith. Who will not exclaim upon perusing
this narrative, “let me died the death of the righteous, and let my
last end be like his”!
Having derived benefit
myself from the work now presented to the public, I feel it to be a
duty to recommend it to others; and especially, to all young ministers
of the gospel, and to all candidates for the holy ministry. Let our
young theologians be such as Halyburton was, and error will hide its
head as ashamed; and genuine piety will be inculcated and exemplified.
That the blessing of God may accompany the reading of this little
volume, to all into whose hands it may come, is the sincere prayer of
A. Alexander, Princeton, N.J., May, 1833.
