One of the main points of pastoral contention between Puritans, Catholics and Anglicans, at least during the turn of the 16th century, was over the question of “concupiscence,” or sin, remaining in the believer. Both the Catholics and the Puritans, although with different theological reasons, forced the Christian into a state of angst-ridden introspection. For the former, the ever-present fear of sudden death in a state of mortal sin gave rise to compulsive “Eucharist” taking. For the latter, even the genuine, heartfelt sense of being saved could be (what William Perkins called) a “real, but not effectual, calling.”
Then there were the real “via-media” Anglicans. Contrary to popular belief, they were more of a halfway point between Geneva and Wittenburg than between Rome and London. With Calvin and the Puritans, Anglicans could rest doctrinally in God’s sovereignty as a “most wholesome doctrine,” particularly because it gave people the assurance of extrinsic–completely outside of themselves–Justification. And pastorally, with the Lutherans, Anglicans such as Donne would point not to any sense of “growth” or “moral progress,” but to an ever-deepening sense of their own moral failings and unworthiness, which would put the mercies of God in Christ in that much starker relief. Here is a poem from Donne, one of such Anglicans–Enjoy!
A HYMN TO GOD THE FATHER.
by John Donne
Which was my sin, though it were done before?
Wilt Thou forgive that sin, through which I run,
And do run still, though still I do deplore?
When Thou hast done, Thou hast not done,
For I have more.
Others to sin, and made my sin their door?
Wilt Thou forgive that sin which I did shun
A year or two, but wallowed in a score?
When Thou hast done, Thou hast not done,
For I have more.
My last thread, I shall perish on the shore ;
But swear by Thyself, that at my death Thy Son
Shall shine as he shines now, and heretofore ;
And having done that, Thou hast done ;
I fear no more.
3 comments
Sean Norris says:
May 20, 2008
Jady,
This is really good! It is a perfect explanation of our continual need for unconditional grace from God through Christ as Christians.
So often we think the Christian life is about finally being able to be the good people that we never could be before. This life “after the cross” actually begins to be presented as the Gospel itself. It becomes the point. More often than not I hear messages of how to live out the Christian life, how to be the Christian that you already are. All of this is simply an appeal to the sinful self that is dying to be able to stand on its own. We use the cross in a strange way to get to a place where we don’t need the cross any more. Very confusing.
Jesus came to save us. Our dependence on Him is total and complete. Our concern with “living it out” now immediately pushes Jesus into the background. The focus is turned to us and what we do rather than being appropriately fixed on Him and what He has already done.
To look at ourselves and see anything but sin is evidence of the fact that we do not understand the extent of our sin, which is usually an indicator that the law has been lowered from the place where Jesus elevated it in the Sermon on the Mount. Thankfully, Donne is clearly not confused about himself and the law.
Sorry about rambling. I’ve been having a bunch of conversations on this topic, and I just needed to work through some of it.
Thanks for this Jay!
Todd says:
May 21, 2008
Nice find Jady,
A friend of mine from church first introduced this hymn to me a year ago. It was his favorite hymn! At first glance, the hymn seems too dour- it’s not that bad is it?d. Indeed, the 1982 hymnal categorizes this song as a lenten hymn.
But this hymn perfectly represents the Christian life. Everyday is simultaneously ash wednesday and easter sunday.
Jacob says:
May 24, 2008
Great insight into the meaning of via media Jady. Thank you