Counsel to Gospel Ministers

John Brown of Haddington, eighteenth-century Scottish divinity professor, invested deeply in the lives of his students. Counsel to Gospel Ministers presents a collection of his letters to students who were training to be ministers. Throughout these letters, Brown stresses the need for preaching a clear gospel message with precise application. Yet he equally emphasizes the importance of exemplary behavior in ministers’ conduct. Here is sage advice to pastors for taking the gospel seriously in all aspects of their life and ministry. With the publication of these letters, Brown’s pastoral wisdom can be shared with new generations of gospel ministers.

Endorsement

"John Brown of Haddington is one of the great evangelical lights that shone in a dark time for Scottish Presbyterianism. The eighteenth century saw the rise of moderatism in the Kirk, but God raised up many great men in those days (Thomas Boston and the Erskines, for instance), and Brown was one of them. Brown, a Seceder, not only faithfully pastored but faithfully prepared pastors for the ministry. It shows in this correspondence. These letters to pastors and those preparing for the pastoral ministry of the church offer a wide range of counsel relating to preaching, life, and character and are filled with gospel wisdom and truth. I have been personally edified by reading gems from Brown, and I am glad that ministerial students and fellow pastors will be able to do so more readily. Do not miss this book!"
—Ligon Duncan, chancellor and CEO, Reformed Theological Seminary

Contents

Biographical Introduction: John Brown of Haddington (1722–1787)

PART ONE: Letters on Gospel Preaching
PART TWO: Letters on the Exemplary Behavior of Ministers
PART THREE: Address to Students of Divinity