by Andrew S. Ballitch
One of the rare physical descriptions we have of William Perkins (1558–1602) notes that “his stature was indifferent, complexion ruddy, hair bright, body inclined to corpulence.” In other words, Perkins was an unremarkable, slightly overweight, red-headed Englishman. Unimpressive. But he was a fiery, bold preacher and my favorite stories about him highlight the effectiveness of his ministry.
On one occasion, early in his preaching career, at a time when he was tasked with preaching to the prisoners in Cambridge castle, Perkins confronted a man climbing the gallows, terrified in the face of death. Perkins called up to him, “What’s the matter with you? Are you afraid of death?” The prisoner confessed that it was not so much death he was afraid of, but rather what would come after. Perkins said, “Come down again, man, and you will see what God’s grace will do to strengthen you.”
The man came off the execution platform and knelt with Perkins. Perkins offered a prayer of confession so effectual, that the poor man burst into tears. Perkins, convinced that his ward was sufficiently humbled and penitent, then presented him Jesus Christ, freely offered in the gospel for the salvation of sinners. The prisoner’s tears turned to tears of joy at the consolation he found in the forgiveness of sins and hope of life everlasting. He climbed back up the ladder cheerfully, testified of salvation in Christ’s blood alone, and confidently stepped into eternity.
Perkins was an effective minister and powerful preacher. It is said that John Cotton, as an unconverted student at Christ’s College, Cambridge, where Perkins loomed large, rejoiced to hear the death-bells toll for the great man. His conscience would no longer have to be afflicted by Perkins’s preaching.
Perkins is remembered primarily for his preaching, and rightly so. He preached regularly for the entirety of his adult life and ministry. His sermons were collected and published and read widely as commentaries. He wrote a preaching manual titled The Art of Prophesying, through which he influenced generations of pastors and the entire Puritan movement. That said, he wrote extensively on other topics as well, ranging from dogmatic theology to pastoral counseling, topics from assurance of faith to family life. Some of these publications were significant internationally in the Reformed tradition and beyond.
The Wholesome Doctrine of the Gospel: Faith and Love in the Writings of William Perkins introduces the man and his theology, then pulls thirty-two brief selections from all over his corpus on doctrinal and practical topics. The hope is that this short book will provide a wholistic view of Perkins’s conception of Christian faith and practice, and at the same time serve as an initial foray for many into the writings of the man himself.
