Biographical works should be included in any pastor’s library. By witnessing the work of God in the lives of those who have gone before us, we gain humility for our hearts and encouragement for our work. The armies of the Lamb: The spirituality of Andrew Fuller, edited and introduced by Michael A.G. Haykin, is one book that serves this purpose well. Dr. Haykin provides the reader with an intimate glimpse into the heart and mind of Andrew Fuller. I was deeply moved by reading these letters that revealed a profound piety within the life of this eighteenth century Baptist pastor-theologian.
This book includes letters that Andrew Fuller wrote to many different people, however, I was specifically encouraged by the letters that he wrote to his children, in teaching and admonishing them concerning the way of salvation. It was both encouraging and challenging to me to see how he gave godly counsel to his children as he longed for them to follow Christ. In a letter to his daughter, Mary, Fuller exhorts her to be sure of her salvation. He wrote to her, “if you think you ‘see yourself a great sinner,’ it may in part be because you at present know little of yourself. You are a much greater sinner, my dear, than you are aware of; and an interest in the dying love of Christ is of far greater importance than you have ever yet conceived” (135).
Fuller did not want his daughter for an instant to underestimate the greatness of her sin, and in turn her great need for Christ. He wrote to her concerning the sufficiency of Jesus sacrificial death on the cross, reminding her that “the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin. Believe his gospel, commit your soul to him as a perishing sinner and you will be everlastingly saved” (135). These words show a father who longed for his daughter to be saved from her sins, by pointing her to Christ and his sufficient work on the cross.
In another later letter written to his daughter Mary, Fuller continues to admonish his daughter to work out her salvation with fear and trembling. Once again, he asks her if she understands that she is a sinner worthy of death, and that only Jesus can save her. Fuller also reminds Mary that she must press on in the faith, because, at her age she is “but little acquainted with the snares and temptations of the world, with the fickleness and sinfulness” of her heart (137). However, he goes on to encourage her in the same letter that “if God has begun a good work in you, it will be carried on. There is strength to be had from above, and we are encouraged to ask it of him” (137). This letter was encouraging to me to continue to pray for and teach my children of their sinfulness and their need of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Included in this selection is also a letter that Fuller wrote to his son, Robert. Within Appendix II, at the end of the book we learn more about Robert’s wayward life, and of his eventual coming to Christ before his death at sea. However, within the letter that Fuller wrote to his son, Robert, in December of 1808, we again see a compassionate father longing for his son to repent of his sins and trust in Christ. Fuller begins the letter by telling Robert that he is continually in prayer that “the God of all mercy may have mercy upon you” (221). Later in the letter, Fuller points to the goodness of God that Robert has not yet “perished in [his] sins” (222). He continually points his son to Christ, who is able to save him from his sins. Again, this letter spoke to me in a special way, due to Fuller’s unrelenting proclamation of the gospel to his children in a most heartfelt fatherly tone and yet with the boldness of a preacher.
Andrew Fuller was indeed one of the most important theologians of the eighteenth century. However, within the letters collected in this volume, the heart of this great theologian is laid bare for us to examine. In short, these collected letters of Andrew Fuller offer the reader, a genuine example of godly piety that is to be pursued by all who follow Christ. He was a man who loved the Word of God and proclaimed its sufficiency to save sinners and to encourage believers in this life. He also provided for us a great example of a loving father who cared for his children, and pleaded with them to flee from the idolatries of this world and to follow Christ. This is a worthy example for all pastors. As under-shepherds of God’s flock, we must first of all be faithful in our calling to shepherd our own children, which necessarily includes speaking to them about our great sin and our Great Savior.
