CALVINISTIC DEATH BEDS
Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his!
(Numbers 23:10)
There are two things that I would rather do than undertake to fill
this page. Perhaps I might even be able to see fulfillment of at least
one of them before the page is out.
[i]
I would rather take on the critics of Calvinism from the pages of Holy
Writ alone. I must confess to a feeling of some degree of revulsion
that it takes one who cannot agree with Calvinism to stand at the
deathbed of a departing saint of God and scrutinise his dying words and
actions so as to be able to score some point in a doctrinal debate. I
must ask, "Is there nothing sacred?" I
do not doubt that some Calvinists had a pretty rough crossing of
Death's dark river. Satan does not graciously or mercilessly hold
back at such a time, but may choose to launch perhaps his
fiercest attack. We must remember that it is his last opportunity to do so. Soon
the child of God will be gone forever from beyond Satan's reach and his
vicious temptations, and here is evidence of the Satanic spite
and frustration that he should seek to do what he can at such an hour.
However, some noted anti-Calvinists like Dave Hunt have chose to fling
back the curtain around the death bed in order to fuel their ongoing
war against the Doctrines of Grace. To their own Master, they will
stand or fall. I can only say here that I find it utterly repulsive. That
goes too for any Calvinist who would do likewise at the bed of an
Arminian saint in order to supposedly help his side of the debate.
[ii]
I would rather speak of the death bed scenes of every child of God,
whether they are Calvinist or not. There comes a place where party
differences must be put away. Both Calvinist Christians and non
Calvinist Christians unite around one common Lord Jesus. The death bed
of a departing Christian is no place to pursue these arguments. Perhaps
near the end of this list (which I anticipate will take a while to
gather together) I may be able to record the glorious departing of
those whose light in this world did not extend to these glorious
doctrines, commonly known as Calvinism. Apart from alphabetical
order, there is no other criterion in the arrangement of these
observations. I will add to their list as enabled and probably in odd
moments here and there, as I cannot take the time to sit down and make
an all out single effort. I expect the list to slowly grow.
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CALVIN: JOHN (Died: 1564) "During
the next few days his flickering life was one continued prayer. On
Saturday, May 27th, he seemed to suffer less. At eight o’clock on
that evening, death very gently approached him. As he was repeating the
words of Paul: “The sufferings of this present time are not
worthy to be compared with the glory to be. . . . . . ,” those
sufferings ceased and glory was revealed. What he could not finish by
his failing breath was suddenlyrealized by his glorified spirit." (William Wileman's Life of Calvin)
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NEWTON: JOHN (Died 1807) "Mr
Newton gradually sank as the setting sun, shedding to the last those
declining rays which gilded and gladdened the dark valley. In the
latter conversations I had with him, he expressed an unshaken faith in
eternal realities; and when he could scarcely utter words he remained a
firm witness to the truths he had preached." (Funeral Sermon preached
by Richard Cecil)
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PINK: ARTHUR W. (Died 1952) Pink must be considered as one of the highest
Calvinists of all time and an avid reader of the Puritans. A detailed
account of his last days were given by his wife in the September 1952 article of
Studies in the Scriptures. There is no expression of any doubt on his part that he was a child of God. Paragraphs, as recorded in the Life of Arthur W. Pink, by Iain Murray (Banner of Truth 1981) include:
The 23rd Psalm was almost constantly on his lips, spoken both to
myself and the Christian nurse, and many wonderful things he said to
us, among them being, "Not one good thing hath failed of all the good
things he hath promised." Another time we heard him say, "He hath not
dealt with me after my sins, nor rewarded me according to my
iniquities." Again, "Wearisome nights are appointed me, but I have
nothing to say, for the Lord hath so wondrously spared me bodily pain
all my life through till now." Once we heard him ask the nurse if she
knew those lovely lines, "The King of Love my Shepherd is, whose
goodness faileth never: I nothing lack if I am his, and he is mine for
ever." Once in great agony he said, "O taste and see that the Lord is
good, blessed is the man that trusteth in him." A dear friend came in
to relieve the nurse and be with me and we beheld his face radiant many
times, and we felt sure he was having visions of glory. Then we heard
him say, which were his last words, "The Scriptures explain
themselves," showing us what his mind was on. So having finished his
course and completed his work, he has gone to be with him whom he loved
and served for so many years. "O magnify the Lord with me, and let us
exalt his name together." (p181-182)
The above account is from his deathbed . I must, however,
include the following account from the same source as above, about his
disposition a few days earlier:
On the Wednesday morning before his
death the following Tuesday morning, while still in bed and I about my
duties in the room. he began to speak: "The darkness is past and the
true light now shineth. Yes, it shineth more and more unto the perfect
day." Lifting his hand toward the ceiling he said, "All is glory
before me, I cannot say with Mr Rutherford, 'Dark, dark has been the
midnight,' for my experience has been so different from his. But I can
say, 'The dayspring is at hand, and glory, glory dwelleth in Immanuel's
land.' I am leaving the darkness behind to you who have still to finish
your pilgrimage." I said to him, That is all very beautiful for you,"
to which he quickly replied, "And it can be for you too if you will
cast aside your doubts and fears and put your whole trust in the him."
(p180)
Having taken the time, even in his last illness to dictate another article for his magazine, upon finishing, he said: "My
work is finished. My race is run. I am ready to go soon enough,"
He never rose after that, but still remained happy and praising
the Lord. (p.181)
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RUTHERFORD, SAMUEL (Died 1661) When
the end drew near, Robert Blair asked, 'What think you now of Christ?'
'I shall live and adore Him,' he replied; and in whispers he was heard
saying again and again, 'Glory to Him in Emanuel's land!' That One Face
wasmore and more his Uinverse. Some one alluded to his own work of
faith, but he was quick to interrupt: 'I disclaim all. The port I would
be in is redemption and salvation through his blood.' To four of his
brethren who visited him, he gave the counsel: 'Pray for Christ; preach
for Christ; do all for Christ; beware of men pleasing.' Once or
twice, he cried for 'a well tuned harp' as if already he would
participate in the strains of the worshippers within the veil. On the
afternoon before he died, he predicted: 'This night will close the door
and fasten my anchor; and I shall go away in a sleep by five in the
morning.' And thus it happened, for at that hour on the morning of the
29th of March - the daybreak hour as Henry Vaughan sings, 'best doth
chime,' with the glory of the divine Bridegroom, and in which all
things throughout creation 'expect some sudeen matter' - God hid Samuel
Rutherford with Himself from the wrangling and cruelty of wicked men.'
('Men of the Covenant' by Alexander Smellie, (BOT 1975 p.73)
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WHITEFIELD: GEORGE (Died 1770) "After being about a month with us in Boston and its
vicinity, and preaching every day, he went to Old York; preached on Thursday,
September 27, there; proceeded to Portsmouth, and preached there on Friday. On
Saturday morning he set out for Boston; but before he came to Newbury, where he
had engaged to preach the next morning, he was importuned to preach by the way.
The house not being large enough to contain the people, he preached in an open
field. But having been infirm for several weeks, this so exhausted his strength,
that when he came to Newbury he could not get out of the ferry-boat without the
help of two men. In the evening, however, he recovered his spirits, and appeared
with his usual cheerfulness. He went to his chamber at nine, his fixed time,
which no company could divert him from, and slept better than he had done for
some weeks before. He rose at four in the morning, September 30, and went into
his closet; and his companion observed he was unusually long in private. He left
his closet, returned to his companion, threw himself on the bed, and lay about
ten minutes. Then he fell upon his knees, and prayed most fervently to God that
if it was consistent with His will, he might that day finish his Master's work.
He then desired his man to call Mr. Parsons, the clergyman, at whose house he
was; but, in a minute, before Mr. Parsons could reach him, died, without a sigh
or groan. On the news of his death, six gentlemen set out for Newbury, in order
to bring his remains hither: but he could not be moved; so that his precious
ashes must remain at Newbury. Hundreds would have gone from this town to attend
his funeral, had they not expected he would have been interred here.... May this
stroke be sanctified to the Church of God in general, and to this province in
particular!" (An
account of Whitefield's death read out at his funeral by his great
friend John Wesley (an Arminian) who preached the sermon from
Numbers 23:10 "Let me die the deathof the righteous...")
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TO BE ADDED TO AS TIME PERMITS
