'Consider him first as the God of nature': A Hackney Phalanx sermon and the riches of natural theology

While some recent extracts from an 1814 collection of sermons by Christopher Wordsworth (senior, d.1846), associated with the Hackney Phalanx, demonstrated how a lively call to vibrant faith was present in Hackney and Old High preaching, the most recent extract reasserted the necessity of good works (in line, of course, with the clear teaching of Scripture). Today we turn to another bogeyman in revivalist views of Old High preaching - natural theology.

Here Wordsworth demonstrates how a rich vision of natural theology was evident in Old High preaching, rooted in the coherence of nature and grace. To quote the Cambridge Platonist Benjamin Whichcote, "God, as the author of Nature and Grace, does agree perfectly with himself". Such is the challenge of 18th century Anglican preaching to the revivalists, then and now: why on earth would Christian preaching not have a rich natural theology?

Consider him first as the God of nature. There learn to listen to his awful voice in the storm; to behold the quick lightning, an emblem of his irresistible judgments; and to trace the footsteps of famine and the pestilence, sent to fulfil his word, for the awakening and the chastising of unrepenting and ungodly nations. But then, turn again, to contemplate, with thankfulness and praise, and for the revival and consolation of your sorrowing spirits, the goodness and loving kindness of God, in the manifold beauties of the creation, and the abundant stores prepared for the necessities and the comfort of man, in earth, sea, and air. Behold the lillies of the field, how they grow! Hearken to the glad song of the feathered tenants of the grove. Look up to behold the beauteous colours of the sky; and the sun going forth in his strength; and the moon shedding her milder beams, in the night season. He it is who blesses the labours of the husbandman, causes the fruitful showers to fall into the lap of the earth, and gives to the valleys (as now) to stand so thick with corn, that they shall laugh and sing. All these are the gifts of the divine goodness, and tokens of that love which he delights ever to display towards mankind. And well therefore may we close these meditations in grateful transports, like those of the Psalmist, "O Lord, how manifold are thy works; in wisdom hast thou made them all; the earth is full of thy riches".

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