The New Park Street Pulpit: Vol. 1

by Charles Haddon Spurgeon

This is a complete set of Volume 1 of the dynamic collection of classic sermons from the Prince of Preachers! Written in 1855 just five years after his conversion, these memorable messages reflect Spurgeon's considerable gifts: word pictures, pointed applications, concern for people, and a heart for God. Preachers will value these early messages as excellent models, and laypeople will enjoy them as devotional reading. Charles H. Spurgeon (1834-92) was England's best-known preacher for most of the second half of the nineteenth century. In 1854, just four years after his conversion, Spurgeon, then only 20, became pastor of London's famed New Park Street Church (the sermons of which are contained in this volume). Spurgeon frequently preached to audiences numbering more than 10,000. Spurgeon said, "I do not come into this pulpit hoping that perhaps somebody will of his own free will return to Christ. My hope lies in another quarter. I hope that my Master will lay hold of some of them and say, "You are mine, and you shall be mine. I claim you for myself." My hope arises from the freeness of grace, and not from the freedom of the will."

410 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1855

About the author

Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892) was England's best-known preacher for most of the second half of the nineteenth century. In 1854, just four years after his conversion, Spurgeon, then only 20, became pastor of London's famed New Park Street Church (formerly pastored by the famous Baptist theologian, John Gill). The congregation quickly outgrew their building, moved to Exeter Hall, then to Surrey Music Hall. In these venues, Spurgeon frequently preached to audiences numbering more than 10,000—all in the days before electronic amplification. In 1861, the congregation moved permanently to the newly constructed Metropolitan Tabernacle.

Reviews

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started this volume of sermons some time ago, but just finished today. This is just the first of 63 volumes of Spurgeon's sermons, originally published weekly in the penny pulpit, then bound together each year from 1855 until 1917. This is the largest collection of sermons ever published, a truly monumental accomplishment.

Volume 1 includes 52 of Spurgeon's sermons from his early days in the New Park Street Chapel in London. The scope and depth of his preaching was amazing. His sermons were both doctrinal and practical, an example of "experimental Calvinism" at its best. He was also a great evangelist, and these sermons ring with passionate entreaties to believe the gospel.

Several things struck me in this volume. (1) Spurgeon preached about hell - a lot. He held a serious and solemn belief in eternal punishment that made his preaching urgent. His descriptions of damnation in hell were vivid and terrifying - see for example, p. 284 in his sermon "What are the Clouds?", p. 308 in "Heaven and Hell," or page 397, in "Free Will - A Slave." (2) He was utterly opposed to Arminianism, even calling it heresy - see p. 201, 226, 381, 394. But he was also opposed to hyper-calvinism (pp. 249-250). To read how Spurgeon himself came to embrace the doctrines of grace, see p. 384. (3) He often referred to his own experiences of doubt and struggle, and to his conversion - see p. 111, 158, 239, 310, 407. (4) He held views that might surprise some of his less careful readers today. For example, he believed the earth was created millions of years before Adam (p. 230) and called the theater a "haunt of hell" (p. 223). He also said he would rather be martyred than see division in his church (p.378) (5) Already in 1855, having met George Muller in Bristol, Spurgeon was dreaming of building a tabernacle and starting an orphanage, as a demonstration of faith in God's faithfulness (p. 378). And I could go on...

I am trying (not always with success) to read one Spurgeon sermon each day. I'm often convicted, and often encouraged, but always benefit in some way. Only occasionally do I read a sermon where I think "that wasn't one of his best."

One down, 62 to go - now on to volume 2!

[Galicius · Rating 1 out of 5]

Read Sermon #20 "“The Carnal Mind Enmity Against God”.

[Matt Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

So Christ-focussed and heart-stirring. I’ve been reading one sermon a day, often before bed, and it’s been a real devotional treat.

[Adam Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been a great encouragement to read 53 days of Spurgeon as part of a Twitter plan. Spurgeon knew his Bible well, and had a good grasp of doctrine, especially for his age. I've appreciated his creative word pictures, careful application to different types of people, and his determined zeal for the lost.

It's worth noting that Spurgeon does like to bring up the Calvinist/Arminian debate a lot. Really a lot. Even if you're thoroughly Reformed, you may find it a bit much. I would also note that his pick-apart-a-verse approach can be good ground for eisegesis, or questionable connections (although at the same time good ground for careful reflection). And some of his, "I once heard about" stories also seem slightly incredible (in the traditional sense of the word). I'm not sure what to make of that (did these things actually happen? did he believe they did?) but it can take away the force of his points.

But that said, it's still a collection of Spurgeon sermons, so you can't really give it less than four stars, can you?

[Mike Crews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent selection of sermons from the prince of preachers at the beginning of his ministry. If you can set aside the bones of his extreme Calvinism, this book will help you not only personally, but inspire you to be a better preacher.