Introduction
In this post, I want to explore some of the insights I drew from reading Benjamin Keach’s The Travels of True Godliness. Benjamin Keach was a seventeenth-century Particular Baptist and one of the signatories of the London Baptist Confession of Faith. He was the predecessor of the likes of John Gill and Charles Spurgeon at the New Park Street Church in Southwark London. Keach wrote/published dozens of works. The one I mentioned above is one of his most popular. Specifically, I want to summarize Keach’s Biblical understanding of true godliness in the first chapter of the book. Keach highlights three components of true godliness
1. Godliness consist in the knowledge of divine truths and fundamental principles of the gospel required for a person to be saved.
Such principles include:
- The doctrine of the Triune God as the one true God.
- The doctrine of the Sacred Scripture as the final rule and authority in matters of faith and life. Which teaches us our purpose, our sin, and the redemption God has accomplished in Jesus for our justification.
- The doctrine of the person and work of Christ. He is the second person of the Trinity incarnate. Two natures unmixed in one person. The eternal Son assumed humanity and became the only mediator between God and man. Redemption, peace, and reconciliation are by this Lord Jesus alone.
- The doctrine of Justification by faith alone. Keach writes that “justification and pardon of sin are alone by that full satisfaction which Christ made to God’s justice; and are apprehended by faith alone, through the Holy Spirit.”
- The doctrine of regeneration and sanctification by the Holy Spirit. It is only by the powerful inner working of the Holy Spirit in bringing a man from spiritual death from life that one can be saved.
- The doctrine of the final resurrection on the last day.
- The doctrine of the final judgment where all will give an account. Those who are united to Jesus will enjoy a future state of eternal happiness. Those who rejected Jesus will have a future state of torment and misery.
2. Godliness consist in a holy conformity to these principles by the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit.
- This includes the work of regeneration resulting in repentance of sin and faith in Jesus.
- This includes our definitive sanctification a transfer from the reigning power of sin to Jesus reigning over us. Thus, we will hate and forsake sin. We will, also love and obey Christ as a pattern in our life. Keach writes, “A true Christian desires grace, not only that God would glorify him in heaven, but that he may glorify God on earth.”
3. Godliness consists in beautiful external habits that the outworking of the power of the Holy Spirit.
- A wise and humble adherence to God’s will revealed in Scripture and a rejection of false religion and ceremonies like those of the false Roman Church. Put differently, do what God says and don’t add to it the regulations of men.
- The outward works of godliness apart from the inward life and power of godliness is false godliness. Obedience must be the fruit of love for God, which is itself a fruit of God the Holy Spirit’s work on the heart of the elect. Keach writes, “You must be sure to receive the power of Godliness with his form: for his form, without his inward life and power, will do you no good: it is but as the body without the soul, or the shell without the kernel, or the cabinet without the jewel.”
Conclusion
Godliness is not a negotiable component of a Christian’s life. If the one wants Christ, who is godliness incarnate, they should welcome godliness also. Particular Baptist like Keach saw God’s grace as more than provisional. It is effectual to the conversion, justification, adoption, sanctification, and glorification of every one of God’s elect people. Godliness is a fruit of true evangelical grace. Therefore, as Keach teaches in his great work of allegory, The Travel’s of True Godliness, welcome godliness and all that come with it. He will benefit you now and eternally.
Resources
You can purchase The Travels of True Godliness here: http://www.solid-ground-books.com/detail_496.asp
Jimmy Johnson serves as the Senior Pastor at Vista Baptist Church of Osceola, Missouri. He is a husband and father, and a sinner saved by the awesome grace of God in Jesus Christ. He is the cohost of Covenant Podcast. He received his BA in Christian Ministry from Missouri Baptist University. He received His MDiv from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He subscribes to the Second London Baptist Confession of Faith as a faithful summary of biblical teaching. He can be found on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
He co-founded this website to be dedicated to providing biblical, theological, confessional, and historical content that is accessible and beneficial to the Church of Jesus Christ. He contributes to the website to become more skilled as a writer, theologian, and pastor.
