Charles Spurgeon and The Downgrade Controversy
Charles Spurgeon Background
Charles
Spurgeon has been perceived by many Christians to be one of the greatest
preachers who ever lived.[1] He
preached the gospel truths to massive audiences throughout his lifetime.[2]
His books, lectures, and teachings continue to have an impact on many in the
present day. Spurgeon’s ministry had humble beginnings by paying close
attention to others and distributing tracts to others in the street.[3] He
later moved to Cambridge and was tricked into preaching his very first sermon as
a teenager in 1850 at a small cottage church. At the age of seventeen, he
became pastor of a church in Waterbeach.[4] The
small church began to awaken as word spread concerning the new young preacher
who was able to deliver the message in a powerful and creativity.[5] Its
members grew from forty to four-hundred and fifty members. He later had
contemplated seeking a formal education but felt that God was leading him not
to do so as his attempt at a meeting with a seminary instructor was
unsuccessful.[6]
In 1851,
Charles Spurgeon was invited to preach at the New
Parks Street Chapel in London.[7]
The church was formerly known for prominent ministers but was in a dreadful
decline. In 1853, Spurgeon spoke at a Cambridge Sunday School Union where he
had been noticed for his special gifting.[8] He
accepted the invitation to preach at the dwindling church that had the capacity
to hold twelve-hundred people while only two-hundred where in attendance.[9] After
several preaching engagements there, they invited him to be their full-time
minister.[10] The
church went from its membership dwindling to having an overflow where safety
was of little concern as people often sat in the window seals, squeezed in the
pews, looked through the windows, and sat on the pulpit stairs to hear the
young Spurgeon preach.[11] In
1857, Spurgeon spoke at the Crystal Palace which was able to seat over twenty-thousand
people.[12]
Due to weekly overcrowding, The New Parks Street Church moved
to the Metropolitan Tabernacle which comfortably seated five-thousand and
allowed for an additional standing of one-thousand people.[13]
It was the mega-church of his time and he received funds both inside and
outside of his congregation for its upkeep. Nevertheless, he made sure that
everyone knew that the building was not their permanent home and that they had
their heavenly home to look forward to.[14]
Spurgeon never pursued fame, money or popularity. He was moved by the Holy
Spirit’s operation in his life and was humbled by the call God had upon his
life and the prayers of the saints. He preached weekly at the church until his
health would not longer permit him in 1891.[15]
Charles Spurgeon’s focus was centered on the local church,
but his influence reached worldwide through his powerful sermons, the teaching
of his students and written materials.[16] In
1856, Spurgeon married Susaannah
Thompson who was the daughter of Robert Thompson. She helped him to edit one of
his books and later, his sermons were published all throughout the world. With
that, one of his greatest accomplishments was the pastor’s college which was
men who would be dedicated to serving the local church. Spurgeon believed that
a preacher was to be a pastor as well which was reflected in his teachings to
his students.[17] He
did not claim that either he nor the college could be a qualifying factor in
someone being a minister.[18] The
individual seeking to be a minster had to have received a calling by God
himself but could be trained in pastoral duties. Nevertheless, through
Spurgeon’s teachings, those called to the ministry would be better equipped,
educated, and properly trained to teach the Word of God and minister to His
people.
Charles Spurgeon believed and taught his students that Christ
was to always be preached for His life and works is of uttermost importance.[19]
He taught that the world needed to be taught and learn about Jesus being their
Savior so that they get to know Him as their Redeemer.[20] Justification
by faith was what Spurgeon felt the world needed to know so that they could
understand that Christ was able to save them from whatever afflicted them
through sin through His saving grace.[21] Spurgeon
did not feel that pastors were to debate philosophy and metaphysics but the
simple gospel.[22]
His teaching was simple in that due to man’s fall, he was in need of being born
again, forgiveness through Christ’s atonement, and salvation through faith as
the Christian’s righteous weapons.[23]
The Downgrade Controversy
Spurgeon had
encountered various battles throughout his life with which he was well
acquainted. Nevertheless, none of his battles were equal to or would ever be
comparable to what he experienced as the Downgrade Controversy.[24]
He was in the battle of a lifetime against what was considered as theological
liberalism and was contributed to putting a strain on his health – ultimately contributing to his death.[25]
The Downgrade Controversy took off in 1887 – springing
out of what some may consider as a spontaneous combustion but may have actually
been taking place in more settle ways than many believers knew.[26]
Spurgeon had taken notice of the spiritual decline within the church and its
values which troubled him. Therefore, he had written an article called The Indictment in the Sword and Trial in 1887 but encountered
a tremendous outcry by fellow Baptists and by October 1887; he had resigned his
post at the Baptist Union.[27]
There were
two major reasons for Spurgeon’s beliefs which contributed to the controversy – German methodology which undermined the
Bible and Darwinism.[28]
Underneath the umbrella of those two was the downplay of the atonement,
questions regarding the inspiration of Scripture, and what he believed to be
worldly compromise entering the ranks of the church.[29] He
wrote in the Sword and Trowel the
concerns that he had regarding what he believed would be the church’s downfall
and was met with intense anger and animosity.[30] Christians
questioned his integrity as a pastor and wanted proof of his claims, so Spurgeon
sent documented evidence to William Booth.[31]
They were, however, practically dismissed and not addressed. Not only did
Spurgeon have to deal with the upset from his Baptist community of believers but this controversy also caused
problems within his family—one of which being James Spurgeon, Charles
Spurgeon’s brother, and the college where he taught.[32]
There was so much pressure on him stemming from this controversy that he withdrew
into a deep depression which many believe may have contributed to his death.[33]
The Downgrade (March 1887)
Spurgeon
believed that nothing could protect the Christian other than the shield of
faith. He said that he was willing to be eaten by dogs in his generation
because future generations would prove him to be correct.[34] Yet,
the downgrade could be perceived by many as being a buildup over time. In the
first article that was written about the Downgrade, Spurgeon’s friend and
fellow Baptist minister, Robert Shindler, wrote concerning the history of the church’s downgrade with an editorial
contribution from Spurgeon.[35] In
1662, the Established Church of England took part in the Act of Uniformity
which promoted the Book of Common Prayer’s ceremonies and doctrines that
successfully banished Puritanism and Calvinism.[36]
King Charles II and most of his officials rejected the idea of righteous living
and its teachings.[37]
Therefore, two-thousand ministers were banished from the Church of England
because they would not compromise their biblical beliefs.[38]
Most of those who were ejected were
comprised of Presbyterians, Independents and Baptists. Many leaders,
however, fell away from biblical truths which trickled down to their
congregants’ lifestyles as their messages became less spiritual, involved natural
theology, and focused on Christ-less New Testament moral teachings rather than the
central truths of the entire Bible.[39]
Nevertheless, there were other pastors who refused to follow the path of the
others and continued to preach sound doctrine, righteous living and a
power-filled gospel message.[40]
Spurgeon saw more of the same type of down-spiral when he
addressed this in his March 1887 article where he and Shindler noted that the
non-conformists in England drifted towards liberalism.[41]
Unitarianism, Arminianism,
Arianism and secular
living were embraced, and Calvinism’s rejection was blamed for the downgrade.[42]
Shindler wrote that the Presbyterians were the first group to decline as they
payed more attention to the academics and speaking abilities of the pastors
rather than their spiritual qualifications and ability to rightly divide the Scripture.[43]
He continued in his explanation to say that it was easy to get on the
downgrade, but was extremely difficult to get off.[44] As
many of them openly turned from the truth, as Shindler explained, they raised doubt in other believers’ minds due to their
fraudulent Christianity and grieving of the Holy Spirit.[45]
Due to the Presbyterians not
taking a stand for their faith, even with those who were visitors in their
pulpits, Shindler contributes to giving entry to the Arian and Socinian
falsehoods that crept into the church.[46] Apostate teaching became
the norm within a few decades and any type of ungodly living was allowed to
take fellowship within the church.[47] According to Shindler,
the people preferred to hear a false peace message than to hear of the Prince
of Peace.[48] He ended with a warning
that to forsake the old gospel for some new ideology is a mere deception which
many seemed to prefer.[49]
The Downgrade (April 1887)
In April
1887, Robert Shindler wrote another article called the Downgrade which further
explained how the Puritans experienced a spiritual decline in the earlier parts
of history.[50]
He blamed the leaders for the demise of the church and believed that they did
not do enough to contend for the faith in which they claimed to uphold.[51]
This article once again was noticed by many as Spurgeon was grateful for it due
to it being a warning for believers to take note of.[52] Spurgeon,
when questioned as to the Methodists’ stance regarding the downgrade, believed
that they were standing firm in their beliefs without compromise and were
upholding their doctrines.[53]
Shindler
gave an example in the article about a professor name Philip Doddridge who had
allowed compromised leaders to enter his pulpit where impressionable young
minds were being trained for the ministry.[54] Shindler
believed that allowing such heresy to be exposed to future ministers set the
school up for failure as it closed its doors some years after Doddridge’s
passing due to what Shindler perceived as Socinianism.[55] Spurgeon
believed that Arminianism was the reason for Socinianism which caused a down
spiral of many churches leading them to Unitarianism and more.[56]
Spurgeon
believed that leaving Calvinism caused many to fall astray because of the
truths in which he felt that Calvinism upheld and encouraged others to do the
same.[57]
He felt that those who left its truths fell into apostacy and ruin.[58] Spurgeon
had no argument with those who were living righteously but were in
understanding to what he and Shindler were warning against.[59]
Spurgeon took offense to those who were
denying the inspiration and inerrancy of the Scripture, causing others
to believe that they were not justified through faith but in their own works, and
in denial of Christ’s atoning sacrifice for mankind.[60]
Spurgeon did not wish to have a debate about denominations, but he wished to
point people to the truth of God’s word and have it to speak for itself.[61]
Spurgeon was
sickened by the fact that the church was more concerned about unity which was
nothing more than a message of worldly compromise and extreme secularism versus
teaching man about his need for a Savior.[62] Spurgeon’s
belief was that the church should unite against the falsehood that was creeping
in to cause the downgrade rather than uniting together in rebellion against God.[63] He
was deeply convinced that a choice had to be made. Spurgeon felt that a matter
of conscientiousness must be the way of life for believers instead of
compromise leading to a world of idolatry.[64]
Shindler
wrote that a new commitment needed to be made to be in agreement with the Bible
and in so doing, everything that went against it would be justified in being
false.[65] He
continued on in saying that believers needed to be respectful of God’s ultimate
authority and resist any type of teaching that was contrary to the laws set
forth by God and His testimony.[66]
Without such a foundation, Shindler believed that the believer would not have a
firm standing and would wander away from the truth as some had. Those who had
not strayed from the Bible in their preaching, teaching, and lifestyle,
according the Shindler, were consistent in their relationship with God.[67]
The Downgrade (August 1887)
In August
1887, Spurgeon wrote another article called Another
Word Concerning the Downgrade.[68]
This article went deeper into explaining the descent that the church was taking
into the madness of immorality.[69] Spurgeon
said that it was quite undeniable that the times that were being lived in were
grievously wicked and filled with debauchery. The church, overall, was blinded
by the downward spiral that they were encountering and seemed to be in a
comatose spiritual state.[70]
Spurgeon wondered as to how much further of a descent could they take and what
truths and biblical doctrines would be left if they failed to awaken to the
reality of the condition that they were facing.[71]
The new theologies that were being created and taught were
considered as fake food being fed to the hungry in Spurgeon’s mind. He
considered the ungodly teachings that were springing up around the churches and
being taught to its congregants as lacking the biblical moral code which
replaced the teaching of righteousness.[72]
The teaching of the atonement had been abandoned, the Bible was considered an
uninspired book of literature, the work of the Holy Spirit was painstakingly
reduced to a mere feeling of encouragement, and the teachings of the cross was
just a good Sunday sermon based on an allegory.[73]
Spurgeon was appalled at the fact that those who taught such fallacies would
consider themselves as ministers and brethren of the faith.[74]
Spurgeon wrote that wrapped up in falsehood and camouflaged
as truth is the spiritual death of the church as it is entangled in amusements
of the world.[75]
Pastors and other leaders no longer felt that prayer meetings were of any
benefit and some stopped having them altogether because of the few numbers that
were in attendance.[76] Spurgeon
wondered as to how these leaders expected that there would be a move of God in
their midst when they felt that only one day’s service would do the job and the
need for prayer meetings were no longer beneficial nor necessary.[77]
Spurgeon continued to write that ministers were being seen at
some of the places for entertainment
and amusement that would have formerly gotten them banned from ministry.[78]
They were therefore, unable to preach against worldly temptations due to being
involved in such things themselves. They defended such sinful delights in their
pulpits which gave a license for their congregants to do the same and turn away
from true holiness.[79]
Those who were on the decline would have loved to intertwine their worldly
living with the things of God and in many cases, they did exactly that.[80] Once
truth was no longer an issue and the gospel no longer preached with conviction,
those who were on the fence would see no need to prevent themselves from fully
crossing over and those who once held to the truth would have less zeal to
defend it.[81]
Pastors, according to Spurgeon, were more interested in being
popular, admired, and respected for their academics which resulted in them
watering down the gospel and abandoning Scripture.[82]
They sought to keep up with the times and change their messages with new
ideologies that would keep their modern audience happy. Spurgeon wrote that
this was a major mistake for where the gospel was being preached in total
truth, the Holy Spirit would reign down on them as He did with the apostles on
the Day of Pentecost.[83] To
do anything less would mean that new converts would not be won to Christ and
their preaching and teaching would be in vain.[84]
Spurgeon considered these ministers of prey as being worse than atheists for
the damage that they did and would do to the church for many within the church
did not even believe in hell because their leaders taught against it.[85]
Many pastors were guilty of preaching that they either did not believe and/or
live in their personal lives which destroyed the reputation of the church.[86]
The Downgrade (September
1887)
After the
first few articles that were written, Spurgeon received an outpour of letters confirming his worst fears.[87]
The church was in grave danger and many of the letters that he received allowed
him to see that its condition was even worse than he thought. Spurgeon also
received rebukes from his critics who accused both he and Shindler of going on
rants due to ill health.[88]
Spurgeon, however, stood on what he believed to be true and informed his
critics that no such reason was to be
contributed to his articles.[89]
He had in no way embellished the truth or misspoke nor did he take any pleasure
in the things that he had written. He would have loved to have been proven
wrong but there was no one who had come forth to disprove one word within his
allegations.[90] His
critics took more time in trying to condemn him for speaking out than they did
with coming up with a solution to reform the ills that he and Shindler had
noticed taking place within the church.[91]
Spurgeon
wrote that the false teachers wanted nothing more than to deflect from what
they were doing.[92]
They set the stage for their falsehood so that others would be receptive to
their flawed ideologies that were not biblical and spiritually sound. These
false teachers were confident in their ability to sway their congregants into
accepting their teachings as being truth with very little to no resistance.[93] They
do not wish to be challenged on their teachings and prefer to continue their
wickedness in utter peace.[94] Liberalism,
according Spurgeon, had taken root in the minds of many pastors and their
members due to the Scripture being perverted from the pulpits and in their
writings.[95]
Journalists
and preachers seemingly worked together to silence any dissenters to their
apostasy and ungodliness.[96] The
newspaper writers made the worldly teachers famous in their press articles by
singing their praises and defending their compromise while those who preached
truth were mocked and ridiculed in the same column.[97] The
pastors who did not uphold biblical standards became famous sensations with all
the trimmings that went with it while defending the faith made one a social
outcast.[98]
Nevertheless, Spurgeon was not about to be one of those who preferred
popularity over truth and remained steadfast in his stance against ungodly
compromise despite what his critics had to say.[99]
Spurgeon Withdraws from the Baptist Union
Spurgeon
questioned those who continued to be connected to those who would contribute to
the downgrade with no conviction.[100]
Spurgeon believed that the time would present itself for the downgrade to be
addressed at the annual Baptist Union. Spurgeon refused to partake in
fellowship with those who would compromise the gospel which he considered as
haven committed spiritual treason.[101]
Although Spurgeon thought that the matter would be addressed at the Union, the
issue did not make the list and was never addressed. In October 1887, Spurgeon
wrote a letter to the General Secretary of the Baptist Union and resigned his
membership.[102]
Spurgeon had
published his letter in the November 1887 issue of the Sword And The Trowel.[103]
He wrote that after much thought and consideration that he could no longer in
good conscious affiliate with anyone whom he believed to be in opposition to
the gospel. This was not an easy decision for him to make, but he felt that it
was necessary to be on the side of Truth.[104] He
asserted that any union considering itself to be Christian was in error when it
took part in the compromise of worldliness within its ranks.[105] Therefore,
he felt that he could not be a follower of Christ and remain faithful to an
apostate union claiming to represent the God he knew abhorred such things.[106] The
Baptist Union, however, did not concur and felt that Spurgeon was inaccurate
with his beliefs and convictions. They accused him of being in biblical error
by not addressing them privately concerning the matter but Spurgeon, in his
defense, stated that he had approached them repeatedly but to no avail.[107]
Spurgeon saw
the Union’s response as a way to deflect from the real issues that they were
facing and the use him as a scapegoat instead.[108] Even
while making his case against the church, Spurgeon never attacked anyone
individually nor made his grievance a personal matter. Unfortunately, his decision
to do so made him a target of the union due to them desiring for him to be more
precise in nature.[109] The
Union requested that he meet with four of their representatives in France, but
Spurgeon declined and preferred to meet with them once he returned to London so
that they would not claim that he was a hostile participant. Four union
representatives met with Spurgeon and requested that he would reconsider his
resignation.[110]
Spurgeon would only agree if they would develop a statement of faith so that
the church would know what they believed and stood for. The union
representatives refused and a few days after their meeting, it was voted that
Spurgeon’s resignation would be advanced and that he would be censured as well.[111]
The Union
did not agree to adopt an evangelical statement of faith in which Spurgeon felt would settle the matter when it
came to the teaching of false doctrines.[112]
Therefore, he felt that they would be unable to
effectively hold ministers up to a certain standard when there was
nothing by which the pastors could be guided.[113]
This was part of his reasoning for not giving the Union the specific names that
they requested which was really their attempt to deflect from the real problem
at hand. Spurgeon was not wanting to
have personal attacks but a change in the overall structure of the church as it
related to preaching and teaching the true Word of God.[114]
For many evangelicals, a creed was not necessary and unbiblical, but Spurgeon believed that the creed should be in
alignment with scripture and in that way, there would be no issue biblically.[115] Spurgeon’s
goal was to help the church remain faithful to the Scripture in both its
teaching and lifestyle.[116]
Ill Health
Charles
Spurgeon was a powerful preacher who was instrumental in many converts coming
to Christ and yet, towards the end of his life, he had lost many friends
because of the Downgrade Controversy.[117] He
did not feel any type of remorse, nevertheless, because of the stance he took.
Unfortunately, his health took a turn for the worse as he became afflicted with
gout and suffered from bouts of depression.[118] He
was not being able to preach for three
consecutive weeks. His depression was so intense that he often wept without
understanding the reason for his tears. Nevertheless, he was moved to resist
the depression upon hearing a friend speak of a lady who was suffering intense
pain from cancer and yet; she was in great spirits.[119]
This moved him out of what he considered to be
self-pity and renewed a hope in God whereas he had begun to doubt God’s call
upon his life and their relationship.[120]
One day, Spurgeon
traveled to his old town and attended a service where a young man was preaching
one of his sermons.[121]
After the young had ended, he let the young man know that regardless of whose
sermon it was; he was reminded that he was God’s child, saved by grace and was
ready to return to the pulpit from which he had left.[122] His
depression allowed him to be more empathetic with the needs of others – allowing for his ministry to be more
powerful.[123]
Having served at the church for thirty-eight years, he finally resigned in
1891. During his final months, he retired to France, but his heart never left
that of his congregation as he wrote to them. Spurgeon passed away January 31,
1892 and his funeral was held eleven days later with a funeral possession that
was for miles.[124]
A dove was witnessed as flying from the tabernacle towards the tomb as they
laid Mr. Spurgeon to rest.[125]
Conclusion
Charles
Spurgeon, one of the most powerful and influential preachers of his time, was
deeply concerned with the spiritual health of the church, even as his own physical
and emotional health was declining.[126]
He encountered strong opposition, similar to what the Apostle Paul experienced
in Philippi, for speaking the truth concerning the responsibility of the church
to contend for the faith.[127]
Spurgeon believed that those who would dare to preach another gospel should not
even be a part of the fellowship of believers.[128]
He felt that it was necessary to distance himself from a professed servant of
God, who would teach falsehood, live a life of immorality, and encourage others
to do the same – consequentially
leading the church to a spiritual downgrade.[129] Spurgeon
thought of it as being in partnership with sin to even belong to a union who
would not set biblical guidelines by which its leaders would be held
accountable. Therefore, his choice to resign from the Baptist Union was done in
all sincerity in accordance to his spiritual convictions.[130]
Spurgeon
warned that believers who would support sin and not take a stand against the
works of iniquity were neither faithful nor loyal to Christ.[131]
One may say that Spurgeon took to heart the text in Romans where the Apostle
Paul wrote that there were those who knew the truth but not only continued in
their sins to do what was wrong, but they approved of those who were partakers
of evil as well.[132]
Spurgeon, therefore, lived what he preached and would not be a part of wrongdoings.
He taught that one cannot claim to know God’s word and fail to follow it.[133] He
believed that a person could not believe in the atonement, creation, and sin
while at the same time deny Christ works on the cross, teach evolution, fail to repent and turn away from immorality.[134] According
to Spurgeon, a decision must be made. One will either serve Christ with the
whole heart or Belial.[135]
Bibliography
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"A Bee-Line to the Cross: The Preaching of Charles H. Spurgeon - Sermons
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Spurgeon, C. H., and
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Spurgeon, C. H. A
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Spurgeon, C. H. An
All-Round Ministry: Addresses to Ministers and Students. [Charleston,
S.C.]: BiblioBazaar, 2008.
Spurgeon, C. H. Lectures
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[1] Tom J Nettles, Living by Revealed Truth: The Life and Pastoral
Theology of Charles Haddon Spurgeon (Scotland: Christian Focus
Publications, 2015), xi.
[2] Robert Strivens, "Living by Revealed Truth: The
Life and Pastoral Theology of Charles Haddon Spurgeon," Journal of the
Evangelical Theological Society 57, no. 4 (December 2014): 875.
[3] C. H Spurgeon, A Defense of Calvinism
(Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 2008), 16-19.
[4] Strivens, "Revealed Truth,"
875-879.
[5] Ibid.
[6] Robert Shindler, From the Usher’s Desk to
the Tabernacle Pulpit: The Life and Labors of Charles Haddon Spurgeon ...
(Classic Reprint) ([S.l.]: Forgotten Books, 2015), 147-151.
[7] Ibid.
[8] Ibid.
[9] Ibid.
[10] Charles H. Spurgeon, The Down-Grade
Controversy (Charleston: BiblioLife, 2008), 4-6.
[11] Ibid.
[12] C. H. Spurgeon and Robert Whitfield, Autobiography
(Ashland, Or: Blackstone Audiobooks, 1998), 127-135.
[13] Ibid.
[14] Ibid., 127-130.
[15] Ibid., 140-145.
[16] Judith C. Powles, "Misguided or
Misunderstood?," Baptist Quarterly 43, no. 6 (2010): 349-342,
doi:10.1179/bqu.2010.43.6.003.
[17] C. H Spurgeon, An All-Round Ministry: Addresses to Ministers and
Students ([Charleston, S.C.]: BiblioBazaar, 2008), 27-30.
[18] Spurgeon, All-Round Ministry,
41-43.
[19] C. H Spurgeon, No Compromise
([Pensacola, FL]: [Chapel Library], 1996), 2-5.
[20] Ibid.
[21] Spurgeon and Whitfield, Autobiography, 168-178.
[22] Ibid.
[23] Ibid.
[24] John F. MacAuthor Jr., "Spurgeon and
the Down-Grade Controversy," The Spurgeon Archive, last modified 1992,
http://www.romans45.org/spurgeon/downgrd.htm.
[25] Ibid.
[26] Ibid.
[27] Ibid.
[28] Charles H. Spurgeon, The Down-Grade
Controversy (Charleston: BiblioLife, 2008), 4-12.
[29] Ibid.
[30] Ibid.
[31] Ibid.
[32] Spurgeon, Down-Grade, 4-12.
[33]John F. MacAuthor Jr., "Spurgeon and the
Down-Grade Controversy," The Spurgeon Archive, last modified 1992,
http://www.romans45.org/spurgeon/downgrd.htm.
[34] Ibid.
[36] Spurgeon, Down-Grade, 6.
[37] MacAuthor Jr., "Down-Grade."
[38] Ibid.
[39] Spurgeon, Down-Grade, 6-7.
[40] Ibid., 7.
[41] MacAuthor Jr., "Spurgeon."
[42] Ibid.
[43] Ibid.
[44] Ibid.
[45] Ibid.
[46] Ibid.
[47] Ibid.
[48] Ibid.
[49] MacAuthor Jr., "Spurgeon."
[50] Spurgeon, Down-Grade, 13-19.
[52] Ibid.
[53] MacAuthor Jr., "Spurgeon."
[54] Spurgeon, Down-Grade, 13-19.
[55] Ibid.
[56] Ibid.
[57] Spurgeon, Down-Grade, 13-19.
[58] MacAuthor Jr., "Spurgeon."
[60] Ibid.
[61] Ibid.
[62] Ibid.
[63] MacAuthor Jr., "Spurgeon."
[64] Ibid.
[65] Spurgeon, Down-Grade, 13-19.
[66] MacAuthor Jr., "Spurgeon."
[67] Ibid.
[68] Spurgeon, Down-Grade,
23-26.
[69] Ibid.
[70] Ibid.
[71] Ibid.
[72] Ibid.
[73] MacAuthor Jr., "Spurgeon."
[74] Ibid.
[75] Spurgeon, Down-Grade,
23-26.
[76] Ibid.
[77] Ibid.
[78] Ibid.
[79] Ibid.
[80] Ibid.
[81] MacAuthor Jr., "Spurgeon."
[82] Ibid.
[83] Ibid.
[84] Ibid.
[85] Ibid.
[86] Ibid.
[87] Spurgeon, Down-Grade,
28-33.
[88] Ibid.
[89] Spurgeon, Down-Grade,
28-33.
[90] Ibid.
[91] Ibid.
[92] Ibid.
[93] Ibid.
[94] MacAuthor Jr., "Spurgeon."
[95] Ibid.
[96] Spurgeon, Down-Grade,
28-33.
[97] Ibid.
[98] Spurgeon, Down-Grade,
28-33.
[99] Ibid.
[100] MacAuthor Jr., "Spurgeon."
[101] Ibid.
[102] Ibid.
[103] Ibid.
[104] Ibid.
[105] Ibid.
[106] Ibid.
[107] MacAuthor Jr., "Spurgeon."
[108] Ibid.
[109] Ibid.
[110] Ibid.
[111] Ibid.
[112] Spurgeon, Down-Grade,
69-73.
[113] Ibid.
[114]Spurgeon, Down-Grade,
28-33.
[115] MacAuthor Jr., "Spurgeon."
[116] Ibid.
[117] The Spurgeon Center Staff,
"11 Reasons Spurgeon Was Depressed," Spurgeon, last modified July 11,
2017,
https://www.spurgeon.org/resource-library/blog-entries/11-reasons-spurgeon-was-depressed.
[118] Nettles, Revealed Truth, 25-28.
[119] Christian History
Institute, "The Anguish and Agonies of Charles Spurgeon | Christian
History Magazine," Christian History Institute, accessed
October 4, 2018,
https://christianhistoryinstitute.org/magazine/article/anguish-and-agonies-of-charles-spurgeon/.
[120] Ibid.
[121] Albert Mohler, "A Bee-Line to the Cross: The Preaching of Charles
H. Spurgeon - Sermons & Articles," Preaching.com, last modified
November 1, 1992,
https://www.preaching.com/articles/past-masters/a-bee-line-to-the-cross-the-preaching-of-charles-h-spurgeon/.
[122] Ibid.
[123] Ibid.
[124] Nettles, Revealed Truth,
15-18.
[125] Ibid.
[126] MacAuthor Jr., "Spurgeon."
[127] 1 Thess. 2:2 (New International Version).
[128] MacAuthor Jr., "Spurgeon."
[129] MacAuthor Jr., "Spurgeon."
[130] Ibid.
[131] Ibid.
[132] Romans 1:32 (New International Version).
[133] MacAuthor Jr., "Spurgeon."
[134] John Calvin, A. N. S. Lane, and Hilary Osborne, The
Institutes of Christian Religion (Grand Rapids, Mich:
Baker Book House, 2004), 855-858.
[135] Spurgeon, Down-Grade,
33.
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