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One thing this editor has not sought to either erase or translate is the historical flavor and context of The Heavenly Trade. While many references, such as those to oxen and fields, are quite understandable to the modern reader, a few historical remarks may be in order. Ashwood makes mention of dignities and preferments. At the time, England was still very much a feudal society. The best way to “get ahead” was to be granted a title of nobility, ecclesiastical or civil office, a patent11 to engage in some enterprise, or some other honor or grant. Due to authoritarian kings and nobles, there was relatively little economic freedom compared with modern America. Even today, English society is quite concerned with rank, titles, and precedence.
To their shame, both Roman Catholics and Protestants of all denominations used civil law to enforce religious conformity to their denominational standards. People were frequently required by civil law to attend church each Sunday. Of course, this produced large numbers of pretenders, “pew warmers,” and hypocrites. It also set a social standard of church attendance even when not required by law. Of course, many of the people were truly Christ’s sheep. It is to this kind of mixed audience that Bartholomew Ashwood preached, and to which this book was directed.
Like economic cycles, there can be cycles in the spiritual state of a people group, such as a nation. Such cycles may be years long or span several generations. These may be clearly seen in the history of Old Testament Israel, particularly in the writings of the prophets. A careful reading will show that even when good kings reigned, the hearts of the people were often not for God; most people went with the flow, for good or bad. It has been that way through all of human history. “‘I hate, I despise your feast days, And I do not savor your sacred assemblies. Though you offer Me burnt offerings and your grain offerings, I will not accept them, Nor will I regard your fattened peace offerings. Take away from Me the noise of your songs, For I will not hear the melody of your stringed instruments. But let justice run down like water, And righteousness like a mighty stream. Did you offer Me sacrifices and offerings In the wilderness forty years, O house of Israel? You also carried Sikkuth your king And Chiun, your idols, The star of your gods, Which you made for yourselves. Therefore I will send you into captivity beyond Damascus,’ Says the Lord, whose name is the God of hosts” (Amos 5:21–27 NKJV). This kind of general hypocrisy can make it difficult for the historian to accurately assess the overall spiritual state of people in a given time and place.
As will be clear from the book, Ashwood preached in a time of substantial economic and spiritual depressions, though The Heavenly Trade is relevant to all times. This editor began this translation work during a period of substantial economic prosperity coupled with great spiritual decline in his home country of the USA, knowing that it would not last. He finishes it in the midst of a substantial worldwide economic downturn and rapid spiritual decline in the USA.
Unfortunately, contemporary America, though for different reasons, is in a situation similar to Ashwood’s England, both economically and spiritually, and has a similar church demographic. This is because human nature has not changed since Adam sinned against God. The true beliefs of people are normally shown by their actions and lives. While people of Ashwood’s time and place only rarely professed12 atheism or a false religion, all too many were atheists in their hearts. In contemporary America, open rejection of the Christianity of the Holy Bible is far more common than in Ashwood’s England. But both now and then, as a whole, the lives of very many “Christians” leave very much to be desired. This shows that real inward attitudes toward God have not changed much at all. Ashwood directs much attention to those who are Christians in name only or who have only a small commitment to Christianity. But dear reader, if you are of no religion or some other religion, please understand that Ashwood is speaking to you as well. There is no difference between a false religion, no religion, and lukewarm Christianity; all are paths straight to the eternal torments of Hell.
Please do not lose sight of the forest because of the trees. The Great News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is quite simple:
God created you, owns you, and gave you commands to obey.
You have disobeyed God—as your conscience very well attests to you.
God’s holiness and justice compel Him to punish you in Hell for eternity.
Jesus Christ became Man, was crucified, buried, and rose from the dead as a substitute for all who trust in Him, redeeming them from Hell.
If you repent (turn from your sin) and believe (trust) in Jesus Christ, committing your life to Him, you will go to Heaven. Otherwise you will go to Hell.13
Warning! Good works are a result, not cause, of saving trust. There is more information in Appendix A.
There is another way in which America’s church demographic is similar to that of Ashwood’s time. Ashwood wrote in a time when sincere believers in Christ were often persecuted, both informally and by civil law. Ashwood himself suffered for his faith. Unsurprisingly, therefore, the problem of suffering for righteousness’ sake sometimes appears in The Heavenly Trade. As of this writing, such persecution may still seem remote to many American Christians. But, as has been done so often in the past, the devil has been using specific cultural and legal pressures as wedges driven into biblical truth and practice. Many logs that formerly seemed solid and strong have thus been split and even splintered. All too many Christians have already compromised, disobeyed God, and become “like a trampled spring and a polluted well, so is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked” (Proverbs 25:26 NASB). Those Christians who desire to remain precise in their obedience to their Lord Jesus Christ will thus do well to prepare themselves for increased persecution.
Finally, some modern readers may not be used to being directly and pointedly addressed, especially in language that challenges them as though guilty of faults of which they are perhaps innocent. Also, in common with much of the Holy Bible, Ashwood frequently describes Christians in ideal terms, something that should make us conscious of our sin and lead us to repentance, to Christ, and to the throne of grace. But fear not, dear reader. Ashwood has your best interests at heart and would have you seriously and honestly evaluate your life and relationship to Jesus Christ; neither Ashwood nor this editor nor even God Himself desires that anyone should perish in Hell, but with the love of Christ, do desire that all would be saved, and once saved, grow greatly in grace.
11patent: any special privilege specifically granted to an individual or company by king or parliament.
12profess: in this context, to openly acknowledge belief in something. (It is in this sense that Ashwood frequently uses professor to refer to one who claims to be a Christian.)
13Unfortunately, in contemporary society, Hell is taken far too lightly. Hell is for all eternity, an eternity of horrible torment in body and soul. Think of the worst pain you have ever experienced, if even for a moment. Now think of that going on, with no analgesics or narcotics, for a whole year, a whole century, for all of eternity. Besides pain, there will be none of the good things of Earth or any of the gracious presence of God, only the unmitigated holy wrath of God. The editor highly recommends: Edward Donnelly, Biblical Teaching on the Doctrines of Heaven and Hell (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust, 2009). ISBN-13: 9780851518114.
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