John Fawcett was converted as a teenager under the ministry of George Whitefield. He became a Baptist pastor, serving in Halifax for over 50 years. The Foreword of the Klock & Klock edition of 1979 says that his concern was that ‘Christians everywhere develop a more intimate relationship with Christ.’
Fawcett’s book Christ Precious to those that believe is one of the few books that I read and re-read.
‘to you that believe, he is precious, or he is your honour. You account him your glory and your gain. He is not only precious to you, but preciousness itself. He is your jewel, your treasure; and should you be robbed of all besides, in him you are superlatively and everlastingly rich. By the faith which you have in his name, you are enabled to discern his excellency, who is fairer than the children of men, nay, the chiefest among ten thousands, and altogether lovely. As such you must account him precious, and bestow the choicest affections of your hearts upon him. If the question is proposed to you, “what is thy Beloved more than another beloved?” you will not be at a loss for an answer. He is precious in every view, and under every consideration. All that is in him, all that is done or spoken by him, and all that appertains to him is precious. Let us enumerate a few particulars, by way of illustration.’
This paragraph introduces 120 pages of different aspects of Jesus Christ that those who believe find precious. This is truly the heart of the book; and truly crucial to the Christian’s daily experience.
‘Come, blessed angel, raise my soul
To thy divine abode
Haste, for my spirit longs to see
My Saviour and My God.’
