‘Hugh Martin’s writings should be in the hands of every Christian — and certainly of every preacher — who appreciates the importance of thoughtful biblical exposition. His penetration into the theology and internal logic of the gospel is virtually unrivalled today. This new selection of his sermons, essays and letters will stimulate a fresh appreciation of the wonder of the gospel. But, in addition, it will encourage and challenge a new generation of preachers to engage in deeper and richer biblical-theological exposition. Christ Victorious is a treasure-trove that, once discovered, will bring lasting enrichment.’ — SINCLAIR B. FERGUSON

Book Description

‘Christ’s death is vital—Christ’s death is life—Christ’s death is life eternal, swallowing up death in victory—suppressing my death, and living for me and in me — eternal life still!’ — HUGH MARTIN

Death is often thought of as the inescapable terminus of life—something which, in the end, overpowers and conquers us. But in Christian theology, the death of Christ has central significance for our salvation. Christ died victoriously, conquering death and triumphing over his and our enemies. His death is our life.

This glorious truth occupied a large place in the thinking of Scottish theologian Hugh Martin (1822–85). Martin is best known for his mind-stretching books such as The Atonement and The Shadow of Calvary, and for his insightful character study of Simon Peter. But there exists a significant corpus of largely forgotten shorter writings from his pen which major on the significance of the cross of Christ.

This volume brings together a number of Martin’s sermons, essays and letters, many of which have not been published since the nineteenth century. Like his other titles, the pieces selected for this volume reveal an important theological thinker, one who is well able to guide his readers through various aspects of Christ’s atoning work. Yet Martin also writes with the heart of a pastor: his goal is always to lead his readers to a greater understanding of the truth, to a more complete trust in the Saviour, and to a more sincere worship of God.

The contents of this book demonstrate the veracity of the late Professor John Murray’s assessment of Martin , that ‘his writings exhibit an unexcelled warmth and fervour. No one could scale greater heights of sanctified eloquence.’

‘Our blessed Lord was not brought to death by him that had the power of death. Vanquishing and overthrowing Satan’s power, he went voluntarily to death. Christ did not meet death passively—with any one overpoweringly pressing death upon him as a doom which he could not evade—exercising over him the power of death. But he met death voluntarily, actively, by his own positive deed. This great truth has of late almost lapsed out of our theology, insomuch that not a few are quite conscious of the feeling of novelty and astonishment when it is vigorously put before their minds… All Gospel divine dealings with your soul for its salvation point first of all, and last of all, and throughout all, to Christ and him crucified. He deals with you, chiefest of all, exactly anent his crucifixion and his death. He will have you meet him and strike hands with him exactly here—at his Cross—or not at all.’ — HUGH MARTIN

Dr. Sinclair Ferguson on Christ Victorious

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‘Martin was exceptionally gifted intellectually. For all his familiarity with the Christology of the Church, his work does not merely pour old wine into old wineskins. There is something striking, fresh, thought-demanding, about his whole approach.’ — SINCLAIR B. FERGUSON

Book Description

Calvary cast a shadow over the whole of Christ’s ministry. It was, however, in the last hours of his earthly life that he entered into the full consciousness of ‘the cup’ of suffering which he had to drink.

In The Shadow of Calvary Hugh Martin leads us through the awesome events in the garden of Gethsamane and the arrest and the trial of Jesus Christ. These he interprets in the light of the fulfillment of the Scriptures and the subsequent fruit of Christ’s suffering.

Like Martin’s other published writings this volume is profound yet practical, and intended, as Dr John Duncan said of Martin’s work in general, to promote ‘both the doctrine which is according to godliness and the godliness which is according to doctrine’.

It was the opinion of Professor John Murray, that among the ‘galaxy of gifted and devoted ministers of the gospel’ in Scotland during the nineteenth century, ‘none deserves more honour than Hugh Martin. No one could scale higher heights of sanctificed eloquence.’

Derek Thomas on The Shadow of Calvary

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Reviews

• Review from Guy Davies, Exiled Preacher

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‘Hugh Martin did not belong to the type of theologian who simply pours new wine into old wine bottles, or vice versa. He thought through the truth from first principles, always sensitive to the text of Scripture. Thus the reader is never left simply ticking off boxes, ‘heard that’, ‘know this’. Rather there is a powerful, original, compelling, sometimes blazing light and gospel logic that demands and requires the closest attention and reflection. The way in which he penetrates to the heart of the work of Christ and then expounds the gospel out of its true centre calls for our best thinking and humblest spirits.

Book Description

The Atonement is the most significant contribution to the Christian church by Hugh Martin, an author of extraordinary penetration and great power. At a time when the preaching of the cross has been displaced from many pulpits by talk about man, and where experience-orientated theology has come to reign, Martin’s exposition of the atonement is a book that demands attention.

The great distinctive feature of The Atonement is the emphasis it places on the importance of a covenant perspective, and its focus on the work of Christ as priest. Martin was adamant that these are essential to the right interpretation and proclamation of the doctrine of the atonement. In these pages the author also exposes the mis-steps in theology that empty the cross of its meaning and power. In doing so he notably expounds the concept of the double imputation of sin and righteousness, devastatingly exposes the weaknesses of the theology of F. W. Robertson, and treats the relationship between the atonement and the moral law.

Hugh Martin was a man who thought through the truth from first principles, always sensitive to the text of Scripture. His writings are characterised by a powerful, original, compelling, sometimes blazing light and gospel logic that demands and requires the closest attention and reflection. The way in which he penetrates to the heart of the work of Christ and then expounds the gospel out of its true centre calls for our best thinking and humblest spirits. For anyone who wants to learn what it is to think about Christ’s atonement these pages will open up new vistas and indeed whole panoramas that will, when gazed on with a loving and humble mind, fill the heart with love and praise.

Derek Thomas on The Atonement

Reviews

• Review by Donald Macleod
• Review by Terry Delaney

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‘A first-class exposition of Jonah. No one who has it will need any other…[the pages are] all rich with good matter.’ — C. H. SPURGEON

‘All his (Martin’s) writings exhibit an unexcelled warmth and fervour. No one could scale higher heights of sanctified eloquence.’ — JOHN MURRAY

Book Description

Hugh Martin on Jonah is both a commentary and a devotional classic.

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Hugh Martin (1822-85) combined a brilliant analytical and mathematical mind with a child-like heart which rested in Christ and his atoning work, as revealed in the Scriptures.

Born and brought up in Aberdeen, he gained the top prizes in mathematics at the University there, before going on to study for the ministry. He cast in his lot with those who left the Established Church at the Disruption and served at Panbridge (Carnoustie) and Free Greyfriars, Edinburgh, till illness forced his retirement from the ministry at the age of 42. Thereafter, he devoted himself, despite recurring ill health, to writing, preaching and continued involvement in church issues.

A prolific writer, he is remembered today for his commentary on Jonah and for The Shadow of Calvary both still available from the Banner of Truth Trust.

Most of the sermons in the present volume were transcribed from Martin’s handwritten notes by the late Principal James Mackintosh of the Free Church College, Edinburgh. The title is taken from Martin’s remark: ‘The Scriptures in explaining the scheme of redemption make frequent use of expressions of this general form: ‘Christ for us’. . . Jesus was by the Father appointed. . . our Surety, our Representative. The scheme of redemption is founded on a marvellous exchange of places between Christ and his people, he taking theirs, they being translated into his. He became their federal Head. He became Christ for them.’

What was said by a contemporary of Martin’s book The Atonement is equally true of these sermons: ‘The author brings to bear extraordinary powers of reasoning, warmed and animated by a soul that has felt the blessedness of an interest in the blood of atonement.’

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