A Choice Drop of Honey from the Rock of Christ: Harbour’s First Republication
Thomas Wilcox first published this tract in London in 1664. Within thirty-five years of its publication, there were at least five editions already in print and possibly even more that are lost to us today. Now, for the first time, Harbour's republication returns to the complete text of the original edition.
Thomas Wilcox first published this tract in London in 1664 under the title A Short Word of Advice to All Saints, But Especially those that be in Church-Fellowship: Whereby they may be helped to stand upon the right Foundation, lest they fall, and great be their fall. Later, the work would come to be known as A Choice Drop of Honey from the Rock of Christ. Within thirty-five years of its publication, there were at least five editions already in print and possibly even more that are lost to us today.
Over the course of its long publication history, this little work crossed national, denominational, and linguistic boundaries, being translated into Welsh, German, Swedish, Finnish, and Scottish Gaelic during the 18th and 19th centuries. The remarkable directness of the author, paired with his pastoral warmth and “careful sensitivity to both challenging and encouraging the reader”, ensured that this tract remained popular for centuries after its initial publication (Quinn R. Mosier, Introduction, XLI).
“The small book you now hold in your hands has been used mightily by God throughout many different generations to assure the doubting, comfort the downcast, clarify the gospel, and save sinners who are desperate for grace. Although its author, Thomas Wilcox (1622-1687), has been dead for more than three centuries, his words still speak a comforting and convicting message beyond the grave.” Quinn R. Mosier (Introduction, XLVIII-XLIX)
The truths impressed upon the heart of the reader in this work are as important now as when they were first penned. Wilcox pushes needy souls back into the arms of their Saviour, who alone is able to justify them and bring them back to God. Self-righteousness has no place in the heart of the believer, and Wilcox pleads with the reader to put it to death once and for all.
You profess baptism, church-fellowship; you do well, they are glorious ordinances: but if you have not the blood of Christ at the root of your profession, it will wither, and prove but painted pageantry to go to Hell in.
Today, it is easier than ever to become so caught up in our work, our family duties, and our church service that we overlook the One for whom we do all these things: Christ, our sufficient Saviour. Through the pages of A Choice Drop of Honey from the Rock of Christ, our vision of Jesus Christ is wonderfully renewed, bringing with it the assurance of sins forgiven and the commitment to serve him alone.
Returning to the Original Edition
For the first time, Harbour’s republication of this tract returns to the complete text of the original edition published in 1664. This was made possible by the discovery of a surviving original copy in Christ Church Library, Oxford. From high-resolution photographs supplied by the Special Collections Photographer at Christ Church Library, this text was manually transcribed by Joshua Davies and lightly edited for clarity where needed.
This is significant because the original edition features references to church fellowship and baptism which are absent in subsequent editions. By returning to the 1664 text, Harbour’s republication restores Wilcox’s initial emphasis on church unity and his explicitly Baptist perspective. Whilst Wilcox was known for his catholic spirit and was “beloved by all denominations” (Introduction, XXV), these references to the church and specific Baptist practices give the tract an ecclesial focus and directness that is missing from later editions.
The Spiritual Hymns
In an early edition of A Choice Drop of Honey, published during Wilcox’s lifetime in 1676, a small collection of spiritual hymns was added by the publisher, Nathaniel Crouch. The inclusion of these spiritual hymns followed in the wake of some English Baptists, such as Benjamin Keach, introducing hymn singing into their worship services.
For the first time, these hymns have been reproduced by Harbour in this volume. They offer a valuable insight into the historical and theological context of Wilcox’s work as well as bolster its devotional value. Forming an appendix to the tract, they largely retain their archaic form in keeping with their poetic character.
Historical Scholarship
In the Historical Introduction, Quinn R. Mosier presents new scholarship on Thomas Wilcox’s life and his work’s history of publication. In addition, notes on the text by Joshua Davies offer profound insights into the wider context of Wilcox’s tract, drawing on contemporary Baptist documents and Horatius Bonar’s commentary on the tract (1855). These notes also explain where the first edition differs to later editions and provide new details on the provenance of the spiritual hymns.
Design and Typography
Harbour’s A Choice Drop of Honey is crafted and cloth-bound in Britian with the purpose of being durable and usable. The use of classic, clean typography ensures that Wilcox’s direct message and plain style is brought to the reader with clarity. Custom-made drop capitals, title pages, and gold-foil stamped cover, designed by Rachel Copeland for this republication, add elegance and aesthetic depth to the volume. These aspects of the design draw upon the early editions whilst presenting Wilcox’s work afresh to a twenty-first century reader.
In line with Harbour’s aims, the physical character of this book justifies its existence. Attention is given to the quality of the binding, typography, cover and page designs. The reason for this is not just to produce beautiful volumes, but to present the theological legacy of the church in vessels worthy of the truths they carry.
“I recommend you to get it, and read it prayerfully, and it will do you good.” C. H. Spurgeon (“Honey out of the Rock,” from an 1857 address published in The Sword and the Trowel in November 1894.)
Pre-order A Choice Drop of Honey from the Rock of Christ here.
