Dec
30
2009
Laudem non quaero; culpam non tiemo
I’ve enjoyed reading, on again off again, a collection of sermons by Theodorus Jacobus Frelinghuysen. I hope to write more at a later date on this neglected forerunner of the Great Awakening. Frelinghuysen strikes me as a man I would have liked to hear preach but may have found intimidating in person. Joel Beeke says, “Though Frelinghuysen did not have an irenic character, he was a man of profound spiritual conviction and of tremendous courage.” From what I know about the man, which isn’t a whole lot, this pretty well sums up his character, warts and all.
Beeke records that Frelinghuysen once concluded a preface with these words, “Laudem non quaero; culpam non tiemo.” They could have been a motto for his life. I wish they were for mine: “I seek not praise; I fear not blame.”
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Note: I believe “I fear” in Latin is timeo but Beeke quotes it as tiemo.
One More Note: For a good introduction to Frelinghuysen and substantial collection of his sermons, go here. If you know of other good resources feel free to mention them in the comments.