In so eagerly dismissing Toplady, Evangelicals of every stripe have no idea of what they are missing and Anglicans fail to appreciate his doughty defense of the foundations of their heritage. It goes with out saying that Toplady was a religious poet of the first order and his compositions afford the clues as to his first rate theological acumen. His poetry also points to his evident spell-binding preaching. His temperament could be sharp, it seems, and for this he is over-faulted. As a controversialist he was provoked in an extremely ill-mannered fashion, but every saint known manifests the limitations of their patience when relentlessly pushed and human flaws become apparent. And Toplady was a saint - a saint who has much to offer to our generation if only we would consult him.

The former English Poet Laureate Sir John Betjeman was an ardent Anglo-catholic and no friend of classic Evangelical theology. But he respected, admired, and loved Augustus Toplady, recognizing his worth as a creative and highly capable Christian thinker and communicator.

In a radio broadcast given over the West of England Home Service on Sunday 23 June 1946 John Betjeman spoke glowingly of Toplady: Augustus Toplady is, to me, one of the most fascinating and attractive characters of the eighteenth century . . . he has left behind him six large volumes of writing filled with the love of God . . . so smoothly, poetically, and clearly does Toplady write, so forceful is his personality, so startling and original his imagery, that even his most involved argument is a pleasure to follow. Here and there where daylight strikes through the glass windows onto high pews and galleries of little old chapels of the Independent and Strict Baptist denominations, and I believe, in about half a dozen Anglican churches, the prose works of Toplady are still quoted. But to the rest of the English-speaking world he is only remembered as the author of the hymn 'Rock of Ages'.

In his newly published biography of Augustus Toplady, Thomas Garrett Isham has performed a magnificent literary task in expanding the knowledge and well deserved appreciation of this remarkable advocate of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Every aspect of Toplady's person and work is presented in a balanced and beautiful way worthy of this multi-faceted and Spirit-gifted man. The exploration on which Tom Isham guides us is enthralling. The events, experiences, and enterprises of Toplady's life and ministry are gripping and gratifying to the earnest believer or enquirer who may be interested to trace Toplady's development as convert, protestant mystic, dutiful pastor, and highly competent theologian. Tom Isham has joined forces with Betjeman to see that Toplady receives the attention and esteem that he deserves from devotees of church history.

Toplady was an eminent Anglican who should not be overlooked by those who share his tradition and wish to become more aware of its salient and Scriptural features. Toplady was an Evangelical who established the indispensable principles of Christian belief. He interacts with all genuine believers, and as Betjeman proves, his appeal spreads to those of other shades of Christian conviction, for he exudes the warmth and love of the personal knowledge of the Redeemer who resides in all the penitent hearts that trust in the shed blood.

Our author portrays Toplady honestly and affectionately and his account of a great Christian life and witness is characterized by enormous charm and skill, wise judgment, and an attractive mastery of language. The memory of Toplady has 'been done justice' at long last in a superb and captivating way. This is definitely a book to buy. Tom's final paragraph allures us to his depiction of a man of God who was, and means, much more
than the author of the hymn 'Rock of Ages' - the beckoning title of such a desirable book that delineates the essence of the everlasting Gospel.

"In Augustus Toplady the shape of this faith received singular expression. It remains an exemplar still, even in a post-modern, post-Christian, post-everything environment. Toplady's faults were the excess of his gifts; his heart and mind were centered in the right place, and his legacy endures. His God was the omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent God in whom we live, and move and have our being; his world was fallen yet rescued, wounded but healing. We are indebted to this devoted son of the established church, who did so much to recover its nascent faith and to recommend it to others. Soli Deo gloria."

Thomas Garrett Isham is the author of A Born Again Episcopalian: The Evangelical Witness of Charles Pettit McIlvaine, Solid Ground Christian Books.

The Rev. Roger Salter is a regular contributor to VIRTUEONLINE