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Robert Hawker
Robert Hawker (1753–1827) was an English preacher and Anglican priest whose powerful evangelical ministry earned him the nickname "Star of the West" in 18th- and early 19th-century Devon. Born in 1753 in Exeter, England, he was the son of Jacob Hawker, a surgeon. Initially trained in medicine under Samuel White in Plymouth and serving briefly as an assistant surgeon in the Royal Marines, Hawker shifted his path to theology. He entered Magdalen College, Oxford, in 1778, and was ordained in 1779. Appointed assistant curate at Charles Church, Plymouth, under John Bedford in 1778, he succeeded Bedford as vicar in 1784, a position he held until his death. In 1772, at age 19, he married Anna Rains, with whom he had eight children. Hawker’s preaching career was marked by his extemporaneous, high-Calvinist sermons, which drew thousands with their passion, biblical depth, and accessibility, often lasting 70 to 80 minutes and necessitating gallery expansions at Charles Church. Known for beginning services with spontaneous prayers—sometimes against clerical norms—he preached annually in London to packed congregations, reportedly impressing King George III, who handed him sermon texts moments before preaching. Beyond the pulpit, he launched one of the earliest Sunday School hymn books around 1787 and, in 1813, founded the Corpus Christi Society to aid distressed Christians across denominational lines. A prolific writer, his works like The Poor Man’s Morning Portion (1809) and Poor Man’s Commentary on the New Testament (1816) were priced affordably for the working class, reflecting his pastoral heart. During the 1809 fever outbreak in Plymouth, he and Anna tirelessly tended to sick soldiers, risking their own health.
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Robert Hawker preaches on the majestic vision of Jesus in Revelation 1:13, clothed in priestly garments, inviting souls to come boldly to the throne of grace. He emphasizes Jesus' eternal priesthood and intercession, reminding believers to approach God with reverence and faith, knowing that Jesus continually pleads on their behalf. Through the imagery of the high priest in the Old Testament, Hawker encourages trembling souls to look to Jesus, who bears their names and causes, assuring that He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him.
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Jesus Our High Priest
JULY 23. MORNING. "One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band." Rev 1:13 My soul, you are going this morning to the throne of grace, are you not? Pause then, and see Jesus as John saw him, for the church's joy, in his priestly vestments; for remember he is still a priest upon his throne, and by the oath of Jehovah, abides a priest for ever. No, my soul, be not afraid, draw close; hark, surely he calls. I think he speaks to you- "Look to me! Look to me! See, I am your intercessor. This is the reason I wear these priestly garments; and as the ancient high priest represented me, I appear in them down to the foot, and the golden girdle round and beneath the breast. What is your cause? What blessings and praises do you have to offer for past grace? And what supplications for present and future favours? See my garments dipped in blood. Think of the everlasting efficacy of my righteousness: and for whom should I make intercession but for transgressors?" Fall down, my soul, with holy reverence and godly fear. Jesus will do to you what he did to John. He will lay his right hand upon you and say, "Fear not." Oh precious, precious Lord, you are, indeed, he that was dead, and now lives forevermore. And you will indeed live to see the fruits of your great salvation faithfully and fully applied to every one of your redeemed. Your priesthood is for ever. Your intercession is unceasing. I do look upon you, Lord, by faith, even now standing with the blood of the covenant in your hand, and presenting me, even me, poor, wretched, worthless me, as one of the purchase of this blood. Do I not hear your voice in those soul-reviving words, "Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me?" (John 17:11) "Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am?" (John 17:24) Oh glorious, gracious, Almighty High Priest! You are, indeed, "a priest forever, after the order of Melchisedec." Oh you trembling souls! You who have any cause this day to bring before the court of heaven, look unto Jesus, look within the veil, see Jesus there; look steadily, though humbly, and behold his hands, his side; Zion is still engraved on his palms. Nay, do we not see, may we not read our very names, as the high priest bore the names of Israel on his breast, while his hands are lifted up to bless! Yes, Jesus takes up our cause, bears our persons, and all our concerns. And how shall either fail, while he is "able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them." (Heb 7:25)
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Robert Hawker (1753–1827) was an English preacher and Anglican priest whose powerful evangelical ministry earned him the nickname "Star of the West" in 18th- and early 19th-century Devon. Born in 1753 in Exeter, England, he was the son of Jacob Hawker, a surgeon. Initially trained in medicine under Samuel White in Plymouth and serving briefly as an assistant surgeon in the Royal Marines, Hawker shifted his path to theology. He entered Magdalen College, Oxford, in 1778, and was ordained in 1779. Appointed assistant curate at Charles Church, Plymouth, under John Bedford in 1778, he succeeded Bedford as vicar in 1784, a position he held until his death. In 1772, at age 19, he married Anna Rains, with whom he had eight children. Hawker’s preaching career was marked by his extemporaneous, high-Calvinist sermons, which drew thousands with their passion, biblical depth, and accessibility, often lasting 70 to 80 minutes and necessitating gallery expansions at Charles Church. Known for beginning services with spontaneous prayers—sometimes against clerical norms—he preached annually in London to packed congregations, reportedly impressing King George III, who handed him sermon texts moments before preaching. Beyond the pulpit, he launched one of the earliest Sunday School hymn books around 1787 and, in 1813, founded the Corpus Christi Society to aid distressed Christians across denominational lines. A prolific writer, his works like The Poor Man’s Morning Portion (1809) and Poor Man’s Commentary on the New Testament (1816) were priced affordably for the working class, reflecting his pastoral heart. During the 1809 fever outbreak in Plymouth, he and Anna tirelessly tended to sick soldiers, risking their own health.