The Puritans

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M

Mooky

Guest
#1
Hi all,

I am wondering if anyone here reads any Puritan literature.What do you think are the strong points or weak points of their works? Who is your favourite Puritan and why?
Please keep it friendly and upbeat.Thank-you.
 
R

RBA238

Guest
#2
Good Question...We know they came from England, or Europe. They landed in Massachusetts, made Friends with the Indians and Massachusetts hundreds of years later became a stronghold for Liberals..
 

Descyple

Senior Member
Jun 7, 2010
3,023
48
48
#3
Greetings Mooky. I appreciate this thread because I am one who has been tremendously blessed by the works of the Puritans over the past few years.

My favorite Puritan so far is Thomas Watson. His book "The Godly Man's Picture" is my all-time favorite book. In it, Watson explains what a true follower of Jesus Christ should look like, regarding character, behavior, and disposition.

Here is one of my favorite quotes from the book:

"As a painter looking at a face draws a face like it in the picture, so looking at Christ in the mirror of the gospel, we are changed into his similitude... This is the excellence of divine knowledge, that it gives us such a sight of Christ as to make us partake in his nature."
- Thomas Watson, The Godly Man's Picture, pg 23

Other Puritan books I have read and would recommend are:

1. "The Mortification of Sin" - by John Owen
2. "The Life of God in the Soul of Man" - by Henry Scougal
3. "Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners" - by John Bunyan
4. "The Pilgrim's Progress" - also by John Bunyan
5. "Repentance" - by Thomas Boston
5. "The Doctrine of Repentance" - by Thomas Watson

My favorite Puritan Bible commentary is Matthew Henry's "Commentary on the Whole Bible". And some people include the 19th century preacher Charles Spurgeon as a Puritan (often called "The Last of the Puritans"), if that is so, then he is definitely my favorite Puritan preacher.

I enjoy the Puritans because their works strike the perfect balance between theology and day-to-day practical relevance in how we live our lives and walk with God.

Regarding their weakness, I would personally and confidently say their books have none. Of course they had weaknesses and issues in their personal lives (just like every Christian who has ever lived, including every single Christian here on CC today), however their works are very Christ-centered and God-glorifying.

Mooky, I notice you quote the Puritan Thomas Brooks as your signature (good quote by the way), which book did you get that from?
 
M

Mooky

Guest
#4
Hi Decyple,

Thanks for such a detailed, to the point response.:)
To be honest - the Thomas Brookes quote (which I have just changed) I got from an internet site.



I am impressed that you like Thomas Watson and have read two of his books.He has to be right up there in my books! ( No pun intended.)He has an amazing sermon entitled "The worst things."It is about Romans 8:28 ....I like to listen to it frequently to find strength.
I also really like John Bunyan and have read "Visions of heaven and hell" and am currently delving into ,"The Pilgrims Progress " for the second time.It has just been hard to get my hands on an edition of this book that is true to the original.I did , however, find a 1970's version of a "Pilgrims Progress" movie on youtube which I delight in.It has a homely feeling about it and the guy who plays the devil is very comical - in a diabolical way of course:)

I also have a thick tome entitled , " The Christian in complete armour", by William Gurnall.I have to say that I find his writing somewhat inaccessible or maybe it is just the fact that I prefer the idea of a kindle to a hard copy book.
Besides that - I have gotten some way through Thomas Brookes' book , " Precious Remedies against satans devices."Quite meaty and dense - yet highly readable.

And lastly , Charles Spurgeon.I find him to be a source of comfort and an elixir of healing.I especially like a sermon of his on Romans 8:28 read by Charles Kelsh.Again I like to make a habit of relistening to this to drum into my being this precious promise.

Anywho.I am so glad to have found another cc-er who likes the Puritans.It is a lovely surprise.:) :)

Again , thanks for sharing your delight in Puritan literature with me.:)Blessings.
 
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W

WarriorForChrist

Guest
#5
Kirk Cameron did a movie recently about the Puritans. It is called Monumental
 

nowyouseem033

Senior Member
Jul 17, 2014
535
30
28
#6
Jonathan Edwards classic sermon "Sinners in the hands of an angry God" and freedom of the will are both good works from an awesome Puritan preacher/author.
 
R

RachelBibleStudent

Guest
#7
unlike a person who replied above i would not consider matthew henry to be a puritan...in any case his commentary is excellent...

john bunyan's 'pilgrim's progress' is a surprising piece of literature if you are accustomed to the stereotypes of puritanism...what always stood out to me was the consistent gentleness of the book even when it dealt with some very severe topics...
 

wattie

Senior Member
Feb 24, 2009
2,987
1,014
113
New Zealand
#8
Question:

Are the Puritans.. the same as the Anabaptists?

Waldenses.. Paulicians.. Donatists.. are they Puritans?

If you are going to call the Waldenses Puritans.. then their history goes way way back to the antiquity of some of the earliest churches in the Valleys of Peidemont.

I am unsure of what period of history 'the Puritans' cover.
 
M

Mooky

Guest
#9
I think the Puritan era was from 1564 - 1660.
 

fredoheaven

Senior Member
Nov 17, 2015
3,992
927
113
#10
Question:

Are the Puritans.. the same as the Anabaptists?

Waldenses.. Paulicians.. Donatists.. are they Puritans?

If you are going to call the Waldenses Puritans.. then their history goes way way back to the antiquity of some of the earliest churches in the Valleys of Peidemont.

I am unsure of what period of history 'the Puritans' cover.
Early believers are called by the nicknames of their leader or place or they're known on the basis of faith and practice. The Puritans may originated from the earlier Paulicians. They are the same as the Cathari, the pure ones. The Waldensians or the Vaudous are related to either the name of their leader Peter Waldo or the Waldensian Valleys, the Donatists of North Africa owing to their leader Donatus. The Donatist [FONT=Montserrat, sans-serif]opposed state interference in church affairs. During the early 16th ce these early believers either in catacombs and elsewhere were known as the Anabaptist persecuted or murdered because of "believers baptism" until 'Ana" was dropped and now the Baptists.

God bless
[/FONT]
 

fredoheaven

Senior Member
Nov 17, 2015
3,992
927
113
#11
Jonathan Edwards classic sermon "Sinners in the hands of an angry God" and freedom of the will are both good works from an awesome Puritan preacher/author.
Oh, i love reading that classic sermon by JE...though not exactly a puritan but he was a Congregationalist Protestant Theologian. He certainly played a critical role called "The First Great Awakening" during 18 ce.

God bless
 

fredoheaven

Senior Member
Nov 17, 2015
3,992
927
113
#12
Hi all,

I am wondering if anyone here reads any Puritan literature.What do you think are the strong points or weak points of their works? Who is your favourite Puritan and why?
Please keep it friendly and upbeat.Thank-you.
Hi Mooky,

Here is one considered my favorite puritan literature that you may wish to read----The Trail of Blood

God bless you!
 

wattie

Senior Member
Feb 24, 2009
2,987
1,014
113
New Zealand
#13
Early believers are called by the nicknames of their leader or place or they're known on the basis of faith and practice. The Puritans may originated from the earlier Paulicians. They are the same as the Cathari, the pure ones. The Waldensians or the Vaudous are related to either the name of their leader Peter Waldo or the Waldensian Valleys, the Donatists of North Africa owing to their leader Donatus. The Donatist opposed state interference in church affairs. During the early 16th ce these early believers either in catacombs and elsewhere were known as the Anabaptist persecuted or murdered because of "believers baptism" until 'Ana" was dropped and now the Baptists.

God bless
Yes, this is what I have learned.

I have a book about the Vallenses or Vaudos.. the 'men of the valleys' from around Peidemont. Like you say.. they are opposed state interference.. hid from persecution in the valleys and had only 'believers baptism'

Anyone saying that baptists began with the reformation in the late 1500s and early 1600s needs only to look at the likes of these christians to know that what baptists believe goes right back to the likes of these very early christians.

You can probably get the first 'baptist creeds' with the reformation.. like the london baptist confession.. but what they believe and teach.. goes right back.

Along with the Trail of Blood, you can add The Battle for Baptist History by I.K.Cross.. and also the likes of Real Churches Or A Fog? By S.E.Anderson.

:0
 
R

RachelBibleStudent

Guest
#14
Question:

Are the Puritans.. the same as the Anabaptists?

Waldenses.. Paulicians.. Donatists.. are they Puritans?

If you are going to call the Waldenses Puritans.. then their history goes way way back to the antiquity of some of the earliest churches in the Valleys of Peidemont.

I am unsure of what period of history 'the Puritans' cover.
the puritan movement was largely english...they are often lumped together with other 'nonconformists' although they are not exactly the same thing...
 

fredoheaven

Senior Member
Nov 17, 2015
3,992
927
113
#15
Yes, this is what I have learned.

I have a book about the Vallenses or Vaudos.. the 'men of the valleys' from around Peidemont. Like you say.. they are opposed state interference.. hid from persecution in the valleys and had only 'believers baptism'

Anyone saying that baptists began with the reformation in the late 1500s and early 1600s needs only to look at the likes of these christians to know that what baptists believe goes right back to the likes of these very early christians.

You can probably get the first 'baptist creeds' with the reformation.. like the london baptist confession.. but what they believe and teach.. goes right back.

Along with the Trail of Blood, you can add The Battle for Baptist History by I.K.Cross.. and also the likes of Real Churches Or A Fog? By S.E.Anderson.

:0
Amen! and would go ogle that you said by IK Cross or SE Anderson.

God bless you bro.
 

wattie

Senior Member
Feb 24, 2009
2,987
1,014
113
New Zealand
#16
Amen! and would go ogle that you said by IK Cross or SE Anderson.

God bless you bro.
Real Churches or A Fog may be hard to obtain. I think the American Baptist Association website can help. They are an association of independent missionary baptist churches. I am pretty sure they have links to a library that preserve these older texts.

The Battle For Baptist History is probably easier to find, it is a large volume.

Bogard Press is the publisher that preserves these books.
 
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Descyple

Senior Member
Jun 7, 2010
3,023
48
48
#17
Hi Decyple,

Thanks for such a detailed, to the point response.:)
To be honest - the Thomas Brookes quote (which I have just changed) I got from an internet site.



I am impressed that you like Thomas Watson and have read two of his books.He has to be right up there in my books! ( No pun intended.)He has an amazing sermon entitled "The worst things."It is about Romans 8:28 ....I like to listen to it frequently to find strength.
I also really like John Bunyan and have read "Visions of heaven and hell" and am currently delving into ,"The Pilgrims Progress " for the second time.It has just been hard to get my hands on an edition of this book that is true to the original.I did , however, find a 1970's version of a "Pilgrims Progress" movie on youtube which I delight in.It has a homely feeling about it and the guy who plays the devil is very comical - in a diabolical way of course:)

I also have a thick tome entitled , " The Christian in complete armour", by William Gurnall.I have to say that I find his writing somewhat inaccessible or maybe it is just the fact that I prefer the idea of a kindle to a hard copy book.
Besides that - I have gotten some way through Thomas Brookes' book , " Precious Remedies against satans devices."Quite meaty and dense - yet highly readable.

And lastly , Charles Spurgeon.I find him to be a source of comfort and an elixir of healing.I especially like a sermon of his on Romans 8:28 read by Charles Kelsh.Again I like to make a habit of relistening to this to drum into my being this precious promise.

Anywho.I am so glad to have found another cc-er who likes the Puritans.It is a lovely surprise.:) :)

Again , thanks for sharing your delight in Puritan literature with me.:)Blessings.
You're welcome, Mooky.

I will have to check out those two sermons on Romans 8:28 by both Watson and Spurgeon.

I also own a copy of William Gurnall's large volume "The Christian in Complete Armour" (my copy is almost 700 pages with small print), but I haven't yet begun reading it (it is actually beside me on my desk right now, and just looking at it is intimidating!). But I will definitely begin reading it sometime in the near future, to my own benefit I'm sure.


Here are some more meaningful quotes about Jesus I've written down from reading Puritan books:


"If you love your Lord, you should love to imitate him, and be glad to find yourselves in the way he has gone before you."
- Richard Baxter, A Christian Directory, pg 82

"Those who rejoice in Christ Jesus have enough to counterbalance their grievances and silence their griefs, and therefore their joy is full. Their relation to God is their honor and dignity."
- Matthew Henry, Grant Me Wisdom, pg 143

"It should be our earnest aim to keep unbroken our communion with heaven, for it is the most refreshing thing beneath the sun. This world is like an arid desert where there is no water except as we maintain our communion with Christ."
- Charles Spurgeon, Strengthen My Spirit, pg 64

"Christ ransomed us with a price, not of money, but of blood. Therefore we are to be only at his service. If any can lay a better claim to us than Christ, we may serve them; but Christ having the best right to us, we are to cleave to him and enroll ourselves forever in his service."
- Thomas Watson, The Godly Man's Picture, pg 42
 

Descyple

Senior Member
Jun 7, 2010
3,023
48
48
#18
If anyone would like to learn more about the Puritan theology and history, I would highly recommend the 16-lecture series called "The English Puritans" given by J.I. Packer. You can listen to these lectures and download them for free from iTunes. This series was the first talk I ever listened to when I began reading Puritan books years ago (and it is still one of the best and most detailed accounts I've heard yet). J.I. Packer is considered one of the best (if not the best) promoter of Puritan works today.

On a side note - J.I. Packer turned 90 years old this year, and he is still going strong!!! And he lives in Canada now (sorry, but I had to boast about that fact!!!)
 

notmyown

Senior Member
May 26, 2016
4,586
1,047
113
#19
Thomas Goodwin and Richard Sibbes.

they truly know The Heart of Christ. (one of Goodwin's books ;))
 
Jul 1, 2016
2,639
22
0
#20
they understood the pagan origins of Christmas, and fully rejected it, which is good.