Puritan Authors

[Isaiah263]

Hi, I'm fairly new to this chat. I'm looking forward to learning more and sharing what I have as well.
I wanted to get people's thoughts on Puritan writers. Jonathan Edwards, Charles Spurgeon, Thomas Watson, John Flavel, John Owen, Matthew Henry, John Calvin, Thomas Manton.
Any fans out there? If so, what are your favorite works?

I'll start with Spurgeon's "Treasury of David" (in the Psalms) All time favorite. I also enjoy Calvin's "Institutes", John Owen "Mortification of Sin"

There's a hidden gem in my library by John Wall "None But Christ"

Thoughts?

Just curious.

Thanks for letting me share.

Blessings,
Steve

 

[Deuteronomy]

Hello Steve (@Isaiah263), I missed your intro board thread, so I thought I'd take this opportunity to say, welcome to CChat

God bless you! (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)

~Deut

​

He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf,
so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
2 Corinthians 5:21​

 

[Chris1975]

Hi, I'm fairly new to this chat. I'm looking forward to learning more and sharing what I have as well.
I wanted to get people's thoughts on Puritan writers. Jonathan Edwards, Charles Spurgeon, Thomas Watson, John Flavel, John Owen, Matthew Henry, John Calvin, Thomas Manton.
Any fans out there? If so, what are your favorite works?

I'll start with Spurgeon's "Treasury of David" (in the Psalms) All time favorite. I also enjoy Calvin's "Institutes", John Owen "Mortification of Sin"

There's a hidden gem in my library by John Wall "None But Christ"

Thoughts?

Just curious.

Thanks for letting me share.

Blessings,
Steve

I don't think you are on the wrong track. I can't comment on all of these above, but I have enjoyed edifying teachings by Charles Spurgeon, Jonathan Edwards and Matthew Henry. All very good.

If I could also point you to A.W.Tozer (in the last century) you would certainly be blessed by his teachings. Another current teacher who is up there is John Bevere. I find God's anointing heavily upon this man in terms of the gift of teaching.

 

[preacher4truth]

Welcome!

I'm about to read Communion with God by John Owen. A very good read and suggestion is The Way to True Happiness by Robert Harris. By the way Spurgeon, though a very good read, was not a Puritan. I believe the former book is available for free on Google Play Books. Not certain about the latter.

 

[Hazelelponi]

I enjoy David E. Holwerda who I believe is puritan, and also Bunyan' s writings as well.

"Pilgrims Progress" by John Bunyan is a must read, and I very much enjoy books such as "Jesus & Israel, One Covenant or Two?" by David Holwerda..

 

[Nehemiah6]

I wanted to get people's thoughts on Puritan writers.

The Puritans -- who were Calvinists or Reformed Christians -- had many sound and edifying teachings. They also had many errors in their theology (which is unfortunate). The Reformers failed to closely examine many teachings derived from the Catholic Church, even while they emphasized the importance of Scripture over tradition.

 

[preacher4truth]

The Puritans -- who were Calvinists or Reformed Christians -- had many sound and edifying teachings. They also had many errors in their theology (which is unfortunate). The Reformers failed to closely examine many teachings derived from the Catholic Church, even while they emphasized the importance of Scripture over tradition.

The above latter negative is untrue.

 

[preacher4truth]

I enjoy David E. Holwerda who I believe is puritan, and also Bunyan' s writings as well.

"Pilgrims Progress" by John Bunyan is a must read, and I very much enjoy books such as "Jesus & Israel, One Covenant or Two?" by David Holwerda..

We've read The Pilgrim's Progress to our children twice. They loved and anticipated its reading and so did we. We also got the recent DVD and enjoyed it with our 9 year old daughter and other family members.

Thanks for reminding us all of this wonderful work.

 

[crossnote]

The Puritans amongst other things were known for their looong titles. So here goes...

The Christian in Complete Armour: or, A Treatise On The Saints War With The Devil: Wherein A Discovery Is Made Of The Policy, Power, Wickedness, And ... That Enemy Of God And His People.

Also, I enjoyed Bunyan's 'Holy War'.

 

[Laish]

Hi, I'm fairly new to this chat. I'm looking forward to learning more and sharing what I have as well.
I wanted to get people's thoughts on Puritan writers. Jonathan Edwards, Charles Spurgeon, Thomas Watson, John Flavel, John Owen, Matthew Henry, John Calvin, Thomas Manton.
Any fans out there? If so, what are your favorite works?

I'll start with Spurgeon's "Treasury of David" (in the Psalms) All time favorite. I also enjoy Calvin's "Institutes", John Owen "Mortification of Sin"

There's a hidden gem in my library by John Wall "None But Christ"

Thoughts?

Just curious.

Thanks for letting me share.

Blessings,
Steve

Hey Steve welcome!
Yes I too enjoy reading Puritan writing.
One of my favorite books is a collection of Puritan prayers and devotions. The book is called The Valley of Vision.
Here is a YouTube video on one of the prayers

The books has some prayers and devotions from the following Puritan folks.

• Baxter, Richard. The Saints’ Everlasting Rest.
• Brainerd, David. Diary and Journal.
• Bunyan, John. Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners.
• Doddridge, Philip. The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul.
• Rhyes Stephen, David. Life of Christmas Evans.
• Jay, William. Prayers for the Use of Families.
• Law, Henry. Family Prayers for Four Weeks.
• Romaine, William. The Walk of Faith.
• Shepard, Thomas. Works, vol. 3.
• Spurgeon, Charles Haddon. The Pastor in Prayer.
• Toplady, Augustus. Works, vol. 1.
• Watson, Thomas. The Lord’s Prayer.
• Watts, Isaac. Works, vol. 3, section: “A Guide to Prayer.”
• Williams, William. Free translations from “Y Caniedydd Cynulleidfaol Newydd” [Welsh congregational hymnal, 1921]. Note Spurgeon is included here too some folks called Spurgeon the last Puritan.
• Blessings
• Bill

 

[Isaiah263]

Hello Steve (@Isaiah263), I missed your intro board thread, so I thought I'd take this opportunity to say, welcome to CChat

God bless you! (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)

~Deut

View attachment 210045
​

He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf,
so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
2 Corinthians 5:21​

Awesome post! Thanks Deut! Praying for a Spurgeon in our times! A unique, gifted preacher for sure!

 

[Isaiah263]

I don't think you are on the wrong track. I can't comment on all of these above, but I have enjoyed edifying teachings by Charles Spurgeon, Jonathan Edwards and Matthew Henry. All very good.

If I could also point you to A.W.Tozer (in the last century) you would certainly be blessed by his teachings. Another current teacher who is up there is John Bevere. I find God's anointing heavily upon this man in terms of the gift of teaching.

Yes! Tozer's works are awesome!! I should have listed him above. Bevere's "Bait Of Satan" released me from years of unforgiveness toward a family member (will spare the details but it healed me). Good stuff! "Driven By Eternity" challenged my readings in Hebrews. He delivers the Gospel for sure. Thanks!

 

[Isaiah263]

Welcome!

I'm about to read Communion with God by John Owen. A very good read and suggestion is The Way to True Happiness by Robert Harris. By the way Spurgeon, though a very good read, was not a Puritan. I believe the former book is available for free on Google Play Books. Not certain about the latter.

Hi preacher4truth, Thank you! I'll have to check out Robert Harris. Never heard of him. Yeah, good point Spurgeon was Post-Puritan. I guess I consider "dead people", flawed (like me), loved Christ, finished the race, entered into glory and their writings surpassed their generations, I label them "Puritans".

 

[Isaiah263]

I enjoy David E. Holwerda who I believe is puritan, and also Bunyan' s writings as well.

"Pilgrims Progress" by John Bunyan is a must read, and I very much enjoy books such as "Jesus & Israel, One Covenant or Two?" by David Holwerda..

Familiar with Pilgrims Progress. Classic. I'l have to check out Holwerda. Thank you!

 

[Isaiah263]

The Puritans amongst other things were known for their looong titles. So here goes...

The Christian in Complete Armour: or, A Treatise On The Saints War With The Devil: Wherein A Discovery Is Made Of The Policy, Power, Wickedness, And ... That Enemy Of God And His People.

Also, I enjoyed Bunyan's 'Holy War'.

Nice! I'll have to check that out. Thanks!

 

[Isaiah263]

Hey Steve welcome!
Yes I too enjoy reading Puritan writing.
One of my favorite books is a collection of Puritan prayers and devotions. The book is called The Valley of Vision.
Here is a YouTube video on one of the prayers

The books has some prayers and devotions from the following Puritan folks.

• Baxter, Richard. The Saints’ Everlasting Rest.
• Brainerd, David. Diary and Journal.
• Bunyan, John. Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners.
• Doddridge, Philip. The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul.
• Rhyes Stephen, David. Life of Christmas Evans.
• Jay, William. Prayers for the Use of Families.
• Law, Henry. Family Prayers for Four Weeks.
• Romaine, William. The Walk of Faith.
• Shepard, Thomas. Works, vol. 3.
• Spurgeon, Charles Haddon. The Pastor in Prayer.
• Toplady, Augustus. Works, vol. 1.
• Watson, Thomas. The Lord’s Prayer.
• Watts, Isaac. Works, vol. 3, section: “A Guide to Prayer.”
• Williams, William. Free translations from “Y Caniedydd Cynulleidfaol Newydd” [Welsh congregational hymnal, 1921]. Note Spurgeon is included here too some folks called Spurgeon the last Puritan.
• Blessings
• Bill

Awesome! Thanks Laish! This is so helpful. I have Baxter's "Saints" - I agree that's a great one. The others I don't have. Thanks so much!

 

[Isaiah263]

Awesome! Thanks Laish! This is so helpful. I have Baxter's "Saints" - I agree that's a great one. The others I don't have. Thanks so much!

Oh and "Valley of Vision" is great. I have that in my library. If only my prayer life were 1/3rd of how they prayed.

 

[Isaiah263]

The Puritans -- who were Calvinists or Reformed Christians -- had many sound and edifying teachings. They also had many errors in their theology (which is unfortunate). The Reformers failed to closely examine many teachings derived from the Catholic Church, even while they emphasized the importance of Scripture over tradition.

Yeah, as my mentor tells me "Take in the meat, and spit out the bones." I think some of their eschatology was pretty messed up. I'm still a "teenager" in the faith. so-to-speak. Always learning. Studied under pragmatic teachings, dispensational, all types of contemporary teachings. I give points to the Puritans though for leading me to revere Holy Scripture above flawed human interpretations. To fear Him, gain wisdom (Proverbs 9:10), elevate His word over everything even as He holds it above His Holy name (Psalm 138:2)

 

[Nehemiah6]

The above latter negative is untrue.

As Isaiah263 pointed out their eschatalogy was messed up since they assumed that the pope or papacy was the Antichrist and Amillennialism was valid. And that is only a couple of items. Also, they failed to embrace believer's baptism (and opposed the Anabaptists), and continued to used the word "sacrament". We could go into more detail, but the point is to acknowldege what was sound and Scriptural. No Christian (other than Catholics) can object to the Five Solas, and Matthew Henry, John Gill, and C.H. Spurgeon are excellent in their expositions of Gospel truth (apart from their Calvinistic ideas).

 

[Laish]

As Isaiah263 pointed out their eschatalogy was messed up since they assumed that the pope or papacy was the Antichrist and Amillennialism was valid. And that is only a couple of items. Also, they failed to embrace believer's baptism (and opposed the Anabaptists), and continued to used the word "sacrament". We could go into more detail, but the point is to acknowldege what was sound and Scriptural. No Christian (other than Catholics) can object to the Five Solas, and Matthew Henry, John Gill, and C.H. Spurgeon are excellent in their expositions of Gospel truth (apart from their Calvinistic ideas).

Hey Nehemiah let’s all agree to disagree on some of the points ( no pun intended) and just discuss some of the excellent works by the Puritans it’s kinda cool if we all can do it perhaps we both can find a nugget we have overlooked.
Blessings
Bill