Thread: Must have it!

Originally Posted by christiana

Also I wouldnt be without The Sovereignty of God by AW Pink

As long as it's the Baker Books printing, not the Banner of Truth re-write.

He wasn't a Puritan, of course, but anything by Spurgeon is worth reading. His sermons (more than 3,500 of them) make excellent edifying devotional reading.

Originally Posted by Presbyterian Deacon

On holy living:

Personal Declension and Revival of Religion in the Soul -- Octavius Winslow (1841)--though perhaps later than--or at the very end of what one might generally think of as "the puritan era" this 19th Century Nonconformist minister's work is a wonderful treatment of backsliding and restoration to faith.

A Remedy for Wandering Thoughts in Worship -- Richard Steel (1673).

The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul -- Philip Doddridge (1745).

The Crook in the Lot --Thomas Boston (1676-1732).

The Force of Truth -- Thomas Scott (1779).

I was able to find copies of the books from Boston and Doddridge on ccel.org... About the latter - that guy was so incredibly thorough in "The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul" that I'm amazed. After I copied and pasted everything over to word and single spaced it, it ended up being 170 pages Good thing my mum gets free copies at work
But yeah, I think I'll start reading that one first and maybe see if mum would care to join in.

Thank you!

Originally Posted by bookslover

He wasn't a Puritan, of course, but anything by Spurgeon is worth reading. Hie sermons (more than 3,500 of them) make excellent edifying devotional reading.

I've read some historians who call Spurgeon "the last of the great Puritans", as he did come so late in the game.

I agree with the plug for Witsius, and I think a'Brakel needs to be on every Christian's reading list, as it was in Holland when it was written.

We should read Witsius because it was written in Holland?

Well Richard, that's more than reason enough to read it, but it just so happens it's got great theological content, too!

As long as it's the Baker Books printing, not the Banner of Truth re-write.

What's the difference?

If you're looking for books on holy living, then an absolutely essential read, which will lay a good foundation for all precise practical direction is Walter Marshall, The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification. Whatever else you might not be able to get, that and William Guthrie's The Christian's Great Interest are vital.

Susita and all the PB:

Maybe we should start a PuritanBoard lending library or book exchange.

Rather than buying 200 USD in books, perhaps some PBers could mail the books to the recipient who could then read then and mail them back. Not sure how postal rates are going these days, but perhaps 8 books mailed two ways would still be 1/10th of the price of buying them.

Originally Posted by bookslover

Originally Posted by greenbaggins

I agree with the plug for Witsius, and I think a'Brakel needs to be on every Christian's reading list, as it was in Holland when it was written.

We should read Witsius because it was written in Holland? The last phrase in this sentence seems garbled to me, Lane.

I believe that Lane is saying that a'Brakel should be on every Christian's reading list as it (ie., "Father Brakel's" The Christian's Reasonable Service) was in Holland in the 18th century.

Bartel Elshout, The Pastoral and Practical Theology of Wilhelmus a Brakel:

This is particularly to be attributed to à Brakel's magnum opus, De Redelijke Godsdienst (The Christian's Reasonable Service). Since its publication, the veneration for this work among those of orthodox Reformed persuasion has been such that in former generations (as recent as the pre-World War II generation) it was customary to read De Redelijke Godsdienst sequentially during long winter evenings.ii This long standing practice is a significant reason why this eminent divine, one of the acclaimed fathers of the Dutch Reformed tradition,iii continues to be held in such high esteem until the present. Already during his forty-nine-year ministry in the Netherlands (1662-1711), during which several editions of De Redelijke Godsdienst were printed, esteem for him was such that he was affectionately referred to as "Father Brakel," a name by which he is still known today in the Netherlands.

ii "Wilhelmus à Brakel en de Redelijke Godsdienst," Daniel 3 (1991):7.
iii J. van Genderen, "Wilhelmus à Brakel," in De Nadere Reformatie: Beschrijving van haar voornaamste vertegenwoordigers, p. 167.

Lane can certainly clarify if I misunderstood him, but I wholeheartedly concur with the plugs for Witsius and a'Brakel.

So much has already been said that it would be superfluous to add more. So happy reading!

Originally Posted by bookslover

He wasn't a Puritan, of course, but anything by Spurgeon is worth reading. Hie sermons (more than 3,500 of them) make excellent edifying devotional reading.

Hey, not related to your quest, but nice cookbook on your self. I'm a proffesional chef and it's the cookbook I use most. Call it the Puritan's Guide to Good Food Which Will Lead to Greater Grace Expressed at The Family Table. (I think that home cooking is a lost art.)

P.S. I love Spurgeon too! Add him anytime.

Originally Posted by Pergamum

Susita and all the PB:

Maybe we should start a PuritanBoard lending library or book exchange.

Rather than buying 200 USD in books, perhaps some PBers could mail the books to the recipient who could then read then and mail them back. Not sure how postal rates are going these days, but perhaps 8 books mailed two ways would still be 1/10th of the price of buying them.

Maybe I have trust issues, but I struggle just loaning some of my cheaper books to people I know and see everyday. Much less loaning an expensive book to someone across the country (or around the world in your case Pergy).

No offense anyone, but I don't see how that could work.

Originally Posted by VirginiaHuguenot

Originally Posted by bookslover

Originally Posted by greenbaggins

I agree with the plug for Witsius, and I think a'Brakel needs to be on every Christian's reading list, as it was in Holland when it was written.

We should read Witsius because it was written in Holland? The last phrase in this sentence seems garbled to me, Lane.

I believe that Lane is saying that a'Brakel should be on every Christian's reading list as it (ie., "Father Brakel's" The Christian's Reasonable Service) was in Holland in the 18th century.

Bartel Elshout, The Pastoral and Practical Theology of Wilhelmus a Brakel:

This is particularly to be attributed to à Brakel's magnum opus, De Redelijke Godsdienst (The Christian's Reasonable Service). Since its publication, the veneration for this work among those of orthodox Reformed persuasion has been such that in former generations (as recent as the pre-World War II generation) it was customary to read De Redelijke Godsdienst sequentially during long winter evenings.ii This long standing practice is a significant reason why this eminent divine, one of the acclaimed fathers of the Dutch Reformed tradition,iii continues to be held in such high esteem until the present. Already during his forty-nine-year ministry in the Netherlands (1662-1711), during which several editions of De Redelijke Godsdienst were printed, esteem for him was such that he was affectionately referred to as "Father Brakel," a name by which he is still known today in the Netherlands.

ii "Wilhelmus à Brakel en de Redelijke Godsdienst," Daniel 3 (1991):7.
iii J. van Genderen, "Wilhelmus à Brakel," in De Nadere Reformatie: Beschrijving van haar voornaamste vertegenwoordigers, p. 167.

Lane can certainly clarify if I misunderstood him, but I wholeheartedly concur with the plugs for Witsius and a'Brakel.

So much has already been said that it would be superfluous to add more. So happy reading!

I can see how that sentence might cause confusion! Andrew has it right.

Originally Posted by ~~Susita~~

Originally Posted by AV1611

It is a great site. What type of books are you looking for? Devotional? Theological? Commentaries? That may help the list be shortened.

Mostly theological and on holy living. My pastor has commentaries galore, so I could always raid his library.

Another excellent work on holy living is:

Thoughts on Religious Experience by Archibald Alexander (first published:1844) Reprinted by Banner of Truth, 1967, 1978.

OK y'all, I read a great one yesterday that had to do with (mostly) Limited Atonement, but I can't remember who it was and can't find it again. Any references to some great writings on this topic would be appreciated; I've just engaged myself in a discussion with someone on this topic. (again. Why do they always struggle with L??)

Originally Posted by kvanlaan

As long as it's the Baker Books printing, not the Banner of Truth re-write.

What's the difference?

The Baker edition is simply a reprint of Pink's book.

The Banner re-write is just that: Iaian H. Murray didn't like Pink's presentation, so he took Pink's book, took out some stuff, re-wrote other sections, and added some new stuff of his own. Then it was published as if it were Pink's book. Highly unethical.

If Murray disagreed with Pink's book, he could have (a) written a long review article expressing his areas of disagreement; or (b) written his own book on the sovereignty of God as an answer book. But it was unethical of him to take Pink's book and re-write it to suit himself. Disapproving of the way Pink wrote, Murray, in effect, censored him.

I always urge people to get the Baker reprint. That is Arthur Pink's book.

Originally Posted by bookslover

Originally Posted by kvanlaan

As long as it's the Baker Books printing, not the Banner of Truth re-write.

What's the difference?

The Baker edition is simply a reprint of Pink's book.

The Banner re-write is just that: Iaian H. Murray didn't like Pink's presentation, so he took Pink's book, took out some stuff, re-wrote other sections, and added some new stuff of his own. Then it was published as if it were Pink's book. Highly unethical.

If Murray disagreed with Pink's book, he could have (a) written a long review article expressing his areas of disagreement; or (b) written his own book on the sovereignty of God as an answer book. But it was unethical of him to take Pink's book and re-write it to suit himself. Disapproving of the way Pink wrote, Murray, in effect, censored him.

I always urge people to get the Baker reprint. That is Arthur Pink's book.

I own both, the BoT and the Baker edition. I didn't know that Murray rewote any parts. I thought that in his edition there was no appendix, only one chapter for the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and no chapters on human will.

Dear Susan

There are so many Puritans to read and they wrote so much. So it is difficult to narrow down, but permit me to add my 2 cents worth.

Start by collecting all of Thomas Watson's works - these are real gems!
Then add the works of Thomas Brooks - like Watson he packs a great deal with Pithy sayings etc. Read for instance his "Precious Remedies" for a flavour of the rest of his writings!
For a truly fantastic devotional Scripture commentary (not verse by verse or in any sense exegetical) but a truly great meditational commentary- read Joseph Hall's "Contemplations" - This is searching and heart warming!
Add volumes 6 and 7 of Owen's works - on "Temptation and Sin" and "Sin and Grace"
And Finally Add Bunyan's complete works.

Here in short compass, I believe you have the very cream of puritan writings aimed at a closer walk with the Lord.

Wishing you every blessing.

If you want to taste these works before deciding to buy them, visit my website at:

Book Academy

PS. Hall's commentary is under the Commentaries section

Originally Posted by Zadok

Dear Susan

There are so many Puritans to read and they wrote so much. So it is difficult to narrow down, but permit me to add my 2 cents worth.

Start by collecting all of Thomas Watson's works - these are real gems!
Then add the works of Thomas Brooks - like Watson he packs a great deal with Pithy sayings etc. Read for instance his "Precious Remedies" for a flavour of the rest of his writings!
For a truly fantastic devotional Scripture commentary (not verse by verse or in any sense exegetical) but a truly great meditational commentary- read Joseph Hall's "Contemplations" - This is searching and heart warming!
Add volumes 6 and 7 of Owen's works - on "Temptation and Sin" and "Sin and Grace"
And Finally Add Bunyan's complete works.

Here in short compass, I believe you have the very cream of puritan writings aimed at a closer walk with the Lord.

Wishing you every blessing.

If you want to taste these works before deciding to buy them, visit my website at:

Book Academy

PS. Hall's commentary is under the Commentaries section

Thank you much for the suggestions and also: welcome to the Puritan Board! I purchased the complete works of Matthew Henry (commentaries not included) to start with, and I've been copying many interesting writings from this site: Welcome to the Christian Classics Ethereal Library! | Christian Classics Ethereal Library and putting them in clear folders because it's cheaper and the copyright ran out long ago. Plus it'll save room on my bookshelf for a ton of other good writings.

I highly recommend Beeke & Pederson's "Meet the Puritans" with a Guide to Modern Reprints. This book came out in 2006 and is almost 900 pages of introductory sketches on scores and scores of the great men of old.

This was one of the best book purchases I've ever made!

Originally Posted by caddy

I highly recommend Beeke & Pederson's "Meet the Puritans" with a Guilde to Modern Reprints. This book came out in 2006 and almost 900 pages of introductory sketches on scores and scores of the great men of old.

This was one of the best book purchases I've ever made!

It's a bit "pricey" as I recall, but worth the

Originally Posted by Presbyterian Deacon

Originally Posted by caddy

I highly recommend Beeke & Pederson's "Meet the Puritans" with a Guilde to Modern Reprints. This book came out in 2006 and almost 900 pages of introductory sketches on scores and scores of the great men of old.

This was one of the best book purchases I've ever made!

It's a bit "pricey" as I recall, but worth the

For a book that is almost 900 pages and sells for $25.00 or less, I think it is a bargain. And I too highly recommend it. Beeke's co-author is a member of the PB, btw.

Originally Posted by VirginiaHuguenot

Originally Posted by Presbyterian Deacon

Originally Posted by caddy

I highly recommend Beeke & Pederson's "Meet the Puritans" with a Guilde to Modern Reprints. This book came out in 2006 and almost 900 pages of introductory sketches on scores and scores of the great men of old.

This was one of the best book purchases I've ever made!

It's a bit "pricey" as I recall, but worth the

For a book that is almost 900 pages and sells for $25.00 or less, I think it is a bargain. And I too highly recommend it. Beeke's co-author is a member of the PB, btw.

For some reason, I was thinking it was closer to $40. (?) I could be confusing it his other one that I picked up about the same time.

Puritan Reformed Spirituality. (I think was $35). Too many books...I loose track!

Originally Posted by ~~Susita~~

...and the copyright ran out long ago.

Just so you know: all books published before 1923 are permanently out of copyright. Those should be obtainable for free or for cheap.

At this point I have found that anything by Beeke is excellent.

I'm not sure who is benefiting from the thread more, Susita or me.

Guess who got her Matthew Henry books today?! YEAH!!!

Oh and Dan, how was that conference in SLO?

Originally Posted by ~~Susita~~

Guess who got her Matthew Henry books today?! YEAH!!!

Oh and Dan, how was that conference in SLO?

Enjoy!

Originally Posted by ~~Susita~~

Guess who got her Matthew Henry books today?! YEAH!!!

Oh and Dan, how was that conference in SLO?

I decided about a month ago that I wasn't going to go. Last week was my Spring Break, and I just wanted to visit with my family. But I also decided not to go, because suddenly the "John Piper Conference", as the event was known as, became the thing to do at my church. A congregation who couldn't care less about monergistic theology suddenly all wanted to get tickets to the DG Conference, because that was the latest popular thing.

John Piper is probably my favorite contemporary Christian author - I've read most of his books, listened to his podcast, watched his podcast, and I just thought that unless I was really going to be getting something out of going in person that I couldn't get from his other forms of media, there really wasn't much of a reason for someone like me to go. Now, one of my friends who is 17 and has never heard of Piper (or joy in God for that matter), I think benefited quite a lot from the conference.