Where to start with the Puritans?

[FivePointSpurgeonist]

Just wondering what’s a good place to start reading the puritans? Preferably nothing too difficult to read. Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[Tom Hart]

I'd recommend Thomas Watson. Try The Doctrine of Repentance.

 

[Ed Walsh]

Just wondering what’s a good place to start reading the puritans? Preferably nothing too difficult to read. Any advice would be appreciated!

Thomas Watson is timeless, witty, and devotional throughout his writings. He preached right smack-dab in the middle of the Puritan century. A thoroughgoing Presbyterian, yet sympathetic to the monarchy. Some of his writings, most famously, A Body of Divinity, were not published until late in the seventeenth century after his death. He is a breath of fresh air in everything he says — the grandmaster of the one-liner.
http://www.meetthepuritans.com/blog/meet-a-puritan-thomas-watson

Edit: @Tom Hart - I was writing my post and did not see yours until after I posted. Great minds...

 

[Jeri Tanner]

Hello friend, congratulations upon your first post! Please follow the link below to create your signature.

 

[Regi Addictissimus]

I highly recommend our Puritan Treasure for Today series. These are cheap and very accessible volumes that will give you a nice range of Puritan thought. They are a great first step in reading these godly men. We also just released our flagship documentary on the Puritans. If you are serious about getting into them, this is the perfect introduction. I also recommend our volume, Meet the Puritans. It is a collection of short biographies that also include a guide to modern reprints. These biographies make for great devotional material. I have included links to the various resources mentioned. May the Lord bless your foray into these most wonderful and faithful men of God. Feel free to message me with any questions on the Puritans. Also, welcome to the Board.

Puritan Treasures:
https://www.heritagebooks.org/categories/RHB-Publications/Puritan-Treasures-For-Today/

Documentary:
https://www.heritagebooks.org/puritandoc

Meet the Puritans:
https://www.heritagebooks.org/products/meet-the-puritans-beeke-pederson.html

Puritan Heroes is a beautiful coffee table book that offers a great introduction to the Puritans.
https://www.heritagebooks.org/products/puritan-heroes-mathes-beeke.html

 

[FivePointSpurgeonist]

Thanks guys, there’s some great info there, I’m keen to check out Thomas Watson.

Also some great resources, I’ll have to grab some of the Puritan Treasures.

Is there a digital copy of the documentary available? I’ve actually been looking forward to seeing it but Faithlife TV says release 2020?

 

[KMK]

Thomas Boston's Works, Vol. I and II. It is one of the greatest commentaries on the Shorter Catechism ever written.

 

[C. M. Sheffield]

A very accessible and excellent little book is Thomas Brooks' Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices. He basically goes through the various ways Satan tries to tempt us and for each one, he will prescribe several remedies for that particular temptation. I think you will find it very profitable.

 

[Don Kistler]

Rather than recommend individual titles, I'll recommend anything by Jeremiah Burroughs, Thomas Watson, Christopher Love, or Thomas Vincent. They are pastoral, readable, practical, and very sound.

 

[Hamalas]

I would answer your question, but Sinclair Ferguson already did:

 

[arapahoepark]

A Body of Divinity.
Thomas Watson's prose is best to start.

 

[Charles Johnson]

You can't go wrong with William Perkins.

 

[Von]

I was introduced to the puritans by the following book:
A QUEST FOR GODLINESS - JI PACKER
It references many puritans and their books as well as giving you a background/introduction to their theology.

 

[Tyro]

This changed my life in ways I couldn't describe in words. It's tough sledding at times, especially in the beginning as he begins to set up his premise and build his case. But trust me, it's worth it.

https://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/onsite/GospelMystery.pdf

This will go a very long way as well. Certainly life-changing for me.

http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/sdg/goodwin/The_Heart_of_Christ_-_Thomas_Goodwin.pdf

Happy reading!

 

[TheInquirer]

I'd recommend starting with a topic or issue that the Lord has currently laid on your heart to study further and get some recommendations of Puritan authors on the issue and go from there. I have found that different Puritan authors minister to me differently at different times in my life. One year I will pick up a work and it won't really strike me and then pick it up again down the road and it is pure gold for the soul.

I would also put in a plug for the gently modernized versions of Puritan works that Matthew is doing at Puritan Publications. I just read William Perkins' Glorifying God in our Jobs this week and it was fantastic. Again, it is a topic I am wrestling deeply with at the moment and Perkins' words and insights were invaluable - far beyond any modern work I have looked at on the topic. Currently working through Steele's The Religious Tradesman on the same issue.

 

[FivePointSpurgeonist]

Some great information here, I will continue refer back to here. Excited to start reading!

I'd recommend starting with a topic or issue that the Lord has currently laid on your heart to study further and get some recommendations of Puritan authors on the issue and go from there. I have found that different Puritan authors minister to me differently at different times in my life. One year I will pick up a work and it won't really strike me and then pick it up again down the road and it is pure gold for the soul.

I would also put in a plug for the gently modernized versions of Puritan works that Matthew is doing at Puritan Publications. I just read William Perkins' Glorifying God in our Jobs this week and it was fantastic. Again, it is a topic I am wrestling deeply with at the moment and Perkins' words and insights were invaluable - far beyond any modern work I have looked at on the topic. Currently working through Steele's The Religious Tradesman on the same issue.

Good idea. Actually that is something I would really like to read, that's a topic that has been on my mind recently! I'm glad you posted.