Puritan Treasures for Today

In John 17, Jesus prayed for the unity of the church. Yet today, we tend to accept disunity as inevitable. In this book, Anthony Burgess calls us to addresses the spiritual and visible unity that Jesus desires for His people. Burgess speaks of how union and communion with Christ and His people are "the life and comfort of believers." Giving careful consideration of what Christian unity should look like, Burgess excels at uncovering common causes of division and promoting means to advance unity among God's people.

Nearly 25% of American Christians do not regularly attend church in person (Pew Research, 2023). How can we recapture the duty and delight of public worship? Public worship is not simply something we should do; it is something we should love. In the newest Puritan Treasure for Today, David Clarkson helps believers glorify God by enjoying the privilege and duty of the corporate assembly. Edited and updated for modern readers by Pastor Jonathan Cruse, this Puritan classic will teach you about: • The Primacy of Public Worship • Profiting from Public Worship • Hearing the Word Read this book and learn to prize the ordinary means of grace as God's precious gifts to His people.

How long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee? -Jeremiah 4:14 Our minds are constantly flooded with unwelcome ideas in this age of information and entertainment. In The Vanity of Thoughts, Thomas Goodwin challenges us to fight these frivolous and sinful mental companions. This timely reminder about the importance of mind renewal paves a path to bringing every thought captive to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Part of the Puritan Treasures for Today Series As people seek a more satisfying and authentic faith, interest in the Puritans continues to grow. This series presents Puritan books that are carefully edited with modern readers in mind-difficult phrases are smoothed out while the authors' meaning is maintained. These books have been thoughtfully selected to provide some of the best counsel on important subjects that people continue to wrestle with today. Introducing Thomas Goodwin Thomas Goodwin (1600–1680) was a Puritan minister at the Westminster Assembly and a prominent member of the Savoy Assembly of Congregational Elders and Messengers. He faithfully served as pastor to the Fetter Lane Independent Church in London and wrote dozens of rich theological and practical works. Thomas Goodwin (1600-1679) received his theological training at Cambridge University and held the presidency of Magdalen College at Oxford University. He acted as a commissioner to the Westminster Assembly and was also a prominent member of the Savoy Assembly of Congregational Elders and Messengers. He faithfully served as pastor to the Fetter Lane Independent Church in London until his death.

God's call to the sinner to turn and live is serious and demands a response. In a clear, compelling, and passionate way, Nathaniel Vincent explains the foolishness of continuing in the pathway of evil, the stubborn disposition of natural man to continue in this way, the gracious and repeated call of God to turn, and the wonderful remedy found in Christ. In typical Puritan fashion, Vincent also draws out the several applications, or uses, of this doctrine.

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. (1 John 2:15) Do you live in this world in such a way that people recognize that it is not your treasure? The Puritans were greatly concerned with suppressing worldliness in the church. Today, worldliness is an even greater problem, exacerbated by the fact that so few dare to speak out against it. In this book, William Greenhill provides modern readers with a healthy antidote to our love affair with the world. He explains what it means to love the world, exposes the dangers of cherishing it, shares how we ought to relate to it, and gives encouraging directions for removing our hearts from it. This is a book with a timeless message, demonstrating the relevance of the Puritans for today. By God's grace, it will help persuade you that the world and all its charms are not what you should live for.

Why is it difficult to be content when you have so much? On the surface, it seems unnecessary to instruct someone to be content in times of prosperity. However, times of prosperity and abundance provide some of the strongest temptations to pull our hearts away from God. Jeremiah Burroughs was keenly aware that the riches of this world compete for our affections and challenge our contentment in Christ. Originally prepared as an appendix to “The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment”, this book provides an important conclusion to Burroughs's sermon series on Philippians 4:11-12: “I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.”

The Puritans frequently talked about dying well. That is something we do not discuss much these days, though we should. In this book, George Swinnock presents modern readers with valuable food for thought as he expounds Psalm 73:26, My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. Swinnock combines careful explanation with vivid illustration to reveal the futility of earthly comforts and highlight the inestimable comfort, satisfaction, and joy afforded us in Christ. Displaying the relevance of the Puritans for today, you will find this sorely neglected and sobering topic an easy, thought-provoking, and compelling read.

The Christian life can be daunting, especially in a world hostile to the ways of God. But the good news is that the God who calls us to be holy has also appointed helpful means so that we can grow in godliness. In Holy Helps for a Godly Life, Richard Rogers shows what the means of godliness are, describes their nature, and explains how they should be used. God has promised to give grace to those who use these means in a right and reverent way, and those who use these means in faith will discover their value for themselves. Richard Rogers (1551-1618) was an English Puritan minister in Wethersfield who advocated presbyterian church government and encouraged practical piety.

As a physician of souls, John Downame begins this important book by carefully defining anger and distinguishing between righteous and unjust expressions of it. He then helps us consider the properties, causes, kinds, and effects of unjust anger. Finally, moving beyond diagnosis, he presents the cure of sinful anger by prescribing practical strategies for both preventing and overcoming unjust anger in its different forms. Downame writes as a skilled practitioner who has assembled a comprehensive moral and spiritual pharmacy for treating sin-sick souls. John Downame (1571-1652) was a Puritan minster at All Hallows church, licenser of the press, and an examiner for ordaining ministers in London.

Although believers have a right to every spiritual comfort in Christ, remaining sin and temptation often hinder them from enjoying these blessings. In Gospel Evidences of Saving Faith, John Owen recognizes that faith is the root on which all genuine comforts grow, and these comforts are ordinarily shared by believers in proportion to the evidences of true faith in their lives. Owen investigates the proper operations of faith that demonstrate its genuineness, encouraging us to cling fast to Christ, pursue holiness, commune with God through worship, and bring our souls into a special state of repentance. Do you wish to glorify God more and have greater enjoyment in the comforts of Christ? Find inspiration in this pastoral consideration of the evidences of saving faith. Brian G. Hedges is the lead pastor of Redeemer Church in Niles Michigan, and the author of multiple books including, Christ Formed in You, Licensed to Kill, Active Spirituality, Hit List: Taking Aim at the Seven Deadly Sins, Christ All Sufficient, With Jesus, and his most recent book Watchfulness: Recovering a Lost Spiritual Discipline. Brian has also written for The Gospel Coalition, Desiring God, Crosswalk, Christianity.com, PastorConnect, and Servants of Grace. He blogs at www.brianghedges.com and you can follow him on Twitter @brianghedges. His sermons are available for free at https://redeemer.ch/. Brian and his wife, Holly, have four children.

From the psalmist's assertion that no one in heaven or earth is like God, George Swinnock derives his principal doctrine namely, God is incomparable. Throughout The Blessed and Boundless God, he proves his doctrine by demonstrating God's incomparableness in His being, attributes, works, and words. Swinnock is a pastor-theologian who views theology as the means by which we grow in acquaintance with God and, consequently, in godliness. Therefore, he carefully applies his doctrine by demonstrating how God's incomparableness informs, counsels, and comforts us. Listen to this audiobook prayerfully, thoughtfully, and expectantly, keeping in mind Swinnock's simple conviction that when we take the incomparable God as our God, we are incomparably blessed. George Swinnock (1627 1673) was an English Puritan known for his vivid illustrations of biblical truth. His complete works have been reprinted in five volumes by Banner of Truth Trust.

What comfort can we have in Christ Himself but as He is clothed in His priestly garments, in His office of High Priest? Nothing is more vital to a believer's comfort and sanctification than understanding the scope of the Lord's priestly office. Conversely, some struggle with sin, doubt, temptation, discouragement, or an accusing conscience because they fail to grasp the significance of Christ's priesthood. In “Comfort and Holiness from Christ's Priestly Work”, William Bridge reminds us that 'Christ's office as a priest is the great storehouse and supply of all the grace and comfort that we have on this side of heaven.' Read this edifying book and see how Jesus' fourfold labor of satisfaction, intercession, offering gifts, and blessing His people works to sooth your weary soul and grow you in godliness.

To some degree, everyone experiences fear. It impacts the decisions we make and leaves us feeling helpless. John Flavel begins this book by examining various fears and discussing general ways God governs it in this world. He then turns to sinful fear in particular, explaining its causes and disastrous effects. His longest chapter discusses rules for dealing with sinful fear, showing how a proper fear of God is the ultimate remedy for all other fears. This practical book will help you avoid making excuses for sinful fear and encourage you to trust in Christ's commitment to settle His people's feeble and trembling hearts.

Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord. -Philippians 3:8 Our sinful hearts seek satisfaction in the things of this world. But true satisfaction is not found in things but in a person: Jesus Christ. In this compelling book, William Perkins explains how to find true satisfaction: by resting in Christ's sufficiency. With his trademark precision, Perkins reminds us of Christ's infinite worth as our only redeemer in twenty-seven short chapters. This message tears down all illusions of self-sufficiency, directing us to rest the riches of God's grace in Jesus! Part of the Puritan Treasures for Today Series As people seek a more satisfying and authentic faith, interest in the Puritans continues to grow. This series presents Puritan books that are accessible in length and carefully edited with modern readers in mind by smoothing out difficult phrases of a bygone era while carefully retaining the meaning of the original authors. These books have been thoughtfully selected to provide some of the best counsel on important subjects that people continue to wrestle with today. William Perkins (1558–1602) was a well-respected preacher and teacher at Christ's College, Cambridge. His influence on students there produced a generation of Puritan-minded ministers.

What good is a church community if it lacks loving fellowship? In “Rules for Walking in Fellowship”, John Owen supplies struggling congregations with biblical guidelines for making church life in the present a foretaste of heavenly fellowship to come. He discusses both the responsibilities congregations have toward pastors as well as the duties members have toward one another. Together, Owen presents twenty-four rules for fostering gospel fellowship, supporting them with numerous proof texts, brief explanations, and words of motivation to keep them. His simple approach makes this book ideal for personal or small group study. Here, then, is a collection of indispensable biblical rules that will challenge Christians in any given congregation, of whatever denomination, a little gem that is at the same time doctrinal, practical, and ecumenical.

It is not uncommon for professing Christians to question the genuineness of their faith. In seasons like this, they can wonder whether it is even possible to know for sure if they are in a state of saving grace. In this book, Anthony Burgess shows that Christians not only can come to an assurance of their salvation but should pursue it. Burgess provides helpful advice for avoiding a presumptuous spirit while developing a humble confidence in grace. Here is a book that will help you understand the marks of grace and avoid some common abuses associated with self-examination. Read it with an open Bible and a prayerful heart, looking to the Holy Spirit as your faith seeks assurance.