Guidance re buying Puritan books
John Owen is a marvelous entry into Puritanism. He has been rightly described as the Calvin of the Puritan authors. His writing style is prolix and a little verbose, but he is superb in terms of his penetrating and exhaustive treatment of an issue. Buy some of his Works if you can; they are printed by the Banner of Truth. Volume 6 on the believer’s struggle against sin is a good place to begin. Richard Baxter is also good, but only with regard to his practical works. His theology was a mish-mash (my words, but J. I. Packer’s sentiments). Stay away from his theological works proper. But his practical stuff—e.g. The Reformed Pastor and The Saints’ Everlasting Rest are tops. Other series of Puritan works: Richard Sibbes, an early Puritan, is also superb. His works are published by the Banner of Truth. Thomas Goodwin is also excellent, especially on the Spirit. Two late Puritans are also highly recommended : John Howe, one of my favourite authors, and Matthew Henry—get his commentary, the first complete commentary on the entire Bible by an English author. Get the full edition of this commentary, not an abbreviation. Finally, John Bunyan is a must—any of his works.
With regard to individual books there is Isaac Ambrose, Looking Unto Jesus—superb. And Thomas Wilcox, Honey out of the Rock. I have begun to read a little of David Dickson, who is not bad. Samuel Rutherford’s Letters are also a must—absolute gold. I.D.E. Thomas, A Puritan Golden Treasury is also worth possessing. It is published by the Banner of Truth, and is a weighty selection of Puritan quotes. Thomas Boston, a late Scottish Puritan author is also good.
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September 15th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
Dr. Haykin, I must take you to task. Immagine no mention of Burroughs’ The Rare Jewel, Gospel Worship or Gospel Fear, to name only three.
September 15th, 2008 at 8:20 pm
Jim:
I stand rightly rebuked!
I could enter your recommendations as a post: if so, what would I say?
Michael.
September 16th, 2008 at 11:52 am
What about Keach??
September 16th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Michael, here is my offering on Gospel Worship. I don’t know if this is the sort of thing you want. If it’s not disregard it.
A comment on Jeremiah Burroughes’ Gospel Worship
Jeremiah Burroughes (c.1600-1646) has been a constant companion of mine for the past seven or eight years, through the study of his printed sermons and other works. He more than any other puritan preacher has warmed my soul and encouraged me to seek what he sought to preach a life lived to the glory of God. In Gospel Worship the emphasis is on the privilege and awesome responsibility of drawing near to God, for He has said: ‘I will be sanctified in them that draw nigh Me’ (Ex. 10:3).
How this is to be done is set out by Burroughes by way of three topics, each of which have many headings and sub-headings. The subjects are Hearing the Word, Receiving the Lord’s Supper, and Sanctifying the Name of God in Prayer. Each of these duties is unfolded for us with the aim of better equipping us to worship God in a proper manner, e.g., with reverence and awe.
In regard to hearing the Word as part of worship we are reminded by Burroughes that while it is good to hear the Word it is more important how we hear it, by which he means, not only as ‘an ordinance appointed by God,’ but in such a way that at the last day we will be able to say: ‘This is the Word that I reverenced, that I obeyed, that I loved, that I made the joy of my heart.’ Here we find Burroughes at his best as he unfolds the importance of preparation of heart to hear the Word preached.
In regard to the Lord’s Supper, Burroughes makes it clear that in keeping this ordinance ‘you will find a greater beauty … than you ever found in all your lives.’ Surely this is a message we need to get across to the many in each congregation who ignore the ordinance time after time. Burroughes follows his exposition of the importance of this ordinance with ten mediations ‘by which we should labour to sanctify our hearts,’ as we ‘come to sanctify the name of God when we are drawing nigh to Him’ in this holy ordinance.
The third subject handled by Burroughes is prayer as a means of worshiping God. Here Burroughes shows that prayer is ‘that which sanctifies all things to us’ – ‘Everything is sanctified by the word of God and prayer’ (1 Tim. 4:5). Prayer is also that which ‘would help us against many temptations to evil.’ This leads Burroughes to exhort believers to ‘the preparation of heart unto prayer.’ This preparation is to be done in the course of one’s life,’ by which Burroughes means the way we live: ‘keep all things even and clean between God and your souls’ and ‘keep our hearts sensible of our continual dependence upon God.’
In many ways these fourteen sermons, now printed in a modern format by Soli Deo Gloria Publications, seek to emphasis the need for preparation of heart and soul as a prelude to participating in these three great ordinances of worship. It is a masterful treatise on a subject that is foreign to many today; but one that is surely needed. Burroughes is right when he says, ‘The reason why we worship God in a slight way is because we do not see God in His glory.’ But, one cannot read these sermons without appreciating that God is glorious in holiness. It is also true that ‘If in the duties of worship we are near to God, then hence appears the great honour that God puts upon his servants that do worship him.
September 16th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Dear Ian:
Yes, Keach on justification is excellent.
Michael.
September 17th, 2008 at 4:39 am
Although Matthew Henry’s Commentary APPEARS to be the first complete Bible Commentary in English by one man, it is not. Henry died before he finished it, and from Romans to Revelation was compiled from his notes and sermons by others. It was in fact left to John Gill to finish the first Bible commentary in English by a single author. Gill is also worth reading, not at all as dry as people think Gill is.
September 17th, 2008 at 8:52 am
Agreed on both counts, brother. Thanks. Have been enjoying your blog from time to time.
Michael.
November 1st, 2008 at 7:25 am
Dr. Haykin,
what about Thomas Watson? i actually think he is one of the top Puritans to start with, given that he is so rich and readable. thoughts?
November 1st, 2008 at 12:58 pm
Jonathan:
Yes, Thomas Watson is quite popular, though I must admit I have not read a ton of Watson. What I have read is good and pithy.
Thanks for the comment.