Guidance in choosing Puritan authors

[Scott C.]

Hello, I am seeking advice/direction on Puritan works to read. I just recently have read Pilgrims Progress and love the style.

 

[Regi Addictissimus]

Start with Thomas Watson. He is lucid in his style. Watson also writes with such beautiful prose. Are there any particular topics that interest you? This will give me a better idea of where to direct you.

Our Puritan Treasures series is also a great starting point:

https://www.heritagebooks.org/Search.html#/Search.html?search=Puritan+treasures

 

[Scott C.]

Thank you! I am interested in reading doctrinal values, ethics, and Puritan preaching styles.

 

[Regi Addictissimus]

Thank you! I am interested in reading doctrinal values, ethics, and Puritan preaching styles.

Start with Thomas Watson's Body of Divinity and William Ames' Marrow of Theology.

 

[Scott C.]

Thank you so much brother!

 

[Regi Addictissimus]

Thank you so much brother!

My pleasure, brother. Please never hesitate to send me a direct message with any questions. May the Lord bless this new journey with the Puritans. They changed my life. Thomas Watson's Body of Divinity and John Owen's Glory of Christ turned my world upside down as a young convert. I have never stopped reading them since.

 

[JKL1647]

An Alarm to the Unconverted by Joseph Alleine

http://www.ntslibrary.com/PDF Books/An Alarm to the Unconverted.pdf

 

[Seeking_Thy_Kingdom]

For me the book that started it all was Thomas Watson’s A Christian on the Mount.
https://www.heritagebooks.org/products/the-christian-on-the-mount-watson.html

When you are done with Watson and never want an empty reading list again, Meet the Puritans will give you a list as long as your arm before you are done with it....
https://www.heritagebooks.org/products/meet-the-puritans-beeke-pederson.html

 

[RJ Spencer]

John Owen The Mortification of Sin is by far my favorite.
If you are after a beautiful style, check out John Flavel.
Also, if you liked Pilgrims Progress you should check out The Morrow of Modern Divinity. It is written in that same particular way.

 

[Jack K]

Add another vote for Thomas Watson. Very accessible starting place. My favorite is The Doctrine of Repentance.

 

[Don Kistler]

Alongside Watson, anything by Christopher Love and Jeremiah Burroughs. All 3 are very doctrinally sound as well as pastoral.

 

[Scott C.]

Thank you all for your recommendations. I currently read a lot of Calvin, Luther, and Spurgeon but I am really bent to the Puritan writings and theology. I look forward to reading posts on this newly found board recommended by a faithful brother. I wasn’t even aware I leaned Puritan until he explained it to me. I always just thought of myself as a 5 point Calvinist (or as I like to say... a subscriber to the doctrines of grace) and a staunch conservative, reformed Baptist. Again, thank you all for the recommendations.

 

[Reformed Covenanter]

Some pointers to further reading may be found at this link. To begin by reading through the Puritan Paperback series is probably the best way to get started. That may seem like a lot of reading, but it is only the tip of the iceberg.

 

[Charles Johnson]

I've found the writings of William Perkins to contain a greater density of valuable insights than anything else I've read. His language is also simple and clear, so he's a lot easier to read than some others. If I could only read one Puritan, or even one author, it would definitely be him.

 

[StephenMartyr]

Thomas Watson is good like others have said and as well Thomas Brooks.

https://www.monergism.com/works-thomas-brooks-ebook

 

[Stephen L Smith]

Scott, as you can see there are many valuable works by the Puritans. We live in a blessed age in that regard.

My suggestion is start with the work most appropriate to your spiritual need at the moment, and work from there.

Further, read the best Puritan works on Biblical meditation because the Puritans can help us greatly in this vital spiritual discipline. A nice easy place to start is Joel Beeke's "How Can I Practice Christian Meditation?" Beeke brings the best Puritan insights together into a small user friendly format. Another excellent and profitable work is John Owen's "Spiritual Mindedness" (Banner of Truth). I am looking forward to the substantial work "Solitude Improved by Divine Meditation" (Ranew). Puritan Publications also publishes a great range of books on Puritan meditation http://www.puritanpublications.com/store/products/category/divine-meditation/

 

[Reformed Covenanter]

I've found the writings of William Perkins to contain a greater density of valuable insights than anything else I've read. His language is also simple and clear, so he's a lot easier to read than some others. If I could only read one Puritan, or even one author, it would definitely be him.

I just finished reading volume 6 of William Perkins' works yesterday afternoon. I second this recommendation.

 

[StephenMartyr]

While it's not in it's original language, this books is great for devotions:

https://www.heritagebooks.org/produ...lassics-of-reformed-spirituality-udemans.html

It's in the Puritan era (maybe a little earlier?) so it's deep and warm. The size looks intimidating but each "chapter" is roughly 3 pages. Great for a sitting read.

EDIT: I'm going through it now, chapter 7.

 

[EuphratesRiver]

I would give another vote for Thomas Manton.