The Bible emphasizes doing tasks completely, heartily, and with all one’s might. John Owen, the great theologian of the Puritan movement, never did his work by halves but embraced the kind of thoroughness Colossians 3:23 promotes: “Work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.”
Whether it was writing catechisms for children, penning theological treatises, or preaching before Parliament, Owen worked with all his might.
Watch Richard Baxter video here
Visit the market town of Kidderminster in Worcestershire, England today and you’ll notice a statue of a man preaching, his right hand pointing upward and his left hand holding a book. This monument of Richard Baxter, the 17th century nonconformist minister, captures the three items he loved most: Heaven, preaching, and books—ultimately the greatest book of Scripture.
Gifted with a tenacious memory and an incomparable work ethic, Richard Baxter stands as the most prolific English theological writer of all time. A study of his life will illustrate an excellent model of Christians studiousness to the glory of God.
Watch Thomas Goodwin video here
The Puritans were English Protestants in the 16th and 17th centuries that aimed to “purify” the Church of England by taking away Catholic practices, believing it had not been fully transformed after the Protestant Reformation.
The Puritans accomplished remarkable feats. William Gouge, for example, who was known for reading fifteen chapters of the Bible daily, fathered thirteen children, wrote nearly twenty books, pastored the same church for forty-six years and took thirty-three years to preach through the book of Hebrews.
Another giant among the Puritans was Thomas Goodwin. At age fourteen he was told his short stature would prevent him from becoming a leader of consequence. Instead, he became one of the giants of the Puritan movement, especially during its zenith from 1640-1660. These two decades produced the most quality books, gifted ministers, and biblical preachers that explain how believers may find assurance of salvation.
Isaac Watts, Banner of Truth, 186 pages, 4 of 5 stars
Isaac Watts, the Father of English Hymnody, has written my favorite book on prayer. The previous first choice had been Carson’s A Call to Spiritual Reformation. Watts is even better. For a full summary of the book, go HERE.
Four reasons this is my favorite book on prayer
First, it’s practical, surprisingly so. Watts argues that prayer has rules just like other skills. If medicine has rules for healing, then Christians must learn the rules for praying. Watts talks about everything relating to prayer, from the Spirit’s work, to the kinds prayer, the voice, the gestures, the motivations, the grace and the gifts of prayer.
Second, it’s short, under 200 pages. It’s also clear. Watts once wrote a famous book on logic, still in print. Short and clear is a great combo.
Third, it’s old. Watts was born in England in 1674. The book was first published in 1715. If the choice is between the latest best-selling book on prayer over at Amazon, or a prayer manual three centuries old, choose the latter.
Fourth, it’s written by a pastor. No other occupation on earth lists praying as it’s central job description. If you want to learn how to pray, find a godly pastor. They have experience and Bible verses for support. At age 28 Watts became the pastor of Mark Lane Chapel in London. He was an able pastor, his church growing from 74 to five hundred during his lengthy ministry.
A few tips for parents
Fathers and mothers could uses Watt’s book to teach their kids how to pray. Consider the following ways: Continue reading
Thomas Watson, Banner of Truth (1682/2006), 166 pages, 4 of 5 stars
Thomas Watson squeezes the orange and yields more heavenly juice from three verses than many a modern preacher.
From Malachi 3:16-18 he writes 168 pages and 16 sermons. This small book would make an excellent Homiletics textbook. A young preacher wonders how he could get forty-five minutes of sermon material from, say, the story of the prodigal son. Here, in an obscure passage, Watson goes phrase by phrase and mines truckloads of truth. The word “then” receives one sermon. “Fear of the Lord” gets five. His lists are endless: four things to consider, nineteen ways it is important to fear God, and two cautions about deceit.
I can imagine a homiletical exercise that asks for a sermon manuscript on Malachi 3:16. When the students return frazzled and empty of sufficient material, tell them to read Watson’s ten sermons on the same verse. It may be to them as scales falling from their eyes.
The Puritans teach us how to use word pictures in illustrating truth. Like an Eskimo his clothing, Watson layers his metaphors. “Profession is often made a cloak to cover sin” is followed by, “the snow covers many a dunghill”, which is followed by Absalom covering his treason with a religious vow (2Sm. 15). “The fear of God swallows up all other fears, as Moses’ rod swallowed up the magicians rods” (33). How to illustrate the need to share the sweetness of what you have read this week? “Samson having found honey did not only eat of it himself, but carried it to his father and mother” (68). Christian unity: “one single coal is apt to die, but many coals put together keep in the heat” (72).
The Great Gain is an excellent counseling manual as well, for it shows how to present Scripture winsomely to the hurting soul.
Excerpts: