The Case and Cure of a Deserted Soul


Book Description

In The Case and Cure of a Deserted Soul, Joseph Symonds (d.1652) explores the nature, causes, and treatment of spiritual depression—a state that arises when God seems to hide his face, leaving the Christian to walk alone in a “dark night of the soul.” Every aspect of this condition is examined with a surgeon’s precision, a philosopher’s insight, and the Word of God’s wisdom on how to gain a firmer footing and emerge from this melancholy hour with renewed strength and vivacity.







The Digital Puritan - Vol.V, No.2


Book Description

The Digital Puritan is a biannual digest of carefully selected Puritan works, providing a steady diet of sound Puritan teaching. The language has been gently modernised to render it more readable, while still retaining much of the flavour and character of the original text. Hundreds of helpful notes and Scripture references (in the English Standard Version®) are included as end-notes; no internet connection is needed. The following articles appear in this autumn/winter 2015 special edition, "The Word of God": 1. The Authority and Utility of the Scriptures – Hugh Binning. The necessity of learning and practising what the Bible teaches is shown from 2 Timothy 3:16-17. 2. The Duty of Searching the Scriptures – George Whitefield. In which Whitefield illustrates the two great messages of the Scripture (our fallen nature and the grace of God) and gives directions on how to make time spent in Scripture most profitable. Based on John 5:39. 3. The Great Worth of Scripture Knowledge – Francis Roberts. Roberts gives seven helpful directions on how to better read and understand the Word of God. 4. How the Word is to be Read and Heard – Thomas Boston. From Luke 8:18 ("Take heed therefore how ye hear"), Boston teaches how to prepare our hearts for receiving the Word, and how to apply it to our daily lives. 5. How We May Read the Scriptures with Most Spiritual Profit – Thomas Watson. Watson's own collection of twenty-four directions on how to read the Scripture for greatest benefit. 6. The Puritan Practice of Meditation – Drs. Joel R. Beeke and Mark Jones. To read the Scripture is not enough; it must permeate the mind and affect the heart. The authors show how the Puritans used meditation this effect.







The Wiles of Satan


Book Description

Like it or not, every Christian is engaged in a fierce and high-stakes battle with Satan. In this enlightening book, Puritan pastor William Spurstowe succinctly illustrates from 2 Corinthians 2:11 (“…lest Satan should get an advantage of us—for we are not ignorant of his devices”) his premise: that “Satan is full of devices, and studies arts of circumvention, by which he unweariedly seeks the irrecoverable ruin of the souls of men.” Spurstowe explains how Satan’s long experience and single-minded determination make him such a formidable adversary. He then proceeds to methodically expose, explain, and disarm nearly two dozen common traps that Satan has used to ensnare every generation of the unwary. Finally, he prescribes ten helpful remedies or antidotes that can be used to counter even the most tempestuous temptation. William Spurstowe (1605–1666) was a Presbyterian pastor and member of the Westminster Assembly; he served the Parliament of Richard Cromwell. Originally published in 1666, this classic treatise has been carefully prepared to benefit a new generation of Christian readers. Archaic language has been gently modernized, and dozens of helpful footnotes have been added to aid the reader. This edition includes a biographical preface, Scripture index (paperback only), and review questions designed to guide group discussion or personal reflection.







The Poetry of Samuel Slater


Book Description

The Poetry of Samuel Slater collects all of the author's verse into one volume. Included is "A Discourse Concerning the Creation, Fall, and Recovery of Man", which is modeled on John Milton's "Paradise Lost", yet in a much more approachable style and length. "A Dialogue Between Faith and a Doubting Soul" was written for the comfort of a troubled woman who frequently came to the author for counsel and reassurance. Also included are an elegy for Oliver Cromwell and several biblical songs put to verse. Even readers unfamiliar with Elizabethan poetry will find these works both engaging and encouraging. They are useful for both devotional reading and academic study.




The Digital Puritan - Vol.IV, No.2


Book Description

The Digital Puritan is a quarterly digest of carefully selected Puritan works which provides a steady diet of sound Puritan teaching. The language has been gently modernised to render it more readable, while still retaining much of the flavour and character of the original text. Hundreds of helpful notes and Scripture references (in the English Standard Version®) are included as end-notes; no internet connection is needed. The following articles appear in this summer 2014 edition: 1. Self-Denial – in which Isaac Ambrose expounds Mark 8:34, showing that self-denial must be a cardinal feature of Christ’s true disciples. 2. The Almost Christian – George Whitefield shows from Acts 26:28 that having the trappings of religion is not the same thing as having true saving faith. 3. God’s Regard for His Own Glory, Seen in the Saving of Sinners – in which Stephen Charnock illustrates the rich glory of God as can only be seen in his redemption of sinful men. 4. Charity, in Respect of Other Men’s Sins – John Howe teaches from 1 Corinthians 13:6 that believers should never rejoice over the failings or misfortunes of others, and should be predisposed to grant them the benefit of the doubt. 5. A Word to the Aged – comforting and insightful teaching from William Bridge for those who have nearly run their course. The Puritans in Verse: A Psalm of Praise – Richard Baxter.




Private Prayer: A Christian Duty


Book Description

Many Christians find private prayer a difficult duty, and thus they either totally neglect it, or are negligent in their performance of it. In Private Prayer: A Christian Duty, Puritan pastor Oliver Heywood illustrates the necessity of spending time in private prayer each day. Using Matthew 6:6 as his text (“But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”), Heywood teaches how to cultivate a habit of daily prayer which is both refreshing and delightful. He reviews the time, place, and content appropriate for our private prayers, and answers several objections that are commonly used to excuse ourselves from praying regularly—including lack of time, cold-heartedness, wandering thoughts, and not knowing what to say. Several Scriptural instances of private prayer are explored, including the Lord’s Prayer and the mighty wrestling of Jacob in prayer (Genesis 32). Through this teaching, the believer will find resources and encouragement to help fulfill this beneficial obligation. Out-of-print for nearly two hundred years, this classic treatise has been carefully prepared for the benefit of a new generation of Christian readers. Even those not accustomed to Puritan works will find Heywood’s warm and engaging style both eminently useful and Christ-exalting.




The Digital Puritan - Vol.III, No.3


Book Description

"The Digital Puritan" is a quarterly digest of carefully selected Puritan works which are gently edited to render the text more readable, while still retaining much of the flavour and character of the originals. Helpful notes and Scripture references (in the English Standard Version®) are included as end-notes; no internet connection is needed. Pull on your favourite sweater, pour yourself a hot mug of tea, and settle down by the fireplace to enjoy the following articles in this autumn edition: 1. An Exhortation to Peace and Unity - John Bunyan. In which Bunyan teaches us to leave aside bickering and petty divisiveness, and to pursue Christ-honouring unity while putting others ahead of ourselves. 2. Directions to Fearful, Troubled Christians - Richard Baxter. Ten practical instructions for the Christian who is plagued by doubts. 3. The Monster of Sinful Self-Seeking Anatomized - Edmund Calamy. Stand by as Calamy dissects this gruesome and ghastly monster known as self-seeking. First reprinting since it was originally published in 1655. 4. Thankfulness Required in Every Condition - William Bridge. Once again William Bridge shows us how to find light in the darkest dungeon, and return thanks with sincerity to our loving and wise heavenly Father. 5. The Sin and Folly of Depending on Future Time - Jonathan Edwards. In which Edwards pokes holes in many of our justifications to view time as "idle" or something to "pass" while putting off things of more urgent and eternal importance. 6. The Puritans in Verse: "The Reflection" by Edward Taylor. A private meditation on the Saviour's beauty (Song of Solomon 2:1).