One of the comments on the last post asked me about my favorite Puritan writers, so I have taken a short, very non-intimidating pile off my shelf and stacked them here for you to browse.
On the top is my red leather edition of The Loveliness of Christ. I have an older copy that Diane Garaway gave me a few years back, but it sits with some of our other old book treasures on top of the piano. This edition is in my bedside table. Samuel Rutherford was a 17th century Scottish pastor, one of the Westminster divines, who was expelled from his church and forbidden to preach any where in Scotland (which tells you right off that he was a powerful preacher). This little book contains excerpts from his many pastoral letters.
Next is The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment by Jeremiah Burroughs. This is a well worn copy and has seen me through at least four book studies with the women in our church. It is a treasure, full of solid, biblical teaching on attaining contentment.
Then you see All Things for Good by Thomas Watson. This book, combined with the book on contentment, has blessed me immeasurably. I truly thank God for these men and their sermons that have been preserved for us.
A few other Watson titles that I have used for book studies are in the stack: The Godly Man’s Picture, The Art of Divine Contentment, Harmless as Doves, Religion Our True Interest, and Heaven Taken By Storm. I see now that I got The Art of Divine Contentment in twice, once in paperback and once in hardback. It is that good. Read it twice. It is a toss up which book on contentment I prefer. They are both fantastic.
Finally, just so I don’t wear you out, is The Quest for Meekness and Quietness of Spirit, by Matthew Henry. He is a wonderful writer, and I love his commentary on the Bible. Wish I could read the whole thing (it’s large). But this book on a meek spirit is short and excellent. As he says, there is much provocation in this world, so we might just as well learn how to take it without getting our feathers ruffled. Well, he actually says it much better than that.
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Thanks for sharing that. And I love how there are several books on contentment. Isn’t that something with which we all seem to love to struggle?!
I received “The Loveliness of Christ” for Mother’s Day several years ago and I cannot more highly recommend it! My affections for Christ are stirred each time I pick it up.
Ooooh, I’m excited to see at least two titles that need to be added to our home library now. 🙂 More Thomas Watson!
Some of these, especially The Loveliness Of Christ, have been my near and dear companions through years of fertility struggles and miscarriages. What wonderful mercies that God still uses these men and their godly wisdom to encourage and bless us, generations later!
Nancy,
I have a young friend (age 14) facing his second go ’round with cancer. Would one of these titles be appropriate for him as he walks through the valley of the shadow of death?
Thanks for posting these! I will definitely look ’em up!
Heads up for all of you kindle readers — “Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment” is free on Amazon for kindle, or you can just read it with a computer or phone app. 🙂 I’m looking forward to digging in. Thanks for the recommendations, Nancy!
‘Lizbeth Anne,
I would suggest Rutherford first, and then Watson’s All Things For Good.
Blessings,
Nancy
I found all the Watson (plus 9 more) in a set on Amazon for kindle. Only $4.
Thank you for a most helpful post and follow up to my question, Nancy. My young friend’s treatment for an aggressive cancer began today. His mom is a new reader to this blog, invited here by Kelly Orr. I know that the family would appreciate prayer for endurance and healing.
Rare Jewel is here too, for free!
http://olivetree.com/store/product.php?productid=17845
Thank you for sharing — so much inspiration and encouragement in that stack!