In this work, Cawdrey exegetically and biblically demonstrates that worship to God is accomplished through God’s prescription alone. Anything less is man’s invention which leads to superstition and will-worship. He ably defends the regulative principle of worship (that God alone determines the manner in which sinners are to approach him) and demonstrates that even the holiday of Christmas, in the manner that people use it as a “holy day,” is in fact filled with superstition, and must be considered will-worship. This is a powerful and scholarly treatise on holding steadfastly to God’s prescribed manner of worship, and an exhortation to throw out all man-made inventions that hinder communion with God. This work is not a scan or facsimile and has been made easy to read with an active table of contents for electronic versions.
This book is a masterful selection of almost 1000 quotations drawn from a wide range of Puritan works. These quotes have been chosen with great care, and arranged under topical headings from "belief" to "worship". This work forms an ideal introduction to the writings of the godly men of the 17th century, and will prove to be rich devotional reading of the highest caliber. For those being introduced to the writings of the Puritans, or those who are already familiar with them, this devotional work will be a treasure to read again and again. The reading of Puritan works has brought great benefit to the people of God across barriers of culture and time. Christians owe a great debt of gratitude to those faithful theologians, pastors and preachers who continue to speak through their writings even though they have long since entered into their heavenly rest in Christ. In these pages, the reader will find that the Puritans knew how to teach and apply God’s Word in the power of the Holy Spirit, and for the glorification of Jesus Christ, while maintaining a solid biblical orthodoxy needed in our day and age. The purpose of this book is to open a door to the vast stores of biblical treasure and wisdom to be found in the writings of the Puritans and that it will stimulate further reading from our Reformed and spiritual heritage. Authors cited include: Nathaniel Vincent, George Walker, Francis Whiddon, William Perkins, Christopher Love, Thomas Hooker, Jeremiah Burroughs, Thomas Case, Jonathan Edwards, Matthew Mead, John Owen, Richard Sibbes, Samuel Ward, Thomas Watson, Thomas Mocket, Ephraim Pagitt, Edmund Calamy, John Arrowsmith, Cuthbert Sydenham, John Beart, Richard Rawlin, Nicholas Byfield, and dozens more. This work is not a scan or facsimile, has been carefully transcribed by hand being made easy to read in modern English, and has an active table of contents for electronic versions.
When it comes to the Christmas Holiday, Christians fall on one of two sides: either they abandon it altogether as pagan and idolatrous, or they celebrate it all together as the most wonderful time of the year. Some have nothing to do with Christmas at all, and others invite Christmas into sermons, Sunday worship, family gatherings and the like. People who believe Christmas is idolatrous quote church history and expound the Regulative Principle of worship. Those who want to celebrate Christmas want to reclaim Christmas as eminently Christian since “Jesus is the Reason for the Season.” What is the biblical view? Is it one or the other, or is there a view more accommodating to both sides? What if both of those extreme views are wrong, and there is another option that is less thought about but more biblically based? Can Christians partake in Christmas…or not? This is not a scan or facsimile, has been updated in modern English for easy reading and has an active table of contents for electronic versions.
Are you your brother's keeper? In this work, originally titled “Church-Reformation Promoted,” Cawdrey deals with Matthew 18:15-17, “If your brother trespasses against thee, etc.” demonstrating the need and necessity of church discipline, and the importance of it. He shows that church discipline is both corrective and preventive. He also demonstrates that discipline furthers true, biblical Reformation in the Christian’s personal life, in his family life, and in the life of the church. This is a scholarly and biblically faithful work that is a must read for today’s contemporary church, and for every elder that oversees God's flock. This is not a facsimile or scanned document. It is newly typeset with an active table of contents for electronic versions.
Why do Christians read, study and hear the Scriptures preached? It is because the bible is the word of God alone. How do we know this? Adoniram Byfield explains from Acts 24:14-16 that people ought to ground their faith only on the Word of God which is written. He explains that if people are to ground their sincere faith only on the written Word, then all who are wise unto salvation, must diligently read it, or, if they cannot read, diligently hear the Scriptures read in public congregations and elsewhere. This is because the Scriptures are the very Word of God. McMahon then takes up the consequence that the Bible is the word of God alone, in that, Christians ought to diligently esteem the ministry of the word. The word of God reveals God’s will in propositions. Christians must also profit from diligently cherishing God’s word. The knowledge of God, Christ and salvation is specially found in the Bible, and nowhere else. And when Christians diligently and highly esteem the word of God, they highly esteem the Lord Jesus Christ, the Eternal Word – the Logos of God. Added is an appendix to the work by Richard Greenham who set down principles that make bible reading and hearing profitable.
In this book Smith argues that Christianity is the only true religion. This particular book was one of Smith’s most popular works, and went through dozens of editions and reprints during his lifetime (his sermons in general had gone through eighty–five editions by 1620). "God’s Arrow" focuses on utterly destroying paganism (the atheism of the natural man), Islam (the religion of carnality) and Roman Catholicism (the religion of the deceived, apostate and Antichristian establishment posing as God’s authority in the world), with an exhortation to unite Christ’s church in the truth rather than divide it. Smith’s arguments are lucid and biblically powerful, and a sanctifying treat to the Christian’s mind and soul. He quickly demonstrates the absurdity of that which is “not the true religion” of Jesus Christ and concretely sets down the right religion contained in Holy Scripture. This is a classic work that should not be missed! This is not a scan or facsimile, and contains an active table of contents for electronic versions.
Christ is such an inexhaustible fountain that sinners cannot ever out desire His mercies. He is an overflowing fountain of infinite mercy and comfort. All other temporal mercies find their eternal significance in him. Nothing will delight the sincere believer, or be enjoyed, if such believers do not in some way partake of His comfort, and His tenderness. They must tap into Christ’s virtue. How will they do this? Durant’s discourse explores the sweetness of Christ's relationship with weak believers, addressing various aspects of this theme. He shows the fallacy of Satan to keep souls from Christ; and the sweetness of Christ to those in His service. His work is taken from Isaiah 40:11, “He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.” The structure of the discourse includes the dependence of the words, their division, and the doctrines derived from them. His main doctrine, is that central teaching presented, emphasizes Christ's sweetness in His dealings with weak members. Most Christians will not admit they are weak. And the idea of the word “weak” seems to be negative. But Durant’s work reaches to all Christians. He shows that Christ's carriage, and the sweetness of that carriage, is demonstrated in not casting off weak believers, but that He preserves their weak graces, strengthens them, bears with their infirmities, not burdening them with tasks they can't handle, and accepts their efforts despite failings. These reasons are drawn from God the Father's commission to Christ, the truth of the inherent weakness in believers, and Christ's intention to build them up as his lambs. The discourse concludes with applications for information, lamentation, reproof, comfort, encouragement, imitation, and exhortation.
In "Sarah and Hagar," Westminster Divine Josiah Shute presents an insightful exploration of faith, redemption, and divine promises through the biblical narrative found in Genesis 16. The work focuses on the complex relationship between Sarah and Hagar, two pivotal women in the life of Abraham whose lives demonstrate God's grace and the unfolding of His redemptive plan. Shute skillfully navigates the text, highlighting themes of obedience, hope, and divine intervention that resonate deeply with the Christian faith. Shute explores the concept of redemption, drawing parallels between Hagar's journey of submission and faith, and the Christian experience of salvation through Jesus Christ. The encounter of Hagar with the Angel of the Lord in the wilderness is depicted as a turning point, symbolizing the reformation power of God's grace that extends hope and redemption to the marginalized and oppressed. It explores typology and foreshadowing, connecting the Old and New Testaments in a manner that reveals Jesus Christ as the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises. Shute invites readers to reflect on the character of God, as revealed through His interactions with Sarah, Hagar, and Abraham. This theological contemplation sheds light on God's boundless faithfulness, grace, and willingness to intervene in the lives of sinful individuals, offering a message of hope and redemption. "Sarah and Hagar" also holds contemporary relevance, encouraging readers to find echoes of faith, grace, and redemption in their own lives. Shute challenges us to contemplate our personal spiritual journeys against the backdrop of these ancient narratives, recognizing the timeless scriptural foundations that continue to guide and inspire us as God’s word. Ultimately, the book calls readers to embrace hope, grace, and redemption through the intertwined events of Sarah and Hagar, enriched with divine promises and deep theological insights. It reminds us of God's unwavering fidelity to His redemptive promises and culminates in the ultimate promise of salvation through Jesus Christ.
This treatise on 2 Peter 1:11 is a puritan gem. Drawing from the rich well of Scripture, Janeway emphasizes the vital role of God's Word in providing comfort, conviction, and guidance for those engaged in the earnest service of Christ. He directs readers to deepen their relationship with the Lord, relying on His promises and grace as a source of encouragement. Janeway rightly explains the nature of Christian service as a joyful privilege and presents practical ways to find encouragement amidst the challenges and trials that believers face. Recognizing the inevitable trials and obstacles encountered in Christian service, Janeway teaches readers to embrace a biblical perspective on suffering, seek solace through prayer and dependence on God, and find comfort in the fellowship and support of fellow believers. In all this Janeway points believers to the enduring hope found in Christ. He reminds us that our service is not in vain and that our present struggles are temporary compared to the eternal rewards and glory that await us. By anchoring our hearts in this eternal hope, we as believers can persevere and thrive in our commitment to Christ's service. Discover the power of encouragement and embark on a transformative journey in the service of Christ through this work.
This volume is a compilation of six of Preston’s smaller treatises and sermons. His first treatise concerns the doctrine of irresistible grace as a cornerstone to Christian assurance. All the letters of TULIP stand or fall together, regardless of how inconsistent some might be in understanding those five points of the doctrines of grace. In this treatise, John Preston takes to task the false teachings of the heretic James Arminius, and demonstrates the error that people can hold themselves in God’s grace, or they can work to an end of salvation in their own strength. Biblical grace is irresistible. In his sermon on The Pillar and Ground of the Truth, from 1 Timothy 3:15, he shows the role of the church as the truth, and its stance as a pillar by the grace of God. The Church is described as God’s flock and the pillar of truth, requiring diligent care by ministers and adherence to God’s laws and His prescriptions by members. In his sermon on Isaiah 64:4, A Sensible Demonstration of the Deity, he tackles the wonderful doctrine of God’s existence, coupled with eyeing creation and providence correctly. Preston emphasizes the importance of relying on the Creator, and having foresight and discernment in recognizing and addressing impending dangers surrounding life’s circumstances, knowing full well that God governs all things. In his sermon on Ephesians 5:15, Exact Walking, “Take heed that you walk therefore circumspectly (or exactly) not as fools, but as wise,” Preston emphasizes the importance of walking with God with exactness as a manifestation of true biblical wisdom. In Preston’s sermon on 1 Sam. 12:20-22, Samuel’s Support for Sorrowful Sinners, he emphasizes the importance of immediate repentance and returning to God after committing sin. He argues that delaying repentance allows sin to harden the heart further and exposes individuals to more sins. In his sermon on The New Life, Preston explains 1 John 5:12, where the essence of life in Jesus Christ is explored in contrast to spiritual death. He emphasizes that the quality of one’s life is determined by their desires and actions in Christ, drawing parallels between a life of sin and one of grace; those in Christ, and those outside of Christ.
