Packer Introductions – serie

Henry Scougal died in 1657 at the age of 27 but by then he was already Professor of Divinity at Aberdeen University.This timeless classic was originally written to encourage a friend and stimulate his spiritual life. It was so appreciated that it was later published as a book for a wider readership.A hundred years later a copy was sent to George Whitefield by his friend, Charles Wesley – it was instrumental in Whitefield’s conversion. This book provided much of the stimulation behind the Methodist Revival of Britain and the Great Awakening in America. In it Scougal explains the four essential characteristics of divine life, their excellence, their advantages and the practical steps that you can take in realising them as your personal experience.

A clear and vigorous challenge to preachers and laymen to remain persistent in sharing the gospel with unsaved people. The book is split in two parts: 1. The promise of duty. How does Christ make men ‘fishers of men’? Why are unconverted men compared to fish under water? In what ways are ministers fishers by office? 2. How may I come by this art? What following Christ supposes and implies? In which way is Christ to be followed? This is a classic explanation of the Puritan approach to evangelism that is also an encouragement for anyone explaining the gospel to someone else.

This is John Flavel’s classic work on union and fellowship with God. In a comprehensive and helpful manner Flavel helps us understand better what ‘keeping the heart’ means. He tells us why we should take this commission seriously and speaks about there being particular times when we need to be especially wary of being distracted from our goal. He then shows how we can go on to develop a greater ability in keeping our hearts in tune with God. His advice is timeless, sensitive and profound. Flavel was an English Puritan who became a non–conformist after the ‘Great Ejection’ of 1662. It was 10 years before he was licenced to preach again, and then only in his own home. His writings, when collected in the 19th century, filled 6 volumes. Flavel’s writings are known for their practical nature. He was instrumental in promoting the ‘Happy Union’ of Presbyterians and Congregationalists.

Throughout Bunyan’s great allegories his prime concern was that people would be able to discern the way to heaven. The ‘Footman’ is an athlete dogged in the pursuit of ‘winning’ the race.Bunyan wants us to be able run the race of the Christian life and finish the course so that we might all meet in Heaven. As he states in this book:– ‘Farewell, I wish our souls may meet with comfort at the journey’s end.’Based on the text ‘so run that ye may obtain’ (1 Cor. 9:24), Bunyan’s terse and racy style gives us vital guidance on how to complete the journey. This is regarded as one of the classic texts to have come from the Puritan era on Christian living. Bunyan is well known for his perceptiveness in describing human motivation and thought processes with discernment as he gives us the ‘description of the man who gets to heaven.’

Matthew Henry, the great Puritan commentator, here looks at what gives people real joy. He looks at 12 different types of Christian pleasure, reviews what God has done to bring sinners joy, demonstrates that Christian experience proves this and challenges the reader to join in! This was Matthew Henry’s last book and was at the press when he died in 1714. This classic of Christian living is brought to you by J. I. Packer who adds an extensive introduction to the book showing its significance and gestation from Henry’s ministry.

Here one of the leading authorities on the Puritans, J. I. Packer introduces us to their rich theology and deep spirituality. Packer gives us profiles of John Flavel, Thomas Boston, John Bunyan, Matthew Henry, Henry Scougal, John Owen and Stephen Charnock and two closer portraits of William Perkins and Richard Baxter. The writings of the Puritans continue to profoundly reward readers and here J. I. Packer brings them alive in an inspiring way to encourage a new generation to experience their delights.

The most important message for every person is that of the need for repentance – by one of the last great Puritan preachers, Thomas Boston (1676–1732).With wonderful exposition, Boston opens up a multitude of scripture passages on an issue that it is the duty of every Christian to tell the world of – the impending judgment that awaits each one of us, the call for repentance now, and a message of hope and assurance only to be found in Christ.

In this stimulating work Stephen Charnock links the Old and New Testaments with this classic explanation of how the sacrifice of Jesus Christ fulfils the Old Testament sacrificial system. He particularly illustrates the importance of the Passover, and opens up our understanding of the differences which characterise the New Testament Church era. He shows that Jesus willingly submitted to the pain he knew he would go through, in order to bring us the blessings of a new covenant with God. The Puritans were brought up on the Bible; for a Puritan mind a clear text from the Bible settled all controversy. It is this discipline and clear sightedness which makes their work so valuable to today’s generation.