Author- JAMES I.PACKER
Publisher- Kingsway Publications Ltd.
ISBN- 0-86065-452-4
This book was first published in 1991 but is still available. All who are concerned to be mature Christians should read it. J.I.Packer testifies of the great impact Puritan writings have had in his own life and ministry. They lived during the period 1550 through to 1700 and exemplified a maturity and fixedness of purpose coupled with great joy which is not true of the twenty first century church. Reading this book will help you to breath another atmosphere. The chapters take a broad based look at various aspects of the Puritan vision. Their view of the gospel and its power; their experience of the Holy Spirit; their love of the Bible and manner of interpreting it, their manner of living in marriage and family and their attitude toward Christian ministry are examined in a series of essays some of which had appeared in print earlier. Puritans were a positive force in real life and have been portrayed unfairly as dour and joyless people. This view of the Puritans was a re writing of history encouraged by King Charles II after he took the throne in England following the demise of the commonwealth under Oliver Cromwell. Reading these essays brings to light the passionate and holy living of these men and women of old and challenge the complacent church of today. The Puritans are dead, yet they speak through their writings. They say things to us that we badly need to hear at this time. It is vitally important for the Christians of today that they learn from great Christians of the past and the Puritan age had a multitude of spiritual giants. The centrality of God in all Puritan writings is such a contrast to the man centered writings of today. It causes us the more to live on the edge of eternity and to turn away from this world’s gaudy show. A diligent reading of this book will both excite and enlarge the heart that seeks a mature walk with God it will act as a primer to the Puritans and whet the appetite to read more of the writings of these men, treasures only in recent years being republished.
