What Is Zeal?
We all have some idea of what zeal is, for to a certain degree we are all zealots. The question is not whether we are zealous but what we are zealous for. Zeal runs in our veins for what we…
Category Meet the Puritans
Sanctification By Faith
Several years ago a controversy erupted concerning the doctrine of sanctification. One of the key participants emphasized that Christian obedience is “faith-fueled.” This important point, of course, was not in itself controversial and was wholeheartedly affirmed by everyone involved as…
Wednesday @ Westminster: Can I Know God Exists?
“Can I know God exists?” This is what militant atheism of the Richard Dawkins stripe has stridently sought to convince us the answer is “No!” For a god they deny exists they sure do spend a lot of time talking…
Puritan Preaching: Westminster’s Directory
“Preach it, brother!” We’ve all heard the exhortation. But what does it mean to preach? And how should one preach? In part 1 of my series on Puritan Preaching we looked at John’s Bunyan’s, The Pilgrim’s Progress. Here I want to draw…
Meet a Puritan: Richard Alleine
Richard Alleine (1611–1681) Life The uncle and father-in-law of Joseph Alleine, Richard Alleine was born in Ditcheat, Somersetshire, where his father was rector of the parish church for more than fifty years. His father served as his tutor, preparing…
Contending for the Faith
From time to time I am asked why as an Anglican I include reading the Puritans as a discipline in my daily office of prayer (Anglican clergy take an oath to pray through Morning and Evening Prayer from the Book…
Who Was James Durham?
People are familiar with the English Puritans, but what about thier Scottish contemporaries? With this post I hope to begin a small series of posts on one of the great Scots theologians, James Durham (1622-1658). Whilst the name James Durham is relatively unknown today,…
Wednesday @ Westminster: Why Do I Exist?
Why do I exist? This is what the opening question of the Westminster Larger Catechism is all about: What is the chief and highest end of man? Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy…
February’s Meet the Puritans Resource
In 2016, every two months (Feb, Apr, June, Aug, Oct, Dec) we will be producing a Meet the Puritans Resource, which you will be able to find linked under Our Resources. These will be classic texts with introductions, footnotes, and…
Book Review: The Fading of the Flesh
George Swinnock, The Fading of the Flesh and the Flourishing of Faith, ed. J. Stephen Yulie (Grand Rapids: Reformation Heritage Books, 2009). 170pp. When it comes to old books, I am a purist. Ordinarily, something is lost along the…