The second instalment of our Puritan mini-series looks at John Flavel, the great evangelist and pastor-theologian of Devon, in England's southwest. A man who knew the Lord's blessing as a disciple, an evangelist, a pastor, and a writer, he also knew great hardship and government-sanctioned opposition.

See map of Devon (the county where Flavel ministered).

Featured Resources:

– 'John Flavel', presumed to be by Iain H. Murray, featured in the Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 60 (September 1968).

– 'The Character of a Complete Evangelical Pastor Drawn by Christ', John Flavel, sermon notes featured in the Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 8 (August 1957).

Works by Flavel

All Things Made New: Living the Christian Life (Portions selected and edited by Lewis Allen, Puritan Paperbacks, 320 pages)

Binge Drinking (Pocket Puritans, 80 pages)

Facing Grief: Counsel for Mourners (Puritan Paperbacks, 136 pages)

Impure Lust (Pocket Puritans, 80 pages)

The Mystery of Providence (Puritan Paperbacks, 224 pages)

None But Jesus: Selections from the Writings of John Flavel (Pocket Puritans, 176 pages)

Preparations for Sufferings (Puritan Paperbacks, 176 pages)

Sinful Speech: Sins of the Tongue (Pocket Puritans, 96 pages)

The Works of John Flavel (6 Clothbound volumes, 3667 pages)

Second clip from Sinclair Ferguson used with the permission of Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary.

Original Clip: I've never read any Puritan books, where should I start?

Explore the work of the Banner of Truth: www.banneroftruth.org

Subscribe to the Magazine (print/digital/both): www.banneroftruth.org/magazine

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In May of 1871, Charles Haddon Spurgeon contributed an article to The Sword and Trowel on the kind of ministry, and the kind of minister, needed by the churches, and how such ministers might be raised up.

Spurgeon's blend of sanctified common sense and discerning, even wry commentary on trends current in his own day will, it is hoped, stimulate thought on the sort of ministry the Scriptures encourage us to pursue and foster.

Featured Article:

– 'The Ministry Needed by the Churches', C. H. Spurgeon, The Sword and Trowel, May 1871, featured in the Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 20 (April 1960).

Related Resources:

Charles Bridges, The Christian Ministry: With an Inquiry into the Causes of its Inefficiency (https://banneroftruth.org/store/church-ministry/the-christian-ministry/)

Charles Spurgeon, Lectures to my Students (https://banneroftruth.org/store/church-ministry/lectures-to-my-students/)

Charles Spurgeon, The Pastor in Prayer (https://banneroftruth.org/store/christian-living/the-pastor-in-prayer/)

Explore the work of the Banner of Truth: www.banneroftruth.org

Subscribe to the Magazine (print/digital/both): www.banneroftruth.org/magazine

Leave us a voice message: www.speakpipe.com/magazinepodcast

The Puritans were a diverse group of evangelically-minded, confessionally reformed pastors of the seventeenth century whose great priority was to glorify God in their personal lives, in their families, and in the churches they served.

This week we introduce two lesser-known Puritans from the north of England, Thomas Jolley (or Jollie) and Oliver Heywood, along with some of their brethren. In the crucible of affliction, these men proved the faithfulness of God to those who labour in His harvest fields, even when the harvest is hampered by temptations within and trials without.

Featured Articles:

– 'Thomas Jolley of Wymondhouses', Iain H. Murray, Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 49 (July/August 1967).

– 'First Nonconformist Ordinations in Yorkshire', Roy Middleton, Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 146 (November 1975).

Related Resources:

– Text version of 'First Nonconformist Ordinations in Yorkshire': https://banneroftruth.org/resources/articles/2019/the-first-nonconformist-ordinations-in-yorkshire/

– Book: William Grimshaw of Howarth, by Faith Cook (clothbound, 368 pages – also available in paperback).

https://banneroftruth.org/store/history-biography/william-grimshaw-of-haworth-2/

– Book: Douglas Higgins: Autobiography of a Yorkshire Christian (paperback, 104 pages).

https://banneroftruth.org/store/history-biography/douglas-higgins/

Banner Borders Conference (serving the north of England and south of Scotland):

https://conferences.banneroftruth.org/conferences/borders-conference/

Explore the work of the Banner of Truth: www.banneroftruth.org

Subscribe to the Magazine (print/digital/both): www.banneroftruth.org/magazine

Leave us a voice message: www.speakpipe.com/magazinepodcast