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?

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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

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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

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'Religion was first hatched in families', wrote Thomas Manton, 'and there the devil seeketh to crush it.'

It behoves us, then, as believers, to be watchful, and to guard the spiritual vitality of our families.

This week's podcast episode is an extended encouragement to all fathers and mothers to pursue family piety.

Featured Resources:

– 'Epistle to the Reader' by Thomas Manton, found in The Westminster Confession and Associated Historical Documents (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 2018).

– 'Letter to Pastors Regarding Family Worship', article by Dr. Joel R. Beeke, featured in the Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 582 (March 2012).

– 'Family Worship', excerpt from sermon by J. H. Merle D'Aubigne, featured in the Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 582 (March 2012).

– Excerpts from Chapter IV of The Lives of Philip and Matthew Henry (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1974). This title is currently out of print.

Other Episodes on Similar Topics:

– When a Child Turns Away: https://bannermagazine.podbean.com/e/when-a-child-turns-away/

– The Home Under Christ: https://bannermagazine.podbean.com/e/the-home-under-christ/

– A Godly Father's Counsel to His Children: https://bannermagazine.podbean.com/e/a-godly-father-s-counsel-to-his-children/

– The High Calling of Motherhood: https://bannermagazine.podbean.com/e/the-high-calling-of-motherhood/

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

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The hearts of Christian parents should long for the salvation of their children.

This week, we read J Gary Aitken's digest of some of the letters of James Henley Thornwell (1812–1862). These touching letters manifest Thornwell's watchful concern for his children's eternal happiness, encouraging and challenging believing parents today.

Featured Article:

– 'Readings from a Covenant Father's Heart', article by J. Gary Aitken, featured in the Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 172 (January 1978).

About the contributor:

Dr J. Gary Aitken ministered at First Presbyterian Church, Clarksdale, Mississippi, and Covenant Presbyterian Church, Colombia, South Carolina.

Buy The Collected Writings of James Henley Thornwell:

https://banneroftruth.org/store/collected-workssets/collected-writings-of-james-henley-thornwell/

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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'This book will make a traveller of thee...'

So begins John Bunyan's classic The Pilgrim's Progress. Many Christians of the past four centuries would testify that it is indeed a book to stir up the heavenbound pilgrim – offering encouragement, challenge, warning, and hope to the man, woman, or child, who desires to attain to the life to come.

But the book has its critics, even prominent ones, and can be a challenging read for modern Christians. With this in mind, we read John Muether's commendation of Bunyan's classic, and an excerpt from the Trust's recent paperback edition of C. H. Spurgeon's Pictures from Pilgrim's Progress.

Featured Content:

– 'Why Evangelicals Don't Read Pilgrim's Progress (and Why They Should)', John Muether, originally published in a Reformed Theological Seminary publication. This was featured on the Banner website on Nov. 2, 2003:

https://banneroftruth.org/resources/articles/2003/why-evangelicals-dont-read-pilgrims-progress-and-why-they-should/

– C. H. Spurgeon, Pictures from Pilgrim's Progress (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 2024), pp. 145–153.

About the Contributors:

John R. Muether joined Reformed Theological Seminary-Orlando as Library Director in 1989. Mr. Muether also serves as Professor of Church History, teaching core courses on education in the church, Christian engagement with culture and church government as well as elective courses on various topics.

Mr. John R. Muether's faculty page: https://rts.edu/people/mr-john-r-muether/

C. H. Spurgeon was, for most of the second half of the 19th century, England’s best-known preacher, becoming converted to Christianity at the age of 15 in 1850. During the 1850s, London’s largest halls overflowed with people wanting to hear this youthful minister preach. During the 1860s, he founded the Metropolitan Tabernacle, along with a college for pastors and an orphanage, and he was already publishing sermons and a monthly magazine. He authored many books, with some of the most popular Charles Spurgeon books including Flowers From a Puritan’s Garden with its inspiring illustrations and meditations; A Defence of Calvinism, where Spurgeon explains and defends Biblical teachings about God’s grace in the Gospels; and the C.H. Spurgeon Autobiography, volumes 1 and 2. Volume 1 is subtitled “The Early Years,” while Volume 2 is “The Full Harvest 1860-1892.” The C.H. Spurgeon Autobiography is also available as a two-volume set.

Buy Pictures from Pilgrim's Progress:

https://banneroftruth.org/store/theology-books/pictures-from-pilgrims-progress/

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Many are the paradoxes of the Christian life. One such paradox is that it is often in times of suffering that we gain the most, from a spiritual standpoint. As we stand at the gate of the year, we must prepare ourselves for suffering. We have been told to expect it as a built-in feature of the heavenward life. Such preparation is an exercise of faith, as we trust that God is able to turn the worst circumstances to our good. This week's articles help us in this effort.

Featured Content:

– Excerpt from a sermon by William Bridge, featured as 'Faith in Suffering Times' in the Banner of Truth Magazine, Issues 70–71 (July–August 1969).

– 'Abounding Hope', Letter by John Welsh, January 6, 1606, featured in the Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 171 (December 1977).

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

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There are few, if any, earthly sorrows like the loss of a child.

In Pain of a Particular Kind, Peter Barnes draws on his own experience to help parents (and grandparents) who have suffered such a loss.

As he says in the Introduction, ‘This is not a work of apologetics, but a brief attempt to understand and work through grief, for myself, my family, and for any other readers. It has only heightened the sense of my own need to receive comfort myself. Such comfort can only come from the God who is our creator and our redeemer. The hope remains that God will use this book to minister to and bless any of his people who have suffered the agony of losing a child.’

Peter Barnes is the retired minister of Revesby Presbyterian Church, New South Wales, Australia. He written a number of books, including 'Abortion: Open Your Mouth for the Dumb' and 'John Calvin: Man of God's Word Written and Preached' with the Banner.

Buy Pain of a Particular Kind: The Loss of a Child (Small paperback, 88 pages), or sign up for Waitlist - expected in the UK in early January:

https://banneroftruth.org/store/christian-living/pain-of-a-particular-kind/

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

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