Recommended Reading 

The Glory of Christ, is an abridged, 'easier to read' edition of John Owen's richest and most mature piece of writing, his meditations on the glory of Christ. Owen tells us that the work began in his personal meditation on John 17.24, and later was shared with his congregation. The book was Owen's last completed work, written at the end of his life; 'his dying testimony to the truth as it is in Jesus'.

In these pages Owen shares with us the glory of Christ he knew and pondered. And, as the wise Pastor he was, helps us to see Christ's glory more clearly and to love him more dearly. I know of no other book to stand comparison with this, as I know of no other English theologian and teacher of God's Word who surpassed  Owen's gifts.

Publisher: Banner of Truth Trust, Paperback, 184 pages

Price £5 + Postage

The book can be bought online here:  https://banneroftruth.org/uk

A friend once said to Archibald Brown that the sermons he found most helpful and enjoyable were simple sermons. 'What do you mean by a simple sermon?', his pastor replied. The answer was, 'One that is all about the Lord.' This book contains many of Archibald Brown's outstanding sermons on the Person and Work of Christ. It takes the reader to the heart of Brown's ministry, which had an attractiveness and relevance that will never dim.

The sermons are 'simple' Biblical discoveries of the glory of Christ. In a sense the title says it all. Heart-warming, Christ glorifying, at times magnificently bold in their perception of the true beauty of the Lord.

A quote from the sermon, 'He spoke of me', a profound sense of the inner life of the Holy Trinity:

'Oh, how infinitely precious Jesus must have been to the Father! How the coming of Christ occupied the Father's thoughts. May I say it without undue boldness? It looks as if God the Father could think of nothing else. And when the Holy Ghost writes the Book he too can never get away from that face. Every story, every incident, all serves to picture him.'

Publisher: Banner of Truth Trust, Paperback, 296 pages

Price £8.00 + Postage

The book can be bought online here: https://banneroftruth.org/uk

Publisher: Banner of Truth Trust, Paperback, 176 pages

Price £5 + Postage

'The Heart of Christ in Heaven towards Sinners on Earth' by Thomas Goodwin. Goodwin was a contemporary and colleague of John Owen. While Owen was Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University, Goodwin was President of Magdalen College; for many years they shared a Sunday afternoon pulpit, and co-authored the 'Savoy Declaration'.

Some find Goodwin easier to read than Owen, some find him less easy (I'm one of those). But this little book is a pearl of very great price!

Here Goodwin unfolds the 'heart of Christ' in his caring, patient, tender affections for his people, in all our weakness, failures and unworthiness. Goodwin has the sensitivity of a gentle pastor. He looks deeply into the compassion and kindness of Christ in glory. In my experience, Goodwin is unsurpassed by any preacher, of any age, in his understanding of the Saviour's tender heart towards sinners. As Goodwin set out the Saviour's profound love for those he redeemed, he left us a book of unique beauty, helping us to see that 'never was there such love as this'!

A book to hold to, to keep close at hand; all the more when the dark clouds of doubt drift across your heart and soul. If you're able to summon up enough stamina only to read one book by a Puritan maybe it should be this one.

The book can be bought online here: https://banneroftruth.org/uk

Few minister of the gospel have been as richly gifted as Jonathan Edwards. Hugh Martin referred to Edwards as 'that greatest of metaphysical divines'. Maybe that's claiming too much, but maybe only a little too much. It's beyond doubt that in depth of insight, heart affection and sheer mental ability Jonathan Edwards had few equals.

This exposition of 1 Corinthians 13 glows with a blend of Christ-centred affection and rich insight into Scripture. The concluding chapter, on heaven, has been said to be 'perhaps the most beautiful in all Edwards's writings'.

It is entirely appropriate that this book is described as 'beautiful'. Jonathan Edwards stands almost alone as a Reformed theologian who took seriously the transcendent divine attribute of 'beauty'. He integrated 'beauty' into the spectrum of his theological vision, together with 'truth' and 'goodness', in a way no other Puritan aspired to. His comprehensive meditation on the fullness of the glory of God has been equalled only by very few and this volume is among Edwards's supreme achievements as a theologian and preacher. 'Charity and Its Fruits' would be among the enduring and soul-altering books to hold close were you to be cast on a deserted island!

Publisher: Banner of Truth Trust, Paperback, 384 pages

Price £7.75 + Postage

The book can be bought online here: https://banneroftruth.org/uk