ORDINARY PILGRIMS

In my preaching and teaching I will often mention "the Puritans," or quote from someone whom I refer to as "a Puritan." At times I have given a sentence or two to explain who these men were, but most often I just blaze right on by. So, if you are unfamiliar with these men, I write this to help you understand to whom I am referring. And if you are vaguely familiar with the Puritans, then I hope this will sharpen your grasp a little more. Further, I also hope that this post will commend these men to you as those worth reading, and who are, generally, worthy of our respect. Here's my attempt at a brief explanation of the Puritans: The Puritans were Protestant Christians who lived primarily in England between 1550 and 1700 (roughly). They were zealous for the authority of Scripture, the glory of God, the purity of the Church, and bringing Scripture to bear on every area of life--from the political sphere to the private devotional life of every believer....

The Mute Christian It is true that all of Scripture is useful for promoting godliness in the life of a believer (2 Tim 3:16-17). Yet, it is also true that certain doctrines rise above others in stirring up true piety in the Christian life. Thomas Brooks (1608-1680) wrote a book on a subject that, if received, would do much in the promotion of godliness. The book is entitled,  The Mute Christian Under the Smarting Rod  (and is available in Kindle format on our church's e-library ). The book is essentially an exposition and application of Psalm 39:9 which reads, I am mute; I do not open my mouth, for it is you who have done it. This verse comes in reference to the discipline David was experiencing under "the hostility" of God's own hand (v. 10), an experience which always threatens to unsettle and upset a godly soul. Indeed, experiencing God's hand of discipline can be very painful as Scripture itself acknowledges (Heb 12:11). As a result, we often vex and r...