The Narrated Puritan

his sermon was first published in 1614 in London under the original title The Devills Banket: Described in Four Sermons (printed by Thomas Snodham for Ralph Mab). In that original 1614 edition, this specific installment was titled "The Second Service". Regarding when it was preached:While the exact date of delivery is unrecorded, the title page of the 1614 edition identifies Thomas Adams as "Preacher of God's word at Willington, in Bedfordshire," where he served as minister starting around 1611–1612 until accepting a new appointment as Vicar of Wingrave in Buckinghamshire in 1614. Therefore, he preached this series sometime between 1612 and 1614 before sending it to press. Later, when Adams compiled his massive collected folio (The Workes of Tho: Adams) in 1629 (reissued in 1630), the series title was softened to "The Fatal Banquet," which is the title preserved in the 19th-century Nichol's Puritan Divines edition

In this chapter, John Owen establishes the indispensable necessity of the Holy Spirit's regenerating work by exposing the total spiritual darkness and depravity of the unregenerate human mind. Refuting claims that regeneration is merely external moral reform or that fallen human reason retains an untainted "inner light" capable of grasping divine truth, Owen distinguishes between objective darkness (lacking the outward preaching of the gospel) and subjective darkness (an inward spiritual blindness that corrupts the mind, understanding, and heart). Drawing extensively on Ephesians 4:17–18 and 1 Corinthians 2:14, he demonstrates that while natural people can grasp biblical doctrines notionally, they suffer from a twofold inability—both a natural lack of spiritual sight and a willful moral hostility—that renders the supernatural mysteries of the gospel "foolishness" to them. Far from being a passive void, this inner darkness is an active, ruling power that fills the mind with enmity against God, earthly desires, and deep-seated prejudices, making it impossible for any person to savingly understand or embrace Christ without an immediate, supernatural illumination from the Holy Ghost.

In Chapters 3 and 4 of Preparations for Suffering, John Flavel explains that God routinely forewarns His people of approaching trials—not through supernatural signs today, but through clear moral and spiritual indicators such as corrupted worship, stubborn impenitence, spiritual apathy, persecution of the faithful, the sudden loss of godly leaders, and bitter national divisions—so that believers might avert judgment through repentance, brace themselves to endure it, or leave the unrepentant without excuse. Flavel then demonstrates the immense value of cultivating a heart genuinely ready to suffer for Christ, showing that spiritual preparation anchors the soul in peace during crises, proves the sincerity of one's faith and love, prevents apostasy, convicts a watching world, pleases God so deeply that He often accepts the willingness in place of the actual sacrifice, and ensures swift restoration even if a believer momentarily stumbles under pressure.

A modernized slightly abridged version. In his classic exposition of Romans 5:10, "Men Naturally Are God's Enemies," Jonathan Edwards demonstrates that unredeemed human beings are not merely imperfect or morally flawed, but active, mortal enemies of their Creator in their minds, affections, wills, and daily conduct. Because fallen humanity has traded the true God for the idols of self and the world, people instinctively resent God's absolute holiness and strict authority, even when fear, upbringing, or self-interest masks that hostility beneath outward religious respect. Edwards explains that only God's restraining grace prevents human corruption from turning the earth into an immediate hell, and that God owes no mercy to those who persist in rebellion against Him. Ultimately, however, this sobering diagnosis serves to magnify the astonishing grace of the gospel: while we were still His enemies, God loved us enough to send His Son to die for our reconciliation—calling those who receive such undeserved mercy to marvel at Christ's love and extend genuine forgiveness to their own enemies.

A modernized text: In the first two chapters of Preparation for Sufferings, John Flavel uses the Apostle Paul's resolute journey toward imprisonment and death in Jerusalem (Acts 21:13) to establish that it is a profound blessing for believers to have their hearts spiritually prepared for whatever severe trials God calls them to endure. While God takes no pleasure in afflicting His children and delays judgment as long as possible, He nonetheless calls them to suffer whenever His providence hedges them in so tightly that sin is the only escape. Ultimately, God ordains these painful seasons for two overarching purposes: to display His own glory by upholding His righteousness and miraculously preserving His Church, and to advance His people's true spiritual good—mortifying inner sin, proving genuine faith, purging hypocrites, uniting believers in shared hardship, and awakening them to fervent prayer.

Persuasives to Early Piety (often published with the subtitle Interspersed with Suitable Prayers) is a 19th-century Christian devotional work by English Baptist minister John Gregory Pike that urgently appeals to young readers to dedicate their lives to God. Written in an earnest, direct style reminiscent of earlier Puritan literature, the book argues for the immediate necessity of Christian faith by contrasting the fleeting nature of youth and worldly pleasures with the eternal consequences of salvation and judgment. Throughout its chapters, Pike addresses common objections to early religious commitment, warns against spiritual complacency, highlights the joy and security found in following Christ, and provides practical guidance alongside written prayers to help young believers cultivate a lasting spiritual life.

Long esteemed as one of the most valued works from the 19th century on the art of mothering and the glory of the work of the mother at home. For any girl who was raised without much discipline and in need of instruction on proper discipline of her own children, this is a superb guide. Rarely in print and worth obtaining at any price. Christian mothers who want biblical counsel on Christian child rearing will find this book valuable." -Grace and Truth Books "The object of this book is practical utility, not literary effect. It is written for mothers in the common walks of life. There are many mothers, in every village of our land, who are looking eagerly for information respecting the government of their children. It is hoped that the following treatise may render them some assistance." from the Author's Preface

In Chapter 1, John Owen establishes that while the Holy Spirit carries out general works of grace like regeneration and sanctification in all believers, He also provides specific, vital aid tailored directly to the duty of prayer. Recognizing prayer—encompassing meditation, petition, praise, and thanksgiving—as a universal religious duty rooted in natural law and confirmed by Scripture, Owen argues that true spiritual life and acceptable worship are impossible without it. Despite Scripture giving more explicit emphasis to the Spirit's role in prayer than in almost any other duty, Owen highlights a sharp contemporary division between those who mock Spirit-led prayer as a worthless human trick and believers who cherish it as their highest privilege and source of strength. Ultimately, he frames the Holy Spirit's direct operation in prayer as the central hinge of Christian worship and sets out his two core objectives for the book: to prove from the New Covenant that this special work of the Spirit is promised to believers, and to explain the precise manner in which the Holy Spirit operates when we pray.