March 29th, 2010
Thomas, I.D.E. A Puritan Golden Treasury. Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 2007. 322 pp. $12.00. Purchase at Westminster Books.
Introduction
Isaac David Ellis Thomas was minister of Zion Baptist Church in Llanelli, Wales before conducting preaching-missions work in Europe, Canada and the United States. Since finishing that work, he has moved to the United States where he has served as a minister at First Baptist Church in Maywood, California. He also serves as a chancellor of a seminary in California while having established seminaries in the Far East.
Summary
A Puritan Golden Treasury is a compilation of some 1,500 quotes from the 17th century men known as the Puritans. The purpose of this book is to introduce to the modern reader, the wide array of available literature from the pens of these great saints from yesteryear. The Puritans are generally characterized by:
- A Calvinistic Theology (sovereignty of God)
- Supreme authority of Scripture
- The importance of preaching as a means of grace
- a desire for church purity
- strict morality (in a much needed way today)
- advocacy of civil liberty
This book of choice quotes is arranged topically in alphabetical order. Thomas starts with Adoption and ends with Worship. He selects only quotes from the English Puritans; thus, men like Jonathan Edwards is not in this book though he is generally considered a Puritan.
Recommendation
If you are a pastor, a student, or a lover of sound theology, then you need this book. Many pastors like to find choice quotes to sprinkle throughout their sermons. This will be a lasting resource for that! As a student, you will find that the Puritans probably discussed many of the topics that you will write about in your papers. As a Christian in general, you will be introduced to some men, though dead, still speak to us today.
I confess I have had this book for some time and have not really cracked it until last week. Once I did, I couldn’t put it down! There is a quote for just about everything. I was amazed at the breadth and depth of these men as I read page after page. I highly recommend that you pick up a copy today and chase the rabbit down the hole as far as it will go. You will not be disappointed by the universe you discover.
Christian Book Notes 