Saturday March 29th, 2025
My desire for this and all my book reviews is to provide enough background and details while balancing brevity. By the grace of God I will be back at a later date to rework this and provide anything pertinent at the time of the first writing. Soli Deo Gloria
Words cannot describe the impact this book has had on me. The backstory and my experience of this book is of the providence of God. This is the first Puritan work I had ever read and got me excited to read them. The book is published from Chapel Library (https://www.chapellibrary.org), who is an excellent source for reformed evangelistic resources. The books and tracts are of more economical quality as they meant to be given out. I had ordered some merchandise from Jared Payne at A Pilgrim's Coffer Theology (https://www.apilgrimscoffer.com/about-us/) and along with the ordered items, he included the copy shown above. I never get unsolicited items so I was excited that someone would do that for me. At the time I could not begin to imagine the impact this book was going to have on me. Only God Himself, in His perfect wisdom (Romans 11:33–34) would know the affect it was going to have.
At that point in time, it had been years since I read a book so I was pretty rusty. I knew I had to read this, I had a sense of conviction and obligation. Jared was gracious enough to use his own funds to buy this book and send it along unsolicited, could I not at least give an effort to read it?
This was the first Puritan work I had ever read and was not ready for it. The Puritans are a heavy read, if you are doing right you will be sore grieved after reading it. You will be convicted of your unrighteousness and the absolute righteousness of God, His Son Jesus Christ, and His Holy Spirit.
For someone reading the Puritans for the first time, they would probably not know that the Puritans were some of the brightest minds (not just in terms of theology) but in natural sciences as well during the sevententh century and onward. Many major prestiegous universities were Puritan strongholds so they were more than quite read. The Puritans had a very destinct writing style, they are very systematic in truly exegeting Scripture. At a very broad level they will usually begin with their basis for writing the book with scriptual backing, then usually go on to confirm what it is not, what it is, some applications and examples. I will outline below how Thomas Watson structured his work to give an idea.
Epistle to the reader
1. A Preliminary Discourse
2. Counterfeit Repentance
3. The Nature of True Repentance, Part 1
4. The Nature of True Repentance, Part 2
5. The Reasons Enforcing Repentance
6. A Serious Exhortation to Repentance
7. Powerful Motives to Repentance
8. Exhortations to Speedy Repentance
9. The Trial of Our Repentance
10. Removing Impediments to Repentance
11. Means for Repentance: Serious Considerations
12. Means for Repentance: Other Means
As you can see from the above, Watson begins with an epistle and discourse before getting into what the topic is not before moving onto what the topic is, and then following sections to further break down that topic in terms of a call to action, the application, pitfalls to watch out for, etc.
This is actually a horrifying and convicting read. At the time I first read this, I truly believed I was in Christ. However, I was not and this book by God's grace lead me to true repentance and saving grace and faith in Jesus Christ alone. Before we can salvation we need to know what we need from salvation from. This book will answer that question perfectly and how you can know that you are truly penitent.
The importance of this work is that this is not a message you will hear at your local church service, if you do in fact go to church. The topic of repentance is passe in this day and age, however it could be such as no time as this has needed it more.
The points to look out for are chapter two Counterfeit Repentance which begins with the first aspect of false repentance which is legal terror. In layman's terms this is defined as suffering a just punishment for a crime committed. What this translates to is the sinner being condemned and consigned to hell for everlasting punishment for the transgressions they have committed agaisnt the holy and righteous God. Sin is not a victimless crime, sin robs God of His glory as such restitution needs to be made.
Another key point is the description of being utterly broken over and by your sin and why. It is absolutely vital to understand why we must be broken over our sins and sin nature. Are we broken over our sins because we will not escape the judgement to come (legal terror) or because we are unrighteous and have wrong the Righteous One? This question and subsequant answer will supply the feedback needed to determine whether you are fearing or resting.
This is but a brief overview of what I believe are some of the more pressing points. I desire that you would read it for yourself to determine where you stand before the Lord God, the just and the justifier (Romans 3:26).
O come sinner, one and all before the Lord Jesus Christ as He is your only hope to be spared from the wrath to come. Plead that He may cover you with His precious blood, that His righteousness maybe imputed for your sake.
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