
Sanctification Bundle (Flavel, Goodwin, Downame) - Puritan Treasures for Today
As a physician of souls, John Downame begins this important book by carefully defining anger and distinguishing between righteous and unjust expressions of it. He then helps us consider the properties, causes, kinds, and effects of unjust anger. Finally, moving beyond diagnosis, he presents the cure of sinful anger by prescribing practical strategies for both preventing and overcoming unjust anger in its different forms. Downame writes as a skilled practitioner who has assembled a comprehensive moral and spiritual pharmacy for treating sin-sick souls.
How will you triumph when your heart is left trembling?
To some degree, everyone experiences fear. It impacts the decisions we make and leaves us feeling helpless. John Flavel begins this book by examining various fears and discussing general ways God governs it in this world. He then turns to sinful fear in particular, explaining its causes and disastrous effects. His longest chapter discusses rules for dealing with sinful fear, showing how a proper fear of God is the ultimate remedy for all other fears. This practical book will help you avoid making excuses for sinful fear and encourage you to trust in Christ’s commitment to settle His people’s feeble and trembling hearts.
How long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee?
—Jeremiah 4:14
The heart is like a boardinghouse where we welcome and entertain many ideas like guests. In The Vanity of Thoughts, Thomas Goodwin helps us consider our native tendency to harbor frivolous and sinful mental companions. And having identified the severity of our condition, Goodwin encourages us to humbly and mindfully perform some much-needed housekeeping. He also provides remedies against these unprofitable inhabitants. We live in an age of information and a culture of entertainment. Here is a timely reminder about the vital importance of our thought life with a call to bring every thought captive to the lordship of Jesus Christ.