1. The Mortification of Sin
2. Thr Godly Man’s Picture
3. The Doctrine of Repentance

Sir each of those works can easily turn a man into a legalist. Furthermore the godly’s man picture takes a bunch of scriptures out of context, if a man preached the way that book was written there would be many “expository” police out to arrest him.

“Many who hold to the Doctrines of Grace simultaneously embraces the Puritans. I will tell you upfront I am no fan of the Puritans. I tried the little reading club and purchased a bunch of books from Banner of Truth but by the second book, I felt that I needed to go to confession, Celebrate Recovery, Excommunicate myself, and then join a monastery! Why? Because they focused on Sin more than Christ. I found myself policing my entire life, instead of depending on and trusting in the only one who could save me. I found myself doing the opposite of what they were saying. Which was applying the blood to the doorposts of my life, instead of trying to stack up enough chips to pay the house back what I owed!”

Is it possible you misunderstood the Puritans you read? Could you have read truth and not been able to apply it properly – or at least as fast as you desired? Sanctification is long and slow process – it is a long race and not a short sprint. I believe a famous NT perosn used this analogy

Your statement depends on which of the 2 books you read. BTW, the puritans wrote thousands! Honestly, one thing I have never heard anyone say is that the Puritans lacked the Gospel. They may not like the Puritans taking sin seriuosly with their focus on mortification of sin and vivification of the Gospel. BTW, the overwhelming majority of Christians in our modern culture do not take sin seriously. Evidenced clearly by our churches who do not model taking sin seriously – they do not confess sin publically and many pastor will not us the word “sin” in a sermon or counsleing (this should be an application that ties back into your post concernig “fake” Pastors/Christians and wearing masks).

I honestly do not know how a Christian can claim to be actively living the “Christian” life w/o a view that the Puritans took and applied. Undertsand that the Puritans rediscovered and implemented what some call “subjective/practical Calvinism.” They sought to see their high view of: 1) a holy and sovereign God, 2) depraved man who seeks his own comfort and salvation in any way other than Christ, and 3) the necessary power/presence of the Holy Spirit to convict of sin and encourage in righteousness and 4) all of these beliefs viewed/lived THROUGH the necessary Gospel of Christ. They wanted to see their theology as incarnational within each believer and especially lived outside towards others.

The only offense that one recieves when following the Puritans Biblcial model – is an offense of the flesh! We know that the Scriptures teach that the flesh is set against the Spirit. If my flesh be ofended by the conviction of sin brought about by the Holy Spirit – praise God – that means I am His child. W/o this fight of flesh and Spirit one needs to seriously ask if they have recieved regeneration and are the dwelling of Christ’s Spirit. The tendency for the Christianis one that tends to swing between to poles: They see their works as secuirng their salvation (Pharisee) or believe they live with less sin or make light of sinful behaviour (Libertines) because they are reborn and “free in Christ.” The point is that “the gospel of cheap grace” is promoted by both ways of living. Making light of sin and not seeking to kill your sinful ways (via the Holy Spirit alone) is to fall captive to their powerful sway. Seeking to thwart off the flesh with the flesh is nothing but making light if Christ work and the Spirit’s indwelling and work in your life.

I woudl like to hear more about your intital offenses after reading the Puritans. I would also like to hear the titles of the two books you read.

Sincerely,

David Jacks
Fort Worth, Texas

I’ve enjoyed my brief time on this site, but it’s time for me to go into “hibernation” for the rest of the year. Keep the faith, and have a blessed New Year.

God bless merry CHRISTx (my answer to Xmas)

Steve

http://www.theauthorofmyfaith.blogspot.com

SEEKER you are welcome to visit my site and comment I will listen to what you have to say and will respond accordingly.

I am not afraid of debate but I already know what I believe.

God BLess