This selection of texts relating to Cromwell's spirituality has no intention of being hagiographical. That would be both false to the facts and a betrayal of the intent expressed in Cromwell's confessional remarks, namely his desire to live a life of Christian integrity. On the other hand, it does seek to recommend certain aspects of Cromwell's spirituality as a model for believers today, for the author is convinced that his spiritual vision, and that of the Puritans in general, still possesses ongoing value for the contemporary church.

Spirituality lay at the very core of English Puritanism. Whatever else the Puritans may have been--social, political and ecclesiastical Reformers--they were primarily men and women intensely passionate about piety and Christian experience. And as will be seen in the extracts from Cromwell's writings, he is no exception. He is quintessentially Puritan.

Amidst Us Our Belovèd Stands will help all pastors and theologians, whether Baptist or not, to consider our own understanding of the sacraments afresh in light of the past. --Themelios

Baptists are sacramental

When it comes to baptism and the Lord's Supper, many Baptists reject the language of sacrament. As a people of the book, the logic goes, Baptists must not let tradition supersede the Bible. So Baptists tend to view baptism and Communion as ordinances and symbols, not sacraments.

But the history of Baptists and sacramentalism is complicated. In Amidst Us Our Beloved Stands, Michael A. G. Haykin argues that many Baptists, such as Charles Spurgeon and other Particular Baptists, stood closer to Reformed sacramental thought than most Baptists today. More than mere memorials, baptism and Communion have spiritual implications that were celebrated by Baptists of the past in sermons and hymnody. Haykin calls for a renewal of sacramental life in churches today--Baptists can and should be sacramental.

Andrew Fuller was a man whose active life was devoted to the work of God. His paramount desire was to be true to the Scriptures. Fuller had a deep concern for sinners and was untiring in his evangelistic endeavours and support of missions. In The armies of the Lamb Fuller's rich spiritual life is seen first-hand through a selection of his letters, some never before published. Editor Michael Haykin presents Fuller to a twenty-first century audience with a freshness that encourages personal spiritual renewal--something Fuller so longed for in his time.

Alongside the fourth and sixteenth centuries, the eighteenth-century is arguably one of the most important eras in Christian history. The great evangelical awakening that began in the 1730s resulted in many thousands of conversions on both sides of the Atlantic and a reviving of the church throughout the English-speaking world.

Here, historian Michael Haykin considers key aspects of this revival--the anointed preaching, the new birth and justification, the Lord's Supper, hymnody and spiritual direction--through some of its leading figures--George Whitefield, Charles Wesley, William Williams, William Grimshaw, Anne Dutton and John Newton. He also considers the lives and spirituality of two Dissenters, Andrew Fuller and William Carey. The final chapter deals with the topic of the gifts of the Spirit. In both the lives of these people and the issues they wrestled with, we can learn much about loving, Spirit-filled Christianity for our day.

The life of Lady Brilliana Harley of Brampton Bryan, Herefordshire, England, was marked by a deep and living relationship with God. A Puritan Presbyterian by conviction, Brilliana was shunned by her neighbours during the tumultuous English Civil Wars and is remembered as valiantly resisting the siege of her home by the forces of Charles I.

Brilliana's letters reveal the heart of her spirituality. While concerned about her son Edward (Ned)'s studies at Oxford, his diet and exercise, she especially encourages him about the value of a vital relationship with God. Her letters also expose the breadth of her reading and her theological acumen. As the troubles around her increased, she took increasing solace in the truths of election, the sufficiency of Christ's work on the cross and the sovereignty of God in salvation. The soil of her heart was truly warmed by the sweet waters of God's Word.

While the church today looks quite different than it did two thousand years ago, Christians share the same faith with the church fathers. Although separated by time and culture, we have much to learn from their lives and teaching.

This book is an organized and convenient introduction to how to read the church fathers from AD 100 to 500. Michael Haykin surveys the lives and teachings of seven of the Fathers, looking at their role in such issues as baptism, martyrdom, and the relationship between church and state. Ignatius, Cyprian, Basil of Caesarea, and Ambrose and others were foundational in the growth and purity of early Christianity, and their impact continues to shape the church today.

Evangelical readers interested in the historical roots of Christianity will find this to be a helpful introductory volume.

Historian Michael Haykin examines the lives of such Reformers as William Tyndale, Thomas Cranmer and John Calvin to see how their display of the light of the gospel in their day provides us with a usable past-models of Christian conviction and living who can speak into our lives today. Born in a time of spiritual darkness, they model what reformation involves for church and culture: a deep commitment to God's Word as the vehicle of renewal, a willingness to die for the gospel and a rock-solid commitment to the triune God. As a reminder that at the heart of the Reformation was a confessional Christianity, an essay on two Reformation confessions is also included. The Puritan figures who are studied are Richard Greenham, Oliver Cromwell, John Owen, Richard Baxter and his wife Margaret, and John Bunyan. In addition, a study of the translation of the King James Bible (KJB) reminds us that the Puritans, like the Reformers, were Word-saturated men and women-may we be as well.

Are you trying to understand what the Christian faith is all about? Does studying Christian doctrine seem impractical to your daily life? Do you find some biblical teachings confusing? When things happen in your life do you find yourself questioning God's character? Are you confused about judgment? sanctification? sin? With these and many other questions in our minds, we have brought together some contemporary pastors and church leaders to help explain the basic doctrines of the Christian faith in an easy, understandable way. After all, throughout history, the Bible has provided the surest foundation for living that this world can offer The impact of this truth should transform your life and help to renew our twenty-first century society. A Foundation for Life will help the reader learn the basic teaching of the Bible's most important doctrines. Godly men wrote this book, putting it in plain, easy-to-understand language. It is useful not only for personal study, but the brief chapters are outlined so well that the material is easily adaptable to group usage also. I warmly commend this volume to anyone who wants to grow in his or her understanding of God's Word. - Donald S. Whitney, Associate Professor of Spiritual Formation, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Contributors: David Aspinall, Pierre Constant, Heinz G. Dschankilic, Keith M. Edwards, Jim Elliff, David Kay, Stephen Kring, Jerry Marcellino, David B. Morris, Carl Muller, Peter Pikkert, Don Theobald, Kirk Wellum, Stephen J. Wellum, Fred G. Zaspel. 144 pages, 6x9, perfectbound

The eighteenth century was a time of remarkable missionary activity. As the British Empire expanded around the world, Christian missionaries followed in the wake of merchants and explorers to bring the gospel to places where Christ had never before been named.

At the heart of this global missionary movement was William Carey. From humble beginnings in England, Carey journeyed halfway around the world to preach the gospel on the Indian subcontinent. Known as the founder of modern missions, Carey is often portrayed as a solitary trailblazer and pioneer. But that isn't the full story.

In The Missionary Fellowship of William Carey, Dr. Michael Haykin explores Carey's life and introduces us to the band of brothers who labored with him to spread the gospel on a global scale. As we follow their stories, we discover how God uses Christian friendship to advance His kingdom, and we're encouraged to nurture Christ-honoring friendships in our own lives.

This book is part of the Long Line of Godly Men Profile series, edited by Dr. Steven Lawson.

It is often assumed that the big theological debates of the 18th century did not involve the nature of God. But in many ways, the resurgence of Arianism, the growth of Deism, and the emergence of Socinianism (or what some later called Unitarianism) ensured that questions regarding the being of God were central to theological reflection in the long eighteenth century from the 1680s to the 1830s. This collection of essays, most of which were originally prepared for a conference sponsored by the Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, examines this discussion particularly as it occurred within the ranks of the British and Irish Particular Baptists. This collection is an essential resource for understanding the heart of Particular Baptist doctrine in this era and why this Christian community stayed true to classical Christian orthodoxy.

The mission of the apostle Paul is central to the New Testament, where it was vital in the establishment of the early church and spreading the gospel throughout the world of his day. This study provides a concise but rich view of Paul the man and Paul the missionary. At his conversion to Christ, Paul was given a clear mandate to bring the gospel to the Gentiles. Many truths were evident as he pursued this mission. Paul loved the church, and he was zealous to win the lost to Christ. He appreciated and cultivated co-labourers in the work of the gospel, as he depended on the power of the Holy Spirit.

Paul's experience challenges the reader. Study guide questions are provided at the end of each chapter to help reflect on and apply the things that are learned in this short, focused study of Paul's life. The apostle modelled for Christians-both then and now-a love for the gospel and its power, a steady and deep love for God's people and a rooted confidence in the power of the Holy Spirit to apply Christ's saving work on the cross to needy sinners. It is hoped that as you learn more about Paul and his Christian mission, you will grow in your own relationship with God and service for him-or perhaps be challenged to seek him for the first time.

As a theologian, Andrew Fuller ranks alongside men like John Owen and Jonathan Edwards for his significance in global Christianity. This reading guide takes an individual reader or a reading group through a representative selection of Fuller's works, nearly all of them complete in themselves. Arranged chronologically, each selection has a small introduction and a series of questions that help to deepen the grasp of Fuller's thought in its historical context and its implications for the present day.

Historian Michael Haykin stokes a passion for revival by investigating the history of spiritual renewal in the Reformed tradition. After examining the Holy Spirit's outpourings during the Reformation and English Puritanism, Haykin focuses on two remarkable moments of renewal in the eighteenth century: the Great Awakening and the revival of the Particular Baptists in the British and Irish islands. By looking back at revivals from the past, we can develop a biblical framework for expectant prayer for revival in our day.

Historian Michael Haykin examines the lives of such church fathers as Irenaeus of Lyons, Cyprian of Carthage, Basil of Caesarea, Gregory of Nyssa, Macarius and Augustine, as he uncovers the theological debates, councils, creeds and preaching of the ancient church (A.D. 100--600). After the foundational ministry of the apostles, these early church leaders were pivotal to the formation of theological creeds, the defence of the faith against error and heresy and the development of early church ecclesiastical structure.

Defending the authority of the Scriptures, the doctrine of the Trinity, the godhead of the Holy Spirit and the deity of Christ, these church leaders provide a great example of the apologetic work of the ministry and the need for pastors to be astute to the theological challenges of the day. Dr. Haykin also considers the influence of the emperor Constantine and the development of the papacy and addresses such modern issues as abortion and the millennium. We owe the church fathers a great debt for their example of a committed, living faith.

Calvinist missionaries.

If you think that sounds like an oxymoron, you're not alone. Yet a close look at John Calvin's life, writings, and successors reveals a passion for the spread of the gospel and the salvation of sinners.

From training pastors at his Genevan Academy to sending missionaries to the jungles of Brazil, Calvin consistently sought to encourage and equip Christians to take the good news of salvation to the very ends of the earth. In this carefully researched book, Michael Haykin and Jeffrey Robinson clear away longstanding stereotypes related to the Reformed tradition and Calvin's theological heirs, highlighting the Reformer's neglected missional vision and legacy.

Marriage is under attack now more than ever. Even within the church, homosexuality, divorce, and shallow, sentimental views of love are subverting God's design for husbands and wives. To help Christian couples counter these trends and recover marriage as God intended it, Dr. Michael A.G. Haykin has compiled a rich anthology of love letters from saints of the past. Each letter gives us a glimpse of what marriage should be: joyful companionship, deep passion, and unfailing commitment through the ups and downs of life. At its best, Christian marriage is a foretaste of eternal bliss--and it's far more satisfying than any of the substitutes this world has to offer.

While largely forgotten in modern times, Hercules Collins (1646/1702) was highly influential among the late 17th and early 18th century Calvinistic Baptists of London. Through a biographical sketch and 35 sample selections collected from Collin's writings, Michael A.G. Haykin and Steve Weaver introduce us to the vibrant spirituality of this colossal figure.

Series Description

Seeking, then, both to honor the past and yet not idolize it, we are issuing these books in the series Profiles in Reformed Spirituality . The design is to introduce the spirituality and piety of the Reformed Profiles in Reformed Spirituality tradition by presenting descriptions of the lives of notable Christians with select passages from their works. This combination of biographical sketches and collected portions from primary sources gives a taste of the subjects' contributions to our spiritual heritage and some direction as to how the reader can find further edification through their works. It is the hope of the publishers that this series will provide riches for those areas where we are poor and light of day where we are stumbling in the deepening twilight.

A Sweet Flame introduces readers to the piety of Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758). Dr. Haykin's biographical sketch of Edwards captures the importance the New England minister placed on Scripture, family piety, and the church's reliance upon God. The remainder of the book presents 26 selections from various letters written by Edwards, two written by family members at his death, and an appendix drawing upon Edwards's last will and the inventor of his estate.

Table of Contents:
To Mary Edwards
To Benjamin Colman
To George Whitefield
To Deborah Hatheway
To Sarah Edwards, Jr.
To Joseph Bellamy
To James Robe
To Thomas Prince
To Elnathan Whitman
To William McCulloch
To Joseph Bellamy
To William McCulloch
To Sarah Edwards
To John Erskine
To John Erskine
To John Erskine
To Mary Edwards
To Joseph Bellamy
To John Erskine
To Lady Mary Pepperell
To William McCulloch
To Timothy Edwards
Letter to Edward Wigglesworth
To the Trustees of the College of New Jersey at Princeton
To Esther Burr
To Lucy Edwards
Sarah Edwards to Esther Burr
Susannah Edwards to Esther Burr
Appendix: Jonathan Edwards' Last Will, and the Inventory of His Estate
Series Description

Seeking, then, both to honor the past and yet not idolize it, we are issuing these books in the series Profiles in Reformed Spirituality . The design is to introduce the spirituality and piety of the Reformed Profiles in Reformed Spirituality tradition by presenting descriptions of the lives of notable Christians with select passages from their works. This combination of biographical sketches and collected portions from primary sources gives a taste of the subjects' contributions to our spiritual heritage and some direction as to how the reader can find further edification through their works. It is the hope of the publishers that this series will provide riches for those areas where we are poor and light of day where we are stumbling in the deepening twilight.

One of the greatest Baptist theologians of the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, Andrew Fuller has not had justice done to him. There is little doubt that Fuller's theology lay behind the revitalization of the Baptists in the late eighteenth century and the first few decades of the nineteenth. This collection of essays fills a much-needed gap by examining the major area of Fuller's thought: his work as an apologist. The book argues that the New Testament exegesis, which is at the heart of this reformulation, is fundamentally accurate and that the resulting system is theologically coherent. The book also argues that this view is not a Baptist novelty, but is rather a recovery of the foundational Baptist thought of the seventeenth century.

The love of God and neighbor is the heart of the Christian faith. Forgotten saint Samuel Pearce teaches us how to live a life faithful to the greatest commandment.

Pearce was a Baptist pastor known in eighteenth-century England for his moving preaching and strong, pious character. In his short life, he supported believers in his own parish as well as in the many cities where he preached and helped send missionaries. Yet his personal faith, founded on the holy love of God, formed his most compelling witness to the world. By getting to know Pearce's story, readers will learn from his example what it looks like to love God and neighbor - in good times as well as challenging and seemingly mundane ones.

The Lived Theology series explores aspects of Christian doctrine through the eyes of the men and women who practiced it. Interweaving the contributions of notable individuals alongside their overshadowed contemporaries, we gain a much deeper understanding and appreciation of their work and the broad tapestry of Christian history. These books illuminate the vital contributions made by these figures throughout the history of the church.