An Honest, Well-Experienced Heart: The Piety of John Flavel (Embry, Adam)

Description

“An Honest, Well-Experienced Heart” introduces us to the life and writings of Puritan preacher and author John Flavel (1627–1691).

In his brief, introductory biography, Adam Embry discusses Flavel’s background, ministry, and theology of keeping the heart, which, for Flavel, “is the great business of a Christian’s life.” Centuries ago, Flavel wrote, “Above all other studies in the world, study your own hearts.”

Embry guides us through forty-two short passages from Flavel’s writings that acquaint us with this dedicated Puritan minister’s piety and help us see the importance of this great business of keeping and managing our hearts.

Sample Chapter

An Honest, Well-Experienced Heart

Endorsements

“John Flavel blended skillfully a robust Reformed theology with a warm-hearted Puritan piety. This made his writings both profound and simple. I pray that Adam Embry’s primer on Flavel’s work will promote a new generation of thoughtful readers intent on loving Christ more.” — Ryan McGraw, pastor of Grace Presbyterian Church in Conway, South Carolina

Table of Contents

The Piety of John Flavel (1627–1691)

Section One: Christ Rules the Heart

1. To Win and Gain the Hearts of Sinners

2. Shutting up the Heart against Christ

3. The Great Design and Aim of the Gospel

4. A Throne in the Hearts of Men

5. Jesus Christ Most Heartily Approved

6. Consolations for an Opened Heart

Section Two: Keeping the Heart

7. Above All Other Studies

8. The Great Business

9. The Pained Place

10. The Most Difficult, Constant, and Important Work

11. A Sincere Christian in His Closet

12. The Best Schoolmaster

13. Furnish Your Hearts Richly with the Word

14. Soul Work Is Preferred

15. My Naughty Heart

Section Three: Seasons of the Heart

16. Death of a Child

17. Death of a Spouse

18. Prosperity

19. Adversity

20. The Church’s Troubles

21. Fear and Danger

22. In Times of Need

23. Distraction during Religious Duties

24. Abuse from Others

25. Anger

26. Temptation, Part1

27. Temptation, Part2

28. Spiritual Darkness

29. Suffering for Religion

30. Willingness to Die

Section Four: Discerning the Heart

31. The Aim of Our Hearts

32. The Hypocrite’s Abstinence from Sin

33. The Saint’s Abstinence from Sin

34. The Hypocrite’s Hatred of Sin

35. The Saint’s Hatred of Sin

36. The Hypocrite’s Sorrow for Sin

37. The Saint’s Sorrow for Sin

38. The Saint’s Struggle with Sin

39. Wrongly Censuring Your Heart

40. Questions to Judge Sincerity

41. Deep Trials of the Heart

Conclusion

42. A Blessed End

Reading Flavel

A Hymn upon Romans 5:6–11

Product Details

Title:  An Honest, Well-Experienced Heart: The Piety of John Flavel

Author: Embry, Adam

Publisher: Reformation Heritage Books

Pages: 145

Binding: Paperback

Size: 17.7 x 11.5 x 1.0 cm

ISBN: 9781601781833