1975 Peter Lewis's The Genius of Puritanism

The Genius Of Puritanism by Peter Lewis
Foreword

I readily write this word of commendation for this volume. I well remember how Mr. Lewis as a student showed a real living interest in the writings of the Puritans, and how he came into my vestry at Westminster Chapel from time to time to tell me of various purchases he had been fortunate to make, and at times to lend me some of these. I am particularly glad that he has clearly kept up this early interest and has continued his wide reading in, and study of the Puritans. This volume provides abundant proof of that.

He has chosen to concentrate attention on the preaching and pastoral activities of those remarkable men of the 17th century, while explaining in an introductory chapter that their original and primary interest was in the nature of the Church.

He thus provides an excellent foretaste of the rich meal that readers of the works of the Puritans can enjoy. His arrangement of the matter - the brief biographical touches, the judicious selections threaded into a continuing theme etc. - is brilliant. Here some of the leading Puritans are allowed to speak for themselves, and I am sure that many who read this book will be stimulated to acquire and read the read the works out of which these selections have been made. Nothing but great spiritual good can result from that, both in individual lives, and in the lives of the churches.

D M Lloyd-Jones July, 1975