A reader wrote to Iain Murray:<\/p>\n
“I have a request. I am seeking Puritan or Reformed authors and books that deal with the pursuit of holiness, practical godliness and a deeper walk with Christ. I want more experimental power over sins, attitudes and the core inner failures that plague me. Any authors that you may recommend would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.”<\/i><\/p>\n
Iain Murray replied:<\/p>\n
You are asking me a great question “\u201d the question we all need to be pursuing daily, and, however much we attend to it, we will still be so very far short – ‘groaning within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our bodies’ (Rom. 8:23).<\/p>\n
One thing I have learned is that the very trials, disappointments, etc. that we face in our lack of personal growth in grace are, in a hidden way, all part of God’s teaching us. On holiness, there are two main and continuing needs:<\/p>\n
1. To grasp the objective truth as it relates to sanctification<\/i><\/b>, especially in such chapters as Romans 6. Do you have John Murray’s Principles of Conduct<\/b>? The chapter on the ‘Dynamic’ is very important. Lloyd-Jones expounds it in his <a href="https:\/\/www.staging.banneroftruth.org\/pages\/item_detail.php?4434" target="_blank"Romans 6<\/i><\/b><\/a> “\u201d wonderful material though in places, I think, going a little beyond what is warranted. Murray’s commentary on Romans<\/b> is invaluable for careful accuracy. I would put Owen on the Holy Spirit (Works<\/i><\/b>, volumes <a href="https:\/\/www.staging.banneroftruth.org\/pages\/item_detail.php?4416" target="_blank" 3<\/i><\/b><\/a> and <a href="https:\/\/www.staging.banneroftruth.org\/pages\/item_detail.php?4390" target="_blank" 4<\/i><\/b><\/a>) in the same category. Faith has to rest on these objective truths: by faith we live, not by feelings. Walter Marshall’s Gospel Mystery of Sanctification<\/b> is strong in that regard.<\/p>\n
2. The transmitting of the objective truths into our daily experience<\/i><\/b> “\u201d our duties, self-denial, prayer, care for others, etc. Here so many of the Puritans are strong, as seen in Thomas Brooks’ <a href="https:\/\/www.staging.banneroftruth.org\/pages\/item_detail.php?4501" target="_blank"Works<\/i><\/b><\/a>, vol. 4, for instance. He and others press the conscience but also give the necessary, encouragement.<\/p>\n
The inculcation of holiness is sometimes presented on an insufficiently evangelical basis, and when that happens we can simply become more burdened. Mind you, there is a type of burden (Romans 7) which is a sign of health, not defeat. Two more suggestions would be A. A. Hodge in his <a href="https:\/\/www.staging.banneroftruth.org\/pages\/item_detail.php?4680" target="_blank"Evangelical Theology<\/i><\/b><\/a> where there is valuable material on ‘Sanctification and Good Works’, and I am assuming you know J.C. Ryle’s classic, Holiness<\/b>.<\/p>\n
What a comfort for us to know that the Holy Spirit is the personal teacher of every believer and that Christ indwells us and will not leave his work unfinished!<\/p>\n
I hope these few thoughts may be of some help.<\/p>\n