A.W. Pink - An Exposition of the Sermon on the Mount

A.W. Pink - An Exposition of the Sermon on the Mount (mobi)

A.W. Pink - An Exposition of the Sermon on the Mount (epub)

A.W. Pink - An Exposition of the Sermon on the Mount (pdf)

The account of the Sermon on the Mount is given in Matthew chapters 5-7.  This sermon of our Lord represents the longest segment of Jesus' teaching recorded in the gospels, and the most astounding. Indeed, "And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at His doctrine:  For He taught as one having authority, and not as the scribes" (Matthew 7:28-29).

In An Exposition of the Sermon on the Mount, the late Christian writer, A.W. Pink (1886-1952) undertakes a careful study of our Lord's warnings, exhortations and promises found in this section of Scripture.  The covered topics include The Beatitudes, ministry, murder, adultery, prayer, fasting, serving God, anxiety, judgment, grace, The Golden Rule, salvation, and false prophets.  The most arresting portion of the sermon, the testing of Christian profession and false profession, are treated last.  This is a highly recommended work and one which gives glory to Christ while challenging a man to "examine himself."

A.W. Pink - The Doctrine of Justification

A.W. Pink - The Doctrine of Justification (mobi)

A.W. Pink - The Doctrine of Justification (epub)

A.W. Pink - The Doctrine of Justification (pdf)

The Doctrine of Justification by Arthur Walkington Pink (1886-1952) is the companion volume to his The Doctrine of Election.  Pink gives close examination to the subject of faith in justification and corrects serious but popular misunderstandings of the role of faith.  This discussion necessarily invokes a study of sanctification and works.  Like most of Pink's writings, this is a very edifying and God-glorifying handling of the subject.  An honest reading will lead to strong self-examination.

An excerpt from the book...

It is therefore the bounden duty of those who profess to have been justified by God to diligently and impartially examine themselves, to ascertain whether or not they have in them those spiritual graces which always accompany justification. It is by our sanctification, and that alone, that we may discover our justification. Would you know whether Christ fulfilled the law for you, that His obedience has been imputed to your account? Then search your heart and life and see whether a spirit of obedience to Him is daily working in you. The righteousness of the law is fulfilled only in those who "walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit" (Rom. 8:4). God never designed that the obedience of His Son should be imputed to those who live a life of worldliness, self-pleasing, and gratifying the lusts of the flesh. Far from it: "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (2 Cor. 5:17).

A.W. Pink - The Lord's Prayer

A.W. Pink - The Lord's Prayer (mobi)

A.W. Pink - The Lord's Prayer (epub)

A.W. Pink - The Lord's Prayer (pdf)

 This little work by Arthur Walkington Pink (1886-1952) examines the individual petitions of the Lord's Prayer to derive important lessons for the Christian life and our approach to prayer.

From Pink's introduction...

From earliest times it has been called "the Lord’s Prayer," not because it is one that He Himself addressed to the Father, but because it was graciously furnished by Him to teach us both the manner and method of how to pray and the matters for which to pray. It should therefore be highly esteemed by Christians. Christ knew both our needs and the Father’s good will toward us, and thus He has mercifully supplied us with a simple yet comprehensive directory. Every part or aspect of prayer is included therein. Adoration is found in its opening clauses and thanksgiving in the conclusion. Confession is necessarily implied, for that which is asked for supposes our weakness or sinfulness. Petitions furnish the main substance, as in all praying. Intercession and supplication on behalf of the glory of God and for the triumph of His Kingdom and revealed will are involved in the first three petitions, whereas the last four are concerned with supplication and intercession concerning our own personal needs and those of others, as is indicated by pronouns in the plural number.

This prayer is found twice in the New Testament, being given by Christ on two different occasions. This, no doubt, is a hint for preachers to reiterate that which is of fundamental importance. The variations are significant. The language of Matthew 6:9 intimates that this prayer is given to us for a model, yet the words of Luke 11:2 indicate that it is to be used by us as a form. Like everything in Scripture, this prayer is perfect—perfect in its order, construction, and wording. Its order is adoration, supplication, and argumentation. Its petitions are seven in number. It is virtually an epitome of the Psalms and a most excellent summary of all prayer. Every clause in it occurs in the Old Testament, denoting that our prayers must be Scriptural if they are to be acceptable. "And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He heareth us" (1 John 5:14). But we cannot know His will if we are ignorant of His Word.

William Law - A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life

William Law - A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life (mobi)

William Law - A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life (epub)

William Law - A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life (pdf)

William Law (1686-1761) was ordained in the Anglican church in 1711.  After refusing to take an oath of allegiance to George I, he was stripped of his ordination.  From thenceforth, he remained a non-juror, teaching privately and engaging in a ministry of writing.  A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life is perhaps his best known and most cherished work.  It has become an undisputed classic of Christian literature and has continued to find favor with modern readers.

In the present work, Law examines the principles of Christian devotion.  In so doing, he places tremendous emphasis on prayer.  Concerning this work, John Wesley commented, "Meeting now with Mr. Law's 'Christian Perfection' and 'Serious Call,' although I was much offended at many parts of both, yet they convinced me more than ever of the exceeding height and breadth and depth of the law of God.  The light flowed in so mightily upon my soul that everything appeared in a new light . . . I was convinced more than ever of the impossibility of being half a Christian."

Dr. Samuel Johnson referred to Serious Call as "the finest piece of hortatory theology in any language."  He also shared, "When at Oxford, I took it up expecting to find a dull book, and perhaps to laugh at it.  But I found Law quite an over-match for me; and this was the first occasion of my thinking in earnest of religion after I became capable of religious inquiry."

What is interesting about these endorsements is that both Wesley and Johnson had, elsewhere, been just critics of William Law, especially Law's association with Behmenism.

A.W. Pink - Gleanings From Elisha

A.W. Pink - Gleanings From Elisha (mobi)

A.W. Pink - Gleanings From Elisha (epub)

A.W. Pink - Gleanings From Elisha (pdf)

A.W. Pink (1886-1952) was an English-born Christian Evangelical who held pastorates in both the United States and abroad.  He was converted from Theosophy to Christianity in his early 20's.  Pink is best known for his decades-long writing ministry, and has penned several classics of Christian literature, to include The Sovereignty of God, The Satisfaction of Christ, Spiritual Growth, The Doctrine of Election and The Life of Elijah.  Pink's view of the Scripture and of doctrine was conservative and calvinistic.  He has been described as "a Puritan born out of time."

In Gleanings From Elisha, Pink evaluates Elisha's seventeen miracles, considering the circumstances, meaning and spiritual significance of each.  From Pink's opening paragraph...

"THAT WHICH OCCUPIES the central and dominant place in what the Spirit has been pleased to record of the life of Elisha is the miracles performed by and connected with him. Far more miracles were wrought by him or were granted in answer to his prayers than any other of the Old Testament prophets. In fact the narrative of his history consists of little else than a record of supernatural acts and events. Nor need this at all surprise us, though it is strange that so few seem to grasp its implication and significance. The character of Elisha’s mission and ministry was in thorough keeping with Israel’s condition at that time. The very fact that these miracles were needed indicates the state into which Israel had fallen. Idolatry had held sway for so long that the true and living God was no longer known by the nation. Here and there were individuals who believed in the Lord, but the masses were worshipers of idols. Therefore by means of drastic interpositions, by awe-inspiring displays of His power, by supernatural manifestations of His justice and mercy alike, God forced even the skeptical to recognize His existence and subscribe to His supremacy."

J.C. Ryle - Where Art Thou?

J.C. Ryle - Where Art Thou? (mobi)

J.C. Ryle - Where Art Thou? (epub)

J.C. Ryle - Where Art Thou? (pdf)

This tract by Anglican bishop J.C. Ryle (1816-1900) was harvested from the hard-to-find and long out-of-print Startling Questions.  In "Where Art Thou?", Ryle examines the state of the false professor as well as the disquited, backslidden believer.  To the one, he provides warning; to the other, exhortation.  This e-book was carefully prepared (OCR'd, edited, formatted and converted) from the 1853 printing of Startling Questions.

Constantine von Tischendorf - When Were Our Gospels Written?

Tischendorf - When Were Our Gospels Written? (mobi)

Tischendorf - When Were Our Gospels Written? (epub)

Tischendorf - When Were Our Gospels Written? (pdf)

Let me preface this addition to the Reformed e-book blog by stating that this is not standard fare for The Calvinist Cafe, then again, neither is a work by Scofield.  This work does not necessarily follow the theme of the e-book blog, which is, the offering of a short list of doctrinally strong, spiritually edifying books.  I'll place it here, at least for a short time, for those who find some interest in it.

Constantine von Tischendorf (1815-1874) was a German Bible scholar, a professor of Greek and of New Testament Theology at the University of Leipzig.  In addition, he was an archaeologist who sought out ancient manuscripts.  In 1844, Tischendorf located one of the oldest New Testament mansucripts, the Codex Sinaiticus (A.D. 360-375) at St. Catherine's Monastery on Mt. Sinai.  In the present work, Tischendorf recounts his discovery of the Codex Sinaiticus and makes a case for the dating and historical validity of the Gospels.