A Reformed Reading List

About this list

Sometimes I am asked to recommend books. And so, I have decided to put together this list of books to help the enterprising theological student get a good idea of where to start. The list is still incomplete, since I have not added any work on many topics. Moreover, my reading is limited, and so there are good books I am unaware of. Moreover, I do not claim to have read all these works in full. For example, in the section on metaphysics, I give a list of the works recommended by Gisbertus Voetius, but I have not read all of them. That said, I will update this list periodically with new books, and if I find a better book on a matter I will edit the list accordingly. The reader that does not know Latin will have to forgive my inclusion of many Latin works on the list. Take it as a little extra motivation to learn a language that’s not nearly as difficult as it’s made out to be.

Systematic Theology

Introductory or basic works

Westminster Confession and Catechisms

James Ussher, Body of Divinity

John Ball, A Short Treatise containing all the principle grounds of the Christian Religion

Edward Leigh, A System or Body of Divinity

One Volume Systematic Theologies (Intermediate)

In Latin

Most recommended:

Johannes Hoornbeek, Institutiones Theologiae ex Optimis Auctoribus Concinnatae [Soon to be available in English. A work compiled by a theology professor, ~1660, intending to put all the best protestant authors on systematic theology together in a single volume. The best systematic introduction to Reformed Orthodox theology in one volume, in my somewhat partial opinion. But let the reader not think I call this the best because I am the translator; I could have translated many works, and I chose this one.]

Also very good:

J.H. Heidegger, Medulla Theologiae [A remarkably thorough work for one volume, touching even on the meaning of the mosaic ceremonies, and the judicial law, as well as all the ordinary topics of systematic theology, like Scripture, the doctrine of God, salvation, etc.]

Melchior Leydekker, Synopsis Theologiae Christianae [A very standard treatment, not all that different from Marckius and Essenius.]

Antonius Walaeus, Loci Communes [Walaeus, one of the more famous representatives at the Synod of Dort, was perhaps the most talented systematic theologian of his generation. His work shines for its doctrinal precision, force of argumentation, and for being well developed on the doctrine of God, which he defends against Vorstius, and the doctrines of grace and the sabbath, which he defends against the Remonstrants. A better introduction to theology than the Synopsis Purioris Theologiae (which is still quite good).]

In English

Walaeus, Rivetus, Thysius, Polyander, Synopsis Purioris Theologiae [An excellent summary of Reformed theology published the year after the Synod of Dort by four of its most renowned members.] (Latin text here)

William Ames, Marrow of Theology [Ames shines for his practical focus, dividing theology into faith and morals, and for his brief, solid definitions. Voetius recommended that students read Ames and Maccovius repeatedly, memorizing the definitions and distinctions they contain.]

William Bucanus, Institutions of Theology (Latin text here)

Full-Length Systematic Theologies

In English

Francis Turretin, Institutes of Elenctic Theology [The strongest of the three in refuting the heresies that troubled the church in the 16th and 17th centuries. Not as complete as Heidegger and Polanus on certain matters, (discussion of the economy of the Old Testament and the second table of the ten commandments is very limited.)]

Petrus Van Mastricht, Theoretical-Practical Theology [Mastricht combines exegesis, dogma, polemics, and practical applications.]

In Latin

Amandus Polanus, Syntagma Theologiae (vol. 1, 2) [Strongest on the doctrine of Scripture, God, the Trinity, Christology, and soteriology A must-read work.]

J.H. Heidegger, Corpus Theologiae Christianae vol. 1, 2 [Similar in character and quality to Turretin, but less interested in scholastic categories and distinctions. The best systematic theology in dealing with covenant theology, the economy of the Old Testament with its ceremonies, the ten commandments, and the doctrine of creation and the interpretation of Genesis 1. Good on other points as well.] An abridged version is also available, in the form of the medulla (less abridged) and medulla medullae (more abridged). I do not recommend the translation of the medulla medullae that is currently available.]

On the doctrine of God

In English

Augustine, On the Trinity [the most important patristic work on the doctrine of God. Summarizes all the developments of the patristic era on the matter. Includes some new developments as well, in terms of Augustine’s analogies for understanding the Trinity.]

Stephen Charnock, Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God

Francis Cheynell, The Divine Trinunity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

In Latin

Amandus Polanus, Syntagma Theologiae, bk. 2-3

Jerome Zanchi, De natura Dei [the most complete discussion on the attributes of God from the Reformed Orthodox.]

Jerome Zanchi, De tribus Elohim [the most complete discussion on the doctrine of the Trinity from the Reformed Orthodox]

On Particular Topics (Alphabetical)

Anabaptism

Johannes Cloppenburg, Gangraena Theologicae Anabaptisticae (Opera, Vol. 2, p. 109)

Antinomianism

John Flavel, A Blow at the Root of Antinomianism [The most clear and concise work on the matter. In 100 pages, Flavel describes all the errors of the Antinomian party, and refutes them.]

Apologetics

Defense of Christianity against atheism, unbelief, or heathenism:

The best work:
Jacques Abbadie, Traité de la vérité de la religion chrétienne (vol. 1, 2, 3) (In English: vol. 1, 2)
Some other important works:

Philippe Du Plessis Mornay, De Veritate Religionis Christianae [translated by author] (Versions exist in English, French [the original], and Italian)

Hugo Grotius, De veritate religionis christianae (Also in French and English) [Be aware that Grotius was an Arminian]

Juan Luis Vives, De veritate fidei christianae [Vives was a Roman Catholic humanist. While I generally don’t recommend Roman Catholic works, this one primary addresses common ground between Roman Catholics and Protestants, and it comes with the recommendation of Johannes Hoornbeeck (who cites it repeatedly) and Petrus Van Mastricht]

Assurance

Anthony Burgess, Spiritual Refining: or a Treatise of Grace and Assurance

Joel Beeke, Quest for Full Assurance

Gisbertus Voetius, Johannes Hoornbeeck, Spiritual Desertion (This work and the one by Goodwin are very pastoral and are the best to read if one is struggling with a lack of assurance)

Thomas Goodwin, Child of Light Walking in Darkness (in vol. 3 of his Works)

The Atonement

William Symington, On the Atonement and Intercession of Jesus Christ

Baptism

Matthew Henry, Treatise on Baptism (Works, vol. 2, p. 1145)

Baptism ὑπὲρ τῶν νεκρῶν (1 Cor. 15:29, “baptism for/over/because of the dead”)

Frederick Spanheim Jr., De Veterum propter mortuos Baptismo Diatriba [A 180 page survey of all views of the passage expressed by various writers]

Canon of Scripture

Alexander Archibald, The Canon of the Old and New Testaments Ascertained [like all older works on canon, this one focuses less on the theory of canonization and more on the evidences that particular books are or are not canonical.]

Christ, his person and work

Jerome Zanchi, De Incarnatione Filii Dei

Theodore Beza, In historiam passionis et Sepulturae domini nostri J. Christi Homiliae

Theodore Beza, Homiliae in historiam Domini resurrectionis

Amandus Polanus, Mellificium, in quo articuli praecipui symboli apostolici de domini nostri Jesu Christi incarnatione, nativitate, passione, morte, resurrectione, ascensione, et missione spiritus sancti enarrantur

Thomas Goodwin, Works, vol. 4, vol. 5

John Owen, Christologia, or, A declaration of the glorious mystery of the person of Christ

Robert Rollock, Lectures upon the history of the Passion, resurrection , and Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ

Church Government, presbyterian government

Theodore Beza, Tractatus Pius et Moderatus de vera Excommunicatione et christiano presbyterio [This is essentially the original treatise on presbyterian church government.]

Stephen Marshall et al. [Smectymnuus], An answer to a booke entitvled An hvmble remonstrance in which the originall of liturgy, episcopacy is discussed…

Jus divinum regiminis ecclesiastici, or, The divine right of church-government (by various presbyterian ministers in London, 1646)

Samuel Rutherford, Due Right of Presbyteries, or, A peaceable plea for the government of the Church of Scotland

Samuel Rutherford, The divine right of church-government and excommunication

George Gillespie, An Assertion of the Government of the church of Scotland

John Paget, A Defense of Church-government

Gilbert Rule, The Cyprianick-Bishop examined, and found not to be a diocesan, nor to have superior power to a parish minister, or Presbyterian moderator [an essay proving that the government of the primitive church was conformable to presbyterianism]

Gilbert Rule, The Good Old Way Defended

Gilbert Rule, A True representation of Presbyterian Government

Gilbert Rule, A Vindication of the Church of Scotland

Gilbert Rule, A defence of The vindication of the Church of Scotland

Samuel Miller, The Primitive and Apostolical Order of the Church of Christ Vindicated

In Latin:

Wilhelm Zepper, Politia Ecclesiastica: Sive Forma, Ac Ratio Administrandi, Et Gubernandi Regni Christi, quod est Ecclesia in his terris

Gisbertus Voetius, Politica Ecclesiastica (vol. 1, 2, 3)

Civil Government, the civil magistrate

Samuel Rutherford, Lex, Rex, or The Law and the Prince

Franciscus Junius, Principis Christiani Institutio

Herman Witsius, De Theocratia Civili

Covenant Theology

John Ball, Treatise on the Covenant of Grace

Thomas Blake, Vindiciae foederis, or, A treatise on the covenant of God [the best work on particular questions of covenant theology. Blake was familiar with and follows Ball on many points, but writes with greater detail and depth.]

Erastianism (the teaching that the church is subservient to the state)

George Gillespie, Aaron’s Rod Blossoming

Establishment Principle (the principle that the state should support and defend [but not interfere with] the true church) and the punishment of heretics by the state

William Balfour, The Establishment Principle Defended

Theodore Beza, De haereticis a civili magistratu puniendis libellus [Beza’s position that heretics should receive the death penalty is further than many were willing to go even in his day (banishment was the most common punishment for heresy in the 16th and 17th centuries), and the inclusion of his work here is not so much an endorsement of that particular aspect as of one of the principal works on the establishment principle.]

John Calvin, Defensio orthodoxae fidei de sacra Trinitate, contra prodigiosos errores Michaelis Serveti Hispani

Ethics

Archibald Alexander, Outlines of Moral Science (a prolegomena to ethics)

Antonius Walaeus, Compendium Ethicae Aristotelicae ad Normam Veritatis Christianae Revocatum [As mentioned above, Walaeus is excellent. This is better than Vermigli’s commentary on Aristotle’s ethics in some respects; for example, Vermigli considers theology to primarily be a speculative, rather than practical or mixed, discipline, which is a departure from the main current of Reformed thought on the matter.]

 Bénédict Pictet, (vol. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) [Pictet is known as the last orthodox Genevan theologian. His system of ethics is perhaps the most complete ever written from a Reformed perspective.]

Amandus Polanus, Syntagma Theologiae (above), bk. 9-10

Weemes, John. An Exposition of the moral law (vol. 1; vol. 2).

Durham, James. The law unsealed: or, a practical exposition of the ten commandments.

Perkins, William. The whole duty of man, containing a practical table of the ten commandments.

Feast days

Rodophus Hospinianus, De festis Christianorum [Hospinianus writes on the history of the development of various feast days.]

Heidelberg Catechism, Commentaries

Theodore VanderGroe, The Christian’s Only Comfort in Life and Death [the best commentary.]

Melchior Leydekker, De veritate Fidei Reformatae [the best commentary in Latin]

Zacharias Ursinus, Commentary on the Heidelberg Catechism [a good commentary, written by the author of the catechism]

Hermeneutics

In English

Milton Spencer Terry, Biblical Hermeneutics

Patrick Fairburn, Hermeneutical Manual [Primarily deals with New Testament interpretation. Not as complete or profound as Terry or Flacius, but contains helpful comments nonetheless].

In Latin

Matthias Flacius, Clavis Scripturae, vol. 2 [This is the original hermeneutics text. If you only read one, read this one, multiple times. Many Reformed writers used and recommended it, including Andre Rivetus, in Isagoge, William Perkins, in Arte of Prophecying, and Oliver Bowles in De Pastore Evangelico]

André Rivetus, Isagoge, seu Introductio Generalis, ad Scripturam Sacram Veteris et Novi Testamenti [Lots of time is spent in this work refuting Roman Catholic views on Scripture, and comparatively little on what we call hermeneutics. Thus his recommendation of Flacius.]

Daniel Chamier, Panstratiae Catholicae Corpus, p. 581-600 [Chamier has one of the best Reformed discussions of hermeneutics, but it is much shorter than the Lutheran works on the matter. Nevertheless, it is a good introduction.]

Daniel Chamier, Corpus Theologicum, p. 66-80

Campegius Vitringa, Typus doctrinae propheticae, (see p. 167 of pt. 2) [Vitringa is the most skilled of the Reformed prophetic interpreters, so his guidelines on the interpretation should be taken seriously.]

Martin Chladni, Institutiones Exegeticae

Higher Criticism

Henry Harman, Introduction to the Study of the Holy Scriptures [Harman responds to the critical theories and proves their falseness for each book of the Old Testament].

Geerhardus Vos, Biblical Theology [Vos’s basic hypothesis is that naturalism and higher criticism do not account well for Scripture’s contents. The point is worth making, but he under-relies on Scripture’s testimonies concerning its own origin].

Robert Dick Wilson, Is the Higher Criticism Scholarly?

Robert Dick Wilson, Studies in the Book of Daniel, vol. 1; vol. 2.

Homiletics

In English

James Waddell Alexander, Thoughts on Preaching [Alexander was the son of famed Princeton Professor Archibald Alexander, and a professor at the same university. If you read just one book on preaching, read this one.]

Richard Bernard, The Faithful Shepherd [the best from the Puritans on the composition of a sermon]

William Perkins, Art of Prophecying (in English and Latin) [Perkins’ comments are helpful, but too brief].

Wilkins, John. Ecclesiastes, Or the gift of preaching. [Similar to Perkin’s treatment, but with a lengthy apparatus of recommended reading for pastors and students. Wilkins’ sermon layout is similar enough to that of Jonathan Edwards that he has been suggested as an influence on the latter].

Jean Claude, An Essay on the Composition of a Sermon, (Vol. 1, 2)

William Shedd, Homiletics and Pastoral Theology

In Latin

Wilhelm Zepper, Ars Habendi et Audiendi Conciones Sacras. [Zepper gives the most thorough and useful presentation of homiletics that is written in the Latin language].

Salomon Van Til, Methodus Concionandi

Desiderius Erasmus, Ecclesiastes, sive de ratione concionandi libri IV [The inclusion of Erasmus in this list may be surprising, since he remained in the Roman Catholic Church throughout his life, but his doctrine is fairly evangelical. He taught salvation by faith alone, the need for divine grace in order for preaching to be effectual, etc, and both in terms of doctrine, and his encouragement of the study of Scripture in the original languages, he was influential on the Reformers. His comments on preaching are very edifying].

Caspar Streso, Technologia Theologica [Streso was the first Dutch homiletician. He aimed to imitate the style of the English Puritans].

Hoornbeeck, Johannes. De ratione concionandi.

Amandus Polanus, De concionum sacrarum methodo institutio [Polanus relies more on examples than a method].

Andreas Hyperius, De formandis concionibus (In English: The practice of preaching)

Campegius Vitringa, Animadversiones ad Methodum Homiliarum ecclesiasticarum rite instituendarum

F. A. Lampe, Methodus Concionandi

Etienne Gaussen, De methodo concionandi

Daniel Featly, Methodus concionandi (begins p. 111)

Oliver Bowles, De pastore evangelico tractatus (the discussion of preaching begins on p. 152) [Bowles was a member of the Westminster Assembly, and his work is perhaps the best on the pastoral office and preaching to be had from England.]

Bartholomaeus Keckermann, Rhetoricae Ecclesiasticae, sive artis formandi et habendi conciones sacras libri duo

Van Der Waeyen, Johannes. Methodus concionandi.

Leydekker, Melchior. Exercitatio De Analysi S. Scripturæ Ejusque Interpretatione in Concionibus Sacris. Adjicitur Methodus Conionandi, Quam V. C. Ludovicus de Dieu. P. M Composuit.

Instruments in Worship

Report of the Presbytery of Glasgow on instruments in worship (report begins p. 25) [in 1807, one church in Glasgow installed an organ, which previously had never been used in Presbyterian worship. The presbytery condemned the action and issued this report justifying their position.]

Judicial Law of Moses

Wilhelm Zepper, Legum Mosaicarum forensium explanatio [The best work explaining the sense and use of individual judicial laws].

Franciscus Junius, De Politiae Mosis Observatione (for purchase in English)

Justification

Anthony Burgess, The True Doctrine of Justification Asserted and Vindicated

John Owen, The doctrine of justification by faith through the imputation of the righteousness of Christ explained, confirmed, and vindicated

Logic

Introductory:

[In introductory logic, one can expect to learn what a syllogism is, and what forms of syllogisms are valid. Like the rules of arithmetic, the student should memorize this information, because a) it’s not much to memorize, and b) it doesn’t do the student any good unless it’s internalized. If one sees an argument with a syllogistic structure, one needs to be able to immediately recognize if the syllogism is valid.]

Pierre Du Moulin, The Elements of Logic [this is a good introduction to logic, with some Ramist influence. I.e. Moulin does not treat metaphysics as a separate discipline from logic. Contrary to popular opinion, Ramist influence does not mean the author is “Anti-Aristotle.” Quite the contrary.]

Robert Sanderson, Logicae Artis Compendium (Oxford: Lichfield & Short, 1618); English translation

Advanced:

Aristotle, Organon (Julius Pacius has a Latin-Greek bilingual edition) [Aristotle’s discussion of logic forms the basis of the discipline even up to the present. Further advances have certainly been made, but, like how addition and subtraction will never be obsolete in mathematics, his explanation of syllogisms and fallacies cannot become obsolete for the simple reasons that 1) it is correct, and 2) it is properly basic.]

Zacharias Ursinus, Commentary on the First Five Books of Aristotle’s Organon

Johann Piscator, In P. Rami Dialecticam Animadversiones

Exercitationum logicarum Libri II

Amandus Polanus, Syntagma Logicae

Lord’s Supper

Richard Vines, A Treatise of the Institution, Right administration and receiving of the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

Theodore Beza, A Clear and Simple Treatise on the Lord’s Supper [A polemic against Lutheran views of the supper]

Rodolphus Hospinianus, Historia Sacramentaria [a history of the practice of the Lord’s Supper and its corruption in the medieval church], Pars Altera [second part, discussing the controversy between the Reformed and the Lutherans on the matter]

Lutheranism

Theodore Beza, Jacobus Andreas, Lutheranism vs. Calvinism: The Classic Debate at the Colloquy of Montbeliard 1586 [The leading lights of the Lutheran and Reformed movements met in 1586 to discuss their differences. Beza, as always, shines brightly.]

Marrow Controversy

In this controversy every man should read the Marrow and Anti-marrow writings, compare them to the word of God and the writings of the Reformed Orthodox, and come to his own determination. It is unfortunate that the most popular book on the Marrow Controversy today, Sinclair Ferguson’s The Whole Christ, shows no evidence of his having read the writings of the Anti-marrow party.

For the Pro-Marrow perspective, read:

A Sober Enquiry into the Grounds of the Present Differences in the Church of Scotland

For the Anti-Marrow perspective, read:
The Snake in the Grass: or, Remarks upon a book entitled The Marrow of Modern Divinity

Metaphysics

For the Ramist critique of Metaphysics, which influenced Ramists like Ames, Polanus, and Piscator, etc, see scholarum metaphysicarum libri 14.

Voetius recommends the following on metaphysics (Exercitia et bibliotheca studiosi theologiae p. 460; let it be noted he also recommends Ramist works, without endorsing one side or the other):

Voetius says the best introductory work is that of Arnold Senguerdius:

He has two works on metaphysics:

Senguerdius, Collegium Metaphysicum (on “general metaphysics,” which is the nature of being)

Senguerdius, Idea Metaphysicae generalis, et specialis (on both general and special metaphysics. Special metaphysics is the application of metaphysics to God, the soul, and other special cases.)

To which Voetius says to compare the introductory works of Combach, Burgersdijck, Maccovius, and Eustachius de St. Paul. [To give an idea of his emphases, only the last of these is Roman Catholic.]

And for a full-length work on metaphysics he recommends Jacobus Martinius (a Lutheran), and especially Scheibler (also a Lutheran). Scheibler has written one of the most thorough systems of metaphysics ever, and it is highly recommended.

To these, we add Paulus Voetius, Prima Philosophia reformata.

Then, after one has a solid foundation on the matter, he refers readers to some of the “disputers” on metaphysics (primarily Roman Catholic, such as Suarez), to learn what the disputes of the day were, while noting that on many points the “theologically and philosophically orthodox” are more sound, such as Twisse and Rutherford, whose works he recommends.

This follows the general pattern of Voetius of recommending that readers get a good foundation in Protestant authors and the Scriptures before venturing out to learn the opinions of Roman Catholic writers (something sorely lacking in our day, when many pastors and teachers refer neophytes to the Scholastics and Romanist writers.)

Also of interest on metaphysics is Gilbert Jack (Gilbertus Jacchaeus)’s Primae Philosophiae sive Institutionum Metaphysicarum Libri Sex [Jack was a Scottish Reformed Aristotelian that was on the Philosophical faculty of the University of Leiden in the Netherlands]

Monasticism

Rodolphus Hospinianus, De monachis [on the historical development of monasticism]

Natural Theology

In English

Matthew Barker, Natural Theology [the best puritan work on the matter, and one of the best in English]

In Latin

Paulus Voetius, Theologia Naturalis Reformata [the best work on natural theology from a Reformed perspective. Extremely thorough and exhaustive].

J.H. Alsted, Theologia naturalis

Original Sin

Anthony Burgess, A Treatise of Original Sin

Pastoral Theology, the character and work of a pastor

Oliver Bowles, De Pastore Evangelico

Roman Catholicism

[Note all of the systematic theologies above touch on this point as well.]

Brief works

William Perkins, Reformed Catholicism

Full length works

William Ames, Bellarminus Enervatus (vol. 1, 2, 3, 4) [an absolutely definitive, masterful refutation of Roman Catholicism.]

Sacraments – In General

Thomas Blake, The covenant sealed. Or, A treatise of the sacraments of both covenants

Scripture, Doctrine of

André Rivetus, Isagoge, sive Introductio generalis ad Scripturam sacram Veteris et Novi Testamenti

Socinianism

In English

Francis Cheynell, The Rise, Growth, and Danger of Socinianism

In Latin

Johannes Cloppenburg, Compendiolum Socinianismi Confutatum (Opera p. 338); Anti-Smalcius de Divinitate Jesu Christi (Opera, p. 509)

Johannes Hoornbeeck, Socinianismus Confutatus, Vol. 1-2, 2-3

Textual Criticism

James Royse, Scribal Habits in Early Greek New Testament Papyri (Leiden: Brill, 2008) (borrow here; download here) [Royse conclusively demonstrates that one of the principal canons of textual criticism, that the shorter reading is better, does not line up with the textual data. This sheds serious doubt on the approach to all versions of the critical text, and by extension, provides support for traditional texts like the TR or Majority Text.]

Trent, Council of

J.H. Heidegger, Concilii Tridentini anatome historico-theologica

Vernacular Language, The Necessity of Conducting Services in the

Pierre Dumoulin, L’Anti-barbare, ou du langage incognue

Westminster Confession, Commentaries on the

Robert Shaw, An Exposition of the Confession of Faith of the Westminster Assembly

A.A. Hodge, A Commentary on the Confession of Faith

David Dickson, Truth’s Victory over Error

Historical Theology; Church History

Church History in General

William Cunningham, Historical Theology

Philip Schaff, History of the Christian Church [The predominate work of church history in the United States in the past century.]

Matthias Flacius Ilyricus et al., Ecclesiastica Historia [Magdeburg Centuries], vol. 1, 2 [The most important work in the history of the field of Church History, for pioneering the use of primary sources and modern historiography.]

Johann Heinrich Hottinger, Historia ecclesiasticae novi testamenti enneas (vol. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) [The most complete post-reformation era work on the history of the Church; remarkably in-depth.]

Early Church History

Eusebius of Caesarea, Church History (covers 0 A.D. – 325 A.D.)

Socrates Scholasticus, Ecclesiastical History (covers 305 A.D. – 445 A.D.)

Theodoret of Cyrus, Ecclesiastical History (covers 4th and 5th centuries)

Post-Reformation History in General

Richard Muller, Post-Reformation Reformed Dogmatics (4 vols.) [A post-Reformation historical theology].

Martinus Vitringa, Campegius Vitringa. Doctrina Christianae Religionis, per Aphorismos Summatim Descripta (Vol. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) [text by Campegius Vitringa, with extensive notes by Martin]

France

François Puaux, Histoire de la Réformation française, vol. 1; vol. 2-3; vol. 4; vol. 5-7

Russia

Andrey Ivanon, Spiritual Revolution: The Impact of Reformation and Enlightenment in Orthodox Russian, 1700-1825 [pdf available here]

Scotland

John Knox, History of the Reformation in Scotland [An incredible primary source on the Reformation in Scotland from its chief proponent.]

David Calderwood, The true history of the Church of Scotland, from the beginning of the reformation, unto the end of the reigne of King James VI [This work covers the years 1520-1625, and is abriged from his full-length history. At the end of his life, Calderwood was hired by the general assembly to write the history of the Scottish Church.]

David Calderwood, The history of the Kirk of Scotland (vol. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) [This is the unabridged version].

Practical Theology, Sanctification, Godliness

In General

Matthew Henry, Directions for Daily Communion with God

John Downame, The Christian Warfare

John Arrowsmith, Tactica Sacra, Sive De Milite Spirituali Pugnante, Vincente, et Triumphante

William Gurnall, The Christian in Complete Armour

Prayer

On constancy in prayer:

William Fenner, The Sacrifice of the Faithful: Or, A treatise showing the nature, property, and efficacy of zealous prayer [A great encouragement to constant prayer. Highly recommended]

On unanswered prayer:

Edward Gee, A Treatise of Prayer and of Divine Providence relating to it.

Sermons (arranged alphabetically by author)

[Note that especially for Puritan authors, often, no clear line can be drawn between collections of sermons and treatises, because they generally delivered their works orally before printing them].

Archibald, Alexander. Practical Sermons.

Alexander, Joseph Addison. Sermons.

Alexander, James Waddell Sacramental Discourses. Discourses on Faith. On Consolation. Common topics.

Augustine, Aurelius. Sermons. [It is the general consensus of Protestants that as a preacher Augustine indulges in excessive allegory, and that his understanding of justification is poor. Nevertheless, his sermons contain many pious meditations and they are worth reading as some of the best of the Patristic era. His sermons in English are generally more recent translations and must be purchased. The Latin originals are transcribed here.].

Barnes, Albert. Practical Sermons; The Theory and Desireableness of Revivals; Revival Sermons; The Way of Salvation; Life at Three-score

Barrow, Isaac. Sermons, vol. 1, vol. 2, vol. 3, vol. 4, vol. 5.

Bates, William. Works, vol. 2, vol. 3, vol. 4

Bede. Patrologia Latina, vol. 91, vol. 92, vol. 93, vol. 94 [Bede stands out as one of the few medieval preachers worth reading. His sermons resemble those of Augustine. Vol. 91-93 are expositions of books of Scripture. Vol. 94 is sermons].

Bernard of Clairvaux, Eighty Six Sermons on the Song of Solomon

Beza, Theodore. Sermons on Christ’s Passion and Burial (French; Latin). Sermons on Christ’s Resurrection (French; Latin). Sermons on Ecclesiastes (Latin). Sermons on Song of Solomon (Latin; French; English). Commentary on Job (Latin; English).

Binning, Hugh. Works, vol. 1, vol. 2, vol. 3.

Bochart, Samuel. Sermons [in French], vol. 1; vol. 2; vol. 3.

Bolton, Robert. A discourse about the state of true happiness. On the last four things: death, judgment, heaven, and hell. A Treatise concerning the word. Some general instructions for a comfortable walking with God. Two sermons. A cordial for christians in times of affliction.

Boston, Thomas. Vol. 1; vol. 2; vol. 3; vol. 4; vol. 5; vol. 6; vol. 7; vol. 8; vol. 9; vol. 10; vol. 11; vol. 12.

Brown, Archibald. Sermons.

Bruce, Robert. Sermons.

Bunyan, John. Works, vol. 1, 2, 3, 4.

Calamy, Edmund. [Calamy was a gifted preacher and a member of the Westminster Assembly famous especially for his defense of presbyterial church government. Sermons of his may be found here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.]

Calvin, John. Select Sermons. Sermons on Ephesians. 22 Sermons on Psalm 119. Sermons on patience in adversity and assurance of salvation. Sermons on Jacob and Esau. Sermons on Timothy and Titus. Sermons on Job (purchase). Sermons on Galatians (purchase). Other sermons for purchase. Sermons on 1 Samuel, pt 2, in Latin. Sermons on Job, pt. 2, in French. Four Sermons on Useful Matters in French (on p. 369). Sermons on Deuteronomy in French, pt. 5; Sermons on 1 Samuel in Latin, pt. 1; Two Sermons in 1545 (French).

Caryl, Joseph. Sermons (eebo).

Cecil, Richard. Sermons.

Chalmers, Thomas, Complete Works. [These works, titled “complete,” are not, but they do contain all the printed sermons of this famed preacher, as far as we are aware]

Charnock, Stephen. Works, vol. 1, vol. 2, vol. 3, vol. 4, vol. 5, vol. 6, vol. 7, vol. 8.

Chauncey, Charles. Yahweh Tsidkenu. God’s mercy shown in giving his people a faithful ministry.

Chrysostom, John. Homilies on Matthew, pt. 1; Homilies on Matthew, pt. 2; Homilies on Matthew, pt. 3; Homilies on John, pt. 1; Homilies on John, pt. 2; Homilies on Acts, pt. 1; Homilies on Acts, pt. 2; Homilies on Romans; Homilies on 1 Corinthians; Homilies on 2 Corinthians; Homilies on Galatians and Ephesians; Homilies on Philippians, Colossians, Thessalonians; Homilies on 1-2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon; Homilies on Hebrews; [Chrysostom is generally considered the best preacher of the patristic era].

Cotton, John. Christ the fountaine of life. A treatise of the covenant of grace. The pouring out of the seven vials. The new covenant.

Cunningham, William. Sermons.

Davies, Samuel. Sermons, vol. 1, vol. 2, vol. 3.

Doddridge, Philip. Works, vol. 3; vol. 4.

Donne, John. Sermons. [Donne, a famed poet, probably indulges too much in rhetorical flourishes, but in other respects his sermons are good].

Durham, James. The Blessedness of those that die in the Lord. Heaven upon Earth.

Dwight, Timothy. Sermons, vol. 1; vol. 2. Theology explained and Defended, vol. 1, vol. 2, vol. 3, vol. 4, vol. 5.

Edwards, Jonathan. Sermons, vol. 1; vol. 2. Complete Index of Sermons (Yale) [Edwards was the famed preacher of the first great awakening, and the first president of the College of New Jersey (i.e. Princeton University). Reading his sermons, one gets the impression his critics have been unfair to him.]

Erskine, Ebenezer. Sermons. Vol. 1; vol. 2; vol. 3.

Erskine, Ralph. Sermons. Vol. 1; vol. 3; vol. 1 of the American edition;

Fenner, William. Works. [Fenner is an excellent Puritan preacher who is too little known in our day.]

Flavel, John. Works, vol. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Frelinghuysen, Theodorus Jacobus. Sermons.

Gaussen, Louis. Sermons [in French].

Girardeau, John. Sermons.

Goodwin, Thomas. Works, vol. 12. [This holds the distinction of being the only volume in Goodwin’s works titled “sermons,” but all of his works were compiled from sermons, and are worth reading.]

Gouge, William. Works (prdl).

Gray, Andrew. Works.

Gray, James. Sermons.

Griffin, Edward. Sermons.

Hall, Robert. Fifty Sermons; Works, vol. 1, 5, 6

Halyburton, Thomas. Works.

Henry, Philip. Eighteen Sermons [Philip is perhaps most famous for being Matthew Henry’s father].

Hodge, Charles. Sermon Outlines.

Hoge, Moses. Sermons.

Howe, John. Works, vol. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 [Howe was a puritan preacher, and the favorite puritan of J. W. Alexander, who preferred him even to John Owen. Those who have read Owen know how high of a compliment this is.]

Hughes, George. Sure footing in Christianity examined. The art of embalming dead saints. The woe-joy trumpet. The saints’ loss and lamentation. A dry rod blooming and fruit bearing. Sermon on Ps. 118:9. Sermon on 2 Samuel 1:27. [Hughes’s “dry rod blooming” was highly praised by Baxter as one of the best works on affliction].

Krummacher, Gottfried Daniel. Jacob Wrestling with the Angel. Israel’s Wanderings in the Wilderness.

Lampe, Friedrich Adolph. Bündlein Zehen außerlesener Predigten Von den Früchten der Leyden Jesu Christi unseres Erlösers.

Latimer, Hugh. Sermons, vol. 1; vol. 2.

Leighton, Robert. Works, vol. 1; vol. 3;

Livingstone, John. A Collection of Sermons [Sermons by Cameron, Welch, Guthrie, Cargill, and others are included as well]

Luther, Martin. Sermons.

Maclaurin, John. Works, vol. 1.

Martyn, Henry. Sermons.

Mason, John Mitchell. Sermons. Vol. 1; vol. 2; vol. 4.

Mather, Cotton. Right Thoughts in Sad Hours. Work upon the ark. Winter Meditations. The Serviceable man. The Present State of New England Considered. The Way to Excel. Ornaments for the daughter of Zion. Mens sana in corpore sano. Little flocks guarded against grevious wolves. Humiliations followed with deliverances. A good man making a good end: the life and death of the Reverend Mr. John Baily. The faith of the fathers. Faith at work a brief and plain essay upon certain articles of the gospel. Elegy on the death of Rev. Nathanael Collins. Early piety. The work of the day. A Christian Thank Offering. Brontologia sacra. Blessed unions. Batteries upon the kingdom of the devil. Addresses to old men, and young men, and little children.

Mather, Increase. Returning unto God. A Faithful Man Described and Rewarded. Sermon against Suicide. Fifteen Sermons on the Beatitudes. Two Sermons Against Drunkenness. Several Sermons on Christ, Conversion, and Angels Carry Souls to Heaven. Practical Truths Plainly Delivered.

McCheyne, Robert Murray. Sermons.

McCrie, Thomas. Sermons.

McLaurin, John. Sermons.

Miller, Samuel. Works.

Monod, Adolphe. Sermons in English; Sermons in French, vol. 1; vol. 2; vol. 3.

Nettleton, Asahel. Sermons.

Nevins, William. Sermons.

Newton, John. Works, vol. 2.

Oakes, Urian. New England Pleaded with. A seasonable discourse. The sovereign efficacy of divine providence. The unconquerable, all-conquering, and more-than-conquering soldier.

Owen, John. Works, vol. 9

Primrose, Gilbert. The righteous man’s evils, and the Lord’s deliverances. La trompette de Sion, exhortation à repetance et à jusne.

Romaine, William. Whole Works.

Quick, John. Sermons (eebo).

Rutherford, Samuel. Trial and Triumph of Faith. [Rutherford was a preacher and writer famed for his devotional power. This is the largest collection of his sermons, although a quite few have been published separately, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.]

Ryle, J. C. Sermons and Tracts.

Saurin, James (Jacques). Sermons, vol. 1; vol. 2.

Shepard, Thomas. Works, vol. 1; vol. 2; vol. 3.

Sibbes, Richard. Works, vol. 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7

Sibelius, Caspar. Vol. 1, 2-3, 4. [Sibelius was the most renowned preacher present at the Synod of Dort. His sermons may be read in Latin and Dutch].

Simeon, Charles. Horae Homileticae. [The 21 volumes of this work are too many to link here; they include sermon outlines on every book of Scripture].

South, Robert. Sermons, vol. 1; vol. 2; vol. 3; vol. 4; vol. 5; vol 6; vol 7. [South was an able Anglican preacher. It goes without saying that we do not embrace his disdain for the Puritans].

Spencer, Ichabod. Sermons, vol. 1; vol. 2.

Spurgeon, Charles. Sermons.

Summerfield, John. Sermons and Sketches of Sermons.

Tennant (Gilbert et al). Sermons by the Tennants; Sermons by Gilbert Tennant [The Tennants founded Log College, the first Presbyterian Seminary in North America].

Truman, Joseph. The Great Propitation.

Tuckney, Anthony. Fourty Sermons. [Tuckney was the principal writer of the Westminster Shorter Catechism]. Praelectiones theologicae. [The latter are lectures, not sermons].

Turretin, Francis. 12 Sermons (in French).

Ussher, James. Twenty Sermons preached at Oxford in 1640. The voice of the Lord from Ireland. Sermon preached to the House of Commons in 1620. The mystery of the incarnation. A brief declaration of the universality of the church.

Vinke, Peter. The Reason of Faith. [Vinke was a little-known nonconformist minister eulogized by Howe].

Vinet, Alexandre. Evangelical Meditations.

Walker, Robert. Sermons.

Ward, Samuel. Sermons.

Warfield, Benjamin Breckenridge. Savior of the World: Sermons Preached in the Chapel of Princeton Theological Seminary

Waugh, Alexander. Communion Sermons.

Welch, John. Forty eight sermons. [John Welch was John Knox’s son-in-law and was famed for his preaching, which eventually led to his imprisonment, then exile, under James VI]

Whitefield, George. Works, vol. 5; vol. 6.

Williams, Daniel. Practical discourses, vol. 1, vol. 2, vol. 3, vol. 4, vol. 5.

Willison, John. Balm of Gilead.

Witherspoon, John (1723-1794). Works, vol. 4; vol. 5. [Witherspoon was an evangelical minister in the Church of Scotland before crossing the ocean and becoming President of the College of New Jersey (Princeton)].

Christian Biography

Alexander, Joseph Addison. The life of Joseph Addison Alexander, vol. 1; vol. 2.

Alexander, Archibald.

Bitterman, Chet. [A collegue of my grandfather in the Colombia Mission. Martyred by communists (who had attempted previously to take my grandfather’s life in a bombing)]

Brainard, David.

Colson, Charles. [A leading advisor to President Nixon who converted to Christ during the course of the ongoing investigation into the Watergate Scandal].

Edwards, Jonathan.

Haliburton, Thomas.

Hodge, Charles.

Hooker, Thomas.

Melville, Andrew.

Miller, Samuel.

Owen, John.

Rodgers, John.

Shepard, Thomas.

Zamperini, Louis. [Olympic runner, World War II pilot, and convert to Christianity]

Zander, Forrest. [My grandfather; a missionary with Wycliffe / JARS in Colombia, 1959-1979]

Commentaries:

On the whole bible:

Matthew Henry’s Commentary

Albert Barnes’s Notes

On the Pentateuch (Genesis – Deuteronomy)

Franciscus Junius, Opera Omnia, p. 1-625

On Genesis

Ulrich Zwingli, Farrago Annotationum in Genesin, in Opera, Vol. 5 (Zurich: F. Schulthess, 1835), p. 1 [Zwingli is an excellent commentator.]

André Rivetus, Theologicae et Scholasticae Exercitationes CXC in Genesin (Leiden: Ex officina Bonaventura & Abrahami Elzevir, 1633)

Exodus

André Rivet, Commentarii in librum secundum Mosis, qui Exodus apud Graecos inscribitur

Judges

Ludwig Lavater, Liber iudicum homiliis CVII

Ruth

Ludwig Lavater, Homilies on Ruth (In English, Latin)

1-2 Chronicles

Ludwig Lavater, In libros Paralipomenon, sive Chronicorum commentarius

Ezra

Ludwig Lavater, Ezras Liber Primus Ezrae Homiliis XXXVIII

Nehemiah

Ludwig Lavater, Nehemias : liber Nehemiae, qui et secundus Ezrae dicitur, homiliis LVIII.

Esther

Ludwig Lavater, Liber Hestherae homiliis XLVII

Job

Ludwig Lavater, Liber Jobi: homiliis 141 german. lingua explicatus

Psalms

Athanasius, Letter to Marcellinus on the Psalms [A general introduction to the Psalms more than anything. Many helpful comments on the nature of them].
David Dickson, Commentary on the Psalms (Ps. 1-50; Ps. 51-100; Ps. 101-150]
William Ames, Lectiones in CL Psalmos Davidis

Proverbs

Ludwig Lavater, In librum proverbiorum sive Sententiarum Solomonis Regis sapientissimi Ludovici Lavateri Tigurini commentarii,

Ecclesiasties

Ludwig Lavater, In librum Salomonis qui Ecclesiastes inscribitur

Thomas Cartwright, Metaphrasis et homiliae in librum Salomonis, qui inscribitur Ecclesiastes

John Cotton, A briefe exposition with practicall observations upon the whole book of Ecclesiastes

Song of Solomon

Theodore Beza, Sermons upon the Three First Chapters of the Canticle of Canticles

John Cotton, A Brief Exposition of the whole book of Canticles

Isaiah

Joseph Addison Alexander, Commentary on the Prophecies of Isaiah

Campegius Vitringa, Commentarius in Librum Prophetiarum Esaiae (vol. 1, 2)

Ezekiel

William Greenhill, An exposition of the Prophet Ezekiel

Amandus Polanus, In librum Prophetiarum Ezechielis Commentarii

Daniel

Franciscus Junius, Expositio Prophetae Danielis

Amandus Polanus, In Danielem Commentarius

Robert Rollock, In librum Danielis Prophetae Commentarius

On the minor prophets:

George Hutcheson, A Brief Exposition on the XII Small Prophets

Hosea

Amandus Polanus, Analysis Libri Hoseae Prophetae

Zechariah

Campegius Vitringa, Commentarii ad Librum Prophetiarum Zachariae

Malachi

Amandus Polanus, Analysis libelli prophetae Malachiae

On the gospels:

Thomas Cartwright, Harmonia evangelica commentario illustrata

On Matthew

Richard Ward, Theologicall questions, dogmaticall observations, and evangelicall essays, vpon the Gospel of Jesus Christ, according to St. Matthew

On John

Robert Rollock, In Evangelium Domini nostri Jesu Christi secundum sanctum Johannem, commentarius

George Hutcheson, An exposition of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, according to John

F.A. Lampe, Commentarius analytico-exegeticus tam literalis quam realis evangelii secundum Joannem (vol. 1, 2, 3)

On the Epistles

David Dickson, An exposition of all St. Pauls Epistles together with an explanation of those other epistles of the apostles St. James, Peter, John, and Jude

Franciscus Gomarus, Opera Theologica Omnia, part 2 (vol. 1, 2)

Romans

Robert Rollock, In epistolam S. Pauli apostoli ad Romanos

John Brown of Wamphrey, An Exposition of the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Romans

On 2 Corinthians

Richard Sibbes, Exposition of 2nd Corinthians Chapter I

Richard Sibbes, Sermons and Expositions on the Epistles to the Corinthians

Galatians

Robert Rollock, Analysis logica in Epistolam Pauli Apostoli ad Galatas.

Ephesians

Jerome Zanchi, In D. Pauli Epistolam ad Ephesios Commentarius

Robert Rollock, In Epistolam Pauli Apostoli Ad Ephesios Commentarius

Robert J. McGhee, Expository Lectures on the Epistle to the Ephesians, vol. 1; vol. 2

Philippians

Jerome Zanchi, In d. Pauli apostoli epistolas ad Philippenses Commentarius

Colossians

Jerome Zanchi, In d. Pauli apostoli epistolas ad Colossenses Commentarius

Robert Rollock, Lectures vpon the epistle of Paul to the Colossians

John Davenant, An Exposition of the Epistle of St. Paul to the Colossians (vol. 1, 2; Latin) [Davenant is somewhat notorious for his hypothetical universalism. Notwithstanding, his commentary on Colossians is excellent.]

1 Thessalonians

Jerome Zanchi, In d. Pauli apostoli epistolas ad Thessalonicenses Commentarius

Robert Rollock, Lectures on the Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonnians (English, Latin)

2 Thessalonians

Jerome Zanchi, In d. Pauli apostoli epistolas ad Thessalonicenses Commentarius

Hebrews

William Gouge, A learned and very useful commentary on the whole epistle to the Hebrews

David Dickson, A Short Explanation of the Epistle of Paul to the Hebrews

Robert Rollock, Analysis logica in Epistolam ad Hebraeos

On Revelation

Campegius Vitringa, Anakrisis Apocalypsios Joannis Apostoli

James Durham, A commentarie upon the book of Revelation

Thomas Goodwin, An Exposition of the Book of Revelation