Prizing Public Worship

Puritan Treasures for Today

by David Clarkson, Jonathan Landry Cruse (editor)

Nearly 25% of American Christians do not regularly attend church in person (Pew Research, 2023). How can we recapture the duty and delight of public worship?Public worship is not simply something we should do; it is something we should love. In the newest Puritan Treasure for Today, David Clarkson helps believers glorify God by enjoying the privilege and duty of the corporate assembly.Edited and updated for modern readers by Pastor Jonathan Cruse, this Puritan classic will teach you The Primacy of Public WorshipProfiting from Public WorshipHearing the WordRead this book and learn to prize the ordinary means of grace as God’s precious gifts to His people. “Clarkson’s message is one we desperately need to hear today. What is the priority. . . physical presence with the church or live stream at home? With Puritan thoroughness and an eye to the practical, he provides a clarifying and convincing case for the supremacy of the church gathered publicly.”— Terry L. Johnson, senior minister, Independent Presbyterian Church, Savannah, GeorgiaPart of the Puritan Treasures for TodayInterest in the Puritans continues to grow, but many people find reading these giants of the faith a bit unnerving. Puritan Treasures for Today overcome that barrier by presenting Puritan books that are convenient in size and unintimidating in length. Each book is carefully edited with modern readers in mind, smoothing out complex language from a bygone era while retaining the meaning of the original authors.

Genres: Theology, Nonfiction, Church, Christian Living, Christian

168 pages, Paperback

Published October 31, 2023

Reviews

[Coleson White · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been incredibly disappointed in most of the books on reformed worship. However, this book restored my hope.

This is the most organic treatise on the primacy of public worship grown from the Scriptures I have read. Without even using the language of the Regulative Principle, Clarkson gives a clear, helpful, and concise definition and defense of public worship being greater than private worship.

[Eric Wu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really excellent! Some arguments are more convincing than others, but the overall thrust of the book is faithfully argued.

[Jake · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Lord has engaged to be with every particular saint, but when the particulars are joined in public worship, there are all the engagements united together. The Lord engages himself to let forth as it were, a stream of his comfortable, quickening presence to every particular person that fears him, but when many of these particulars join together to worship God, then these several streams are united and meet in one. Thus, the presence of God, which, enjoyed in private, is but a stream, in public becomes a river, a river that makes glad the city of God."
-David Clarkson
So good!

[Kenneth Clayton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Public worship > private worship

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spectacular. Three parts: Primacy of Public Worship; Profiting from Public Worship; Hearing the Word. The primary virtue of this book is his straightforward argument about the primacy of public worship for the Christian. Public worship brings God more glory than private worship because the gathered saints worshipping together means more worshippers and therefore more glory.

There are so many choice quotes but here is a favorite:

“Do not be satisfied with anything in hearing except the presence of God. That special presence, when operative, makes the word effectual to the ends appointed. The presence of the Lord—His glory—filled the tabernacle under the law, and His presence is as abundant and glorious under the gospel. Now He fills the tabernacle with His presence when the glorious effects of His presence are sensible in the hearts of the hearers—convincing, enlightening, terrifying, humbling, melting, inflaming, comforting, strengthening, quickening. These are the signs of this glorious presence. It is a greater glory than the other, though not visible; it is more like the glory of heaven and more suitable to the spiritual and elevated estate of gospel spirits.” (146)

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Essays by David Clarkson are compiled under the title “Prizing Public Worship” as part of the series, “Puritan Treasures for Today.” This is the second book I have read in this series and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I found it both compelling and convicting. Clarkson’s words remind the Christian of the battle they are facing against the world, the flesh, and the devil. This battle is fought through public worship and changing our affections so we love the gathering of the body of Christ in public worship.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good clear treatment of the priority of public worship in the life of the believer. A great challenge to all believers who might consider public worship as less important than private worship. Both are needed, but his book makes the case that public worship is to be prioritized.

There are also sections about how we engage in public worship. I especially like the section on how to actively hear the word as it is preached. What does it mean to be someone who really hears the Word, not just listen to the words being spoken.

[Ben Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The helps for hearing in the final chapter are so rich!

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

As Jonathan Cruse says in the preface, “The glory of God demands the corporate worship of his people.” And that worship should be a joy and privilege to us.

“The Lord is most glorified when his glory is most declared, and it is most declared when it is declared by most, by a multitude.”
- This is a good argument for the congregational participation in the liturgy

Clarkson makes the argument that God prefers public worship over private worship. Not that private worship should be neglected but that there is a special glory in the publicity and corporate-ness of the Lord’s day gatherings. God is more fully displayed in public worship in a way that private devotions cannot replicate. It is also even more beneficial to us in its mutual upbuilding and protection against apostasy.

“Esau was stigmatised as a profane person for preferring the stew before his birthright, but those who prefer the things of the world before this singular prerogative of worshipping God in public exceed Esau in profaneness. What a special privilege it is! How few are those in the world who enjoy it! Does the Lord grant this honour so as to have it and himself in it despised?”
- it ought to cause disgust in us when people choose sport over worship. When people adjust when and where they go to church based on the convenience of ‘not loosing the whole day’ in order to be able to fill it with worldly pleasures instead. Will you rob God?

Clarkson gives a deeper appreciation of scripture and what it says about how God tells us to worship him. I found particularly reading the Psalms (such as Psalm 84) in light of his insights was stirring.

[Gannon Miles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was one of the most simple and profound books I have read about public worship. David Clarkson confronts several issues, but one of note is relevant today: the difference between public and private worship, and the dangers of preferring private worship over public worship. He believes that private worship is good and necessary, but to forgo public worship is to give up our lifeblood and puts us in very serious danger. I cannot recommend this book enough, read it, and then read it again.

[Mitchell Beck · Rating 5 out of 5]

incredibly relevant to post-covid Christians, which is astounding considering it was written in the 1600s. Very clear and persuasive writing style- I was convicted for my indifference to public worship but also encouraged to love it more. It really grew my appreciation for public worship and exposed things I had never thought about before!

[Jared Baergen · Rating 5 out of 5]

These little Puritan treasure books are aptly described as treasures. This one in particular, on prizing public worship, may not get the recognition that it deserves because the people who need to read it might overlook it. However, Jonathan Cruse has done a fantastic job putting this book by David Clarkson into our hands today. It is a very easy read. Worth your time and money for sure.

[Ethan Moehn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Started this book over a year ago. Put it down. Picked it back up and couldn’t put it down. The mystery of books…

Clarkson is supremely gifted with illustrations, even for a Puritan. In all the best ways, this book made me want to go to church.

[Luke Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great devotional work

[Dylan Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book on the topic, only gave it a four because some of the essays can be repetitive

[Colby Conrad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Convicting. Expanded my brain