The Works of William Perkins, Volume 1

by William Perkins

The Works of William Perkins fills a major gap in Reformed and Puritan theology. Though Perkins is best known today for his writings on predestination, he also wrote prolifically on many subjects. His works filled over two thousand large pages of small print in three folio volumes and were reprinted several times in the decades after his death. However, his complete works have not been in print since the mid-seventeenth century. This modern typeset edition of the Works includes four volumes of Perkins’s expositions of Scripture, three volumes of his doctrinal and polemical treatises, and three volumes of his practical writings. The present volume contains three of Perkins’s treatises. The first is A Digest or Harmony of the Books of the Old and New Testament, which offers a synopsis of the Bible that relates sacred history to the chronology of the world. Dating God’s creation of the universe in 3967 BC, Perkins develops his overview of redemptive history that culminates in the final judgment. The second treatise is The Combat between Christ and the Devil Displayed. Expounding Matthew 4:1–11, Perkins shows how Christ’s temptation in the wilderness (1) set Jesus up to serve as the second Adam, overcoming Satan’s temptation in a way the first Adam did not; (2) reveals how the devil assaults the church so that we might be better prepared to resist his temptations; and (3) equipped Christ to be a sympathetic high priest to those who are tempted. The third and most significant treatise is A Godly and Learned Exposition upon Christ’s Sermon in the Mount. “Hereof I have chosen to entreat,” says Perkins, “because it is a most divine and learned sermon, and may not unfitly be called the ‘Key to the whole Bible’; for here Christ opens the sum of the Old and New Testaments.” The fact that Perkins saw the Sermon on the Mount as unlocking the meaning of Scripture in its entirety suggests that his understanding of what Christ declares in Matthew 5–7 was pivotal to the development of his theology and piety. Endorsements “On the broad shoulders of William Perkins, epoch-making pioneer, stood the entire school of seventeenth-century Puritan pastors and divines, yet the Puritan reprint industry has steadily bypassed him. Now, however, he begins to reappear, admirably edited, and at last this yawning gap is being filled. Profound thanks to the publisher and heartfelt praise to God have become due.” — J. I. Packer, Board of Governors’ Professor of Theology, Regent College, Vancouver, British Columbia “William Perkins was a most remarkable Christian. In his relatively short life he was a great preacher, pastor, and theologian. His prolific writings were foundational to the whole English Puritan enterprise and a profound influence beyond his own time and borders. His works have become rare, and their republication must be a source of real joy and blessing to all serious Christians. Perkins is the first Puritan we should read.” — W. Robert Godfrey, president, Westminster Seminary California “The father of Elizabethan Puritanism, Perkins presided over a dynasty of faith. The scope of his work is wide, yet on every topic he treats one discovers erudition and deep reflection. He was the first in an amazing line of ministers at Cambridge University’s main church. A pastor to pastors, he wrote a bestseller on counseling, was a formative figure in the development of Reformed orthodoxy, and a judicious reformer within the Church of England. I am delighted to see Perkins’s works made available again for a wide audience.” — Michael Horton, J.

Genres: Theology, Nonfiction, Christian

1136 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 20, 2014

About the author

William Perkins (1558–1602) was an influential English cleric and Cambridge theologian, receiving both a B.A. and M.A. from the university in 1581 and 1584 respectively, and also one of the foremost leaders of the Puritan movement in the Church of England during the Elizabethan era. Although not entirely accepting of the Church of England's ecclesiastical practices, Perkins conformed to many of the policies and procedures imposed by the Elizabethan Settlement. He did remain, however, sympathetic to the non-conformist puritans and even faced disciplinary action for his support.

Perkins was a prolific author who penned over forty works, many of which were published posthumously. In addition to writing, he also served as a fellow at Christ's College and as a lecturer at St Andrew's Church in Cambridge. He was a firm proponent of Reformed theology, particularly the supralapsarian theology of Theodore Beza and John Calvin. In addition, he was a staunch defender of Protestant ideals, specifically the five solae with a particular emphasis on solus Christus and sola Scriptura.

Reviews

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

The majority of the book is his fantastic exposition of the Sermon on the Mount, in addition to Christ's temptations, and a harmony of Scripture. Everything is exposited thoroughly and all is made relevant. Perkins shows us who God is, what Christ did, how deep our sin is, and how to live as a child of God. This edition is also excellent. Endnotes are there for definitions of words that aren't used anymore--not 'big words', or Thee's and Thou's, which were removed, but truly strange ones--and information that Perkins wrote in the margin. Reading the Kindle version of the book makes looking up these endnotes very easy by just tapping on the number and then going back. I would love to have the (expensive) paper book, but it's great to have an electronic version for only $10. I look forward to Volume 2, which is his exposition of Galatians.

[Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perkins is just excellent. Plain, practical, simple, deep, and pastoral. His exposition of the Sermon on the Mount was fantastic.

[Ronnie Nichols · Rating 5 out of 5]

An outstanding exposition of the temptation of Christ and the Sermon on the Mount! Perkins delivers with plenty of milk for the babes and meat for the mature. One of the better books I’ve ever read. Looking forward to starting Volume 2.

[Shawn Hurley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second volume of the William Perkin's works that I have read. He is very thorough in his commentary on the sermon on the mount. I found his work on chapter 7:1-6, refreshing. His work on the OT and NT is a good alternative to Ussher, and whole lot more succinct.

[Andrzej Stelmasiak · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was going through the Beatitudes and the Lord's Prayer, Perkins was of great help. Short and to the point, yet rich and profound. 100% recommended, don't neglect to read him especially when modern commentators or authors don't interact with Perkins.

[Brian Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, challenging writing on the Sermon on the Mount and the Temptations of Christ.