“An Honest, Well-Experienced Heart” introduces us to the life and writings of Puritan preacher and author John Flavel (1627–1691). In his brief, introductory biography, Adam Embry discusses Flavel’s background, ministry, and theology of keeping the heart, which, for Flavel, “is the great business of a Christian’s life.” Centuries ago, Flavel wrote, “Above all other studies in the world, study your own hearts.” Embry guides us through forty-two short passages from Flavel’s writings that acquaint us with this dedicated Puritan minister’s piety and help us see the importance of this great business of keeping and managing our hearts.
145 pages
Table of Contents:
The Piety of John Flavel (1627–1691)
Section One: Christ Rules the Heart
1. To Win and Gain the Hearts of Sinners
2. Shutting up the Heart against Christ
3. The Great Design and Aim of the Gospel
4. A Throne in the Hearts of Men
5. Jesus Christ Most Heartily Approved
6. Consolations for an Opened Heart
Section Two: Keeping the Heart
7. Above All Other Studies
8. The Great Business
9. The Pained Place
10. The Most Difficult, Constant, and Important Work
11. A Sincere Christian in His Closet
12. The Best Schoolmaster
13. Furnish Your Hearts Richly with the Word
14. Soul Work Is Preferred
15. My Naughty Heart
Section Three: Seasons of the Heart
16. Death of a Child
17. Death of a Spouse
18. Prosperity
19. Adversity
20. The Church’s Troubles
21. Fear and Danger
22. In Times of Need
23. Distraction during Religious Duties
24. Abuse from Others
25. Anger
26. Temptation, Part1
27. Temptation, Part2
28. Spiritual Darkness
29. Suffering for Religion
30. Willingness to Die
Section Four: Discerning the Heart
31. The Aim of Our Hearts
32. The Hypocrite’s Abstinence from Sin
33. The Saint’s Abstinence from Sin
34. The Hypocrite’s Hatred of Sin
35. The Saint’s Hatred of Sin
36. The Hypocrite’s Sorrow for Sin
37. The Saint’s Sorrow for Sin
38. The Saint’s Struggle with Sin
39. Wrongly Censuring Your Heart
40. Questions to Judge Sincerity
41. Deep Trials of the Heart
Conclusion
42. A Blessed End
Reading Flavel
A Hymn upon Romans 5:6–11
Honest and Well Experienced Heart, An: The Piety of John Flavel is in the following collections:
