Holy Helps

The Puritans are known not only for their quest for purity, but also for good ol’ wisdom and a rich heritage of biblical truths. Yet the dense volume of their writings and the use of outdated expression and language (which frankly speaking, belong in a bygone era) pose a challenge to the modern day reader.

Enter the ‘Puritan Treasures for Today’ series.  These series are a bridge between ancient tutors and modern learners. They offer Puritan writings in convenient sizes and lengths, using modern day language, all the while retaining the authors’ original meaning.

My choice to read this book was influenced by the ‘reading classics together’ initiative put together by Tim Challies. Since I had not read or even heard of the book before, I thought it a good opportunity to read along with others. I’m glad I did!

Holy Helps for a godly life is the third of seven treatises offered by Rogers as a guidebook for the earnest Christian in the pursuit of godliness. Having discussed in earlier treatises, the nature and outworking of true conversion in a life of godliness, the author in the third, focuses on the means for nourishing and maintaining such a life.

Rogers does not leave the reader in doubt that just as the Christian life does not begin without means, it is not sustained without them, as he starts off by identifying 10 God-appointed means (or helps as he calls them). Who would have thought much of Watchfulness – “a careful observing of our hearts and diligent looking to our ways, that they may be pleasing and acceptable unto God” – as one of such means?

Distinguishing between categories, some helps are considered private while others are public, i.e., used in community with others. Even so, the reader is made to understand that the public means are less helpful without the private.

I found it quite helpful that the author devoted a chapter to each ‘help’, going into details of the benefits, necessity and outworking of each. Where necessary, he also addressed the consequence of neglecting these helps either selectively or in entirety.

In conclusion, the author adds on a few cautions that may help readers rightly use these helps with the right motivation.

It wouldn’t be absurd to assume that the pursuit of a godly life would be high on the agenda for a true believer, in which case, a book offering help is very much in order.

Without doubt, Holy helps for a godly life does exactly what it says on the tin. It would therefore serve a keen reader well, maybe not as much though for the less keen. I guess that goes for all books really, the reader’s attitude makes it all worth the while… or not.

Thanks for reading!

Sike Osinuga.