What Inspired The Most Blessed Preachers Can Inspire Us

John Wesley & George Whitefield were inspired by the writings in William Law's book, "A Serious Call To A Devout And Holy Life."
George Whitefield said of Henry Scougal's treatise, "Life Of God In The Soul Of Man", that he never really understood what true religion was till he had "digested" Scougal's treatise.
I ask you, brothers & sisters in Christ, "Have you ever digested these books?" They can be found on-line at www.ccel.org. Besides the Holy Scriptures, they are probably the two most influential books I have ever read, and continue to read daily. Oh how they bless me, & may they bless you beloved.

I just recalled what writings inspired the blessed John Bunyan - the writings by Lewis Bayly in his discourses in, "The Practise Of Piety", also found @ ccel.org. Following the old path is indeed the best way :o)

While looking up Henry Scougal's book, I found two others that peaked my interest and thought you might be interested in them, if not - no harm done!

The Christian's Daily Walk By Henry Scudder

http://books.google.com/books?id=mOsOAAAAIAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=the+life+of+god+in+the+soul+of+man+henry+scougal&as_brr=4&source=gbs_similarbooks_s&cad=1#v=onepage&q&f=false

Review of book: http://www.amazon.com/review/R3CL2WW1D6NKP2

--------------------------

THE CHRISTIAN MINISTRY; WITH AN INQUIRY INTO THE CAUSES OF ITS INEFFICIENCY By CHARLES BRIDGES

http://www.archive.org/stream/christiansdailyw00scud#page/n5/mode/2up

books.google has it without the age stains!!

Review of book: http://meretheology.blogspot.com/2006/10/christian-ministry-by-charles-bridges.html

God bless you,

Thanks Lysa.
I think what's on my mind @ present is the fact that these men that played such an important role for the glory of God were influenced by others as well, as iron sharpens iron.
Andrew Murray was deeply influenced by the writings of Finney. Dr. Owen used to walk for miles in the rain to hear the preaching of John Bunyan.
Listen to this quote from the Introduction of Law's "A Serious Call To A Devout & Holy Life": "John Wesley found that after reading this work, & Law's 'Christian Perfection' that "the Light flowed so mightily upon my soul that everything appeared in a new view"; & his companion in evangelism George Whitefield likewise confessed that, "God worked powerfully upon my soul".
I must admit these works by Law, Scougal, & Bayly, as well as works by Bunyan, Murray, Finney, & Edwards are very powerful. They feed me with the deep truths of a Blessed Christ Jesus; They aren't obviously the Holy Scriptures; but can I say this.... If the Blessed Scriptures would be the Head of the Body; I would add that these other books would be like arms & legs, in saying that they totally compliment God's Inspired Word.
You can read, I think, 3 books for free from ccel.org, & I would suggest Bayly's, Law's, & Scougal's... & not necessarily in that order of course. They will draw you closer to the Lord, & your eyes will be opened alittle, if not muchmore.

I've read "The Life of God in the Soul of Man," and really I hope to get around to reading it a second time soon, there's so many good truths in there. I read it precisely because it was instrumental in Whitefield's conversion. It is a work used of God, and the book will justify itself in that matter.

Thank you.