Fire and Ice: Puritan and Reformed Writings
[Table of Contents]  [Fast Index]  [Site Map]

Frequently Asked Questions


(or perhaps those that should be)


Table of Contents Page    Back to the Previous Page

Why is this site named "Fire and Ice?"

It is based on a quotation from Samuel Rutherford, "Never seek warm fire under cold ice." He meant that the world can never satisfy the longings of the Christian heart.

Why did you create Fire and Ice?

I created this Web site because I want to make the writings of the Puritans and other Reformed authors available to a wider audience. I hope-imagine-pray that many people who are intimidated by the Puritans will come to appreciate them, if they are administered in small doses.

I believe that the day is far away, when people will download complete books and read them on the computer, or print them out, or whatever. This is especially true of works that may be in unfamiliar language, or too intellectually demanding for our dull age. Therefore I have concentrated on shorter extracts, which may be read on the computer screen or conveniently printed out. (Besides, if you are familiar enough with a work to make sense of it in a 1000K text file, you probably have it on your shelf already, so why would you download it?)

Nevertheless I have included a few complete sermons, just because they are my favourites. No point in having a Web page if you can't include what you like best!

Of course there really is another reason...

How do you choose what to upload?

I have decided to concentrate on practical, devotional, and experiential works because they are so needed today. While I believe that the Solemn League and Covenant and the Canons of Dort are valuable and important and wonderful-I also believe that some sweetness from Sibbes or Rutherford is good for the soul, and that is what I want to make available to you, the Reader.

I have been asked a few times about family issues. So far I have steered away from this because of the sterling work done by Soli Deo Gloria in reprinting several fine Puritan books on the family. Perhaps if there is sufficient demand I might include some in the future.

Where do you get the "Quotes of the Day?"

Mostly I steal them shamelessly from the wonderful book, A Golden Treasury by I. D. E. Thomas, published by the Banner of Truth. Others I have collected over time from books now out of print. Some are contributed by e-mail. And one or two I found myself!

This also brings up the question of citations.

Where do I start reading the Puritans?

The two Puritans best to start out with are Thomas Watson and Thomas Brooks. Their writings are practical and the easiest for the uninitiated modern reader.

Watson's All Things for Good, an exposition of Romans 8:28, is published by the Banner of Truth in paperback.

Heaven on Earth, by Thomas Brooks, is also published by the Banner in paperback. Both books are available from Great Christian Books, 1-800-775-5422 (from the US), +1.410.392.0800 (from outside the U.S.)

Where can I learn more about the Puritans?

The book I always recommend is Worldly Saints: the Puritans as They Really Were by Leland Ryken, published by Zondervan. Not only is it an excellent introduction to the Puritans, it has a superb bibliography. You can order it from GCB.

The best introduction to Puritan theology is J.I. Packer's A Quest for Godliness, The Puritan View of the Christian Life, published by Crossway Books. It is also available from GCB.

(N.B.: You will note that these are books. Learning from the Puritans requires study.)

Why don't you give citations for the extracts in Fire and Ice?

Citations are usually provided in an academic setting in order to facilitate academic research. However, because most of the selections in this Web site are modernized or otherwise adapted, they are useless for research. It is my hope that the reader will take up the books for himself (or herself) and dive in. I cannot imagine any exercise more fruitful than reading the Puritans.

How can I help?

You can pray for me (Bill Carson) that I will be faithful in this work. You can tell your friends about Fire and Ice and encourage them to visit. And if you have a favourite Puritan quotation of your own, please e-mail it to me, perhaps I can include it in "Puritan Quote of the Day" as space and opportunity permit.

You might also fill out our Reader Questionnaire, your opinion counts. After all, you are part of a very select readership, you only read the best!

Thank you for your support!

Back to the Previous Page


Table of Contents Main Page Quote of the Week
History & Biography Poetry If You're Looking For...
New & Favourite Reformed Links Fast Index
Site Map Frivolous Search
Order Sermon Booklets

http://www.puritansermons.com/