A Body of Doctrinal and Practical Divinity (From 1657)

– One of the earliest major works on theology by a Particular Baptist  (1657)

– Rich in Scripture, pastoral warmth, and experiential theology

– Covers God, salvation, the church, and the Christian life

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A Body of Doctrinal and Practical Divinity (From 1657)

A Body of Doctrinal and Practical Divinity is a major work of theology from the early Particular Baptist tradition, first published in 1657 and now carefully republished for a new generation.

Written by Robert Purnell (1606–1666), a pastor and craftsman by trade, this work was not designed as a merely academic exercise, but as a “little cabinet” of truth and a treasury of doctrine meant to be opened, handled, and applied. It is not simply a book to read, but a weighty volume of biblical truth. With unusual clarity and warmth, Purnell brings together deep theological reflection and searching pastoral application, pressing the truths of Scripture upon the conscience.

As Jeffrey D. Johnson notes, Purnell stands in the stream of the great Puritan divines, combining doctrinal thoroughness with an experiential and devotional tone reminiscent of Thomas Watson. From the nature of God and the covenant of grace to salvation, the church, the Christian life, and the final judgment, this volume spans the whole counsel of God with remarkable balance and insight.

Rich in Scripture and structured for use, this work is ideally suited for personal study, family worship, and congregational teaching. It instructs the mind, searches the heart, and directs the believer toward a deeper walk with Christ.

This edition includes an introduction by Dr. Michael A. G. Haykin and has been produced with care—featuring a durable hardcover, quality paper, and a format designed for long-term use.

This is a major work of theology from the 17th-century Particular Baptist tradition, bringing together doctrine and practical godliness in a unified and deeply pastoral way. Purnell does not treat theology as abstract or detached, but as truth to be believed, felt, and lived. Each section is rich in Scripture and shaped to instruct the mind while searching the heart, making it both substantial and spiritually penetrating.

This work is intensely practical and devotional. Purnell writes as a pastor concerned with the soul, not merely the intellect. His style, often compared to Thomas Watson, combines clarity, warmth, and direct application, so that doctrine is never left as theory but pressed into the life of the reader. It is a book designed not only to inform, but to transform.

Purnell originally intended this work to function as a kind of catechetical and devotional resource. It is well suited for personal reading, family worship, and even church teaching contexts. The structure and clarity of the chapters make it possible to work through steadily, using it to deepen understanding, guide discussion, and cultivate a more serious and thoughtful Christian life grounded in the truths of Scripture.

Additional information

Title

A Body of Doctrinal and Practical Divinity

Author

Robert Purnell

Dimensions

229 x 152 mm

Pages

440

Format

Hardback (Dust Jacket)

ISBN

9781952599729