Arthur Pink introduces us to this weighty subject by asking the question, “Is man a totally and thoroughly depraved creature by nature?” Thomas Reade then tells us about the deadly consequences and bitter fruits of Adam’s fall: In Adam, all die. We then consider Joel Beeke’s helpful survey of the doctrine of human depravity. A second article by Thomas Reade leads us to a painful truth: The heart of man is evil. But he does not leave us there: He takes us to the blessed Son of God for deliverance. 

At the hidden center of man's being is the dwelling place of the triune God. It is such a private, intimate place that no one can intrude but Christ, and even he will enter only through an invitation of faith. Once the Spirit enters the core of the believer's heart and establishes residence there, man becomes a true child of God. But baptism, confirmation, receiving the sacraments, church membership, etc., mean nothing unless God has truly inhabited the soul.

This short but helpful book is a must for all Christians who want to walk in a manner worthy of Jesus Christ, pleasing him in all things. Pink aptly uses Proverbs 4:23 to show that keeping or guarding the heart is key to walking in that worthy manner. For from the heart are all “the issues of life.” As goes the heart, so goes the life. Whether you are a young or old Christian, or whether you live in prosperity or in adversity, this is a superb guide to practical Christian thinking and living.

Thomas Watson (c. 1620 - 1686) was an English Puritan preacher and author. The Lord's Prayer is the third volume in his series of books explaining the tenets of the Christian faith, the first being The 10 Commandments and the second The Apostle's Creed. Watson provides a lengthy and in-depth exposition of each concept or verse of the familiar prayer from Matthew 6. This is a valuable reference for Christians who wish to improve their prayer lives, as Watson derives deep layers of meaning from the simple words of the prayer. 

The Kings of Israel and Judah is an expansive history of the many kings mentioned in The Books of Kings and Chronicles. For this reason, it is an often cited book for any scholar of Jewish and Christian history.