Christian Leaders of the 18th Century by J. C. Ryle Review
What is the best biographical work ever written? You could make a case for Foxe's Book of Martyrs, and there are many wonderful single biographies. But one answer worth considering is Christian Leaders of the Eighteenth Century by J. C. Ryle.
What's in the book
This was Ryle's first book published apart from his commentaries and his couple of hymn books.
Ryle opens with two chapters that set the scene: the religious and moral condition of England at the beginning of the eighteenth century, and the means by which God revived Christianity in England in the middle of it. Then come eleven short biographies:
- George Whitefield
- John Wesley
- William Grimshaw
- William Romaine
- Daniel Rowlands
- John Berridge
- Henry Venn
- Samuel Walker
- James Hervey
- Augustus Toplady
- John Fletcher
He closes with a conclusion drawing the lessons together.
Is there a better book on the subject?
It depends on what you're after. This book only covers leaders in England, and only in the eighteenth century, so if you want a broad survey of church history, look elsewhere. But for writing style, readability and clarity, I don't think there's a better book of its kind. Ryle writes so clearly that you're on the edge of your seat, wanting to know what comes next.
Ryle's fairness
What I love most is how fair Ryle is. Some of these men were Arminians, and Ryle disagreed with them on doctrine. Yet he presents them exactly as he presents the men he agreed with: as great men of God, men of prayer and of Scripture, whom we should respect and learn from. Even in Toplady's chapter, Ryle admits that things were said in those controversies that should never be said to a brother in Christ. He held his convictions firmly and still treated his brothers as brothers.
Would I buy it?
Absolutely. This book was my introduction to several of these men. I knew Whitefield and Wesley, of course, and I knew Toplady wrote "Rock of Ages," but not much more. Since reading it I've gone on to read Toplady's complete works, and Henry Venn's letters are waiting on my shelf. If you want to know the men God used in that great revival, start here.
Soli Deo Gloria!
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