The Works of Robert Traill, Vol. 1 Review
Over the last several months we've been asking who were the Puritans?, and now that we've looked at who they were and what they believed, I want to look at some specific Puritan works. I could go to many well-known Puritans, but today it's one who isn't quite as well known: Robert Traill.
Banner of Truth publishes Traill in two volumes, sold only as a set. I meant to review both at once, but after reading the first and part of the second, I realized the review would be forever long. So today is volume one, and volume two follows.
The books
Volume one is 543 pages, clothbound, Smyth-sewn, printed in the USA by Versa Press. These might be the most beautiful books I own. The blue cloth (the only other blue Banner book I know of is A Way to Pray, though I think it's a different shade) with a royal red label and gold lettering just looks so good on the shelf.
I do want to mention, though, that my copies had some defects that I fixed with a little super glue, or I thought the book might fall apart. I've noticed a visible lessening of quality from Versa Press since 2020. I understand things changed in the world, and I'm extremely picky, actively looking for problems. But I'd rather pay more for a higher-quality book than pay the same for less. Maybe it was just my copy, but I've noticed a pattern.
About Robert Traill
Traill was born in 1642 and died in 1716, so late in the Puritan era, but still within it. He studied at home with his father and then at the University of Edinburgh, where he worked alongside the martyr James Guthrie. Later, banished from Scotland like his father, he fled to Holland, where he continued his theological study and helped publish one of Samuel Rutherford's books. He was ordained in 1670 to a congregation at Cranbrook in Kent, and after much persecution was arrested in 1677. After his release, he preached at a Scots church in London for the rest of his life. He died on May 16, 1716, an unmarried man. He left no physical descendants, but he did leave us his Christ-filled works, first published in four volumes in 1745 and still in print almost 300 years later. There aren't many biographies of him, but there's a short life in this volume, and this short biography is very helpful.
What's in it
A letter from James Hervey recommending Traill's sermons on steadfast adherence; an account of the life and character of the author; The Throne of Grace, 13 sermons on Hebrews 4:16; By What Means May Ministers Best Win Souls?, a sermon on 1 Timothy 4:16; A Vindication of the Protestant Doctrine concerning Justification from the charge of antinomianism; and Sermons concerning the Lord's Prayer, 16 sermons on John 17:24.
Whenever you start a new author, you never know what to expect. Traill throws you in, and immediately you're surrounded by the doctrine of Christ and all things pertaining to Christ. He truly preaches Christ, and it's so beautiful and elegant. In The Throne of Grace, each sermon goes deeper. Each could stand alone, but read in order they're more and more amazing on the grace of God.
He also addresses from Scripture total depravity, unconditional election, limited atonement, irresistible grace and the perseverance of the saints. I'm not opposed to those doctrines, but he presents them in such a way that even if I had been, I wouldn't be now. He never argues dogmatically. He just points to the text and says, "Look at what this teaches," and you can't argue with the text. It brings you to your knees.
And his style is very accessible. These are sermons, taken down in shorthand as he preached to a congregation, so you don't need much prior knowledge of theology to understand him.
Are there better books on this topic?
It's a collected works, so it isn't fair to compare. But it's definitely up there. Traill isn't well known, and he should be. And at only two volumes (not 25-plus like John Owen), he's definitely worth the time.
Would I buy it?
Absolutely. These were gifts, but I wanted them to understand J. C. Ryle better. Ryle was heavily influenced by Traill and quotes him in nearly every book. He once said Traill "has done me good, and I think will do good to others." I was so pleased that I'd recommend Traill to every believer, and I may reread him for my own sanctification and enjoyment. If two volumes is too much, Banner also publishes a shorter paperback, Select Practical Writings of Robert Traill.
A few things I marked
- "The dependence of the beams on the sun is not more necessary than the dependence of a Christian on Christ" (p. 154).
- "None are saved but the sanctified, and none are sanctified but by faith in Jesus Christ" (p. 205).
- How should ministers win souls? This line sums up the whole sermon: let them have "more of Jesus Christ" in their dealings with men, and less of other things that never profit (p. 224). More Christ, more Christ, more Christ.
- "Let us make Christ crucified our great study as Christians, and the preaching of Him our main work as ministers" (p. 258).
- Three things are necessary to any man's true religion: sound principles of divine truth known, the savor of that knowledge in the heart, and its power in a man's worship and walk. And there are no sound principles of saving truth but in and from God's written Word (p. 275).
- "O such love! such blood! such washing! Here is salvation, and here only: it is a damning dream to expect it anywhere else" (p. 287). One of my favorites in the whole book. You can feel his heart for his people pouring out.
- "Christ and salvation are inseparable" (p. 344).
- "There is no greater theme on earth, nor in heaven, than the glory of Christ" (p. 387).
- Such as think believing is easy know not what believing is (p. 456).
- "Ministers must neither leave Christ in his grave, nor preach a glorified Jesus without remembering his death" (p. 475).
- "Wisdom out of Christ is damning folly; righteousness out of Christ is guilt and condemnation; sanctification out of Christ is filth and sin; redemption out of Christ is bondage and slavery" (p. 484). There's nothing without Him. All of it is found in Christ alone, and Traill preaches that on every page.
Soli Deo Gloria!
