Summary
"The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions," edited by Arthur Bennett, is a profound exploration into the spiritual exercises, meditations, and aspirations of Puritan life. This book serves as a testament to the richness of evangelical thought and language that characterized vital piety within an important stream of English religious history. The collection aims to redress the neglect of Puritan spirituality by offering readers a window into the heart of their God-centered lives.
The book highlights the significance of prayer and meditation in Puritan character and life, where the spirit of prayer was regarded as paramount. It emphasizes that living prayer is the hallmark of genuine spirituality, manifested through both vocal and written expressions. This tradition is richly documented with written prayers and meditations that inspire and provide a framework for devotional literature.
Bennett's compilation is designed not to supply ready-made prayers but to prompt and encourage Christians in their personal journeys of faith. By retaining old idioms while reframing archaic thoughts for modern understanding, the editor bridges the gap between historical Puritan devotion and contemporary Christian practice. The prayers are extracted from the works of notable figures such as Thomas Shepard, Richard Baxter, John Bunyan, Isaac Watts, and Charles Haddon Spurgeon, among others. Each prayer is structured poetically with main and subsidiary clauses to facilitate pauses and reflections, making the book accessible for both private devotion and corporate worship.
The collection is divided into thematic sections, including "Father, Son, and Holy Spirit," "Redemption and Reconciliation," "Penitence and Deprecation," and "Holy Aspirations," each exploring different facets of the Christian experience. These prayers reflect a deep sense of human inadequacy and a profound reliance on God's grace, emphasizing the importance of self-knowledge, repentance, and a continual turning towards divine mercy. The book ultimately serves as a guide for Christians seeking a deeper, more meaningful relationship with God, rooted in the rich tradition of Puritan spirituality.
The prayers within "The Valley of Vision" are not intended to be read passively, but rather to serve as springboards for individual prayer subjects. The editor encourages readers to use these prayers as aspiration units, allowing the various parts to inspire personal supplications. Additionally, the structure and divisions within the prayers can serve homiletic purposes, offering a versatile tool for both personal reflection and public ministry. The book underscores the idea that true prayer is a communion with a transcendent and immanent God, drawing forth all the powers of the redeemed soul in acts of total adoration and dedication.
Bennett's work also provides a valuable historical context by illuminating the Puritan Movement, a religious phenomenon that significantly influenced English religious life from the sixteenth to the nineteenth centuries. The book highlights how the Puritans' emphasis on family worship and private devotion shaped practical religion, and how their commitment to the authority of Scripture unified various denominations, transcending differences in worship, discipline, and polity. This collection thus not only enriches personal spirituality but also deepens understanding of a pivotal era in Christian history.