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William Grimshaw of Haworth in Yorkshire, born 14 September 1708, was regarded by J C Ryle as one of the three greatest men of the eighteenth century Evangelical Revival; the other two being John Wesley and George Whitefield. And yet he is little known today. One reason for this is that he left behind no printed sermons - nothing that posterity could read and profit from after his death - or so it was thought until the Methodist historian Frank Baker unearthed four manuscripts which Grimshaw had prepared for publication. Baker used these for his doctoral thesis on Grimshaw, published in 1963, two hundred years after the preacher's death. Sometimes preaching up to thirty times a week in towns and villages throughout Yorkshire and beyond, William Grimshaw had little time and perhaps available finance to see his work through the press. On his death at the age of fifty-four, his manuscripts were retained in the family and eventually sold to an earlier Methodist historian, Luke Tyerman. Tyerman arranged for them to be stored in the Methodist archives and a full century would pass before these pithy and wise comments would be rediscovered. Then, surprisingly, they appeared to be lost once more. Anxious to obtain them for my forthcoming biography on William Grimshaw in 1996, I made urgent enquiries regarding them. Eventually they were discovered among unclassified material at the John Rylands University Library of Manchester, passed there from the Hartley Victoria College. If you would like to listen to the 2008 William Grimshaw 300th anniversary lecture by Faith Cook please visit - http://www.hallgreenchapel.org.uk/the_word/wgrimshaw What people are saying about 'Living the Christian life': 'An excellent production' - Dr John Blanchard 'Haworth has become very much associated with the Brontes, but the village had already attracted fame a century before the family set foot in the village, under the ministry of William Grimshaw. It's good to see important new material relating to this largely forgotten figure finally coming to light.' - Ann Dinsdale, Bronte Parsonage Museum, Haworth 'Reading this little book is like taking a short brisk walk on the Haworth moor. It is invigorating and refreshing. A no nonsence exhortation to Christians, full to the brim of simple wholesome bible food.' - Mick Lockwood, Pastor, Hall Green Baptist Church, Haworth 'This collection of recently discovered Grimshaw manuscripts makes an excellent introduction to one of the mightiest, if least known, evangelical preachers of the eighteenth century. William Grimshaw of Haworth was a moralist before he became a Christian; when he did, the change in his heart and life went deep. His preaching became earnest, and his piety became evident. This can be seen in these writings, which form a rich and much needed blend of Scriptural doctrine and personal godliness. They serve to introduce us to Grimshaw, but, more importantly, to Grimshaw's God, and show us what it means truly to love God with all our heart.' - Rev Dr Iain D. Campbell, Pastor, Free Church of Scotland, Back, Isle of Lewis 'Grimshaw is one of my great heroes'
Dr Michael A G Haykin, Professor of Church History and Biblical Spirituality, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky, & Research Professor of Irish Baptist College 'Although regarded as one of the great Evangelical leaders of the 18th century, William Grimshaw's writings have been inaccessible to successive generations. Paul and Faith Cook are to be greatly commended for presenting today's readers with a sampling of what made Grimshaw the important leader he was. The brief biographical introduction, coupled with selections from Grimshaw's previously unpublished manuscripts, make a perfect introduction to him. Living the Christian Life will not only teach you about this important minister historically, but will also benefit you spiritually as you imbibe his practical and experiential emphases.'
Joel R. Beeke, President, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids
'The first pages give a short biography of William Grimshaw, the second part is quotations taken from four manuscripts discovered in 1963 but then ‘lost' and re-discovered among papers at John Rylands University Library of Manchester and passed to Hartley Victoria College where Faith Cook and her husband Paul were able to read what Grimshaw had written in his own hand. This little book is a collection of quotations taken from those manuscripts and published during the three-hundredth anniversary of William Grimshaw's birth.
Every piece is a gem of wisdom, to be treasured in your heart and pondered upon throughout your life. Addressed to all attempting to live the Christian life, there is guidance and assurance for everyone. I have been deeply impressed and recommend this treasure to all.'
Review from www.thegoodbookstall.co.uk
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