J. C. Ryle Collection (18 vols.)

by J. C. Ryle

Publishers:

Thomas Nelson; Hodder and Stoughton; Robert Carter & Brothers

and

4 more

, 1851–1903

Overview

As a twenty-one year undergraduate in Oxford in 1837, a bright but depressed J. C. Ryle stumbled across a church and entered it on a whim. There, he heard the words of Ephesians 2 preached, and it lit a fire of passion for God in him that would never be extinguished. The rest of Ryle’s life would be in service to God, with a strong commitment to preaching and teaching salvation unto others. Ryle was a prolific author, and his numerous books and commentaries were bestsellers and translated all over the world. The J. C. Ryle Collection (18 Vols.), includes his most important works on God and the Christian faith, and contains his powerful commentaries on the canonical gospels.

“I frankly avow that I have studied, as far as possible, to be plain and pointed, and to choose what an old divine calls ‘picked and packed’ words,” he writes. Renowned for its direct, unadorned language and its deep insight, Ryle’s work has been inspiring Christians for over one hundred years. Along with his commentaries on Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, this collection includes his sermons and essays on justification, regeneration, sin, baptism, the Sabbath, and more. Filled with practical observations for daily Christian living, they are also rich with the history of the Anglican Church.

With the Logos Bible Software edition all Scripture passages in the J. C. Ryle Collection (18 Vols.) are tagged to original language texts and English translations. This makes these resources more powerful and easier to access than ever before for scholarly work or personal Bible study. With the advanced search features of Logos Bible Software, you can perform powerful searches by topic or Scripture reference—finding, for example, every mention of “regeneration,” or “Luke.”

Key Features

• Contains comprehensive commentaries on the canonical gospels
• 8,061 pages of commentary, sermons, essays, and hymns
• Practical instruction for leading a Christian life

Praise for the Print Edition

. . . a distillation of true Puritan theology presented in a highly readable form.

—Martyn Lloyd-Jones

I am bold to say that perhaps few men in the nineteenth century did so much for God, for truth, for righteousness, among the English speaking race and in the world, as Ryle.

—Richard Hobson

Product Details

• Title: J. C. Ryle Collection
• Author: J. C. Ryle
• Volumes: 18
• Pages: 8,061

Expository Thoughts on Matthew

• Author: J. C. Ryle
• Publisher: New York: Robert Carter
• Publication Date: 1860
• Pages: 438

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

J. C. Ryle’s Expository Thoughts series offers a spiritual approach to the Gospels, written in an easy to understand manner for practical teaching and study. This volume on Mathew is an effective companion to the Bible, with Ryle highlighting pertinent passages and offering useful insight into their significance and meaning. Some of the major topics include the birth of Jesus, John the Baptist, Jesus in Galilee, various parables, Peter, and the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.

Expository Thoughts on Mark

• Author: J. C. Ryle
• Publisher: London: William Hunt
• Publication Date: 1859
• Pages: 416

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

J.C. Ryle had three goals when writing his Expository Thoughts books: that they be used in family Bible study, a teaching tool for those visiting the sick or poor, or as a companion for private Bible study. They have achieved a higher end to those humble aspirations, and the Expository Thoughts on Mark is a great example. Ryle’s helpful commentary on the Gospel of Mark is filled with wonderful insight and practical observations.

Expository Thoughts on Luke, Vol. 1

• Author: J. C. Ryle
• Publisher: New York: Robert Carter
• Publication Date: 1879
• Pages: 390

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Still in keeping with his promise to deliver easy to understand, practical study guides in his Expository Thoughts series, J.C. Ryle has included extensive notes with this volume on Luke for those wanting to dig deeper into some of the more difficult passages. Luke 1–10 are covered by volume one.

Expository Thoughts on Luke, Vol. 2

• Author: J. C. Ryle
• Publisher: New York: Robert Carter
• Publication Date: 1879
• Pages: 582

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Volume two of J. C. Ryle’s Expository Thoughts on Luke begins with the Lord’s Prayer. “The substance of the Lord’s Prayer is a mine of spiritual treasure,” writes Ryle. Covering Luke 11–24, Ryle’s thorough examination of Luke serves as a wonderful guidebook for improved comprehension of the Scriptures.

Expository Thoughts on John, Vol. 1

• Author: J. C. Ryle
• Publisher: New York: Robert Carter
• Publication Date: 1879
• Pages: 422

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

“I hold that the Gospel of St. John, rightly interpreted, is the best and simplest answer to those who profess to admire a vague and indistinct Christianity.” So says J. C. Ryle in the preface to his three volume masterwork on the book of John. Written in clear and concise language, Ryle expounds the Scriptures like nobody else. His interpretations are insightful, and his observations are practical for daily Christian living. A perfect companion for studying or teaching the Bible, Ryle has included detailed explanatory notes and a comprehensive appendix. John 1–6 are covered in volume one.

Expository Thoughts on John, Vol. 2

• Author: J. C. Ryle
• Publisher: New York: Robert Carter
• Publication Date: 1879
• Pages: 390

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

“If I can help to make the Bible more plain and interesting to any man’s souls, than I shall be abundantly content.” So writes J. C. Ryle in the Preface of the second volume in his captivating commentary on the Gospel of John. This volume continues with Ryle’s insightful observations, covering John 7–12.

Expository Thoughts on John, Vol. 3

• Author: J. C. Ryle
• Publisher: New York: Robert Carter
• Publication Date: 1880
• Pages: 478

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

J. C. Ryle’s third volume of commentary on the Gospel of John covers John 13–21. Ryle’s concluding thoughts on this powerful book of the Bible covey his in-depth understanding of the Scriptures and the joy he has in teaching from them. This three-volume commentary is considered one of the best written commentaries on the Book of John still today.

Knots Untied: Being Plain Statements on Disputed Points in Religion

• Author: J. C. Ryle
• Publisher: London: William Hunt
• Publication Date: 1885
• Pages: 442

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Attempting to “untie some theological knots,” J. C. Ryle’s nineteen essays approach doctrinal controversies of the nineteenth century from an evangelical perspective. Written in Ryle’s customary direct, plain-language, and filled with insightful commentary, this volume comprises of Ryle’s observations on baptism, regeneration, confessions, the Sabbath, and more. This is a key work for understanding the debates within the English Church after the Reformation.

The Upper Room

• Author: J. C. Ryle
• Publisher: London: William Hunt
• Publication Date: 1888
• Pages: 467

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

The Upper Room is a collection of sermons, addresses, lectures, and tracts that Ryle composed over forty-five years of ministry. “All of them, I venture humbly to think, will be found to contain some useful truths for the times, and words in season,” he writes in the Preface. Over one hundred years later, these selected papers are just as relevant and inspirational as the years they were written.

The Christian Leaders of the Last Century

• Author: J. C. Ryle
• Publisher: London: T. Nelson and Sons
• Publication Date: 1869
• Pages: 446

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

“I believe firmly that, excepting Luther and his Continental contemporaries and our own martyred Reformers, the world has seen no such men since the day of the apostles,” writes J. C. Ryle in his Preface for The Christian Leaders of the Last Century. This volume comprises of biographical sketches of Ryle’s eighteenth century influences: George Whitefield, John Wesley, William Grimshaw, William Romaine, Daniel Rowlands, John Berridge, Henry Venn, Samuel Walker, James Hervey, Augustus Toplady, and John William Fletcher.

The Christian Race and Other Sermons

• Author: J. C. Ryle
• Publisher: London: Hodder and Stoughton
• Publication Date: 1900
• Pages: 378

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

After sixty years of ministry, J. C. Ryle’s selected sermons were published in his honor. Varying from doctrinal issues—sin, redemption, regeneration, sanctification—to the practical duties of living the Christian life, Ryle’s sermons are timeless and inspirational.

Light From Old Times: or Protestant Facts And Men

• Author: J. C. Ryle
• Publisher: London: Chas. J. Thynne
• Publication Date: 1903
• Pages: 524

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

After providing a short history of the Anglican Church, J. C. Ryle presents the biographies of some of the most influential English Reformers and detractors, some of whom are little known. Light From Old Times includes the biographies of John Wycliffe, John Rogers, John Hooper, Rowland Taylor, Hugh Latimer, John Bradford, Nichols Ridley, Samuel Ward, Archbishop Laud, Richard Baxter, William Gurnall, and James II.

Living or Dead? A Series of Home Truths

• Author: J. C. Ryle
• Publisher: New York: Robert Carter
• Publication Date: 1851
• Pages: 374

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

“I meet you this day with one simple question—are you among the living, or among the dead?” J. C. Ryle’s Living or Dead is a powerful work on daily Christian living. Diving into the Scriptures, Ryle shows the reader how to lead a spiritually fulfilling and happy life, and the consequences that follow undisciplined faith. Celebrating God’s all-encompassing love, Ryle provides key passages from the Bible to illustrate how putting faith first leads to a joyful life.

Startling Questions

• Author: J. C. Ryle
• Publisher: New York: Robert Carter
• Publication Date: 1853
• Pages: 370

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Where art thou in the sight of God? Are you an heir to glory? Shall you be saved? How readest thou? What do you think and feel about the cross of Christ? Have you assurance? Each of these astonishing essays begins in the form of a question found in the Bible. J.C. Ryle’s exploration of these “startling questions” leads to powerful and inspiring answers.

Practical Religion: Being Plain Papers on the Daily Duties, Experience, Dangers, and Privileges of Professing Christians

• Author: J. C. Ryle
• Publisher: London, Charles Murray
• Publication Date: 1900
• Pages: 524

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

A guidebook for spiritual living, J. C. Ryle’s Practical Religion aims to “throw some light on what every believer ought to be, to do, and expect.” Focusing on subjects such as prayer, Bible reading, freedom, happiness, sickness, eternity, and more, Ryle’s insightful observations on the Scripture and living the Christian life are relevant today more than ever.

Hymns for the Church on Earth

• Author: J. C. Ryle
• Publisher: London: William Hunt
• Publication Date: 1876
• Pages: 428

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

A collection of four hundred hymns, some meant for congregational use, and some, because of their experimental form or meter, meant for private study. In selecting the hymns, J. C. Ryle aimed to bridge the divide between different variations of the Christian faith. “It is a pleasant thought,” he writes, “that however much Christians may disagree in pulpits, on platforms, and in prose writing, they are generally of one heart and one mind, in praise and prayer.”

Holiness: Its Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties and Roots

• Author: J. C. Ryle
• Publisher: London: William Hunt & Co.
• Publication Date: 1883
• Pages: 471

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Felt by many to be his masterwork, J. C. Ryle’s Holiness: Its Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties, and Roots is a timeless classic on what it means to be a Christian. First exploring the nature of sin, sanctification, and holiness, Ryle then draws examples from the Scriptures to argue that professing one’s faith isn’t merely enough to live the true Christian life. Written with Ryle’s customary straight-shooting verve and packed with biblical insight, Holiness has been impacting Christian lives for over a century.

Old Paths: Being Plain Statements of Some of the Weightier Matters of Christianity

• Author: J. C. Ryle
• Publisher: London: Charles J. Thynne
• Publication Date:1898
• Pages: 521

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

This series of sermons was based on the key doctrines of the Gospel essential for salvation. In plain and unadorned language, J. C. Ryle endeavors to illuminate some of Christianity’s great truths: the immortality of the soul, the sinfulness of human nature, the work of Christ as our Redeemer, forgiveness, justification, conversion, faith, repentance, and more.

About J. C. Ryle

J. C. Ryle (1816–1900) was educated at Christ Church, Oxford, where he was a Craven Scholar. He was ordained in 1841, and became the first bishop of Liverpool in 1880. Ryle was a prolific writer his entire life, publishing dozens of bestsellers that were translated into many languages.