1. The Pilgrim’s Progress - Bunyan, John
304 pages, paperback, Baker.
The best possible starting point is this greatest-of-all allegories, which once shaped the nation. The nature of salvation and the spiritual battles of the believer are unfolded so helpfully, one never forgets. (C. H. Spurgeon read this over 100 times, regarding it as the most significant book after the Bible.)

2.Two booklets:

Seven Certain Signs of True Conversion - Masters, Peter
21 pages, booklet, Sword & Trowel.
How can seekers tell if God has worked in their hearts? This outlines the marks of true conversion so helpful for gaining and keeping assurance of salvation.

Baptism, the Picture and its Purpose - Masters, Peter
24 pages, booklet, Sword & Trowel.
This describes the fourfold pictorial message of baptism intended by God, and shows why it is essential for new believers.
 

3. A Body of Divinity - Watson, Thomas
328 pages, paperback, Banner of Truth.
This classic is still the best way to obtain a bird's-eye view of the faith. There are constant devotional and practical applications making this a fine survey of all the key doctrines. Of all the Puritans, Watson's style is the briefest and most 'modern'. Ideal for study groups, and for all ages.
 

4. Holiness - Ryle, J.C.
324 pages, paperback, EP.
This outstanding manual needs no commendation. All who read it remember its counsels clearly, and recommend it to others. In vigorous prose it imparts an education in sanctification, assurance, growth, and love for Christ and has changed many lives.
 

5. Steps for Guidance in the Journey of Life - Masters, Peter
184 pages, paperback, Wakeman Trust.
Christians must seek God’s will in all the major decisions of life. Here are six biblical steps for finding God’s pathway with special attention to courtship and marriage, and chapters on how to think about wealth, ambition, leisure and church membership.

6. God's Rules for Holiness - Masters, Peter
139 pages, paperback, Sword & Trowel.
Taken at face value the Ten Commandments are binding on all people, and will guard the way to Heaven. But the Commandments are far greater than their surface meaning, as this book shows. They challenge us as Christians on a wide range of deeds and attitudes, providing positive virtues as goals. And they give immense help for staying close to the Lord in our walk and worship. 
 

7. Profiting from the Word - Pink, A. W.
124 pages, paperback, Counted Faithful.
Arguably Pink's best book. Shows the effect of Bible reading (rightly done) on the believer's attitude to sin, God, prayer, good works, obedience, the world, the promises, joy and love. A clear, stirring book for all readers, and good for group study. Excellent for young believers.
 

8. The Real Baptism of the Holy Spirit - Masters, Peter
86 pages, paperback, Wakeman Trust.
Is there a second blessing or baptism of the Spirit after conversion? Is the believer meant to struggle against sin, or does the Spirit sanctify by grace? What is the witness of the Spirit? And what is meant by the filling of the Spirit? Here are answers to all such questions with 'proof texts'.
 

9. The Holy War [abridged] - Bunyan, John
319 pages, paperback, Whitaker.
This stirring allegory will give every reader a deep understanding of what happens in the salvation of a soul. Bunyan’s brilliant illustrations describe with immense insight the fall of ‘Mansoul’ and its rescue. A ‘must’ to be read, prompting a great step forward in spiritual growth. This edition is recast in modern English. Strongly recommended.
 

10. Spurgeon - Dallimore, Arnold
252 pages, paperback, Banner of Truth.
(1834-92) This is selected as the first biography on the list because it shows the power of the Word alone in converting many, and the way God blessed one who was obedient and faithful to Him. (We knew this Canadian author, now in glory, very well and deeply respected him as an outstanding speaker, pastor, biographer, and personality.)
 

11. The Attributes of God - Pink, A. W.
96 pages, paperback, Counted Faithful.
Nowhere else are the attributes of God presented in such brief compass with such clarity and devotional impact. Countless Christians have had their entire outlook transformed by this modern classic. Vital reading, because, before anything else, we must grasp God’s majesty and greatness.

 

12. The Charismatic Illusion - Masters, Peter & Whitcomb, John C.
297 pages, paperback, Wakeman Trust.
So many believers have fallen for the charismatic movement. This shows the true purpose of the sign-miracles performed by the apostles, and shows that they were quite different from those claimed today. Were the gifts of New Testament times intended to be permanent? Answers are given.
 

13. The Pilgrim Church - Broadbent, E. H
456 pages, cloth, Gospel Folio Press.
A superb 'sweep' of the story of Gospel power down through the ages. This focuses especially on preachers and churches who were faithful to Christ, who laboured valiantly, who endured trial and persecution, who suffered martyrdom, and who strove to reform their churches to conform to the Word of God. A 'conviction' book, written with passion, and showing that those who are most faithful are those who are most blessed.

14. Two booklets:

Christian Stewardship - Masters, Peter
21 pages, booklet, Sword & Trowel.
The duties of Christian stewardship are here presented, and many questions answered.
 

Your Reasonable Service in the Lord’s Work - Masters, Peter
21 pages, booklet, Sword & Trowel.
This is designed to inspire church members to seek avenues of service within the church. It focuses on the strong commands in the New Testament to serve the Lord.
 

15. The Lie: Evolution - Ham, Ken
168 pages, paperback, Master Books.
The author shows how to recognise the two ‘world views’, one arising from evolution, and the other based on the fact of creation. It is shown that evolution is a religion. Many objections that are raised against the book of Genesis are answered. Christians must know how to answer these questions.
 

16. A Puritan Golden Treasury - Thomas, I. D. E.
297 pages, paperback, Banner of Truth.
A masterful selection of 1,500 quotations from a wide range of Puritans, arranged under subject headings. Says the author - `As seers of divine truth, and as surgeons of human souls, the Puritans remain peerless.' These brief, proverbial, thought-provoking nuggets confirm that. Good for all readers.
 

17. The Trinity - Bickersteth, E. H.
182 pages, paperback, Kregel.
There is nothing to match this brilliant book by an evangelical scholar-bishop of the nineteenth century. It really helps one to see the greatness of each Person of the Trinity, and to love the Lord as never before.

18. Two booklets:

Stand for the Truth - Masters, Peter
36 pages, booklet, Sword & Trowel.
This gives the biblical arguments for separation from false teaching, showing the positive value of doing this. Ten commonly-heard arguments in defence of co-operation with Bible-denying groups (for example in evangelism) are answered.

Should Christians Drink? - Masters, Peter
107 pages, paperback, Wakeman Trust.
What are the biblical statements which have convinced the overwhelming majority of Bible-believers for more than 150 years that the Lord wants His people to abstain from alcohol? These statements should be pondered and obeyed by all who want to please the Lord.

19. Answers to My Catholic Friends - Heinze, Thomas F.
62 pages, paperback, Chick.
A lively book, novel in style, in which the author (a missionary in Italy for over 30 years) pinpoints the key differences between biblical salvation and Catholic teaching. He never says too much. Eight chief differences are singled out. This will definitely help the reader to witness to Catholic friends.
 

20. The Five Points of Calvinism - Seaton, W. J.
24 pages, booklet, Banner of Truth.
A short and very useful booklet presenting the five points of Calvinism, especially suitable for giving to others. The biblical teaching is well set out.

21. William Carey - Pearce Carey, S.
437 pages, cloth, Wakeman Trust.
(1761-1834) A long read - but readers will never regret it. Dr John MacArthur calls this the best book he has ever read. It is a beautifully produced biography of the ‘father of modern missions’. Compelling pages convey the very atmosphere of an extraordinary time of missionary advance. Carey and his colleagues overcame mountainous obstacles to become the most productive church planters and Bible translators of all time. This story will stir the hearts of young and old alike.
 

22. From Forgiven to Forgiving - Adams, Jay
175 pages, paperback, Calvary Press.
This simply must be read as it deals with one of the saddest omissions in many Christian lives. It is subtitled - Learning to Forgive One Another God’s Way. All aspects of forgiveness are presented, including common errors among Christians, and the matter of restitution also.
 

23. The Healing Epidemic (new condensed edition) - Masters, Peter
143 pages, paperback, Wakeman Trust.
A kind of sequel to Charismatic Phenomenon, this answers charismatic claims and arguments, showing that sign-gifts have ceased. It includes chapters on demons; on how James 5 should be obeyed today, and on the Bible’s insistence that the mind should always be ‘switched on’ in worship. It has a great concluding chapter on medical aspects of divine healing, by the late Prof Verna Wright, a much-loved and eminent Christian doctor.

24. Two booklets:
Remember the Lord's Day - Masters, Peter
34 pages, booklet, Sword & Trowel.
Why was the sabbath day instituted by the Lord, and does it continue now as the Lord's Day? If so, in what way has it changed with the coming of Christ? How should it be kept? This booklet responds to these and other questions, showing that the sabbath principle is still God's will for believers today.

The Purposes of the Lord’s Supper - Masters, Peter
24 pages, booklet, Sword & Trowel.
This lists nine purposes behind the Lord’s Supper, and provides a basis for thought and prayer at the Table.