By all means read the Puritans, they are worth more than all the modern stuff put together.

This quote is an endorsement of the Puritans, a religious reform movement that arose within the Church of England in the late sixteenth century. Spurgeon suggests that their writings are far more valuable than all modern literature combined. This is a strong statement, implying that there’s something profound and timeless about Puritan texts.

The Puritans were known for their focus on personal piety, moral uprightness, and direct relationship with God. They emphasized simplicity in worship and life, believing that every aspect of life was spiritual and should be lived out according to God’s Word. Their writings reflect these beliefs—offering deep insights into faith, morality, human nature, and society.

Spurgeon seems to suggest that modern literature lacks this depth or insightfulness found in Puritan works. Perhaps he finds them superficial or shallow compared to the profound wisdom he sees in Puritan writing.

Applying this idea to today’s world or personal development might involve seeking out wisdom from older sources rather than focusing solely on contemporary ones. It doesn’t necessarily mean we should only read 16th-century religious texts but rather encourages us not to dismiss older works as irrelevant.

In terms of personal development, one could interpret this quote as a call for introspection—to question our values and actions against those advocated by these older sources; it could also be seen as encouraging humility—a recognition that despite our technological advancements we do not have all the answers and can still learn from those who came before us.

Furthermore, it may inspire us to seek depth over breadth—instead of consuming vast amounts of information superficially (a common tendency in our digital age), we might benefit more from delving deeply into fewer but more substantial sources.