Archibald Alexander on SermonAudio

This study explores one of the most sobering and psychologically intense scenes in John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress: the character of the Man in the Iron Cage. By taking a deeply casuistic and pastoral approach, we examine the critical distinction between objective judicial hardening (true apostasy) and subjective spiritual desertion—the tragic state in which an anxious, tender conscience falsely fears it has committed the unpardonable sin against the Holy Spirit. Drawing upon a rich array of historic Reformed and Puritan theology—including the classic diagnostic criteria of William Gouge, William Guthrie, and William Gurnall, the exegetical insights of John Brown of Edinburgh, Thomas Chalmers' analysis of spiritual light and moral insensibility, Archibald Alexander's dual diagnosis of physical melancholy versus spiritual trial, and John Bunyan's own autobiographical struggle in Grace Abounding—this session provides a compassionate, biblically grounded framework designed to help troubled souls dismantle the false iron cages constructed in their minds and anchor their hope solely in the external sufficiency of Jesus Christ.

A new MP3 sermon from The Narrated Puritan is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Thoughts On Religious Experience - Preface Subtitle: Thoughts on Religious Exp Speaker: Archibald Alexander Broadcaster: The Narrated Puritan Event: Audiobook Date: 10/23/2025 Length: 30 min.

In judging of religious experience it is all-important to keep steadily in view the system of divine truth contained in the Holy Scriptures; otherwise, our experience, as is too often the case, will degenerate into wild enthusiasm. Many ardent professors seem too readily to take it for granted that all religious feelings must be good. They therefore take no care to discriminate between the genuine and the spurious, the pure gold and the tinsel. Their only concern is about the ardor of their feelings; not considering that if they are spurious, the more intense they are, the further will they lead them astray. In our day there is nothing more necessary than to distinguish carefully between true and false experiences in religion; to "test the spirits—whether they are from God." (1 John 4:1) And in making this discrimination, there is no other test but the infallible Word of God; let every thought, motive, impulse and emotion be brought to this touchstone.

A new MP3 sermon from The Narrated Puritan is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Counsel To Make Our Death Both Safe and Comfortable Subtitle: Letters to the Aged Speaker: Archibald Alexander Broadcaster: The Narrated Puritan Event: Audiobook Date: 10/21/2025 Length: 12 min.

I am aware that some Christians, who enjoy very comfortable evidences of being the adopted children of God, are not willing to profess that they have arrived at full assurance. They suppose that they who have attained to this high privilege are in a state of uninterrupted joy, and that no shadow of doubt ever passes over their minds. The truth is, they do possess a solid assurance, although their frames of mind are not always equally comfortable, and although the evidence is not so great that it cannot be increased.

A new MP3 sermon from The Narrated Puritan is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: The Death Bed - Letters to the Aged - 4 Subtitle: Letters to the Aged Speaker: Archibald Alexander Broadcaster: The Narrated Puritan Event: Audiobook Date: 10/19/2025 Length: 18 min.

Death, when viewed merely by the light of nature, is truly an appalling event! It is commonly preceded by disease, or the decrepitude of old age. The separation between the soul and body is usually accompanied with a convulsive struggle, and the appearance of extreme agony; so that "the pangs of death", and "the agonies of death", are familiar phrases among all people.

A new MP3 sermon from The Narrated Puritan is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Letters To The Aged - 3 Subtitle: Letters to the Aged Speaker: Archibald Alexander Broadcaster: The Narrated Puritan Event: Audiobook Date: 10/14/2025 Length: 11 min.

"Why is it, my dear friends, that we allow so many opportunities of usefulness to pass without improvement? Why are we so often silent, when the suggestions of our own conscience urge us to speak something for God? How is it, that we consume hours in unprofitable talk, and seldom attempt to say anything which can profit the hearers? We may plead inability— we may excuse ourselves, because we are unlearned and not able to speak eloquently and correctly—but let us be honest; is not the true reason because our own hearts are so little affected with these things? We cannot consent to play the hypocrite by uttering sentiments which we do not feel;"

A new MP3 sermon from The Narrated Puritan is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Labor To Be Useful In Old Age Subtitle: Letters to the Aged Speaker: Archibald Alexander Broadcaster: The Narrated Puritan Event: Audiobook Date: 10/3/2025 Length: 14 min.

Letters to the Aged - 2 Why should the aged be more peevish and morose than others? If they are pious, there can be no good reason for it; but it is not difficult to account for the fact. In the decline of life a gradual change takes place in our physical system, by which the mind is considerably affected; and often serious disease is added to this natural change. The nervous system is debilitated and shattered, and in consequence, the spirits are apt to sink, or to become irregular.

A new MP3 sermon from The Narrated Puritan is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Letters to the Aged - #1 Subtitle: Letters to the Aged Speaker: Archibald Alexander Broadcaster: The Narrated Puritan Event: Audiobook Date: 9/23/2025 Length: 11 min.

There is one reflection connected with this subject still more sad; it is, that some in whom we once delighted, and in whom we reposed strong confidence, have turned aside from the ways of truth and righteousness in which they appeared to be walking, and though they may be still walking up and down upon the earth, are dead to us, and to all those interests which once seemed to be common to them and us. And as to those who remain steadfast, and have continued their pilgrimage without turning aside into crooked ways, what a sad change has time made upon their bodies!

A new MP3 sermon from The Narrated Puritan is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Letter to a Mourning, Afflicted Widow -1844 Subtitle: Letters to the Aged Speaker: Archibald Alexander Broadcaster: The Narrated Puritan Event: Audiobook Date: 8/1/2025 Length: 10 min.

A new MP3 sermon from The Narrated Puritan is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Letter to a Bereaved Widower Subtitle: Letters to the Aged Speaker: Archibald Alexander Broadcaster: The Narrated Puritan Event: Audiobook Date: 8/1/2025 Length: 13 min.

God does not willingly afflict; He takes no pleasure in the sufferings of any of His creatures, much less in the sorrows of His children; but He chastises them for their real good. Why some are so much more afflicted than others, we do not know; but we do know, "that all things work together for good to those who love God"; (Rom 8:28) and that, although "no chastening for the present is joyous—but grievous, yet afterwards it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto those who are exercised thereby". (Heb 12:11) The afflicted mourner finds it hard to believe this promise, and cannot see how it is possible that such a calamity should be of any benefit. But God's Word is to be credited in opposition to our own feelings, and to all appearances. He has ways of working which we do not now understand—but shall know hereafter.

The uninterrupted and uncommon prosperity which has hitherto attended you makes this stroke doubly distressing. From your youth you seem to have enjoyed the peculiar care of Providence. Though early deprived of the watchful care of an excellent father, you found friends who almost supplied the place of a father; who not only provided for you bodily needs—but took care of your education; and I do not know that your advantages could have been greater, had your good father continued to live. And since you have become a man, and entered into that course of life which you were permitted to choose for yourself, I know of no one, in the same line, who has been more successful in his pursuits, or who has been able to conciliate more effectually the public favor. Indeed, until this sad event in a moment dashed the cup of worldly prosperity, you might be said to have been like a favorite child, dandled on the knee, and exposed to no crude blasts of adversity.

A new MP3 sermon from The Narrated Puritan is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Growth in Grace Subtitle: Christian Experience Speaker: Archibald Alexander Broadcaster: The Narrated Puritan Event: Audiobook Date: 3/27/2025 Length: 30 min.

Young converts are prone to depend too much on joyful frames, and love high excitement in their devotional exercises; but their heavenly Father cures them of this folly, by leaving them for a season to walk in darkness and struggle with their own corruptions. When most sorely pressed and discouraged, however, He strengthens them with might in the inner man. He enables them to stand firmly against temptation; or, if they slide, he quickly restores them, and by such exercises they become much more sensible of their entire dependence than they were at first. They learn to be in the fear of the Lord all the day long, and to distrust entirely their own wisdom and strength, and to rely for all needed aid on the grace of Jesus Christ.

A class on the Doctrine of Christian Assurance and Experience: Authors quoted, John Owen, J C Ryle, Thomas Brooks, Archibald Alexander, Samuel Pike and Samuel Hayward's Cases of Conscience. Thomas Scott.

A new MP3 sermon from The Narrated Puritan is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Counsels of the Aged To the Young Subtitle: The Narrated Puritan - T M S Speaker: Archibald Alexander Broadcaster: The Narrated Puritan Event: Audiobook Date: 7/3/2024 Length: 64 min.

How often are we called to witness the decease of blooming youths in the midst of all their pleasures and prospects! Such scenes have been exhibited within the observation of all of you. Dear friends and companions have been snatched away from the side of some of you. The grave has closed upon many whose prospects of long life were as favourable as those of their survivors. Now, my dear young friends, what has so frequently happened in relation to so many others may take place with regard to some of you.

A new MP3 sermon from Grace Audio Treasures is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: A Prayer of a Dying Saint! Subtitle: Puritan Devotional Speaker: Archibald Alexander Broadcaster: Grace Audio Treasures Event: Funeral Service Date: 3/31/2024 Bible: 1 Corinthians 15 Length: 9 min.

A precious prayer of a dying saint!

This lesson covers the founding of Princeton Seminary (1812) and its first three professors, Archibald Alexander, Samuel Miller, and Charles Hodge.

Archibald Alexander - Imperfect sanctification—the spiritual warfare... Where two opposite principles exist in the same soul, there must be a perpetual conflict between them, until "the weaker dies". But as the "old man", though crucified, never becomes extinct in this life, this warfare between the flesh and the spirit never ceases until death. As these opposite moral principles operate through the same natural faculties and affections, it is a matter of course, that as the one gains strength the other must be proportionately weakened; and experience teaches that the most effectual way to subdue the power of sin is to nourish and exercise the principle of holiness. But if love to God grows cold or declines in vigor, then the motions of sin become more lively, and the stirring of inbred corruption is sensibly experienced.

What are the two main evidences that there has been a change in the governing disposition, called the new birth? What are their counterfeits? What causes these false conversions? Archibald Alexander, Jonathan Edwards, John Owen

Chapter 2 of Archibald Alexander's Thoughts on Religious Experience. Resources that were not mentioned. Marke H orne: Is God the God of the Mature Adult Christian only? online at thirdmill org (2) Andrew Hoffecker - Charles Hodge, The Pride of Princeton.

A class study in which the foundation of the class is guided by Archibald Alexander's book, Thoughts on Religious Experience - 1841 These studies include the class discussions, question and answers.

A new MP3 sermon from The Narrated Puritan is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Death Bed Experiences of Saints Entering Heaven - John Johnway-1657 Subtitle: Christian Experience Speaker: Archibald Alexander Broadcaster: The Narrated Puritan Event: Audiobook Date: 11/7/2023 Length: 9 min.

A new MP3 sermon from The Narrated Puritan is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Backsliding In the Faith - Temporary and Perpetual Subtitle: Christian Experience Speaker: Archibald Alexander Broadcaster: The Narrated Puritan Event: Audiobook Date: 10/19/2023 Length: 25 min.

All this may take place and continue long before the person is aware of his danger, or acknowledges that there has been any serious departure from God. The forms of religion may still be kept up, and open sin avoided. But more commonly backsliders fall into some evil habits; they are evidently too much conformed to the world, and often go too far in participating in the pleasures and amusements of the world; and too often there is an indulgence in known sin into which they are gradually led, and on account of which they experience frequent compunction, and make solemn resolutions to avoid it in future. But when the hour of temptation comes, they are overcome again and again, and thus they live a miserable life, enslaved by some sin, over which, though they sometimes struggle hard, they cannot get the victory.

A new MP3 sermon from The Narrated Puritan is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Spiritual Trouble of Mind and the Disease of Melancholy Subtitle: Christian Experience Speaker: Archibald Alexander Broadcaster: The Narrated Puritan Event: Audio Book Date: 5/24/2023 Length: 20 min.

The introduction to Timothy Roger's book

A new MP3 sermon from The Narrated Puritan is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Conversion of Children, Conviction Prior To Conversion in Adults Subtitle: Christian Experience Speaker: Archibald Alexander Broadcaster: The Narrated Puritan Event: Audio Book Date: 5/8/2023 Length: 26 min.

We ought not to expect from a regenerated child uniform attention to serious subjects, or a freedom from that gaiety and volatility which are characteristic of that tender age; but we should expect to find the natural propensity moderated, and the temper softened and seasoned, by the commingling of pious thoughts and affections with those which naturally flow from the infant mind.

A new MP3 sermon from The Narrated Puritan is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: The Various Trials of Believers Subtitle: Christian Experience Speaker: Archibald Alexander Broadcaster: The Narrated Puritan Event: Audio Book Date: 1/14/2023 Length: 10 min.

As the dispensations of God towards His children are exceedingly diverse in different ages; likewise His dealings with individual believers who live at the same time are very different. Why it is so we cannot tell; but we are sure that He has wise reasons for all that He does. In some cases pious people appear to pass through life with scarcely a touch from His rod; while others, who to us do not appear to need more chastisement than those, are held the greater part of their life under the heavy pressure of affliction, with scarcely any intermission.

A new MP3 sermon from The Narrated Puritan is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Imperfect Sanctification - The Spiritual Warfare Subtitle: Christian Experience Speaker: Archibald Alexander Broadcaster: The Narrated Puritan Event: Sunday Service Date: 1/1/2023 Length: 22 min.

A new MP3 sermon from The Narrated Puritan is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Imperfect Sanctification - The Spiritual Warfare Subtitle: Christian Experience Speaker: Archibald Alexander Broadcaster: The Narrated Puritan Event: Sunday Service Date: 1/1/2023 Length: 22 min.

Where two opposite principles exist in the same soul, there must be a perpetual conflict between them, until "the weaker dies". But as the "old man", though crucified, never becomes extinct in this life, this warfare between the flesh and the spirit never ceases until death. As these opposite moral principles operate through the same natural faculties and affections, it is a matter of course, that as the one gains strength the other must be proportionately weakened; and experience teaches that the most effectual way to subdue the power of sin is to nourish and exercise the principle of holiness.

A new MP3 sermon from The Narrated Puritan is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Counsel From The Aged To The Young Subtitle: Christian Experience Speaker: Archibald Alexander Broadcaster: The Narrated Puritan Event: Audio Book Date: 12/18/2022 Length: 48 min.

A new MP3 sermon from The Narrated Puritan is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Counsel From The Aged To The Young Subtitle: Christian Experience Speaker: Archibald Alexander Broadcaster: The Narrated Puritan Event: Audio Book Date: 12/18/2022 Length: 48 min.

From Thoughts on Religious Experience - 1841

A new MP3 sermon from The Narrated Puritan is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: A Prayer From A Saint On The Borders Of Another World Subtitle: The Narrated Puritan - T M S Speaker: Archibald Alexander Broadcaster: The Narrated Puritan Event: Audio Book Date: 11/28/2022 Length: 11 min.

A new MP3 sermon from The Narrated Puritan is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: A Prayer From A Saint On The Borders Of Another World Subtitle: The Narrated Puritan - T M S Speaker: Archibald Alexander Broadcaster: The Narrated Puritan Event: Audio Book Date: 11/28/2022 Length: 11 min.

From the book Thoughts on Religious Experience - 1841

Life of Archibald Alexander: My services as a reader (such is his own account) were frequently in requisition, not only to save the eyes of old Mrs. Tyler but on Sundays for the benefit of the whole family. On one of these Sabbath evenings, I was requested to read out of John Flavel. The part on which I had been regularly engaged was the ' Method of Grace; ' but now, by some means, I was led to select one of the sermons on Revelation iii. 20, "Behold I stand at the door and knock," &c. The discourse was upon the patience, forbearance, and kindness of the Lord Jesus Christ to impenitent and obstinate sinners. As I proceeded to read aloud, the truth took effect on my feelings, and every word I read seemed applicable to my own case. Before I finished the discourse, these emotions became too strong for restraint, and my voice began to falter. I laid down the book, rose hastily, went out with a full heart, and hastened to my place of retirement. No sooner had I reached the spot than I dropped to my knees, and attempted to pour out my feelings in prayer; but I had not continued many minutes in this exercise before I was overwhelmed with a flood of joy. It was transport such as I had never known before, and seldom since." Life of A Alexander by James Waddel Alexander.